Riding around town

After seeing Tickled Pink and Green's preppy pink bicycle and the new Liberty of London for Target bikes, I thought I'd show off my bike.  It's red and green and floral and girly and has streamers and I LOVE it!  I also have a trailer for the Preppy Puppy so we can ride around our 'hood. :-)  Preppy Puppy loves his trailer and he sits very still when we're on the road.  He's soooo heavy to pull so we tend to stick to short rides.

He's a very good traveler.  He's strapped in and I also added a safety flag.  So many people stare at us when we're riding around so I can't be too careful. :-)

I couldn't resist adding some flair to the trailer.

I can't wait for the warm weather so we can ride again!

Be careful who cuts your hair

For Valentine's Day I got JDD tickets to Sweeney Todd.

It was performed at Signature Theatre, a small-ish local theatre that does contemporary musicals and plays as well as classic musicals.  I had never been before and I was quite impressed.  The theatre moved to a new location in 2007 that I can only describe as warehouse chic.  There is exposed particle board, pipes and metal sheeting and contemporary art pieces throughout.  They also do a lot of creative things with lighting. 

Sweeney Todd was performed in the larger of the two theatres but it was still quite small, probably 300 seats.  I'd never seen the show before and had no idea what to expect.  I liked the story and thought a lot of the songs were funny.  Not quite the type of musical I'd normally see but I had a nice time.

Thank you to Surburban Princess for being my theatre twin today.  :-)

Just finished dinner and about to head to the play.

A few pictures of the theatre.  Unfortunately JDD wouldn't let me take a picture of the stage and set.  Boo!

This theatre was having a tribute to Sondheim and had a cool display of drawings of all their productions of his shows.  A few from previous productions of Sweeney Todd.

250 years of Wedgwood

I've luuuvvvv Wedgwood Jasperware and since my office

is right next to

I took a trip across the street to visit the Wedgwood: 250 Years of Innovation and Artistry exhibit.  It celebrates the 250th anniversary of Josiah Wedgwood, 'Potter to the Queen of England', founding the company and bringing ceramics and pottery into mainstream British culture.

There were over 200 pieces ranging from traditional Queen's ware to pieces in every color of jasper you can think of to stunning items made of black basalt.  In addition to the beautiful vases, medallions and dinnerwear, there were also quite a few personal items and utilitarian wares.  Taking pictures wasn't, ahem, condoned and my snapshots don't represent the beautiful colors at all.

The colors of jasper.  I'll take a vase in each, please.

Chess set

Clocks

A doorknob, tap handle, barber bottle,  and doorbell.  How cool would a Wedgwood doorbell be?!

Modern wares including a telephone, bookends, shoes(!) and teapot

Must. Have. These. Shoes.

A plate commemorating the current exhibit at the DAR Museum

A few pictures from the DAR giftshop.

What I am sure was a very interesting read in 1881.  I notice she is not using proper etiquette with her name- in the 19th century Mrs was really only used in conjunction with a husband’s first and last names .  Unless of course she was divorced. :-)

I love silhouettes.  I have them all over my house and also used one for our Christmas card last year.

Cluttered, but still very appealing

Only 27 days until spring

I am so over winter. Between the cold temperatures, snow and the fact that I hate wearing socks, March 20 can't come soon enough for me. Usually at this time my crocuses are poking through the soil but I still have so much snow that I can't see a thing. I guess I'll have to settle for some warm and colorful pictures.

The Royal Plantation, where hubby and I went for our honeymoon. Lovely boutique resort in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

Photo: Tropical Places

My annual cherry blossom pilgrimage. I take two days off, right at the beginning and end of the blooming period, and travel around the city to take pictures of different varieties of trees. A few pictures from last year.
Tidal Basin

East Potomac Park

Kenwood

Pretty spring clothes!

Photo: Nordstrom

Photo: Talbots

Photo: Thread Social

Photo: Etsy

And they're off! March and early April see a full slate of Derby prep races, including the Florida Derby, Santa Anita Derby, Arkansas Derby and Wood Memorial. My early favorites are Eskendereya and Lookin at Lucky.

Maryland racing is already underway at Laurel and Pimlico opens it's spring meet in mid-April.

April will also see the showdown between Rachel Alexandra and Zenyatta in the Apple Blossom Handicap, the day before the big Arkansas Derby.

Photo: Maryland Jockey Club

I cannot wait until these bloom! I planted over 500 bulbs last fall, including these double late tulips.

Photo: Van Engelen

Farewell old friend

Such a silly post since the old friend I'm bidding adieu to is my alarm clock.  I've had my alarm clock since high school, which makes him (yes, my clock is a boy) more than 20 years old.  He joined me at UofR and made no less than seven moves since then.  I thought he'd live forever but I made the difficult decision today to replace him with a newer model of the Sony dream machine.  While I hope the new guy lasts just as long, it doesn't seem like products are made as long to last as they used to be.

