My weekend in Pictures

Hope you had a great long Valentines Weekend.  I thought I would try something new by capturing my weekend in pictures.  Since I started back up my 365 project this weekend, I was looking for excuses to take photographs anyways.

I went to my friend Lauren's Valentines Day baking party.  Such a cute idea.

Turner and I went to a friend's house on the Chesapeake 

Where we made seafood, went hiking, and played in a park with tires.

We ate at a Wine Bar that had delicious wine and sliders at amazing happy hour prices

Watched The Hustler

Went to a great Presidents Day parade in Old Town Alexandria featuring a super authentic Lincoln

And my favorite wintertime activity, Smores at Cosi and catching up with good friends.

Good Morning: Swimming Clouds

Reflection in lake, originally uploaded by InspirationDC.

Hope today tides you over until May

Scott Ableman

Happy Presidents Day, hope you are enjoying your day off of work.  If you thought Presidents Day, with its proximity to other commercial holidays, was an excuse by businesses to get you out shopping with great sales.  Well, you would probably be right.  But it is also a day chosen in between Lincoln and Washington's birthdays to honor them and other presidents. 

Any way you look at it, it is a welcomed day off work.  Enjoy it because the next free day off isn't until May.

Also on a side note baseball season and the President's Race is just around the corner.  Maybe they will actually let Teddy win this year.  Doubtful though.

Monday Morning Metro Thoughts

WisDoc

I ride the metro to and from work every morning so I have a lot of time to think.  I love observing people and assessing life during those rides.

I've always thought how interesting it would be to hear the thoughts of other people while on the train.  Especially during rush hour, the train is silent with people's thoughts.  Sometimes we can get caught up in our own lives to realize everybody else around us is trying to make it just the same.  You never know what the person next to you is going through.  If they are replaying a fight with a loved one or dealing with a hard day at work or are just making a list of items to pick up at the grocery store on the way home.  

I've been having many bad days recently so I've been trying to remind myself of this.  That the person next to me, listening to their ipod staring off into space could be dealing with even heavier stuff than me.  For a sliver of time our lives are intersecting as we take the train home but soon enough we will each be on our way with our own thoughts and troubles in tow.

Good Morning: Happy Presidents Day

BL1961

Happy Valentines Weekend

Here are some romantic photographs by Rodney Smith to get your Valentines Weekend started.

Valentines Day: Not Just for Hallmark

dayataglance

It is just about that time of year again.  The holiday that is both loved and despised by many.  Valentines Day.

I honestly really like Valentines Day.  There I said it.  But not for the consumer hallmark reasons.  Being a fan of celebrating holidays in general, I just love a holiday that gives you an excuse to show people what they mean to you.  To give cute little trinkets or do something nice for a loved one or even a friend.  

I can't really get behind the idea of an extravagant night out though.  To me it is more about doing thoughtful little touches and just doing something you don't normally do during the year.  Whether it is having a picnic on the floor, making smores with a candle or building a fort to cuddle under.  Showing someone they are special is what it is really about.  Besides I am more of a tulip girl than roses girl. (This comment was an obvious hint to a certain someone :) )

So I thought I would compile a helpful list of ideas for Valentines Day.  So maybe if you couldn't get behind the hallmark holiday before, you can get behind the inexpensive and thoughtful side of Valentines Day.

Little Brown Pen was able to celebrate Valentines Day for under $20 in 2001 when her and her husband were broke and just starting out.

Design Sponge creates a Valentines kit that you can bring anywhere to celebrate your love

Joanna Goddard over at Smitten has a few cute ideas of how to slow down and just enjoy each other's company.

Even Cleveland has adorable and delicious caterpillar pancakes to make for breakfast.

Frolic suggests a few romantic comedies if you want to stay in for the night.

Creature Comforts offers free printable valentine tea bag wrappers 

Bunnehmunches created a jar full of cut out "I Love You More Than" quotes for her boyfriend's birthday but I think this would be a great Valentines Gift.

Twig and Thistle has templates for Do It Yourself brownie bags and pie boxes for the special one in your life with a sweet tooth.

Inchmark has instructions on how to create little valentines matchboxes filled with candy.  Great for passing out to friends.

Color Me Katie built a tent with her boyfriend in their living room.  They then drank hot chocolate and watched movies.  While this wasn't for Valentines Day I love this idea for a night in.

Good Morning: Friday the 13th

YeliR

Happy Bicentennial Abe

Abraham Lincoln Illustration

Today is Lincoln's 200th birthday and I honestly can't think of anything more inspirational and DC related.  Therefore I'm doing something a little different and giving a rundown of various events going on in the district to honor our 16th President.

Ford's Theater is reopening today with many events through next week.

The National Museum of American History has an extensive exhibit about Lincoln's life.  Many iconic items from his life are on display, including the top hat he was wearing the night he was shot.  I went to this exhibit a few weeks ago with friends and while it is extremely interesting I suggest going on off peak hours to fully enjoy it.

There will be a tribute to the 16th President at the Lincoln Memorial including a reading of the Gettysburg Address and remarks from various officials.

The National Archives is holding a special display of the Emancipation of Proclamation through this weekend.

Presidential Family Fun Day will be going down on Saturday.  The highlight? Baker and artist Zilly Rosen will create portraits of President Lincoln and Obama, made from 5,000 cupcakes.  Children are encouraged to come to the de-installation and eat the art at the end of the day.  I just hope children at heart can participate in contributing to the de-installation as well.

Or do what I'll be doing.  Visiting a local bar and raising a toast to good old Abe.  

Smores in the Winter

Chocolate Monster Mel

My favorite thing by far to do during the winter in DC is get smores at Cosi with friends. I know most people in DC think of Cosi as a step down from Panera and on every street corner.  And I wouldn't really disagree, but what gives them an edge in my opinion is their smores.

It is the perfect relaxing activity on a cold night when you just don't feel like going out to a bar or concert. My friends and I usually order smores for 2 or 4 along with tall glasses of cold milk. We then sink into the comfy curved couches and catch up on life.  

DC may be enjoying a little global warming now but by Saturday it is going to be back to cold and possibly snow.  So may I suggest going to get smores, it is the perfect activity for a low key winter night.