Some Fun Things To Do This Month

 

Holiday Candle Light Tours, Hollywood, MD- http://sotterley.org/news_sotterley.htm

Evening Planetarium Show: Mystery of the Christmas Star, Frederick, MD- https://sites.fcps.org/essl/category/catalog/planetarium-shows/mystery-christmas-star

hiSTORY Hour, Frederick, MD- http://hsfcinfo.org/

Gingerbread House Contest and Show, Upper Marlboro, MD- http://www.pgparks.com/Things_To_Do/History/Darnall_s_Chance_Museum/Events_and_Programs.htm

Holiday Tour, Westminster, MD- http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/farmmus/docs/holiday-visit.pdf

The Christmas Revels, Silver Spring, MD- http://revelsdc.org/revels2011/

Parade Of Lights Cruise, Annapolis, MD- http://www.watermarkcruises.com/eventsParadeofLightsCruise.htm

Christmas in Crisfield, Crisfield, MD- http://www.crisfieldevents.com/crisfieldevents.com/Welcome.html

Holiday Market, National Harbor, MD- http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/entertainment.htm#holidaymarket

ICE! Featuring Madagascar- National Harbor, MD- http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national/christmas-on-the-potomac/ice-experience/index.html?intcmp=gn-pl=banner-cid=cotp-ice

Wine Country Christmas, Hydes, MD- http://www.boordy.com/events/events-at-boordy

Symphony of Lights Group Walk, Columbia, MD- http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/howard_county_general_hospital/ways_give/howard_hospital_foundation/foundation_events/symphony_of_lights/index.html

Breakfast with Santa and his Elves, Chesapeake Beach, MD- http://www.chesapeakebeachresortspa.com/files/209/SantaBreakfast_2011.pdf

Gaithersburg Winter Lights Festival, Gaithersburg, MD- http://www.gaithersburgmd.gov/winterlights/11_main.html

Holiday Festival of Trains, Baltimore, MD- http://www.borail.org/HFOT.aspx

Holiday Train Garden, Lutherville, MD- http://firemuseummd.org/

The Trains of Christmas, Hagerstown, MD- http://www.roundhouse.org/christmas.shtml

Victorian Christmas, Berlin, MD- http://www.oceancity.com/events/Victorian-Christmas-in-Historic-Berlin--Maryland-December-1-2011.html

The Nutcracker Puppet Show, Glen Echo, MD- http://www.thepuppetco.org/

Festival Of Lights, Upper Marlboro, MD- http://www.pgparks.com/Festival_of_Lights.htm

Winterfest Of Lights, Ocean City, MD- http://oceancitymd.gov/Recreation_and_Parks/specialevents.html

White Christmas Dinner Theatre, Columbia, MD- http://www.tobysdinnertheatre.com/tobyscolumbia_003.htm

Some Secret Weapons For Your Cookies Parties!

Root Beer Float Cookies

Cookie Ingredients:

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

2 teaspoons root beer extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting Ingredients:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tablespoons half-and-half

4 teaspoons butter or margarine

2 teaspoons root beer extract

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Set aside. In large mixing bowl combing sugars, butter, buttermilk, eggs, root beer extract, and vanilla.

Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Beat at low speed until soft dough forms.

Drop dough by heaping teaspoons 2 inches apart onto prepared cookie sheets.

Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until just set. Cool completely.

In small mixing bowl, combine frosting ingredients. Beat at low speed until smooth. Spread on cookies, let dry completely before storing.

White Chocolate Candy Cane Blossoms

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup sugar

1 egg

3 tbsp white chocolate liqueur

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Green and red sugar crystals

1 bag of Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F degrees.  Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt and baking soda. Cream together, with an electric mixer, the butter and sugar. Add the egg and beat on high for 2 minutes or until smooth and fluffy.  Scrape the sides and beat again for 1 minute. Mix in the white chocolate liqueur. Add the flour and mix on medium speed just until combined.  Scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure all the flour is incorporated.  Do not over mix. Roll 12 1-inch balls of dough in the red sugar crystals and place on cookie sheet. Roll 12 1-inch balls of dough in the green sugar crystals and place a cookie sheet.

