Loudoun is Celebrating America's 234th Birthday!

America turns 234 this year.  I think we look pretty good for our 234th Birthday, don't you?  Here in Loudoun, we're gettin' all fancied up in our dress red white and blues, because we're serious about celebrating our indepedence!  There's so much do to here we have to spread it over three days!

Friday:  Leesburg is the place to be!

As a kickoff to their "Hometown Friday" segments, Fox 5 is broadcasting LIVE from the courthouse lawn and Dodona Manor, Friday morning between 6am and 10am.  There will be cooking demonstrations, wine pairing, tastings from Mom's Apple Pie, a historian, a representative from the Redskins, live music and MORE.  We hope you'll join us... and maybe even get your 15 minutes of fame!

Then, around Happy Hour "First Friday" starts downtown.  We do this the first Friday of every month...so if you miss this weekend, catch us in August.  Most of the shops are open late and hosting  a special event.  There are art exhibits and auctions, several live concerts, a luau, some special Independence Day parties, a live comedy show, give aways and more.  Check out http://www.firstfridayleesburg.com/ for more information.

ONLINE:  If you can't be with us physically, be with us VIRTUALLY!  All day we'll be doing fun contests with fans and giving away prizes via social media - check out www.facebook.com/leesburgva for more info!

Saturday

Hillsboro has an authentic hometown feel to their celebrations, where festivities start at 6pm. Boy and Girl Scouts will support the Hillsboro Community Association, pulling together to provide patriotic presentations, music, facepainting, sack races, and good old fashioned fun. The Ruritan club will have meals available for sale (think hot dogs and BBQ), and there will be free ice cream for all! Local businesses and citizens contribute many goodies for raffles and bake sales with proceeds going to preserve the Old Stone School. Aerial and ground fireworks begin after dark. The event (except for fundraisers) is free, but donations are tax deductible and welcomed.

http://www.hillsborova.org/events.htm

Lansdowne (Eastern Leesburg) Resort is celebrating from 7pm to 10pm...enjoy live music and fireworks from outdoor terraces or bring a blanket and find a comfy place on the lawn. Concert and Fireworks are free, refreshments and picnic baskets are available for purchase.

http://www.lansdownesensations.com/

Lovettsville is hosting a celebration starting at 530 with a parade, ending with the fireworks display that starts at 915.  Sandwiched in between will be fun family activities, live music, and refreshments!  (Free)

http://www.lovettsvilleva.gov/

In Sterling, the Sterling Golf Club invites us all to join them at the pool at 1, and then to enjoy food and festivities with them until the fireworks display, which start at 915.  (Free)

http://www.sterlinggolfclub.com/

Sunday

Ashburn Village gets its party started at Fincastle Field where neighbors decorate bikes, wagons, and strollers and show off their spirited garb in a great old fashioned parade (starting at 1030)! Then, on to other fun, like enjoying the live DJ, dunk tank, inflatibles and more!  The pool party is 11 to 4, and there's live music and fireworks which start after dusk.

http://avsp.squarespace.com/

Leesburg's festivities begin at 10am with a downtown parade.  Dodona Manor will be open from 2:30 to 5:00 for free tours and an ice cream social with live music.  There's a little time to do some browsing in our downtown shops before or after the ice cream social.  Then, festivities continue at Ida Lee Park at 6pm, with live music starting at 7, and then fireworks (timed with the music) starting at 930.  ($1 donation for ice cream; all other activities are Free)

http://www.idalee.org/

Middleburg's party starts at the pool at 11am....then they add games, music, contests and food and and fun is had by all.  The pool closes at 6pm.  Middleburg Fireworks begin at 9.  (Free)

http://www.loudoun.gov/middleburgcc

Purcellville has activities EVERYWHERE!  Starting at noon is the Firemans Parade (from Emerick Elementary to Loudoun Valley High).  At 1:30 other festivities begin with childrens rides, food, crafts and live music (nominal fee for childrens rides).  Then, at 6pm, head on over to Franklin Park where you'll enjoy more live music and great food until fireworks start soon after dark.  (Suggested donation is $5 at Franklin Park, Town activities are free)

http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=914

Sterling has an event on the 4th, too!  This one is at Claude Moore Park (Lanesville Heritage Area)... an Ol'Time Celebration! A pie eating contest, wagon and pony rides, crafts, live music and more!   It's all going on 10:30am to 3:00pm. 

