A Couple Great DC Dinning Recommendations

 

I am far from an expert as there are soooo many wonderful options for dinning in DC but was super impressed with both of these places. We dinned at Nora the first evening there and I was blown away by the drinks and the food. All super fresh and all delic. The atmosphere and neighborhood are cute also.

 

A friend recommended Ted's Bulletin and the moment I realized they had homemade pop tarts I was sold. I sadly didn't take the time to sit and eat as had ran there and "ran out of time" funny enough. It was further than I realized but figured all that exercise at least negated the calories of the pop tarts and snowballs. Both were delic! The menu looks great.

Oh yeah and a drink or two at the cool bar at the Willard Hotel is a must. This is the hotel where the term Lobbying was coined. Gorgeous hotel, great cocktails, but you are for sure paying for the ambiance.

Wine on the Wabash

Last night our Chamber hosted a fun event called wine on the Wabash. You met at the trail head for Wabash trace a great running/biking trail just outside of town and traveled to Minneola. With several stops along the way to sample wines from local wineries.

Then you ended at Toby Jack's Steakhouse for dinner and socializing. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect weather night. For it being a first time event the turnout was great as well (these pictures aren't even half of the people that participated). Of course the samples along the route helped the miles fly by.

Hoping for more social fitness events this summer that utilize our great trails and allow exercise and fun to mingle.

24 Spruce Yard Progress

 Our Niobrara cabin is actually in town (the land has a house but it's in a sad state of inhabitable means). When we first bought the house it had ZERO landscaping except for a few bushes in front and a measly tree. The first spring we got to work planting away.

I don't have any true before photos as all of these show a few of the things we had just planted. But you get the idea. This last weekend I realized wow our yard is finally starting to look a little more landscaped and pretty. I am loving it! Can't wait for midsummer when the grasses are higher, the roses blooming, and everything even fuller.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

AFTER

 The roses and grasses look really pretty in a month or two.

BEFORE



AFTER

AFTER

 

This was a side view of the yard. The hostsas just didn't work, this year I think we finally have plants in there that work!  And I love how all the other plants and bushes are finally filling in nicely to soften the house.

 

BEFORE

AFTER

This random area by what will eventually be a deck had this crazy cement drain of sorts. That has been removed and in it's place an awesome garden box.

BEFORE

AFTER

Obviously we still have a long way to go and things we want to do. We need a deck built, we need a bit more grass and to fill in some areas with bushes or flowers. But overall I am happy with how it's looking and just seems so much more lived in and inviting than it did before. I need to snap front yard pics next time. If we lived there full time I am sure things would be even better, but for the occasional visit not too shabby.

Boys Birthday Weekend at the Cabin

We went to the cabin with high hopes of birthday celebrations and a huge bonfire. The weather just didn't play along and rained most of the weekend. Who would think late May would require warm clothes and lots of fires? We still had a great time though even if we didn't get the collasal bonfire in this round.

All the rain is making everything look so lush and vibrant. For that I will not complain.

The camper got a good solid spring cleaning for guests. Need to go on a little road trip soon with the ol Rambler.

Grand plans were in place for a delic picnic, mother nature didn't cooperate so we picniced indoors by a fire. Just as delic.

New art was hung in the dinning room.

We hit up the small towns as a family with friends to celebrate both brother's birthdays. Happy Birthday Boys! Sadly my dad was stuck out of town :(

We eventually had a break in the rain long enough for a little yard work. Funny enough I found a shirt from several years ago when a good portion of Niobrara was sadly underwater.

Baths always need bubbles, candles, a good book, and occasionaly a beer.

I was a good sport and played cards one night even though not my thing, luckily I won so guess that at least makes it slightly less painful.

My  mom made gorgeous professional looking arrangements out of flowers my grandpa and I brought from our yards. They smelled as good as they looked!

Even in the slightly cold misty weather we still enjoyed time at the land just unwinding.

Memorial Day 2015

Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.

 

 Please take a moment today to remember those who lost their life serving our country. Being in DC this past week and visiting the various memorials was such a reminder of how many have lost their lives protecting our freedoms. To each of them and their families I am forever grateful.

National Mall and Memorial Parks at Night

I was lucky enough to be in DC for a few days this week on a trip with the Council Bluffs Chamber to advocate for issues on behalf of my role on city council. One night dinner finished early so I laced up the running shoes and went for a run to the National Mall to stroll through the memorial parks at night.

I was so glad I took the time to do this. It truly was breathtaking at night. Soooo pretty all lite up against the night sky. If you're in DC visiting at night is a must. I am pretty certain there are even hop on hop off tours you can take.

It was the perfect way to get in extra exercise for the day and explore after a long day of successful meetings. I think I ended up with 23.000+ steps that day!