About Alexandria's Del Ray

Big, blowsy, and beautiful, hydrangea’s are the perfect long blooming summer flower.

Del Ray is home to hundred’s of red, pink, blue, white and purple blossoms - here are just a few on this Scenic Sunday.

For pictures of home and hydrangea's in Del Ray, visit:

Hydrangea’s Are the Perfect Summer Flower - Big, Blowsy, Beautiful

What started as a personal quest for “appropriately scaled and eco-friendly furniture” in his Rosemont bungalow, has turned into a sleek new home decor shop on Del Ray’s Mt. Vernon Avenue for Daryl Wakeley. After years as a magazine designer, Daryl’s finely honed aesthetic is now focused on building a collection of decidedly interesting and luxurious home goods.

Located in the center bay of a long vacant commercial building renovated to accommodate three shops, Bungalow Homewares Gallery is a perfect addition to the neighborhood. Bungalow juxtaposes industrial chic with , among other things, sheets and towels made of organic cotton in sweat shop free conditions, Ethiopian bed covers made by a women’s cooperative; cork branch votive holders; and vintage rice winnowing baskets.

To learn more about Bungalow and what's happening in Del Ray, visit:

Bungalow is Newest Addition to Eclectic Shopping on Del Ray’s Mt. Vernon Avenue

AHHHHH the joys of December! Leaves have all been swept and (choose one) bagged, sucked up, turned to compost, tossed over the fence. Thanksgiving is just a warm memory of leftovers and your family has blissfully go home.

Now it is time for part "2" of the holiday extravaganza. You can have Chanukah or Christmas or both. My family does. This year we are having a Druid join our family. So let us light that the Menorah, spin the dradle and go out for Chinese. We will trim the Christmas tree and as the Christian grandchildren wander off it will be the Jewish granddaughter who will finish the job. Then we'll finish it up by by painting our faces blue and worshiping an oak tree! O.K. maybe not that last part; but, we will respect our Druid's way of bringing back the light on the 22st as he celebrates Yule.

The point is that just like the people here in Del Ray who embrace all the cultures and diversities that they offer, we respect each others beliefs and side dishes. And, that makes for a Very Merry What Ever it is you are having.

So merry wishes to all that we are, and all that we celebrate

And, may we live up to those expectations all the year long.

Ahhhh the joys that are December! Leaves have all been swept and (choose one) bagged, sucked up, turned to compost,tossed over the fence. Thanksgiving is just a warm memory of leftovers and your extended family has blissfully gone home.

It is now time for part "2" of the Holiday extravaganza. You can have Chanukah or Christmas or both. We do. This year we welcome a Druid to our family. So let us light the Menorah, spin the dradle and go out for Chinese. We will trim the tree and as the Christian grandchildren wander off, it will be the Jewish grandchild who will finish the job. Then we'll wrap it all up by painting our faces blue and worshiping an oak tree! O.K. maybe not that last part but we will respect our Druid's way of bringing back the light on the 22st as we help him celebrate Yule.

The point is that just like the people here in Del Ray who embrace all the cultures and diversities that they offer, we respect each others beliefs and side dishes. And that makes for a very merry what ever it is you're having.

SO MERRY WISHES TO THE SUM OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE CELEBRATE!!!

MAY WE LIVE UP TO THESE EXPECTATIONS THE YEAR ROUND.

Carol Bull Nova Star Del Ray Alexandria VA.

Ah the week of Thanksgiving. Happy people getting ready to sit down to a big turkey dinner. A few people will enjoy ham. Off to my sister's home I will go. Me and my vegetarian family. No we do not eat tofurky. My daughter has had a bit of a hard time in school trying to explain that even at Thanksgiving and Christmas we do not eat meat. And, yes chicken is meat. We do make a donation, the price of a turkey, to a sanctuary. When my girl was little, one of my fellow designers would call the house on "the day" and gobble thank you. AnnaMarie, said child, grew suspicious around age nine. We still make the donation and my friend still calls. It's part of our Thanksgiving Tradition. So is watching the Turkey Trot a 5 k race the goes down Commonwealth Ave. Right in front of our house. The serious runners out front aren't much fun but oh my the ones that come at the middle and end. Mommies and daddies with strollers bikes and wheelchair racers. of course many dogs, this is Del Ray! Young people old people huff and puff people. At every corner those of us who would rather drink coffee cheer them all on from the first runner to the last walker being tailed by the ambulance. we're very supportive here. So Happy Thanksgiving to all and enjoy your meal take care while traveling. Maybe you could think about a meat free dish or two.

Carol Bull Nova Star Del Ray Alexandria VA.