http://www.loudoun.gov/claudemoorepark

No matter what corner of our county you're in, there's sure to be fun nearby!   I think John Adams would be proud!  Did you know that he predicted we'd celebrate our Indepedence in just such a manner?  Wherever you are, whatever you do, stop for a minute this weekend to reflect upon the courage it took our forefathers to create this great nation... and the courage and sacrifice made every day by our leaders and soldiers and fellow countrymen to maintain America~ Land of the free, and Home of the Brave!

PS One more tip - try out fireworks 3d glasses - they make fireworks (and just about any light) look like this:

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Thinking of buying or selling a house in Loudoun? 

Check with a local expert:

Vicky Chrisner

Keller Williams Leesburg

703-669-3142

Hometown Friday

Leesburg and Loudoun are all a-buzz!  This Friday, Fox 5 News will be broadcasting live from our courthouse lawn between 6am and 10am.  Visit Loudoun is working with Fox 5 on the things that will be featured... and I don't have details on that.  What I do know is they want an audience!  So, if you can, join us Friday morning on the courthouse lawn.

This Friday is ALSO First Friday in Downtown Leesburg.  The First Friday of every month there are live concerts, art exhibits, wine tastings and all sorts of special events...FREE.  Festivities get kicked off at happy hour, and businesses stay open late.  It's a great time every month.

And, to add to the excitement, this is a holiday weekend... and Leesburg KNOWS how to celebrate it.

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I am working with local downtown businesses to bring some extra exposure to their businesses and these events... and will be doing some fun giveaways via social media on Friday.  Stay tuned to this blog and to our Facebook fan page to learn more as things develop.

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If you're looking to move into the Loudoun area, work with a REALTOR who has her finger on the pulse of the community.  Call me, I can help!

Vicky Chrisner, Keller Williams
703-669-3142
VChrisner@KW.com
http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Loudoun Is Alive With Music!

Loudoun is alive with music! 

This summer's gonna be "hot-hot-hot"!  But wherever you are in Loudoun, there's sure to be cool music playing. Check out this list of outdoor music series offered throughout the county.

Thursdays

BRAMBLETON'S SUMMER SIZZLIN CONCERTS
Location: Brambleton
Live concerts bi-weekly on Thursdays, Jul 1- Aug 26
Cost: FREE
http://www.brambleton.com/towncenter/

Fridays

LANSDOWNE SOUNDS OF SUMMER SERIES
Location: Lansdowne Resort, Leesburg, VA
Live evening concerts every Friday starting June 18th
Cost: FREE
http://www.lansdownesensations.com/sounds-of-summer/


Saturdays

SUMMER MUSIC SERIES BY COCA-COLA
Location: Leesburg Premium Outlet Mall, Leesburg, VA
Live concerts 6 different Saturday afternoons (check schedule), June 12 to Aug 28
Cost: FREE
http://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlets/sales.asp?id=14


ACOUSTIC ON THE GREEN
Location: Town Green, Historic Leesburg (25 West Market Street)
Live concerts Saturday evenings June 12-August 28
Cost: FREE
http://www.acousticonthegreen.com/

BLUEMONT CONCERT SERIES (Middleburg)
Location: Middleburg Community Center, Ballfield (300 W Washington St)
Live concerts Saturday evenings in July (check schedule)
Cost: $2-5
http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Middleburg.html

Sundays

BLUEMONT SUMMER CONCERTS AT DADONA MANOR
(previously located at the Courthouse Lawn)
Location: Historic Leesburg
Live concerts Sunday evenings June 28-August 30
Cost: Admission $2 for kids; $5 for adults
http://www.bluemont.org/Concerts/Leesburg.html

LOUDOUN SUMMER MUSIC FEST
(Previously the Belmont Concert Series)
Location: Belmont area, Ashburn, VA
Live evening concerts begin in May: Mostly Sunday evenings, but some Saturdays, too.
Cost: Season passes from $150; Prices for individual concerts start at $12.50
http://loudounsummermusicfest.com/

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And more!

