Yonghegong Lama Temple

On Saturday Super Husband and I took the short subway ride to Yonghegong Lama Temple. Originally built as a royal residence, it now houses some of the most lovely Buddha statues I've ever seen. I didn't take any pictures of them because we weren't sure if you're really supposed to, and because it is an active site of worship.
It is a really lovely place. As long as incense doesn't bother you.
Small signs are posted all around, generally close to the entrance to the pavilions, explaining that three lit incense are used in prayer to Buddha. Through some guesswork we surmised that this is because there are three Buddha statues housed in each pavilion. In one pavilion, at least, the Buddhas represent the past, present, and future, respectively.
We wanted to buy a small statuette from one of the gift shops, but they're exorbitant. I'm not sure if there's some sort of prestige associated with purchasing your adornments from Yonghegong, but I don't believe we'll be forking over $200 for a four inch high statue of Buddha.

After the temple we went to my favorite market to buy some games and puzzles to play with the kids I tutor. We bought a chess/checkers set, five puzzles, a pack of Plants vs. Zombies stickers, and my personal favorite a Totoro backpack:

Totoro 

I now have a pair of Totoro gloves, a Totoro pillow that doubles as a muff, a Totoro backpack. This does not a complete set of Totoro merchandise make, but it is enough... for now. 

Today, Sunday, is a beautiful day and we've spent some of it lounging on a park bench, soaking up the sun. 

Here's to hoping this is a fortuitous omen for March.