365 - Dog

my kids managed to avoid the stomach bug but not the dog.....

(rice, pumpkin and dog food) hopes it helps!
Happy New Year!

Walking Trail Construction Scheduled at Founders Park

The Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities will install a new pathway surface on a portion of the walking trail at Founders Park, 351 N. Union St. Approximately 180 feet of existing stone dust pathway will be resurfaced with a permeable pavement system.

The pavement system is manufactured from gravel and recycled tires, providing a firm, stable water permeable surface that is handicap accessible and less prone to erosion and washout. The work is weather dependent and is scheduled to occur between January 7 and January 25. Work areas will be closed to the public, and Founders Park will remain open.

For additional information, contact Jack Browand, Division Chief, at 703.746.5504 orjack.browand@alexandriava.gov.

365 - yum

365 - cha cha chia

still getting gifts from relatives....

this one cracked us all up!

City of Alexandria Announces Schedule of Services for the New Year’s Day Holiday, January 1

City of Alexandria Announces Schedule of Services for the New Year’s Day Holiday, January 1For Immediate Release: December 28, 2012

All City of Alexandria government offices will be open on New Year’s Eve, Monday, December 31, 2012. City government offices will be closed on Tuesday, January 1, 2013, in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday.

Health Facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.) and the Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) will be closed December 31 and January 1. The Teen Wellness Center at T.C. Williams High School (3330 King St.) will be open on December 31 and closed on January 1.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703.746.5800; the domestic violence hotline, 703.746.4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline, 703.746.3401; and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on December 31 and closed on January 1.

Museums: All museums operated by the City of Alexandria will be open on their regular schedules on December 31, but will be closed on January 1. For more information, call 703.746.4554 or visit alexandriava.gov/Historic.

Parking: On January 1, the Alexandria Police Department will suspend enforcement of parking restrictions at metered spaces, as well as time restrictions in residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits. Meter payments are not required on January 1.

Recreation Centers: On December 31, Alexandria neighborhood recreation centers will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Chinquapin Recreation Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center will be closed. All City of Alexandria recreation centers will be closed on January 1.

Refuse Collection: Residential trash and recycling will be collected on Monday, December 31. There will be no collection scheduled for Tuesday, January 1. Residential trash and recycling normally scheduled for January 1, 2, or 3 will be collected one day late. Residents who receive City refuse collection may place Christmas trees at the curb for recycling on regular trash collection days, beginning Monday, January 7 through Friday, January 18. Trees set out before that time will be collected as regular refuse. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Collection site (3224 Colvin St.) is open on December 31. For more information, visitalexandriava.gov/SolidWaste.

Schools: The Alexandria City Public Schools are closed through January 1, reopening January 2.

State Offices: The General District Court and Circuit Court will be closed on January 1; the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court and the Alexandria DMV Office (2681 Mill Rd.) will be closed on December 31 and January 1.

Transit: DASH will operate a regular weekday schedule on December 31. Beginning at 6 p.m., free shuttle service will be provided for First Night Alexandria along King Street between the King Street Metrorail Station and the Potomac River Waterfront until 1 a.m. There will be no DASH service on January 1, except for the King Street Trolley.

Trolley: On December 31, the free King Street Trolley will begin at 11:30 a.m. and provide shuttle service for First Night Alexandria until 1 a.m. On January 1, the trolley service will operate on its normal schedule, every 15 minutes between the King Street Metrorail Station and the Potomac River Waterfront from 11:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.

For more information, contact Andrea Blackford, Communications Officer, Office of Communications and Public Information, at 571.481.8967 orandrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov 

Mixed Precipitation Upcoming

Mixed Precipitation Upcoming



The National Weather Service is forecasting a mix of snow, sleet, and rain in the D.C. area, beginning around 4AM Saturday morning, and ending just after noon Saturday. In the District, precipitation will likely begin as snow, and gradually change over to rain after sunrise. Snow totals will likely be anywhere from a trace to 1.5".

Suburbs to the north and west of D.C. will likely receive more snow. These suburbs are under a Winter Weather Advisory, and will likely receive anywhere from 1 to 4 inches of snow.

Because the temperature will hover within a few degrees of 32 for much of the next 48 hours, precipitation is likely to melt and refreeze. Citizens should drive with particular caution and keep a lookout for slick spots and black ice.

