The Sun Came Out!

The sun finally decided to make an appearance in WA this week.  We even had our first 70 degree day as a result.  With spring in the air, I decided to get working on my garden and yard.

The neighbor's tree in the front yard.

Easter present from my MIL starting to blossom

I made an intense Home Depot run and brought home quite a few items for less than a hundred bucks.  Most of my time was spent pulling weeds and getting things tidied up.  I swear I have spent hours and hours pulling weeds since we bought this house.  The job never really ends.

The Loot

Last year my tiny garden produced mostly lettuce, but this year I am hoping for a bit more success.  My garden box is full of herbs (rosemary, cilantro, chives, parsley, sage, basil).  I planted quite a few greens as they were the most successful last year (romaine, spinach, chard, kale).  Broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, peppers, tomato, and onions are all planted as well.

My baby garden

My hanging flower boxes are full of seasonal flowers, and I even planted some California golden poppy seeds in my flower beds.  I decided to pull some ugly bushes from next to our garage this winter, but I replaced them with a few varieties of perennials (to make next year a little easier).

A pop of color

Replaced the ugly old bushes (and a barking pup)

I am sad (secretly glad) to announce that I have my first sunburn of the year (just my neck...missed it with the sunscreen).  If anyone wants to donate a sun hat to my gardening effort it would be much appreciated :)  Buckley enjoyed basking in the sun and chewing on sticks in the freshly cut grass.  Here is to a fruitful spring and summer!   

Can't wait for Mike to come home and help us out in the yard :)

April in the District

I spent the past few days with one of my oldest and dearest friends in Washington DC.  Alana and I met in Junior High and just calculated that we have been friends longer than we have lived without each other.  When Alana posted that she had extra tickets to the Maroon 5 concert, I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to escape the PNW.

I arrived in DC Wednesday afternoon, and I navigated the Metro to meet Alana at work (she is a manager for Matchbox).  We freshened up and met some of her girlfriends for dinner at Matchbox.  After a huge and delicious meal (perks of knowing the chef), we headed two blocks down the street to the concert.  While there were moments when we felt quite old, seeing Adam Levine live made it all worth it (and the band did play some of their older songs - haha).  We finished the night at some of the nearby bars.  

The Ladies after Maroon 5

Thursday was spent exploring the city.  We ate, drank, went to the Nationals game.  The weather wasn't perfect, but Alana and I had a great time anyway.  That evening we met up with my SIL and her girlfriend (and I got to see their dog Sota).  

Baseball is Back!

Eating as per usual

Sota Pop

Alana surprised me with reservations at Range, Bryan Voltaggio's new restaurant in DC, on Friday.  We spent the morning shopping, and were blown away with our lunch.  Each item we ordered was better than the last.  Both the decor and service were amazing.  Thank goodness there is a five hour plane ride between me and that restaurant.  TROUBLE.  *Missing a photo of the goat cheese ravioli...we ate it too fast for a photo :)

Fancy Pants

Tuna and Avocado Puree

Veggies

Bacon and Asparagus Pizza

Meyer Lemon Custard with Blood Orange Sorbet

Next, we headed to capital hill for some afternoon patio drinks in the sunshine.  We met up with my SIL and girlfriend again for dinner.  We hopped around to a few wonderful places, and ate at Ted's Bulletin.  I should not have been surprised, but everything we ate while in DC was so good.  I love having friends that are foodies like me :)

Sadly, I had to leave early Saturday morning.  I am such a lucky lady to have Alana in my life, and spending time with her this weekend reminded me just that.  

Always nice to come back to this face :)