adventures in art & design
Archive for December, 2009
Snowy Getaway-Part III
Dec 30th
Eisenhower Executive Office Building, Washington DC
I just love this building! It looks especially beautiful all decked out for Christmas. I read up a bit on the Eisenhower Executive Office Building too. It was built in the late 1800s and now houses the offices of many White House staff. Such an architectural beauty in my opinion. And just one of the sites we saw while FINALLY getting out in DC to visit the museums once they opened from the snow storm.
Our first stop of the day was the National Museum of the American Indian. The museum houses lots of wonderful artifacts and information about American Indians. There is currently an exhibition of work by Brian Jungen that is a must see! Very unique work. There are two gift shops in the museum as well that offer books, music, jewelry, etc. honoring the American Indian heritage.
We visited many other Smithsonian Museums including the African Art Museum, Smithsonian Castle, American Art Museum, and the Hirshhorn Museum. The great thing about the Smithsonians is that there isn’t an admission fee! Of course donations are welcome.
Then my wonderful husband took me to the Textile Museum! Let me just say it was the cherry on top of a sweet getaway! The current exhibits were amazing. There is the Mary Baskett Collection, which is Japanese Fashion as well as the Innovations in Nuno. Oh, and an AWESOME gift shop! 
Ok, off to spend some time with the family. Happy New Year to all!
Snowy Getaway Part II
Dec 28th
The U.S. Capitol
So once the snow finally stopped, we were able to get out and walk around DC. Lots of the monuments and museums were still closed but we did our own walking tour of the city. We started at the U. S. Capitol Building because I wanted to see the Christmas tree.
Close up of the Christmas tree at the U.S. Capitol
It did not disappoint! Standing 65 feet and full of handmade ornaments, it was beautiful there in the deep snow.
Each year one of the National Forests of the U.S. provide the Capitol Christmas tree. This year’s tree was provided by Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests in Arizona. The 6,000 ornaments were created by Arizona school children with the theme of Arizona’s Gift From the Grand Canyon State.
The National World War II Memorial
Next we headed down the National Mall and visited the National World War II Memorial. It was so beautiful and peaceful with all the snow and minimal visitors on such a chilly day.
After a long day walking in almost 2 feet of snow and a vicious hunt for a public rest room (I’ve never had to ‘go’ so badly in my life!) we called it a day and headed back to the hotel. Monday brought open museums!!!! More on that tomorrow!
Sunday Grace
Dec 27th
Photo by Tim Nault. Taken at the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC
“Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
Ephesians 5:2
A Snowy Getaway
Dec 23rd
The Snowy View From Our Hotel Room in Washington, DC
So my husband and I decided to have a long weekend getaway to Washington, DC to visit the museums and just enjoy each others company. Leave it to us to have a blizzard come through dumping about 20″ of snow of the city and stranding us in the hotel for a couple days. 
But, we made the most of it. I got some crocheting done. We both got some much needed rest. And we didn’t let the snow dampen our spirits or spoil our getaway! We walked and walked, exploring the memorials and museums (from the outside on Saturday and Sunday) and eat A LOT!
We DID manage to visit many museums on Monday in marathon style (and have the blistered feet to prove it!). I’ll post more about our getaway in the days to come. But for now, I must catch up on Christmas preparations.
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