'Happenings!' is a list of upcoming art shows, theatrical and musical exhibitions, show and performances in and around Loudoun ~ Check there often for new updates!
http://www.loudounarts.org/happenings.html

What To Do In Loudoun This Weekend!

If you're bored this weekend in Loudoun, THAT is a personal problem... because there's no lack of things to do - inside or out, and for every budget or interest!

Saturday Mornings are for....

Farmers Markets and Yard Sales ....taking care of business - like getting rid of hazardous household waste at the county collection site..... and then onto the Used Book Sale (which supports our the summer reading programs at our Loudoun County Libraries!)...and then... on to the real festivities...what's your pleasure?

Saturday afternoons and evenings bring lots of fun options... like a visit to

One of our amazing parks for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, playing or just hanging out. 

Leesburg's Premium Outlet Mall for shopping, and where, between 2 and 4pm, you can catch the Summer Music Series (this week see "Moonlit in the Sun" play)!  Then, hop on the trolley and head over to "Downtown" Leesburg, where you can enjoy yet another FREE live music performance at Acoustic on the Green ("Naked Blue" is playing this weekend), and browse local shops and restaurants.  Music is 7-9 on the Town Green!

Brambleton's Town Center will be exploding with excitment Saturday.  The Loudoun Youth Fest starts at 2, and the Freedom Fest kicks off at 7:30 with a concert, followed by fireworks....all at the Town Center....where, did we mention it? you can eat, shop and catch a movie! 

Or just campout in your backyard... and be part of the 'Great American Backyard Campout' night on Saturday (designated by the National Wildlife Federation).  No backyard?  Check out a local campground, or head to grandma's house.

Sundays are for ...

Lazy, leisurely brunches.....

..........and checking out the neighbor's house that's for sale (it's OPEN - come on, let's go!)....ohhh, and what is this place for only $151,000?  Hmmm...maybe it's time to think of buying an investment property.

And, then, off to the Loudoun Summer Music Fest, where - this week - I plan to watch the Blues Travelers!


But some events are simply too good to be limited to one day and must go on all weekend....

Northern Virginia's Summer Brewfest is at Morven Park this weekend!

There's a Horse and Pony show in Middleburg for our Equestrian enthusiasts!

Any scrapbookers out there?  You know who you are!  Did you know The Great American Scrapbooking Event is at Dulles Expo?  WooHoo! Let's go!

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It's such a great action packed weekend here in Loudoun, you might not even be able to sleep....maybe you should try reading or watching a movie.   So, head back over to that book sale - it's going on all weekend long ....or, maybe we forgot to tell you that if you have FIOS from Verizon, you get free HBO and Cinemax this weekend!

.................zzzzzzzzzz................

With a weekend like this, you might sleep all the way through Monday; and who wouldn't want that?!?!?!

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Do you live in or near Loudoun?  Join us on Facebook where you can keep up to date on all the events going on - check our wall and our Events page... and join the conversation.

www.facebook.com/leesburgva

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Believe it or not, I just barely hit the highlights of Loudoun events this weekend.


If you're an art lover, check out this this site - where you'll see listings of exhibits and all kinds of performances: http://www.loudounarts.org/happenings.html?loc=calindex

Maybe you're looking for more kid oriented stuff - http://www.dullesmoms.com/  has you covered!

And, VISIT LOUDOUN always has information for you.









