my own little piece of land

i built a raised bed garden for myself! I ordered the metal corner pieces off-line because the only place it could be was my front yard and I wanted it to be presentable for my neighbors. and lets be honest, there was a 50/50 chance it wasn't going to be presentable, especially if i had to use tools. But I didn't read the product description and i had to use my drill anyway. It was completely successful, mainly because my father gave me a crash course in the drill before he left me to fend for myself in the cold, cold North. So glad my parents made me an independent person.
On to the bed! I got the boards cut to size - untreated wood of course. look how much grass we have now that the dogs can't go in the front yard! The roomie 'mowed' with a weedwacker the day before this. I wish I had been home to see it. I put down newspaper (that my neighbor generously donated) to kill off the grass and filled it with a mixture of horse manure, soil and compost.

Then I planted! tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, herbs, lettuce and sunflowers. I feel like the lettuce won't do well and i think i might have overplanted, but i can always thin it out later.

And I made a discovery! We have wild strawberries growing along the side of the house. not good to eat, but they are pretty and cheerful.

In which we eat a lot of cake, shaped like a cup

I had two wonderful gals pay me a visit for my birthday: the lovely Dawn and Jodi. I have known Jodi for approximately 6 years (we can't ever decide when we became friends!) and Dawn is her twin, who also happens to be the talented photographer for my sis's wedding.

We ate,

we touristed it up,

we went to a musuem,

we walked,

we shopped,

we ate some more,

we danced,

we watched a sheep get sheared,

we went to another musuem,

we walked some more,

we shopped some more,

we laughed,

we ate a lot more,

we watched some movies, and the rain,

we got some random comments,

we watched a family fall down on the metro-with bikes,

and finally, ate even more.

I took all of 3 photos during the weekend-blame it on me trying to be a good host. But Jodi did an excellent job of blogging her trip.
We also conducted a terribly unofficial survey of cupcakeries in DC. We visited 2 of the 4 I know of: Red Velvet in Pen Quarter and Georgetown Cupcake in Georgetown. Georgetown was the ultimate winner. It's a good thing that that store is difficult for me to get to... otherwise I would be an expert.

I'm sorry I've neglected you, my blog. It's not because I don't have anything to share - I just haven't felt the draw. Brief recap:
I went to work.
explored some woods/beach like area
had a birthday
had some visitors
planted a garden
That seems to sum up the last couple of weeks of my life. I also got my VA drivers license and my new VA GATOR tags! They have the old UF logo on them. I love them.