FINALLY!! It feels like spring is here...

Our lawn service guys showed up this morning (surprised me!), and did the first cut of the season. All the forsythia is in bloom, as well as lots of flowering trees. Shelly, I think that the Cherry Blossoms may be just past their prime when you're here, but still really pretty. And Jim says that the bulbs are beginning to bloom in the downtown area.

Anyway, it was the PERFECT day for a drive out to Woodlawn Plantation, down the G.W. Parkway, and past Mount Vernon, with the sparkling Potomac River on the left. I was on my way out to my car, when I saw my neighbor's oldest son (second child of six), and I hadn't seen him in a really long time. So I gave John a great big hug, and we gabbed for about thirty minutes. George (my neighbor and John's dad) finally came outside, because he wondered why John's car was still out front since he'd theoretically left a long time ago. Of course, as soon as he saw me, he KNEW! George and Jackie had just come back from California, where they'd been for the arrival of their oldest daughter's first baby (a little boy). It's hilarious. Out of six kids they had girl, boy, girl, girl, girl, BOY. (They really tried hard for that one final boy, who is my son's best friend.) Anyway, they have four grandchildren now, with the arrival of this newest one, and they're ALL boys! LOL... Nevertheless, as soon as George glimpsed me, he scurried back inside for PICTURES, which I admired...

NICE to see the neighbors again, after the wretched winter, and it was lovely to begin spring with news of a new baby that belongs to the neighborhood family. After George went back inside, and John and I finished catching up, I finally got on the road.

Shelly, I can't remember whether you said you've been to Mount Vernon before, but I hope you'll try to squeeze it in when you're up here. It's SO beautiful this time of year, and they've added a whole bunch of new exhibits.

Beautiful drive. I took a short-cut through a corner of Old Town, and got onto the Parkway. Once I got to Woodlawn Plantation, I headed directly for the lunch room, because it was close to closing time. I found a small table by a large window, and ate my little lunch, while gazing out at the grounds. Then I roamed from room to room, scrutinizing the CRAZY needlework display. Amazing... There were plenty of volunteers who belong to a group called Nelly's Needlers (named for Nelly Custis). They're (obviously) needleworkers who's sole function is to help support Woodlawn. Since 1975, they've raised in excess of $650,000 for Woodlawn, through their needlework, and volunteer efforts.

I've been curious about Nelly's Needlers for years, and finally asked a bit more about it, while I was standing there chatting with some of the volunteers (and buying stuff from the gift shop). They gave me a brochure, and said that members don't have to pay dues, but are required to volunteer 50 hours of their time, during the course of a year. AND, they meet at Woodlawn! I'm kind of interested in checking them out. I love to do needlepoint, and they were also interested in my dollmaking. Their work is sold in the Woodlawn shop, with all proceeds going to the support of Woodlawn. I'm thinking that it would be SO much fun to donate stitched items to the shop, volunteer AND meet at the Plantation itself, especially during the annual needlework exhibit!

We'll see... But, all in all, it was a lovely day!

Mount Vernon