Beautiful Longwood Christmas

A couple of weekends ago, Kepi and I drove to Pennsylvania to visit Longwood Gardens. Every season, they decorate the gardens with different themes, but I'm most particularly in-loved with their Christmas set up. This year is spectacular. If you don't like Christmas or Christmas trees, be forewarned that this post is filled with Christmas tree photos and I don't how how many times I'd say Christmas.

A Christmas tree in one of the tree houses.

This Christmas tree is in the confectionery exhibit. I never through I'd love the bluish glow from this tree.

Another Christmas tree surrounded with white and red Poinsettias.

Christmas ornaments

The cutest photo bomber ever in her puffy red dress.

The main Christmas exhibit is the icing of the cake.

Of course, we took a photo with one of the taller Christmas trees.

Here's wishing you all a wonderful Christmas!

Magicians and High School Friends

Last week was awesome!

Kepi and I went to see "The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays" at the National Theatre. This is my second birthday gift for him. The show was entertaining, mind boggling, jaw dropping, lots of laughter and sometimes squirming because some of the stunts involved a live Scorpion inside the mouth and another was buried alive under a ton of gravel (I think this was a version of the Houdini escape). Overall, Kepi and I had a blast. I was also chosen to take part in one of the card tricks.

The stage before the show.

That's me in a green sweater enjoying my five minutes of fame. I was picked to assist/observe Steve Valentine's card trick. I still can't figure out how I picked the same card over and over, or how the card went inside the TicTac container.

I get to keep the main card used in the trick initialed by Steve Valentine (SV). Very cool!

In my last post, I wrote about hosting Christmas lunch with my high school classmates. It went fabulous! We had a lot of laughter and so much stories to go around. We were also able to video call two of our classmates who are living in New York and in Arkansas, so the house was super noisy and loud with excitement and giggles. For a few hours, we were transported back to our carefree high school days.

I decided to just have it catered, and I'm happy I did because the pork lechon was really good.

Beautiful dessert tray comprised of sticky rice, cassava cake, and assortment of rice cakes. These pastries/cakes are usually served on Christmas and other special occasions in the Philippines.

A feast on our dining table.

A table full of friends, sharing a chat over food and coffee. 

A photo by the fireplace.

And after the party subsided and everyone went home, I took upon myself to finish up wrapping these presents I bought for my parents and brother. These beauties will be mailed to Hawaii so I wish them well in their long journey. One of my favorites this Christmas season is wrapping presents and writing Christmas cards.

Prelude To Christmas 2019

Slowly, Washington, DC is beginning to look like Christmas.

It's also that time when the weather is at a strange phase. You have to gauge the temperature if you need a thick coat or a regular coat for the day. Or, you'll end up sweating in a thick coat or shivering in a regular coat. Go figure! I've learned a long time ago to dress in layers and just take off the layers to adjust to the fluctuating DC temps. Funny thing about layers? You'll end up coming home with a bunch of clothes when it gets too warm. You can't win in this situation.

Anyway, below are a few photos I've taken during my morning and lunch walks. I've been trying to get my 10,000 steps each day, so I spend at least 30 minutes of my lunch hour walking/exploring. Twelve years of working in this city and I've barely scratched the surface. I'd like to think that there's more to DC than politics and lobbyists. I really hope I'm right.

A few steps from my office is the DC Center's gigantic Christmas Tree. I pass through here every morning from the train station to my office.

City Center is known for its 35 world class shops. I just stroll and window shop here. It's pretty with their Christmas decorations. In front of Louis Vuitton is the other expensive bag - Hermes. There are special police guards patrolling the area throughout the day (see the person in blue vest staring at me as I was taking this photo).

Two giant Nutcrackers guarding the entrance to Old Ebbitt Grill, Washington's oldest saloon.

I took this photo at the Christmas Market near Chinatown.

We've decorated the house. As I've mentioned in my previous post, I'm having a Christmas lunch with a few of my high school classmates this Saturday, so it's just timely to get the house ready for guests and the holidays.

The fireplace is ready for Christmas. I can't wait to get the fire going ,warm up with a cup of tea, and cuddle with a good book. Too bad I haven't been reading a lot this year, so I am looking forward to my Christmas break.

It melts my heart when I see this sight in the mornings. Daisy snuggled beside the Christmas Tree.

Taken on the evening we decorated the tree. Daisy and I just sat down on the floor and stared at the tree because we're both crazy for Christmas Trees.

Daisy is getting old; she's now 18. Her vet says that she's doing well for her age, but she's been sick a lot. This week, she's suffering from another ear infection. She's also been sleeping a lot, and I really miss the days when she had more energy. However, I do understand that dogs have a short lifespan, and Daisy has brought so much happiness to me and my family. She's given us her love unconditionally. Now that she's old, she needs all the love and care she deserves. I got your back buddy.

How about you? Are you ready for Christmas yet? I'd like to think I am but deep within I'm not.