RandomAnna

RandomAnna Has Moved to Vox!

2007-05-06T20:01:00.000-04:00

The move is now complete.

You can find RandomAnna here from now on:

www.annaliisa.vox.com

See you there, kids!

RandomAnna is moving!

2007-04-26T13:28:00.000-04:00

Hello dear readers--I have decided to move this blog over to Vox. I just like Vox better. I think the interface is a lot easier.

To read RandomAnna on Vox, please go to:

www.annaliisa.vox.com

I hope to see you there!

I Have Returned.

2007-04-21T17:58:00.000-04:00

I am back home at last after 7 intense weeks of traveling all over the USA for my job (OK, so one week was my family vacation in Tennessee, but the other 6 weeks were work-related.) I am overwhelmed by how much I have to blog about, but I also have some inflamed muscles in my dominant arm and shoulder, making typing painful. So I am not sure how quickly I will be able to blog about everything on my mind, everything that has happened, everywhere I have been, everything I have seen and enjoyed. I guess all I can say is: Stay tuned for more!

Away...

2007-04-09T21:35:00.000-04:00

All my blogging is on hold as I rapidly run from one state to another. Back from Tennessee yesterday; heading to Virginia Beach tomorrow; then to Arizona on Sunday.

Much to blog about...but no time to do it until I get home from Arizona on April 19th...

Raise a Glass to Charlotte Winters!

2007-03-29T11:58:00.000-04:00

Charlotte Winters of Boonsboro, Maryland, the last surviving female veteran of World War I--and one of only 5 remaining living WWI veterans--passed away this week at the impressive age of 109. Raise a glass in honor of this patriot and women's rights pioneer who proudly served her nation. You can read more about Charlotte's accomplishments here and here.

Charlotte's funeral is tomorrow and she will be interred in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick.

Paeonian Grocery & Gourmet: A Little Gem Between Leesburg and Purcellville, VA

2007-03-25T19:12:00.000-04:00

Every day driving home from work I pass by the Paeonian Grocery and Gourmet on Route 9 in Loudon County, Virginia, and for years now I have wondered what is in it, but I have always been either too busy or too lazy to stop there. Now I am chiding myself for this egregious oversight--the Paeonian Grocery and Gourmet is exactly the type of store I was craving as a convenient stopping point between work and home. Imagine a store where you can pick up an organic Amy's frozen meal for dinner, a single serving-sized sliver of a decadent cake or a mini-Ben and Jerry's ice cream (with spoon under the lid) for dessert, and a bottle of wine to go, all in a minute or less. Imagine a store that stocks everything from Route 11 potato chips to Cheerwine soda to Stonewall Kitchens jellies and jams. This tiny store manages to pack in dozens of local, gourmet, and microbrew products artfully arranged so you can grab what you need and go in no time. It's the perfect place to grab some snacks or microbrew sodas for that long commute home to West Virginia or other points West on Route 9 or Route 7. There is also a gas station at the same corner so you can pump your gas, then pick up a healthy quick dinner at the PG&G.

Paeonian Grocery and Gourmet
40602 Charles Town Pike (a.k.a. Route 9)
Paeonian Springs, Virginia 20129
540-882-3700

Curious about the name, like I was? Check out this quick history of Paeonian Springs, Virginia.

That Cuban Place Cafe: The Perfect Antidote to Winter

2007-03-18T18:38:00.000-04:00

This past Friday we might have witnessed winter's last gasp, and thankfully so, because many of us are quite sick of slush, scratchy wool overcoats, missing gloves, and gray overcast skies. If you are like me, right about now you are craving a getaway in the tropics, envisioning yourself sipping fruity drinks on a chaise lounge as you watch seabirds overhead and waves lapping at the shore. And, if you are like me, you also don't have enough vacation time nor enough money to vacation in the Caribbean right now. So the best place in town for you to approximate that warm and relaxed vacation feeling is at That Cuban Place Cafe on Market Street, home of what has to be The Best Mango Smoothie on the Planet. Seriously.

Owners Alfredo and Narcisa have created a little tropical oasis in the heart of historic downtown Frederick, adorned with palm trees and bright tropical colors to help take away winter's frigid edge. The menu, which contains freshly made Cuban sandwiches, plantains, black beans and rice, Cuban beef, fried potatoes, fruit pastries, and more, is designed to be affordable, with all options priced at $10 or less. And trust us, everything there is delicious. Also, Alfredo and Narcisa are so friendly, warm, welcoming, and humorous that you will feel right at home in the cafe. The TCP Cafe also serves strong Cuban coffee that is bolder than anything that famous Seattle coffee chain can possibly brew up.

From the word on the street, That Cuban Place is gaining a legion of loyal fans both in Frederick and beyond, probably because the combination of authentic, freshly made Cuban food at reasonable prices paired with the little restaurant's happy, charming atmosphere is a winning combination.

That Cuban Place Cafe
301-760-7776
300 North Market Street
Frederick, Maryland 21701
nadjebi@aol.com
mamerta1@hotmail.com

Random Goodness I Found in Williamsburg, Virginia

2007-03-18T18:16:00.000-04:00

So I am back from business trip #1 in a series of multiple business trips that are scheduled to occur between now and the end of April.

We worked long, hard hours on this trip, so I didn't have much time to scope out the area for special stuff, but I encountered two great restaurants while I was there:

1. Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que, which is family owned and has been in operation since 1971, is a classic BBQ shack serving all the traditional Southern favorites: pulled pork sandwiches with slaw on top, BBQ chicken, ribs, hush puppies, corn bread, collard greens, and more. But the number one most distinctive menu item they serve--an item that I consider a "must order" item if you go there--is their delicious sweet potatio sticks. These are not sweet potato fries like you might have encountered elsewhere. Instead, imagine a treat the approximate size and shape of mozzarella sticks, stuffed with creamy, warm sweet potato puree, with a lightly crispy outer shell (not the heavy breaded outer coating typical of mozzarella sticks.) That's what these sweet potato sticks are like--smooth, creamy, slightly sweet, the ultimate comfort food.

Pierce's Pitt Bar-B-Que
757-565-2955
www.pierces.com

2. The second restaurant, Second Street Restaurant: An American Bistro, was so yummy and full of decadent dinner and dessert options that my work team went there twice during our 5-day stay in the Williamsburg area. Recently remodeled so that it exudes a kind of Californian "atomic ranch" vibe, Second Street has been voted Virginia's Best Burger joint every year since the Virginia Gazette started this annual contest. Instead of burgers, however, we sampled items from the newly revamped menu. Our work team loved the crab pile with garlic spinach and potatoes au gratin, the shrimp 'n' grits platter, and the flatbread pizzas the most. We also rampaged through the desserts, including the 4-layer chocolate cake, the bread pudding with whiskey cream sauce, the hazelnut chocolate bomb (my personal fave), and the carrot cake.

My next destination: Jacksonville, North Carolina, home of the Devil Dogs stationed at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. I will be there from tomorrow until late on Friday.

Election Day in Finland 2007

2007-03-18T18:12:00.000-04:00

Today is a historic Election Day in Finland: it marks 100 years of democratic elections for the Finnish people.

According to the Associated Press,"Finland's incumbent centrist party barely won parliamentary elections Sunday, with the main opposition Conservatives making strong gains to claim a possible spot in the next government."

And She's Off!

2007-03-11T22:24:00.000-04:00

I have been warning all my close family and friends for awhile now: Beware, because I am entering my "7 weeks of hell" zone. By this I mean all of the activity associated with my job over the next several weeks, which involves travel to 4 separate states and more action items and deliverables than I can possibly remember. Sandwiched inbetween these business trips is a quick Spring Break jaunt with my family to go relax in the Tennessee Smokies for a few days, but even that trip involves many, many hours in a car (yuck).

So, to make the best of it, I plan to take detailed notes about all of the interesting and blogworthy things I encounter on these trips so that I can make full blog reports on the weekends when I return home.

Destination number one this week is the Williamsburg, Virginia, area, where I will be from tomorrow until Friday the 16th.

The reason why I must warn everyone close to me about me entering the "7 weeks of hell" zone is because I will, at some point during these 7 weeks, either:

a.) Snap in a harsh and cruel manner at someone who does not deserve it over something incredibly minor and unimportant,
b.) collapse into a crying, twitching ball, or
c.) enter a near-catatonic state involving 18+ hours of nonstop comatose sleeping due to extreme stress and fatigue.

Game on!

Score! Our Auction Results

2007-03-11T17:04:00.000-04:00

So we went to the Brunswick Main Street benefit auction today, and for $131.25, we came home with two used cedar chests (1 in great condition, 1 in fair condition requiring some sanding and refurbishment) and a tote bag filled with new outdoor gear, including a map of the C & O Canal Towpath and Trail printed on a bandana. We feel like we got a good deal, and our contribution goes towards beautification and "First Friday" events in Brunswick, a worthwhile cause.

Crafty? Have some neat stuff to sell? Then check out this website.

2007-03-05T23:21:00.000-05:00

I am so excited--I just found out about Etsy, an online site that allows artisans, craftsters, and designers to sell their handicrafts and arts straight to the public without dealing with middlemen, art galleries, etc. Typically the items showcased on Etsy are hand-made creations offered at reasonable prices. I already spotted a number of rings and scarves on there that I would love to buy...I am sometimes overwhelmed by how many talented creative people are out there, quietly churning out gorgeous works of art in their bedrooms and basements.

Another cool thing about Etsy is that they have a rating system similar to eBay, so you can purchase with confidence knowing the seller has satisfied other customers before you.

First Signs of Spring!

2007-03-05T23:20:00.000-05:00

This weekend I noticed one of my snowdrop flowers blooming in the front yard, and the yellow crocus are blooming in Wayne's yard across the street.

New Market General Store

2007-03-04T17:14:00.000-05:00

After our wonderfully satisfying brunch at Mealey's Restaurant this afternoon, we walked over to the New Market General Store in search of penny candy. We were excited to find that the general store now offers far more than just lemon drops and fudge squares--it now stocks clean-burning, soy-based Beanpod-brand candles, Thymes luxury bath products, Violette sticker sets (reproductions of Victorian images of butterflies, cats, marbles, birds, and other subjects), affordable prints by local painter Harry Richardson, locally-thrown pottery, a variety of teas, and so much more. A new addition to the store is the introduction of Redneck Ribs barbecue. If you haven't visited this little gem in New Market in awhile, give it another look to see all of the changes and all of the new product offerings.

Sunday Brunch at Mealey's Restaurant

2007-03-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

I've been hearing great things about Mealey's Restaurant in New Market for ages, and I finally had a chance to eat brunch there today with my mother and my (step)son. I don't think I have adequate words to describe how delicious this brunch was or how wonderful this restaurant is.

First, Mealey's Restaurant has a cozy, traditional, rural American ambiance, with a homestyle dining room accented with elegant antiques, creating a comfortable sort of "upscale country" vibe, if there is such a thing. Although the dining room was packed full, there was still plenty of room to maneuver about, so you could lean back in your chair after eating if you needed to. The service was impeccable, so we tipped accordingly at the end of our meal. All the staff members were polite and responsive--in fact, they were the fastest hosts and servers I have encountered in years, always quick to bring an extra cup of coffee or whisk away a spent plate.

One side of a long table was heaped with lunch offerings such as steamed shrimp and smoked salmon, the smoothest sweet potatoes ever, green beans, roast beef you could carve yourself, and a ton of other fresh options. The other side of the same table was dedicated to gourmet breakfast options: a made-to-order omelet station, a spinach frittata, cheese blintzes, French toast, home fries, and more.

But the piece-de-resistance was the dessert table, where I almost lost my mind trying to decide between all of my favorite desserts in the world: creme brulee, bread pudding with vanilla bourbon sauce, chocolate fondue for fresh fruits, caramel cheesecake, apple crisp, key lime pie and English berry trifle. So I opted to create two small "sampler" plates with about one spoonful of each item--the perfect ending to a great meal.

My impression is that Mealey's goes the extra mile to buy the freshest, tastiest ingredients available on the market--all the flavors in the foods were so savory and strong, as they should be. For example, the cucumbers in my salad were sweet like the ones I grow in my own backyard in the summertime, and the shrimp tasted exactly as shrimp should, with no odd "fishiness" about it. I would rank this brunch a 10 out of 10--we were completeley satisfied and left wanting for nothing. How often do you get to eat a perfect meal like that? We're lucky we have Mealey's in Frederick County.

Mealey's Restaurant
8 Main Street
New Market, Maryland 21774
Reservations Phone: (301) 865-5488
www.mealeysrestaurant.com

You MUST Experience Snow Tubing!

2007-03-03T18:13:00.000-05:00

If you grew up in a climate where you had at least one snow day per winter, then you have probably already experienced the thrill of sledding down your neighborhood hillside on your old Flexible Flyer or a similar model. As fun as local neighborhood sledding can be, it doesn't exactly compare to the exhilaration of flying down a mountainside on a comfy, squishy plastic inner tube (remember, the lack of friction means you reach much faster speeds than on conventional sleds). The Van family visited White Tail Resort in Mercersburg, Pennsylvania today for 2 hours of thrilling and heart-pounding snow tubing on White Tail's 10 tubing lanes.

For only $18, you can rent a huge inner tube, ride an escalator up a multiple-story mountainside, and cascade down hundreds of feet at pulse-stopping speeds for 2 hours. You can tie together up to four inner tubes at a time to whisk down the slopes with your family and friends, although we found that the optimal combination is two tubes together to achieve some really amazing speeds and distances.

As you rush down the tubing lanes, spinning in circles or bouncing off of the snow walls that separate each tubing lane, just relax and enjoy the ride. The lanes are designed for maximum safety so you don't have to worry about a thing--go down backwards, go down lying on your stomach, or spin around in circles. Unless you try to do something risky such as standing up or dragging your feet, you'll be fine--let the contoured slopes guide you to a gentle tapered stop at the bottom of the hill.

If you have little ones under age 5, there are tiny inner tubes and "junior" tubing lanes available (for much less cost) where parents can gently pull their children along on shallower slopes, or else let their toddlers take a safe tumble into the soft cushiony snow.