So long old friend.

Pretty Baubles

Thank you SO much to Trish of Pink Preppy Lilly Lover for the divine Swarovski heart charm bracelet.  I was thrilled to win my first giveaway and even more excited when I received the bracelet last night.  It's even prettier than the picture has the cutest little heart dangling from the end.

Thank you, Trish, for hosting such a generous giveaway!

A little sunshine- JUST what I need

Many thank yous to DSS at Desperately Seeking Seersucker for gifting me with the sunshine award.  DSS has a great blog and I love reading stories about her puppy Louis, boyfriend TEN, and her.  Please take a peek if you aren't already a reader.

The rules say I must:

1. Post the logo on my  blog

2. Pass the award on to 12 fellow bloggers

3. Link the nominees' blogs so others can get to know them

4. Let nominees know they have won this award by commenting on their blog

5. Share the love and link to the person you received this award from

I'm passing this lovely award on to:

All Things Cherish

Lola's Journey To and From

Lydia and Pugs

A Note on the Screen Door

That's Influence

Pretty Random Thoughts

The Adventures of Kendall the Cavalier

Worthy Style

Dixie Gator Gal

Dreaming in Pink and Green

Wila's Way

Small Dog in the Big City

Over the Top Award

I was privileged to get the Over the Top Award from my darling redheaded blog friend at Lola's Journey To and From.  Since this is day five, or six- I’ve lost count- of lounging in PJs at 9:00 a.m. because there is too much snow to even open my front door, I needed a pick me up and this was super fun. The rules say you can only use one word however, I had to say, the one word limit was truly, well, limiting!!!  Hopefully I did some successful wordsmithing!

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse

2. Your hair? Straight

3. Your mother? Stressful

4. Your father? Heaven

5. Your favorite food? Crab cakes

6. Your dream last night? Can't remember

7. Your favorite drink? Diet ginger ale

8. Your dream/goal? Happiness

9. What room are you in? Bedroom

10. Your hobby? Reading

11. Your fear? Loneliness

12. Where do you want to be in six years? Mothering

13. Where were you last night? A dive bar, JVs- the only place open we could walk to from our house

14. Something that you aren't? Calm

15. Muffins? Lemon poppy seed

16. Wish list item? New family room furniture

17. Where did you grow up? Maryland

18. Last thing you did? Laundry

19. What are you wearing? PJs

20. Your TV? Watched frequently

21. Your pets? Devin, Angus, and Spencer

22. Friends? Thoughtful

23. Your life? Not yet fulfilled 

24. Your mood? Frustrated

25. Missing someone? Yes

26. Vehicle? Black

27. Something you're not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Nordstrom

29. Your favorite color? Pink

30. When was the last time you laughed? Yesterday

31. Last time you cried? Recently

32. One place that I could go over and over? Beach

33. One person who emails you regularly? sHm

34. Favorite place to eat? Out

Thanks, again! I won't tag anyone this time since I know lots have you have done this already. But feel free to get 'tagged' from me and do this yourself. I thought it was super fun.

Not that I'm bummed by another snow day...

...but I actually want to go back to work.  With another 8-14" of snow coming, my office will be closed tomorrow, for the third day in a row.  Couple that with the half day we had last Friday, it seems as if I haven't been at office in weeks.  It makes my tummy hurt just thinking about how much work I'll have when we finally open the doors.  I've done some from home, but I am a rare bird who actually prefers working in an office rather than at home- I am so much more motivated when I'm around people. But at least I'll have an opportunity to add to my snow picture collection.  And watch some more random movies.

Boys playing in the snow on Saturday

We created a little tunnel so Spencer could run from the front of the house to the backyard

23" and it was still snowing.  I got lazy and didn't measure again after it stopped but we probably had another inch or two.

My Volvo wagon is under there somewhere

I had never noticed this creek until Sunday morning, when we walked to IHOP (the only place open!) for breakfast.  I found so many things that I had never paid attention to when just driving around my neighborhood.

At 9:00 on most Sunday mornings, this road would be full of cars

My neighbors being neighborly

The little maze we created for the Preppy Puppy in our backyard

Enjoying the breeze

The one time it's actually okay to play in the street.  This is the only spot I could find that wasn't taller than the Preppy Puppy.

I think someone is ready to go inside

Pink Swap Part II

Norah's package arrived filled with pink and green goodies!  Some of my favorites include the purse-size tote (I never seem to have one when I need one), the monogrammed notecards and paper linens.  I have the world's smallest dishwasher so in my house you can never have enough paper plates!

And here are the things I sent Norah.  Confession- I almost kept the socks!  We had a little case of ESP since we both sent each other a pack of tissues. (lol!)

Norah, thank you so much for the wonderful gifts!