Barboursville Gift Gallery Rt 20 Constitution Hwy near Rt 33 VA

Their white road sign intrigued me, so I stopped in this gift shop filled with gifts ideas for you or someone special covering every inch of this store.  Located in Barboursville, Virginia, sitting one mile North of Route 33 on Route 20 on a country lot in a peaceful setting.   A butter churn from Louisa, lamps made of wood, handmade beaded necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, paintings of all sizes in different mediums, vases, and more abound. If you’re looking for a certain type of item(s), call their delightful shopkeepers, Sarah and Ernie Memery at 540-832-3312, for suggestions.

Alpaca yarn skeins, rugs, teddy bears, scarves, mittens, gloves, hats and cards with pictures of alpaca provide unique gift options.  Have you touched alpaca?  It’s so soft and cuddly feeling.  There’s also pictures of a lily and other flowers by the alpaca farm people.

While there I met a painter setting up her collections.  What an honor to meet a painter in person.   Their card says: “many works by local artists and open Thursday-Sunday 10am-6pm or by appointment.”

So before your designated driver drives you to Barboursville Vineyards, Horton Vineyards and/or Burnley Vineyards, shop here.

All rights reserved 2009 and copyrighted by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA.

Carytown Burgers Chicken Salads 3500 1/2 W Cary St Richmond VA 23221

After visiting Carytown Teas, eat a meal at Carytown Burgers and Fries next door.  Order downstairs then walk upstairs and find a table or eat outside with their patio heaters and wind-covered space.  Take away and delivery to certain areas are also options.

Eleven chicken variations, BLT, BBQ, Fired Cod, Fish and Chips, Grilled Cheese (two kinds), twenty-five burgers, vegetarian options (garden, black bean, mock chicken nuggets, portabella with/without brie, six hot dogs, fries, tator tots, onion rings, potato salad, cole slaw, mozzarella sticks, soup, five salads, homemade chili, sodas, milkshakes, cheesecake, cake, cookies, and kid’s baskets round out the menu.  I’m impressed with their variety of menu offerings for a burger joint and their 1/3 pound Angus burgers.  Prices as of a recent visit (everything is a la carte) were up to $7.29 per item for a “Barnyard Brawl with Chicken tenders, egg, bacon, and white American.”  Their hot dogs start at $2.79 and run up to $5.74 for a “corn dog meal with two corn dogs and fries.” Homemade Chili runs $3.99, cobb salad with bacon, blue cheese and guacamole costs $6.29 and their milkshakes are $2.99 and $3.69.  Prices listed are before taxes and tips to drivers/servers.

All rights reserved and copyrighted 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA.

Anne’s Grill 1609 Princess Anne St Fredericksburg, VA 22401

Diner style counter seating plus tables and chairs round out the seating options at Anne’s Grill.  Reasonable prices include $3 french toast (three full slices cut in half then sprinkled with a light dusting of cinnamon and powdered sugar)and hot tea for a total bill before tip of less than $5.  Tea was nice-tasting and hot when served and received a small pitcher of cream instead of those terrible little plastic creamer tubs.  If you prefer meat that costs extra but at these good prices this is manageable even on a tight budget.  Sandwiches and other grill/diner type items round out their menu with plenty of options and their highest price item as of my visit was under $10. Parking on-street but beware that right in front of their restaurant parking expires in one hour and the city has a system to check your parking, so watch your time carefully to avoid a ticket.  Also, always read the parking signs carefully in any municipality since certain parking areas are for buses, residents with permits, etc.

Checks and  cash accepted here but no plastic cards, either credit or debit, will be honored.  Their phone number is 540-373-9621.  Wednesdays Anne’s Grill is closed.  Open hours are 6am-2pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays then reopening from 4:30-8:30pm everyday except Wednesdays.  On Saturdays and Sundays they’re open from 7am-2pm and 4:30-8:30pm.

All Rights Reserved and copyrighted 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred-Stafford, VA.

Restaurant Eve & Wine Bar 110 South Pitt St Alexandria VA 22314

A trendy place to sit and sip wine or your favorite beverage of choice while eating finger foods such as grilled cheese $6 and having a rhubarb dessert $10.50.  Their restaurant had not opened for dinner, so I ate from their limited but pleasing bar menu.  Their GLS Morgadio $14 was a nice white wine to complement my meal.    This summertime visit means prices might have changed.

