For the Junior Chef?

Last weekend when we went to have a look around the Fair Oaks shopping mall, we called into 'Pottery Barn Kids'. This is the junior version of a fairly expensive interiors shop and features toys, furniture and bedding.

In the first picture above is the full kitchen set up and this is the 'retro' range cooker - all beautifully made in wood but close to the price of a real cooker.

Some very real looking kitchen accessories are also available..

Presumably the budding cooks of the future will be learning on this!

Holiday Gala

We have been planning for the Women's Club  Holiday Gala for some months now and tonight was the night.

The event was at the Sheraton Hotel in Reston from 6pm but before that we were there to check that all was well and to put the favour boxes in place.

Each box - which doubled as a place card and also indicated the choice of main course - was stuffed with different types of chocolate, as well as a pair of earrings for each of the female guests.

David kindly took portraits of each couple or group of guests - but of course we forgot to ask anyone to take a picture of us!

There was a drinks reception from 6-7pm and, after dinner, dancing..

These photos were taken quite early on - a little later the floor was packed and even some line dances attempted!

It was a good night - rather surprising to finish at 10pm but at least we were not late home!

Clearer Skies

Although not bright and sunny this morning the view was a little clearer from our eighth floor window.

The room overlooked the river on one side and the canal on the other.  Next to the canal was a huge weeping willow tree which, surprisingly, was still almost in full leaf.

Although it was windy, a line of pigeons formed along the window ledge as if waiting for the start of a race.  

They were keeping an eye on the park, below..

Damp Day in Boston

This evening the sky is a little clearer and it is possible to see more of the view across the river, but during the day it has been very damp.

On Boston Common, with a background of low cloud, a stage was being built ready for the lighting of the Christmas tree and start of the seasonal festivities.

At Frog Pond, the skating rink is in place but it was unseasonably warm.  The sculptures, particularly the lady frog, seemed to capture the mood of the day..

Many of the trees on the Common are still in leaf..

And of course the ever present and very tame, well fed, squirrels were keen to see what might be coming their way..

Unfortunately I had nothing for them so they soon went back to foraging in the damp grass.

Boston Upgrade!

We arrived in Boston this evening - David has meetings here over the next couple of days.

At reception they told us that they had upgraded our room - to the President's Suite!  On the 8th floor, overlooking the river and the city of Boston, this suite comprises entrance area with coat cupboard and cloakroom; lounge/diner with bar and sink; bedroom with couches for watching tv; bathroom with spa bath.

On the bed, robes, one cheetah, one zebra...

Bathroom..

Well stocked mini-bar etc..

As you can see from the first photo there is a telescope looking out over Boston, not sure quite why!

It is certainly spacious enough for two...

Christmas Tree

Although it is not yet quite December, it is the tradition here for Christmas decorations to be put up on the weekend after Thanksgiving.

As ever we have an eclectic range of tree ornaments - the dog's dinner approach to tree decorating!  We have a few new ones which I am sure will appear on the blog in due course.

I have also brought out the infamous   Noel (or rather No-E) cushions ordered from  M&S last year.  The robin has kindly agreed to stand in for the letter E..

Lake Fairfax Park

We have often passed the entrance to this park on our way to Leesburg or Great Falls, but have never explored further - until yesterday when we went for a walk there.

I am sure that on a brighter day it would have been lovely and perhaps before all the leaves dropped, but it was still an interesting walk around the lake.

The purpose of the lake - as with the other four man-made lakes in Reston is primarily to catch storm water but this one in particular has big recreation areas, fishing, pedalo boats, bike and walking trails, barbecue areas and a skate park - and an impressive swimming pool and water park for the summer months.

We just enjoyed walking in the woods and around the shore.