Our real estate agents know fresh flowers are a "can't miss" Mother's Day tradition!
Mom will be delighted with the thoughtful designs you can get from these hard-working and creative florists, many of whom have been around for decades.
Mother's Day was created in 1908 by Anna Jarvis and became an official U.S. holiday in 1914 under President Woodrow Wilson. Mother's Day is the #2 day of the year to purchase fresh flowers and accounts for about 26% of annual flower purchases.
That's a whole lot of roses!
Let's take a closer look at some of your options for Mother's Day flowers in the Shenandoah Valley:
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Contact us to find out more about Shenandoah Valley real estate.
Farmer's markets are much more than places to buy food. Many of these locations serve as community centers, where you can chat with local and regional growers, enjoy live entertainment, and interact with your neighbors. Our real estate agents share their favorite farmer's markets around Shenandoah County homes for sale.
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Life in the Shenandoah Valley is full of endless variety. If you're buying or selling a home in the area, contact us at Old Dominion Realty for friendly and experienced help.
It's easy to eat healthy during summer, whether you shop for fruits and vegetables at the great farmers markets around Shenandoah County homes for sale or grow your own. Our real estate agents share some of their favorite recipes that put vegetables front and center.
Summer in the Shenandoah Valley is a great time to buy or sell a home. Contact us at Old Dominion Realty to get started.
If you've been exploring Virginia homes for sale, you'll definitely want to get to know some of the best local food! From the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay, each region has its own culinary delights. While seafood ranks at the top of the list, the area is also well-known for other tasty treats, including some of the best-fried chicken you'll ever taste.
We recently asked our real estate agents to name their favorite area restaurants that serve up local specialties. Here are their recommendations.
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The excellent selection of dining options is just one of the many things there are to love about living in Virginia. If you're ready to call this area home, the real estate experts at Old Dominion Realty are here to help. Contact us today to get started!
You've heard that everyone's a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day. While we don't know if this is really true, we do know that Americans have been celebrating the Irish saint since 1737 in Colonial Boston. The pub crawls of yesterday have given way to smaller gatherings at home. Mix up one of these cocktails to celebrate this year!
Jessica in the Kitchen offers a non-alcoholic option for the entire family with her Best Green Smoothie. For a fun and healthy beginning of the day, simply toss these ingredients into the blender, give it a whirl, and drink. For each serving, you will need:
1 cup fresh pineapple chopped or cubed
2 cups fresh spinach washed and stems removed
2 small frozen bananas whole
1/2 cup orange juice
From a simple afternoon gathering to a formal high tea, the Irish seldom let the opportunity pass to enjoy a cup. You can serve traditional teas of all different flavors for a non-alcoholic option, or let the grownups sample a more sophisticated version with the Irish Tea Party from The Spruce Eats.
Whirl the absinthe around the glass to coat it, pouring out the excess. Add the whisky and add tea to taste. The tea should already be chilled and sweetened, so it doesn't immediately melt added ice. Chilling the glass will help the drink stay cold longer.
1/4 ounce absinthe
1-ounce Irish whiskey
4 ounces green tea
If, after your traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner, you're ready for an adult beverage, you have plenty of choices, and with this amazing Irish Gold Whiskey Cocktail, you don't need to dig for gold at the end of a rainbow.
This quick libation doesn't require a shaker or any other bar tools. Just pour ingredients over ice in a Collins glass and garnish with a wheel of lime. You don't have to find the end of a rainbow to enjoy this sparkling treat. This can be made by the pitcher to serve to a group without additional fuss.
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1/2-ounce peach schnapps
Splash orange juice
4 ounces ginger ale
Would it even be St. Patrick's Day without Irish Coffee? Start with a rich, dark brew and stir in the brown sugar until it dissolves. Add whiskey and top with lightly whipped cream. Cuddle up by the fire and sip through the cream for a cozy night in. For a non-alcoholic version, ditch the whiskey and add ¼ teaspoon of rum extract. Dust the top of the cream with a touch of cocoa for a finished appearance.
1 to 2 teaspoons brown sugar
4 ounces coffee
1 1/2 ounces Irish whiskey
1-ounce heavy cream
When you want something that screams green, tastes wonderful, and isn't beer, you can't go wrong with this crisp, flavorful drink, the Green Dublin Apple Cocktail. Simply fill a shaker will ice and add the ingredients. Shake for thirty seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a slice of green apple for an attractive presentation.
2 ounces Irish whiskey
1-ounce sour apple schnapps
2 ounces white cranberry juice
Small, intimate gatherings can be elevated to a memorable level with a few simple touches. For a gorgeous offering, let the cocktail take center stage with Shamrocked from Town and Country Magazine.
1.5 ounces Midori Liqueur
1-ounce Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey
1/2 ounce Irish Crème
Pour ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Strain and pour over ice into the glass. The creamy delight looks exquisite in a double old-fashioned glass. Swirl whipped cream on top and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
When the room is rocking with Irish music, you can't go wrong with a drink that offers tribute both to the James Joyce novel and Irish singers everywhere. What could be more perfect for a party than this iconic cocktail, Finnegan's Wake, also courtesy of Town and Country?
