 I always give away goodies for the ladies -- but this time, it's for him (or, for you to give to him!). Heritage Hunt Golf & Country Club - just minutes from Interstate 66 at Route 29 in Gainesville, Virginia - boasts an 18-hole championship private golf course surrounded by 750 acres of peaceful rolling hills and natural landscape. Designed by the renowned architect Arthur Hills, the distinctive layout offers members and their guests an experience like none other in Northern Virginia. For more information, visit: www.heritagehuntgolf.com. Enter to win below!
 March marks the beginning of more sunshine, blossoming flowers, and for many of us, festive Easter celebrations. The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner offers families Easter treats throughout the spring as well as spa specials for moms who may need a relaxing retreat after spring break. Spring delights include: Easter Egg Decorating Classes March 23 and 30 Seatings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m $65 including tax and gratuity. Children ages 12 and under. Executive Pastry Chef Frederic Barasse and the talented Pastry Team will treat our youngest guests to a creative Chocolate Egg Decorating Class. Rising young chefs will enhance their culinary art skills as they spend the afternoon decorating handmade chocolate eggs. At the conclusion of the class, each child will take home their handmade egg as well as a souvenir Ritz-Carlton chef’s hat and apron. Space is limited, and reservations are required. Easter Sunday Brunch in The Old Dominion March 31, 2013 Seatings from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. $120 per adult; $40 per child (ages 4 - 12) plus tax and gratuity. Enjoy a lavish presentation of your brunch favorites this Easter. Indulge in caviar, eggs benedict, made-to-order omelet station, savory carving station and raw bar featuring assorted Oysters, jumbo shrimp, and lobster. Adults will delight in our refreshing French sparkling wine and live harpist, while children enjoy the balloon artists and face painter. The delectable brunch experience culminates with an impressive dessert presentation as a sweet finishing touch. Easter Dinner at Home (serves six) Enjoy luxury dining in the comfort of your own home with our Easter Dinner “to-go.” The meal includes lamb ($279), ham ($279) or prime rib ($330) as well as indulgent sides and desserts. All prices include tax and gratuity. Full menus can be found at http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/TysonsCorner/Information/Calendar/Default.htm. Spa Specials at The Day Spa:Body Bronzing: Body scrub and moisturizing application to reveal a golden tan. 50 min/$145 Organic anti-cellulite wrap: Warm clay infused with algae is applied to leave the skin firmer and ready for summer. 50 min/$160 Collagen facial: Smooth away tired, dry winter skin with a luxurious Babor Collagen Facial that provides a deep collagen mask to seal in moisture and stimulate collagen production. Blasts of moisturizing essential nutrients are applied to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and followed by a custom collagen mask treatment to seal in moisture and stimulate collagen reproduction. 75 min/$180 Throughout March: Receive a 25% added value on all retail Monday to Friday. All spring: Receive a complimentary gel upgrade with the purchase of a Kai pedicure (must be mentioned at the time of booking to receive special).
 The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner opened its doors to a new artisan this Valentine’s Day season: Cupid Concierge. Specializing in the creation of unique romantic experiences, the Cupid Concierge promises to deliver a Valentine’s Day experience that stretches far beyond the traditional into the exceptional, ensuring each guest’s stay is a unique luxury experience. The Cupid Concierge package begins with a Ritz-Carlton romance package, which includes chocolate covered strawberries, French Rose Sparkling Wine, breakfast for two, valet parking and a rose petal turndown. After receiving a reservation, the Cupid Concierge will connect with the guest to explore how to personalize the Valentine’s Day experience, with options that include specialty truffles, bubble baths, spa treatments, cooking classes and Dom Pérignon. The package options also include reservations at the hotel’s many dining events that run from Valentine’s Day to Saturday, February 16. The hotel’s traditional Valentine’s Dinner in Bistro ($125 per person, exclusive of tax and gratuity) features many indulgent items, including Champagne Poached Oyster, Heart Shaped Lobster Ravioli, Seared Chilean Sea Bass and Rose Water Panna Cotta. On February 15 and 16, the Pastry Chefs will create an exquisite Chocolate Buffet for guests to enjoy over live music in Entyse Wine Bar & Lounge, and on Saturday, February 16, Executive Chef Matthew Morrison will invite couples into his kitchen for an intimate gourmet cooking class. Throughout the week, The Day Spa will feature a Valentine’s Enhancement Menu that includes a welcome cocktail and pastry treat with each treatment and will offer two specialty treatments: the Sweet Treat Valentines Facial, a rejuvenating experience to reveal youthful skin, and a luxurious Rose Petal Massage. The Day Spa will also host a girls-only night of Martinis and Manicures on February 12 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Interested couples can contact the Cupid Concierge at (703) 506-4300, option nine, to speak to the Cupid Concierge or visit the hotel’s Calendar of Events to learn more.