Bake one cookie sheet at a time for 8-10 minutes. Cool on pan for 1 minute then place an unwrapped Candy Cane Kiss in the center of each cookie. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Chocolate Pile-Up Cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt  

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 cup white sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons coffee-flavored liqueur

1 cup finely chopped toasted hazelnuts

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper. In a bowl, mix the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Beat the butter, white sugar, and brown sugar together in a bowl with an electric mixer until soft and creamy, then beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and coffee liqueur. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the butter-sugar mixture until well combined. Stir in the hazelnuts, semisweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips until evenly distributed through the dough. Drop by rounded teaspoons, about 2 inches apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake in the preheated oven until the edges are slightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for 1 minute before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Places in Maryland To See Christmas Light Displays

 ·  Festival of Lights at the Mormon Temple
9900 Stoneybrook Dr., Kensington, Maryland. (301) 587-0144. 2011 December 2, 2011-January 1, 2012. Dusk to 10 p.m. nightly. View more than 450,000 lights and a live outdoor Nativity scene each evening from 6 to 9 p.m. Live musical performances begin at 7 and 8 p.m.

·  Winter Lights at Seneca Creek State Park
11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, Maryland. November 25 & 26, then Nightly December 2 – 31, 2011 (closed every Monday and December 25). Sunday - Thursday (closed Monday) 6 – 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday 6 – 10 p.m. Winter Lights is a magical Christmas light display including more than 350 illuminated displays and along a 3.5-mile drive through the park

·  Winter Festival of Lights at Watkins Regional Park
301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, Maryland. November 25, 2011 - January 1, 2012. HOURS: 5-9:30 p.m. daily. $5 per car; $15 for mini-buses and limos; $25 for buses; $10 for multi-visit passes for cars and vans (good for three visits). The festival is FREE on December 25. You may bring canned food items to donate to local food banks for the holidays. Winter Festival of Lights is Prince George’s County, Maryland’s spectacular drive-through Christmas light display featuring more than a million twinkling lights

·  Garden of Lights at Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallen Avenue, Wheaton, Maryland. November 25, 2011- January 8, 2012 (closed Dec 24 & 25 and closed January 2-5) HOURS: 5:30 to 9:00 p.m., last car admitted 8:30 p.m. $25 per car Fri-Sun, $20 Mon-Thurs. Pedestrians cannot be admitted due to safety regulations. (Visitors must drive to the entrance gate, paying at the gate, drive into the parking lot, park their car and walk through the light show display. Garden of Lights Hotline: (301) 962-1453. This illuminated outdoor winter garden walk includes a whimsical monster, an enchanting persimmon tree, a walk through kaleidoscope caterpillar, an animated flying cardinal, and swimming geese over sparkling water.

·  Adventure Park USA
11113 West Baldwin Road, New Market, Maryland. November 18, 2011 - January 8, 2012. HOURS: 6 to 10 p.m. At Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland, drive through a maze filled with hundreds of thousands of lights that twinkle along to Christmas music. $25 per carload, $50 for a mini-bus, activity van or limousine, and school and tour buses cost $100 each. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross and Christmas Cash for Kids. Guests can stay afterwards to meet Santa Claus and enjoy Adventure Park's indoor attractions at a discounted rate including laser Tag, the climbing wall, ropes course, teacups, helicopters, soft play and the Arcade.

·  Bull Run Festival of Lights
7700 Bull Run Dr., Centreville, Virginia. (703) 359-4633. November 23, 2011 to January 8, 2012. Hours: Monday - Thursday & Sunday: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays & holidays: 5:30 to 10 p.m. This festive display of lights features penguins, snowmen, deer, candy canes and Santa. Monday – Thursday, $15 per car, Friday – Sunday, $20 per car. New for 2010, the event will include more than 40,000 animated lights set to music! After viewing the lights you can visit the new Winter Wonderland Holiday Village that includes amusement rides, an ice skating rink, entertainment, shopping, contests, food, and more.