365 - New game

New Alexandria City Council to be Installed January 2, 2013

New Alexandria City Council to be Installed January 2, 2013

For Immediate Release: December 27, 2012

On November 6, 2012, Alexandria voters elected the Mayor and City Council members for the next three-year City Council term, which begins January 2, 2013. 

The community is invited to attend the formal City Council installation ceremony on Wednesday, January 2, at 7 p.m. in the T.C. Williams High School Auditorium, 3330 King St. For more information, contact the Office of Communications and Public Information at 703.746.HELP (4357).

Mayor William D. Euille was re-elected, as were Council Members Redella S. “Del” Pepper and Paul C. Smedberg. Four new Council members will join them: Justin M. Wilson (who served on Council from 2007 to 2009), Timothy B. Lovain (who served on Council from 2006 to 2009), John Taylor Chapman and Allison Silberberg. Leaving the Council are Vice Mayor Kerry J. Donley; Frank H. Fannon IV; Alicia R. Hughes; and David G. Speck.

The City of Alexandria is committed to compliance with the City’s Human Rights Code and the Americans with Disabilities Act. To request a reasonable accommodation or to request materials in an alternative format, call Andrea Blackford, Communications Officer, Office of Communications and Public Information, at 703.746.3959  (TTY:703.838.5056) or e-mail andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov

365 - Bunny?

This isn't a dust bunny, it's a dust critter!

this was from behind the refrigerator.....  ICK!!!! guess I should clean behind there more often!

365 - chocolate

Merry Christmas to me!

(this was delivered today - it was from a client of my husband)

365 - Merry Christmas

Alexandria Police Arrest U.S. Senator

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE

3600 WHEELER AVENUE

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304

703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE

DECEMBER 23, 2012 #12-086

9:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Charge U.S. Senator with DUI

Alexandria Police arrested Michael Dean Crapo, 61, and charged him with driving under the influence on Sunday, December 23 at 12:45 a.m. An officer was on routine patrol when he noticed a vehicle go through a red traffic signal. 　The officer initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle at Hume Avenue and Mount Vernon Avenue. 　Sen. Crapo was identified as the driver and arrested after failing several field　sobriety　tests. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Alexandria Adult Detention Center where he was released on a $1,000 unsecured bond. His BAC was .110 and he was alone in his personal vehicle at the time of arrest. He has a January 4, 2013 court date.

For further questions, please contact Jody Donaldson of the Public Information Office of the Alexandria Police Department at 703-801-7531.

365 - Mistletoe

OMG, this is my friends Mistletoe (could it be any bigger?)

365 - snitch

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AWARDED $380,000 FEDERAL GRANT

ALEXANDRIA CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AWARDED $380,000 FEDERAL GRANT

Funding to Support Much-Needed School-Based Health Care Services

 

  

Alexandria Va.  —  Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) is the recipient of a $380,771 federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The funding will help ACPS start a mobile health unit that will provide primary health, basic dental and mental health services to students in the William Ramsay, John Adams and Patrick Henry elementary school communities.

 

The funding is part of $80 million made available through the Affordable Care Act (P.L. 111-148), signed into law March 23, 2010. Part of the legislation’s aim is improving access to primary, mental and oral health care for school-aged children. The grants are premised on data that show better access to health care reduces the number of school days kids miss, as well as costly and often unnecessary emergency room visits. In addition, they help children with chronic illnesses attend school and provide screenings and health-promoting activities for all students.

 

ACPS is one of only two locations in the Commonwealth of Virginia to receive this funding. HRSA awarded grants to 197 applicants, which included school districts, nonprofits and medical service providers around the country. The mobile health unit that ACPS will operate will join the 1,800 school-based health centers that currently serve more than 1.8 million children. 

 

“This is an investment in creating an exceptional learning environment and educating the whole child,” said Dr. Morton Sherman, superintendent of schools. “We know that children whose physical, social and emotional needs are met are much better learners and perform better throughout their educational careers. We are committed to adding resources to this grant to ensure that it accomplishes its goals.”

