bonny, the Botanical Garden is down the hill from the Capitol -- there's a nice orchid exhibit there right now. And the National Museum of the American Indian is basically across the street (with a cafeteria that's a good place to splurge on lunch, if you're so inclined). Both are roughly at 3rd and Independence, S.W.

I always like to recommend Woodrow Wilson's retirement home on S Street near Dupont Circle.

The Asian and African museums (kind of behind the Smithsonian Castle, between the Mall and Independence just the other side of 7th Street) frequently have textile exhibits.

I can't remember who it was who linked, long ago, to the 70% chocolate cake recipe, but I want to publicly thank the linker, once again.

Trading on the 'If I'd known you were coming, I'd have baked you a cake' old saw...I made that cake last night and added roasted peanuts to the frosting. Oy. It is so, so very.

The Spy Museum was like $15 or $18 to get in when my sis and I went by there this January, which offended me in a place like DC so we walked off in a huff.

I always like to recommend Woodrow Wilson's retirement home on S Street near Dupont Circle.

Hm. Interesting...

The Peacock Room is completely on the list, as is the orchid collection. There is also an interesting lecture at the American Indian Museum we might hit. Plus, the Hirshorn is showing a shot-by-shot recreation of Raiders of the Lost Ark that two kids made between 1982 and 1986. Apparently, it is quite the thing. The only problem will be the line, I'm sure.

The Spy Museum was like $15 or $18 to get in when my sis and I went by there this January, which offended me in a place like DC so we walked off in a huff.

In as much as I might enjoy the Spy museum, this offends me as well. SO spendy for, what I'm given to understand is a lot of reading and not much wow.

Holy CATS. The tickets to the Newseum are $20!!! Wow. It's been a while since I've done the touristy thing. I had no idea.

Oh, but it so IS, what it is... (She's 38. Has an 18 year old, who has a four month old)

Who is this, AU Lorelai Gilmore? If so, I don't blame you.

Who is this, AU Lorelai Gilmore? If so, I don't blame you.

Yay! Yes, only more butch. And just as annoying. :)

She's 38. Has an 18 year old, who has a four month old)

ACK younger than me!!

and I feel so freaking old today already

(I actually have an aunt who became a grandmother for the first time the year she turned 40, what I'm going to be this year. Ooh that burned her toast! But she was the one who had her son super young, he was like 23 when he had his first kid.)

Yikes!

I just got an email from my friend M - she's at the doctor's office. Her water broke this morning!

I think baby is a bit early.

I await details.

!!!!

My step-mother became a gran at 38. She had her daughter at 20 and her daughter had her son on her 18th birthday.