I loved this place and had conversations with a few other diners so other diners and staff are equally welcoming.  Attire here was on the dressier side even in the wine bar.  I was pleased my only option was not a bar stool.  There are some small tables with well-cushioned small benches.  The narrow passageway you enter to get to the door on the side of the building is an oasis and very peaceful yet lovely with greenery.  Their website is http://www.restauranteve.com and their phone number for restaurant reservations is 703-706-0450.

All rights reserved 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty in Stafford, Virginia.

Daily Grind 10123 Jefferson Davis Hwy Rt 1 Fredericksburg VA 22407 Cosners Corner

This coffee house and cafe has food for breakfast, lunch and dinner plus sweets such as pound cake and many other options.  They have their coffee blends roasted specifically for their store.   Their Harney and Sons teas please tea drinkers who are often neglected at other coffee shops when some non-English or non-German brands I won’t mention are on their menus instead of higher-quality teas.

Plenty of seating options abound from stools and chairs to couch and even club chairs.  There are toys for children and some smaller tables and plugs for laptops plus wifi access.   Their breakfast sandwich on a croissant with turkey, cheddar (other choices available), and eggs plus a southwest type sauce was delicious.  A comfortable ambiance  and engaging staff really put this coffee house and cafe at the top of my list.  Then add clean bathrooms and this place really shines.

Daily Grind Coffee House and Cafe’s Phone number is 540-834-0157.

All rights reserved 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed real estate salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty in Stafford, Virginia.

Trattoria Nerone Italia Florence Italy Via Faenza 50123 Firenze di bondi srl 95r-97r

Delicious does not even begin to describe their food here.  Chicken with Tuscan white beans and antipasti plate with prosciutto and salami, pasta dish, and the greatest cannelloni ever made this place a worthwhile dining option for the food and the service.

There’s a cover charge of 1,50 Euros per person and you pay for acqua either still or bubbly.  This cover charge is typical in Italy.  I look forward to eating here again.  Right before walking in here, a lady said she knew the owner and this was one of her favorite places.  Their tables and chairs are quaint country yet plenty comfortable.

Reservations not taken so get there early.  For menu information call 04820500488 with a global phone.  Their e-mail is trattorianerone@yahoo.it

2009 All rights reserved by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed Virginia real estate salesperson for Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.

Tags: kidfriendly restaurants, Italy, Florence Italy restaurants, travel

US New Homebuyers Tax Credit Time Running Out Quickly

Right now first-time homebuyers have the opportunity to purchase a home and receive a credit on their tax return.
Hopefully, if you want to do this, you’re already working with a licensed realtor in your state or will begin working with one within the next two weeks in order to find a home you wish to purchase, go through the entire process and go to closing. This process is taking longer than ever, so allow at least 40-45 days from the time your offer is accepted by a home seller. In some states, this time line might even take more than 45 days.

To see if this particular situation applies to your household, talk to a Certified Public Accountant or a tax law attorney for the exact specifics as they might apply to your situation. I’m not an attorney or a CPA, so I’m unable to provide any legal or financial advice. All rights reserved and copyrighted 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed Virginia salesperson with Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.

Kolache House Bakery 10008 Southpoint Pky, #101 Fredericksburg VA 22407 I-95 Massaponax Exit

Kolache House Bakery continues to impress me every time I visit. Their interior decor is tasteful, their restaurant and seating is always clean, and they even offer clean restrooms and wifi access. Their bread pudding is moist yet flavorful. People of all ages and stages will enjoy this place and there is parking right out front so this store has convenient access from your vehicle to their front door. They have expanded their opening times to include Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 7am-1pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 7am-7pm and Saturdays and Sundays from 8am-3pm. They offer lunch specials on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with a good variety of sandwiches and even their own versions of quiche. Kolaches are their signature item in different flavors but their cinnamon rolls are delicious, too. Coffee drinks and hot tea plus cooler options such as water and juice are available, too. So next time you and yours are running errands, stop by Kolache House Bakery for a quick bite to eat or even a snack to reinvigorate you before continuing with your errands and to do list. Their phone number is 540-322-1727. Also, remember to order ahead for special holiday orders so you have enough for your guests and yourself to enjoy.

Copyright and all rights reserved 2009 by Sherrie Hartzell, licensed salesperson in Virginia with Keller Williams Preferred Realty-Stafford, VA.