Pink Ribbon

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are almost at the end of the month but there is still time for us to show our support in the research and cure for breast cancer. For more information in getting involved or learning about the disease that has affected millions of women in our country and in the world please visit http://www.nbcam.com/

Halloween History & Fun

It was believed that spirits rose from the dead and mingled with the living on this day. The Celts left food at their doors to encourage good spirits and wore masks to scare off the bad ones!

Have you visited your local Pumpkin Patch yet?! They have fun for all ages and usually include hay rides, pony rides and petting zoos for the kids, big, fast slides to go down (with your kids!) and of course pick your own pumpkins! Some great ones in the area are: Burke Nursery & Garden Centre, Cox Farms in Centreville, Heather Hill Gardens in Fairfax Station, Mount Vernon, Leesburg Animal Park and Great Country Farms in Bluemont, VA

HOW DID THE BOSS GET A DAY?

HOLIDAY HISTORY: Began in 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski, then an employee at the State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Ill., registered the holiday with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Ms. Haroski chose October 16th, her fathers birthday, as the date for National Boss Day because she felt he was an exemplary boss.

National Boss Day has become an internationl celebration in recent years and now is observed in countries such as England, Australia and South Africa.

DID YOU KNOW? Boss Day is always celebrated on October 16th?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, more than 14 million individuals are employed in management occupations, and about 37% of them are women?

Workplace surveys confirm that one of the most important elements of job satisfaction is a positive relationship between a supervisor and employee.

Water Shortage in Loudoun County

We sure could use some rain!

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Tuesday adopted a resolution declaring a water shortage emergency in parts of the county.Due to the ongoing drought, the Board of Supervisors instituted mandatory water restrictions for residents in eastern Loudoun County.Voluntary restrictions were already imposed in early August, calling for residents to reduced their water usage by 10-percent. Loudoun County Sanitation Authority officials say the mandatory restrictions will ease demand, and if rainfall increases, help return the reservoirs to their pre-drought levels. Effective immediately, the county is prohibiting residents from watering their lawns and landscaping, washing vehicles except in commercial facilities, filling swimming pools and operating ornamental fountains. Also the county is asking restaurants to stop serving drinking water unless specifically requested.Authorities say violators may be fined up to $500 for each offense.

What's Cooking at the Homewood Suites?

Abdel Razick welcomes our guests with a delicious light buffet at the "Welcome Home Reception" every Monday through Thursday evenings.

Homewood Suites its expansion...

The Homewood Suites by Hilton brand continues its record pace in the development and opening of new properties. This past week, the 211th property opened in our very own state..Virginia. The Fredericksburg Homewood Suites, just off of I-95, opened this week.
Congraduations to our neighbors to the immediate South....

Local Halloween Traditions

Discover the Real Night Life of neighboring Leesburg.
This Halloween, get scared inside out at the popular (and infamous) nighttime tour of Leesburg's haunted homes and businesses.
Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27 are the dates for this annual fun event.
Visit their web site at...www.loudounmuseum.org or simply call at 703-777-7427.

Mom's Pumpkin Pie

Ingredients
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch single crust pie
3 eggs
1 egg yolk
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
2 cups pumpkin puree
Cooking Instructions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C.)
In a large bowl, combine eggs, egg yolk, white sugar and brown sugar. Add salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves. Gradually stir in milk and cream. Stir in pumpkin. Pour filling into pie shell.
Bake for ten minutes in preheated oven. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and bake for an additional 40 to 45 minutes, or until filling is set.

Fall Weekend Ideas

We are having some beautiful Fall weekends! Why not spend one in the picturesque Shenandoah Valley? A great upcoming event is the Hot Air Balloon & Wine Festival held at Historic Long Branch in Millwood, VA. This will be the weekend of Oct. 19-21. The Shenendoah Valley is also famous for apples and you can pick your own at many places. There are also some great Virginia wineries. Why not venture out?!

HOME BEAUTY TIPS

>To remove puffiness from the eyelids, massage a drop of very fresh castor oil on to them.
>To cool your eyes, make eye pads using thick slices of cucumber. Another option is to use cottom pads soaked in cold milk. Lie down and place them on your closed eyes and relax for a while.
>To prevent your lips from chapping, use hot water fermentation on your lips and then apply a mixture of vaseline and honey. Apply this mixture about three times a week.
>To prevent your lips from drying you can use a ground mixture of rose pettals and milk butter.
>To dealy age spots on your hands, use a piece of lemon and rub all over your hands before washing. This will delay onset of age-spots.
>To prevent hair loss you should have a biotin rich drink. Blend bananas with honey, yogurt and low fat milk. Drink this for a few weeks.
>To add extra shine and glow to your hair add 2 tablespoons of malt vinegar. Use it as a last rinse and towel dry your hair.