Bloggers, Cherry Blossoms, and Memorials

Posted on April 14, 2015 by thecontentedcrafter

I loved spending time with Lisa – she is a delight and so knowledgeable about DC! I think her next career choice could be DC Tourist Guide ….

arlingwords

In the past week, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting people whose blogs I follow. It’s been amazing. They came from nearby in Virginia as well as California, Canada, and New Zealand. We began with a lunch party organized by Laurie of Life on the Bike who then whisked Alys, Kelly, and Pauline away to Radford for a few days.

The blossoms that have their own festival!

On their return to DC, they wanted to see the Cherry Blossoms down at the Tidal Basin, so I met them at their hotel in Dupont Circle and proceeded to walk their legs off. First we visited Einstein at the National Academy of Sciences. Since I work nearby, Einstein is often a lunch companion in good weather.

Kelly had some things to impart to Einstein. He seems to be listening.

Then Alys took this photo of Pauline, me and Kelly schmoozing with the great…

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47 thoughts on “Bloggers, Cherry Blossoms, and Memorials”

Lynz Real Cooking on August 7, 2015 at 12:08 pm said:

Wow meeting up with fellow bloggers that is so amazing! Had to read this!

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- thecontentedcrafter on August 7, 2015 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  hi there Lynz – thank you for stopping by and reading – it was a fabulous event, one none of us will ever forget!
  
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  - Lynz Real Cooking on August 7, 2015 at 11:53 pm said:
    
    I can imagine!
    
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reocochran on April 22, 2015 at 11:16 am said:

You cannot believe how silly I am, it just seems like yesterday that you left, so I started with the airport post, then out of curiosity found you are home already. I have had busy days at the warehouse, everyone is ordering auto parts, which our warehouse ships to Advance Auto stores, so the weeks have been well over 45-49 hours! Whew!
I am so excited to see the photos of your girlfriends who you met through blogging, Pauline. Love the photo with the great Einstein with you all looking wonderful. You may have included a photo of Alys, so will go check the next back post.
Pauline, smiles and hugs and so glad you are home safe and sound.

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peakperspective on April 20, 2015 at 7:01 am said:

I adore Washington DC and have clambered over many of those very sites that Lisa photographed so beautifully. I’m so happy you had the opportunity to see DC in its finest garb. The cherry blossoms are truly something magnificent. It appears you had an exceptional tour guide, and clearly made another warm and loving friend. Although, Pauline, this does not surprise me in the least. I’m guessing you have more friends than you can shake a stick at. It comes with the territory of having a magnetic personality.
Cheers! ❤

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:45 pm said:
  
  Washington DC was fabulous and I never thought I’d live to say that! Such a groomed and beautiful city and the people were so polite and kind and friendly – it really is worth a visit! Virginia was fabulous, but I always thought it would be! I’m so glad you were a part of our jaunt! xoxo
  
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Linne on April 18, 2015 at 4:36 am said:

Glad to see some of your trip; what fun it must have been! Nice to have a taste of spring before your winter gets serious, too, isn’t it? Best of all, the joy of meeting like-minded friends that you already know through writing and chats. It doesn’t get much better than that! Hope you are rested up now (but does Siddy ever let you rest?). I bet you are beginning to feel those creative urges . . . looking forward to more of your journey, but no hurry; you know I like Anticipation 101! Warm hugs to you. ~ Linne

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  It’s lovely to see you stopping by Linne – hope all is going well for you. We are settling back in again and slowly organising ourselves for a long, hard winter [well, ‘hard’ for us 🙂 ] I’ll be getting back into the art room soon I hope!
  
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fingerprintwriting on April 17, 2015 at 9:55 pm said:

Fabulous! What a lovely and memorable trip, Pauline. Beautiful photos. I’ll go see those cherry blossoms one of these days.
Have a wonderful weekend..

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:39 pm said:
  
  I hope you will Elaine – avoid the actual Festival day though as that looked pretty horrendous crowd wise. [We left that morning and saw the traffic jams heading into the city.] Everything in DC is so well kept and so well done. I loved the Lincoln Memorial – and some others too…..
  
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Sherri on April 16, 2015 at 4:14 am said:

Wonderful to see these photos of you with your friends and these fascinating sights of Washington DC. I’ve only seen the White House from a distance (and the Lincoln Memorial – duplicate! – at Disneyland) but my son and his girlfriend got to visit everything during a visit there three years ago. And how wonderful that you got to see all those gorgeous blossoms. Welcome home Pauline, can’t wait to read more 🙂 xx

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:37 pm said:
  
  Thanks Sherri. I was so impressed with DC – those Americans know how to make monuments! The blossoms turned themselves on perfectly for us, we felt so special strolling around the Tidal Basin looking at all the sights, taking it all in and just being together! A small taste of something special before we all returned to our real worlds.
  
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Robbie on April 15, 2015 at 8:41 am said:

I agree with fran-you were dearly missed! But what a WOW time + I skipped over to her blog and enjoyed more of the tour-great place for you to see + be:-)

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:34 pm said:
  
  I had a wonderful time Robbie though it went by so quickly. I amn slowly coming back up to speed.
  
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narf77 on April 15, 2015 at 7:26 am said:

My head is full of FACTS! I am going to have to have a lay down for a bit to let them all assimilate like the borg. Glad you are home Ms Pauline. The place hasn’t been the same without you 🙂

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:32 pm said:
  
  I’m home, but taking it easy – I’ll be back to normal soon I hope! It’s nice you missed me though 🙂
  
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  - narf77 on April 20, 2015 at 7:49 pm said:
    
    We most certainly did Ms Pauline. Sometimes, you are the sparkle in our days :). Very glad you had a great time, you are back and you are taking it easy. ALL of the good things 🙂
    
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nrhatch on April 15, 2015 at 4:04 am said:

Glad you enjoyed your meta meet up!

