Garden: 2015 Edition

While we did in fact have garden attempts in Alabama, it seems I never actually posted them. They were major fails other than we always had more than enough rosemary, but that came with the house. The raspberries did seem like a success, but we planted them not long before we moved and only got to enjoy a few of those. Anyways, having a porch was one of my must haves when we were condo hunting and the main reason was to be able to garden.

Months ago (maybe even like a year ago) I got the idea that we should make a planter using an old Chevy tailgate. We didn't exactly end up doing that, but we did get an old Chevy tailgate and incorporate it into the garden decor. Dad was going to build a planter and attach it, but it was getting time to plant and we happened across some planter boxes at Ikea that ended up making an even better set up.

The garden also includes a Grumpy pot, two big pots for tomatoes, and, of course, our Disney patio decorations.

My penguin army had been lined up against the wall where the planter now is, but they have not been banished from the porch quite yet. Mik said when we first moved in that they should only be for winter, but then he changed it until there wasn't a spot for them to be out them. For now they are in the corner, but I might eventually add another planter over there and then perhaps only only leave a few out and only bring them all out in front of the tailgate as our holiday decorations.

We planted the garden about four weeks ago now and so far everything looks good. We planted grape tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, purple beans, dill, edamame, and spinach. Below are some of the photos I've taken of the garden over the past few weeks.

Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover

Yesterday at sort of the last minute I decided to see what the WW2 Flyover I had been hearing about was all about and ended up calling Mom to see if I could watch it from her office. After going into work with her, Dad texted me that Mik and I should take the Metro to Archives and check out the Flyover. Thanks, Dad, but already had my own plan. I mainly choose to view it from Mom's office to avoid the crowds on the National Mall, but Dad watched some of it on his lunch break at the Capitol and said based on my photos I had a better view. It definitely was a great view and I even managed to get some decent photos, which while I was doing it I wasn't so sure if they were coming out all that great. Some of my favs are below the break.

National Cherry Blossom Festival and Parade 2015

Mom keeps saying I've done everything in D.C. and while that's not even close to true (one of the biggest reasons why I love D.C.!),  I have seen the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade before. I planned to go this year anyways, but it ended up working out even better that Grandpa and Jeannie were in town and the four of us went together.

After the parade we walked over to the Tidal Basin. It was crazy crowded as can be expected, but it is also the peak and worthwhile to see. Plus, I was the only one of us that had seen the MLK Jr Memorial before.

Mount Vernon 1992? vs. 2015

Earlier this year Dad and I visited Mount Vernon on President's Day. I made him take a picture of me on the porch because I recently remembered seeing on of Grandma and I on the back porch the first time I went to Mount Vernon (1992?). I tried to find it again to do the collage, but it wasn't clearly in the 1990s photo box. In putting the photos back in Mik's closet after the new floor was installed, I finally found the photo (it had actually been in a photo album). With just a vague memory of the photo, we actually managed to get it at almost the same angle and with me in almost the same spot. Even scaffolding is in both!

Easter at National Harbor

No fishing and catching Easter dinner this year (I love living in Alexandria, but I also really miss the lake), but we did go all the way to Maryland. When I was telling Mom and Dad about this year's winners yesterday, I was surprised neither of them had ever heard of the annual contest. Well, maybe I shouldn't have been surprised, but seriously it's like a huge annual tradition in the area and how had they at least not heard about it going on this year. Thus, it seemed a must to check them out in person this year.

I have also been wanting to go on the Capital Wheel since the first time we went over the bridge to Maryland to go to the nearest Aldi. Recently Mom found a list that was something like tourist must dos for D.C. area residents and the wheel was actually mentioned as one of the NOT dos, so naturally that made me want to ride it even more. I get what it was saying that you don't necessary get much of a view of D.C., but really what do you expect you're not exactly all that close. However, it still is a great view of the Potomac and it's interesting to see both the Washington Monument and George Washington Masonic National Memorial from it. Plus, you go around a bunch of times. Definitely the longest Ferris wheel ride I've ever been on besides the London Eye, but that's just one time around like the biggest one really slowly.

The Oak Ridge Boys at The Birchmere

Finally found a music venue that I like besides the Ryman. Awesome night out with Mom.


Favorite Parts: "Sacrifice…for me" and "Y'All Come Back Saloon"

Time for New Winter Gear

I thought I was all good for winter. I had some nice waterproof gloves, but I let Mik borrow them in November and he stole them and couldn't stop talking about how awesome his gloves were until last week he lost one and we both very much mourn that loss because I've had them 10 years and have never found another pair that fit good like them.

I also thought I had great winter boots, which were another thing I had got for my Antarctica trip in 2004. Well, I pulled them out for the first time in probably seven years and as I went to loosen the laces the top started coming apart from the rubber bottom. I took it to show Mik because I thought he'd find it funny, but instead he had the same feeling about it as the lost glove and said, "that sucks."

Well, it's 9 degrees today and Dad and I are venturing out for President's Day and I'm not letting the lack of my warmest stuff stop us. At least I still got long underwear, wool socks, beanie, and a good winter coat. My regular waterproof hiking boots aren't too bad either.