As I skimmed through my files looking for holiday fare, I came across a sketch I drew when my sons were in elementary school.

Here we are again just three weeks away from Thanksgiving with Christmas right around the corner.

My husband and I are standing in the kitchen having an important conversation, working through a dilemma that we used to struggle with pretty regularly: “What do you think?”

Now I’m positive you’ve changed your closets over to your warm, winter clothing since we’ve had a couple of those 30-some degree mornings! I certainly have.
Our wonderful volunteer Connie will be at Manassas Mall on Friday Nov. 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for her annual Connie’s Coats for Christmas drive.

All over the area, important work is being done by teams. Each individual works at their own location, usually at hours of their choosing. The work is critical and with rigid deadlines. Authority levels and responsibility boundaries are muddled at best. And the teams work for free, from home, for their kids.

I recognize that Okra’s Louisiana Bistro in Manassas serves some of the finest dirty rice in the area.

Those wonderful folks at Project Mend-A-House has all the answers to your fall honey-do project list!

We are all used to the concept of buying software at a store.

Teenager plucks Mom’s last nerve

Evernote does it all, and it’s free

The folks at the Medical Reserve Corps are gearing up for H1N1 flu clinics to immunize the community.

This team, these girls, who we’ve cheered on and watched grow, my own volleyball player, this is it.

Like the beloved cartoon character Charlie Brown, many of us will soon be on a quest to find the great pumpkin.

Ladies: From 0 to drama in nine months

Sometimes oatmeal can be sinfully tasty

Do you have the recipe for the most dangerous cake in the world — warm chocolate cake that bakes in the microwave in three minutes?

Volunteers wanted

Tastes of son evolve, much to mother’s chagrin.

I was bowled over when I opened my August/September 2009 issue of Food Network Magazine and saw five of my published recipes. It is very difficult to claim originality of a recipe.

Good Morning Prince William. I have the perfect reason to take off on Friday and have fun while helping those terrific folks at Project Mend-A-House.

Graduation taxes parents’ pocketbook

One of the more unique items sold at the Manassas Farmers Market on Thursdays is Pane alla Ciocolatte.

Good Morning Prince William and happy Labor Day weekend.

I'm watching my son eat. I'm already finished—I ate two slices of my spinach and feta pizza, and that was enough.

I have a confession to make. To all my friends, co-workers, and family who are cheering me on, checking my progress, and no longer sounding surprised: when I tell you that I’m swimming every other day, when I share my growing number of laps … um, I’m kickboarding more than I’m swimming. Way, way more kickboarding than swimming.

I know it’s hard to believe but fall is right around the corner and those super folks at Historic Manassas are very busy gearing up for the 27th Annual Fall Jubilee on Oct. 3.

Cooking at the Manassas Farmers Market with seasonal produce has afforded me a new venue for creating and testing recipes.

Good Morning Prince William. Well, I thought we had escaped the usual D.C. area summer heat and high humidity but I was wrong! It is mid-August though, so I think we lucked-out for the most part.

“OK, everybody! We leave for the fair in 15 minutes! Get ready!” I give it a good yell, trying to reach the son watching TV, the dad at the computer, and the daughter … well, wherever she is. Probably upstairs, in her room.

Try this shredded beef casserole made with inexpensive beef chuck for a hearty answer to family style burritos.