my christmas tree at work :)
 How to: Once the temperatures reach freezing, fill up balloons with water and add food coloring. Once frozen, cut off the balloon itself and you have a giant frozen ball of colored ice! so pretty - maybe you could even make them into Christmas decorations...
*on a side note, I would try to use a food coloring that will not stain or ruin your grass/sidewalks/child's hands.
I saw this idea over the summer and I've been holding on to the pic - but I just can't wait any longer to share! I thought I'd have a chance this past Tuesday to make these babies come to life, but it just wasn't cold enough.
photo credit to C. Doyle.
We recently spent a weekend in beautiful Shenandoah County, Virginia. It also just happened to be my birthday weekend. I was looking forward to experiencing the falling leaves, green pastures, and the quiet pace of life that can be found just about an hour west of Northern Virginia. We left Fairfax at 2pm on a Friday and headed towards the mountains. With no traffic on 66, it only took us about an hour to land at our first destination: the Shenandoah County Tourism Office. We met with the Director, Natalie, who had our whole weekend planned for us. To top it off, she had a swag bag packed with Shenandoah-style goodies! We snagged a copy of our itinerary and headed into the mountains towards our first stop. We arrived at Bryce Resort just before dinner and were greeted by Rob, the General Manager. Rob gave us a walking tour of the beautiful resort and newly fitted ski lift for the 2012 season. Bryce Resort offers skiing, tubing, ski-wee (think pee-wee ski camp for the little ones) and more for the winter season.
We came inside for dinner and a drink - I was totally caught off guard. The food was amazing - so good that we wanted to come back later in the weekend for seconds! I never, ever, ever eat ribs. but Rob kept encouraging us to try them... and for a good reason. Delish! If you make it out this season and are looking for something lighter - try the chicken drumsticks with homemade ranch paired with a spicy bloody mary. #lush! Saturday morning, we say goodbye to The Feathered Nest B&B and headed to Shenandoah Uncorked at The Yellow Barn. I was excited to check out the wineries located a little further south down I-81. The neatest part of the wine tastings was that since it was getting chilly outside... all of the wineries brought their own version of muddled wine for tasting. And most were being served out of a crock-pot -- such a comforting feel. Of course, we couldn't leave before taking a one hour walking tour of the Caverns. | | |  wishing well! | |  i think this formation @ the Caverns looks like Capitol Hill |  On the second night, we stayed at the AC Stickley Bed and Breakfast in the heart of old town Strasburg. AC Stickley is a beautifully restored home within walking distance to the downtown scene. Donna, the inn keeper, was so welcoming even though we arrived a little after schedule. We were invited to a gorgeous suite with two fire places, beer in the mini fridge, and a delicious breakfast the next morning. Donna loves to cook - and she is always changing up the menu and snacks. Our fruit in the morning was a warm apple crisp with a spoonful of vanilla bean gelato. It didn't stop there... Check out her southern trifle made with layers of grits, sausage, cheese, hard boiled egg, garden tomatoes - topped with cheese, sour cream, and chives. Served with baked bacon. I told Donna to start pinning her recipes so that I could follow!
a few other stops we made along the way --
We walked to dinner at Hotel Strasburg after checking into AC Stickley. Fine dining, white linens, but with the comfort of a small town. | Ran into Sarah, the leading lady behind the successful Route 11 Potato Chips brand. Swing by and take a tour of the factory!