 

William Ramsay, Patrick Henry and John Adams serve a combined 2,235 students. Of John Adams’s 820 students, about 65 percent are economically disadvantaged, 17 percent are students with disabilities and 33 percent are English language learners. Seventy-five percent of Patrick Henry’s 586 students are economically disadvantaged, 10 percent are students with disabilities and 34 percent are learning English. Ramsay serves 829 students, 86 percent of whom are economically disadvantaged, 8 percent of whom have disabilities and 52 percent of whom are English language learners.

 

“I know first-hand the health needs of students in these communities, and I witness daily how a little extra care can mean the difference between succeeding and failing academically,” said ACPS Health Services Coordinator Robin Wallin.  “So we are very excited about this new opportunity.” 

 

The next step involves ACPS working with community partners to develop a planning committee and identify service providers for the mobile health project. Administrators expect the unit could roll out as early as the beginning of the 2013-14 school year.

 

Questions about the project can be directed to Wallin at rwallin@acps.k12.va.us or 703-820-5362. 

 

365 - Christmas App

Anyone else using the Christmas App ?
We've been having fun with the facts, the countdown calendar, the snow globe AND the jokes!

City of Alexandria Announces Schedule of Services for the Christmas Holidays, December 24 and 25 

For Immediate Release: December 21, 2012

All City of Alexandria government offices will be closed on Monday, December 24, and Tuesday, December 25, in observance of the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day holidays.

Health Facilities: The Alexandria Health Department (4480 King St.) and the Flora Krause Casey Health Center (1200 N. Howard St.) will be closed Monday, December 24 through Wednesday, December 26. The Teen Wellness Center (3330 King St.) will be closed on December 24 and 25.

Historic Alexandria: All the City’s Historic Alexandria facilities will be closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25.

Hotlines: All emergency hotlines operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including the child protective services hotline at 703.746.5800; the domestic violence hotline,703.746.4911; the emergency services for mental health or substance abuse crisis hotline,703.746.3401; and the sexual assault hotline, 703.683.7273.

Libraries: All Alexandria Library branches will be closed from Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25.

Parking: The Alexandria Police Department will not enforce parking restrictions at metered spaces, as well as time restrictions in residential permit parking districts and other areas with signed parking time limits, from Monday, December 24 through Tuesday, December 25.

Recreation Centers: All City of Alexandria recreation centers, including the Chinquapin Recreation Center, will be closed December 24 and December 25.

Refuse Collection: Residential trash and recycling will be collected on Monday, December 24. There is no collection scheduled on Tuesday, December 25. Residential trash and recycling will be collected one day late. The Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Collection site will be closed on December 24 and 25.

Schools: The Alexandria City Public Schools will be closed from December 24 – January 1, reopening January 2.

State Offices: The General District Court, Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, the Circuit Court, and the DMV Office, 2681 Mill Road, will be closed on December 24 and 25.

Transit: Alexandria Transit Company's DASH bus service will operate on a Saturday schedule until 7 p.m. on December 24. DASH bus service will not operate on December 25. The free King Street Trolley will run during its regular operating hours, 11:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m., on December 24 and 25.

For more information, contact Andrea Blackford, Communications Officer, Office of Communications, at 703.746.3959 or andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov. 

Reindeer Food

Here is the recipe for Reindeer food ---

-some oatmeal
-some glitter
mix together in a bowl.



Be sure to take this magic reindeer food and sprinkle on the lawn. 
On Christmas Eve, Santa's reindeer travel miles before dawn.
The smell of oats and the glitter path will guide them on their way. 
And you'll wake up to Santa's gifts next morn' on Christmas Day. 

365 - Rudolph 2

365 - holiday

365 -Snow

we would really like some snow!

Alexandria Library Holiday Hours

Please note that Alexandria Library will have a change 
of schedule for the upcoming holidays.

In observance of the Christmas holiday, all Alexandria Library Branches will be 
closed Monday, December 24 and Tuesday, December 25.

For New Years Eve, December 31, all branches will open at 10:00 AM and close at 
5:00 PM.

All branches will be closed Tuesday, January 1, 2013, in observance of New 
Year's Day.

365 - CD

Annie Lennox CD
love Universal Child

Update on Fatal Pedestrian Crash

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 17, 2012 #12-085
4:00 P.M. DONALDSON

UPDATE:  Alexandria Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Crash

The victim in last Friday’s fatal pedestrian crash has been identified as Robert C. Portelle, a 55 year-old City resident.