1 oz Jameson
1 oz Green Chartreuse
1 oz Luxardo maraschino liqueur
1 oz lime
3-5 mint leaves
Sufficient absinthe to rinse the glass.
After rinsing a coupe glass with absinthe and pouring off the excess, pour all the ingredients into a shaker of ice. Shake vigorously and pour, topping off with a few fresh mint leaves.
Looking for a new home with a kitchen perfect for mixing up cocktails? If you'd like to tour any of the gorgeous Virginia homes for sale, Old Dominion Realty would like to help. Our real estate agents will gladly help you find that perfect house among the finest Rockingham County homes for sale. Contact us to make arrangements with one of our real estate professionals.
The holiday season is a time of celebration and also a time of reflection. There are people in the Shenandoah Valley who could use some help for the holidays this year, and there are many nonprofit organizations in the area working to provide that vital assistance. Whether you donate your time, money, or both, helping local nonprofits is a great way to make a positive difference in your community and bring a little bit of holiday cheer where it's needed most. Our real estate agents have the details on 7 Shenandoah Valley nonprofits where your donation can make a difference this year.
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Virginia Quilt Museum – 301 S Main St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801
The Virginia Quilt Museum is a lovely attraction to visit near Harrisonburg homes for sale, and it depends on donations to keep the doors open for visitors throughout the year. Housed in a beautiful, restored historic home, the museum offers three floors of unique, artistic quilts to explore and is the official quilt museum of Virginia. Financial donations are always welcome at the Virginia Quilt Museum, and you can also volunteer your time to help visitors make the most of their trips to the museum.
Shenandoah County Animal Shelter – 268 Landfill Rd., Edinburg, VA 22824
The Shenandoah County Animal Shelter serves a large number of communities near Shenandoah County homes for sale by sheltering pets and helping them find new, loving homes. Interested in offering your support? There are many ways to help, from adopting a pet yourself to sponsoring a pet by making a one-time donation to cover medical procedures that will help the pet find a home. The shelter is always looking for volunteers to help as well, and you can contact them directly to find out which opportunities are available.
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Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter – 135 S Main St., Woodstock, VA 22664
The Shenandoah Alliance for Shelter is located near Woodstock homes for sale, focusing on charitable activities that help prevent homelessness. By providing financial, utility, and housing assistance for families going through difficult financial times, SAS makes it possible for them to enjoy the holidays in a warm, comfortable home. You can offer your support by making a financial donation online.
Martha's Meals on Wheels – PO Box 2345, Staunton, VA 24402
Martha's Meals on Wheels has been a fixture among Shenandoah Valley nonprofits for more than 45 years, and the organization's good work is still going strong today. Primarily serving the community around Staunton homes for sale, Martha's Meals on Wheels provides meal support for seniors living at home. The team here is always looking for volunteers to deliver meals to seniors and brighten their day in the process. Unable to volunteer, but still want to contribute? Martha's Meals on Wheels relies on donations to keep providing healthy meals for seniors, and every donation makes a real difference.
Page One Food Pantry – 35 N Bank St., Luray, VA 22835
Page One Food Pantry is located near Luray homes for sale and provides meal support for people in need. It's part of the larger Page One organization, including thrift stores and other charitable endeavors. The food bank is supplied by generous donations from local businesses, clubs, and individuals. There are many ways to help, whether you donate food, make a financial donation, volunteer at the food bank, or volunteer to unload large food deliveries.
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Staunton Creative Community Fund – 32 N Augusta St., Suite D, Staunton, VA 24401
Small businesses – and entrepreneurs who would like to launch businesses of their own – have faced many unique challenges this year. The Staunton Creative Community Fund is devoted to helping new small business owners achieve their dreams, and your donation can help make those dreams a reality. Small businesses are an integral part of a healthy community, so your donation has many benefits.
Still searching for a home in your favorite Shenandoah Valley community? Our team is here to help. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Shenandoah Valley area.
In observation of National Lost Dog Awareness Day on April 23rd, our real estate agents encourage the caring residents of West Virginia and Virginia to help their fellow neighbors reunite with their missing pets. Though many of these animals return home to their owners, some of them are abandoned and are discovered by our local rescue centers. After you buy one of our beautiful Virginia or West Virginia homes for sale, we invite you to visit a local adoption center and consider adding a four-legged friend to your growing family.
National Lost Dog Awareness Day reminds us all that there are many beloved pets that have been lost, abandoned or born into homelessness throughout Virginia and West Virginia areas. However, April 23rd is also a day in which we can celebrate the reunion between lost dogs and their owners as well as shelter canines that find homes with new owners. For more information about VA/WVA shelters or to browse gorgeous area homes for sale, contact us today!