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How to Keep Your Pets Safe All Winter

I just finished watching a wonderful video of dogs reuniting with their military owners after a deployment...as pet owners we all should be aware of how to protect our best friends, canine or feline, during these cold winter months.

1. Keep the antifreeze away -- even in small amounts it's deadly to pets.

2. Don't leave your pets alone in the car in cold weather. The car can act like a refrigerator, keeping in the cold, and causing your animal to freeze to death.

3. Keep your cat inside. Since cats have been known to sleep under the hood of a car to keep warm, bang on your car hood before you start the engine. Give those strays a chance to escape.

4. Never let your dog off the leash during a snowstorm. They can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost.

5. Wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet or snow -- chemicals that are used to treat streets and sidewalks can be poisonous.

6. Short haired dogs should wear a coat or a sweater outside, and they have little boots for their paws, too. If your pup gets ice balls between his pads they can be very painful. Trim the hair around their feet and then apply a little vaseline or cooking oil, or even Pam spray to their feet before you go outside. It keeps the snow from sticking!

Enjoy Spring Flowers at these (FREE) Area Gardens

"I love Spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden"

This quote comes from Ruth Stout, an American gardening author, and I agree with the sentiment. Here in the DC metropolitan area, we have a lovely Spring, although sometimes you might miss it if you blink! After a gray dreary winter, I'm ready for sunshine and warmer temps to coax color back into the landscape.

If you don't have a garden of your own, or if you just want to witness Spring's bounty, here's a list of local gardens that are free and open to the public. Enjoy!

U.S. Botanical Gardens, DC: This living plant museum includes a newly renovated indoor conservatory, rose garden, an exotic jungle and 4000 different plants.

National Arboretum, DC: Famous for its bonsai collection, the Arboretum is 446 acres of beauty, with 70+ varieties of cherry trees and the largest display of azaleas in the area.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC:Along the East bank of the Anacostia River, this 12-acre park features waterlilies, native plants and small animals - frogs, toads turtles, fish.

Green Spring Gardens Park, Alex., VA: 20 different themed gardens, and a native plant trail leads through the woods to two ponds.

Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD: 50 acres of gardens, indoors and out, and a spectacular butterfly show in the summer.

Smithsonian Gardens, DC:8 different 'outdoor museums' are part of the SI complex. Our favorites are the Kathrine Dulin Folger Rose Garden, the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden, and the Enid A. Haupt Garden.

If you click on the names of the gardens, you will be directed to their sites with more details, directions, hours, and photos. Happy Spring, everyone! 

Who Knew Art Could Make Such a Difference?

Since the first of 2011, we have been participating in FIRSTfriday of Falls Church. Each month a different artist is featured on the walls of our office. I had no idea the impact this revolving display would have on us.

Our first month featured Christine Miller: her landscapes and still lifes were calming, subdued, classic. It was a treat to be surrounded by "real art" -- oils and pastels on canvases, framed beautifully. Christine's work made me feel grown up.

In February, Wendy Wang's paintings went up. Her style is quite different from Christine's. Her background in portraiture showed in her ballet pieces, but much of her art was very free form and alluring. More abstract, and quite stimulating here in the office. The nude that went up over the sofa was spectacular. Wendy's work made me feel sophisticated.

Now, for March, Atti Vakili Wheeler has taken over our space with vibrant colors and dancers that pop right off their canvases. The life and energy they bring are especially obvious coming as they do at the end of winter. Her work has put a spring in all of our steps. Atti's work makes me feel ALIVE.

The point of all this -- art can have a profound impact on both mood and ambiance. I can't tell you how exciting it is to watch the change as new art is rotated in...everyone is affected. Art draws you out of yourself. It can be as mind-altering as music, as uplifting as sunshine.

We celebrate these artists at a reception on the first Friday evening of each month. But if you're in the area any time, stop in and see what's hanging on our walls. This is like owning a private gallery. I can't wait to see what's next! 

Are You Looking for Fine Dining in Falls Church?

I have the solution for you...Idylwood Grill! This charming restaurant - and wine bar - is located in the strip mall that's behind the Idylwood Plaza shopping center (where Whole Foods is located on Route 7). You would NEVER guess that this gem is hiding here.

First, let me tell you about the ambiance. It's cozy and personal, warm and welcoming. On Yelp, one reviewer described it as "smaller bistro feel with bustling New York-esque environment," and I have to agree. The lighting is soft, and the sound level is controlled well enough that even when it's crowded you can still have a comfortable conversation.

Second, the service is great - attentive without interfering. Wait staff is both accommodating and ready with helpful suggestions, and the owner is usually on site, so you will probably meet him. He's delightful, and very knowledgeable about the wine pairings. Trust his judgement, Hedi knows his stuff. Your food will arrive hot (!), and you'll never be rushed.

