Christmas/Winter Wonderland in Pictures

While we did not make it to Romania for Christmas this year (a summer trip is in the works), we had a wonderful time with family and friends. And - as the best gift of the season - we ALMOST had a white Christmas.

Our Christmas tree

On the way to a Christmas party

Hand dipped goodies

Christmas at Nancy and Bob's

The Rockettes with the Roos/Deem clan

They are fantastic!

Our other family:)

Alexandria Winter Wonderland 2009

Meet Frosty, the Parkside snowman. It is the biggest one we have ever built!

Xmas at the OPs

Lynn and Eric, the above-mentioned OPs

With Erika and Ryan

Santa surprised Jason this year with a set of golf clubs. He had no idea:)

Xmas with Jason's parents in PA

We wanted to do something different this year and replaced the boring turkey with a turducken. Here Jason cutting it with Brian and dad observing. It was delish and it might become a tradition. :)

OK - so the Redskins helped the Cowboys get into the playoffs....Thank God we had Camelia over for a few minutes that day to soften the blow. She is so precious!

Happy New Year everyone!

Year in Review

2009 has been a great year. Jason and I accomplished a lot and we are so grateful for all of that, as we are keenly aware that this was not the case for everyone out there. 2009 has not been an easy year in the U.S. or around the world - from a rough economy, people losing their jobs and homes, illness and wars.

But someone was looking out for us - I got the job of my dreams in August of this year. I now work for an amazing not-for-profit organization called the Pew Center on Global Climate Change. My work is now related to a topic close to my heart and the people I work with are nice and smart. Jason also continues to enjoy his work at Veris Group, the company he has now been with for over a year.

We also succeeded in doing a few things around our lovely townhouse this year: from crown molding, tile in the guest bathroom, a new gate for our patio, to our most recent addition: a brand spanking new kitchen island, lights and granite. It is my MOST favorite room in the house now and I use it often. Jason is to thank for many of these projects, which were DIY.

Jason putting in our kitchen island.

Semi finished product (missing back on island, which is now in)

Other fun things we did this year? Our awesome trip to Europe to visit friends in Paris and Berlin, our third annual camping trip to Assateague island with family and friends, and my mom and grandma's visit this summer. We did a lot of fun mini-trips and sightseeing while they were here. It was my grandma's first visit to the US and she loved it. She will definitely come again.

Jason and Mica in PA

What are we most thankful for? Our health - and that is what we wish for in 2010 for us and all our family and friends.

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year!

Such a Sad Ending...

I used to love Jon and Kate Plus 8. Those kids are precious and it was neat to see them grow up in front of our eyes. But, as everyone knows, the show ends today. I am sincerely hoping that those kids were not messed up for life due to one crazy and controlling mom (ya know what, if we had 8 kids, maybe we would be crazy and controlling too...I'm just saying...) and a dad who obviously got married and started a family BEFORE he grew up. Soon enough when those kids start accessing the Internet and caring about "what other kids think," (and for the older Cara and Maddie, they already do) they will be badly hurt by all this media spectacle. They will be hurt by the horrible picture painted by their parents in their attempt to secure a good life for those kids. I am willing to bet that Kate Gosselin would happily go back to that small house they first lived in, in order to erase what has happened to this family in the last year.

So a few key take-aways:

• Don't put your kids in front of a camera to ensure they have a good life - it really defeats the purpose
• Don't wash your dirty laundry in public
• Don't expect to reach fame and fortune without paying a price
• Don't forget that we live in the world of FOREVER - everything you do will be immortalized and you cannot escape it!

To the Gosselin kids - here's to hoping for a better year for you all! I will miss you:(

Last Chance!

This week is your last chance to order your Thanksgiving pies from Food and Friends. The money earned will be used to provide meals to people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other such illnesses in the DC metro area. If you do not want a pie, but would still like to contribute, there are two things you can do: buy a pie that will be given to someone in need for Thanksgiving or just donate $ online.

Either way - your generosity is greatly appreciated! Thanks for helping our team Burketts and Friends Love Pies exceed its goal:).

Here's to generous family and friends!

Family Halloween

This year we went all out for Halloween - and it was a blast. Friday, together with Melanie, Amir and Brian, we went to the Markoff Haunted Forest in Maryland. It was scary - at least for me. Walking through a forest in the dark with spooky people dressed in weird outfits grabbing your legs and arms and a chain saw sound in the background.... Well, I had my head buried on Jason's vest most of the time, but I HEARD a lot of scary things. Everyone enjoyed cupcakes and spiked apple cider before and after, to settle us down a bit:).

Saturday, after giving out candy to a few groups of really cute kiddies in the neighborhood, we dressed up as the Stimulus Plan (of course it had to be political!) and went out to Arlington with Mel, Amir and Mark.

The big surprise for me was how MANY people came out despite the cold and rain. Clarendon Ballroom had at least 200 people in line!! So we gave up on that and went to Mister Days, which was really fun. We ended the night with Wendy's. That's what I call a perfect day!

