Wagtime Too Gallery Wall Update

It's been awhile since I updated the gallery wall at the Wagtime shop on Capitol Hill. We took a roadtrip to the great Northwest in June; starting in July we had a major bathroom and miscellaneous renovation that is almost done; and in August we made an emergency trip to Florida for my mom's broken hip which was followed by a massive hurricane. So I set to work last weekend printing out some new digital pet portraits that I've completed since the beginning of the year, and packed up my spray glue to mount the images on the existing foam board. My husband drove me over to the shop across from the Navy Yard and for about an hour the wall was transformed again. Out with the old and in with the new. I also had to print up a big batch of business cards to leave in the little holder, and also sprinkle strategically about the portraits. What started several years ago as a request to use the space for the portraits has become a familiar routine. I would like to thank Lisa Schrieber once again for allowing me to use the space. I am amazed how resilient the digitalart images maintain their color in the bright south sunshine and heat. In spite of that it's fun to switch it up every few months. I remember each and every one of the commissioned works - the pups and kitties come from all over the US. It's a great spot to display them. Stop by if you are ever in DC! 

The Art of Using Chopsticks

I have often admired people who have mastered using chopsticks. I never learned how to, and am rather anxious to eat my food, so fiddling with things I can't use just won't do. Since we had our tiny condo renovated, we have come to know our Vietnamese friends quite well. They are actually Chinese, and moved to Vietnam many years ago, and have been in the US more years than that. They will oftentimes bring food varieties from their native country to our house so we can try them out. Most recently, we had a dish made from papaya, basil, beef jerky, and some sort of hot sauce. With this, they brought along chopsticks. So both my husband and I got an individual lesson on the art of using them. My husband picked it up right away. I, on the other hand, just couldn't get the knack of it. It didn't matter if I used the skinny ones of the thicker ones. Maybe it was because I had an audience? I reverted to using the good old fork, but did give it another try before all was said and done. I finally got it, but not with any great finesse. My husband was so thrilled with his new utensils that he tried it out on a fried egg the next day. It was too slippery to succeed. As for the foodstuffs? I think I prefer more bread and something with a little more familiar taste. Although I have to say it was fun to get acquainted with the favorites from this side of the world.

Trader Joe's Free Bag

We were in Brookline, Massachusetts when we were first introduced to Trader Joe's many years ago. We usually don't go there for groceries, but a new one on Capitol Hill just opened last week. It is part of a huge apartment complex at Eastern Market, a few blocks from our house. We received a card in the mail saying we could pick up a free reusable bag for stopping in, and then take a chance at a drawing for a $50 grocery spree. So after our morning walk we ended up at Trader Joe's. You have to take the escalator down to the store and it was actually not that big. It was pretty busy and there were at least twenty check out registers. We picked up a few things for the heck of it. I liked the Washington DC theme in both the free bag and the decor inside the store. And the fall pumpkins and flowers were lovely. I'm not sure we would frequent the place, and it will definitely give the other grocery stores a run for their money. We heard the penthouse apartment in the new complex will run $10,000 per month. Even they will need access to groceries - or will they? 

Olive Oil on Stainless Steel

We recently had our tiny condo outfitted with a new backsplash in the kitchen. Once the backsplash was added, my husband was not happy with the worn look and old color of the kitchen cabinets. So we decided to update the space and have the cabinets painted. Along with the cabinets, the old worn drop leaf table would also be painted the same color. We are half way through the project and decided that the appliances also needed some attention. They were also run down and had lost their original stainless steel shimmer. I just read somewhere that a tiny drop of olive oil could bring the shine out on anything stainless. I am usually skeptical about things like that, but thought we had nothing to lose. So after wiping all the appliances down, I touched them up with a bit of olive oil. It was really obvious where the oil was rubbed in and where it was not. Yes, it's not perfect, but it sure looks so much nicer than it did. Since the table is not in the room it doesn't yet look complete. But we are happy with the results so far. Let's hope it lasts for awhile. 

Corner Bakery Cafe

We oftentimes will stop "on the road" when we walk in the morning. We either don't feel like preparing something when we get home, or we just like to break up the routine. We have tried a few places inside Union Station, and also most of the Smithsonian Museums. But when you are in the mood for breakfast rather than lunch, we have also tried a couple of places off the beaten path. Today we needed to be available for a package delivery for someone in our building who wouldn't be at home. So rather than drive somewhere for lunch  - another option we take a couple times during the week - we decided to find something in the neighborhood. So we walked towards Union Station and ventured over to the Corner Bakery. We tried it one time before. My husband loves to sit and watch all the passersby as they are hustling off to work. So we ordered some eggs and pancakes and orange juice and found a seat out of the direct sunlight. The food was delivered to the table. It was "okay." Then we took a longer than usual walk back home but got back well before noon. Hopefully we didn't miss the package as no one ever delivers anything in the morning. We said we would be available. Perhaps I should have mentioned in the afternoon?

Benjamin Moore Dior Gray Kitchen

I hope I like it. My husband has not been happy with the color of the old kitchen cabinets since we added a backsplash. Yes, the cabinets were worn and chipped, but I thought the existing color created a warmer tone against the masculine feel of the black and white glass tiles. And he hated the color of the drop leaf table too. So after discussing the options for a few weeks, we finally picked out a Benjamin Moore Dior Gray paint. We didn't want it to be too light - we had white cabinets in our old home - and not too dark. For a tiny space the last thing I want is a gloomy room. The work started yesterday. The upper cabinet doors and the base cabinets were primed. The table was sanded down. The initial coat was painted and the doors were set outside on the patio to dry. I think it is going to take more than a couple of days to get this  ll done. It will be worth it if I like it. But I haven't made up my mind yet. 

Silent Auction for Wagtime

Thanks to Lisa Schrieber, a few years back I started a "gallery wall" at the Wagtime Too shop across from the Navy Yards on Capitol Hill. I've been displaying my custom commissioned digital pet portraits ever since. Lisa asked me the other day if I'd like to contribute an item for a silent auction they are sponsoring this month. Of course I would! So I needed to get a foam board at Staples and figure what might look nice to showcase my work. It took a few days to get it straight in my head, print out a few items, try some options kinda like a jigsaw puzzle, print out a few more things, eliminate others, and finally start glueing everything down. Then I needed to print up some business cards and cut them down to size, print out additional pet portraits to in preparation for a redo to the existing gallery wall, and now plan some time to actually update the wall. It's hard to believe I've been doing this for almost five years now. So yesterday when we walked past the space with an out of town visitor I was happy to say it is all my work! What a great way to show it off. Thanks again Lisa!