About Spotsylvania County, VA

I know that I have posted about the HOPE HOUSE in Fredericksburg before, but this is such a great event I wanted to share it with you. The HOPE HOUSE is a shelter for homeless women and children here in Fredericksburg, VA and they are holding their annual FESTIVAL OF TREES right now!

The FESTIVAL OF TREES is the main fundraiser the HOPE HOUSE holds each year. It is a beautiful display of trees that are decorated by different companies, organizations, or families that are donated for a silent auction. They are also judged for different categories such as Best in Show, Most Original, Most Patriotic, Best Sports Themed, Best Non Traditional, to name just a few! It also includes Holiday Bouquets, a tea, a luncheon, a fashion show, and a place to purchase decorations such as wreaths for your holiday decor.

Just to let you know how big the event is..this year it is being held in the Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center in Celebrate Virginia at 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway. Admission is only $7.00 for adults and $4.00 for seniors, and $2.00 for children ages 2-12. You can come in a bid on your favorite tree/item and you will get a special ticket so you can reenter to check on your bid!

Last year this event raised over $50,000!!! The money is help break the cycle of homelessness for the local women and their children in the Fredericksburg and surrounding area.

If you would like to contact the HOPE HOUSE or send a donation here is the contact information: www.hopehouseva.org

After reading the following post by Lizette Fitzpatrick, http://activerain.com/blogsview/770679/A-November-Evening-At-The-Kentucky-River-Palisades, I was almost hesitant to share my Fall Fotos of Lake Anna but here goes.

If (seriously, no pressure Best Friend) you would like to see more pictures of Lake Anna please check out one of my other posts, http://activerain.com/blogsview/781559/My-Active-Rain-Eyes-Got-an-Eyeful, and you will see why I had such a good time that afternoon.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site at http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Fall Fotos of Lake Anna*. Photos by Kate Elim.

If you really love turkeys--and we're not talkng when they are covered in gravy--consider celebrating the all american holiday this year by sponsoring a turkey through Farm Sanctuary's Adopt-A-Turkey Project.

They have been around since 1986 and the sponsorships help the organization rescue and care for the animals at its sanctuaries. In additions, the group advocates for turkeys and other animals and educates eaters about them.

The site features photos of turkeys with names like Faye, and Serendipity that are awaiting sponsoship... In addition to that you can also be part of the Turkey Express Adoption program, which places rescued turkeys in safe, permanent homes.

Can't sponsor or adopt a turkey this year? Here are some great ideas for a Vegetarian Thanksgiving.

The Kenmore Inn, is a historic Inn, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Inn was built in 1773 and it located in a gorgeous area, with other beautiful 18th and 19th century homes. They have none guest rooms, and host activites such as meetings, weddings, receptions.

Fredericksburg is home to many antique stores, specialty shops and restaurants, not to mention all the historic sites such as: James Monroe Museum, Hugh Mercer's Apothecary Shop and the Kenmore plantation to name a few. Their website is very user friendly and has all the information you will need to plan that special event www.Kenmoreinn.com

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Are many of us really looking forward to winter? I do and I don't...mostly don't. However, year after year it shows up anyway right after fall.

Ah, fall. Last Friday my husband,, Jim and I took our Tritoon out for a cruise. We were headed to Sturgeon Creek Marina to have "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" detailed.*

Having been on Active Rain long enough to know that one goes nowhere, absolutely nowhere, without a camera I of course had mine.

A total of 217 pictures where taken during out five mile cruise. Wait a minute, how could that possibly happen. Well, all you need are the following:

Reflections in the Water Doubling the Spectacular Colors

and Images

Loads of Pretty Waterfront Homes

Absolutely Beautiful Blue Water

Boat Houses Galore Just Sitting Around Posing

An Ocassional Fellow Boater

and a Hubby that has the Patience Needed When Married to an Avid Amateur Photographer

plus

all the Time in the World to Leisurely Drift Along

and

a Camera with a Quick Shutter, Wide Angle Lens, and a Mighty Zoom**

Not one of these pictures was digitally enhanced in any way (no auto contrast, color saturation, sharpness tweaking or anything else) other than cropping. It was definitely a day made for anyone infatuated with photography.

Both of us were so pleased with the time we had and the natural beauty of Lake Anna.

There are many reasons Jim and I love living at Lake Anna. Hopefully these pictures will help to convey to you just what Lake Anna means to us each and every season.

Many people think it is the place to be in the summer. Well, you certainly can have lots of fun here than but the fun and good living extend well beyond the summer season.

Lake Anna is definitely a place for year round enjoyment. Come and see for yourself.

*The story, and there is a story, behind our "Unsinkable Molly Brown" will appear on here one of these days.

**AKA as my Panasonic DMC-FZ18 with its 18x optical zoom

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web sites and blog at http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *My Active Rain Eyes Got an Eyeful*.