Here's to a Happy and Sweet Halloween!

Buy a Pie!

Dear blog readers,


Nothing says "thank you" for all the blessings in our lives more than helping those less fortunate.
This Thanksgiving season, please consider joining me in the effort to raise money for those impacted by HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses in our area.

One of the places where I volunteer is Food and Friends, a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organization in Washington, D.C. that since 1988 prepares, packages and delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,400 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses throughout Washington, DC, 7 counties of Maryland and 7 counties and 6 independent cities in Virginia.


This fall, I am helping them raise money for their upcoming season by inviting YOU to participate in an exciting event -- SLICE OF LIFE.

By purchasing YOUR Thanksgiving pies from Food and Friends, you will directly impact the lives of children and adults that rely on Food and Friends. Your choices are:

-Picture Perfect Pumpkin Pie, Oh So Sweet Potato Pie OR Harvest Apple Crumb Pie for $25, or
-Southern Pecan Pie OR Creamy Chocolate Cheesecake for $35.


PURCHASE YOUR PIES TODAY AT WWW.FOODANDFRIENDS.ORG/PIE AND DELIVER HOPE, ONE PIE AT A TIME!


It's easy:

• Click on link above
• Select Buy a Pie
• Select Buy From a Sales Team or Pie Seller
• Select my team: Burketts and Friends Love Pies and help me reach and exceed my goal!
• Choose a close pick-up location
• Pick up on Nov. 24th and ENJOY!


• OR - Just click here.

Other Details:

• All purchased pies will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 24th at either Food & Friends' facility or one of 14 CVS locations.


• When you purchase pies for you and your family, you will also have the chance to buy pies for Food & Friends' clients. You'll receive one entry into a drawing for a pair of round-trip airline tickets when you buy a client pie.

If you have any questions, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you in advance for your generosity and please feel free to forward this request to other family members and friends!

A New Take on Salsa!!

Many of you know that Jason and I grew a mini-garden in our neighborhood this year (and last year). We planted 3 tomato plants, 1 green pepper plant, one hot pepper plant, Romanian herbs and a cucumber plant. I am proud to say we did not buy tomatoes, cucumbers or green peppers all summer. It has been a fruitful garden.

Yesterday I went to check on it and clean it up after three days of crazy rain and low temperatures. I expected to see them all dead - it is the end of the season after all. The cucumber and pepper plants were done, but to my surprise our nutty tomato plants will NOT give up! We have about 4 pounds of green tomatoes still on the vines. Now, I am not delusional to believe these will actually ripen. So, I have figured out a way to put them to good use. I will let you know how these taste in a few days.

Tonight: green tomato salsa with onions, hot peppers, lemon juice and cilantro

Tomorrow night: fried green tomatoes Paula Dean style

Here's to a great harvest!

House Projects

House projects are our thing (and the "thing" of a bunch of our friends , in fact!). Better said - I come up with an idea for a project and Jason, the awesome handyman, gets his skilled hands dirty executing the project. I provide moral support, meals and encouragement.

This year we put in crown molding in our townhouse, built a gate for our patio, and tiled our guest bathroom. So what's next before the end of 2009? If I am really nice, we will continue boosting the U.S. economy by installing new lighting in our kitchen (whoever renovated those townhouses knew NOTHING about a woman's lighting needs in her kitchen...or the rest of the house for that matter). Maybe even get some new countertops and an island. Who knows? Maybe Santa will be generous this year:).

Wheather or not these things will get done, I already feel truly fortunate to look around our home and see all these things that came out of my husband's hands. So here's to you, Jason!

Ode to Fall

Fall is my favorite time of year. It didn't use to be the case when I was growing up because I hate rain. But putting rain aside, since living in the States I have learned to embrace and love fall.

I love football season with its heartbreaks (mostly because Jason and I are Redskins fans. enough said!), tailgaiting parties, gatherings of friends, snacks and beer.

I love the crisp morning air.

I love beautiful fall leaves and fall hikes when you can admire them.

I love all things pumpkin: lattes, pies, cakes, seeds.

I love a lot of people who were born during fall months. Recently added to this list is Catalin and Beth's beautiful baby girl Camelia, who was born Oct. 6th.

So welcome fall - please stay awhile!

Part 3

Say hi to Squeaky, our one and only Baby:)


And here is the new gate - Jason is a master carpenter!



Jason and his latest project - working with Bob on the patio gate.

Birthday outing with the ladies at the Capitol Steps comedy show.

Part 2

After

During

My latest project - before! (thanks Laura and Greg)


Bono - not only do I love his music, I love dedication to the world through activism. Full package.


Awesome sunset from FedEx field.


Transformers - no, actually the U2 stage!

Part 1

With mom on a civil war trail in VA.


National Harbor


Three year anniversary "cruise" to National Harbor.


Parkside pool on a relaxing Sunday.


Visiting Randy-Mac, my old stomping grounds...