| We had a fabulous time - special thank you to Natalie Wills @ Shenandoah County Tourism for putting together our itinerary and inviting us with opportunity to experience everything Shenandoah Valley has to offer. If you're planning a trip out, here are a few other recommendations:
 guest blog by Kylie Carey of Kylie's Pop Shop
Dorothy Jane is a family member on my mom’s side of the family. This recipe has been in the family for a very long time. Actually, the original recipe calls for “oleo” instead of butter! (That’s how old it is!) Here's what you'll need: 2 sticks of salted butter 1 cup peanut butter 1 tbsp vanilla 1 box confectioners sugar 1 cup graham crackers Chocolate for dipping Sticks/tooth picks First, assemble your ingredients so that everything is handy.
Next, melt your butter in 30 second intervals in the microwave. While doing this, crush your graham crackers using a food processer. I find that about 3/4 of a sleeve of graham crackers = about 1 cup of crumbs. | Mix in a large bowl using a hand mixer: peanut butter, melted butter, and vanilla.
Use the lowest speed. Mix until creamy. | Add your dry ingredients all at once. DO NOT try to mix using the electric mixer.
My advice: put on some gloves and squish that buckeye dough by hand. | Here is my dough once it was thoroughly mixed and ready to roll!
| | By hand, roll each buckeye into the size ball you’d like. I made mine into 1 inch balls (the recipe yields about 70 balls!). I like to put my buckeyes on a cookie sheet after they’ve been rolled - it’s easier to put them in the freezer this way.
Put the cookie balls into the freezer for about 30 minutes, or until balls are firm.
Dorothy Jane’s original recipe says to keep them in the fridge for 6-7 hours - but who has time for that? Mine do just fine in the freezer!
Set a timer and do some clean up while they are hardening in the freezer. Get your chocolate melted down, and get ready to dip! | When the pops come out, dip each buckeye into the chocolate quickly and carefully. I like mine on sticks, but Dorothy Jane put hers on toothpicks and removed the tooth pick once the buckeye had dried. Leave the peanut butter showing at the top for the buckeye effect! | And VOILA! Buckeyes! Please stop by my Facebook page and check me out, as I am always creating new recipes and toying with classic recipes for new renditions!
| | The Christmassy DreamWorks Experience Package November 16, 2012 – January 6, 2013
Give your holidays some character with The DreamWorks Experience! Vacation with favorite characters from such films as Shrek, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar through interactive experiences. It's a holiday getaway sure to fulfill your Christmas dreams! |
 This holiday season, visitors to Fair Oaks Mall are in store for some cool family fun when they step inside the spectacular enchanted Ice Palace. Opening Thursday, Nov. 8, the Ice Palace interactive display features a 30-foot ice dome with falling snow, a light show and, new this year, the beloved prehistoric herd from the family film Ice Age: Continental Drift, debuting Dec. 11 on DVD and Blu-ray. Set in Fair Oaks’ Grand Court amongst twinkling icicles descending from the 65-foot atrium, the interactive globes of the Ice Palace will showcase Scrat on his endless mission to catch his precious acorn. Visitors will also find the whole Ice Age herd adrift on an iceberg in pirate waters. Families can measure their prehistoric heights against Sid and Diego, go paw-to-paw with the herd and track down Scrat’s missing acorns throughout the Ice Palace.
The high-seas adventure inside the Ice Palace culminates with a visit to Santa and a special complimentary Ice Age gift.
In celebration of the Ice Age: Continental Drift Blu-ray featuring first-time sign-language interpretation of a feature film, provided by deaf actors Sean Berdy and Amber Zion, Fair Oaks will host an ASL Signing Santa Day event on Thursday, Dec. 6 from 10 am to 11 am. Special-guest children who are deaf and/or hard-of-hearing will be welcomed for a walk through the multi-sensory Ice Palace, Ice Age treats and souvenirs, signed dance performances by Hulala, performances by members of the Washington D.C. deaf community, a visit with Signing Santa and Signing Mrs. Claus and complimentary Santa photos. The event will be signed by a special guest interpreter.
ASL Signing Santa and Signing Mrs. Claus will remain in the Ice Palace throughout the day and evening of Thursday, Dec. 6 through 9:30 pm to welcome all shoppers.
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