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National Open House Weekend!

Celebrate the first ever National Open House Weekend ~

Coordinated by the National Association of REALTORS!

Courtesy of "The Real Estate Whisperer", check out this list of fabulous OPEN HOUSES IN LOUDOUN this weekend!

Saturday (14 houses open):

http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=36207027601

Sunday (30 houses open):

http://matrix.mris.com/Matrix/Public/Portal.aspx?ID=36207034318

Thinking of moving in the near future? Fan "The Real Estate Whisperer" to get this list every weekend!

Or, for a personal list of homes that are open each weekend, email your selection criteria to vchrisner@kw.com!

Business Appreciation Awards, Town of Leesburg

The Town of Leesburg is soliciting nominations for 9 categories of Business Appreciation Awards.  The categories and qualifying criteria are:

New Business Award
Celebrates a new business started within the last 3 years that, while respectful of Leesburg’s past, represents the best of the Town’s future.

Heritage Award
Celebrates a thriving business that has made a long-term commitment to preserving the integrity and character of Leesburg’s Historic Downtown.

Ambassador Award
Celebrates a business or organization that has fostered a positive image of Leesburg as a business location or tourist destination.

Innovations Award
Celebrates a business that has brought recognition to Leesburg through creative marketing efforts, innovative business ventures and/or unique product development.

Environmental Award
Celebrates a business that conducts or participates in activities that benefit the environment through its business practices and policies on an on-going basis.

Home-Based Business Award

Celebrates the owner of an independent product- or service-based business, operated from a residence located within Leesburg, who serves as a small business advocate with the business community.

Public Art Award

Celebrates a business that makes a contribution to the development of the Town’s public art program, or actively supports the arts within the Town of Leesburg.

Community Steward Award

Celebrates a for-profit business that participates actively in the community by contributing its resources.

The George C. Marshall Award

Celebrates an individual who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the community above and beyond business contributions.

On the Leesburg, VA Facebook Fan Page, we've been conducting a suggestion poll over the past few evenings.  All qualifying suggestions have been transferred to the Discussions page, and we invite you to join into the discussion, and THEN to complete and submit the nomination form. 

Join the discussion first so that you can see the input from others, you may see a suggestion of a business that doesn't initially come to mind, but who is even more deserving of the award.  On the other hand, you may sway the votes of others by telling them your suggestion (and including an explanation is always helpful when trying to persuade someone).

We hope you'll join us today!  www.Facebook.com/LeesburgVA

$3 Thursdays @ Tally Ho

I've posted on this before, but I want to give a quick holler out to my friends at Tally Ho Theatre, where they continue to offer "$3 THURSDAYS"!

It's Simple:

All Seats

All Showings

$3

Currently, Alice in Wonderland is playing.  I am hoping to wrap up my work day early and head over!  It will be a great treat for the kids, and for less than $10 for all 3 of us, a great treat for me, too.

Sorry, no 3D:  Tally Ho does not have 3D technology.  So, okay, some people will want to go to a more expensive theatre where they can see the movie in 3D.  Although, I've been told that for "little ones" the 3D version of Alice in Wonderland may be "too much".  I admit there are some movies (usually action) where seeing it in 3D is the only way to do it - but at least when you're paying $9 to see a movie, you know what you're paying the extra $6 for.

On a budget? Last time I went, kids drinks were only 99 cents, and I buy them snacks either before or after the movie.... not during (even though the smell of that popcorn is intoxicating). I am trying to teach them that eating doesn't automatically go along with watching a movie.

In this economy I just can not afford to pay the fees - even matinee costs - at most theatres. For more great fun, check out Tally Ho's other offerings - like family comedy nights!

http://www.tallyholeesburg.com/

Looking for other things to see and do in and around Leesburg/Loudoun?  Check out this blog, or join our Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/leesburgva - and check out the EVENTS tab!   Got any other great options for entertaining yourself and your family.... especially for free or really inexpensively? Please, add your comments.