We really enjoyed the White Tail facility today for many reasons, including:

Quick and easy access off I-70 West
Ample free and easy parking (so there is no need to walk a lot of you are feeling lazy)
Plenty of man-made snow that looks packed and polished into 10 slick, countoured lanes of tubing fun
Large bathroom stalls and clean bathroom facilities for changing in and out of your gear
$1 locker rentals to hold and guard your stuff
A hickory wood fire burning next to the tube shed, so you can warm up between tubing sessions
Helpful, friendly personnel who make sure you don't launch off too soon and accidentally hit another tubing fanatic on your way down
Automatic boot and glove warming devices
A fully stocked restaurant for small meals and snacks on site
Lip balm, disposable cameras, sweatshirts and other necessities on sale in the ticketing facility if you forgot something
Automated transport up the hillside so you can be as lazy as you want to be
Huge, durable, squishy inner tubes with leashes for easy transport

This adventure is only 45 minutes away from downtown Frederick, Maryland.

Whitetail Ski Resort 13805 Blairs Valley Rd Mercersburg, PA 17236 (717) 328-9400

America's Best New Designer: Tory Burch

2007-03-03T18:00:00.000-05:00

I can't afford anything she creates, but I am obssessed with the clothing, shoes and accessories designed by Tory Burch. I love everything from her name (very Californian) to her ornate back-to-back "T" logo (so ornate and geometric and clean and memorable all at once--the near perfect logo) to her retro-mod inspired designs: shift dresses, ballet flats, beautifully patterned sweaters and skirts in boldly contrasting colors. I am in a general sense obsessed with all kinds of ornate patterns, and I also love simple 60s dress forms, and Tory blends the two effortlessly into classic pieces that will be coveted for years to come. I bet one day women in vintage stores will be fighting over Tory Burch pieces like they would fight over a good Chanel boucle suit or a Christian Dior dress. In the mean time, I am checking Ebay and Overstock.com religiously in the hopes that one day I will be able to afford some of her pieces.

Sudden thought: some chunky resin jewelry from Dinosaur Designs would probably go great with a Tory Burch dress and flats.

Sunday, March 11, 2007: Awesome, Must-Attend Auction in Brunswick!

2007-03-02T20:32:00.000-05:00

I am soooo excited that the Brunswick Main Street organization is holding a spring auction again this year on Sunday, March 11. This auction is HOT. Last time I attended it, I scored a retro serving platter with a 50s/60s boomerang motif for only $1 and a framed early 20th century black and white photographic print of the VFW hall near my house for only $15. Steals and deals for bargain hunters of every income level will be available here.

Past items offered at the auction have included: cedar chests, furniture sets, collectible coins, jewelry of various vintages and price ranges, kitchenware and utensils, a new ventless fireplace, Civil War and military memorabilia, books, rare vintage photographs of Frederick County, artwork, and more. No one can guarantee which items will show up there next Sunday, but you can get a quick peek before the auction begins and stake out the stuff you love during the 12:00 noon preview.

Although this is a charity auction to foster Brunswick revitalization and beautification, it is also a truly professional auction with experienced auctioneers at the helm to keep things moving: John Rickard and Ed Trainor of Rickard's Auctions. These kind gentlemen are donating their time and their professional services to help preserve and grow historic downtown Brunswick.

If you have items to donate, there is still time to get the goods over to the Brunswick Main Street organization. Donations of all types and vintages are welcome, and these donations are tax deductible.

Be sure to bring some cash and/or your checkbook with you to pay for items onsite. Please also bring a valid form of identification to be assigned your bidder number. Lunch options will be available onsite and the charming Emerald Garden restaurant is a few blocks away.

I'll see you there!

Brunswick Main Street Auction details:

Sunday, March 11, 2007 at 2:00 PM (with a preview at 12 noon)

City Park Building
655 E. Potomac Street
Brunswick, Maryland 21716

Information line: 301-834-5591 or 301-834-7976

Sponsored by the Brunswick Main Street group:
http://www.brunswickmainstreet.org/index.html

Our March 2007 Charity of the Month: Alley Cat Allies

2007-02-25T20:39:00.000-05:00

On 9/11/2001, I decided that every month, no matter how poor I was, I would somehow find a way to donate at least a few dollars to a charity as a way of saying "thank you" to all the family members, friends, and strangers who have helped me and my family members when we needed it most.

With the exception of a few months where we were hit with multiple costly family emergencies at once (e.g., surgery combined with drastic car repairs), I have met my goal. In 2006, the Van family donated nearly $700 in cash and used items in excellent or good condition to more than one dozen different charities.

With my stepson living here for the entire school year now, we have involved him in selecting the charities so that he, too, can be closely involved in choosing which causes need our attention. (We hope he learns a little something along the way about sharing and helping others no matter how much money a person has in their own pocket.) We rotate months so that each one of us can choose a charity 4 times a year.

Certainly there are an overwhelming number of charities out there, so a website like the Charity Navigator can help when trying to decide which worthy causes deserve our dollars, and we consult this site for guidance before donating to a new group. The Navigator publishes data on how much money these charities spend for marketing and administration, how many dollars are directly applied towards helping people or animals in need, etc.

I figured while blogging about my favorite snack foods and bath products monthly, why not also blog monthly about the charities we are supporting so that other people can read about these awesome organizations and the good work that they do.

Our charity of the month for March 2007 is Alley Cat Allies.

Everyone who knows me well also knows that I adore felines, and that I have tried to take care of cats over the last 30 years. I received my first cat as a pet when I was 3, and from then on I have loved cats the same way other little girls have loved horses, dolls or teddy bears. I think they are great companion animals and so hassle-free when compared to dogs. Not that I dislike dogs--one day I hope to adopt a rescued racer greyhound--but I have always had this affinity for cats, ever since my first kitten was placed into my arms. Many people call me the "cat whisperer," too, because I have a proven method for befriending strays.

Even if you think alley cats are a nuisance, Alley Cat Allies is working towards bettering communities everywhere by reducing the stray, feral and wild cat populations in urban areas big and small. They do this in a humane and sensitive manner too.

The group's focus is on executing and implementing successful TNR programs--Trap, Neuter, Spay programs. Humane animal traps are set to capture the members of feral cat colonies. The cats are then spayed or neutered so that they cannot overbreed. The cats are then returned to the area in which they live. Because they do not breed, the cat colonies shrink in size or disappear entirely over time, naturally. No cats are harmed or killed, and the nuisance of wild cats is eliminated with kindness.

Spayed and neutered feral cats are less likely to spray to mark territory and less likely to scream and caterwaul at night, so they are less of a nuisance to the community.

Of course Alley Cat Allies also strives to find loving homes for stray cats that are tame enough to be adoptable, and they advocate immunizations and good health care for felines too.

If you, too, would like to contribute to Alley Cat Allies, their contact information is listed below. The Van Family cats would like to thank you for your support of this charity:

Kahlua, age 6, a purebreed Tiffany cat--found as a stray kitten in my parents' back yard
Gabbi, age 7, a tabby cat who became homeless--until she found the Van family house
Speckles, age 2, born in the Van family backyard to a feral mother
Redbud, age 2, born in the Van family backyard to a feral mother
Buffy, age unknown, showed up on our front porch a few months ago, now she is here to stay

Alley Cat Allies

www.alleycat.org

7920 Norfolk Avenue

Suite 600

Bethesda, MD 20814-2525

Phone: 240-482-1980

Fax: 240-482-1990

ACA office hours are between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM Eastern Standard Time

Darlin', You've Got to Let Me Know...

2007-02-25T19:50:00.000-05:00

...Should I Stay or Should I Go? To my 15-year high school reunion, that is! Truth be told, I hated all 4 years of high school along with most of the people I was stuck there with. But my mom and my brother are all excited about the reunion this year and want me to go. So my question to my readers is this: Should I stay (at home) or should I go to my reunion in July? Did you go to your 15-year high school reunion, and if so, why? Or why did you choose to skip it? I want to hear everyone's high school reunion stories.

In a strange twist of fate, my brother "met" his second wife at one of his high school reunions. They had been students together 20 years before, but had never really interacted with one another. But at the 20 year reunion they hit it off and voila, a few months later they were married! It was a happy marriage for about 15 years, and then, unfortunately, it fizzled out. But still, kind of a neat story about high school reunions and the power these events have over our lives.

And on a final note--no, I never went to any of my previous reunions, but yes, I did log on to the reunion website to spy on my former classmates to see what they are up to these days. Most of my high school peers apparently married, have 2 children, and now work in marketing or sales--the vast majority of them. I know several of them are dead now, but they don't seem to have a "Dead Classmates of 1992!" page. I am listed on the "missing" page, but I don't want to be found, tee hee (insert wicked little giggle here). I was also an option in the "who was our valedictorian?" quiz question, which was interesting to me, because I thought I was invisible in high school. Somebody out there remembers my (maiden) name. Weirdness.

Random Yumminess

2007-02-25T19:11:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day in many days that I feel healthy and energetic after battling a wicked week-long cold. I managed to pay all the bills, get the tax documents in order for the accountants, and organize a bunch of stuff. In other words, I am back in the land of the living! And I am eager to blog to all my readers about all of the little things that are making me happy today. That's right, it's Random Yumminess! And in random order too.

1. As some of you might know, I make casual jewelry for fun. I think I might have raved to you before about ArtBeads.Com, but I must rave about them again. First of all, every order has a free shipping option. Every single order, no matter how small, has free shipping. Plus, Artbeads.Com has recently added a ton more merchandise to the site, including resin pendants in bright sherbet hues; colorfully-patterned wooden beads for merely $3 per plentiful strand (including leopard-print ones!); gorgeous etched shell pendants by Lilly Pilly Designs; and tons of sterling silver options. While I am on the bead topic, whenever I want chunky semi-precious stones, my go to site is StoneAge Hardware. Their shipping is super fast and they go to the annual gem shows in Arizona to stock up on finds you can't get anywhere else (at least not at these affordable prices and in these small quantities).

2. On the candy and edibles front, Route 29 Napa has recently come to my attention. They are purveyors of gourmet licorice and a bunch of other old school treats such as buttery caramels and crunchy peanut butter sticks; they have been in business since 1907. The grourmet licorice, which comes in fun animal shapes like tiny little piglets and miniature ducklings, is accented with cinnamon, orange, or other unique flavors. My boss and his family raved about the Route 29 Napa holiday cinnamon pigs I gave them at Christmas this year. By the way, I was able to score these cinna-pigs at Brunswick's own Beans in the Belfry. Let's hope they stock the orange licorice ducklings for Easter time!

3. I mentioned my accountants in the top paragraph, and I have to give them a shout out here as well because a.) they make tax time a breeze for me and my family, 2.) they have provided us and many of our friends with impeccable, affordable service for multiple years now, and 3.) Joe, Sherry and the crew are just nice folks! Rather than taking your taxes to a chainstore tax prep place at the mall, take them to Kilner & Associates instead. When you ring them up to ask them for an appointment, tell them the Van Family of Brunswick recommended them to you. By the way, I can't guarantee this for you, but Kilner & Associates usually takes care of our taxes for the same price as H&R Block. In other words, we get top-notch, trustworthy expertise, quick and painless service, and rapid electronic filing, all for the same price as the chain places (where you can't guarantee that you are being helped by a real expert.)

Kilner & Associates
5235 Westview Dr # 100
Frederick, MD 21703
(301) 668-6300

By the way, they also have an office in Gaithersburg, and you don't have to live in Frederick County or Montgomery County to take advantage of their services--they have clients all over the U.S.!

To be fair, as a Brunswick citizen I should mention that we do have some tax prep services right here in downtown Brunswick, so you don't even have to venture to Frederick to get tax help. I should note that I have never used any of these services myself, but to find one of them, click here to access listings on our Brunswick Chamber of Commerce website.

4. A quick shout out to the Brunswick High School Wrestling team for an awesome 2006-2007 season! All of the wrestlers and the coaches should be amazingly proud of their progress and accomplishments this year. Go RailRoaders! You rock.

5. Last weekend my friend Tamm took me to one of the last remaining outposts of the Rodman's gourmet food and wine stores in Rockville. There used to be a lot more Rodman's shops in our area back in the early 90s, but now there are only 3 or 4 left. Anyway, why you need to get yourself to a Rodman's, stat: hundreds of yummy international food and candy options from Russia, Holland, India, China, Japan and more! More global candy and dessert options than you can fathom, all conveniently located in one (sort of cramped, but still friendly and charming) shop near White Flint Mall. As you can tell by our name (the Van family) there's some Dutch blood in this brood, so I picked up some soft and delicious gouda cheese and honey cake from the Netherlands, along with some of my favorite treats from England. Custard in a can, and RownTree's Fruit Gums. In England last year, I nursed my sore throat by sucking on roll after roll of Rowntree's Fruit Gums, and became addicted to them (in fact while sick this week, I relied on them to ease my throat again). Now I have a reliable stateside source for these treats! (I also picked up a pack of them at Frederick's Cafe Anglais tea house in October; however, I am not sure if they plan to stock them continuously there. By the way, Cafe Anglais is a great place to sip a cup of Earl Gray in a dainty, girly teacupwhile watching people stroll by on Market Street.)

Cafe Anglais
238 N Market St
Frederick, MD 21701
(301) 698-1223

Bath and Body Product o' the Month: Frederic Fekkai Winter Hair Anti Static Weightless Mist

2007-02-17T22:21:00.000-05:00

Ah, the joys of winter...freezing temperatures, plunging humidity levels, ever-present hat head, and static. One of my biggest pet peeves in life is static in my hair. I have often been tempted to spray my locks with StaticGuard, although that seems somehow...dangerous. I could put on a ton of hair spray, but who wants stiff ands sticky tresses? Finally, after lots of searching, I found the perfect solution to this nagging problem: Frederic Fekkai Winter Hair Anti Static Weightless Mist. It's a bit pricy at $15 for a small can, but it will probably last me all season, it smells yummy (if you like sweet tropical florals such as jasmine, like I do), it seems to keep my hair soft and conditioned, and it banishes all of the static so that I can wear fuzzy hats without consternation. I got mine off-the-shelf at the Columbia Sephora, but Amazon sells it here.

