St. Michaels, Maryland

We spent my birthday weekend in St. Michaels, Maryland. Less than a two hour drive but it feels like worlds away. Sailboats, rivers, soft breezes, great food and a wonderful B&B to make it perfect! It almost makes getting older worth it!

For more photos, click on the title (St. Michaels, Maryland) above.

Shenandoah National Park

We spent a recent Saturday exploring Shenandoah National Park. I foresee more trips to this beautiful place, so green and peaceful.

This is Dark Hollow Falls, about 70 feet high, and the easiest of several waterfalls to hike to. It's downhill all the way! Unfortunately, the return is a little more work, but not so bad, and definitely worth the trip.

We found wildflowers along the way. The Lady's Slipper Orchids were at the end of their bloom, we were happy just to find this one.

I couldn't find the name of this pretty plant, but I will...

There were multitudes of violets and other similar little flowers... this may be a Dogtooth Violet, but I'm not sure...

There are more pictures, but I've discovered my link to them isn't working - will post when I've figured out the problem...

Visit to Gaia and Grandpa!

Sara, Coy, Brooklyn and Mason arrived just before Memorial Day weekend, and we made the most of the 5 days we had!  Trips to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, the Aquarium, Great Falls (on the Potomac), movies and the Zoo provided entertainment and wonderful time spent together. 

We enjoyed every minute of their stay, can't wait to see them again!

As usual, for more pictures, click on the title above. 

Lainie & Jason in DC!

Better late than never, I think.  Finally, here are some pictures from Lainie and Jason's visit here in late April.  We had a great time, walked miles every day - museums, monuments, Mt. Vernon, etc... we also went to Philadelphia to see Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. (and taste the Philly cheese steaks!)  Here are a couple of pictures taken while they were here. For more, please click on the title "Lainie & Jason in DC!" above..

Sara, Coy, Brooklyn and Mason were here this last week - will post those pictures in a day or two.

DC in Bloom

We survived the amazing Cherry Blossom dinner, and here are a few pictures of the beautiful trees that are blooming everywhere right now.  I didn't know there were so many varieties of flowering cherries, the profusion of blossoms in some areas is absolutely breathtaking.

If you'd like to see more, click on the "DC in Bloom" text above.

Cherry Blossom Feast

Tonight Deb & I cooked the quintessential Cherry Blossom Feast!   

Brie in Puff Pastry with homemade Cherry Marmalade

Cherry Blossom Martinis

Spinach Salad with Dried Cherries and Cipollini Onions in Cherry Vinaigrette

Pan-seared Coho Salmon with Cherry-Port reduction

Cherry Blossom Fried Rice with Dried Cherries, Carrote and Pea Shoots

served with a Livermore Valley Petite Sirah

Cherry Clafouti with Vanilla Ice Cream

Cherry Heering Liqueur

Sorry everone wasn't here to enjoy the meal, however recipes are available upon request.... :-)

Cherry Blossom Time

 
 

Deb's here for a visit and we've been running around seeing the sights.  The entire city looks new and fresh, all dressed in beautiful pink and white blossoms.  The cherry trees and tulip magnolias are everywhere!  

The orchids are some of the many varieties we saw while visiting the Hillwood Estate and Garden.  The mansion is absolutely stunning, filled with French and Russian antiques, and I can't wait to go back a little later in the year to see the roses and other summer blooms.

On Friday, we're cooking a cherry blossom celebration meal.. more on that soon...