Crash Reconstruction Investigators believe that the victim may have been struck by a second vehicle. 

Anyone who might have witnessed the crash or who has additional information about this case is asked to call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.4444. 

Update on APD Stolen Cruiser

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 17, 2012 #12-084
4:00 P.M. DONALDSON

2nd UPDATE:  Stolen Cruiser Recovery

Alexandria Police completed the inventory of the recovered stolen cruiser found in Prince Georges County, Maryland and confirmed that the Remington 870 shotgun and a Panasonic Toughbook Mobile Computer were taken from the vehicle. 

Additionally, detectives are investigating the theft of a second marked Alexandria Police Cruiser stolen from the 1500 block of Princess Street sometime in the overnight hours of Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15.  The 2007 Ford Crown Victoria was last seen parked and locked at 11:30 p.m. Friday and noticed missing at 4:35 a.m. on Saturday.  Shortly after the police cruiser was discovered missing, Metropolitan Police notified Alexandria Police of the location of the stolen cruiser in Northeast Washington, DC.  The police cruiser was towed to Alexandria Police Headquarters for further processing. No police equipment was taken and all property was recovered from the cruiser.

Detectives are looking into the possibility that these two cases are related. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about either of these cases is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section at 703.746.6711.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses they can remain anonymous.

Alexandria Police Officer Recognized at 15th Annual WRAP Awards

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

MEDIA ADVISORY
DECEMBER 17, 2012 #11-083
2:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Officer Recognized at 15th Annual WRAP Awards

For the second year in a row, Alexandria Police Officer Brandon Smith was recognized for his efforts in the fight against impaired driving at the 15th Annual Washington Regional Alcohol Program (WRAP) Awards.  The awards ceremony was held on Friday, December 14 at Maggiano’s Little Italy in the Tysons Galleria.

Officer Smith was among eleven law enforcement officers from the Washington, DC region recognized by WRAP for their outstanding commitment and exemplary service in the fight against drunk driving.

Smith, a three year veteran of the Police Department Patrol Operations Bureau, removed over 50 impaired drivers from Alexandria roadways during the past year.

The annual WRAP Awards ceremony is part of a kick-off campaign for the Holiday SoberRide Program, which is offered nightly (10:00 pm – 6:00 am) from December 14, 2012 until January 1, 2013.  This program provides free cab rides home (up to a $30 fare) to those over 21 years of age who call 800-200-8294 (TAXI).  The WRAP Awards ceremony also recognizes members of law enforcement for their efforts in impaired driving prevention. Founded in 1982, WRAP, is an award winning, public-private partnership working to prevent drunk driving and underage drinking in the Washington-metropolitan area.     
 
For more information on the WRAP program, visit www.wrap.org.

Universal Child

After dropping my kids at school this morning, seeing the police presence near the school and throughout the city,  I needed some Christmas music to get me in the spirit to knock out the last of the shopping.  I remembered I had a few holiday CD's in the car.  I looked for one, specifically the Nick at Night one with the Chipmunks, Frosty, The Grinch etc. but couldn't find it or any others.   Apparently I had left them in the CD player since last year. (I don't use the CD player much in my car).
I turned the CD player on and an Annie Lennox song started, apparently where I had left off last holiday season, and played Universal Child.
I light of last weeks tragic events I just couldn't stop crying while this song played.



"Universal Child"

How many mountains must you face before you learn to climb?
I'm gonna give you what it takes, my universal child.

I'm gonna try to find a way to keep you safe from harm.
I'm gonna build a special place, a shelter from the storm.
And I can see you, you're ev'rywhere, your portrait fills the sky.
I'm gonna wrap my arms 'round you, my universal child.

And when I look into your eyes, so innocent and pure,
I see the shadows of the things that you've had to endure.
I see the tracks of ev'ry tear that ran right down your face.
I see the hurt, I see the pain, I see the human race.
And I can feel you, you're ev'rywhere, shining like the sun.
I wish to God that kids like you could be like ev'ryone.

How many tumbles must it take before you learn to fly?
I'm going to help you spread your wings, my universal child.