A Curious Little Case of Retail Recycling

2007-02-05T21:44:00.000-05:00

I just find this amusing: I was browsing randomly online tonight when I saw a familiar item advertised for sale: the same style of necklace I wore to my wedding in 2001.

I knew my wedding necklace was not a "one of a kind item." I purchased it for about $250 (I know, that's an inflated price for crystals, but hey, it was my wedding day I was shopping for, so I went all out) at a random retail store (the name escapes me) in Baltimore Harbor. I can't remember their name now, but they sell what could be called "upscale costume jewelry" for the middle class. But I figured after 2001 I would probably never see the same design again.

But lo and behold, one of my favorite lines of costume jewelry, Roberta Chiarella, is suddenly selling the same necklace, only this time the price is a whopping $320! And now there are apparently multiple color combinations, not the silver tone and clear crystals combo I picked out.

I still stand by my choice of necklace for the ceremony, and I have been able to wear it to Christmas parties and other affairs since. But I just find it amusing that a design I bought 6 years ago is now licensed for sale under another vendor's name for $70 more dollars. The design was recently showcased in Los Angeles Weddings magazine and Marie Claire.

I also wonder if I am going to see the same design reappear every 5-7 years, each time licensed under another brand. This will be interesting.

Come Celebrate Chinese New Year for a Great Cause!

2007-02-02T23:32:00.000-05:00

Come and watch an exciting tai chi demonstration by a martial arts master, enjoy graceful Burmese dancers perform, and celebrate the Chinese New Year with your neighbors at the American Legion hall in old town Brunswick on February 10, 2007.

This free and festive event, masterminded by local entrepreneur Judy Chang and friends, will feature Asian food and entertainment and crafts and wares sold by local vendors. The event opens at 12 and runs until 4:30 PM or later.

Although this neighborhood party is free, donations are being collected for a new Greater Brunswick Youth Center that will provide our kids and teens with after-school activities and martial arts and dance classes.

Anyone who has lived in old town Brunswick for awhile knows there is a dearth of green spaces within the city blocks for our kids to roam and play safely; a youth center like this is desperately needed. Cheng hopes the youth center will fluorish so that children from neighboring communities like Knoxville and Lovettsville will also have a fun, safe place to hang out after school.

On a side note, the restaurant that Cheng owns with her husband Bobby Chow, the Emerald Garden Chinese Cookhouse (formerly Pacific Cafe), was recently remodeled in cool pastel tones of blues and greens, making the dining space an elegant and breezy, spring-like setting for a meal--the perfect antidote to the cold gray weather we are experiencing this month. The food at the restaurant is still delicious, freshly-made and hearty as always; our family recommends the sesame beef with a side of broccoli.

Another side note: Cheng was profiled in our local paper lately, and after reading about her recent battle--and victory--over a brain tumor in 2006, I am convinced she is a superwoman: she's a mom, a successful entrepreneur, a community revitalizer, and philanthropist all rolled into one!

Location for the Chinese New Year Party:
Brunswick American Legion Hall
18 S Maple AveBrunswick, MD 21716
(301) 834-8121

Emerald Garden Chinese Cookhouse
12 S Maple AveBrunswick, MD 21716
(301) 834-3338

You Know You are an Old Punk When...

2007-02-02T23:29:00.000-05:00

...a Buzzcocks song is featured in an American Association of Retired Persons television ad. Sigh. (Thanks to Matt for telling me about this. Matt first heard the sick sad truth about this commercial from Bob Mould's blog.)

You Know Political Correctness is Out of Hand When...

2007-02-02T23:24:00.000-05:00

...monkey butlers are no longer called monkey butlers, now they must be called "service monkeys" instead. I still want a monkey butler, dammit! Any marmoset or ring tailed macaque will do. I mean no disrespect to little monkeys.

A Brunswick Citizen Needs Our Help Today

2007-02-01T23:22:00.000-05:00

Crystal Yourtee of Brunswick, Maryland, is in desperate need of surgery to remove a debilitating cyst from her brain. Crystal, age 26, is dealing with crippling memory loss and pain, and needs constant care. Her mother, Pam Boore of Brunswick, was told that the surgery Crystal needs will cost about $150,000, and Crystal has no health insurance to cover it.

Pam has started a fund for Crystal. Please consider making a donation, however small, if you are a Brunswick resident, or even if you are not. Every dollar will help, so even if you can only spare $1, please try to contribute so that this young woman can have the cyst removed and regain a normal life.

Donations to help Crystal can be accepted at any BB&T bank branch--just say the donation is for Crystal Yourtee in care of her mother, Pam Boore. You can drop off a dollar bill (or more) in person, or else send in a check for more, like we did. Here is the mailing address and phone number for the BB&T branch in Brunswick:

BB&T
94 Souder Rd
Brunswick, MD 21716
(301) 834-5306

Mark any donations as "Crystal Yourtee Fund c/o Pam Boore."

Brunswick and Frederick County bloggers, if you could spare a moment to blog for Crystal, that would be a great help to her and her family.

I don't know Crystal or her mom, but I do know how easy it is in this country to become uninsured and lose your health care benefits--it could happen to anyone, anytime. It's particularly sad to me that Crystal and others like her go uninsured in the state of Maryland, home to the Johns Hopkins Hospital system, arguably the #1 hospital in the nation, if not the world. Johns Hopkins, by the way, is where Crystal would have her surgery if her family can raise $150,000.

Random Bits from Random Anna

2007-01-21T21:40:00.000-05:00

Just answering one of those Internet polls, out of boredom...

1. If you had to choose one vice in exclusion of all others what would it be?
Sugar! I have a sweet tooth and it gets the best of me. If I could eat masses of sugary products with impunity I'd be thrilled.

2. If you could change one specific thing about the world, what would it be? Oh man, a tough one. In the end, no matter what the topic or issue is, it always goes back to that line that little kids often whine: "It's not fair!" Even as an adult I am often incensed by the unfairness of it all. Like, why should women in the thousands be raped and killed in Darfur? It's not fair. Why should thousands of our soldiers die in Iraq? It's not fair. I would want to make the world fair.

3. Name the cartoon character you identify with the most?
I never liked cartoons, so I can't immediately think of anyone...I suppose the sarcasm of and dark spectacles worn by"Daria," if you can remember that MTV character from way back. I think I'm a little nicer than her, though.

4. If you could live one day in your life over again, which one would it be?
There's been a number of "best days" in my life that would be fun to re-live. The day I got married was pretty swell, as was my first day in San Francisco; my first day in Tucson; the day I met my stepson; my first day in San Diego; seeing the Alps and touring a medieval castle in Zurich; my last day in Japan; etc.

5. If you could go back in history and spend a day with one person who would it be?
I would love to spend a day talking with Joe Strummer about music and life and lessons learned.

6. What is the one thing you lost, sold or threw away that you wish you could have back?
There are many things I want back. Speaking of material possessions, I want the IKEA Poang zebra-print chair I bought with my own money but my ex-boyfriend insisted on keeping when I left the house we had shared long ago. But I bet by now he's gotten it all dirty, so I don't really want it back anymore. I'm just mad because when I went to buy another one the pattern had sold out and been discontinued and all I could get was the foot stool without the matching chair.

7. What is your one most important contribution to this world?
To be honest I am not sure I have contributed all that much really. But I like to think I have made life better for my family.

8. What is your one hidden talent that nearly no one knows about?
Hmm. Once again, a tough one. My husband says typing very loudly is my hidden talent. I don't thin any of my talents are actually hidden, per se. But few people know I can tie a cherry stem into a knot with my tongue just like the actress Sherilyn Fenn did on Twin Peaks.

9. What is your most cherished possession?
My husband points out that the ancient, hole-y Rancid T-shirt I am wearing right now and insist on keeping despite multiple holes and rips and a decade of wear and tear seems pretty damn cherished. I'm just fond of the "Give 'Em the Boot!" tagline and cartoon mohawk boy on it. I guess my most cherished possession is actually a collection: my personal photo collection, especially shots of family members who are dead now.

10. What one person influenced your life the most when growing up?
Aside from my parents, my friend Tamm, who has the greatest sense of humor ever. We've been pals since 6th grade, about 20 years now.

11. What one word describes you better than any other?
Dorky!

Epidemic?

2007-01-09T16:45:00.000-05:00

Almost everyone I know (myself included) has come down with a strange stomach ailment over the last 2 weeks. So if you suddenly start burping strange little burps, beware! A bizarre tropical illness and intestinal suffering are on the way. At least we can be thankful it's not bird flu. And it does have an end point, so it's not fatal.

Build Your Own Smoothies, Sandwiches and More at The Common Market

2007-01-07T16:10:00.000-05:00

On Saturday my family and I wandered into The Common Market cooperative in Frederick seeking out build-your-own sandwich opportunities. I used to acquire my favorite sandwich combinations at Collamor's in Middletown, sadly now defunct. Luckily The Common Market fills the gap left by Collamor's. You can choose from a dozen or more varieties of breads, pile on the cheeses and meats of your choice, and revel in the huge selection of veggies (including yummy sprouts, which many Whole Foods Markets, formerly Fresh Field's, stores stopped offering several years ago) and spreads.

But wait, there's more. Step to your left and design your own smoothie or juice to complement your sandwich creation. The staff will custom blend and make your own fresh juice or smoothie right before your eyes. You can ask for a traditional yogurt or milk-based smoothie, or else try a juice base or vanilla soy yogurt combo.

The mind boggles when it attempts to tabulate the sheer number of sandwhich, juice and smoothie combinations available...there are literally thousands of possible combinations you can enjoy, and everything is fresh and made to order right in front of you. What's not to love? You can dine on their sunny patio or in their indoor dining area, then wander the store to do your weekly grocery run. And you can do it all knowing you are buying fresh, organic, healthy stuff, totally guilt-free. (P.S. But if you want the guilt, keep in mind The Common Market offers cheesecake! And there's an ice cream aisle!)

The Common Market
Evergreen Square, Frederick, MD
301-663-3416

Totally in Love With Total Basket Cases

2006-12-29T18:52:00.000-05:00

Lovettsville, Virginia possesses a gem of a gift store called Total Basket Cases where you will find a huge selection of gourmet foods, locally made tea and other local products, luxuriuous bath and body goods, and handsome gifts (quirky lamps, pens, handbags, photo frames, ornaments, Polish pottery, tea towels, etc.) at a variety of price points. The kind owners will gladly whip up a custom gift basket for you and even mail it to your recipient so you don't have to do any work. My tiny little blog cannot possibly illustrate the amazing number of yummy gift options contained in this store, so you will have to stop in yourself or else take a look at their website. I am also pretty impressed by the friendly and informative owners. On Christmas Eve my husband and I pulled up to their door a few minutes after closing time; one of the owners saw us standing there forlorn on their doorstep and invited us in, even though she was probably pretty eager to get back to holiday activities at home--that's some awesome customer service.

Total Basket Cases
2 E. Pennsylvania Ave
Lovettsville, VA
20180
540-822-9415

Snack o' the Month: Bodacious Bites Peanut Butter Bliss

2006-12-29T18:44:00.000-05:00

This is by far the best snack food I have encountered in months: Bodacious Bites Peanut Butter Bliss Chocolate Covered Pretzels by Angelic Gourmet. Right about now you are probably sniffing to yourself "Yeah, right, chocolate covered pretzels, like nobody's ever done that before, how original." No, you don't understand! Imagine crispy pretzel bits, crunchy and lightly salted, but not too salty; imagine said pretzel bits wrapped in a layer of silky white chocolate that melts in your mouth; and then imagine these white-chocolate-covered pretzels hand rolled in a mixture of miniature chocolate and peanut butter chips. These Bodacious Bites are the perfect blend of sweet and salty, crispy and smooth, peanut butter and chocolate. The company claims these treats are "created to be extravagant," they certainly do taste decadent. But even if you an ardent calorie counter, you can probably get away with eating one bite a day, meaning your box will last you more than a week. If you can't eat these yourself, then gift them to somebody, because that somebody will love you forever. I got mine at Total Basket Cases in Lovettsville, Virginia.

Stressed? You Need The Daily Kitten

2006-12-26T22:49:00.000-05:00

If you're feeling tense and cranky, you need a dose of The Daily Kitten. What could be more heartwarming and joy-inducing than a little ball of fluff?

Happy Holidays!

2006-12-25T18:57:00.000-05:00

This is just a quick note to wish all my friends, family members, and neighbors (including new friends I met here on Blogger in 2006) Happy Holidays 2006! I hope to get back to blogging in a few days after all the holiday hoopla is taken care of...have fun everybody, and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2007!

Finnish Winter Scenes

2006-12-23T14:42:00.000-05:00

Click here to watch a beautiful presentation of still images of winter wildlife in Finland. You don't need to understand Finnish to enjoy the slideshow--most of the narration is poetic and literary as opposed to educational--it talks about how quiet winter can be, stuff like that. The images are great. Click on the words "Aloita Eistys" ("Begin Presentation") to start the slideshow.

Christmas Quiz

2006-12-22T21:09:00.000-05:00

This Christmas quiz was stolen from another blog. Here's my own personal responses:

NAME: Anna Van

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Cocoa Trio at Seattle's Best Coffee

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Santa doesn't come to this house anymore. I wrap gifts poorly, so everyone gets their goods stuffed into gift bags and wrapped loosely with crepe paper.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Every year is different. This year the tree is not up yet. Outside we have a blue and white color scheme going.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Sometimes. I finally bought some of the real stuff 2 years ago. But you have to keep it away from cats or else you will poison them.

5. When do you put your decorations up? It varies from year to year. We wanted exterior lights up in time for the town's annual decorating contest. Our block won best decorated block for two years in a row now. But our tree is not up and I only set out the holiday porch mat today.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Tough one, because my mother's raw gingerbread cookie dough wins hands down as my favorite holiday food. I guess I always like the meat of the day with gravy. The meat of the day (Christmas Day) changes from year to year.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? When the whole family would come to my parents' house and we would all open gifts together and many of us were still kids. These days we are scattered to the winds, geographically speaking, most of us are grown-ups, and a number of us are dead, so it's just not the same anymore.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? Can't really recall. I just remember being mad, but also thinking "I always had a feeling this Santa thing was hinky!"

