Psst! It's a Peep(s) Show!

A few weeks ago, my team of creative coworkers (writers, graphic designers, etc.) held a contest/team event called the PEEPStacular. This excuse to use lots of hot glue and geek out at Michael's was modeled after the Washington Post's annual Peeps Show and involved arranging marshmallow bunnies and ducks in a themed diorama--the more elaborate, the better.

My coworker Jenn and I decided to do an Oscars-themed diorama wherein celebripeeps trailed past the peeparazzi on the red carpet, hostess Ellen DePeeperes posed for a spontaneous selfie with several other star Peeps, and an unsuspecting peepza delivery guy brought fresh, hot peepza for the hungry crowd.

Celebripeeps walk the red carpet in front of the peeparazzi while Beyonce and Jay-Peep get interviewed by Ryan Peepcrest (front right)

Martin Scorpeepse and Samuel L. Peepson discuss an upcoming project

Larger-than-life Oscars statues mark the entrance to the theater

Jenn and I spent a few evenings and the better part of a Sunday afternoon outfitting our Peeps and assembling the diorama.  By the end, Jenn's dining room table was a hot mess of craft supplies and our fingers were dusted with sticky candy sugar from handling the Peeps.

Fresh, hot peepza, anyone?

Celebripeeps pose for a selfie, with Bradley Peeper holding the camera phone

The finished diorama, with a backdrop of crafting detritus and discarded Peeps

As clever and delightful as our diorama was, it didn't win either the judges' prize or the Peeples choice award on the night of the contest. Two of the three awards went to the team whose incredibly detailed diorama depicted a zombie apocalypse at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA, or Peeps Intelligence Agency--PIA for the diorama).  I had to admit, their entry--which used plexiglass, original graphics, and tiny clay donuts and was spread over multiple levels--was pretty amazing.

Zombies attack the PIA

Guards (in green camouflage), zombies, and civilian workers get attacked by zombie Peeps while the portraits of past PIA directors look on

Zombie apocalypse or no, you can still buy a donut

In addition to being a terrific creative change of pace (from the written word to the 3D visual arts), this contest got me thinking about next year's Washington Post competition and what type of entry might get me a spot in the finals. So heat up the glue gun, prep the X-acto knife, and assemble the paints: it's time to get ready for the Peeps Show!

A Whole Lotta Fuchsia Goin' On

I have missed my true calling as a nature photographer.  I can't stop taking pictures of flowers, especially, and other plants as well.  It's kinda ridiculous, actually.

This weekend was a prime example. The azalea show at the National Arboretum was spectacular and I couldn't keep my camera phone in my pocket.  It was the first time I'd been to see the azalea garden there in all the years I've lived in DC and I think it will become an annual tradition.  The azaleas may have been more gorgeous in their fluffy splendor than the much-hyped cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin.

 

The day was overcast and it rained an hour or so before as well as during my stroll through the gardens, but that only made the colors more vibrant.   

The brightest reds, the boldest pinks, and most royal lavenders sat next to warm, intense yellow and spotless, frothy white.

 

(Thank goodness I don't have season allergies!)