I'm gonna help you to find a way to keep you safe from harm.
We're gonna build a special place, a shelter from the storm.
I can feel you, you're ev'rywhere, shining like the sun.
I wish to God that kids like you could be like ev'ryone.
And I wish to God that kids like you could be like ev'ryone.

For Immediate Release: December 17, 2012

Simpson Dog Park Temporarily Closed beginning December 20

As part of the ongoing construction at Simpson Park, 426 E. Monroe Ave., the general contractor will remove the dog park’s temporary unleashing entrance and reopen the original unleashing entrance. As a result, the Simpson Dog Park will be closed for one day as the relocation occurs.

Weather permitting, the work is scheduled for Thursday, December 20. The dog park will reopen on Friday, December 21. For a complete list of Dog Parks and Exercise Areas, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Dogs.

For additional information or questions about the work, call Zachary Lette, with LPDA, Inc., Project Liaison at 703.437.7907.

365 - Angel or Star

Are you an angel or star on the tree family?
We change from year to year - I let the kids decide.
(although, to me,  there is something really weird about putting a tree branch up an angels butt!)

365 - Centerpiece

making of an easy centerpiece.
(so easy, even kids can do it!)

365 - Angels

Alexandria Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Crash

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 14, 2012 #12-082
2:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Investigate Fatal Pedestrian Crash

Alexandria Police are investigating a pedestrian crash that resulted in the death of an adult man.  The incident occurred at approximately 7:00 A.M. on Friday, December 14, on West Braddock Road between North Hampton Drive and North Beauregard Street.

Initial investigation indicates that the driver of a 2002 Honda Accord was driving westbound on Braddock Road when it struck the man, who was crossing the middle of the road.  The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim is unknown at this time and pending an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office.  They identity will be released once known and notification of next of kin has been made.
Members of the Crash Reconstruction Team are investigating the incident.

Anyone who was in the area this morning or who might have witnessed the crash is asked to call the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.4444.

Alexandria Police Cruiser Stolen

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 14, 2012 #12-081
1:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Investigate Stolen Police Cruiser

Alexandria Police are investigating the theft of a marked Alexandria Police Cruiser, #2618.  The cruiser, a 2006 Ford Crown Victoria, was taken from 2727 Duke Street overnight.  The vehicle was parked and locked.

The cruiser did have police property inside, including a Remington 870 shotgun and a Panasonic Toughbook Mobile Computer.

Attached is a picture of a cruiser similar to the stolen cruiser with the same make, model and year.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the police cruiser or with information about the suspects involved is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6711.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.

365 - Nativity

365 - Rudolph

365 - Abominable

365 - Christmas reading

AFD gives Holiday tips

FROM THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA:

The Alexandria Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy holiday season. Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over $930 million in damage. There are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. From Christmas Trees to candles to holiday cooking; by following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

Alexandria Police Investigate Robbery at TD Bank

ALEXANDRIA POLICE DEPARTMENT
PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE
3600 WHEELER AVENUE
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA 22304
703-746-6600

NEWS RELEASE
DECEMBER 10, 2012 #12-080
2:00 P.M. DONALDSON

Alexandria Police Investigate Robbery at TD Bank

Alexandria Police are investigating a bank robbery that occurred at the TD Bank, located at 119 S. Washington Street.  Around 3:48 P.M. on Sunday, December 9, a man entered the bank, handed the teller a note that implied a weapon and demanded money.  The teller relinquished an undisclosed amount of cash and the suspect fled the bank.  No one was injured. 

The suspect is described as a black male with a beard and approximately 6’1” with a medium build.  He was wearing a dark colored hooded jacket, blue jeans and light colored shoes.

Anyone with information about the robbery or who recognizes the suspect in the surveillance photos is asked to call Detective William Oakley at 703.746.6606 or the Criminal Investigations Section of the Alexandria Police Department at 703.746.6711.

Detectives would like to remind witnesses that they can remain anonymous.
          

