I was doing some after Christmas shopping at Smith Mountain Lake today and stopped in at the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop in Moneta this afternoon. They're running an after Christmas sale with 75% off all holiday items. The store has a variety of Christmas ornaments and decorations, plus housewares, dishes, linens,  framed prints and furniture available. This is a nice clean store with friendly volunteers and reasonable prices on the donated merchandise.

Find a bargain and support a great cause- all proceeds go toward the fight against cancer.

From the ACS website:

American Cancer Society Discovery Shops

American Cancer Society Discovery Shops are upscale resale stores selling previously owned items to raise funds to fight cancer. Through the sale of donated merchandise, ACS Discovery Shops make a substantial contribution in continuing the fight. The heart of the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop efforts its volunteers. No special skills are necessary, just a desire to share your energy and enthusiasm a few hours a month. The shops are owned by the American Cancer Society and operated by volunteers and staff.

ACS Discovery Shops are always in need of quality merchandise in new or gently used condition, including the following: 

• Clothing, Accessories
• Household Items
• Crystal
• China
• Jewelry
• Antiques/Collectibles
• Estate Items

You can drop off these items at any ACS Discovery Shop location. The value of your donated items is tax deductible. Visit the store at SML and in Roanoke.

Discovery Shop of American Cancer Society 

400 Scruggs Rd # 500, Moneta, VA 24121-2545 (540) 721-0050 ‎

 

 

 

Thankfully there is no school this week......enjoy the snow!

For the latest information on local weather, school closings and delays, check out the following links:

Lynchburg, WSET.COM

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Roanoke Weather Info

LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES

Is there school tomorow?

Public Schools:

LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOLS

BEDFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS

CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

AMHERST COUNTY SCHOOLS

 

 

 

We made a fresh pot of hot chocolate and bundled up in the car to enjoy the Christmas lights in Bedford County, Virginia last night. One of ours stops was at The National Elks Home in Bedford, VA. This has been a family favorite since our girls were little and it really puts you in the Christmas spirit.

The Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks purchased the Hotel Bedford located in Bedford, Virginia in 1902. This beautiful home is located on 200 acres in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Elk National Home was dedicated in 1903 as a retirement community for retired Elks members and their spouses.

 The Elks National Home in Bedford, Virginia

Directions: Take Route 460, midway between Roanoke and Lynchburg to the city of Bedford, turn onto Peaks Rd and follow the ELKS HOME signs.

National Elks Home
931 Ashland Avenue
Bedford, VA  24523
1-800-552-4140

 

 

 

Winter  is back with a vengeance and snow is on its way.......are you prepared?

Last December, a 90 minute drive from Virginia Tech to Lynchburg turned into an 8 hour adventure to get home safely the next day. It started snowing shortly after the graduation ceremonies ended and we were caught in the worst snowstorm we've experienced since we moved to Virginia. Blinding snow fell for hours and cars couldn't make it up hills, they were abandoned on the side of the road, trucks blocked on-ramps to highways and hundreds of people were stranded on the interstate. After hours of creeping along the streets of Blacksburg, we were fortunate to find a hotel room for the night.

Be prepared for what is coming: Visit the ready.gov Winter Weather website for more information:

Step 1: Get a Kit For Your Car

• Get an Emergency Supply Kit which includes items like non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-crank radio, extra flashlights and batteries.
• Thoroughly check and update your family's Emergency Supply Kit before winter approaches and add the following supplies in preparation for winter weather:
  • Rock salt to melt ice on walkways
  • Sand to improve traction
  • Snow shovels and other snow removal equipment.
  • Also include adequate clothing and blankets to keep you warm

For the latest information on local weather, school closings & delays, check out the following links:

Lynchburg, WSET.COM

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Roanoke Weather Info

LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES

Public Schools:

LYNCHBURG CITY SCHOOLS

BEDFORD COUNTY SCHOOLS

CAMPBELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

AMHERST COUNTY SCHOOLS

APPOMATTOX COUNTY SCHOOLS

ROANOKE CITY SCHOOLS 

LOCAL RADIO STATIONS

 

 

 

I was lucky enough to be invited to tea at The Ploughcroft Tea Room on their Grand Opening day, December 11th, 2010. The Tea Room is located in one of the historic buildings on Commerce Street that has been totally renovated. Singers from The Victorian Society at Liberty University performed Christmas songs, there were readings from Charles Dickens Christmas Story and several vocal performances. 

We enjoyed a leisurely afternoon cream tea with tasty scones in a beautiful English setting. I've been to the tea room for lunch and highly recommend the Cornish Pasty and the Fruit Crumble with English Custard AND reservations. The tea room is already a popular destination and it fills up fast. Conveniently located across from Estate Specialists.

Address: 1215 Commerce St.
Phone: (434) 832-7467
Website: http://www.ploughcrofttearoom.com
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (afternoon tea served from 2 to 5 p.m.)

Price range: Lunch runs from $6.50 (soup du jour) to $9.50 (chicken and mushroom pie or the Ploughman’s Lunch) and tea from $3.50 (a pot of tea for one) to $21 (a Victorian Afternoon Cream Tea, which includes an end-less pot of tea, two homemade scones and your choice of sandwiches and sweet treats); sandwiches and other home-made items can also be purchased a la carte.

 

 

 

One of the wonderful things about this time of year is the old fashioned Christmas Parade held in historic downtown Lynchburg, Virginia. The 50th Annual Christmas Parade took place on a snowy night in December and featured over 80 entries- floats representing various clubs, groups and organizations, marching bands, antique cars and much more. One group I'm involved with is The Seven Hills Jeep Club and this was their entry:

Interested in off-roading? Whether you like to crawl over rocks or own a stock jeep, there's room for drivers of all skill levels. The group gets together for monthly trips, meetings are held the third Wednesday of every month at the building next to the Harley Dealership on Timberlake Rd, Lynchburg VA.

Call Jason Baker at (434) 610-6758 or email

Info@sevenhillsjeepclub.org for more information on the Seven Hills Jeep Club. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

Gorgeous Sunrise At The Moon Palace in Beautiful Cancun, Mexico