Coldwell Banker Ad

Check this link to see the new Coldwell Banker ad--I think it has a nice tone.  This spring selling season here in Northern Virginia should be strong--great interest rates and demand is strong because of low inventory. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83dqHZojW7Q

Favorite Books of 2012

My Favorite Reads of 2012:

-  The Art of Fielding - Chad harbach
-  The Magician's Assistant - Ann Patchett
-  Defending Jacob - William Landay
-  Calico Joe - John Grisham
-  Tell The Wolves I'm Home - Carol Rifka Brunt
-  The Light Between the Oceans - M.L. Stedman
-  Where'd You Go Bernadette? - Maria Semple
-  The End of Your Life Book Club - Will Schwalbe
-  The Submission - Amy Waldman
-  Expats - Chris Pavone

A Little Fall Cleaning

We had the house and the screened porch and decks power washed recently.  It was long overdue, and what a difference it made.  I used Andy from Silverstream (703-929- 6759)

The porch looked so big when all my "accessories" are removed.  I could stand to do a little editing out there.  Love this space!!

Christmas 2012

We had a little snow the day after Christmas--just enough to make it feel like the Christmas Season is here.

It was another wonderful Christmas.  Courtney & Chris were here, and we celebrated both Courtney's and my birthdays.  Our annual Christmas party was fun, and it's always so good to see neighbors and friends.

We open gifts on Christmas Eve (as my family has always done) at Linda's house.  Lauren and her 4 kids makes it very fun--toys for everyone!  Matthew was even home this year, and it was so good to see him. 

On Christmas Day, Bob makes Mother's Norwegian meatballs, and Linda and family come over here for more Christmas cheer.  Lauren's twins are 10 months old, and my house is definitely not babyproofed!  Nyla and Noah are fun, and they are such good babies. 

Christmas at the Kennedy Center

Irving Berlin's White Christmas is playing at the Kennedy Center.  I always loved this movie, and it was such a joy to see it on stage.  Courtney & Chris and Linda went with me to see it, and we all got in the Christmas spirit quickly. 

I also had tickets to The Million Dollar Quartet at the Kennedy Center.  It was absolutely so much fun to see.  Great music from Carl Perkins, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Louis.  Go see it if you like that music era.  It was fabulous! 

Almost Thanksgiving

My one and only gardening responsibility at my house is the front flower box.  It was not fabulous this summer--just didn't water it enough or pay enough attention to it.  Busy real estaste season for me.  So, when Fall came, I just added these metal sunflowers (which require no watering at all).  I got these at The Cottage in Leesburg last year, and I still like them. 
Then I asked Bob to hang some wooden pumpkins on my little fence (also from The Cottage).  Cute enough to  keep through Thanksgiving. 

Cleaning out the dryer vent

This is something we haven't done here - ever!  When I had the house power washed this fall, the contractor said that my dryer vent looked full - meaning that white fluff was comiing out the exterior vent. 

So, I went to Angie's List and found a dryer vent cleaning special.  Right A Way Duct Cleaning, 1-888-541-5585 came out today and cleaned my dryer vent.  It has never been cleaned--that would be 25+ years of drying clothes.  They said that I did have quite a lot of lint in the vent.  And, yes, I have always thought that we are good at cleaning out the little lint catcher in the dryer. 

I knew somebody once who lost her house in a fire as a result of the a fire in the dryer vent.  So, think about it - maybe a dryer vent cleaning could go on your "to do list".