·  Symphony of Lights in Columbia
Symphony Woods, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland. (410) 740-7840. November 21, 2011-Sunday, January 1, 2012. New Year's Eve event! Hours: Every night, including holidays 6-10 p.m. $20 per car. Symphony of Lights is a spectacular drive-through display of more than 75 animated and stationary holiday lights. All proceeds from the Symphony of Lights benefit the services of Howard County General Hospital.

·  Eastport Yacht Club Parade of Lights
Annapolis Christmas Lights Boat Parade, Annapolis City Harbor (410) 267-9549. December 10, 2011, 6-8 p.m. Enjoy a parade of lights when more than 70 power and sailboats show off their holiday decorations. Free event.

·  Lights on the Bay at Sandy Point State Park
Route 50, Annapolis, Maryland. (410) 481-3161. November 19, 2011 through January 1, 2012, 5-10 p.m. An annual scenic drive through holiday lights show sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center. Drive along the shore of the Chesapeake Bay and see more than 60 animated and stationary displays illuminating the roadway. $12 per car.

·  Annmarie Garden in Lights
Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center, 13480 Dowell Road, Dowell (Solomons), Maryland. (410) 326-4640. December 2, 2011 - January 1, 2012, 6-9 p.m. Closed Dec. 5-7, 12-14, & 24-25. The walking tour takes visitors on a spectacular stroll beside handmade one-of-a-kind Christmas light sculptures featuring mythical beasts, wild animals, pirates, illuminated works of art, and more. The event includes nightly entertainment. $5 Ages 5 & up.

Upcoming Chrsitmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Maryland!

• Rockville Town Square Holiday Open House
  December 7, 2011, 6:30-9 p.m. Rockville Town Square, Rockville, Maryland. The Holiday Open House features Santa's Arrival, the Holiday Tree Lighting, FREE photos with Santa, refreshments, holiday music and more! FREE Horse & Carriage Rides with a donation to the Holiday Toy & Gift Drive benefiting needy families through the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission.
  
  
• City of Gaithersburg's Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
  December 3, 2011, 6-8 p.m. City Hall Concert Pavilion, 31 South Summit Ave, Gaithersburg, Maryland. (301) 258-6350. Gather with the Gaithersburg community and celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with a holiday sing-a-long, tree lighting, take-your-own-photo-with-Santa, and free hot chocolate.

Yummy Thanksgiving Drink Recipes!

Newton’s Apple

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces (4 tablespoons) Knob Creek Bourbon

3/4 ounce (1 1/2 tablespoons) Thatcher’s Elderflower

Liqueur

3/4 ounce (1 1/2 tablespoons) fresh Fuji apple juice

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) fresh lime juice

1 lime wheel

1 sprig fresh mint

DIRECTIONS

1. Shake ingredients over ice and strain into a collins glass

filled with fresh ice.

2. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

Pilgrim Father’s Folly

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) Plymouth Gin

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) pink grapefruit juice

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) Thatcher’s Blood Orange

Liqueur

Mionetto Prosecco

Orange twist

DIRECTIONS

1. Shake the first three ingredients over ice and strain

into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.

2. Add 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) chilled Prosecco

and stir gently.

