Weekend-ness: Preakness & Wine in the Woods

No Sunday Shot yesterday. I was so pooped from the weekend awesomeness that I couldn’t manage to pick a shot and post. I actually thought about it at around 11pm, but decided to wrap up today instead.

Busy? A’yup. But in a good way; this past weekend was the Preakness, the annual horsie race here in Baltimore. It was also the annual Wine in the Woods fest in Columbia. I hit Preakness Saturday, and WitW Sunday. Good times.

What I learned about the Preakness:

* It’s worth it to get a seat. Whether you decide to brave the InfieldFEST (shudder) or just wanna see ponies (yay!), believe me, you’re going to love having a place to park your buns away from the masses.
* Mug Club is worth it…if you don’t mind Bud Light. And if you just want to pay up front and not think about carrying $$ for drinks. But if you think water is included? Not so.
* InfieldFEST is fun, as long as you get there early, and leave before it gets packed. Otherwise you’ll be in a crush of overage frat boys reliving the glory days.
* Top of the Stretch is a great way to see the horses before they line up at the starting gate. Since seeing pretty ponies is my reason for hitting the Preakness, I loved my seat. Only problem? No cover. So when it rains, you’re wet.
* Light Rail. Definitely the way to go to the races. Definitely. $3.50 round trip? No worries about parking? Yes, please.

Next year I’ll be back. Dunno if I’ll go Top of the Stretch, or get a seat under cover. But I’ll definitely be there.

Sunday was my volunteer shift at Wine in the Woods. I like volunteering, because I get in free *and* get to spend a chunk of time at the Education Tents. I learn about vino, and get to wander around beforehand. I’m not a huge taster, but I do love me some crafts. And jerky. Someone was selling venison & elk (and other types of) jerky. Who am I to pass that up?

A few pics, to give you an idea of my weekend.

Definitely a contender, if she wasn't working.

Mackelmore, sporting Preakness hat chic

A view from Top of the Stretch

My wine seminar neighbor

Talkin' red wine (Shenandoah Winery)

Gorgeous landscaping at WitW. Really.

My first strawberry of the season!

One....

Two....

Three!

Garden update

Rainy days = me catching up on my reading. It also means that my plants get plenty of water & lots of sun without the baking brightness of full sun.

My garden seems to love the weather. I’m already seeing tomatoes, pepper and eggplant buds, not to mention strawberries. Hooray!

Sunday Shot: doggie onna roof.

I did a few things to the house this past week. I also see that the garden is growing. (Er, make that the plants in the garden. Yeah.)

Today? My favorite thing was waking up to the sound of barking, and then seeing a dog on the roof of the houses behind me. He bounced from roof to roof, trying to figure out how to get down. Trying to figure out if he wanted to get down.

Yes, at first I was worried. Poor pup! What the heck is going on? But then I saw him pop in to an open window a few houses down, hang out of said window for a bit, then trot back out onto the roof again.

I’m guessing that his human left the window open trying to get some sleepytime breezes last night, and pup took advantage.

More on backyards, water, plants, shoes, ships and ceiling fans…later.

I'm on a roof! And I'm awesome!

I love bridges.

Not in a romantic Bridges Of Madison County kinda way. In an I’m 5 And Bridges Are Awesome kinda way.

So when avoiding the 895 tunnel/toll turned into a Francis Scott Key Bridge trek? Yaaaay!

I got a picture. I share. Hooray Baltimore bridge!

Rose water.

My little tea roses are blooming! Well, three are. The biggest one has some gorgeous color, and after the rain it looked pretty. So I share.

I can’t decide if I like it better…

Au natural

... Or with a little light on the subject.

And good news – I’m putting a hose spigot in on the back wall of the house! Okay, not me. But I am having someone do it. With a “frost free” setting, which means more protection from the elements (though I will have to cut the water off to the spigot in freezing temps.)

Next, the outdoor dryer vent. And maybe, just maybe, a kitchen disposal. I’m craaaaazy! Woohoo!

Sunday Shot: why can’t I have roses like this?

I walk around my neighborhood all the time. Even when I’m suffering from a hideous head cold, like today.

I love cutting through one particular block, because it’s very festive, with tons of decorative touches. And this house, with what seems to be the perfect rose bush. See?

Look at that gorgeous green!

All that perfection. Not a brown spot or yellow leaf to be seen. Unlike my bush, which cranks out brown spots and ooky leaves like that’s it’s job. Look at the gorgeous buds.

One perfect bud. One of MANY perfect buds.

Sigh. Until I can figure out what I’m doing wrong, I can always walk by this rose bush and know perfection is possible.

Oh, and Happy Cinco De Mayo y’all. And Christos Anesti!