Bit by bit we try to update and decorate our little nest. It takes awhile. To give you an idea of how we started, when I first moved to DC I owned the following pieces of furniture:

Floor lamp circa 1996 (which Mom and Dad G did not want)
Desk lamp circa 1992 (dumped in the Chi Omega basement around 1994)

That's it. I lived with relatives for a few months and then when I got my first job, I was able to move into an almost entirely furnished apartment with a coworker. I bought an Ikea sleeper sofa, a stool, a book shelf, and a quasi-desk (really just a shelf that barely fit my laptop.) I slept on that couch until we got married. Then my parents sent along a coffee table from 1994 (seeing a theme here?), my grandpa's bedroom set, a bookshelf from Dad DJ and a mattress I bought from a friend for $300 during a blizzard and stored behind my couch/bed. 

What's this long novel all about? Well, it basically states the obvious that we started out as a 0 on a scale of 1-10. Since getting married we've repainted, switched out old furniture for Ikea furniture, built a headboard, etc. We have finally "finished" (as much as any artiste can finish art) our living room. The finishing touches were a new armchair, side table, and some homemade no-sew pillows.

I present to you, casa de los DeJong-os. Or just our living room. Or just one half of it.

I admit it. That last picture is just an excuse to show a picture of Fitz :)

Despite what our sluggish blogging would lead you to believe, we have been doing quite a lot! A few weeks ago we went to a White Sox game with my cousin Bridget. The weather was pleasantly cool. You know what wasn't cool? The White Sox losing. Ah, this reminds me of my childhood: White Sox losing and me getting hopeful at every game. 

Kickball season has also revved up again and our team, 99 Problems But A Pitch Ain't One, is ready to dominate once again. So far we've had a landslide victory, a close loss, and a tie. As you may have gathered from the fall, we are the last team to take ourselves seriously. In fact, at the post-game party last week people told our team that we were the "fun" team. That's good enough for me. 

I've also been busy with sorority stuff. We celebrated our founders day/birthday a few weeks ago with a luncheon with 110 women in the area. I'm also excited to announce that I'm the alum chapter's new president! Huzzah! Not only is this a great leadership opportunity, but I get to represent our chapter at convention in Orlando next summer. I realize that a sorority convention sounds like the 4th circle of hell to most of you, but know that I am JAZZED.

Hehe, get it? Jazzed? Saxaphone? Yeah.

We've also hit the driving range a few times. Yes, we. Yes, I'm attempting to hit objects through the air with skill. No, I don't golf. Never have! I've always wanted to, but I realize it's an expensive hobby to just pick up. What if I hate it? Well I was just perusing Craigslist one day and saw a set of PINK golf clubs and a bag for $75. I bought it, clearly. Andy's been a great and patient teacher and I've been a not so great (at golf, anyway) but enthusiastic student. 

Other than that, we've been enjoying the beautiful weather and the company of our friends. Here are a few pics as proof we're not hermits:

Breakfast picnic at a local marina

Strawberry Cream Cheese Tart and White Sangria (dinner was Panko Crusted Salmon, sauteed sugar snap peas and asaparagus, mustard roasted potatoes, and pecorino crackers).

Let's get another look at the strawberry tart. Why? Because I'm vain and it's pretty.

Yum-o

Ignore the fact that I don't have hair to flip. It's not important, I tell you! 

Every Spring my parents like to come and visit for a long weekend. It's the perfect time of year in DC - it's warmer than Michigan (not hard to do) but not unbearably hot and humid as it's soon to get here. Generally, they try to visit twice a year. Although I'm sure 99.9% percent of the purpose for their visit is Fitz, they also want to visit with us, my dad's brother, and my mom's cousins (the ones who generously allowed me to live with them when I was still planting my roots in DC.) It's always a lot of fun to visit with family so much in one weekend (no, I'm serious. I actually enjoy it.)

Friday afternoon, I left work a few hours early so my dad and I could check out the Cherry Blossoms. Unfortunately, they were a little late this year so we just walked around the Tidal Basin, the FDR and MLK memorials, and chatted.

Padre and wimpy Cherry Blossoms

That night while Andy was hitting the books in class (ah, grad school) Mom, Dad, my cousin Bridget, and I headed out to Graffiato. I've heard about this place for years. Everyone raves about it. Why haven't I gone? Well, you see, I married this Dutch guy from the midwest. You may not know this about midwestern, meat-n-potatoes men, but they don't like their tapas. Not. One. Bit. They'll eat them, sure, but then they make haste to the nearest McD's. How did I get my dad you go, you may ask? King of Meat 'n' Potatoes himself? Majority rules. Ladies: 1, Ken: 0.

Back to the food - it was delicious! Graffiato is one of the city's top rated restaurants and it really proved itself. I loved the atmosphere - trendy yet casual. We enjoyed the following:

Martinis 
Flying Dog's Atlantic Lager (one of my favorites!)
Marinated Olives
Cheese & Cure board including: Humboldt Fog (goat cheese), Gorgonzola Dolce, Speck, Prosciutto di Parma, and Hudson Camembert 
Risotto with blue crab, fennel, and meyer lemon
Gnocchi with pork neck, whipped ricotta, and fried rosemary
Chicken Liver Mousse with toasted brioche and orange marmalade
Classic Pizza
Goodfellas Pizza
Zeppole (italian donuts) 

It was definitely one of the highlights of the weekend! And much to my dad and Andy's chagrin, there were more tapas to come!

Saturday night we headed out to Sterling, VA to have dinner with my aunt and uncle (dad's brother) at Sweetwater Tavern. I ordered what I thought would be tasty crabcakes. I bet they were tasty. Alas, I was fighting a cold and couldn't taste much. Oh well :(. Everyone else seemed to really enjoy their food, though.

The next morning Andy and I rose bright and early for the Cherry Blossom 10-Mile Race! Last year I did really well with the race but this time I was still fighting a cold. Despite the cold, though, I did well! A few of my Chi Os did the race, too, and afterwards we headed out to brunch at Faccia Luna in Clarendon. It was their first weekend hosting brunch and I thought they did well! It's a nice alternative to the usual brunch spots in Arlington because sometimes I just don't want to wait 45 min for eggs and mimosas.

That evening we had our second round of tapas at Jaleo, another well-liked place in DC. Fact: I've hated this place for years. I was beyond annoyed with everyone talking about HOW AMAZING IT IS! I went there twice before and I was underwhelmed each time. It just wasn't worth the money. My cousin was determined to prove me wrong. He loved this place and he insisted I was "doing it wrong." So, we headed over there and I suppose I was doing it wrong. I loved it. You should go. We should go together. It would be great. 

Did this lovely dining experience change Andy's mind on tapas? Not really. He still made haste to McD's to feel full. Bless his heart.

The next day mom and dad headed back to the Mitten. Can't wait to see them in June!