Puff

Puff thinks that Thanksgiving is the perfect time for a foreign getaway. As a vegetarian he’s not really a fan of the big turkey meal, and he certainly has no desire to partake in a day of football watching (he’s heard rumors that that is what many people do post meal). His Thanksgiving destination of choice is Germany, as the holiday often falls right before the first Sunday of Advent, meaning that he is able to visit the country’s fabulous Christmas markets. This year he chose to go to Nuremberg, home to what is perhaps Germany’s most famous one.


Puff’s base was the Le Méridien Grand Hotel Nuremberg, and from there he set out on his daily adventures, a mix of culture, shopping and food. He loves to go to the opera whenever he travels, so one evening he made his way to the State Theatre for a performance of Nabucco. It was not the best performance he’s ever seen, but certainly an enjoyable way to spend his evening. Puff is also always up for some contemporary art, so he took in the Neues Museum, where he enjoyed Jeppe Hein’s 1xMuseum, 10xRooms, 11xWorks (he’s a fan of the interactive).


Of course much of his time was spent perusing the Christmas markets, enjoying treats and keeping warm with mugs of Glühwein and Eierpunsch. When not wandering the markets he could be found shopping (exploring the floors of Kaufhof and Karstadt) and eating poppy seed delicacies at various cafes (there's no such thing as too much Mohn Streuselkuchen). He also enjoyed long leisurely dinners at Böhm’s Herrenkeller and Heilig-Geist-Spital, two seasonally festive restaurants where he happily drank the rather large pours of wine (he loves a good Müller Thurgau) and ate sizeable portions of cheese Spätzle. He admits the latter is not too healthy, however he did not have too many vegetarian choices, and who is he to complain about having a good excuse to indulge (and the hotel did have a gym that he made good use of).


Puff also set out on a few daytime adventures, hopping on the punctual except when it snows Deutsche Bahn to explore nearby towns. His first trip took him to Bamberg.


He thought the medieval town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was beautiful. He wandered up and down its many hills, taking in the architecture and checking out the cathedral, before hitting the small Christmas market for some well deserved treats.


His second outing took him to Rothenburg ob der Tauber . He loves the walled, albeit rather tourist filled, city, and made certain to hit the Medieval Crime Museum (complete with iron maiden). After learning about numerous not so pleasant methods of torture he opted for some more wholesome fun, and headed to the town’s Christmas market. And of course no trip to Rothenburg would be complete without stopping by the Christmas emporium Käthe Wohlfarht (where of course he picked up a thing or two).


Puff was very sad when his trip was over, and he certainly did not appreciate the twenty hour plus journey home (nothing like some snow to get in the way of a smooth journey). The trip did, however, leave him full of Christmas cheer. Now if he could just motivate to decorate his house…

Dandy

Dandy is an active penguin who likes to keep his days full; his weeks are thus often packed with various social and cultural activities, as well as meetings and other less exciting things. Last week’s socializing began with a happy hour at the Mayflower Hotel in honor of National Philanthropy Day. The event was organized by The Cotillion, a group that highlights and promotes philanthropic and cultural enrichment activities, with a mission to cultivate the next generation of charitable givers. Dandy enjoyed meeting numerous people involved in different causes around town, and is looking forward to the group’s inaugural gala next year. Tuesday was meeting filled, so Dandy’s social life resumed on Wednesday, with the 1869 Society’s Cultural Cocktails at the Hamiltonian Gallery. There he enjoyed some wine and catching up with friends, while perusing works by Elena Volkova (Proofs) and Renee Van Der Stelt (Recordings).


Dandy was out and about again Thursday evening, when he attended the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America’s Cupcakes and Cocktails fundraiser. The event was not too exciting, but who is he to complain when faced with an evening of sampling sweets. He greatly admired the beautiful cupcakes from Cupcakes Actually, but his favorite was the mint julep concoction from Zola. Dandy (wisely) believes that one can never go wrong by adding a bit of alcohol to one’s baked goods.


Friday Dandy waddled over to the National Gallery of Art to do some research in its library. Before heading home he made certain to see the exhibition Arcimboldo, 1526-1593: Nature and Fantasy. He is a great fan of Arcimboldo and loved seeing the numerous works, and thought the Philp Haas Arcimboldo inspired sculpture was quite fabulous. Dandy was in the mood for a bit more culture, so that evening he made his way to the Kennedy Center to see the Suzanne Farrell Ballet. Although he enjoyed the performance he is partial to the Washington Ballet (what can he say, he’s a loyal guy). In fact it was off to the Washington Ballet studios on Saturday to volunteer (and shop, of course) at the Sugar Plum Holiday Bazaar. He loves to shop, and what better incentive than knowing that 20% of sales would go to one of his favorite organizations in town. Dandy also enjoyed the Bazaar’s reception, catered by June B Sweet. He loved all of her tasty little treats and happily devoured numerous macarons (amongst other things) and a glass (or two) of bubbly.


It was then off to a friend’s birthday party. Dandy had hoped to be responsible and get home early, as he had lots of packing to do for his upcoming trip, and planned to head to the Bazaar for its second day. However, things don’t always go as planned…what can he say, when dancing is involved he just can’t say no!

Squeak

Squeak may reside in DC, but he’s not one to sit still and can often be found on the road or in the open skies. This past Monday he caught “the not too glamorous but less crowded than Bolt” DC2NY bus to New York City, in order to help out a friend working on a Robert Indiana catalogue raisonné. The trip was relatively quick, and before he knew it he was at the office in Grand Central Station. He loves the project and working with his friend…not only does he enjoy catching up with her, but she is also a great source of treats (she knows where to find the best ones in the city). In fact, Squeak arrived to find some delicious apricot and coconut bread pudding from her favorite lunch place, Dishes, and when he came into work the following day a peanut butter sandwich cookie from Bouchon Bakery (his favorite treat to date) was waiting for him.


