inn at little washington

To continue the birthday celebration and in anticipation of Valentine's Day, Richard and I ventured out in Washington, Virginia to dine at the Inn at Little Washington. We have wanted to try the Inn at Little Washington since we moved to the DC-area, as it is consistently ranked as one of the area's top restaurants (and places to stay). This year it was the Washingtonian's number 1 pick, and a designation we found to be well-deserved. It was by far the nicest meal I've ever had, and it will probably be quite some time before we can afford to go back. But I'm glad we got to experience it while we were here!

outside shot of the Inn

personalized menu

happy to have a date night

our view of the prettily-lit outside courtyard

I didn't take a picture of our first few courses, but to start I had a beautiful beet salad, complete with a beet sorbet. Richard had a lamb caesar salad with caesar salad ice cream. The chef also sent out a pork belly appetizer, a shot of the best soup I've ever had- a rutabaga and apple concoction, and his version of chips and dip, with a bit of caviar. Our second courses were a mac and cheese with virginia country ham and foie gras. Richard's main course was a deconstructed beef stew with tenderloin and bone marrow, and mine was a seared tuna. Delicious. 

fancy tuna

Then came dessert...Richard ordered the Seven Deadly Sins, a sampling of the Inn's favorite sweet treats. And he didn't share one bit.

a whole lot of goodness

That was ok, since I had my own butter pecan ice cream sandwich with chocolate and caramel to contend with. 

loved the happy birthday sign!

one of the more creative things I've seen- a "doggy bag" in the shape of the inn filled with miniature treats

enjoying the warm fireplace

one last parting shot...hopefully one day we can come back to stay!

a very happy birthday indeed

Given how much as I dislike January, I always look forward to the arrival of February. I don't love the cold weather, but despite the fact the numbers keep climbing higher and higher, I do love celebrating my birthday. In the past, my birthday has caused some conflict in my relationship with Richard because of my huge birthday expectations. This year, I was determined just to be happy with whatever he planned, but he truly outdid himself. Unbeknownst to me, he coordinated a big party, complete with mailed paper Lilly Pulitzer invitations, flowers, homemade treats, a delicious caramel cake from South Carolina and a ton of our close friends in attendance. 

The day started off a little hectic when Richard got stuck at the hospital, and then we spent the afternoon with our little friend Anderson, whose mom and dad both were on call and got called in. Having a fifteen-month old in the house makes for some interesting party coordinating, but it all came together (even if it meant my hair/makeup/outfit weren't quite perfect!). We had such a great time, and I am so thankful for a husband who cares so much about the details and sweet friends to celebrate with.

Lilly invitation and pink and green flowers

USC Law is well-represented in DC, and these friends make me feel right at home

loved having friends from the Gowdy office past and present attend

general surgery friends

I hate I didn't take a better picture of the spread. Richard had arranged a fruit tray, made pretzel, m & m, and hugs treats, dipped s'mores and ordered pink and green polka-dot cupcakes from our local bakery. Too cute!

lighting the candles

I was fairly sick the week before my birthday, so I honestly had a little trouble blowing out all my candles. Hope that doesn't mean I won't get my wish!

lots of fire

love this man...

and this incredible 7-layer caramel cake from Caroline's Cake

with our friends the Kwoks- 4 y.o. Julia signed my card all by herself

general surgery chiefs, spouses and tiny Sam, only a couple weeks old

Anderson, my companion for the day, and his mom Ashley, who had delivered a baby just a few minutes before

with the "ortho" wives- Gus, Lauren and Amy- will miss these girls when we all go our separate ways next year

team ortho and Richard

inauguration weekend

After the busyness of December, it has been nice to have a pretty quiet January. I feel like we have been in full hibernation mode. Richard has been working long hours and studying for an exam at the end of the month, and I have done a great deal of DVR cleaning-out, household purging and a little shopping. Even though we weren't thrilled with the results of the election, Richard and I decided to go to the SC State Society Inaugural Ball. We had several friends on the planning committee, and Inauguration Weekend in DC is an exciting time, regardless of your party affiliation. And we were so glad we went! 

