Getting the Carpets Cleaned

It's that time of year again. Although I generally don't like it to get this close to the holidays, we have the carpet cleaners coming this week. So, the hubs and I had to get everything ready today. He says this is like the old joke about cleaning the house before the maid shows up. But really it's a matter of getting all the funiture out of the way so they can do their job. And, of course, once you start to move furniture you uncover all sorts of things...

Now the carpets are cleared and ready for their semi-annual bath. Thank goodness we aren't entertaining for Thanksgiving. Instead, we will be spending much of that day putting everything back where it belongs. While we are at it, the Christmas decorations will start going up. And, no doubt, we will be more than ready to sit down to a relaxing dinner at my sister's!

Homemade Bread

This morning over breakfast, I was reading the Free Press. That is the way I spend most Sunday mornings. This morning there was a recipe for a pumpkin braid, which sounded pretty good. It is a yeast bread made with apple cider and pumpkin pie spice. Thought I would try it today, although I haven't baked my own bread in many years (I just never could get the hang of it well enough to do it regularly). Anyway, since I also go grocery shopping on Sunday mornings after breakfast, the time was right to pick up all the necessary ingredients.

It went together very easily, actually. I even kneaded it by hand, rather than use the dough hook on my mixer. I guess I was in the mood to get down to the most basic level (save the wood-burning stove, or course). And, it turned out beautifully. The hubs and I enjoyed it, still warm, with our dinner tonight. Now I just need to get him to take the leftovers to the OPC tomorrow so I'm not tempted to eat them all!

Finally Finished!

I haven't posted for a while, because I have been spending every minute of my spare time working on the baby outfit for a girl who used to work for me. I finished it last Thursday. On Friday, she met me for lunch so I could give it to her. It came out really well. It's a favorite pattern of mine, and I have made it a couple times before. This one is pale lavendar, and perfect for a little girl.

Now I have to start on a baby boy blanket. It is for my grand nephew, who is due to arrive in January. It is not an intricate pattern like this one. Its all stockinette stitch, but with different colors of yarn that make a picture of a snowman. It is done on #10 needles, so hopefully it will go fast.

Getting Back to Work

I am not a person for long vacations. I get too antsy. Our vacation in DC was wonderful, and we capped it off by playing golf for a couple days. But, I have to admit I am anxious to get back to work. I have never taken a vacation for longer than a week (except for our honeymoon). There is something about the daily grind that I find so appealing.
I also like to come home a day or two before I go back to work. It gives me time to unpack, do laundry, and get paperwork straight before I go back to work.
I guess this is a little strange, but I find it so relaxing to be sure my life stays in order. That's a good part of what vacations are for, I figure.

Keeping Our President Safe

I am essentially pretty naive, I guess. I knew the security around the White House had been kicked up since September 11, but I had no idea of the extent. Sure, I expected to see the shooters on the roof. But, I was taken aback by the fact that Pennsylvania Ave is completely closed off for a few blocks, as it passes in front of the grounds. OK, that makes sense. So, we walked along the sidewalk (and fence) to the point where we were standing directly in front of the White House. As I paused to get a picture, the guard started moving the crowd to each side, making sure there was no one standing directly in front of the building (in other words, we were separated by at least a city block). Then a small motorcade went by, after which we were allowed to walk in front of the building again. (The kids coming home for lunch? Who knows.)

We walked back down Pennsylvania, past the Treasury building (which was also blocked off), and at the end of the blockade there was a spot where cars and trucks could enter (a delivery entrance, if you will). At that point, the vehicles were stopped and searched, including opening hoods and trunks, and a complete search by bomb-sniffing dogs. We watched as three or four vehicles were cleared. An amazing process.

Now I see why it was so difficult to score tickets for the tour. I don't disagree with any of these efforts, mind you, but it does detract from my image of the White House as being open to the public. Still true in fact, but it loses something as we strive to protect our president. Sad...

Arlington National Cemetery

Today we visited Arlington National Cemetery. It was quite a walk....I didn't realize it was that big. We saw the Kennedy graves. What a contrast between the spot where John, Jackie and Patrick are buried, (with the eternal flame and all), and the simple white crosses that mark Bobby's, and now Ted's graves.

We went on to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We saw the changing of the guard, which was pretty impressive.

But then we watched a wreath being placed by a couple of students from the Walker School (I don't know what the occasion was).

The two young boys who carried the wreath to the guard will likely remember that moment for the rest of their lives.

The rest of our time there was spent just enjoying the beauty of the setting, and marveling at the number of graves. Most of them were simple white plaques.

But, there were other, more impressive stones as well. We were surprised to see a home town name that we recognized. I had no idea Joe Loius was buried here.

A Beautiful Weekend

I haven't been feeling too well for the past few days. Nothing serious, just a low-grade virus that is keeping me a bit under the weather. I have spent several hours just sitting in a chair with my laptop, and putting the finishing touches on our plans for Washington DC.

That means I have also spent a good deal of time staring out the window. Fortunately, this has been such a beautiful fall, so far. And, I'm lucky to have several full size windows in my house. Seems like no matter where I look....

The colors are beautiful!