Attn: Loudoun Soccer Moms and Dads: SAVE BOLEN PARK

As a Loudoun "Soccer Mom" I received this email from the Loudoun Soccer Association that I wanted to circulate to you all: 

We are reaching out to you today to request your help on a very important issue that will affect us all. As many of you know, back in 2000 we voted to accept a bond referendum to build 104 acre Phillip Bolen Park, to be located near Leesburg Airport. This park will help to serve the entire county by easing some of the field shortages that we have been experiencing. This park will have 6 lighted, irrigated soccer fields. These will be the first lighted soccer fields to be built in the county.

To learn more about the park, visit: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=125  

This long awaited and much anticipated opening of the park is scheduled for this fall. Much of the park is already built and the work continues. However, at a recent Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the County Budget FY11, several Supervisors expressed their desire to remove the $1M budgeted for the operations of Bolen Park, in spite of the fact that millions of dollars have already been spent on the project to date. If this appropriation were to be removed from the County Budget FY11, it would delay the opening of the Park for at least a year or perhaps, indefinitely. Support for making the cut appears to be growing among members of the Board of Supervisors, which makes your input and voice so important! It is imperative that Loudoun Soccer parents and athletes are present at the upcoming public input session of the Board of Supervisors for which, details are listed below.

On Monday, March 15, 2010 there was a Board of Supervisors' Public Input Session.  The vote will be happening very soon.  To make YOUR voice heard, please email the board at BOS@Loudoun.gov  NO LATER THAN FRIDAY MARCH 18th!

The Loudoun Soccer Association thanks you for your support.  "This is a battle that we must wage and which we cannot afford to lose! Please help us ensure that the Board of Supervisors hears us. Our collective voices will help ensure that they do RIGHT thing!"

3-20 UPDATE... This was posted today on the Lo Soccer FB page:
Loudoun Soccer Association Thank you for your emails, your continued support and for sharing your concerns regarding the status of Philip A. Bolen Memorial Park. In keeping with the Board of Supervisor’s policy to provide adequate services and facilities to the citizens of Loudoun County, the Board voted to keep the proposed enhancements in the ...FY11 budget. As such, Bolen Park will open and begin operations later this Fall as scheduled!


This message brought to you by Vicky Chrisner, Real Estate Sales Consultant in Leesburg, VA.  Thinking of selling your home?  Call me first!  703.669.3142  MyAgentVicky@Gmail.com

March is Red Cross Month

March is Red Cross month. Did you know that?

The Red Cross operates locally, nationally and internationally... and when all else fails you, it's often the Red Cross that will come to your aid. Be sure to support them, so that when you need it, they can support you.

You can find out how to support the Loudoun County Red Cross Chapter, as well as the National and Internation relief efforts in Haiti and around the globe, on their web site: http://loudounredcross.org/

In honor of Red Cross Month, the www.Facebook.com/LeesburgVa fan page has added the Leesburg blood drive locations this month on their Events page.

Can you think of a simpler way to save 3 lives and get cookies? I can't. Make time to donate blood today!

Are You Pitching In?

Remember when you could just throw away trash? 

In the "old days" sometimes it seemed like a burden just to throw it in a trash can, rather than pitching it out your car window driving down the road.  Then one day we all looked around and realized what we'd be doing... so we started taking our trash to the dump.  Remember the slogans like "Don't be a litter bug" and "Pitch In"?  Well, hopefully they are memories and not current efforts in your life, because society has moved on.  We moved on because...

Then, we started looking at the dumps... EWWW... we were making WAY more trash than the earth could eat.  And, we thought "there's gotta be a better way".

Well I am working on being green - sometimes I am greener than other times, I admit it.  But I work hard everyday to be a little better.  And, I am conscientious of not being wasteful, that these are lean times and that if I have something that is of value, I want to make sure it goes to the place where it can be of the greatest value.

