Preparing the Balcony for Winter

It’s that time of year again. It’s getting to be too cold to sit out on the balcony. That means we need to bring in the cushions. We used to cover the seating with tarp like material. But for the last two years there have been decorative coco lined window box containers hanging on the backs of the chairs - so the covers don’t fit. Usually the loveseat and chair sit across from each other. But now we turn the chairs to face out so that the window boxes face our living room. That way, we can see whatever is in the baskets from inside of the house. Last year we ordered some liriope, ivy and violas to plant from Ginkgo Gardens in DC. The liriope and ivy survived the summer season, and we got a few winter pansies to replace the annuals. I think I prefer the violas to pansies because they have more flowers. But the best part about this floral arrangement is when Christmas gets a little closer. We always like to dress the boxes with Christmas greenery, sticks, and some decorations that are suitable for outside. Last year we were stuck at home for obvious reasons. This year we are hoping to make a family trip to central Virginia. So I’ll probably just put up decorations outdoors. So as long as we are able to see the “garden” from the living room it will be just fine and is really all we need. 

Long Shadows and Bridges

When we lived on Capitol Hill we walked every day rain or shine. Our wardrobe covered about every case scenario, but I still hated rainy weather. When we moved to northern Virginia, we drove to the mall whenever it was too hot, too cold, rainy or otherwise unpleasant. Since that is no longer an option over the last nine months - we haven’t stepped inside any building for anything - except for blood work. So our walks are outside again. Although if it is really rainy we will walk the parking garage eight to ten times around. It’s not the most pleasant experience but it gets the job done. Walking is like a pill on some days. You just need to swallow it whether you like it or not. This morning was exceptionally bright and beautiful - the kind of fall weather that one wishes could be like it for the rest of the season. So we went over to the the park in our neighborhood for a lovely promenade. Along the way the our shadows were long across the several bridges, trees, benches, and paths we passed through. Some of the shadows were crisper in the clear blue sky. All the beautiful leaves have long since fallen and everything had a golden hue. Sometimes I forget the miserable isolation we find ourselves in. It could be worse but it’s still annoying. When I think of the golden years this is not what I had in mind. 

Fall/Winter Balcony Window Boxes

Our spring/summer balcony “window boxes” needed an update. The boxes are made of metal, coco lined, and hang from the back of the chair and two seater patio furniture using zip ties. The marigolds and petunias were well spent, and would soon be replaced with some hearty fillers. So we emailed our favorite place - Ginkgo Gardens - on Capitol Hill, talked up some ideas, and arranged for curbside pick up last week. It’s not easy being a gardener on a balcony. First, the seating arrangement was changed so that the baskets faced toward our living room. That way we could enjoy the flowers over the season. The summer contents were then removed, and then the variegated ivy was first cut in half and placed on either side of the container. We got one large liriope container that needed to be divided in to three parts. It’s a perennial so hopefully it will survive the winter. At last the twelve yellow and maroon colored winter pansies were planted. In the end it looked nicely balanced with tall, flowing, and fillers. We always had window boxes and containers in our Midwest home, and then a small patio garden on Capitol Hill. The nice thing about the balcony garden is that we can actually see it all day long. When the holidays approach I’m hoping to add branches and greenery. It was a fun project and kept us occupied for a while. Now we just need to make sure everything thrives. Thanks Ginkgo Gardens for helping us again. It will be nice to visit the shop and make our own selections. But this is the next best thing. 

A Dreary Day in the Neighborhood

We are spoiled. With temps in the seventies this past weekend who would have thought we lived in Virginia - it felt more like Florida in the winter. So when it becomes rainy, cloudy, drizzly, and foggy - it’s more of an impact. Although I have to say it doesn’t matter what time of the year it is - I’m not a rainy day person. Remember the Carpenters song “Rainy Days and Mondays” always get me down? Well, that’s the truth. Every time I hear the PBS Masterpiece theme song it gets me upset because that meant the next day was a Monday and a workday after a nice weekend. I definitely need sunshine. So rather than walk in the park this morning we drove over to the mall to get in our usual exercise. We haven’t been there since the Christmas decorations all came down and it seemed to be busier than usual. On the way back things looked as dreary as when we left - but at least I didn’t need to be outside working, or taking the metro, or anything else. We at least can do whatever we want when we want. It’s something I really appreciate after all the years of driving and walking in inclement weather - something everyone does. So I’ll continue to be thankful for what we have - especially on a rainy, cloudy, foggy, drizzly winter day. 

LLBean Fleece Jacket

After attempting to buy the LLBean fleece jacket three times, it finally arrived yesterday. We got a postcard in the mail a few days back about a 20% off discount with the llbean MasterCard. We went to the store, found the perfect jacket in the right size, and they had no idea what we were talking about. So we went back home and the card said three days only - but the three days hadn’t started yet. At the three day time period I tried to order the jacket on line but it wouldn’t accept the 20% code or my bean points. Luckily we walk at the mall in the morning when it is hot, so we went back to llbean and looked for the jacket. It was no longer available in the size we needed, but the salesperson said they could order it in store for us. So we went that route. The check out person was also having problems on line and we ended up getting the discount, but she forgot to add on the bean points. Rather than make a fuss we decided we could use the points at another time. So now my husband has his winter fleece and we are prepared! It just seems funny to even think about winter clothes when it’s one of the hottest weeks of the year. It feels worse than Florida, but it also feels like Milwaukee in winter. And we’ve lived in both places. You would have thought northern Virginia would be a little more forgiving. But it’s not. 

SE Waterfront in Winter

Every once in a while we change up our routine and walk over to the SE neighborhood by the Navy Yard. It’s also called Yards Park and a lot of other things. None of it existed when we first moved here twelve years ago. Now, among all the high rises that were recently built and all the new ones that are half done with many more to go, it’s beginning to look like downtown. There is hardly any daylight in between the buildings. As one goes up, another goes up right next to it and blocks the view. The baseball stadium anchors one end and the Capitol Building can be seen up South Capitol Street with new buildings in all stages along the path. The one “free space” is by the Anacostia River. So we detoured over that way. Having just snowed it looked and sounded eerily quiet compared to all the construction noise opposite it. There were symmetrical reflections in the river mirroring the sky above. This place will soon be home to one of the most - if not the most - congested neighborhoods in DC. We don’t mind living near it, but probably wouldn’t want to live in it. When all is said and done it is pretty - along the waterfront. 

Gardens, Seating Areas, Patterns and Neighborhood Walks

Rather than walk over to the Mall this morning we took another path towards Union Station and then in to the neighborhood. For whatever reason we are avoiding the marches that are scheduled today and tomorrow. We usually like to see what’s going on regardless of the agenda, but just not up to it during  these last several dreary winter days. I was more interested to see what the leftover snow was looking like now that it’s almost melted. Sometimes the most unusual patterns can emerge. There was a huge chunk of snow hanging precariously from the rooftop - just don’t walk out the front door at the wrong time. The red brick townhouses stand out - each a little different than the one next to it. The patio seating arrangements don’t look quite as inviting as during the summer months. The flowers really pop in front of a white background. Sidewalks have patterns along the grout lines and you can certainly see the paw prints of the four legged fury friends. Some very thoughtful person set up three birdhouses far enough away from a predator, but I think the squirrels can still find a way to disturb them. I suppose each season has its attraction. I really have to work at not only finding the unusual sights, but actually liking them.