I recycled a dress I'd worn before- if Kate Middleton can do it, so can I!- and we took the metro downtown to avoid the cost and hassle of trying to get a car or a cab. I tried a red lipstick for the first time, which I think turned out well. 

waiting on the Metro

 a self-shot at the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro stop

The SC Ball was held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, and almost immediately ran into our friends Ryan and Matthew. Ryan and I just had lunch on Friday, and several minutes of our conversation revolved around when she might get engaged. She thought it might be a few weeks, so I was thrilled when she showed me her shiny new ring! It's beautiful!

the soon-to-be Mrs. Couvillon

with the happy couple

We honestly spent more time looking at her sparkler than the gorgeous Hope Diamond, which has been reset and re-lit and is stunning.

the famous Hope Diamond

The Voltage Brothers did an incredible time entertaining the large crowd of 2200.

packed dance floor

loved the palmetto tree and crescent projected on the wall

In addition to the Voltage Brothers, there was also a super talented jazz quartet playing for those who wanted a calmer experience. 

Great Ocean Hall

There is a great group of USC Law alums in the DC area, and it's always fun to see them and catch up. They've been a wonderful reminder of home the past few years, and I loved celebrating with them all last night. 

Matt, Liz, Matthew, Ryan, Craig, Evelyn, me and Brooke

Here's hoping we'll be back in 2016 to celebrate the election of an R to the White House!

epiphany + 2

Since I am still sending out a few remaining Christmas presents and at least 40% of our neighbors still have their Christmas decorations up, I thought it passable to do a quick Christmas highlights post. I know even the 12 Days of Christmas are up and it's two days past the Epiphany, but I wanted to document our fun December. 

We loved going to Zoo Lights at the National Zoo with our friends Ashley, Max and Anderson, who discovered a new love for kettle corn while we were there.

us with a the Pusz family and a sad-looking Panda Claus

And we shag danced to a swing-y version of "Jingle Bells" at the Georgetown Assembly Ball at the Chevy Chase Club. 

my sister-in-law Suzanne was kind to let me borrow her dress, one she'd worn in a wedding...it was perfect for the evening.

Richard and I had a date night while waiting for fiscal cliff news. The Botanical Garden has model trains throughout, and replicas of DC buildings made out of plant material. We lucked out and hit it on one of the weeknights it was open later to accommodate holiday visitors.

Lincoln Memorial in the foreground and the Capitol in the background

Botanical Garder Christmas tree

festive reindeer

Capitol tree

it started pouring rain, so sweet Richard protected my bag as we made a dash for the car

Closer to the White House, there are 50 state trees with ornaments from each state on the Ellipse, and an adorable Santa's Workshop with the bearded man himself. Adorable!

so cold and wet but happy to be seeing Santa

the inside of Santa's Workshop

Santa looked a little worn out

 the National Tree

And a few pictures of the Webb tree and house decorations...

tall and skinny this year

loved our decorated living room

reading to Fancy Nancy to my sweet buddy Gia at a drop-in at her house

It has become our tradition, when we are home at least, to have a little gathering at Richard's parents' house for our friends in the area. It's so much fun to catch up with everyone! 

Meghanne, Penelope and Kellianne

little ones watching Richard's trains

my beautiful sister-in-law and her friends Jen, Molly and Molly's adorable MK

love the O'Sullivan family

the Blantons and the Bishops

We celebrated Christmas Day at my parents' house and had dinner with everyone at Richard's, and it was wonderful to have everyone all in the same place. I literally had tears of happiness in my eyes as I walked into Richard's house and was just comforted by knowing all the people I love the most were in my line of sight.

my brother Jeff, cousin Alyx, me, Richard and my brother Will all around the Christmas tree

the original Davis 5

the "kid's table"

and the adults plus Richard

Richard's family tradition is to go see a movie on Christmas night, so we all went out (well most of us at least) to see Les Mis at the Spartanburg movie theater. It was so, so good, and I couldn't hold back the tears. Russell Crowe may not be the best singer, but he makes a great Javert. And it was a great end to a lovely Christmas.