American Plant Indoor Finds

Following our lunch in Glen Echo at the Irish Pub, we headed out to American Plant in Bethesda. We were in search of a replacement bamboo piece, and a little bit of greenery to spruce up the ledge above the TV. It's always so pleasant to visit these places in the springtime where the orchids are really showing off,  but the cactus outnumber them and are competing for attention. Unfortunately we could not use either the orchids or the cacti, and kept our focus on finding just the right small bit of leafy adornment. This is one area that is left to the decision of my husband. It's not often that he sees something he really likes, but when he does I can tell. And so it was when this dainty little plant grabbed his attention, along with the small container that would fit the space well. In the end, he would have preferred something a little bigger for the plant, but didn't like the green pot we used to have in this spot. So we'll see how long it lasts. It seems to be the appropriate size sitting next to the baby pictures of our two grandsons housed in very ornate frames. There is always the tiny vase that can be used when the flowers in our patio garden start to flourish. Let's hope it lasts at least a few weeks. 

The Best Brunch in DC

For the last eight years I have had the good fortune to walk home for lunch from work. I am never disappointed with the menu or the conversation. Once in a while my husband joins me for lunch at the Library after attending a program he likes. We usually go to the Madison Building Cafeteria, the House Office Building, or Tortilla Coast. But I always prefer going home because the food tastes better and it is better for you. The offering stays pretty much the same - one egg over well (we eat the egg whites only) on top of an English muffin, sometimes with fat free American cheese, sometimes with a slice of ham or sausage; a half of a bagel, and French bread served with our favorite cheese and jelly. It is very simple and never disappoints. It's ready as soon as I walk in the door. Our little Betta fish Moby Dick is included in the conversation, and oftentimes I can get in a ten minute nap. I have no right to complain, and I don't until I have to walk back to work for the afternoon. It's a nice way to break up the day. After thirty years of driving all over town in Milwaukee at all hours of the day and night in a health care career, I think I deserve it. 

Potomac Yard and Notch 8

Not too far from Washington is Alexandria. We usually take the George Washington Parkway on our way to and from there, but we needed to stop at PetSmart along Route 1.  My goodness! It's been awhile and things have really changed from just last year. Starting from the $600's, you can get yourself a condo at Potomac Yard. Next to that will be Notch 8. It looks as though every completed unit is already inhabited. I am certain the merchants are thrilled with this massive housing explosion. The traffic is already congested as work is also underway to widen the street. When we visited Washington fifteen or twenty years ago we landed at Reagan and rented a car on Route 1 and then drove in to Alexandria to Morrison House. It is unbelievable how the landscape changed. I much prefer our location on Capitol Hill, but I envy the modern construction and updated materials - especially the infrastructure water pipes. But at least I don't have to drive in that mess every day. Not many folks can say they walk to work. You better believe I can really appreciate that!

Betta Fish Bed or Top Fin Plant?

For being such a tiny thing, our Betta fish has a big personality. He used to live in a very large aquarium. When we transferred him to a smaller bowl he seemed much happier and it became obvious that he loved to sit near the surface of the water. He blows a lot of bubbles, and enthusiastically responds to any human interaction by dancing. We've tried a lot of different plants. He seems to figure out the best position to set himself according to the leaf size and shape. But it looks like the Anubias Nana is his favorite. They don't always last very long so we have a fake Betta fish leaf bed/ hammock too. With both types of plants in the bowl he seems to prefer the real thing. He looks like a surfer on his surfboard as he paddles his way on to the leaf. The smaller bowl also is nice when we need to bring him over to an alternate home if and when we are out of town. You wouldn't think this little creature could have such an affect on you, but he does. And because of that he at least deserves a decent bed. 

 

We Don't Have a Garage, But We Have a Grandson

The last time it snowed, which wasn't all that long ago, we learned that our grandson shoveled out a lot of neighbors and cleared the sidewalks. Unfortunately he forgot about us. We don't need the sidewalks done because the condo takes care of that and the driveway, but our car no longer sits in a garage like it did in Wisconsin. So whenever the weather is foul, someone needs to attend to the car. We told him we thought he did a marvelous job with the neighbors, and that's what really matters. This morning we got a phone call. My husband answered it and the voice on the other end simply asked where was our car located on the block. Within five minutes the shovel and the broom arrived in the hands of our ten year old grandson, who cleaned off the snow in short order. It's a good thing he is off school today, and I'm glad I am off work to witness this good deed. Unfortunately for us, he will be moving away from our neighborhood this year to a place about four hours away. What will we do without him?

Crocus, Clematis and Another Storm Warning

It will be really upsetting if the predictions for another winter storm are inaccurate. It sounds ridiculous, but I'll take another day off anytime. Since the weather report last evening, I am psychologically geared up to sleep in. We took advantage of the calm before the storm this afternoon and took a short walk. One small reminder that spring is on the way are the few and far in between crocus groups we stumbled upon on the way home. Before another several inches of expected snow falls on our little patio garden, we cleaned up the clematis vine by cutting it back to the original stems. That thing takes over the fence by the end of the season and provides a beautiful array of - dare I say - snowy white blossoms. But in winter, the stems and twine keeping it in check look rather ugly. It is ironic that I can't stand the real snow on the fence, but love the snow effect of the clematis show in late summer. We're planning to change up the garden a little bit this year by adding grass around the edges next to the house. It's getting harder and harder to crawl around the back to trim the weeds, but not much of an effort to swing a weed wackier to trim the lawn. But I guess I won't have to think about that for awhile. I feel like I'm back in Wisconsin with each winter storm. The difference is that there I always had to get to work regardless of the situation. Here, I'm keeping my fingers crossed. 

Whole Foods

After breakfast this afternoon at McLean Family Restaurant, our usual place every Saturday, my husband wanted to get some bread at the grocery store. There is a Safeway right across the street from the restaurant, but he wanted to try a Whole Foods store. We have been to the one in Alexandria, and have seen the one across from Crate and Barrel in Arlington, and another on Wisconsin Avenue on the way to Bethesda. So I punched in Whole Foods in google maps and one popped up in McLean. It took about fifteen minutes to get there and the parking lot was jammed. We drove around a few times before finding a spot by the left over snow pile. When he returned my husband was all happy about the selections of fruits, breads, cheese, and just about everything else. He said everything looked fresher and was cheaper than the Harris Teeter in our neighborhood. Since he does all the grocery shopping and loves to cook I am the last person to advise him where to go. It just so happens a Whole Foods store will be coming to our neighborhood, but not until 2017. It might be worth a trip there now and again...the strawberry shortcake was simply delicious the last time we got a piece. It's hard to imagine how things will be in 2017. This neighborhood has really changed since we moved, and it keeps getting better all the time. So it can snow on Monday because we have everything we need for breakfast, lunch and dinner.