Wolf Trap’s Free Annual Holiday Sing-A-Long is Sunday, 12/4

Highly recommended! When: Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4pm (come early to get a good seat and parking spot, gates usually open as early as 2:30 p.m.).  Metro buses will not be running to Wolf Trap for this event. Where: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna, VA Wolf Trap’s [...]

How to select and care for a Poinsettia

This is a good time of year to pick out a Poinsettia for you or for a friend.  Here’s how to pick out a good one: the center little yellow-green nubs are the flowers (the red “petals” are actually leaves).  These should be closed, they’ll open eventually.  Skip a plant that has curling, yellow, or [...]

25 Days of Christmas Celebrations: Free – $10

We are lucky to live in the Washington, DC area.  There are so many wonderful things to do around the holidays, and many of them are free.  If you plan it right and get your shopping done early, you never have to enter a a shopping mall at all in December, unless you really want [...]

Reston Town Center Holiday Parade November 25

Parade begins at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 25 at Reston Town Center, Market Street and Freedom Drive, Reston, VA. Visits & Portraits with Santa Times: 12:30 – 4:30 p.m. Location TBD Any donation for a 5 x 7 portrait – all proceeds benefit a local non-profit. Holiday Tree Lighting & Sing Along Start Time: [...]

2 Sparkling Wine Bargains for Holiday Celebrations

Francois Montand Blanc de Blancs Brut, France A very good value at $12 or less a bottle.  Delicious and elegant, dry “methode traditionnelle” sparkling white wine that tastes like fine champagne. Very fine effervescence, pale gold color. Delectable on its own or with light appetizers.  Highly recommended! Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé “Perle d’Aurore,” [...]

Wine Tasting: Virginia Wine Pairings for Your Thanksgiving Feast, Sunday, 11/20

Olde Dominion Wine Shoppe in Occoquan, Virginia (408 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125) (703) 494-1622 is having a free Thanksgiving Wine Tasting & Stock-up Sale on Sunday, November 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.   They will be offering tastes of six carefully selected local wines along with samples of turkey, ham, cranberry sauce and [...]

Christmas Radio! WASH-FM 97.1 starts holiday programming

Ready for your holiday sound track for baking cookies, shopping, or just feeling seasonal?  WASH-FM 97.1 starts their holiday music programming today.  You can also listen online. What are your favorite Christmas pop songs?  

Diet-Friendly Thanksgiving Tips

With Thanksgiving, glorious Thanksgiving, only a week away, I thought I would share some of my time-tested weight management tips.  Thanksgiving dinner can be a healthy meal, if you approach it sensibly, and it only comes once a year, so I think you should enjoy it.  But don’t let it sabotage your weight management plan, [...]

Holiday Open House at the Gatehouse Shop, McLean, Thursday, November 17

This is a fun place to shop for Christmas gifts.  Read my review from last year for more information, photos, and video. The Gatehouse Shop Claude Moore Colonial Farm 6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101  

Merrifield Garden Center Ladies Night Thursday, November 17

Get in the spirit of the season at Merrifield Garden Center’s second-annual Ladies Night Out!  The event will be Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6 pm to 9 pm at all three stores. Last year, the stores featured live music, refreshments, and of course, fabulous candles, Christmas trees and greenery, ornaments, lights, and decorations. Of course,  [...]