Gorillas, the National Zoo in Washington DC   I thought you might enjoy a few gorilla pictures as we face the challenges of the first full work week in the new year.  It is always fun to visit zoos and the National Zoo in the District of Colombia is a wonderful place to visit at any time of the year.  Dolores and I recommend a day at the zoo for pure personal pleasure.  Take you entire family to make is special occasion. Have an outstanding week.  Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moment that you will wish to share.   Gorilla at the National Zoo IMG_1074 Gorilla at the National Zoo IMG_1078 Gorilla at the National Zoo IMG_1076 Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.  Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 02/04/2013

  Dolores' Baked Apples  Photograph by Roy Kelley Baked Apples Recipe Suggested by Dolores Kelley Core apples.  Fuji , Braburn, Honey Crisp, or Johnagold are good to use. Try with your favorite apples. Place in baking bowls.  Put some butter and brown sugar where the core was and  sprinkle with Cinnamon. Add dried cranberries or raisins around the apples and fill bowl about 1/3 full with fruit juice, wine or soda (your choice).  Diet Coke works. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 to 45 minutes.  Some apples cook quicker than others. Test with fork to see if soft. Enjoy!   Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens.  Photograph by Roy Kelley.                                            Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 02/04/2013

White Squirrel in MarylandOur friend Ruth Murphy provided this shot of an albino squirrel in Centreville, Maryland. This is a very unusual Maryland squirrel. Maybe this image is good luck!In our Kentlands community the news is that more black squirrels are being observed in the area.  We have not yet seen any white squirrels in Montgomery County, Maryland.Have you photographed a white squirrel?  Be sure to have your camera in hand to capture the special moments that you will wish to share.Maryland White Squirrel 02/04/2013

Visiting the National Zoo: Tiger Time  Dolores and I took advantage of a beautiful day and drove into Washington, DC to visit the National Zoo.  The zoo is only 21 miles from our home in the Kentlands community in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  Plan to spend more quality time with those that you love.  Everybody in the family will enjoy a trip to the zoo.   The Tiger was obviously anxious for the next meal. This is a beautifully impressive animal and a wonderful subject for photographs.     Anxious for the Sunday meal Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 02/04/2013

Burmese Python,  National Zoo   One of the benefits of visiting the big snakes at the National Zoo in Washington DC is that they are behind glass.  I do not think I would want to meet a Burmese Python in its natural habitat.  This is one big snake. Burmese Pythons are native to southern and southeast asia.  They are among the largest snakes.  The average length is about 12 feet and they can grow to be longer than 18 feet.  Take time to visit the zoo.  There is always something new to learn and photographs to be taken. Burmese Python Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 02/04/2013

Orchid Extravaganza, Longwood Gardens January 19 to March 24, 2013 Orchid lovers and flower photographers should be planning a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. The annual Orchid Extravaganza will be presented to March 24, 2013.  This is a show that Dolores and I always enjoy to see and photograph.  Longwood Gardens is just west of Wilmington, Delaware. Orchids were among the first collections of Mr. and Mrs. Pierre S. du Pont when they created the wonderful Conservatory at Longwood Gardens.  This year, close to 5,000 orchids will be on display.  The very creative staff at Longwood Gardens is now working on the displays at this world class facility. Orchids, of course, will be the primary focus of Orchid Extravaganza.  However, there will be thousands of other pl... 02/03/2013

Free Tax Preparation Assistance for Gaithersburg Residents The annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation assistance for Gaithersburg residents that earn less than $51,000 per year.  Services are offered in English and Spanish by IRS trained volunteers. The VITA address in Gaithersburg is 610 North Diamond Avenue.  They will be open for appointments on Mondays from through April 15, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Call 240-777-1123 on weekdays to schedule an appointment. Additional VITA locations will be available in Rockville, Silver Spring and Takoma Park. For more information on those facilities, please call the the Montgomery County Information Line at 311. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden IMG_3703 Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 02/03/2013

