US Botanic Garden Plant Monuments

Yes, we saw the trains that circled around all the Botanic gardens in the US. The wall poinsettia display was extraordinary. The stickwork sculpture and Christmas ornaments both inside and outside the building were lovely. But the centerpiece of the US Botanic garden is the main attraction in the entrance and foyer - all the monuments and memorials made out of plant based materials. We have been coming to the US Botanic garden long before we moved to Capitol Hill thirteen years ago. And since we moved to northern Virginia this year, we are just ten miles from the city and like to come in and visit whenever we feel like it. So we did that just a few weeks ago - just to experience the Christmas decorations at the garden and the Capitol grounds. On the west end of the building was a huge tree with trains and Capitol Hill below it and a rendering of Biltmore Castle. There is something magical about this place any time of year, but particularly at Christmas. So for as long as we can we will probably continue to make the trek every year. It’s well worth the visit. 

US Botanic Garden Christmas Decor

Last week we stopped in the US Botanic Garden to see the Christmas Trains and the Roadside Attractions. We usually visit on our morning walk because it is less busy. Typically the line to get in can be a few blocks long this time of year - especially with school groups and bus tours! The train exhibit is always lovely. We didn't spend enough time there and plan to go back again. But before we left we walked around the main lobby area to check out the monuments that are made out of plant material, mixed in with the Christmas trees and fountain. The newest addition is the Smithsonian African American Museum. I don't remember ever seeing the Albert Einstein sculpture before. All the traditional landmarks were visible and surrounded by Christmas and seasonal plants. It doesn't matter when we visit the garden. It is always such a great experience to stroll around the several distinctly different sections. We have been coming here long before we moved to DC and walk through the exterior gardens almost every day. But the Christmas season seems to be the busiest. Once you see it you'll understand why. 

Tatiana Borzoi - Made in the USZ

We all love our animals. And when they leave us, it's pretty tough. We had a beautiful Borzoi named Tatiana. Ever since we had her, nothing else comes close - to us. She lived a very long and what we think was a happy life. I have a picture of her in a tiny frame in our home and look at it routinely. I also have a picture of her and my husband on my desk at work. She was my model for the New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest win, and a model for a lot of my digital art portraits. But one of the most interesting reminders of Tatiana is a furry toy I received just recently from a friend of ours. She was clearing out a toy chest from many years back and came across a unique rendition of a wolfhound. It was made in Germany, but the USZ. So I looked up what that meant exactly. It's something about after WWII, what would become West Germany was divided into three zones, the US Zone being one of them. The goods made at this time were labelled USZ until the early fifties when the Allies no longer occupied the area. So the furry addition to our reminders of Tatiana now sits next to her picture. It was a very thoughtful gesture on our friend's part to remember how much we loved our dog. She was just that special.