Take A Load Off – Resting Your Feet In The Washington Square

I’ve pounded the pavement all day, and my feet are begging for mercy. Unfortunately, my escapades have been disappointing. Nordstrom Rack doesn’t have my size in the boots I need. The embassy I wanted to visit is closed.

The last errand for the day is picking up my husband’s boots at the Cobbler’s Bench shoe repair in the Washington Square building. I discovered a refuge here, and want to share it with you.

I descend the escalator to the serenity of the lower level of the atrium. As the noise from traffic and people on the streets subsides, I realize this is the perfect place to take a load off. It’s a beautiful environment with a small fountain. The gurgling of water always calms me.

The chairs and tables are comfortable, and there are even two large-screen TVs on the wall. One is tuned to the news, the other displays a sports channel.

I just grabbed a latte from the Starbucks a few doors down, so I plant myself in front of the fountain and sip my way to warmth and comfort.

I look around and I see many convenient shops. There’s the post office, the Atrium Café, the Washington Square Hair Salon, a shoeshine stand, a menswear store, and a fitness center. I’d like to try the food at the Atrium Café one day when I have more time. If you do, let me know what you think.

I spend 15 to 20 minutes relaxing in the peace and quiet. When my feet have stop complaining, I pick up the boots and ride the escalator to street level to face the day again. I say a silent thank you to the architect who designed this building and it’s small slice of comfort in the middle of an urban environment.

The Washington Square building is located at 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW (at L St). The red line Metro at Farragut North drops you off at the base of the building. If you are a fan of Nordstrom Rack, you will pass it going to and from the Metro. Stop in and take a load off.

*All images ©2014 Gina Genis

Solo On Thanksgiving? What Do You Do?

What do you do when you are alone on Thanksgiving?

Too many people find themselves alone during the holidays. Sometimes it is by design. Maybe we just can’t face the family. Maybe it is too expensive to travel. Or perhaps you are like me. My husband works odd hours, and he will be doing his thing on Thanksgiving Day.

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself (no, you are NOT a loser) make your own adventure. “Well, Gina”, you might be thinking, “where am I suppose to go when everything is closed?”

Sun, sleet, rain or snow, I have the perfect place. Not only can you feast your eyes, but you can have a tasty lunch and get some holiday shopping done as well. I know what you are thinking, but it’s not the local mall. It’s miles better. It’s the National Gallery of Art.

The National Gallery of Art

One of my favorite eye candy exhibits is Andrew Wyeth: Looking Out, Looking In. The curators collected sketches, watercolors, and completed oil paintings of windows and doors that this master draftsman produced throughout his career. As an artist myself, I enjoyed seeing the thought process, mistakes, and corrections in Wyeth’s sketches alongside the completed work. The images are lush, mysterious, and captivating. The question that most comes to mind while viewing the work is “what surprise lays just outside that window?”

“Christina’s World” by Andrew Wyeth 1948

When you leave Wyeth’s World (yes, a nod to his most famous painting, Christina’s World) take a stroll through the marble halls to one of the other exhibits. Here is a link to the current shows.

By now, you’ll want to rest your feet. The perfect place to take a break is in the Garden Cafe. Located on the ground floor between the galleries, this cafe has an open, airy feel, and the best menu of all the museum’s cafes. They’re serving Cornish game hen, pumpkin bisque, and creme brulee. You can have your Thanksgiving dinner right here and not feel like you are missing out on anything. The Garden Cafe is open on Thanksgiving from 11:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

The Garden Cafe

Now that you are rested and sated, it’s time to get into the spirit of the holiday season by wandering through the gift shop. There are so many tempting items to buy for friends and family that you can spend a couple of hours taking it all in. Jewelry, clothing, books, prints, toys, and so much more. In my opinion, museum gifts are more interesting than things you can get in a department store. I also like the feeling of supporting the museum and keeping the doors open for free to the public when I buy items here. Now for a bit of disclosure. I couldn’t wait until Thanksgiving to buy a treat for myself. I recently picked up this delightful silk scarf because I am currently obsessing over the color orange. It’s called “Amber Pebbles” and it was $39.00.

Amber Pebbles silk scarf, $39 at the National Gallery of Art gift store.

On my wish list is this fabulous art deco shawl. It’s reversible with silk print on the front and solid black felted silk on the back. At $250, it will most likely continue to live on my wish list because I would rather spend the money on someone’s present.

Art Deco Shawl

Need a stocking stuffer for the artistic friend or relative? I love these water-soluble sketching pencils. You can get more depth with them than with regular sketching pencils. The ability to add water and blend selected areas of your drawing makes a big difference in the look of your work. They come in a tin case of 6 pencils at $11.95.

Water soluble sketching pencils

Are you tired of looking at the bad art in a coworkers office? Choose one of the many fine art reproduction posters the NGA makes available. Here’s one from the Wyeth exhibit that would look striking on any office wall. It’s only $19 unframed and $180 framed.

Exhibition poster, Andrew Wyeth’s “Wind From The Sea”

You have spent the day feasting your eyes and body and have checked off a good portion of your holiday shopping list. I consider this a successful day. Happy Thanksgiving from me to you.

The National Gallery of Art is located at 6th and Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565 right across the street from the National Mall. 202 737-4215