Washington County Museum of Fine Arts, Hagerstown, Maryland When the weather is too cold for outdoor activities, it is a good time to spend some time at a museum.   Dolores and I visited the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts in Hagerstown, Maryland.  This regional museum is delightful travel destination for those in the area of Baltimore, Maryland or Washington, DC.  Hagerstown is located in Washington County, Maryland. We were able to take photographs of some of the art in the museum collection and our photographs my be viewed in this Flickr album Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Washington County Museum of Fine Arts IMG_3697 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts IMG_3696 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts IMG_3689 Washington County Museum of Fine Arts IMG_3685 Washington ... 02/03/2013

Gaithersburg Residents Asked To Be Ready For Winter Weather When we have snow on the ground in Gaithersburg, all residents need to be prepared for the challenges of driving and parking when dealing with ice and snow.  Many of the sidewalks and walkways may not yet be cleared. Walkers and runners need to be extra careful if they are using the streets rather than the walkways. Parents need keep a close eye on children that may be playing close to the lakes. The ice is thin and those that try to walk on the ice are likely to end up in the very cold water.  The survival time is very short for those that fall into the water. In Kentlands, the City trucks will be plowing snow in the public streets and the private contractors will be working for the home owners association to clear alleys and ... 02/03/2013

Dahlia Show, Brookside Gardens   Dolores and I always enjoy visiting Brookside Gardens, located in the Wheaton Regional Park in Montgomery County, Maryland.  The location in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC attracts visitors from around the world.  You do not need to be able to speak the language to enjoy beautiful gardens and flowers. Brookside Gardens hosts several flower shows each year and all of them are well done.  The photographs in this blog were taken at the Dahlia Show, one of our favorites. Do you have a favorite? Dahlia, Brookside Gardens,Dahlia Show IMG_7352   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens,Dahlia Show IMG_7353   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens,Dahlia Show IMG_7366   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7365   Dahlia, Brookside Gardens,Dahlia Show IMG_7368   Dahlia, Brooks... 02/03/2013

Gaithersburg Men's Softball Leagues   A cold winter day is a good time to turn our thoughts to spring softball games.  Registration opens on February 5 for the Gaithersburg 2013 Men's Softball Leagues.  Now is the time to make your plans and be prepared register your team. The official notice from the City of Gaithersburg is posted below.  There is a number to call if you have questions about the program or the registration process. Allium, Kentlands, Spring Flowers IMG_9525 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs      Gaithersburg Men's Softball Leagues Registration Deadlines: Registration opens February 5Deposit: $300 per team due at time if registration (prior to March 1)After March 1: $600 paymentApril 1: Remaining balance Team... 02/03/2013

Today is National Wear Red Day Our friend in West Virginia, Rebecca Gaujot, brought the National Wear Red Day to the attention of bloggers in the ActiveRain network.  Let's encourage all of our friends and family members to make themselves aware of the risks of heart disease.  Now is a good time to schedule that appointment for your annual physical examination. ActiveRain staff member Kerrie Greenhaugh posted this comment at Rebecca's blog:  "Anyone that wears red and posts a picture of themselves on ActiveRain's Facebook page on Friday will receive 500 points. The AR fam bam is getting healthy which leads to more happiness!"  If you are a member of ActiveRain, be sure to post your photograph today.   What is National Wear Red Day?      Dahlia, Brookside Gardens, Dahlia Show IMG_7330 Ph... 02/01/2013

The colors of spring at Longwood Gardens  Those of us that enjoy photography respond to light and colors and dearly love the colors of spring. Flower photographers find wonderful colors at any time of the year in the Conservatory at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  Please share the colors that create your more positive attitude and have an outstanding week.  Longwood Gardens Orchid Extravaganza IMG_4130 Photograph by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/31/2013

