when faces called flowers float out of the ground

I am happy to report that spring has officially arrived in Baltimore...although I am not convinced that we ever had winter. We've had at least 2 straight weeks of 70+ degree weather....and we're not complaining! I have dug my flip-flops and tank tops out of my closet...and am enjoying not having to keep cycling through all my winter sweaters. We are just hoping that the lack of winter and spring's early arrival does not mean a swelteringly hot summer!!

It is wonderful to see the trees in bloom. Here is a photo of George Washington, perched atop the monument (I walk past him every morning on my way to school).

Peabody is on break this week, so I have enjoyed time with friends outside in the sunshine (when I am not practicing of course!). Here is a photo of Suzanne and I on a walk. I am looking forward to having her move in with me this summer. We will be squeezing into my one-bedroom apartment next year. It will be cozy - but I think we'll have fun. I have enjoyed having my own space and alone time, but I am ready for a new season as well.
I had some friends over for dinner this week (L to R: Alison, Suzanne, Elizabeth)...well, really, they brought dinner with them - all I provided was dessert. And we watched "Sleepless in Seattle." For those of you movie trivia buffs, one of the scenes was filmed just outside Peabody (it actually shows the Washington Monument) and one was filmed inside Peabody. It's strange to see all the familiar Seattle places juxtaposed with these places I now know in Baltimore!
Today my friend Katie and I headed out to a state park on the Chesapeake Bay. It was wonderful to get out of the city and be in the sunshine. We had originally planned on going hiking - and it wasn't so much a "hike" as it was a nature walk, but it was still wonderful to be outside and breathe in the freshly seasalted air.


When I got back from the Bay, Alison and I did a complete run-through of our recital. We will be performing it on Monday for the Elderhostel program at Peabody. They have groups of senior citizens here nearly every week, listening to lectures and attending recitals. So it will be a joy to share our music with such a receptive audience...not to mention the fact that it will be great for us to have a dry run of our program!!