And now to the food...exquisite! Idylwood Grill serves a broad range of dishes, with a list of specials that are always reliable. Wine suggestions are included on the Specials menu. Steaks are cooked to perfection, seafood is fresh and delicious, pastas are dreamy creations. And the sides are modern takes on traditional ingredients.

Take a chance on this neighborhood find. You'll be delighted with this Georgetown-like dining experience in such a convenient location. It's the perfect date night restaurant minus the hassle of driving into the city.

Idylwood Grill, 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church, VA 22043 Reservations: 703-992-0915

7 Things I Hate about February

(and believe me, I could just as easily make it 17 or 70 - I really hate this month!)

1. The holidays are lousy. Groundhog Day, which is just plain stupid since we're doomed to face 6 more weeks of winter regardless of whether there's a shadow or not. Valentine's Day, which is right up there with New Year's Eve for potentially the most disappointing holiday of the year.

2. Football season is over. I like the routine of my weekends during football season. And just as Mother Nature really puts the hammer down, and I'm housebound, there's nothing worth watching. (Not an NBA fan, hockey lasts too long, college hoops don't pop till March)

3. Which leads me to the weather. It's the dregs of Winter without the promise of Spring -- cold, dark and grey. By February, snow stops being fun, and I'm sick of ice. Everything seems to be covered in a dull glaze of road salt and sand. I miss color in the landscape.

4. I am tired of all my winter clothes. 

5. Cabin fever is at an all time high. Kids, adults, pets...we all need to be able to run around outside in lightweight clothes breathing fresh air and feeling the sun on our skin. In February, trapped inside our stuffy homes, lumbering around in layers of heavy clothing when we go outside, the freedom of Spring seems so far away...

6. February is to Winter much as August is to Summer. It's the "too" month - too cold, too snowy, too dark, too isolating, too boring, too depressing.

7. (although this could be 7-9) As one of the women in the office put it so succinctly: "I hate February  because I am fat, white and hairy." Nobody feels very attractive in February. First there are those pounds left over from the holidays. Second, everybody looks a little too pasty this time of year. And third, well, hairy is pretty self-explanatory.

So let's recap. I hate February, but we're already 8 days into it, so I guess I'll survive. Just 20 more bone-chilling days to go and it'll be March. It might come in like a lion, but it goes out like a lamb...

 

 

Friday is National Wear Red Day - Fight Heart Disease in Women

The Number 1 killer of women continues to be Heart Disease. Every year another 450,000 American women die of cardiovascular disease -- that's one mother, sister, or friend nearly every minute of the year. While 1 in 30 will die of breast cancer, about 1 in 3 die of heart disease; that's more than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer.

Why wear RED? Primarily to raise awareness. Heart attacks have long been associated with men; as a result only one in five women believe that heart disease is her greatest health threat. And it's largely preventable. 80% of cardiac events in women may be prevented if we make the right choices in diet and exercise, and quit smoking.

Follow this link to the Go Red Heart Checkup and take charge of your own heart health. Research has shown that women who "Go Red" make healthier decisions: 1/3 lose weight, more than half increase their exercise, 6 out of 10 change their diets, and 1/3 talk to their doctors about developing heart health plans.

I've done all of those things, and I'll be wearing red pumps on Friday! Join me.

Be Careful! It's Slippery Out There!

We're not halfway through winter and we've had several little baby snowfalls, and now one good-sized one. This one started with rain, and then some absolutely furious sleet that changed into heavy wet snow.

So that means it's slippery everywhere! Not just the pavement and the sidewalk, but the grassy areas, too. And slippery = dangerous. Every year over a million people slip, trip or fall in this country, and 17,000 of them die as a result. When I researched this I was amazed at what big business slips and falls are to the insurance industry. BIG reason to keep your sidewalks clear and your homeowners policy current.  

The reason I bring this up is that I recently took a tumble. It was snowy and icy, and it happened in my parking lot, but there was no slipping involved. I was walking my dog and she took off after another dog at the exact moment that my attention had wandered.

I held onto the leash and she pulled me to my knees and then onto my forehead, nose, and lip. I finally let go. The reason I share this is I knocked the heck out of my head -- 3 weeks later I still have a bump -- and it could have been so much worse. This photo of me is after I started to look normal again. If you fall, see a doctor, especially if you bump your head.

And be careful. Laura got some way cool ice grippers you can put over the soles of your shoes. I think I'm going to keep them on until April. 

Come to the annual Valentine's Auction and Gala to benefit the Falls Church Winter Homeless Shelter

On Saturday, February 12th, you are invited to this fabulous event! From 8 until 11pm, you can help support the Falls Church Winter Shelter while you party to the live music of Sudden M-Pac, with their own Andre Jackson serving as Master of Ceremonies. There will be a wide assortment of delicious food from many Falls Church restaurants, and Rob Donovan will be behind the bar.

