The Un-Commonwealth: A Stroll Through The Garden

So I have decided that spring time in D.C.- even with the dramatic influx in tourists- is a whole lot more bearable than winter time in D.C. Maybe it is my California sensibilities talking here, but my entire outlook on life seemed to brighten up the moment that sun began showing its glorious face around here.

But I know that *humidity* is just around the corner. The horror, the horror. So, I am going to try to cram in as many fun things in to my life before summer really sets in.

Case in point: the White House spring garden tour. I was there! And somehow managed to get tickets, despite that the line to get in was longer than any line at 7:20 a.m. should be on a Sunday. My friend Mollie and I secured our tickets and by 10:15 a.m. we were wandering around the White House lawns while heavily-armed Secret Service dudes watched silently on. (Actually, I saw one of the dudes pose for a photo in front of the WH fountain, so I guess it was a special day for them, too...)

It was worth getting up at 6 a.m. Obviously, the First Family was not in attendance, but the plants were the real stars of the show, anyway.

Yes, that is the one, the only, the (not-quite-organic) White House kitchen garden. My highlight of the morning. As a fan of all things 'ag,' it was beyond cool to get to check out Mrs. Obama's garden. And I must say, it was beautiful! I wish that I had the space (and the patience and the time) to create such a masterpiece.

Some other highlights...

(Umm, seriously, how epic is that?!)

(Really, W? You can't even help her dig?)

(SUPER FAN sporting a homemade Obama leather jacket. Dude was probably disappointed that POTUS wasn't home.)

(The official White House bees. I didn't see any- hope that they haven't been hit by Colony Collapse Disorder. Don't know what CCD is? Check it. Super scary- pollinators make 1/3 of all of our food possible. Oops, my ag nerdness is showing...)