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, many of them. For Scandinavians (at least us Finns) Christmas Eve is the big deal when it comes to the gifts. Christmas Day is more about being quiet and holy.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? Lights, little Finnish flags, ornaments we all made by hand about 5 years ago, random ornaments collected on trips and given to us by friends and relatives.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? It depends. The first big snow day is great: shoveling snow, followed by hot cocoa, hanging out relaxing at home, taking snow photographs. Then it gets a little tired. Wet feet, slush, dirty salty cars, being stranded in isolation in the house, etc.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, shakily. Lifelong balance issues.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? From childhood, my mini Pac Man arcade by Coleco.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? I love having an excuse to see the family, and I really love giving people gifts as a message that says "Hey, I care about you and want to make you happy, so I searched all over to find this perfect [insert item here] just for you!"

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? As noted above, raw gingerbread cookie dough (mom's special Scandinavian recipe). I also love her Finnish holiday pulla pastries with the saffron.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Over time I am starting to love the lights more and more.

17. What tops your tree? Currently nothing, as the tree is not up. Last year: some type of sparkly star ornament that was too heavy for the tree tip, so it slumped over. Classic.

18. Which do you prefer, giving or receiving? I gotta admit I love them both!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? "Winter Wonderland." I also like that Everclear song that has the chorus "I will be hating you for Christmas!" It's hilarious.

20. Candy canes? Sometimes. Not my favorite candy in the world.

BooYa, BHS!

2006-12-11T22:45:00.000-05:00

Brunswick High School Wrestling kicked a** tonight! Good job, team! It's great to see a team that really works together and teammates that really support each other, no matter which individuals win and which individuals lose on any given night. Everyone on this team contributed to tonight's big win.

Next big match: Wednesday night at BHS.

Maryland: Driving Us All Crazy

2006-12-11T22:21:00.000-05:00

So, Car and Driver magazine just came out with their 2006 rankings for the most and least driver-friendly states.

Is it any surprise that Maryland ranks badly on these lists?

I've lived in this state my entire life, and I am routinely ashamed (and scared by) the flagrantly dangerous driving behaviors I see out here on a daily basis. And, I must admit, I am ashamed of my own road rage-filled past in this state. I never did anything as bad as running someone off the road onto the shoulder, but I still did my share of seething and tailgating back in the day. In recent years I have worked hard at being a calmer, gentler, politer and more forgiving driver.

In case any Virginians out there want to gloat, Virginia didn't fare much better on the Car and Driver rankings.

The magazine examined a variety of statsitics and metrics ftom multiple sources and declared the Washington, DC metropolitan area the worst place to drive in America.

Lucky for us, we also have some of the longest, most painful commutes in the nation too.

Our area rates poorly not just because of the congestion and the number of traffic accidents and casualties on the road; we also rank poorly due to the revenue-hungry ticketing behaviors of some of our jurisdictions. (Hello, Fairfax County, VA!)

As the holiday season continues, drivers around here will become more and more frazzled and impatient as they worry about getting to parties on time, fight for parking places at the malls, and watch the price of gasoline escalate again.

So, dear readers, I have 2 things to ask of you for the remainder of 2007:

1. Be on guard at all times and practice defensive driving to protect yourself ands your loved ones during this hectic time of year. People on our local roads will be more distracted, emotional, and sloppy over the next few weeks (e.g, making lane changes at the last minute, forgetting to signal, etc.) Drivers who do not normally drive at night or on weekdays will be out there on the Beltway and I-270 right next to you (squinting at road signs, driving slower than the speed limit, etc). Beware and look out!

2. As you try to avoid them, try to forgive the idiots too. Yes, you will certainly encounter them out there between now and the end of the year: idiots weaving in and out of lanes at warp speed, idiots driving too fast or too slow, idiots running red lights, etc. If you successfully avoid collisions with the idiots, then you have won the game. Don't waste any time feeling angry at the idiots; forgive them. Afterall, you never know when you yourself might become the idiot. I was the idiot myself tonight in a local parking lot: preoccupied, hurrying to make it to a meeting on time, and trying to make a mathematically perfect arc into a parking spot to my right, I moved too far to my left, and a young lady who was trying to reverse out of a space (also on my left) almost collided with me. Her view had been impeded by a parked truck next to her. If I had been doing my driving job right, then I should have anticipated that someone might be trying to pull out of the space next to the truck, and I should have kept myself tighter to the right. As I exited my car, feeling like a total moron, I hoped and prayed that the young lady would be forgiving of my idiocy instead of keying my car. Luckily, at the very most, all she did was call me an idiot and move on. Road rage = stress points = taking years off of your life. Believe me, I know. As a former road rager, I think I aged myself by 5 years and shortened my life expectancy to boot.

Maybe, just maybe, if Frederick County residents drive more calmly and more gently all year long, then maybe we can influence the drivers in all the other neighboring counties (and districts, too-- ahem, DC!) to drive more calmly and more gently too, and then maybe in 2007 some other poor state will earn the title of worst place to drive in America instead of us. C'mon guys, I know we can at least beat Massachusetts!

Awwwww!

2006-12-11T16:31:00.000-05:00

I just found out about this blog, which compiles video clips of adorable little creatures falling asleep: Cute Things Falling Asleep. My favorites are, of course, the monkey and the kittens. It's so funny to watch these little creatures fighting it...fighting it...struggling to stay awake...and then falling, sometimes literally, into slumber. The site includes clips of puppies, chicks, babies, and more.

Urgent Snack Alert! A Snack Fit For the King

2006-12-01T08:25:00.000-05:00

I don't know if you will be disgusted by this or excited by this, but I sure am excited to try one: for the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, Hershey is coming out with a limited edition peanut butter and banana creme variety of Reese's cup. Yes, it's true! Advertising Age has the scoop.

Itty Bitty Brunswick Holiday Shopping Guide

2006-11-24T20:45:00.000-05:00

Beans in the Belfry has an amazing selection of European and gourmet chocolates, some of them available in tiny bite-sized quantities that are perfect for tucking into Christmas stockings. They also have a vast collection (in fact the largest I have seen in the county) of all-natural Burt's Bees products available for purchase in the cafe; look over the Burt's goods online and then pick everything up at Beans without dealing with the lines at the malls or the vagaries of the postal system. You can also buy some of Beans' own beans, a colorful coffee mug, or a gift certificate if you can't decide what to get your loved ones.

Over at Book Crossing you can pick up some railroad-themed holiday cards, individual-sized portions of gingerbread hot chocolate (another fun stocking stuffer), beautiful glass ornaments (don't tell my pal Lisa, but I picked up a cute little orange and yellow glass chicken for her over there), or some locally-made crafts or snacks. Also, Sherri and Tracy can order any book you need, so if you don't see what you want in the store, order now to have your books in hand by the holidays. Why deal with the mob scene (and empty shelves) at a chain book store when you can order everything you want right here at Book Crossing?

At Sundance Art and Frame on Potomac Street, you can pick up affordable (as low as $10-$15) prints or photos by local artists, including scenes of historic Maryland buildings and waterways, or close-ups of butterflies and flowers (I plan to get some of these for my 16-year-old niece). You can also use their art database to order famous prints and posters that can then be custom framed at the store. The options are nearly endless.

If your father or brother is a local fisherman, you can get Brunswick-themed fishing apparel over at Smoketown Bait & Tackle on Potomac Street. Of course you can also load up on tackle and other fishing gear while there.

The Brunswick Railroad Museum offers an array of items for railroad enthusiasts, including train sets for youngsters as small as age 3. My favorite item in the store: the adorable Chessie system logo mugs. Meow! You can also get Victorian stickers, locally-made bath products, or jewelry embedded with actual coal at the museum.

While you're on Potomac Street, poke around in the antique stores for one-of-a-kind deals at reasonable prices, participate in the North Pole Stroll (December 1), roast your marshmallows at the December 8 "Hometown for the Holidays" party, or come watch the city tree lighting at 6:30 on November 30th.

By the way, the holidays are a great time to contribute to charities, and Brunswick's own volunteer fire department is in the midst of their annual fundraising campaign right now. You never know whose Christmas tree is going to erupt into flames or whose turkey fryer is going to explode, so you might want to send them a few spare bucks today in case you need their help over the holidays.

With that being said, I do hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. Now go out and support your local businesses. For more information about any of the Brunswick shops I've mentioned, or for other Brunswick shopping options, click here: Check Brunswick First.

Finnish Independence Day is Approaching!

2006-11-24T20:43:00.000-05:00

December 6 is Finnish Independence Day. Finland, the first European nation to give women the vote--I think that's pretty impressive. Sport your Finnish colors with a T-shirt or pin from Scandinavica or local favorite Memories of Finland.

Make Your Own Snowflake to Help Charity: Addicting Fun!

2006-11-21T16:18:00.000-05:00

Cheers to my pal Kaima, who told me about this website that lets you make your own snowflakes to help the Salvation Army. Go ahead and flake out--it's for charity!

Switching to the new BetaBlogger

2006-11-20T11:45:00.000-05:00

I just switched over to the new version of Blogger, so pardon any weird anomalies you might see on here for a day or two.

Rant o' the Day: Game System Vendors

2006-11-20T11:33:00.000-05:00

So today I am angry at Sony and Nintendo.

First, Sony. They know how coveted the Playstation 3 is, and yet they only released 400,000 units this week, resulting in violence (even a shooting, up in Connecticut) at the stores. Also, Sony priced its newest release at $650, a cost few of its fans can afford. So now only the rich kids will get Playstations for Christmas/Hannukkah--how fair is that? Thank goodness my son is old enough to understand that he's not getting a Playstation 3 this year--and probably not next year, either.

Next, Nintendo. The same issue yet again: supply. They know that every child under age 15 in America wants one of these for the holidays, and yet they fail to make enough units to stock the stores properly, which leads to a lot of frustrated parents and a lot of disappointed children.

Is that what Sony and Nintendo really want--to profit at the expense of childrens' emotions?

Feeling Better Today

2006-11-19T23:23:00.000-05:00

I guess the occasional freakout is like a cleansing for the soul. Although angry at other things today, I feel much better after my huge mental meltdown yesterday. It's like it released all of the pent up pressure.

Today, I had coffee at Beans in the Belfry, which might be bad for me, considering my anger at my recent weight gain, but I turned down the chocolate lava cake, which was an unusual display of will power for me. Baby steps.

I also cleaned out half of my home office today, a rare display of ambition for a Sunday.

To those who made it to the Finnish Bazaar this weekend, I'm glad you managed to squeeze in and get some stuff! The crowding and lines were worse this year than in years past; I have attended the Bazaar since about age 4 or so, so when I say this was the most crowded ever, I have many of them to compare it to. I gave the management a number of suggestions to make the Bazaar more comfortable next year--everyone agreed that more space is needed!

When Life Sucks, There's Always Flowers

2006-11-18T22:40:00.000-05:00

Orange Fall Mums
Originally uploaded by RandomAnna.

It's been a bad day. I will try to erase the bad stuff by meditating on good stuff like flowers...

GrumpyAnna: Read at Your Own Risk

2006-11-18T21:41:00.000-05:00

Today I am just angry.

Feel free to skip this entry altogether if you are craving snack reviews or other lighthearted fare.

Today I am using my blog space for personal therapy purposes. My little blog descriptor up there at the top of the page says that I occasionally post "irrational rants." Beware: one such irrational rant approaching...

Top 10 Things That Make Me Angry Today, Whether It's Justified or Not...

1. Spam comments on my blog--WTF? This is not the first time I have encountered this problem, however, it is the persistence of the problem that is filling me with rage today.

2. "Traffic Cop" Drivers--You wanna police other drivers so badly? Go to school to become an actual police officer. In the mean time, if you wanna drive slow in the fast lane to "regulate" the speed of other drivers or play that i'm-suddenly-braking-to-send-you-a-message-and-cause-you-to-rear-end-me behavior, put your driver's license in the shredder now because one day you will be a convicted killer. I am serious--your little games will kill someone rather than making the rest of us drive slower or whatever else it is you are trying to tell us with your reckless behavior. Example: Today. I-95 North near Laurel. Gray SUV with DC tag. Random braking in the FAST LANE. Dude, I wasn't trying to tailgate you--we were driving under the posted speed limit, and I was just minding my own business, trying to drive at a steady pace. I wasn't targeting you. So why did you target me? You could have killed us both. Listen to Lisa Baden's series about traffic incidents that KILL on WTOP next week--you need an education in safe driving, stat. Playing traffic cop is going to cause an accident--let the real police officers be police officers, and you go back to being a civilian, OK? And if you don't want people to tailgate you--or if you just have delusions of grandeur that that's what we are all trying to do to you, because it's all about you, of course--then go drive slow in the slow lane and everyone will be happy--and better yet, everyone will be alive.

3. Cigarette smoke. If you can smell a substance in your car, passed on to you from another car, when the windows are all closed and both you and the other drivers are all going 70 MPH down a major highway together, then that substance is probably a horrific poison. This particular horrific poison--cigarettes--killed my father and forced him to live 20 incapacitated years of misery. The kids all think "Whatever, I'll get lung cancer when I'm 65 and I'll die fast." No, not necessarily. You might get that lung cancer at 45. Or else it will be bad asthma, endless emphysema, or full on COPD....for decades. Watch it slowly sap your will to live as it simultaneously saps your breathing capacity from your lungs. Lose your ability to walk. Cough up quarts and quarts of green goo on a daily basis. That's what cigarettes did to my dad...and to his family. We all suffered together. Cigarette smoke kills.

4. Crowds. I am claustrophobic. Enough said on that.

5. Murphy's Law. I finally have some money saved up and now my car flashes me the "engine malfunction" light. Great. Good-bye savings! Good-bye dreams of giving my loved ones the best gifts ever for the holidays!

6. The dark of winter. The onset of another bout of Seasonal Affective Disorder. Fun with low serotonin.

7. My sudden 10 pound weight gain. Dammit, I hated the weight I was at even before these 10 pounds. It's my own fault--lots of lattes and sodas and snacks. I gotta do something about this before I shorten my lifespan...or have to throw out all of my pants.

