DC Pope Watch '08

The Pope Mobile route was only a block from my office, so I had to go out and check it out. I've been to lots of DC events, and I have to say that this experience wasn't what I expected. Everyone was happy, groups of people were singing and playing drums and dancing. There were families, church groups from all over the East coast, and of course lots of office workers like me. All the windows, balcanies and rooftops were filled with people. I didn't see a single protester (so unlike DC!), and it sounds corny, but it was a really joyous atmosphere.


Here's what the scene looked like from my spot -- the crowds were about 10-people deep (but no one pushed). The guys in the street are Secret Service.

Here he comes!

The world-famous Pope Mobile. People went crazy with excitement. Some people ran along the sidewalk so they could follow the him down the street.

After the Pope went by, people stayed in the street celebrating. These guys stopped so I could take their picture. There were holding Bibles open as they walked down the street.

You don't see signs like this in DC very often.

A group of strolling musicians, signing and playing as they walked down Penn. Ave.

By special request: this is a popover

Here they are, fresh out of the oven

Just add butter

Then feed to the official taster

It's that time of year again...

...Cherry blossom season!
I took a walk at lunch down to the Washington Monument to see the blossoms. It's always beautiful, and so many people travel from all over to see them, so I feel guilty if I don't go.


The District was nice enough to plant cherry blossom trees on our street this year, including this one right in front of our house. How lucky for us, huh? Can't wait to watch it grow every year.

How YOU doin'?

Our kitten Vince chillin' in front of the fireplace on Sunday night:

Dads told him it would be the last fire of the season, so he really got into it:

How does your garden grow?

Well, hopefully we'll have a colorful garden this summer... I planted 113 plants this weekend, and my elbow is sore!

64 pansies out front and in the window boxes:

29 lillies planted around the fences in the backyard:

8 dwarf lillies in the backyard flower beds:

And 4 clematis to vine around the lamp post

Mission accomplished

Ricardo spent the weekend building me a raised garden bed for my vegtable garden. (What a good husband!) First step: removing some ugly ol' bushes:

Success!

Railroad ties in place, now we just needs some dirt and plants. Bonnie-cat thinks we just built her a huge litter box. She approves.

Happening NOW!

A picture tells a thousand words... Ricardo, Wolf Blitzer & Jen on the set of the SITUATION ROOM:


Last night we were in the Situation Room! Our friend Dave brought us, and it was fantastic.

When we first got there we were sent to the Green Room (yes, it was green). Then Dave brought us into the studio, and they were live on air with James Carville and Tom Dashle. I almost died! Finally I got to see the Ragin' Cajun in person!

Dave introduced us to Wolf during the first commercial break, and he was so nice. We're total news junkies, so this was just fantastic (as you can tell from the silly grins on our faces in the photo).

We got to visit the control room, which was also really cool. And we saw all the reporters in the studio -- they were all so tiny in person, and it's funny to see who has to stand on boxes because they're so short.

When we got our picture taken we all said "Happening NOW" instead of "cheese". And after we took the photo Ricardo asked Wolf if this photo was going to be in our hometown paper tomorrow (if you don't watch the show you won't get that).

Anyway, the whole thing was SO cool!

BBQ blowout

Our neighbors and I had quite a party this weekend in our backyard...

Ricardo chilling before the guests arrive.

Dave & Jen: the grillmasters

The spread: jambalaya, smoked ribs and a crawfish boil

Jen's chicken yakitori

The crawfish boil


Jen loves her dessert: grilled pineapple

Spring has Sprung

Yesterday we finally had the first few flowers bloom in our garden.

Our B&B is now taking reservations

We had our first overnight guests, Gary & April come visit us this month. We quickly put the finishing touches on our guest room, and I think it looks pretty cozy. Here are pictures of the room.