Just tonight as I was searching through my trash I thought "I am so sick of this... you can't even just throw away your trash anymore..." and thus this post.  But it is worth it.

I cut out soup labels and box tops for my kids's school. 

We tear off the pop tops to soup cans and soda cans (and sometimes rip off my nails doing it), to save to take for a collection at the daycare.  They send it to a company that uses the money from recylcing them to buy wheelchairs and assistive devices for children who need them.  There's another well known option of donating them to a charity that pays for chemo for cancer patients.  Both are very worth while; and both are worth ripping my fingernails since I don't seem to have enough cash to donate to them.. and even if I did, why throw away something of value to someone else?

And then I sort.  I sort the things that can go to curbside recycling - luckily that is about 60-75% of our trash each week (and by the way, that doesn't need to be sorted by paper/plastic/etc). 

Then, I pull out things like hangers and plastic store bags which must go to special places to be recycled (drycleaners and grocery stores usually have special bins for these). 

Oh, and then there's the JUNK.  You know junk?  It used to be good, but now it's just junk - to you, but not to everyone, so I take that stuff to my friend to sell on Ebay, and we usually donate any proceeds to a charity of our choice.

What I am left with is the gross, useless, value-less, disgusting, 'only my dog would appreciate this stuff' kind of trash, like disposable diapers and used kitty litter.  Yuk.  THAT stuff still goes in the regular trash - to the regular dump.  Sorry, Earth, Sorry Mankind... but it's only about 20-25% of my trash, and we do keep it to a minimum.

So, all this... it's work.  It is.  But it takes me less time than it does to shower each day, and in the grand scheme of things, me showering is less important (actually more harmful, truth be told) to the earth than finding ways to reduce, reuse and recycle.   (Sorry people, some sacrifices I am not willing to make - and I am NOT giving up my daily showers, it's the only thing that makes me feel human some days.)

If you're not already Pitching In, and participating in our collective efforts to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, it's time you started.  It's easier than you'd think....and it's worth it.

Please, just try it... it's not that bad.  Promise. Thanks!

Wine for the Red - Support the Lo Co Red Cross!

The Wine Kitchen would like you to MARK YOUR CALENDAR! 

You are invited to the following community event! 

"Wine for the Red"

The American Red Cross

Loudoun County Chapter

93rd Anniversary Fundraiser

Monday, March 8, 2010

5:30pm - 8:30pm

The Wine Kitchen

7 South King Street

Leesburg, VA

The American Red Cross, Loudoun County Chapter to host "Wine for the Red", Celebrating 93 years of service in Loudoun County!


Invitation from The Wine Kitchen in Downtown Leesburg:

Friends please join us for a fun get together and to show your support on Monday, March 8th from 5:30pm-8:30pm at The Wine Kitchen in Leesburg. Tickets are $25. in advance, $30. at the door, to purchase call 703-777-7171, space is limited...

The event proceeds go the essential and much needed funds to provide disaster relief such as shelter, food, medical and mental health services to local families and friends in need. Thank you for helping us help others.

A great time for a great cause!

Sledding at Meadow Hill

I am going to share a local secret with you...

There's a little hill a few blocks southwest of downtown Leesburg, located on what's left of a farm - a GREAT SLEDDING HILL! 

And there is a lovely little sign that reads:

  

"The Meadow Hill

Private Property. 

The children of Leesburg may use this hill, if...

RULES:

1-Sled at your own risk.

2-Small children must be attended.

3-Don't bother the livestock.

4-A wood fire only.  Do not burn tires."

The rules seemed reasonable to me... so my kids, my neighbors and I greatly enjoy free use of this hill.  The hill is surrounded by townhomes, and a few small single family homes with very little yard of their own.  None of those homes have any space of their own to sled, so the hill offers a special kind of wintertime fun to the neighborhood children.

Although my home is on the opposite side of the farm, and we "could" sled in our our yard, this is way more fun.  There are more friends to play with, and the snow is well packed by the time we get there, which makes sledding awesome! 