Mica and Jason - they are best buddies.

With my grandma, Mica, in PA this summer.

I Promised!

I got rid of the If Only's and I downloaded some pics of the camera. Below are a few highlights of the end of the summer.

PS: for those who did not attend the U2 concert last night at FedEx - it was AMAZING! :)

If ONLY

I enjoy reading other people's blogs. It is not only a great way to stay connected and check out people's writing styles, but it is a great way to see some great pics (mostly of babies, weddings, trips - all things I love). Then why, you ask, I do not have any pictures so far in my blogs? I was thinking of that myself today...There are so many If Onlys involved:

- If only I did not hate downloading pictures from my camera to the computer...
- If only I did not forget to take pictures of daily life...
- If only I had more time on my hands...

But all these are ultimately excuses. So OUT with the If Only's and IN with the pictures on the blog...starting tomorrow:)

Join Me!

As part of my new "be more involved and aware" kick, I am volunteering for the Alexandria Walk to Fight Breast Cancer. It is in its 16th year and it is organized by the City of Alexandria Office of Women. The Walk supports free mammograms and other diagnostic screening procedures for Alexandria women who are not adequately insured, who earn low/moderate income and could not otherwise obtain this necessary medical care.

My grandmother had breast cancer - among other things - and she had a terrible time with it. She eventually passed away from complications. I will be volunteering and walking for my grandma.

If you would like to join me, sign up and let me know. I think it is well worth the $30 donation.

Labor Day Weekend

I am now two weeks into my new job that I love. Friendly people, interesting topic, a lunch hour if I want it, and my own office summarizes it all. But now a long weekend awaits and all these ideas are running through my head.

First, tomorrow is my birthday which will be celebrated eating a nice dinner with my hubby at the Greek place in Old Town. I cannot comprehend the fact that I am turning 27, but hey...what can you do but embrace it and make the most out of it? Friday night I am being surprised by a ladies-only activity with Erika, Lynn and gang. I am sure it will be a ton of clean fun:). Saturday I am supposed to save the day for another activity - this time organized by Jason. I feel very lucky and thankful to have all these people willing and interested in celebrating my birthday. Thanks all!!

One project that I need to mention is my new passion for scrapbooking. I started and finished (gasp, I know) my wedding scrapbook. I say gasp because it is usually the type of project that I would start...and never finish. But I did. So now, I am taking on Scrapbook number two - Diana's family history. Jason already has one made by his lovely godmother, Nancy, and a photo album of family pics from his mom, Hope. But I do not have one - not because my family is lame, but because in Romania scrapbooking is not a known activity. I hope it will go smoothly - some of these pictures are over 50 years old...I will keep you posted.

PS: Special shout-out to my birthday sister Hillary. Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Anniversary to Us

August 16th and August 19th are two very special days. They are our wedding anniversaries:). Yes, unlike most people, we have two. On the 19th we celebrate 3 years of marriage - three years ago we got married in a beautiful rose garden in Arlington, VA. On the 16th we celebrate our 1 year anniversary from when we held our official wedding at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Washington, D.C.

This year we chose to celebrate on the 16th because it fell on a weekend. Jason surprised me with a water trip to National Harbor, a delish dinner at the Gaylord hotel followed by a nice stroll through National Harbor. I loved it there and recommend going at least once. You will definitely want to go back! The water taxi from Old Town Alexandria makes getting there super easy and definitely more fun than crossing the bridge by car:). Pictures will follow.

I cannot believe we have been married for three years - these were three years filled with hard work, a new home, new jobs, lots of fun, many adventures and trips. Here's to many more!

And Jason - thanks for being such a wonderful, patient, loving and caring hubby!

Last Day

Yes, today is my last day at my current job. And while transitions are hard, I am really excited about the next step. I am moving into the climate change not-for-profit sector. It is a GREAT time to do that, given all the attention that "green" is getting these days.

But not before I take a short, 10 day break from the working world. I will be doing all those things that always fall off the to do lists because of this crazy thing we call life: scrapbooking, visiting friends, reading in bed till noon, hanging out by the pool.

So cheers to a new beginning and what lies ahead!

Who Doesn't Love Pics?!?

One of the things I love to do is take pictures. I am THAT person - as Jason keeps reminding me, I am a foreigner after all! So I was thrilled today when I received an email from Kodak Gallery letting me know they have a new, updated and upgraded version: Kodak Gallery Beta. This is a work in progress, not final as they put it. But I checked out some of the new features and so far so good! Lots more options to edit pictures, lots more on their cards section and they have a new SUPER quality option for printing your pics. The best thing is that your old account works so there is no need for a new username/password or transfer of pics. Enjoy! http://beta.kodakgallery.com/gallery/welcome.jsp

Welcome to Blogosphere

A smart person told me that I will never learn about social media without being hands on. So here I am, being hands on and starting a blog. Jason and I will try to keep it up to date - which is part of the experience, right? Thanks for checking in once in a while. Comments are welcomed:)