Bunny Cakes

With Love from Japan - Cherry Blossoms

Every year in Washington, D.C the cherry blossom's blooms welcome Spring.  They are a sight not to be missed in my book.  This year was no different and the boys and I went on our annual adventure to take in their beauty.  The trees did not disappoint us, they were stunning.  However, the blooms took on a different meaning this year.  They became a symbol of a tragic catastrophe, a dire situation and a friend in need.  To me it felt wrong to be snapping smiling pictures of the boys amongst the blossoms.  How could we be out enjoying Japan's gift when the people of Japan were so desperate?  

I hope next year, the blossoms take on the meaning of hope and renewal.  I know Japan has a long tough road ahead of them and they will need our support and love.  If you haven't already contributed to Japan's relief effort, it's not too late.

-K

Twilight Sledding

Last night during dinner we were lamenting the fact we missed out on a perfectly good sledding day, when we realized there was no reason we couldn't go at night.  We quickly hit the grocery store to pick up supplies for s'mores and knocked on our neighbors' doors to invite them to join us for some *Twilight Sledding*.  Right before our 7pm start time I set out some votive candles and lanterns.  It looked really cool with the candles lit in the snow, but we also ended up turning on our outdoor flood lights so we could see a little better.  We cranked up the tunes (the boys Ninja Party Playlist...i.e. Eye of the Tighter, Another One Bites the Dust, Men in Black) and then hit the slopes.  It was really fun, definitely better than sledding during the day.  The weather was perfect (not too cold with no wind) and the s'mores added to the overall experience.  This will definitely be something we repeat.

-K

Pumpkin Picking 2010

My favorite pre-Halloween activity is *Pumpkin Picking with the Boys*.  Of course, location is everything.  Our favorite pumpkin farm, Wegmeyer Farms, is picturesque and full of amazing pumpkins.  I honestly could spend all day there.  Of course I would have to come home with a truck full of pumpkins, because I can't resist them.  The boys totally dig it too and show their attachment by referring to it as 'our' Pumpkin Farm. The owners couldn't be nicer, which makes the experience that much more enjoyable.  We capped off our day by picking up a Pumpkin Pie on the way home.  The boys looked at me with true love when I announced the new Pumpkin-Pie-on-Pumpkin-Picking-Day tradition.  Its the little things.  I am secretly plotting a return trip before Halloween.  I am sure I will get no complaints from the boys.  Here are some snaps from 'our' Pumpkin Farm...

-K

Cactus and Succulent Show & Sale

This weekend was my Mom's annual Cactus and Succulent Show & Sale at Maryland's Brookside Gardens.  The boys were genuinely very excited to go see Grandma and all her plants.  It turned out to be the perfect kiddie event as there was much to do.  We got there early Saturday morning and studied all the 'Show' plants, trying to predict the winners in each class as well as an overall winner.  Then we combed through the hundreds of sale plants.  The boys selected plants they hoped to one day enter in the show and I looked for some nice additions to my mom's collection.  After breaking for lunch we came back to check out the plants again and roam the grounds.  

In our absence the winners in each Cactus/Succulent class had been announced and were were able to verify our predictions--the three of us had a picked the same plant for best in show and we were right!  We checked out the sale plants once more and then roamed Brookside's beautiful grounds.  If you have never been, then you are really missing out!  There are many perfect photo-op sites and, of course, tons of beautiful plants.  We found a huge climbing tree with gnarled branches and a giant canopy of leafy tendrils and I snapped away.  The not-so-humid-weather made it a perfect Saturday outing.

Here are the pictures of our loot...

 

And our pictures from around the Brookside grounds...

 

-K 
 

Sweet Baby Oliver

So far little baby Oliver has proven to be a sweet angel.  A is taking motherhood in stride.  I am very impressed with how calm she is.  I don't ever remember feeling that relaxed!

 

 -K

Meadowlark Grounds

This weekend the boys and I went out to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens to support my mom and her plant club's sale.  While we were there we roamed around the beautiful grounds.  There were plenty of flowers in bloom and lots of benches with lovely views.

-K

Adult Spring Break

 

Hubby and I spent the last 6 days on vacation without the boys.  The boys were happily at home with Grandpa while we were happily taking a break from it all in Cancun, Mexico (the picture above is the view from our balcony).  This was our first vacation without the boys since they were born (almost 8 years ago).  Everything was perfect...the company (we traveled with another couple), the food, the hotel...all perfect, except for the weather.  Unfortunately the only sun we saw was at the very beginning and end of our trip.  We still managed to fully enjoy ourselves and get sunburned.  I can't wait to go again!

With the poor weather I hardly took any photos of Cancun.  I guess that means I will have to visit again.  I did manage to take some shots of the beautiful shells we collected along the beach.  I especially love the weathered conch shells.  I only wish I had collected more shells.  Oh well, another reason to visit again.

 -K

P.S.  We stayed at the Royal Cancun.  I would highly recommend it and would definitely stay there again.

Cherry Blossom Viewing

Two Fridays ago the boys and I took advantage of the lovely summer-like weather and headed downtown to enjoy the cherry blossom trees that were reaching their peak bloom time.  While the trees were lovely, the large crowds limited our overall enjoyment.  Next time we will definitely wait till off-crowd times.  I think we might even try out the lantern tours at night.  I picture the blossom petals falling against a clear dark night as being magical.

Whenever we go to see the Cherry Blossoms I always try to have a Japanese treat and/or a 'blossom' treat (in year's past we made Blossom Cakes).  Since I was already planning to make Easter cookies, I decided to also make Cherry Blossom cookies.  In fact the pink icing I made early on Friday morning for the blossom cookies was still viable later in the day when I started on the Easter cookies (hence, my new love for squeeze bottles).  The flower cookies were a welcome treat when dealing with the throngs of blossom peepers!

   

  -K

Feeling Good

 

I am feeling good now that February is behind us and Spring is right around the corner.  I am looking forward to the polluted mounds of snow melting away to reveal the lushness of life.  I can't wait to see buds on the trees or the color kelly green.  I am so done with evergreen (at least for now).  Sometimes its the little things that make you feel good.  Other times its the more important things that make you feel good, like the act of giving.  

Scientists (including Darwin) and doctors all have their own explanation why the act of giving makes you feel good.  Whatever the reason, anyone who has volunteered or helped out someone in need can easily attest to it.  Yet for some reason we just don't do it enough (myself included).  Well, I am here to help you out by inviting you to the 3rd Bloggers for Good Event at Buffalo Wild Wings in Dulles, VA on March 10th.  You can chow down on wings and beer and feel good knowing you are helping a local charity.  Plus you will get to hang out and meet new people.  Can it get any better than that!  Oh yeah, 100% of the proceeds raised goes to directly to the charity.  What!?!  You're not local to the Washington, D.C. area?  Well, you can still help out and make yourself feel good, here are some suggestions: start your own local chapter of Bloggers for Good, give blood (my dear friend reminded me how important this is when her 1 year old son came down with a life threatening infection), donate canned goods or volunteer your time.  *Its ALL good*.

-K

{Image from Dennis J2007}

Pumpkin Love

*Pumpkin Picking* with the boys has become one of my favorite fall events.  We have been lucky enough to have found a great farm close by.  Wegmeyer Farms wowed us again with its excellent variety of pumpkins & super nice owners.  I could easily spend all day there (as could the boys), but then I wouldn't be able to stop myself from buying all their pumpkins!  Check out the eye candy below.  I definitely recommend seeking out a local pumpkin farm if you already haven't.

-K