The younger children enjoy the sledding.  The older kids tell mom and dad they are watching their baby brothers and sisters....but they are really there to flirt.  Younger siblings don't much like this, and I have witnessed more than a few snowball fights as a result. 

Oh, to be a kid again!

My family missed the bonfire "they" had the other night (I don't even know who "they" are, since it seems permission to burn a fire is granted widely).  Although I am not sure if burning an open fire inside the Town of Leesburg is legal, I'd have risked it; and I bet we would have had a great deal of fun.  Hopefully, we'll catch the next one.

I'd like to thank the Cook Family for "lending" us the use of 
Meadow Hill! 

It's become a wonderful addition to our community ammenities!

Looking for more things to keep kids occupied on snow days?  Check out some of these posts:

Snow Day Camps in Ashburn @ Jumping Jack Sports!

Fun Recipes for Kids (Great for Snow Days)

Great Kids Activities for Snow Days (Inside and Outside)

And stay tuned to LivingInLoCo.Blogspot.com to learn more about

Life In Loudoun County!

And don't forget to check out my real estate web sites for your real estate needs:

The Real Estate Whisperer

(A Consumer Blog:  Truths about the Real Estate Market, Straight from the Front Lines)

Order A Free AUTOMATED Market Snapshot

(Washington DC Metro Area, including Fairfax and Loudoun County)

Note:  The personalized report will be automatically emailed to you within minutes of your request.

Vicky Chrisner * REALTOR * Keller Williams Realty

Search for Homes For Sale and More!

The Classic Girl Scout Cookie: Trefoils

Girl Scouts have been selling shortbread cookies for more than 60 years, and this classic (called "Trefoils" by Little Brownie Bakers), remains a favorite.  An online opinion poll found at GirlScoutCookies.org reports that 5% of us claim it is our favorite GS cookie (a 3 way tie for 4th place); but the GS organization reports that the shortbread cookies account for 9% of sales, rating 5th.

Personally, I think these are refreshingly simple and I love eating them (for breakfast) after dipping them in my coffee.  PLEASE do not tell my children I eat cookies for breakfast - it would shatter their image of me...or shatter the image I wish my children would have of me.

ABC Bakers, one of the commercial bakers producing GS cookies, offers a serving suggestion of sandwiching ice cream or sherbert between the cookies. 

Little Brownie Bakers offers a recipe for a Cheesecake cup using Trefoils.

I also found a GS council web site with a recipe for "Strawberry Angel Surprise"; and "Nutty Chocolate Delight"  - two yummy desserts made with GS Shortbread cookies.

I suspect you could make a really good pie crust by using crushed shortbread cookies & butter; and I bet that would be wonderful for a pudding pie, ice cream pie or even cheesecake. 

Be sure and check out our other posts, including recipes with other GS Cookies!! For a list of all GS cookies being offered in our region, and to find out how to place an order, click here!

And, be sure to stay tuned to learn more about GS cookies, and cookie sales in Loudoun County!

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Following our series on GS Cookies, be sure to stay tuned for more information about LIVING IN LOUDOUN COUNTY.

For information on our local real estate market, please tap into the resources at http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

To search for homes for sale, check out the HOME SEARCH option at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

If you time it right, your housewarming gift maybe Girl Scout Cookies

or perhaps a recipe made with Girl Scout Cookies!

Curious what the value of your home is?

Just click here for a free market snapshot.

Rufus the Red Nosed Rain Dog

Did you see him?  He was in Leesburg this morning!   

As part of the Childrens Performance Series, Kaleidoscope Theatre at Ida Lee, Rufus was our special guest this morning!  Once a month, there is a different performer.  My son and I try to go each month - it's special "Mommy-Devon" time; but this month, our friend Zavion joined us.