8. A particular coworker who has power but uses it poorly. 2007 is the year you see the error of your ways, my friend. We tried to warn you, over and over again..nicely. But you would not listen to reason based on experience. Now you will feel the pain firsthand. I'm sorry, but we told you so. We're not idiots. We're all highly educated professionals with years of experience behind us. We don't tell you things just to piss you off. We tell you things because we are trying to help, based on our experiences and lessons learned from our own mistakes. 2007 is the year you find out we were right, you were wrong. I am sorry about the fall you are about to experience. We tried to stop it from happening. I just hope you can learn something from this and pick up the pieces and move on into the future.

9. Weak genes. Man, why did I have to get the degenerating eyes, the weak tooth enamel, the spine prone to curvature, the feet prone to ugly bumps, the nails prone to breakage, the thin flat hair, the hereditary mini-double-chin that runs in my family? Couldn't I have won something in the gene pool lottery? Maybe I have a stupendous set of kidneys or a robust solar plexus or something, but on some days I think I was just meant to be roadkill by the side of the evolutionary highway.

10. There is never enough time. You can organize your surroundings, you can maximize and optimize your actions, you can use shortcuts and timesaving tips, you can multitask all you want...but in the end, there is never enough time.

For Our Veterans

2006-11-10T15:25:00.000-05:00

Happy Veteran’s Day to all of our American Heroes!

Also, to all you Marines out there, Happy Marine Corps Birthday! The Marines are 231 years old today. The beautiful new Marine Corps Museum opens to the public in Virginia this weekend, too.

The best thing the average citizen can do to celebrate this holiday (beyond hugging and kissing the vets in your own circle of family and friends) is to donate to the veteran’s charity of your choice. The website www.AmericaSupportsYou.com lists a variety of awesome charities.

But here are a few of my personal favorites:

Subscriptions for Soldiers Program—donate magazine subscriptions to deployed servicemembers

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors—help family members left behind

Wounded Warrior Project—send backpacks full of necessities to injured and recovering servicemembers

November Bath product of the Month: Aquatanica Spa Sea Moisture Gel Souffle

2006-11-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

I am very cyncial about body lotions, body butters, body creams, and other substances identified as moisturizing products for the skin. On me, most of these products either evaporate, leaving me as dry as before, or else they leave behind an annoyingly greasy residue, and there is nothing I hate more than feeling sticky like that (except perhaps the amusement park sensation of "wet butt"--the way you feel after getting off of a water ride which leaves you cold and clammy for the rest of the afternoon, no matter how sunny it is).

But I have finally found a body lotion-type product that truly works as intended: it deposits a nice sheen of moisture that my skin actually absorbs, and it does not leave me feeling slimy or tacky to the touch--I actually feel smooth and hydrated after using it. I think this might be a bath product miracle! The product is "Sea Moisture Gel Souffle" by Aquatanica Spa. You can pick up a tub of it--either a tiny one for about $8 or a huge one for around $20--at your local Bath and Bodyworks shop.

I can't promise this stuff will work on all skin types, but like I said, to me it's like a miracle. (A runner-up product would be Origins' "Cocoa Therapy Deeply Nourishing Body Butter," which makes me feel a little sticky but makes up for it with smelling like hot chocolate.)

Picking Up Relatives at the Airport This Thanksgiving? Then You Need a Clean Car

2006-11-04T19:42:00.000-05:00

I hate cleaning. Despise it. Part of my loathing for cleaning stems from the fact that I grew up with a mom with an obssessive-compulsive disorder that manifested itself in a fervent cleaning obsession. She made me clean anything and everything. So nowadays I avoid cleaning things myself and always seek out professional services to do my cleaning for me.

I have found the perfect solution for cleaning my car both quickly and affordably: I take it to Fredericktowne Auto Spa on Garrett Drive in Frederick. They offer automobile cleaning and detailing packages from about $15 to $200, depending upon the level of clean you want to achieve and your budget.

I found that the $22 package is perfect for my much-abused commuter-mobile. They run the car through a wash and wax system, thoroughly vacuum the insides, take out the trash, and then wipe everything (plastic) down with protective polish. They let you choose the scent of air freshener for your interior, which is fun in a child-like way, kind of like choosing the flavor of dental polish at the dentist's office. I went for pine, but they had about 10-15 scent options. The whole Auto Spa is run like an extremely efficient assembly line, meaning you get in and out fast.

While waiting you can mix up your coffee at the coffee bar, sit at tall bar-style tables to read magazines, or just watch cars roll through the car wash. There is a frequent customer program--after 10 services, get 1 service free.

I was amazed at how quickly I got my car back even though there were half a dozen cars in line before me. I was also pleased by the level of detail in terms of the treatment of my automobile's interior. You get what you pay for--obviously a $15 job is not as good as a $200 one--but you get a good deal at $22. My car is spotless enough to drive my mom around in it. In fact, I did drive Mom around for a bit--and she didn't complain about anything. So if it's clean enough for my mom, then it's probably clean enough for everyone else.

Fredericktowne Auto Spa
1509 Garrett Drive (near the Weis store)
Frederick, Md 21702

301-631-1421

Hours differ in summer and in winter, so call for current times. Open 7 days a week in winter, hours vary.

Holiday Shopping Opportunity: Finnish Christmas Bazaar 2006

2006-11-04T18:37:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for some unique gift ideas for the holidays this year, I would suggest you try Finnish designs. Modern, streamlined glassware and bold Marimekko prints (on both clothing and housewares) are functional, beautiful, and fairly affordable, especially when compared to other designer products.

Your best opportunity to shop a variety of Finnish goods all in one place is the upcoming Finnish Christmas Bazaar, to be held November 18, 2006, in Bethesda, Maryland. Hosted by Finn Spark (a non-profit organization for Finns, Finnish-Americans, Finns-by-Marriage, and people who just love Finland), the bazaar will also feature Finnish breads and pastries, cheeses, hand-crafted knives, jewelry, books, posters, and more. There's both a grand prize raffle (for 2 round trip tickets to Finland and a cruise to Stockholm) and an "instant raffle," where you draw numbers from a basket and win fun prizes such as gingerbread houses (secret hint: you have a high likelihood of winning at the instant raffle, making this a fun game for kids or people who have never won anything before).

A quick shopping note: most of the vendors cannot accept credit cards--many of them are small mom-and-pop style shops--so bring your cash and checks.

Finnish Christmas Bazaar 2006

Saturday, November 18, 2006

11 AM to 3 PM

River Road Unitarian Church
6301 River Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20817

For more information: 703-243-7169

Finn Spark
11301 South Shore Road
reston, Virginia 20190

Voting Absentee This Year

2006-11-03T22:51:00.000-05:00

So this year I voted by absentee ballot for the first time ever; in the past Maryland law didn't really allow me to do it, but this year, after the Diebold voting machine scandal, our state governor encouraged and endorsed it.

I really enjoyed the experience. I was able to vote in the comfort of my own home without having to worry about making up any lost work hours. I was able to research my decisions online, then immediately fill out my ballot with my choices. I don't think I have ever made such well informed choices before. It was great to be able to do the research, then vote immediately with the names and platforms fresh on my mind. Also, I didn't have to deal with lines or parking problems, and I was able to mail in my ballot well before the deadline. I know my vote will be counted no matter what happens with the Diebold voting machines on Tuesday. It's total voting peace of mind.

I also can ignore the news on Tuesday night--it's going to take this state several days after the election to tally all the paper and electronic votes and validate them.

November Snack of the Month: Cannolis to Die For

2006-11-03T20:13:00.000-05:00

My good friend Tamm recently brought me back the best gift from New York City: cannolis from Little Italy, in particular cannolis from Ferrara Pasticceria, the oldest Italian pastry joint in the nation (as well as America's first espresso bar, circa 1892).

The filling is real, rich, thick, riccotta cheese-based marscapone--and anybody who knows me well knows I only adore the gooiest, gloppiest desserts. These cannolis definitely pass my gooey test. The cannolis Tamm brought me are the ones with the dark chocolate dipped shells--pure heaven.

I'd eat these cannolis morning, noon and night if I didn't know better about the calories and fat content. But everyone should snag a snack from Ferrara's sometime (I went there myself back in 1999), and luckily their website makes it possible.

Hello Readers! If I owe you an email...

2006-11-03T16:09:00.000-05:00

...sorry for the delayed response!

My job makes me travel a lot. I was in Virginia Beach/Norfolk for much of this week. Now that I am back home, me, Matt and my (step)son will all be fighting each other for laptop time, so if I owe you a response, sorry that it might take me another day or 2 to get back to you.

While working this week I saw a piece of equipment that scares the crap out of me: the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System. It might not look like much in the photos, but this is the scariest piece of military equipment I have been near in a long time. It moves fast in every direction imaginable and spews ordnance at blinding speeds. It is used to defeat incoming missiles. I'm glad our Navy has these to help protect our sailors from incoming threats.

You Still Have Time to Help Stop the Dulles Greenway Price Hikes!

2006-11-03T15:29:00.000-05:00

Attention Brunswick-to-Tyson's Corner area commuters--the Virginia State Corporation Commission has extended the time period for public commentary and protest regarding price hikes on the Dulles Greenway.

Keep in mind that the owners of the Greenway want to increase prices to stop people from using the toll road--they want to institute price hikes for "congestion management" only.

You will be paying a premium for their convenience. You will not get better roads, more lanes, improved traffic control, improved police presence, nor improved snow removal--you will just be paying more because they want to charge more. It's outrageous, and classist to boot--because who else will be "congestion managed" out of using the toll road but the poor?

According to VA SCC press release issued today:

"The SCC is extending the public comment period on the proposal until January 30, 2007. All written correspondence should be sent to the Clerk of the State Corporation Commission, Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218, and refer to case number PUE-2006-00081.

"Two public hearings are scheduled in Loudoun County for Tuesday, January 30, 2007, one beginning at 2 p.m. and the other at 6:30 p.m. The hearings will be held in the Board of Supervisors Meeting Room, Loudoun County Government Center, 1 Harrison Street, S.E., Leesburg, Virginia. Any person wishing to comment at either of these hearings should arrive early and sign in with the SCC bailiff.

"The case will continue in Richmond on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at 10 a.m. in the Commission’s second floor courtroom located in the Tyler Building, 1300 East Main Street."

Protest now or pay more for your daily commute.

Brunswick Halloween Report 2006

2006-10-29T18:49:00.000-05:00

As in years past, our street was inundated with loads of trick-or-treaters from Brunswick, Rosemont, Knoxville, and other nearby towns, meaning we gave out over a dozen bags of candy in under 2 hours!

It was a little tough to see the kids' costumes this year, because all the poor children were swathed in multiple layers of coats and sweaters to cope with the cold, wind, and rain. Notable costumes included siblings dressed as a burger and fries, a tin man, and two very stylish goodfellas in swank suits.

The opening of trick-or-treating time was quite dramatic this year: menacing winds, dark storm clouds, a real live bat flying over the block, Stevie the black cat running between the houses, and our front door creaking in the wind. Deliciously errie, as it should be! The only thing amiss was it was not October 31. Hark, Brunswick City Council: the children, and those Brunswickians who are eternally children at heart, prefer to actually get into costume on Halloween itself, as opposed to the Saturday night beforehand.

I think the kids were too chilled to comment on the candy selections this time around; I usually try to get the stuff the kids ask for. I figure it's insurance against the children growing up to become surly teens who then egg my cars and smash my pumpkins. Candy as community service, buying peace and harmony between the adults and the kids.

Jelly bracelets were not as popular this year as last; next year I will try to be more inventive. And I have given up on Pixy sticks entirely, even though so many people seemed to love them last year. This year they all exploded in the candy bin, leaving a heap of useless pink powder on the bottom of the bin.

At any rate, cold as it was, it was fun. Halloween is one of the things Brunswick does best. See you next year, ghouls and bat-boys!

"Simply Unique" is Simply Awesome!

2006-10-28T20:17:00.000-04:00

Gourmet foods from more than 75 independent suppliers, available right in the heart of Middletown--who knew? This gourmet gift boutique totally rocks! If you love sampling special teas, coffees, candies, and snacks from independent mom-and-pop companies, quickly head over to Simply Unique Gourmet Gourmet & Gift Specialities on Old National Pike in Middletown. Tucked into an unassuming little strip mall is a treasure trove of gift options, a shop stuffed with rack and upon rack of tasty goodies and clever gifts. (Friendly owner Karen also sells treats and toys for your furry loved ones--my four cats adored the fish-flavored "Greenies.")

Some of the snack options I loved, and bought, from Simply Unique last week include: chocolate pasta (for serving with chocolate or caramel sauce for dessert), jalapeno popcorn, spicy cocoa from Lake Champlain Chocolates (considered by many to be the best chocolate company in the United States), and cranberry biscotti.

Karen was restocking the store when I arrived, preparing for holiday shopping season. Definitely take some time to browse in Simply Unique before the hordes of post-Thanksgiving shoppers do so that you have the widest selection of gift ideas available.

Simply Unique stocks flavored coffee (in convenient small sampler sizes so you can try out a wild flavor before committing to buying a pound), teas, chai, hot cocoa, candles, soaps, lip glosses, and bath products, teapots, cards, frames, CDs, pastas, sauces (including lots of hot sauces), and gorgeous Russian nesting dolls (a fabulous gift option for a little girl under 10 years of age if you know one), among other items.

Karen and staff will also make bountiful gift baskets for you.

You can email Karen at SimplyUniqueGourmet@verizon.net.

Simply Unique Gourmet & Gift Specialties
4315 Old National Pike
(P O Box 896)
Middletown, Maryland 21769

301-371-0017

Closed Sundays and Mondays
Tuesday thru Thursday: 10 AM to 6 PM
Friday: 10 AM to 7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM to 5 PM

Stevie the Cat and Pumpkin

2006-10-21T23:19:00.000-04:00

Stevie the Cat and Pumpkin
Originally uploaded by RandomAnna.

