destination sperryville.

Sperryville, Virginia. Put it on the list of go-to day-trip destinations (here are the earlier posts on Lancaster and Middleberg). Sperryville is about a 90-minute drive from DC right at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is apparently beautiful and charming and quaint. It is also home to the renowned Inn at Little Washington. But, if you aren't up for that splurge, I just read up on the Blue Rock Inn. It has outstanding reviews and is on 80 acres with a great menu. I basically want to go tomorrow. So in an effort to be more reasonable, we are now shooting for June or August!

maxed out.

The maxi dress has taken spring by storm it seems. I have to admit, this is new territory for me...mostly because I don't like the idea of my dress dragging on the ground or getting dirty. But, Ben's mom bought me a great maxi when I was up in Westchester for Thanksgiving. It has been hanging in my closet since November, as a reminder that summer is coming and I love it!

And, then I got to looking for other maxis for all of you, my loyal readers. Here are some that I spotted!

Bloomingdales - Ella Moss Printed Maxi Dress



Bloomingdales - Soft Joie Dress

Bloomingdales - Aqua Nordic Paisley Empire Maxi



shopbop - Funktional Monet Maxi Dress

o&y.

It was another full day of DC tourism and we lucked out with the weather. Olivia and Yuri are being spoiled...they haven't experienced severe heat or overwhelming waves of tourist groups and segway tours. We enjoyed another great day in DC with a leisurely lunch out and a walk down to the MLK memorial as well as the Lincoln memorial. Having guests in town is such a good reminder of all the reasons I do love living in this city.

You know what else made it a great day? The first meal of the summer season on my roof! I am including the recipe below for this chicken dish that Ben sent my way. Great dish for the next time you need something quick and easy, I recommend it!

Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
1-2 lemons (I know Yuri can eat lemon)
White Wine
Flour

• Put each chicken breast between plastic wrap and pund them thin with a heavy pan. 1/4 inch thick.
• Salt and pepper both sides of the chicken.
• Put flour on a plate and salt and pepper the flour.
• Put the chicken in the flour and get a light coat of the flour on the breasts.
• Heat a large skillet on medium/high heat. Add Olive oil--two tablespoons plus one tablesppon of butter.
• When pan is hot enough, put the chicken in the pan. About 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip it over.
• After 2 minutes on the second side, add white wine about a 1/4 of a cup and juice from a half of lemon.
• Let that cook over the medium/high heat with the chicken in the pan for about 30 seconds or so.
• Add a tablespoon of butter.
• Put the chicken breasts on the plate and pour pan sauce over the chicken.

my valentine.

I can't decide what I make of this Paul McCartney song/video, "My Valentine". Thoughts?!

arlington outing.

Olivia and Yuri are visiting for the weekend! I have learned that I am easily stressed out by hosting but thankfully O&Y are easy and relaxed and low maintenance. Today we took it pretty easy. But we did head over to Arlington Cemetery. It was a perfect day for it. Not too hot and not too crowded and since my sister and Yuri are big walkers, it turned out to be pretty great!

pin up.

My best friend, Scott, is finishing up his two years in the Peace Corp in Indonesia and his Mom emailed me recently. Among other things, she mentioned that the Denver Art Museum is bringing Madeleine Albright's 'Read My Pins' Exhibit to Colorado. Very exciting! For several reasons...1) because Colorado + politics is a good thing 2) hopefully my Mom will go and report back for me! 3) I have been wanting to buy Albright's book, 'Read My Pins' since it came out when I was in Vietnam 4) I love Madeleine Albright. A lot.

The Original Book

So, for any folks in the Denver area, the exhibit starts on April 15th. And I am including plenty of material below for everyone to enjoy and get their Albright/political fix for the night!

• New Yorker Piece with a Slideshow
• NPR - Madeleine Albright's Jewelry Box Diplomacy
• NYTimes - Night Out with Madeleine Albright

the pickings.

Just some random pickings of some gifts and things you might appreciate....

Adia Kibur - Gold & Enamel Drop Earrings

Graf & Lantz - Laptop Sleeve

Creatables Made From Waste

10 Scarf Hangar