Rufus is a brown dog with a red nose.  He's been homeless, hungry, cold and in the rain, for some time.  He was looking for some food to eat and a place to stay when we met him.  Then, out of the blue, SANTA arrived!  But, Santa did not believe he was a dog, as Santa had never seen a dog with a red nose. 

You see, Santa's dog is hot pink and has a purple nose, and so that is what Santa thinks ALL dogs should look like.  To prove he is a dog, Rufus had to go to dog school, taught by a Banana!  There, he learned important vocabulary like "ARF" "GRRR" and other such common dog language. 

In the process, we had some fun with letter sounds, and rymthing words.  In the end, Santa learned an important lesson... things that make us different make us special, and we're all different.  Santa offered Rufus some food and a permanent home, and dubbed Rufus the "Red Nosed Rain Dog" telling him to go find other special dogs that are out in the cold and rain with no food and no home... and to bring them all to the North Pole to live with them as one big happy family!

It was a great story and we didn't feel bad about skipping preschool to go, since there were several good lessons in the story.  The most important lesson of all:  Our differences make us special.

Thank you to Blue Sky Puppet Theatre for a great show today!  Be sure to check out the upcoming schedule for the Kaliedoscope Theatre HERE; and we hope to see you next time.

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For more information about Loudoun Living, stay tuned to

http://www.livinginloco.blogspot.com/

For real estate information, check out

http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/

You can search for homes for sale in the Northern Virginia market at

http://www.vickychrisner.com/

Happy Holidays to you all!

Live Nativity in Leesburg

A very special THANK YOU to the Leesburg Church of the Nazarene for the Live Nativity event my family enjoyed tonight!  This is our first time attending it, but, I hope it becomes an annual tradition. 

The outdoor event is a drive through "theatre" of sorts, with eleven separate scenes depicting the biblical story of the birth of Jesus in a manger.  The scenes are acted out by more than 100 actors, and live animals including donkeys, sheep and camels.

There is no cost for the event, although as you exit, they will accept donations (not ask for them, and not "suggest" donations, accept them, should you feel inclined to offer something).

It is a very nice event, tons of effort goes into this, and I know they have significant costs.... and I am happy to support it. We simply didn't have much cash on us tonight (and no one made us feel bad about it), so I plan to send a check.

Not only is the event truly free, but they handed out programs and CDs to each car. I haven't investigated what they gave us, but it is the thought that counts, and so I appreciate it. 

Again, thank you to the Leesburg Church of the Nazarene.  The community clearly appreciates your efforts!  What a wonderful event!

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If you missed it tonight, it's not too late, it will be offered again tomorrow evening,

5:00 to 8:30pm.

A few tips:

*  The address (for your GPS) is 17667 Roxbury Hall Road, Leesburg, VA; but if you are on Rte 7 about 1/2 mile west of Leesburg, you can't miss it - look for the traffic signs, cones and police directing cars.

*  Expect traffic.  Under normal circumstances it would be 5 minutes from the heart of Leesburg, but this is a very popular event.  It took us 30-45 minutes before we got into the event. (It's worth it.)

* To avoid frustrations, plan as if you'll be on a trip for a while. Put little ones in their PJs and bring blankets, pillows and entertainment (DVD, snuggle buddies, whatever works). We brought fresh baked cookies and hot cocoa and listened to Christmas music on the radio (thanks WASH FM - 97.1) while we waited.

*  I gathered from the signs they allow you to line up beginning at 4:30, we left Leesburg at about 5:30 and returned home shortly after 7.

*  You can only get in the line from the East bound lanes on Route 7 (and trust me, you can't miss it).  If you are coming from Leesburg, all the left turn options are blocked.  You'll need to take the exit for Route 9 (on the right), and then make a left off the exit, cross the bridge and make another left onto Route 7 East before you can get into the line.  Then, relax, turn up the tunes and enjoy the cocoa, you'll be seeing angels soon!

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Again, despite my warnings about the traffic, don't let it deter you.  It is a wonderful event, and I hope to be back next year. 

Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night!