Although Squeak spent most of his time in New York working, he was still able to schedule a few gossip dates with different friends. One evening he caught up with a former DC friend at The Barrel, where he enjoyed a few glasses of red wine and some rather tasty patatas bravas. The following night it was a quiet coffee date with another friend, followed by an evening in with his lovely hostess.


It was back to DC late Thursday afternoon for one night in town before heading off again the following evening. Luckily he was able to find the time Friday afternoon to make it to Bloomingdale’s in Chevy Chase in order to do some shopping. A portion of the sales went to The Washington Ballet as part of the Women’s Committee fashion show, which he unfortunately had to miss this year (he had strut his stuff the past two years and was just beginning to perfect his modelesque waddle).


After picking up a few things Squeak made his way to Fawn Lake for a 70th birthday celebration; there was plenty of merriment and too much food and wine (as usual). Of course a weekend in Spotsylvania County would not be complete without running errands (Walmart and Wegmans) and enjoying a peanut butter sundae at Dairy Queen.


He also stopped by the local mall, which had already been transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Squeak does think it’s a bit too early for the full on holiday extravaganza, however he likes his presents, so figured he might as well have a talk with Santa.


The holiday season does have a tendency to creep up on one, and he figured better safe than sorry!

Olga

Olga is a social butterfly; she loves nothing more that to put together a fabulous outfit and head out for a night on the town. That said, she does admit it’s been a bit harder to motivate lately, as she’s only slowly getting used to the colder temperatures.


Olga is also a very refined penguin, and she favors events with a cultural element. Wednesday night she found herself at the National Gallery of Art (such a civilized place) for a reception and viewing of the exhibition The Pre-Raphaelite Lens: British Photography and Painting, 1848-1875. As usual it was an elegant affair with bubbly and lots of delectable treats, including a rather tasty mushroom crepe cake, which she admits to having had more than one serving of (restraint is so overrated, and she knows she can always spend a little extra time in the gym). She did unfortunately miss out on most of the desserts, which were devoured while she spent her time gossiping with friends.


Thursday Olga braved the rain and made her to the Kennedy Center for a performance of the Washington Ballet’s Romeo and Juliet. She enjoyed the production, in particular the lavish costumes and dramatic scenes (what can she say, she’s an over the top kind of gal). After the performance she waddled over to the Guarisco Gallery for the opening night party. While she cannot say that she was a fan of the art, she had the most wonderful time catching up with Washington Ballet supporters, dancers and staff over a glass or two of red wine, and lots of mini ice cream cones filled with different flavors of mousse. Not a particularly healthy dinner, but what can she say, you only live once.


It was another night of art on Friday, when Olga attended the FotoWeek opening party at the Corcoran Gallery of Art. She enjoyed checking out the diverse photography, which included exterior and interior projections, and caught up with lots of people she hadn’t seen in a while (over some not too good Cava…but what can she say, if it has bubbles she’ll drink it).


Saturday night Olga made a quick stop by Irvine Contemporary for the opening of Street/Studio 2.0; she was able to peruse the show and catch up with a few friends before making her way to the French Embassy for its annual champagne tasting. She wasn’t overly impressed with the event, which lacked ambiance, but who is she to complain as there is little she loves more than bubbly, and she was able to try lots of it.

After a busy alcohol filled and nutrient deficient week Olga very much appreciated the extra hour that came with the time change, as there’s nothing like a longer lazy Sunday to get one ready for another busy week.

Hayley

Hayley hopes that everybody had a fun and candy filled Halloween weekend. Given her love of sweets it is certainly a time that she enjoys (not that she limits her treat consumption to any special day). Hayley had a very social week, during which she was able to catch up with various friends over something sweet. She began her week’s socializing with a gossip session in Clarendon, where she caught up with a friend over pumpkin spice frozen yogurt at Red Mango. Although it wasn’t the best she’s had, Hayley does love all things pumpkin (and gossip…friendly, of course). And, aware that it’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas, she also hit the area’s stores for a bit of shopping.


Wednesday Hayley took a break from her treat centered week to attend Cocktails and Conversation with Renée Stout at the Hemphill Gallery. The evening was organized by DC’s Young Art Leaders, and she enjoyed socializing with various like minded friends while perusing the exhibition House of Chance and Mischief, which she was happy to catch before it closed. It was back to gossip, shopping and pumpkin treats (this time a cupcake at the Love Café) on Friday, when she met up with a friend she hadn’t seen in quite a while.


Hayley’s weekend was a mix of entertaining – she had friends over both nights – and way too many errands/never ending moving related tasks. The former was obviously more fun than the latter, as it gave her the excuse to make Halloween themed goodies (sugar cookies and cheese crackers in various fun shapes), and show off her festive dressed up for the holiday house. The daytime chores were somewhat less exciting, but at least they involved treats…she needs to get in her share of frozen ones before it gets too chilly. Not that it’s ever too cold for Dairy Queen, where she enjoyed a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard before it was replaced by the November Blizzard of the Month.



Luckily she got home from errand running just in time to give out candy to the many trick-or-treaters. She had such a good turnout that there’s hardly anything left for her. But never mind, she’ll be baking for Christmas before she knows it, and the house will be filled with treats once again.