My neighbor's cat decided to come for a visit, making a cute Halloween tableau on my front porch. Black cat, pumpkin, chrysanthemum--how autumnal is that?

October Snack of the Month: Zero Bar Scores a Perfect 10

2006-10-21T23:17:00.000-04:00

My quest to try vintage and indie candy continues! This month: I picked up a Zero Bar at my local Cracker Barrel restaurant for under $2. (The Barrel is a pretty good source of old school candy favorites.)

Zero Bars are made up of caramel, peanut and almond nougat covered in smooth white chocolate. According to the Hershey's website, some people like them frozen. Although I am not the hugest fan of white chocolate, it works here. The flavors blend together nicely. I find it kind of hard to describe, but if you are a sugar freak like me you won't be disappointed.

Something Sort Of Macabre for Halloween...

2006-10-19T23:41:00.000-04:00

I guess most people would expect that Victorian-era post mortem photographs would be grim and horrifying, but I found these deceased people to be quite beautiful and serene looking...most of them seem as if they simply fell asleep (wearing their most elegant and ornametal attire, of course) and were captured as they dreamed a sweet and tender dream. Much like some of the dead people in the New York City homicide photographs catalogued by Luc Sante, many of the Victorians pictured in these sentimental funereal photographs are quite beautiful. While I would not recommend the Luc Sante book for the meek, many of these Victorian photographs show their subjects looking amazingly alive and content and, well, sweet. So, by today's standards, photographs of the dead might be crass and taboo, but the Victorians recorded these images out of love. Still, if you are extra-faint-hearted, stay away from the site altogether and concentrate on the seasonal black cats and pumpkins instead.

Love Goats? It's Family Festival at the Farm Weekend!

2006-10-18T17:05:00.000-04:00

Cute Goat at Lawyer's Farm
Originally uploaded by RandomAnna.

This weekend me and the fam intend to tour some of Frederick County's finest agricultural establishments. For a full round up of information about the farms, what activities are offered for visitors, and what yummy local edibles are for sale, go to the Family Festival at the Farm website:

http://www.discoverfrederickmd.com/funfarm/

Autumn Scene in Frederick County

2006-10-07T00:11:00.000-04:00

Burkittsville, Maryland
Originally uploaded by RandomAnna.

Although I'm trying to keep the blog simple, I think it needed a little color. I'm going to start incorporating some of my seasonal photos. Here's an early autumn shot of Burkittsville, taken on a lazy Sunday afternoon. This is one of my favorite vistas on one of my favorite drives through the county: Route 17.

Mom, Dad, What's For Dinner?

2006-10-07T00:02:00.000-04:00

Starving, but don't know where to go tonight to get some chow? You can consult the handy online Eat in Frederick directory for reviews of local restaurants, diners, and cafes.

I am on an obssessive quest to sample every eating establishment in Frederick at least once, so this is my new source for finding the names of new joints to try.

5 Things I Love About Brunswick

2006-10-06T23:38:00.000-04:00

In the tradition of Frederick Magazine, which asks residents to divulge 5 reasons why they love living in Frederick, here are 5 reasons why I love living in Brunswick (in random order.)

1. Brunswick is home to many creative, successful, and admirable businesswomen who have made this community an exciting place to live and shop. Standouts include (but are not limited to) Melanie of Beans in the Belfry coffeeshop and cafe, sisters Sherri and Traci of Book Crossing bookstore and gift shop, and Diane of Sundance Art and Frame.

2. I love how nature mingles with our little city: bunnies, possums, squirrels, birds and butterflies visit my little backyard; sunsets viewed from the Brunswick Bridge over the Potomac River are often stunning, whatever the season; the canopy of cool green trees arching over the C&O Canal Towpath is both pretty and peaceful; the famously steep Brunswick hillsides offer impressive views of Virginia and West Virginia; and Brunswick gardens are always full of interesting plants in bloom, some of them, like my lilac bush and my 3 roses, still beautiful at nearly 100 years old.

3. I love looking at the quirky architecture of the houses in old downtown Brunswick when I take my nightly walks; we have everything from ornate Victorians to cute 1930s bungalows to stylish 1950s ranchers complete with glass block accents.

4. I love the food available in Brunswick: yummy gourmet coffee drinks from Beans in the Belfry, garlic knots from King's Pizza, beef and broccoli from Pacific Cafe, fresh local farm goods from Lowry's Farm Market; and soft serve ice cream from Brunswick Meats and Deli, among other treats.

King's Pizza
215 W Potomac St
Brunswick, MD 21716
(301) 834-9999

Pacific Cafe
12 S Maple Ave
Brunswick, MD 21716
(301) 834-3338

Lowry's Farm Market
800 Petersville Road
Brunswick, MD 21716
(301)834-8303

Brunswick Meats and Deli
640 Sounder Rd
Brunswick, MD 21716
301-834-6850

5. I love the sounds of the trains at night, particularly in the middle of cold winter nights. It's comforting to know that no matter how late it is, and no matter how cold and dark it is, someone is out there, awake and watching over the town as they slowly ride through it.

Seasonal Delights

2006-10-04T23:26:00.000-04:00

Ah, autumn, my favorite season...and October is my favorite month. The changing leaves, the pumpkins, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, wearing boots and sweaters...I love it all. As my family can attest, I go a little rabid about autumn.

So, this month Starbucks seems to have introduced yet another addictive beverage destined to make me grow another pants size: the maple macchiato, as featured on their current "What's Happening" page. As Rachael Ray would say, it's delish! I love anything maple flavored (which you probably know already because I raved about Bruster's maple ice cream.) If you love maple sugar candy, imagine blending it with java and drinking it on a chilly morning. My coworkers actually commented about how happy I looked to be holding my macchiato this morning. In fact, I am already looking forward to another one tomorrow...

And no, kids, I'm not paid by Starbucks to say this stuff.

This past weekend, my husband, son and I went with my niece and my mother to pick pumpkins and apples at Baugher's Farm in Carroll County. From Frederick, take Route 26 East into Carroll County to view some beautiful farms and rural landscapes: rolling hills, cornstalks, cows, and more. We were even treated to a spectacular rainbow on Saturday.

I've been going to Baugher's with my niece almost every year for many years now--I can't remember which year was the first one. I love picking pumpkins and gourds fresh from the field, sitting on hay bales as the truck transports you across the farm. Baugher's makes their own apple dumplings and cider, possesses a well stocked farm store full of local foods and preserves, and hosts a darling little petting zoo with miniature goats and curious emus. Little ones can enjoy pony rides and make their own scarecrows. You can also dine on kettle corn, hot dogs and burgers straight off the grill, and greasy beach-style fries. You can also stock up on Indian corn, mums, hay bales, and other natural fall decorations to create your own Halloween and Thanksgiving wonderland. Baugher's prices are reasonable when you go straight to the source; I have seen their produce and cider marked up to much higher prices in Anne Arundel County, so their products have a following of fans who are willing to pay premium prices for these goods. Hey, you can't beat chowing down on an apple you just picked fresh from the tree yourself.

Live in Frederick County and Want to Refinance Your House?

2006-09-30T21:01:00.000-04:00

I wholeheartedly recommend the friendly, efficient, professional staff of SunTrust in Frederick, particularly the services of the very wonderful Natalie Orban and her staff. You can trust Natalie and her crew to help you through every step of the refinance process so that everything goes quickly and smoothly. Don't let the re-fi process scare you or confuse you--talk to Natalie and her colleagues for incredible service and competitive rates.

To contact Natalie Orban at Frederick SunTrust, click here.

SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.
321 Ballenger Center Drive Suite 111
Frederick, Md. 21703

Firefighters Need Your Support Now

2006-09-30T20:56:00.000-04:00

Too many fire departments in America lack the necessary equipment and protective gear required to save our lives.

If you want to help some of these lifesaving (often all-volunteer) organizations in places like Brunswick, either donate directly to your local fire department or check out the Leary Firefighters Foundation.

Brunswick Volunteer Fire Company #5 -- saving our lives since 1910
223 W. Potomac Street
P.O.Box 156,
Brunswick, Maryland 21716

A Great Affair, Indeed

2006-09-25T23:08:00.000-04:00

So this past weekend the family and I headed out to the Great Frederick Fair with some long lost friends of ours.

Our little group of 5 ranged in age from 8 to 39, and we all had a blast: riding the Egyptian boat, bumper cars and swing rides; consuming powdered sugar-coated funnel cakes and tri-colored, tri-flavored puffs of cotton candy; and ogling ornamental chickens with fantastic plumage and prize-winning pumpkins of eye-popping proportions.

The best thing at the fair this year, in our group's opinion: the old-school freak show, complete with women who walk on glass, sword swallowers, cows sporting extra legs, and goats wielding extra horns. The freak show tent was not composed of all things gruesome or ghoulish, however; we were also cooing over the baby goats and sheep, which we could bottle feed by hand for 50 cents a bottle.

Along the way, we picked up some ribs that have to be the best ones I have ever eaten in my entire life: perfectly sweet and smoky, and falling off the bone. I wish I knew the name of the vendor who sold us those ribs--I definitely want more, and they better be there again in 2007!

Not Forgotten.

2006-09-11T21:14:00.000-04:00

“I was within a hair’s-breadth of the last opportunity for pronouncement, and I found with humiliation that probably I would have nothing to say. This is the reason why I affirm that Kurtz was a remarkable man. He had something to say. He said it. . . . He had summed up—he had judged. ‘The horror!’”
--Joseph Conrad, from Heart of Darkness, inspiration for the film Apocalypse Now

Any one of us could have been Lauren Grandcolas, Todd Beamer, Debbie Welsh, Jeremy Glick, Sandra Bradshaw, Mark Bingham, or any of the other passengers on Flight 93 five years ago today.

And any day could have been 9/11.

Any one of us, at any time. That's the true horror of it. That sense of shock and horror, and the reality and immediacy of it, should not be forgotten. The thousands of dead and their names and their lives and their deeds and their contributions should not be forgotten. Their still-grieving families should not be forgotten.

What do I remember? I remember thinking that perhaps World War III was beginning, and I couldn't believe it could be happening now, to us, to the United States, for real. I had always believed until that day that I was safe from warfare on our shores. I thought if anything could kill me, it would be a car accident or a bout of cancer, not an invading army.

I was alone in my car, trying to figure out what to do if World War III had truly begun all around me. I wasn't sure where to go, or what to do. They never gave us drills in elementary school about World War III and how to prepare for invading armies. We would hide under desks when the siren blared in case a tornado was coming, but they didn't warn us kids about attacking invaders. We had heard about kamikaze pilots from World War II before, but no one had warned us kids that benign commuter planes could also become missiles of mass destruction. Driving around the Beltway, with reports (both accurate and erroneous) of multiple planes falling from the sky, I didn't know what to do, or where to go, or what to think. I was alone in my car, scared and disconnected from everyone I could trust.

Driving up I-95 from Quantico, the emergency vehicles poured past me in a sinister, throbbing, nonstop clamor of sirens and flashing lights.

Stranded at the apex of an overpass in Springfield, Virginia, locked in by cars coming at me in all directions (people driving the wrong way up and down the ramps, manned by drivers with vacant, stunned eyes hollowly glancing at me as I tried to pass them by), I didn't know if more planes were coming or not. I felt vulnerable at the top of that overpass--open to the sky--and I wondered whether or not I should abandon my car and run away on foot in case another plane came screaming out of the clouds aimed at the Mixing Bowl. I didn't yet know that all other planes in the United States had been grounded.

I was scared and I thought I was going to die. I thought dozens upon dozens more planes might be coming for us all, coming for everyone in the DC area. I was alone, and scared to be alone. But then a strange peace washed over me. I realized if I was going to die, then I would have no control over it. Death would come, or it would not come. All I could do was wait for the next move. I realized that in total I had led a pretty good life up to that point: married with a stepson; both parents and all my siblings still alive; a past filled with trips abroad. I realized I had already seen and done a fair amount of things, and if 9/11/2001 was my day to die, then it would be OK. It would be quick.

The traffic started moving, but I couldn't get into the right direction facing towards home. The traffic began moving faster, and it was like a flood moving in directions I didn't want to go. Before I knew it, I was at a spot where I could see and smell the smoke emanating from the wounded Pentagon building. In that moment, reality pierced through all of my layers of fear and wonder and worry and confusion and chaos. This was no news story--this was a real event. Death in front of my face. Real Death. Here and now.

Somehow I managed to turn my car around and go the other way; I didn't want to see the mangled Pentagon with my own eyes, and I just desperately wanted to get to someplace and someone familiar. All the phone lines were down, so my only way to contact someone familiar was to go to work or to get home. It turned out to be easiest to drive to my workplace, so I hunkered down there for hours until I was sure it was safe to go home.

By then, I knew all our aircraft were grounded, but I was still worried and scared and cautious as I approached the American legion bridge. What if another plane came? What if someone had planted bombs under the bridge? There was barely any traffic moving alongside me as I made my way home; normally it would be rush hour. The emptiness was eerie.

When darkness fell, we walked outside to see what the American skies would look like without so many planes. All we saw was the occasional blip of light from a passing AWACs plane. At least seeing the AWACs made me feel better. The eyes in the sky are up there, patrolling; the AWACs planes mean someone is in control and protecting us.

So many people brush off this anniversary because they didn't live it firsthand. They felt no fear that day, watching the news events unfold on their television sets. But for any of us who smelled the smoke, who touched the reality of those deaths, today is a solemn day, and we mourn the dead, and we wish their families and friends peace and comfort.

There should never be another 9/11.

But just as we must not forget the names and the faces of people who died that day, we must not forget that it is indeed possible for there to be another Pearl Harbor, another 9/11.

The time and the day could be just as random and just as mundane as any other. The horror could sneak up and pounce on us just as it did 5 years ago.

We must not forget that--it might happen again.

We must not forget that horror.

Bath Product o' The Month: Tahiti, Sweetie!