3. Garnish with an orange twist

Pumpkins Smash

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2ounces (3 tablespoons) Appleton Estate V/X rum

3/4 ounce (1 1/2 tablespoons) spice syrup*

1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice

Ice cubes

1/2 ounce pumpkin purée

1 drop The Bitter Truth Jerry Thomas’ Own

Decanter bitters

1 cinnamon stick

3 cloves

* Spice syrup: In a medium saucepan, bring to a boil 2 cups of water,

2 rounded cups of granulated sugar, 8 cinnamon sticks, 8 cloves,

and half a grated nutmeg, stirring until the sugar has dissolved. Let

steep in the refrigerator for a day, then strain mixture into a clean,

sealed container. Can be kept refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a shaker, combine liquid ingredients with ice. Shake and

strain into a rocks glass with a 2-inch-square ice cube.

2. Garnish with cinnamon stick and cloves

A Few Ways To Help The Homeless And The Hungry This Thanksgiving

SOME (So Others May Eat)
On Thanksgiving Day, this organization holds its annual Trot for Hunger beginning at 8:30 a.m. at West Potomac Park in Washington, DC. DC Mayor Adrian Fenty is the Honorary Chair of the 5K fun run and family walk that benefits programs for homeless women, children and men.

Food and Friends
This organization provides meals to support men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses. Volunteers assemble and deliver Thanksgiving meals.

Capital Area Food Bank
Make a monetary donation or help the Brown Bag program deliver Thanksgiving food baskets to needy senior citizens. This is the largest, public nonprofit hunger and nutrition education resource in the region.

Bread For the City
WHUR DAY (at the Old Post Office Pavilion) is a food drive, cash drive, and telethon to benefit Bread for the City's Holiday Helpings Program, providing Thanksgiving meals to low-income families. Volunteers collect canned food and cash donations and load and unload trucks of food.

Salvation Army – National Capital Area
Donate money or host your own personalized Red Kettle to gather donations from others. The international Christian organization strives to improve the lives of the needy and provide holiday meals.

Washington DC Jewish Community Center
Volunteers prepare the Thanksgiving meal for people in need in the Washington DC metropolitan area. Bring family and friends to make stuffing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, desserts and more.

Turkey Trots in the Washington, DC Area
A variety of organizations sponsor turkey trots, runs and walks to raise money for the needy. Participate on your own or organize a group and get some great exercise at the start of the holiday season.

Don't Feel Like Cooking this Thanksgiving?

Clydes of Chevy Chase - 5441 Wisconsin Avenue, Chevy Chase, Maryland. (301) 951-9600. A traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, $25.95 per adult, $15.95 per child.

Clyde's Tower Oaks Lodge - 2 Preserve Pkwy., Rockville, Maryland (301)294-0200. Feast on Thanksgiving fare at this elegant yet rustic restaurant in Rockville, Maryland. A la carte menu with a wide range of prices.

Comus Inn at Sugarloaf Mountain - 23900 Old Hundred Rd. Dickerson, Maryland (301) 349-5100. Buffet, $49.95 per person $15 per child.

Inn at Brookeville Farms - 19501 Georgia Ave., Brookeville, Maryland. (301) 924-6500. Three course dinner, $40 per person, $19 per child ages 12 and under.

La Ferme - 7101 Brookeville Rd, Chevy Chase, Maryland (301) 986- 5255. This cozy french country inn offers a seated dinner with lots of choices. $46 per adult, $23 per child.

Mrs. K's Toll House - 9201 Colesville, Rd., Silver Spring, Maryland (301) 589-3500. Enjoy a 4 course dinner at a historic country inn. $55 per adult, $19.95 per child ages 7-12, $9.95 6 and under.

Old Anglers Inn - 10801 MacArthur Blvd. Potomac, Maryland (301)365-2425. Celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday by a crackling fire at a charming country inn. Three-course pre-fixe menu $49.50 per person.

Normandie Farm - 10710 Falls Road, Potomac, Maryland (301) 983-8838. Enjoy an elegant holiday dinner in this charming Potomac, Maryland restaurant. Thanksgiving buffet $38 per person, $15 ages 12 and under.

Willow Tree Inn - 19550 Montgomery Village Ave. Gaithersburg, Maryland (301)948-8832. Enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with a view of the Montgomery Village Golf Course.