Snowman Poop

I hear you’ve been naughty,                                                 

So listen, here’s the scoop….                                             

I’m running out of coal this year,                                     

So Santa's giving you snowman poop

(fill a baggie with mini marshmallows) 

365 - more baking

Candy Crackers

Candy Crackers

1 sleeve saltine crackers
2 sticks of butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 pkg semi sweet morsels
     (can use butterscotch, white chocolate)
2 blocks unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup finely grated cocoanut (optional)
     (can use chopped up pecans or walnuts, or crushed candy canes)

Pre heat oven to 400
line saltines on a foil lined cookie sheet
in a saucepan, boil butter and sugar for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly browned
pour the butter mixture over the saltines
bake for 5 minutes

melt the chocolates in the microwave for 1 min., stir and return to microwave for 1 more min.
pour chocolates over the saltines, spreading it completely
sprinkle with topping of your choice - nuts, cocoanut, pepermint
refrigerate for 2 hours
break into pieces

Holiday Cookie Party - EASY recipes

Chinese Chews

1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch chips - melted
1 cup peanuts
7 oz chinese crunchy noodles

melt chocolate in double boiler
add peanuts
stiff in noodles
drop by spoonful onto wax paper
refrigerate until solid


Peanut Clusters

1 pkg chocolate chips
1 pkg butterscotch chips
2 cups unsalted peanuts

melt chips in double boiler or microwave
stir to blend thoroughly
blend in peanuts
drop by spoonful onto wax paper
refrigerate until solid


Peppermint Bark

3/4 lb white chocolate
1/2 lb bittersweet chocolate
1 lb peppermint candy (candy canes)

melt chocolates separately
pour out 3 strips of white chocolate and 3 strips bittersweet chocolate onto a cookie sheet w/ an edge
drag a knife though the chocolates to marble
crunch up peppermint and sprinkle on top
refrigerate to harden


Truffles
1 pkg Oreo cookies (3 rolls)
1 8 oz pkg cream cheese
1 pkg chocolate chips

in a zip lock back, crush the Oreos well
mix the crushed Oreos and cream cheese

melt the chocolate chips

form the Oreo mixture into balls
dip balls into the melted chocolate

place on wax paper lined cookie sheet
refrigerate until hard.

Holiday gifts

Homemade Holiday 

As we are all try to figure out what to give everyone for the holidays and try to save money, here are a few things that I have done with my children over the year. Most years we have done our “craft” gifts over the summer and put it away for the holidays. My kids have been so proud of the gifts that they have made themselves and the gifts have lasted.   

-When my boys were really little, I would take them on a “collection” walk around the neighborhood. We collected rocks - big rocks, little rocks and pebbles.
Once home we washed the rocks, painted them and even glued things on the rocks – googley eyes, smaller rocks, feathers, and even cut up construction paper. 10+ years later, grandma still proudly displays her rocks on her kitchen window sill and in the garden.

-another year we purchased tiles in various sizes from the hardware store. We put handprints on the tile and gave them to grandparents and aunts and uncles to use as trivets. Again, they are still used today.

-Stepping stones are always nice in the garden and grandmas love their gardens. So one year we made stepping stones from a kit purchased from the craft store. We used our hands and feet to make imprints on the stones, then embellished them with small rocks and decorative pebbles.

-One year we went to the craft store and purchased small cardboard boxes and ornaments. (they were made from recycled materials). We painted them, put glitter on them, and even glued sequins on some of them. We gave the boxes to cousins and other relatives and we used the ornaments as gift tags on wrapped presents.

-When the boys were very young we made our own holiday wrapping paper. We took white tissue paper and used their hands in red or green paint to make handprint paper. We also took holiday cookie cutters, dipped them in paint and used them on the tissue paper as well.

-As the boys got older, we made more elaborate gifts. So one year we made soap. It was sooo easy and my boys loved it! We purchased everything needed from the craft store - molds, soap blocks, scents, colors, and a how to book. I did the melting of the soap and pouring it into the molds. My boys selected the mold, the color and the scent of the soap. It was so much fun and we had soap everywhere. (we were really clean that year!) The boys enjoyed selecting the mold and creating a unique soap for each family member – Cousins, peace symbols and happy faces in funky colors, grandpa doesn’t like spiders so they put a plastic spider in clear soap. Auntie likes turtles, so we made all different scents and shades of green turtles. A few teachers liked flowers so we made various colors of flowers with different scents. To accompany each gift we searched dollar stores, craft stores and other variety stores for different soap dishes. I think each gift cost about $7 and everyone loved it!