2006-09-10T19:33:00.000-04:00

On a whim, without even checking to see if I like the scent or not, I bought a tube of True Blue® Spa "Tahiti, Sweetie™" Body Lotion with Monoi Oil from my local Bath & Bodyworks store, entranced by the notion of monoi oil (a Polynesian substance that is a mix of coconut oil and essence of the tiare flower). It turned out my splurge was actually a fanstastic find and I am rampaging through my tube of lotion much faster than I expected. The scent is tropical and floral, yet not obtrusive, and the lotion goes on smooth and soaks in fast (I hate goopy lotions that sit on the skins' surface making you sticky and uncomfortable--this stuff does quite the opposite). I can put it on before bedtime without ruining my fresh clean sheets, and the lotion really does moisturize my skin without leaving behind any sort of tacky residue. I don't usually make repeat buys unless I really love something and am really impressed by it--this "Tahiti, Sweetie" lotion makes the cut, along with my Alba Botanica Plumeria shampoo.

2Peas Challenge: What is Your Wish?

2006-09-10T04:55:00.000-04:00

Hmm, I have tons of wishes, but speaking them aloud virtually guarantees they won't come true, right? Wishes are supposed to be kept secret. If I was feeling cheeky in response to the 2Peas challenge, I would respond "world peas," but I'm not feeling cheeky today. I guess I can't answer this week's challenge because I am superstitious--if I reveal my wish, it won't come true. Sigh.

Brunswick Coolness Files #13: Frames on the Brain

2006-08-26T21:35:00.000-04:00

You need never face a blank, empty wall in your home again: Brunswick now has a great new source for art (both locally created, one-of-a-kind photos, prints, and pieces by Frederick County and Northern Virginia artists, as well as commercial reproductions of 180,000 popular works) and frames, whether you want an ornate gilt one to house grandma's portrait or a sleek, modern number for your Shag serigraph.

Sundance Art & Frame has opened on Potomac Street carrying a dizzying array of mat and frame options to flatter your masterpieces. Sundance also possesses a searchable database of art appealing to every style and taste that allows you to order reproductions of Van Goghs, Manets, Pollocks, Warhols or whatever else your heart desires. You can search by keyword such as "apple" or "dancer" to find the perfect print for your kitchen or living room. Then the helpful owners can help you pick out custom mat and frame options so your choice will be professionally displayed and mounted. You'll be amazed at how simply switching out the mat and frame options will drastically alter the tone of each piece, and the owners are well trained on how to help you optimize your choices.

Do you have an oddly sized piece of art that needs a flattering and protective frame? You no longer need to drive to Frederick or Leesburg to obtain a quality custom one. Take your time at Sundance, where you won't have to deal with surly staff, being rushed, or being forced into color and texture options you despise, either. Take your time and collaborate with the friendly owners to transform your photo or print into an heirloom.

Sundance Art and Frame
18 West Potomac Street
Brunswick, Maryland 21716

301-834-7904

Snakes on the Brain

2006-08-26T21:26:00.001-04:00

So tonight, me, my husband and my (step)son finally got to see Snakes on a Plane at the cinema, and here is my review:

Snakes on a plane! Snakes in your pants! Snakes in the microwave! Snakes in the cargo hold! Snake-o-vision! Snakes that kick asp! Snakes in your shirt! All praises to the PlayStation! Rattle snakes! Coral snakes! Holy Cobras, Batman! Boa constrictor! Boa constrictor! Boobs on a plane! Samuel L. Jackson on a surfboard! Tazer action! Lots of hyperbole! Lots of hype! All your snakes are belong to us!

There you have it.

Kudos to the producers, however, for filling the plane with people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds so that Samuel L. Jackson was not relegated to being the only designated minority on board.

The film is campy and cheesetastic, but that's what we went there looking for. It's cute--my son thinks the film is Oscarworthy.

2Peas Monday Challenge: Favorite Music

2006-08-22T21:06:00.000-04:00

Hmm, the Monday challenge seems to have moved to Sunday, and I am answering on a Tuesday...I guess from now on I'll call it the weekly challenge!

Anyway, the topic of the week is music:

What song/CD/band makes you:
-dance
-happy
-sad
-remember/reminisce
-sing out loud

My responses:
1. Dance: Prodigy singles/greatest hits retrospective double CD set
2. Happy: Blink 182 greatest hits CD
3. Sad: Coldplay
4. Remember: U2
5. Sing out loud: Social Distortion CDs

Protest the Dulles Greenway Price Hikes Now!

2006-08-15T15:27:00.000-04:00

Commuters, you have until September 28 to tell the Virginia Corporation Commission to stop the owners of the Dulles Greenway from raising tolls by up to 20%.

We're already victims of highway robbery--stop the thievery from getting worse now.

Go to this URL to type in and submit your comments:

http://www.scc.virginia.gov/caseinfo/scccase.aspx

Again, you only have until September 28, 2006 to protest this rise in tolls.

2Peas Monday Challenge: High School Recollections

2006-08-14T20:19:00.000-04:00

Today's 2Peas Monday Blog Challenge is:

Did you enjoy high school? And what was your favorite subject(s), why?

1. I HATED high school with a passion, and each day as I walked through those ugly gray and brown industrial hallways of doom, I would pray that it would end so that I could leave to go to college instead. I was very shy, and people thought my shyness was some sort of arrogance or conceit, so they either ignored me altogether or were cruel to me. I spent a lot of time hiding behind my veil of hair. To this day I still have vivid nightmares about high school--I think it scarred me for life. My (step)son begins high school on August 28 this year--2 weeks from now. I desperately hope that his high school experience will be far better than mine.

2. My favorite subject had to be English, because I have always loved reading and writing. I know that a lot of the content in my history classes intrigued me, but I hated memorizing names and dates of battles and presidencies. Instead I liked to hear about what was going on in culture at the time--foodways, attire, architecture and home furnishings, material culture. I think that's why in college I gravitated towards the American Studies major, a fusion of Literature and history with a twist of lime...I mean sociology.

Yes, There is Such a Thing as the Deadbeat Mom

2006-08-08T17:13:00.000-04:00

As many of you know, one of the issues closest to my heart is protecting the parental rights of fathers, which are often violated by spiteful ex-wives and clueless family court judges. One of my contacts just provided me with a link to this interesting short article about Deadbeat Moms, a real phenomenon that is rarely discussed.

Our society is quick to force fathers to pay for child support while simultaneously curtailing their custodial rights and limiting their one-on-one time with their kids; our society loves to rail against "Deadbeat Dads" who refuse to pay support and desert their children. I agree that Deadbeat Dads should be reprimanded and be forced to contribute resources towards their childrens' upbringing--but what about Deadbeat Moms? You never hear about them, but trust me, they exist. I know of dozens of cases of mothers who use child support to remodel their houses and take exotic vacations; mothers who readily accept child support yet find excuse after excuse for not holding a steady job; mothers who abandon their children and then disappear, only to show up again years later demanding full custody; and, yes, mothers who are told by the courts to pay child support who can't seem to ever cough up the cash. Ridiculous. We hardly ever hear about these cases of delinquent mothers in the media, so the image of the "Deadbeat Dad" lingers on whereas birth mothers are continuously heralded and lauded for their apparent purity and virtue.

I also know of dozens of cases of mothers who deny fathers access to their children, even when the fathers' custodial and visitation rights are spelled out in the divorce and custody decrees issued by the courts. Phone calls go unanswered, birthday cards are returned, packages are left unopened, children grow up with the false assumption that their dads don't love them, and fathers cry themselves to sleep at night from powerlessness. How many so-called "Deadbeat Dads" are actually guys who can't access their kids because the children are either missing entirely or else barred from interacting with the dads by the birth mothers?

It's time that these "Deadbeat Moms" be held responsible for how they harm their kids. If you hinder your child's relationship with his or her father, then you are hurting your child, and you are neglecting your child's basic needs, one of which is a need to have a meaningful relationship with both parents. If you are a woman skipping out on your child support responsibilities, then it is time for you to dig into your pockets and help pay for your child's needs. If you are a woman who is misusing child support funds for vacations and manicures, you are taking much needed resources away from your child, and you should feel guilty. You're not just hurting your ex by these actions; you are also hurting your child.

2Peas Monday Challenge: Life Goals

2006-08-07T17:07:00.000-04:00

The challenge this week reads: List 5 goals you have completed so far in life, and 5 that you would like to complete in the next 10 years.

5 Completed Goals:
1. I graduated with a degree from the university I wanted to go to since about age 7 or 8: University of Maryland.
2. I found a job I enjoy that lets me travel.
3. I own a house.
4. I work on writing projects in both my work life and my personal life, so I feel like I am contributing something lasting to society. (No, I'm not saying my blog is a huge accomplishment--instead, I am thinking about how my [maiden] name is listed as a reference book author/editor in the Library of Congress files, and of the published articles I have written, and of the papers I have contributed to Department of Defense projects. I have also written Congressional budget request documents before. Much of this work is anonymous, but satisfying, in that I feel I have influenced events and decisions.)
5. I have a family of my own (in addition to my family of origin) that I love.

5 Goals I Wish to Complete in the Next 5 to 10 Years:
1. I want to pay off all of my credit card debts.
2. I want to visit the nations that my ancestors came from that I have not yet visited: Spain and Germany. (I already made it to the other nations my ancestors came from--Finland and England.)
3. I want to help my (step)son graduate from high school and get into college.
4. I want to see one of my hobby-ish side projects come to fuition: I want to pitch my TV show idea, or I want to sell some more of the jewelry I make, or I want to enter some of my photographs into contests, or...I just want to take one of those ambitions and turn them into reality.
5. I want to conquer the weeds in my back garden and turn my backyard into a garden oasis.

You Can Help: Navy SEAL Justin Needs a Bone Marrow Transplant

2006-08-02T17:41:00.000-04:00

A Navy SEAL, Justin (last name withheld to protect his privacy) desperately needs a bone marrow match. Click hereto read his story and find out how you can help.

2Peas Monday Challenge: What helps you get through a Monday?

2006-07-31T21:15:00.000-04:00

For me, Mondays are always a brutal slap in the face after a weekend of sleeping in late and being lazy.

What helps me get through Mondays:

1. Starbucks vanilla lattes
2. Listening to news radio on the long commute into work
3. Laughing about dumb stuff with my friend/boss when I arrive at work
4. Focusing on that feeling of great promise and hope that accompanies the illusion that this week I will meet all of my weekly goals, because after all I have so much time ahead of me between now and the next weekend.
5. Going home after work knowing I can eat chocolate.

Mmm, Dumplings...

2006-07-24T20:30:00.000-04:00

Although the Barbara Fritchie Candystick Restaurant on Frederick's Golden Mile remains frightening after its recent refurbishment, their apple dumplings are damn good and not to be missed. Too many dumplings skimp on the pastry; these dumplings have just the right amount.

2Peas Monday Challenge: What is your greatest fear?

2006-07-24T20:29:00.000-04:00

Scrapbooking site www.twopeasinabucket.com issues a weekly blogging challenge, and I’m game, so here goes:

I have two fears that are equally terrifying to me, and they are related to one another: fear of dying a painful death, and fear of dying alone. Like most humans, I would prefer to die fast and painlessly. But from what I hear, the chances of me dying painlessly and quickly are quite slim—afterall, there are a million ways to go, most of them quite unpleasant and involving some sort of suffering. I am also afraid of dying completely alone; I mean, if it’s going to be a long, drawn out process, and if it’s going to hurt me, then I want a hand to hold and someone to lie to me, telling me it’s going to be all right. If someone is there with me while I’m going—be it a family member, friend, or kind stranger—then it really will be all right. Boiling it all down to the bare essence, I’m not afraid of death itself—instead, I am afraid that the process of dying will hurt, and that I will not have a hand to hold while I’m going through it.

I’m not very exciting, am I? My greatest fears are pretty typical and unoriginal.

Perhaps my future Monday Challenge responses will be more entertaining.

The New Dick Clark

2006-07-24T20:28:00.000-04:00

Have you seen 56-year-old pop musician Rick Springfield lately? He hasn't aged at all in the last 2 decades, it seems. If only we could all look this good at age 56.

Are You Sick of All the Pirate Puns Yet?

2006-07-24T20:26:00.000-04:00

With the recent success of the film Dead Man's Chest, the media are climbing all over themselves trying to outdo each other with the best pirate puns. It's killing me.

Hey, It's National Ice Cream Day!

2006-07-16T18:07:00.000-04:00

Wow, my post yesterday was a perfect example of synchronicity in action--not only is July National Ice Cream Month (as proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan back in the day), but today is actually National Ice Cream Day! The third Sunday in July bears this honor. Go figure. I'm going to dive back into the remains of my Bruster's sundae, which is still in the freezer.

I Scream, You Scream...

2006-07-16T00:04:00.000-04:00

Wow, Frederick is becoming quite the ice cream mecca. I almost passed out from joy about 2 years ago when this area opened its first Coldstone Creamery; now we also have a Maggie Moo's located near the cinemas (with another one set to open later on this year across town), a Rita's Italian Ice on the edge of the Golden Mile, and a Bruster's. I also hear that Ben and Jerry's is coming here later on. This county isn't lactose intolerant, that's for sure.

I was a little disappointed at the Moo's tonight, I must admit. Something about day-glo colored ice cream turns me off and makes me worry about the long term health of my liver. But the kids seem to love it, especially when you throw the neon scoops of ice cream into cheerfully-colored Jones sodas. (Mmmm, Fufu Berry.)

I didn't realize that Bruster's even existed until I drove past it tonight, sunk deep into my Moo's induced funk (I had left Moo's empty-handed, in part out of fear for my liver, and in part out of an intolerance for screaming children.) Now I am a Bruster's convert, and my funk is gone! Their maple ice cream is to die for, and my huge over-the-top $5 banana split was quite the deal: maple, black raspberry, and chocolate ice cream drenched in chocolate syrup, pineapples, strawberries, bananas, nuts, and whipped cream, topped with both a maraschino cherry and a pretzel. I ate a third and froze the rest for later.

While I am sure to return to Bruster's, and sometimes I just want an icy Rita's, I still regard Coldstone Creamery as my absolute favorite ice cream joint. Their ice cream is so thick and gooey and rich, it's exactly what I want out of my ice cream experience. And that Cake Batter flavor, damn. I'm forever addicted.