Opportunities for FUNdraising will include both live and silent auctions and raffles. There are some terrific auction items already, with more coming in everyday. You can bid on a Photo Safari (6 days) in South Africa (value $4000), a Beach house in Captiva for a week, an Outer Banks beach house for a week, a signed soccer ball from the Washington Freedom, or a signed Stevie Ray Vaughn poster. There's also a Washington Freedom jersey signed by all the original players, some one-on-one soccer coaching, restaurant gift certificates, manicures and pedicures, handyman and landscaping services.

You may know that homelessness is on the rise, and our area is no exception. During these freezing winter months, the Shelter is filled to capacity. Each night, it provides a warm bed to its 12 residents, plus a shower, and a hot evening meal. Counseling services and mentoring from community volunteers strive to move the residents into more permanent housing solutions. All of this takes time, energy and funding...which leads to you!

For $25 (by Feb 5), or $35 at the door, you can enjoy this exciting evening of great food and great music for a great cause. You can purchase your tickets online or by sending a check (made out to Falls Church Winter Shelter) with the names of the attendees to Jody Kane, 1100 N. Tuckahoe Street, Falls Church 22046. The Gala will be held at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Building at 4301 Wilson Blvd., Arlington 22203. There's free parking underneath on Taylor.

And for more information, to donate, or to volunteer, please contact Stacy Hennessey (of Fall Properties, of course!) at stacyhennessey@gmail.com or 703-395-4868, or email Hannah Jordan at HJordan3@cox.net.

What Are You Thankful For?

Some Thoughts on the Season...from Karen Haines, Office Manager

  Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday -- the friends, the family, the tradition...and the delicious meal! But the best thing about Thanksgiving is the sentiment at its core -- giving Thanks.

It's so easy to charge through the days without stopping to think about everything that is good in our lives. When times are tough, and they have been tough for awhile now, it's especially important to take time to see the many things we have to be thankful for.

Many families start the Thanksgiving meal by sharing what each member is grateful for, and these are usually big things: good health, roof over our heads, jobs, love. But there are an infinite number of smaller things that we should take time to appreciate, too.

I would challenge each of you to spend some time during this always hectic holiday season to notice and acknowledge all of the good things in your life. Author Sarah Ban Breathnach encourages us to keep a gratitude journal, where you make note of five things you are grateful for at the end of every day. In the evening, run through the events of your day, choose the five things that made you happy to be alive: a beautiful sunset, a $5 bill in your jeans, an email from a friend.

You will find that taking the time to see the gifts in your day will teach you to look for those gifts more readily...and life will start to seem friendlier. Sleep will come easier if you are content instead of agitated. You will see more possibilities in the world, and less roadblocks. There is no 'down side' to focusing on gratitude.

As we head into the cold and dark of winter, make your own warmth and light with this simple attitude adjustment. Focus your energies on positive happenings in your life. Let go of the negative issues you cannot change. Look for the silver lining, the glass half full, the light at the end of the tunnel -- there's a reason these phrases are familiar. It's in our nature to be hopeful

Keep your own gratitude journal, whether you write five things down or just try to be more aware of their existence during the day. Your world will be brighter, your load will be lighter, you'll smile more and laugh easier. Happy Holidays, Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, Joyous Kwanzaa, Happy Hanukkah, Feliz Navidad! I am grateful for this job that allows me to write from my heart every now and then. I hope you have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

 

Something Personal from Karen

Today is my son's 20th birthday. Somehow, I never really thought ahead to this day. I've parented him through infancy, childhood, and his teen years, and I've often thought ahead to the future when he is married (or not), with children (or not), and how I'll fit into his life then. But this in-between age - 20 - this is the time in my life when I really asserted my independence. Yikes.

If you know me, then you at least know about my son. I'm ridiculously proud of him. He's not your classic kid of his generation. He's not an overachiever, or a soon-to-be-pro athlete, he's not a slacker or a delinquent. He's a very regular human being. He plays guitar and sings, writes songs, plays video games way too much, has a sweet girlfriend he loves, reads for pleasure (!), has a group of very close friends. He's going to school at NOVA for the time being, and is gravitating to a career in psychology.

Why am I so proud of him? He's kind, thoughtful, giving, spontaneous, bright, funny, loving and open. I believe that the people in his life consider themselves lucky to know him. His smile can light up a room, and his heart is huge. He is respectful of others. He gives the greatest hugs in the world. He sings like an angel. I will always be his biggest fan, no matter what he ends up doing with his life.

As he leaves his teens, and strides toward adulthood, I wish him safety, joy, passion, and hope. Safety from the dangers of this world, joy in everything he does, passion in his loves and pursuits, and hope that will sustain him when any of the rest disappoint him. As I know they will.

Happy Birthday, Luke.