Weekend in D.C.: Salads, Family Time, and a Wedding Rehearsal

Happy Saturday — I’m spending a lovely weekend in Washington, D.C. My mom and I enjoyed a brisk, hour-long walk through our hilly neighborhood this morning, and I made a simple, fresh lunch for the two of us. My dad is out of town for work, so it’s just the ladies at home and plenty of quality time.

Lunch was a big, colorful salad with mixed greens and baby spinach, avocado slices, yellow bell pepper, shredded carrots, and cherry tomatoes finished with a generous grind of cracked black pepper. I love a salad that’s both satisfying and light — perfect for a warm afternoon and easy to prepare when you’re focused on enjoying time with family.

On the side I toasted a slice of Great Harvest bread and spread it with hummus, adding a final sprinkle of cracked pepper for texture and zing. Simple additions like a good-quality bread and a flavorful spread turn a salad into a full, nourishing lunch.

For dessert we had fresh strawberries as a palate cleanser — bright, juicy, and refreshing after a savory meal.

All together, the meal felt balanced and easy to enjoy at my parents’ house. I always miss having a dining room table with the kind of natural light they have — it makes photos and the whole experience so much brighter.

Weekend Errands and a Lunch Catch-Up

Other weekend activities included getting my ring resized. It feels slightly loose when my hands are cold and moves a bit, though it doesn’t slip over my knuckle. I’m debating whether to size it down now or wait until warmer weather when fingers tend to swell. If you wear rings often, you know the balancing act between comfort in winter and fit in summer — any thoughts are welcome.

I also met up with my college friend Sarah for lunch at Sweetgreen, which was a great chance to reconnect. It’s funny how plans collide sometimes — we discovered we’d almost worn the same dress to today’s wedding. Luckily Sarah had other options, so we avoided the accidental matching moment.

I ordered the Santorini salad — one of my favorites — with mixed greens and spinach topped with roasted shrimp, feta, grapes, fresh mint, and chickpeas, dressed in a cucumber basil yogurt dressing and finished with a squeeze of lemon. It’s flavorful and refreshing, and I paired it with an Honest Tea for a light lunch.

Rehearsal Dinner and Wedding Anticipation

Last night we attended the rehearsal dinner for a close friend’s wedding. Matt is the best man for his childhood friend, so many members of that extended circle were present, including family. It was a warm, celebratory night filled with familiar faces and plenty of stories.

The bride and groom are part of our larger D.C. friend group, so it was great to see so many friends from across the years. I also went to college with the groom, which means a number of college friends will be at the wedding later today. When Matt and I started dating in 2004, he lived in a memorable house with three other guys — an Animal House-style setup that actually turned into something much sweeter over time. All four of the original girlfriends from that era are now engaged to the four guys from that house, which felt like a full-circle moment as we posed together.

The rehearsal dinner took place at the Columbia Firehouse in Old Town, Alexandria, and the set menu offered a few entrée and dessert choices. We started with a roasted beet salad — of course I was excited about that — followed by my entrée of pan-seared cobia with succotash. For dessert there was a comforting apple crisp, and I also sampled a mint icebox cake that combined chocolate and mint in a delicious way.

Now I’m off to get ready — the wedding ceremony is at 3 p.m. I’m thrilled to celebrate with so many familiar faces; it promises to be one of those weddings where you truly know everyone in attendance. Wishing you a wonderful day wherever you are!