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  Thanks Nancy!
  
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jennypellett on April 15, 2015 at 3:55 am said:

I’m looking forward with relish to your travel log in earnest, Pauline. What an amazing adventure. I bet it went by like a flash. When’s the next one?

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:31 pm said:
  
  First post just published Jenny – I thought I’d do the whole trip in a couple of posts, but now I’m not so sure! This was my one big trip – and such a wonderful experience I recommend it to everyone who feels they have made deep connections!
  
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insearchofitall on April 15, 2015 at 1:47 am said:

I can see you trying to catch your breath there. 🙂 No rush. Travel is wonderful but home always feels so good after. Just wanted to let you know I stopped by to check on you. Hugs M

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm said:
  
  Hi Marlene! Thanks for the check in – I’ve been laying low for a few days with severe sinusitis and am hearing as if under water – it is taking a while to clear up. I hope it will be gone soon. I think three lots of ups and downs each way in planes was a bit too much for my very minor head cold!
  
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  - insearchofitall on April 21, 2015 at 1:32 am said:
    
    You always need a vacation after a vacation. 🙂 Flying, especially that far can really take it out of you. Lots of steam showers, lemon water and a great deal of REST will have you good as new in no time. Getting better is all we want from you right now. Hugs.
    
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aFrankAngle on April 15, 2015 at 12:14 am said:

This is wonderful …. thanks … are you home? If not, safe travels.

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:25 pm said:
  
  Hi Frank – I am home. It was all over in a flash! Now I have to read a lot of blogs!! 🙂
  
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LB on April 14, 2015 at 10:55 pm said:

Pauline, my dear friend, have you recovered from your long travel days? I’ve been thinking of you!
How lovely that you were able to spend more time with Lisa, and what an awesome tour guide she is!
Stay warm and rest up!

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:24 pm said:
  
  Hi Laurie! Recovering still. Taking it easy…. I want to have half your energy when I grow up!! 🙂 xoxo
  
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Jill Weatherholt on April 14, 2015 at 9:09 pm said:

Welcome home, Pauline! I’m sure Siddy and Orlando are thrilled to have you back. 🙂 Thanks for sharing a taste of my hometown! xo

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:23 pm said:
  
  I loved your home town Jill – I would go back again any time! One of the boys was very happy to see me home and the other is busy punishing me for going away! Guess which is which 🙂
  
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derrickjknight on April 14, 2015 at 6:34 pm said:

Marvellous event

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:21 pm said:
  
  Yes it was!
  
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Gallivanta on April 14, 2015 at 3:45 pm said:

Welcome home. We have turned on some ice and chill for you. 😦 But Siddy and Orlando will be keeping you warm. Such a great trip for everyone. Wonderful.

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:20 pm said:
  
  Thank you! It sure was a nasty shock to come back to, but it’s warmed up a bit again now, thank goodness! We have spent the last week settling back in and getting ready for a long winter!
  
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  - Gallivanta on April 20, 2015 at 4:54 pm said:
    
    With lots of good memories to warm the cockles of your heart.
    
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mommermom on April 14, 2015 at 3:11 pm said:

So glad you made it home in one piece! I read the post recounting some of the DC highlights. Looks like you had a great time as well as decent weather. I hope you plan to share more details and pictures as it is a joy to share in your delightful trip. What a marvelous opportunity to have experienced this journey-not just the sights and visit to a new place but the joy of meeting friends and spending time with them. Such a special time but I bet you are glad to be back in your own bed. It is true there is no place like home!

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:18 pm said:
  
  I’ve just published the first day – I thought I’d do the whole trip in one post, but it looks like it might take a couple! I am glad to be back home, but it was such a fabulous experience, I am struggling to find the right words and images to share!
  
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arlingwoman on April 14, 2015 at 3:06 pm said:

Thanks so much Pauline! It was delightful being with you and showing you around. What a trip you had. And now I’ve had lots of visits as a result of you and Alys!

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:16 pm said:
  
  I’m glad Lisa – enjoy all your new friends xoxo
  
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  - arlingwoman on April 20, 2015 at 11:20 pm said:
    
    Goodness, it’s been a wild ride! I haven’t had so many visitors since a Plot volunteer posted a write-up of a work day on her Facebook page!
    
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gentlestitches on April 14, 2015 at 2:11 pm said:

I checked out the full post and it was very moving. This journey is FUN! and thanks for including me! 😀

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:15 pm said:
  
  We had such a great time Sharon – I recommend arranging any kind of a meet up with your blog pals – it really does deepen the experience!
  
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Lois on April 14, 2015 at 2:00 pm said:

What a wonderful trip. I’m glad you had a good time and arrived home safely.

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:13 pm said:
  
  Thank you Lois – I’m almost ‘back’! It is taking a while to return to my normal state this time.
  
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Joe on April 14, 2015 at 1:56 pm said:

Great to hear you are home safe from the gathering Pauline 🙂 From the looks of the photos you look like you had a wonderful time.

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- thecontentedcrafter on April 20, 2015 at 4:12 pm said:
  
  We had a great time Joe – you must make sure you join in on the next gathering!
  
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  - Joe on April 21, 2015 at 1:00 am said:
    
    I will surely try like hell Pauline 🙂
    
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