stay-cation: two thumbs up!

I didn't end up taking a vacation this summer, so decided I would tack an extra day off onto the Labor Day weekend and try out a "stay-cation" instead.  My goal: enjoy some down time and do a few of the things that have been on my to do/see list.  And I realized on Monday afternoon that I really did feel like I had had a true break from work - so I guess that means the experiment was a success!  A few highlights from the weekend:

• day trip to Middleburg, Virginia.  About an hour outside of DC, Middleburg is one of those quaint little towns featuring a classic main street complete with brick sidewalks, historic homes & churches, unique shops, and good restaurants.  My favorite store by far was Creme de la Creme - colorful linens & pillows, great pottery pieces, and other things you don't really need but like to look at ;-)  After a walk around town, my friends and I had dinner at Julien's - a French cafe that had bread pudding with the most amazing caramel sauce.  Yum.
• Telling Stories: Norman Rockwell exhibit at the American Art Museum.  What a treat.  Rockwell captured so much of the human experience in his images - it was fascinating to learn more about how he created the pictures that are familiar to many of us.  This exhibit will be in DC until the end of the year - I definitely recommend it!
• college football season has begun!  The Bulldogs got their first win (although regional-only coverage meant I didn't get to watch it) and - thanks to my sister's boss - we got to go to the Boise State/Virginia Tech game on Monday night.  While I didn't get a straight answer from anyone on what a Hokie actually is (!), it was fun to be at such a good game (even though it obviously had a sad ending for VT fans).
• good time with good friends.  Whether it was talking on the phone with friends & family who live far away, having coffee with a former student,  laughing at an ostrich sighting in rural Virginia, or enjoying some great cupcakes, I am glad the weekend included time with some of the people who I am glad to know!