M. Cutone Mushroom Company, Avondale, PA - Fresh Mushrooms   On Tuesday, Dolores and I made one of our regular visits to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.  The primary purpose for our day trip was to see and photograph Orchid Extravaganza, the current major exhibit at Longwood Gardens.  When we visit eastern Pennsylvania, we also know that we are visiting the heart of mushroom country.  Dolores asked me to make some shopping stops on the way home to Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Maryland.  The first stop on her list was M. Cutone Mushroom Company on Route 41 in Avondale, PA.  This is a wonderful place to purchase fresh mushrooms to take home.  So, when you are in the area, you now know where to purchase fresh mushrooms.  M. Cutone Mushroom Company is open 7 days a week.  Gi... 01/31/2013

GET THE FACTS HOME BUYER SEMINAR - Gaithersburg, MD1. Get the Facts about Current Housing Trends in Montgomery County and Local Neighborhoods2. Get Updated on Current Mortgage Programs3. Learn the Latest Developments in the Distressed Property Market4. Learn what a Settlement Company Does and their role in your Home Purchase5. Learn Who Realtors Represent in a Home Purchase6. Learn Some of the Pitfalls and How to be Better Prepared.Feb 6th @ 6:30PM, Sponsored by Village Settlements, RE/MAX Realty Group and Wells Fargo Home MortgageRESERVATIONS REQUIRED; Get ALL the Details at this link: http://rem.ax/VBRZhU   01/31/2013

Editing Flower Pictures with iPiccy   All of us that are in real estate know that editing will improve any photograph that we plan to use in marketing materials.  We also know that we must present a true picture of the property so the images will not be misleading. When we take photographs for personal use, there are no editing rules other than to enjoy to process and to have fun with colors.  Those that follow my blogs know that I use a lot of flower photographs in my blogs and in my comments.  I use the free photo editing service of iPiccy.com and recommend it to you if you are not currently editing your photographs. So, my advice is to enjoy your camera and be creative with your photo editing.  These two dahlia photographs were taken at the Dahlia Show at Brookside Gardens in Montgom... 01/31/2013

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http://www.reallynicehomes.com/blog/market-report-gaithersburg-md-latest-listings-lakelands/ December 2012Gaithersburg-Montgomery County, MD Lakelands Real Estate Gaithersburg Maryland Statistics Lakelands is located in the heart of Gaithersburg as far as convenience and location is concerned. "The newly constructed ICC Intercounty Connector has radically changed the way people move from point to point in Montgomery County and now this community has been enhanced with even more benefits in the transportation side" The market stats for Gaithersburg in Montgomery County are very encouraging for 2013.  As you can see on the chart below. . For the last month of 2012 there were 753 closed sales in Montgomery County, that is an increase for the year  of 6.8% higher than 2012  Overall, prosper... 01/29/2013

Kentlands Named "Best Gaithersburg Neighborhood"   Dolores and I have lived in the Kentlands neighborhood in Gaithersburg, Maryland for many years and love the community.  It is always nice to hear nice things about the community that you call home.  Bethesda Magazine named Kentlands as the "Best Gaithersburg Neighborhood" in its annual Best of Bethesda issue.  Lakelands and Washingtonian Woods were the runners up in the category. Two Kentlands businesses earned spots on the Best of Bethesda lineup as well. Red Door Spa won Best Gaithersburg Salon and Bonefish Grill won Best Gaithersburg Restaurant.  The winners were selected by over 10,000 people that voted for their favorites in many categories. Kentlands is a neo-traditional community that is among the favorite areas for families tha... 01/26/2013

Lifeguard Training in Gaithersburg   If you have family members that aspire to be lifeguards, now is the time to register for the required training program in Gaithersburg. You do not not need to be a Gaithersburg resident to register.  I recommend this training for every young person in your household.  You never know when swimming skills may be needed to save a life. Study the requirements in the official announcement posted below.    Orchids, Longwood Gardens, Orchid House IMG_2346 Photograph by Roy Kelley.  Canon PowerShot G11 camera. Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs   This is the City of Gaithersburg announcement that includes all of the details: Registration now being accepted. UPDATE: Even thought the Aquatic Center is currently closed, we are still accepting registrations for ... 01/26/2013