Sunday, January 28, 2018

Sunday, January 28, 2018

Tonight's picture was taken in November of 2002. Mattie was seven months old. Peter snapped this photo of us in front on our balcony with our oak tree in the background. This is one of my favorite photos. This oak tree didn't only provide beauty but it provided leaves that would feed caterpillars in the spring! As Mattie loved collecting caterpillars, feeding them, and watching them transform into moths. However, as Mattie and I learned, his tent moth caterpillars only ate OAK LEAVES!!!


Quote of the day: Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. ~ Rodin

So as a recap, Sunny lost a nail on Monday, the whole nail on his left back paw. We went to the animal hospital on Monday evening and the bandaging began. Since Monday, I have had to take Sunny to the vet every two days for a solution bath of his leg and a dressing change of his bandage. This has been quite a laborious process. I have been to the vet so far..... Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday this week. The visits continue next week as well! My joke is I am happy we got pet insurance for Sunny, because so far, it has been a lifesaver in just 2017 alone. Sunny is still on antibiotics and his stomach doesn't seem happy at all. In fact, he woke me up at 7am today making a horrible sound with his mouth. Apparently the vet was concerned by my report and she did a sonogram of his abdomen. She reported that there are no tumors. Frankly my mind wasn't going there, but too bad her's did!

This afternoon, I met up with two friends and had high tea at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in downtown, DC. I am on the quest to find the best high tea in our area, and I am STILL looking.

This was the lobby of the hotel. Which is quite beautiful and the service at the hotel is beyond helpful. 

Here is a photo of the Empress Lounge, where tea is held. It is nice in theory, but is right off the lobby. Though part of the lobby, it isn't noisy or drafty. 

A view from my seat. I am sure it is beautiful in the spring, because the lounge has a lovely patio, surrounded by a garden. I hear the garden is lined with cherry trees, which must be quite a sight in the spring. 

Today's menu! They bring out a fixed tray of sandwiches, scones, and desserts. The only thing you pick is your tea. I had a Lychee Red tea which was lovely. 

Notice the cup and saucer. I am a china affectionato, so a plain white cup and saucer did not do it for me. They serve you a side of clotted cream, lemon curd, and raspberry jam for the scones. 

The tray that comes out! Basically there are enough items for two people on this tiered tray. You can sample one of each item. 

One of my friends ordered Green Flowering Tea. Literally the tea is brought to you with a tight flower bud. As it sits in the hot water, it opens up!!! I would say that was totally different!!!