But all these new gourmet ice cream joints make me wonder: how is old Baskin-Robbins doing these days? I wonder if they can keep up with the new guard.

Finally, because I am a Terp, I must give a shout out to the University of Maryland at College Park dairy. Support your local ice cream vendors too!

A Step Back in Time in Burkittsville

2006-07-09T22:34:00.000-04:00

I've lived in Frederick County for 4 years now, and many times I have driven on Route 17 through Burkittsville towards my home town of Brunswick, admiring the historic homes, the beautiful gardens, the rolling fields, and the lovely old cemetery on the hill. Many times I noted the presence of a curious little general store at the corner of Route 17 and Main (where the cobblestones are), but I never seemed to have the time to go inside. This weekend, however, I felt like trying something new, so my husband and I ventured in, where we met the proprietor, Mr. Paul J. Gilligan, a local historian and preservationist who has worked hard for decades to keep Burkittsville and the surrounding areas as beautiful and pristene as they are.

His store, P. J. Gilligan Dry Goods and Mercantile Co., replicates the kind of general store environment you would have encountered if you were a citizen of Frederick County in the 1850s or 1860s. There is no electricity; only oil lamps. There is no cash register; Mr. Gilligan handwrites all transactions in a paper ledger. There are no modern plastic shopping bags; all purchases are packaged in plain butcher paper and twine the way they would have done it during the Civil War. The shop is clustered full of antique, reproduction, and locally-made specialty items sold at reasonable and fair prices. Merchandise includes local honey, beeswax, soaps, pocket watches, baskets, brooms, linens, and, if you want to teach your kids how to practice their handwriting old school style--slates for writing on with chalk. There are also vases, metal brackets, dishware, and more to feast your eyes upon. Incidentally, Mr. Gilligan's shop is also profiled in the July 2006 issue of Frederick magazine.

My husband and I purchased some local wildflower honey bottled by Locust Valley Apaiaries of Middletown. It comes in charming glass bottles embossed with beehives and sealed with cork stoppers. We heard a spoonful a day of local honey will help with allergies. We're going to put this to the test.

In addition we also picked up some divinely-scented "Garden Mint" and "Rosemary Cinnamon Swirl" Soap and Shampoo bars (made locally in Keedysville especially for sale at P.J. Gilligan's).

If you want to take a step back in time yourself, go chat with Mr. Gilligan on any weekend between about 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. Mr. Gilligan is a local historian with an excellent memory and can answer any questions you might have about the store or local environs.

P.J. Gilligan's Dry Goods and Mercantile Co.
2 W. Main Street
Burkittsville, Maryland 21718
301-834-7851

Locust Valley Apiaries
1624 Marker Road
Middletown, Maryland 21769
301-371-6640

Felicitaziones Italia!

2006-07-09T19:14:00.000-04:00

Congratulations Italy, World Cup winners 2006! Man, I wish I could be in Rome for this party. And I was rooting for them rather than France, so I'm glad they pulled ahead and won.

For the Budget Conscious Thirtysomething+ Fashionistas Out There

2006-07-08T22:40:00.000-04:00

If you love clothes but don't have a lot to spend on 'em (like me), hop on over to Alloy.com and click on the "shop" tab. Sure, this is a website designed for teens, but there's stuff that appeals to 30+-year-olds on here too....like cute plaid and punky Dickies messenger bags, cork wedges, and screen printed T-shirts emblazoned with cocky slogans. I'm a Rejuvenile, so of course I found a lot of fun stuff to salivate over on this website. The sale prices are pretty damn good, so be sure to check the clearance sections--for example, a lot of the sale shoes run around $20, including ones made out of actual leather. (I love cows like anybody else, but pleather makes my feet stinky, so I gotta adhere to the natural elements or else I will lose some friends due to the stank.)

4th of July, Apple Pie

2006-07-03T21:21:00.000-04:00

So, on a whim today I stopped by the charming Mom's Apple Pie Bakery in Leesburg, Virginia, a place I had always admired from the car while driving by. The building appears tiny but substantial, made in the 1930s from large stone blocks, and there's a cute stone archway inside. Although the shop is small, it is crammed full of treats, including pies, cakes, cookies, and my favorite: cupcakes. They have a unique candy treat called "Buckeyes"--fluffy balls of peanut butter mousse covered in dark chocolate. As Rachael Ray would say, Yum-o! I have to have more Buckeyes soon. The proprietor (proprietess?) tells me that they bake fresh blackberry pies in season, so fresh that the berries are plucked from the bushes in the morning and served up steaming in a pie shell later that same afternoon. (I didn't want to share this tip with the public, because it's so good, but here goes: in the late spring, they make their strawberry pies the same way, and I hear the flavor is extraordinary.)

Mom's Apple Pie Bakery
(703) 771-8590
220 Loudoun St SE
Leesburg, VA 20175

Blogworthy Goodness in Jacksonville, North Carolina

2006-07-02T00:27:00.000-04:00

On a recent trip to Jacksonville, North Carolina, I found the following treats:

1. Heide Red Raspberry Dollars candy: thick, gooey candy coins of a delightful ruby-pink shade that would make an awesome color for lipstick. These candies taste like the yummy red pieces from a box of Jujyfruits candy (my favorite color/flavor in the box). (My research has revealed that both candies are indeed made by the same manufacturer. I have also learned that Heide Candy Company is a subsidiary of candy manufacturer Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc.)

2. On the road, we came across the Burger Boy restaurant in Wilson, NC, a remnant of 1950s and 1960s Americana located just off I-95. The burgers are juicy and delicious, the fries are golden and crispy as they should be, and the cherry milkshake contains actual cherries. You should also go to appreciate the vintage architecture and signage--there's not a lot of these homespun charmers extant anymore.

Burger Boy
(252) 237-8365
201 Ward Blvd
Wilson, NC 27893

3. Maola Nutty Sundae Cones: I was impressed by how flavorful these individually-wrapped cones actually are. You know the formula: pancake cone, vanilla ice cream, chocolate drizzle and nuts on top, wrapped in foil and purchased at a convenience store icebox. But these Maola cones are actually tastier than the average--there's something nice, thick, and gooey about the vanilla ice cream, and it has a true creamy flavor. Yum!

Farmer John's Back Open for the Season!

2006-07-02T00:21:00.000-04:00

Yay, Farmer John's roadside "stand" is open again from July until October on Route 15 in Leesburg, VA. (Farmer John's is actually located a little north of the center of Leesburg, closer to the village of Lucketts, but the zip code is technically a Leesburg address.)

This year they are featuring 17 varieties of peaches, with a new one almost each week. Current foods available today include (but are not limited to) zucchini, tomatoes, peaches, garlic, corn, and cherries for pies. Other fruits and veggies will be available in season each week. Support local farmers--it's good for them and good for the environment, and good for you, too, nutritionally speaking.

Later on you can rely on Farmer John's for all of your autumn eating and decoration needs: pumpkins, hay bales, corn, etc.

Farmer John's also carries a local line of canned products by McCutcheon's, including relish, honey, and more.

Farmer John's Wayside Fruit and Vegetable Market
15520 James Monroe Highway
Leesburg, VA 20176

This Week's Car Stereo Report

2006-06-17T23:48:00.000-04:00

This week in the car I was listening to a Warped Tour sampler CD and AFI's new CD "December Underground." Apparently a lot of their long-time fans are disappointed with this release, but I love it. Probably because it mixes punk and emo/goth influences with tones reminiscent of early U2, Cure, and Depeche Mode--stuff I used to listen to back in my early days of high school when I wore all black all the time too. I have a feeling some of these guys are in the exact same age group as me; I guess when we grow up, we automatically start to reveal our musical roots.

BTW, I took a peek at the AFI website, and I am also enjoying some of their graphics --very stark and barren like Nikki McClure papercuts.

For Your Dining Entertainment

2006-06-17T23:39:00.000-04:00

We dined tonight at Frederick's always excellent Miyako Japanese steakhouse on the Golden Mile. I say "always excellent" because the 3 times I have been there I have experienced prompt and attentive service, warm camaraderie with random strangers, and the most delicious steak and shrimp ever, fresh grilled right before my eyes. Miyako is great for both birthday parties and treating the children because the food is prepared right in front of you, the chefs are skilled at tossing eggs into their hats, and the random bursts of flame are always entertaining. My favorite part is always the onion volcano.

I was particularly impressed tonight with Chef Gil, and I say the next time you go to Miyako, you need to ask to be seated at his table. He adds an extra layer of entertainment to his cooking by singing you tunes from popular culture.

The steaks are excellent and succulent, the shrimp is never overly-fishy and always firm and tasty, the fried rice is to die for, and the sushi rocks. I also recommend the Japanese soda--ask for "Japanese Sprite" and you will be presented with a stylish blue bottle with a glass marble in it--so mesmerizing and hypnotizing. Or maybe I am just easily amused. At any rate, the food is delish and the service can't be beat, and you never know who you will meet seated next to you. There's just something about onion volcanoes that brings people together.

WESTRIDGE SQUARE
1005 W. Patrick Street
Frederick, MD 21702

(301) 620-0024

More Jewelry & Housewares to Salivate Over

2006-06-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

Did you ever want your very own Betty Rubble necklace, just like the one on The Flintstones cartoon?* Or does the thought of a smooth, purple resin salad bowl full of mesclun greens make you salivate?* Then you have to check out my latest obssession, Dinosaur Designs. Everything on the site is incredibly expensive yet incredibly alluring and covetable at the same time. I never knew resin could be such a sexy material.

*Or maybe it's just me.

Frednecks, You Need This!

2006-06-10T22:28:00.000-04:00

FredNet: Frederick Maryland Online is a local blog that covers all the hip happenin' stuff going down in our county.

I haven't bothered to research this topic yet, but I'll see if I can dig up a nice list of Frederick blogs and online resources to help make our little lives more entertaining.

Much to Report!

2006-06-10T22:00:00.000-04:00

In recent weeks I've unearthed a plethora of little things that make me happy...here's notes on a few.

1. Most shampoo lets me down. Sure, it gets the gunk and grime out of my hair (which is thin and fine, and thus prone to flatness), but there usually aren't any other benefits to speak of. Then I randomly stumbled upon Alba Hawaiian Plumeria Replenish Hair Wash on drugstore.com, and it totally rocks! I can use just a small dollop of this tropical-scented shampoo and my limp little locks turn out all shiny and happy and bouncy, plus people keep telling me my hair smells nice, and it's all natural and organic. Now that's shampoo with real benefits.

2. On the Frederick County dining front, the June 2006 issue of Frederick Magazine profiles Cafe Latino, which is located just off the Golden Mile (Route 40) across from the Home Depot. My husband and I went there to eat tonight, and I absolutely loved it! The wait staff is attentive and friendly; the decor is bright and vivacious, including the impressive, hand-made, three-dimensional Venezuelan street scene displayed across one wall; and the food is abolutely delish. We had crispy fried beef empanadas as the appetizer; I chased mine down with lots of mango juice, which goes delightfully well with salsa. My husband had a platter with traditional stuff like black beans and rice and fried plaintains; meanwhile I sampled the Venezuelan aerpas sandwiches. This was one of the yummiest meals I've had in a long time, and the prices are quite reasonable--for example, 4 large arepas can be had for about $8. Unfortunately I filled up too fast to try the desserts, but I've got my eye on the tres leches for next time.

Cafe Latino
50 N. McCain Dr.
Frederick, MD 21702
301-620-0400

3. On Memorial Day weekend Matt and I traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to tour the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It is well worth a visit, my friend, if you like any form of rock music. For me, the highlight of the Hall was seeing the actual bass guitar that Paul Simonon smashed on stage during a Clash show back in the day--you know, the image on "London Calling." In terms of other punk mementos, you can see Sid Vicious' clothes and Ramones' underwear. Good stuff! This fall the special exhibit will feature The Clash--I am so there!!! While in Cleveland we ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe to round-out our rock-themed mini-vacation; the BBQ there ain't half bad. (Eat barside to skip the lines--not too smoky.)

4. Chamomile plants. Last summer I bought 1 puny chamomile plant. This spring, the 1 tiny chamomile became an entire grove of chamomiles taking over one entire corner of the garden....and then they became 2.5 feet tall and sprouted threousands of mini-daisy-like blossoms. Today I had to trim back the chamomiles, and the entire yard smelled pleasantly like tea. Tomorrow I hope to harvest the blossoms so that I can dry them in my attic and make my own homemade chamomile tea, both for drinking and as a hair rinse to activate any little blonde highlights hiding in there.

There's more to report--I never posted my England tour diary, for instance--but I'll get to that as time allows.

In the mean time, are you enjoying this amazingly wonderful late spring weather in the mid-Atlantic region like I am, O Faceless Reader? Not too hot, not too dry, not too cold, not too wet, not too humid--it's all blue skies and perfection (well, except for the pollen). It's rare for us to have a May and June this pleasant. It feels like San Diego weather! Just no beach here (unless you count the shores of the Potomc River that winds through Brunswick).

This Week's Car Stereo Report

2006-06-03T22:41:00.000-04:00

This week I was cruising around to: Rancid, Social Distortion, Dillinger Four, Fugazi, and Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. If you don't own it already, get Joe and the Mescaleros' "Streetcore" record, an instant classic that is made all the more poignant by Joe's early passing. In particular listen to his heartfelt rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song."

Best custom license plate sited this week: ITCH BAY

Whoever you are, girl, you sure do have a good sense of humor.

Cherry Mash, Cherry Mmmmm...

2006-06-03T22:35:00.000-04:00

OK, enough with the doldrums, let's get back to the candy.

This week's candy experiment was a Cherry Mash cluster made by Chase Candy Company--check them out online at www.cherrymash.com.

Cherry Mash clusters are the 3rd oldest variety of candy "bar" in the United States; they have been available to candy lovers since 1918.

Although the combination of squishy cherry filling (kind of like a maraschino nougat) mixed with peanuts and chocolate may sound a little odd, it is delish, and I want more! I was lucky enough to find mine at a Cracker Barrel restaurant somewhere on the East Coast. They're a great source for many of the confectionary Hometown Favorites we know and love from our youth.