Sherwood Gardens Tulips

My little family did not make it down to the DC Tidal Basin this spring to take in the cherry blossoms, but we made the quick trip over to Guilford this past weekend to walk along the tulips. Naturally, the little guy fell asleep as I was parking the car. My husband and I were able to enjoy a lap around Sherwood Gardens and take in all the sights, including some people and dog watching. We ran into friends, with their extremely cute and energetic little girl, and we were able to chat for a few minutes. 

I couldn't believe how many teenagers were in the park taking prom photos. That part didn't surprise me - the scenery is GORGEOUS. The part that surprised me was that most of these teens were working with professional photographers. I mean reflective boards, off camera flash, and one group even had an aisle runner down on the gross to protect shoes and dresses from grass.  My husband jokingly said, "that's you in 17 years."  I mean, I guess I could figure out how to use an off camera flash in that amount of time.

One such couple and their lovely photographer helped me get this family photo. I had my camera set up on a tripod and my remote in my hand. I had taken about 10 photos, but Sterling wasn't looking at the camera and we were getting closer and closer to food time.  Then there would be no more photos! The adorable teenagers stood behind the camera and their helpful photographer hit the shutter button for me.

It takes a village people! 

 

If you're in the Baltimore area I would suggest an immediate trip over to Guilford to take in the tulips at Sherwood Gardens. It's one of the prettiest little parks in all of Baltimore.  The stately homes surrounding the park are majestic. My husband was impressed by the structural soundness of the homes and was admiring their heavy slate roofs. Just prepared for tiny side streets that you swear should be one way streets! 

DC Cherry Blossoms

Last Friday after work my best friend and I met up and walked over to see the Cherry Blossoms at the DC Tidal Basin. The weather forecast included scattered thunderstorms, but thankfully we lucked out with a lovely mid-60 degree gray evening. A few darker clouds rolled in for a brief moment and there was a sprinkle or two, but we just used those moments to fully enjoy standing under the blooming trees. 

I jokingly told my friend, "wow, I only took 174 photos!"  She was shocked, but in previous years when I was down for a gorgeous sunny day and another morning at sunrise I took 400+ photos on each previous occasion. It could have been a combination of the weather, the fact that we were both hungry, or my rapidly dwindling energy supply. Chalupa Batman was kicking up a storm, which meant he was either have a grand ol' time (totally my kid!) or was over the entire situation (totally the hub's kid!). 

Even if we didn't make it around the entire tidal basin we had an amazing time. I'm trying to schedule as many girls dates with my friends while I still have the energy to move around at a decent pace. This might have been one of the best girl dates of all time because there's nothing better than the beautiful scenery in DC during peak cherry blossom season. The gray skies were absolutely amazing because they acted as a filter and made the focus solely on the blooms. 

Okay fine, if I could have had a glass of wine with my best friend at dinner that would have been nice addition to the night. I'm fairly certain our waiter thought I was a recovering alcoholic because my best friend asked while we were ordering if I minded if she drank a glass of wine and then again later when it came time to order dessert she asked about the tiramisu and if it was soaked in any liquor. I fully appreciate her looking out for me! 

Anyone else make it down to see the Cherry Blossoms this year? I felt that they were on the paler side this year and there were only a few truly pink trees. It could have been the muted gray skies or that I was there a day before the "official" peak. 

DC Cherry Blossoms at Sunrise

A few weeks ago my husband and I woke up at 4:45am in order to catch the sunrise over the DC tidal basin to see the cherry blossoms during peak season.  It wasn't his idea of how to start off his weekend, but he went along with my brand of crazy.

We came. We saw. We somewhat conquered what I wanted to accomplish. I didn't really know what to expect at sunrise, but I will say there were thousands more people there that early in the morning that I would have expected. Next year, I want a decent photo of the Washington Monument now that the scaffolding is down and I want to play around with a longer exposure to smooth out the water in the tidal basin.

Here are my cherry blossoms for the DC tidal basin tips:

1. Get there earlier than you think you need to. Seriously, we were parked and out of the car by 6am and I still felt rushed when the sun came up. That morning light goes quick!

2. Bring a flashlight. It is DARK that early in the morning.

3. Do macros or portraits over on Hains Point. There are actually more trees out there than on the tidal basin and you can take all the time in the world over there because no one is out there. Photos 4-6 above were taken at the trees next to where I parked my car.

4. Back to parking. Have a game plan and a backup plan.  Metro doesn't open until 7am on weekends!

5. If you get separated from your party (my hubs walks slow and I left him), open up Google Maps on your phone, zoom in as far as you can, take a screen grab of your photo, text that photo where you are to your friend. Although this isn't just for cherry blossoms and this is going to be my new favorite tip when traveling with people.

6. Put the camera down and just enjoy the blooms for a minute. My hubs is all about enjoying the moment and I'm really trying to do a better job of that and not worry about getting a photo of it, but rather living the moment. Thanks babe!

What's your favorite time to take in spring flowers - in the morning or the evening? I'm a sunrise over sunset person any day of the week!

Spring Forward

This past weekend was a welcomed relief. I don't know about you, but weekends lately have been feeling more like work than play in my life. There's a never ending list of errands. Another project to finish. Something to plan or something to see through. 

This past weekend was blissful. The only concrete plans we had included dinner and a movie at a friends house.  The entire weekend was relaxing. The 60 degree weather played a crucial role in the carefree nature of the weekend. Just warm enough to want to get outside and enjoy the weather with the pups and then by myself for a run. But not quite warm enough to muster up the strength to do any serious yard work. Just perfect. 

I know the calendar doesn't officially change to the spring season for a few more days, but just the thought of getting in a few miles in the evening twilight this week has me excited for spring. This past weekend I didn't even have to contend with any snow piles, as they've recessed off the sidewalks and beaten paths at this point.  

Look out next weekend - the bar has been set pretty high. 

How was your weekend? Relaxing or productive? Anyone else fallen down the rabbit hole with House of Cards? 

Fall Sunflowers

I go through ebbs and flows with having indoor flowers, but I will throw down at the farmer's market Trader Joe's for the last bouquet of sunflowers. I don't know if it is because my dad used to grow them for me when I was a kid or it is because I successfully grew my own once from seeds, but I'm completely smitten with sunflowers. 

I'm probably partial to sunflowers because even though they spend all summer chasing the sun they are the unspoken official flower of fall. And I've made it abundantly clear that I love fall.

I do not, however, love 86 degree days and drowning humidity in October. Since Mother Nature wasn't cooperating outside I needed to bring a bit of fall inside. A few faux pumpkins (real ones are coming in next weekend!) and a fresh bouquet of sunflowers did the trick. 

Although even in this brutal heat wave there are a few signs of fall outside. Looks like I'm going to have to break out the gloves here soon and rack up some leaves. 

Anyone else a sunflower fan? I just don't know what it is about those flowers, but I love them. 

Roadside flowers

If you've ever thought to yourself, "those flowers on the side of the road are really pretty. I wonder if it would be crazy to jump out of the car and take a picture of them?"

My answer - you are not alone!

I saw these purple coneflowers while at the beach last weekend and casually mentioned to my friends that if light was softer when we drove by them again I was going to hop out of the car and take a few photos of them.  My friends might have thought I was kidding, but the hubs knew better. He's put up with my antics for over a decade and after nearly six years of marriage he just goes with it when it's not too crazy.

What's your favorite roadside flower?  I'm in awe of the amazing wildflower patches that dot the highway medians in Maryland and West Virginia. The mishmash of colors is just the thing to keep my attention from faltering during a long drive.

Roses are Red

I think it's safe to say I got every penny out of a $4 bouquet from Trader Joe's.  One evening last week I noticed the evening light in my backyard was extra yummy and did what any other person would do in that situation - take my very expensive crystal vase outside and play with my camera settings while sitting in wet grass (we're trying to grow a lawn). 

Dear bokeh: I love you.  

I just can't tell if I like the extra sun rays in the top photo or the more traditional lighting in the last photo.  I'm usually a "clean" person and the first photo reminds me too much of things that are abused in photoshop. Even though all I did in photoshop was save as a jpeg. 

Thoughts? Extra sunshine or extra clean? What about black and white?  B&W photos are my weakness because I love looking at them, but I've yet to be able to edit anything I take in a solid B&W. 

That'll give me a legitimate excuse to pick up another bouquet next week and play even more.  

Daffodils

I'm going to have to give up something during my weekly grocery run because it seems I'm going to buy flowers every other week. I used to think keeping fresh flowers in the house was frivolous, but after the past few weeks of gorgeousness I don't think I can go back to a flower-free house.

I think fresh flowers are able to light up a room even when the weather is fickle or dark.  You might not be able to tell, but it was raining when I took these pictures! The double windows in our living room bring in so much light it's insane some times. I love that just the simple addition of flowers can make the house constantly feel like it's spring outside even through the spring weather changes faster than Taylor Swift's love life. 

Even better - these daffodils were $3.98.   That's less than a decent beverage at Starbucks and these babies didn't add on any calories and have lasted for ten days already.  Your move Starbucks,  your move.

Are you a fresh flower person?  If so, what are your favorites to keep in the house? 

Spring Flowers

My aunt bought these two simple arrangements down with her from New Jersey.  I love that she selected simple flowers that were grown in the USA.  She knows me so well.  I was also thrilled that my mother tripled my fancy vase supply when she gave me two gorgeous Wedgwood crystal vases for my birthday.  I now have three crystal vases! It's like I'm a real adult! 

It's that time of the year again: spring is coming. 

My initial reaction is to throw on as many pieces of black clothing I own, pout, and throw dirt at everyone wearing spring clothes. 

I realize that might be a bit childish and I'm a grown woman now... I should save such childish behavior for more important moments.  Like when someone else drinks the last of the vodka coffee and doesn't replenish my supply. 

I don't know. It was pretty nice to curl up with a magazine book and read whilst basking in the sunlight pouring in my living room windows, all while smelling fresh flowers.  The best part, I didn't even have to put on sunscreen :)

How about you - are you looking forward to the coming season change or are you holding tight to winter like me? 

Flowers should always be on the list

The hubs isn't much of a flower guy.  By "much" I mean he's bought home flowers twice, on his own, in the ten years I've known him.  Last weekend I put "flowers" on the grocery list and sure enough, he came home with very pretty and colorful flowers.

Part of me wants to test out this "Anchorman" hypothesis, but the more responsible part of me knows better than to mess with people.

I don't know. I'm tempted to put Chanel on the list and see if he comes home with anything.