Here is part two of the photos from the trip my mom and I took to Longwood Gardens. Click here for part one. Enjoy!
Longwood Gardens: Part Two
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Category Archives: Life
Longwood Gardens: Part One
I’m going to keep the words brief today because there are many, many photos to follow. There are so many photos that I’m going to share some photos today and some tomorrow. Today’s post is not a food post – today I’m going to share a little life/photography with you.
Last week, my parents came to Philly for a visit! On Friday, my mom and I went to Longwood Gardens. The most I can say is that if you are ever in the Philly area, go to Longwood Gardens. To say that we enjoyed it would be an understatement. We determined that yes, even the boys would enjoy it. We will be making a trip back soon. It’s hard to describe the experience with words, you just need to see it:
{Come back tomorrow for more!}
Early Spring Hike
Two Saturdays ago, it was sixty degrees out. I had to work into the afternoon, but when I was done, Greg and I had plans to hike. We planned to be in the woods exploring until the sun went down. And we did. It was just what the two of us needed. After a long and cold winter, being cooped up for too long, fresh and warm air is just what we needed. We enjoyed every second of that hike, and I know we’re both looking forward to when we can do it again. I took photos that day, of trees and water, of Greg and my shoes, of waterfalls, reflections and a meadow of fresh blooms. Here are some of my favorites from the day, in no particular order.
Celebrating with Cake
Lately, I’ve had a lot to celebrate, and I did so with this cake.
This cake helped me celebrate:
Another full year of my life.
A weekend spent with my family.
Greg and I’s first batch of homemade beer (more on that later!).
Another full year spent with Greg.
Six full, happy months at an apartment and job that are both loved.
Almost one full year of The Dreaming Foodie!
And everyday, I’m celebrating being one day closer to spring!
I don’t make cakes often, but I’ve decided that when I do, they are going to count. Just like the cake I made to celebrate the new year, much thought and time went into this one. I took parts of this recipe, from Sweetapolita, for vanilla cake with homemade blackberry filling. I followed the vanilla cake recipe exactly, followed the blackberry filling recipe exactly, and made the vanilla frosting but used regular sugar and added a vanilla bean. Warning though, if you use regular cane sugar in frosting, the frosting will be crunchy! Although it sounds delicious, I left the vanilla mascarpone filling out for reasons of simplicity.
I simply made two 5-inch vanilla cakes, let them cool, topped one with both vanilla frosting and blackberry filling, placed the other cake on top, and spread vanilla frosting roughly all around.
This cake was so delicious, but was made better by the people who I shared it with. Isn’t that the best? It’s so great to celebrate with cake.
Calm Life
“It’s okay to be happy with a calm life.”
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I’ve been seeing this quote float around on Pinterest and I’m in love with it. It fits me right now, it resonates with me now. More and more I’m feeling that for me, the calmer, the quieter, the more low-key, the better. I’m choosing staying in over going out every time. And I’m happy with it.
Yesterday, Greg and I took a hike in the Wissahickon after I worked. He met me at the café, and we hiked for about an hour. I took my camera along, hoping to find some things to capture along the way. I fell in love with this tree. A beautiful tree in the middle of the woods that so many people decided to leave a mark on.
And the sun. The sun couldn’t have been more stunning.
We went home from the hike, made dinner together and enjoyed a quiet evening in our quiet apartment. The perfect calm night.
Happy Sunday!