Washington DC and Springtime

So, it has been a long time since I have blogged about what  we have been doing in our little family.  We are all ready for Spring which seems to be arriving now {finally} in upstate NY!  Whew hoo!

The buds have popped out on the ends of all of the branches!  It shouldn't be long until we have lots of fresh green leaves.

I found a wooly bear on our driveway.  Anyone know what his markings mean?

Oh no!  Look out little guy!  Danger is all around!

 

 

For Spring Break, we took a trip to Washington DC.  Some of the flowers were on the trees, ie... magnolias and such, but the apple blossoms weren't out yet.  If you ever thought about heading to DC and thought it was too stuffy or governmental for you, check out these pictures and you may change your mind.

This photo is from the wall of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  I love the movement and shadows.

 

This metallic tree sculpture is in the Sculpture Garden on the Mall.

Another sculpture.  I thought he was awesome since it was Easter Sunday and we were here.

This one might be my favorite!  Anyone remember using these erasers?  This one is gigantic!

My second favorite.  Called "The Last Conversation".  They are so awesome.  Wonder what gave the artist the idea to give them beanbag butts?  LOL!  It is outside of the Modern Art Museum.

A close-up of the metallic tree.  Wonder how they did that???

 

The Magnolias!

Loved the topography in this bottom floor of the MAM.

 

 

Art or a giant stick of butter?

 Lots of architecture, of course!

 

The Washington Monument was under construction, so the picture isn't of the whole building.  Booo!

Can't forget about all of the awesome museums including the one with all of the Dinosaurs and stuff.
A big hit with my oldest, of course.

And whatever this deep sea thing is.  Creepy!

Oh and of course the Hope Diamond, but I couldn't get a very good shot of it because people were crowded around it.  Not very exciting, if you ask me my opinion!

My little photographer.  :-)

All-in-all, it was a great trip and we enjoyed the food more than anything. 
Happy Spring to you!

Photography and Bokeh

 I have been playing with the Christmas lights and my camera.  Still not 100% happy with how these turned out, but they are kinda cute.  I really want to make the little mask that makes shaped bokeh, but I've tried it in the past and it didn't work, but I think I did something wrong.  I will try again soon.

I love this one and how the lights are all sparkly.  Wonder how I got that to happen.  LOL!  Too bad it wasn't my amazing photography skills and more of a fluke.   The best part, this snowman is really only about 10 inches tall!

Deck the Halls! Mantle for Christmas

Just thought I would share my Christmas decor so far.  I have more to take pictures of, but these are my favorites so far!  I love Christmas!!!

This table is surrounded by things from days gone by.  A silverware set from my husband's grand parents, suitcases from my grandparents, ornaments from my grandma.  Even the little box from the ornaments is on display.  There is also a egg timer that was my grandparents'.  There is one thing missing from this picture.  I will have to post it separately because I took the picture before I made it.

Here it is!  My friend Dina Patina replaced the knobs on her door and gave me her old patina'd ones.  I love them and the skelaton key, so I glued it to a picture frame and tied the key on with a ribbon.  It fits nicely on my table with my vintage Christmas vignette.

My Christmas mantle...

The tree... done in red, white and silver this year.

My kitty in her favorite place during this time of year....