-Because we have sooo many girls in the family one year we made them all “magic wands”. We bought small dowel rods from the craft store, painted them and used feathers, gems, and glitter to decorate. The girls were so excited and thought they were truly magical!

-One year we thought we’d try to work with beads, so we made everyone beaded zipper pulls for backpacks, purses, and coats. The beads, pulls and sometimes a decorative charm were purchased from a craft store. The boys enjoyed making patterns with the beads and selecting various ending pieces (charm) for each pull – i.e. fish, phone, flip flop, sun, moon, cat, etc.. Some family members still have the pulls on their winter coats.

-For teacher gifts one year we made note and thank you cards. We purchased card stock from the craft store. My boys each selected 4 things that each teacher liked – coffee, dogs, golf, flowers, cats and so on. Using clip art and word, we chose different fonts and placed the teachers name with a picture of their favorite things on the page. The layout was 4 cards to 1 page of cardstock. We printed the cards out in a variety of colors, cut the page into 4 cards and tied with colorful ribbon. The teachers loved it and the boys were so proud of their computer skills.

-Other years we have gone to the Crate & Barrel outlet and purchased the following for teachers gifts --
-plain coffee mugs (about 1 ea) and put a $5 gift card to Starbucks in
it.
-big popcorn bowls (under $10) and put packages of microwave
popcorn in it.
-clear candy dishes ($1 or so each) in a variety of shapes & sizes, and
filled them with homemade candied nuts or bagged candy.
-holiday dish towels and pot holders all under $2 

Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group Meeting

Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group Meeting
Wednesday, December 12 at 7pm.

For Immediate Release: Friday, December 7, 2012
 The Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group will hold a meeting on Wednesday, December 12, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center, located at 5750 Sanger Avenue. The meeting will be generally focused on transportation.

The agenda and materials will be posted on the City’s Beauregard Small Area Plan website (alexandriava.gov/BeauregardPlan), on the Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group page.

The meeting is open to the public. Public comments are welcome. Spanish translation services will be provided at the meeting. Individuals with disabilities that may require assistance or special arrangements to participate in the Beauregard Rezoning Advisory Group meeting may call the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703.746.4666. For meeting-related questions, please contact Maya Contreras in the Department of Planning and Zoning at 703.746.3816 or email maya.contreras@alexandriava.gov.

365 - baking

let the baking begin!

365 - Memories

I LOVE this book!
It's where I record our holiday - our family photo, what we did, who we saw, any entertaining we did, what we gave and received.

pet peeve

Dropping a kid at school in the morning---- there is always "that" car in front of me where the driver/parent and kid are talking.  Really, you had the entire ride to talk and make your plans.   And it's not just a have a good day talk or I love you exchange of words.  It's a discussion.

Then the kid has to get their back pack out of the trunk.  So they get out of the car, move to the back of the car and wait for the driver to pop the trunk.   

Now cars are lining up behind me.  

I can't go around because I thought the car in front of me would be moving out of the way and I'm too close to go around. 

My kid is already out of the car and in the building. 

The car behind me is waiting too, so close that I can't back up and go around the car in front.  

Then the driver in front of me has to adjust things, make a call, read/send a text, etc.. really?!?! 

It's drop off, get out of the car quickly, and move on!  

365 - Veggie Pizza

one of our favorite snacks!

Christmas Books for Children

originally posted last year.....

I thought I’d share some of my family’s favorite Christmas books. 

(And these are in no particular order)

Happy Holidays

The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado

Alabaster’s Song by Max Lucado

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojceichowski

Merry Christmas Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood

Santa’s Book of Names by David McPhail

Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry

Snowmen at Night

and

Snowmen at Christmas by Caralyn Buehner,

This is The Star by Joyce Dunbar

Santa Calls by Willam Joyce

Christmas Day in the Morning by Pearl S. Buck

Who’s That Knocking on Christmas Eve by Jan Brett

I’ve Seen Santa by David Bedford

The Wild Christmas Reindeer by Jan Brett

Santa Mouse & Santa Mouse Where Are You by Michael Brown

Bright Christmas, an Angel Remembers by Andrew Clements

Rocking Horse Christmas by Mary Pope Osborne

How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky