This lower level unit with attached garage has 1,707 square feet of finished space. With an open floor plan on the main level, the living and dining areas are great entertaining spaces. Gleaming newer hardwood floors, crown molding and a raised gas fireplace with mantel add elegant touches. There is a newer tile floor in the kitchen.  There is plenty of storage space in the garage, coat closet and understairs pantry.Upstairs the centrally located family room gives you access to the owner suite with walk in closet, second large closet and bath ensuite. Two additional bedrooms share a hall bath, one bedroom has French doors to the deck, recently refurbished.  A laundry room is also upstairs. Newer berber carpet runs through the upper level.A walkable, planned community - Kentlands is a hi... 01/07/2016

Book Recommendation: Dead Wake by Erik Larson Dead Wake, The Last Crossing of the Lusitania (2015) is the lastest book by New York Times bestselling author Erik Larson. You may be familiar with the story of the Lusitania but you will learn much more when you read this very interesting and well documented historical account. Please use the links to learn more about the author and his books.Books by Erik Larson Use this link to read The New York Times book review of Dead Wake: Erik Larson, Author of ‘Dead Wake,’ Seizes Historical Mysteries Dahlia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6089Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/06/2016

Gaithersburg Holiday Giving Report Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of individuals, businesses and faith-based organizations, the City of Gaithersburg Holiday Giving program brought joy to more than 740 households this holiday season. At three distribution events in December, referred families were invited to "shop" amongst more than 1,200 new toys and 1,000 new books.Families were also provided with gift cards, stocking stuffers and fresh fruit. The City of Gaithersburg thanks the hundreds of donors and volunteers who gave so generously of their time and resources to ensure that all residents had a very happy holiday season.This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland USA IMG 7990Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Pho... 01/06/2016

Book Recommendation: The Guilty by David Baldacci The Guilty (2015) is novel #4 in the Will Robie series by New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci. Dolores and I enjoyed this fast reading book and recommend it for your reading list. Use the links to learn more about the author and his many books.Books by David Baldacci “Will Robie is the government’s most professional, disciplined, and lethal assassin. He infiltrates the most hostile countries in the world, defeats our enemies’ advanced security measures, and eliminates threats before they ever reach our shores.But now, his skills have left him. Sent overseas on a critical assignment, he fails, unable to pull the trigger. Absent his talents, Robie is a man without a mission, and without a purpose. To recover what he has lost, ... 01/05/2016

Happy Hour Blogging Beverage: Snake Dog IPA from Flying Dog Brewery We were having lunch at home and Chef Dolores selected Snake Dog India Pale Ale to go with our meal. If you enjoy IPAs, this is one that you should put on your shopping list. The Flying Dog Brewery is located in Frederick, Maryland and we recommend going there for a tasting if your travels take you to the Frederick area. Use the link to learn more about this beer and the brewery. Clematis Seed Pod, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5503Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/4.5, 1/160 sec., ISO-800, 30 mm, No Flash Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/05/2016

Book Recommendation: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah  The Nightingale (2015) is the latest novel by New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah. Dolores and I enjoyed this book and recommend it for your reading list. Use the links to learn more about this author and her many books.Books by Kristin Hannah The NightingaleDESCRIPTION – From the websiteIn love we find out who we want to be. In war we find out who we are. FRANCE, 1939 In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. She doesn't believe that the Nazis will invade France...but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. When a German captain requisitions V... 01/04/2016

Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens, Washington, DC On Saturday, Dolores and I visited Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens in Washington, DC. The current special exhibit, available through January 10, 2016 is Ingenue to Icon: 70 Years of Fashion from the Collection of Marjorie Merriweather Post. We also took a guided tour of the mansion which is decorated for the holidays. We are annual members at Hillwood and always enjoy our visits.Please visit and follow my Pinterest board at the following link: Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. If you are not familiar with Hillwood, add it as one of your places to visit in the District of Columbia. Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens, Washington, DC. IMG 7367The home of Marjorie Merriweather PostPhotograph by Dolores KelleyRoy and Dolores Kelley Phot... 01/04/2016

White Poinsettias, Longwood Gardens IMG 2400 I did not know that many people have never seen a white poinsettia until I posted this photograph in a number of Facebook groups and received a large number of comments from around the world. This photograph was taken at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA.  Subhash Sharma  This is a lovely photograph of ‘Snowcap White’ Poinsettia which is named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, a physician, botanist, and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico who spotted a red colour wild Poinsettia growing in a deciduous, tropical Mexican forest in the 1820's. Apart from its original red colour this lovely plant has now evolved to have over 100 varieties. It’s a native of South America where Aztecs had used its original variety to produce red dye and as... 01/03/2016

Book Recommendation: Reversible Error by Robert K. Tanenbaum Reversible Error (1992) is the fourth novel in the Butch Karp legal thriller series by New York Times bestselling author Robert K. Tanenbaum. This is the first of the thirty books by the author that Dolores and I have read. We will be going through the series. Click on the links to learn more. Books by Robert K. Tanenbaum Goodreads Preview“The legal thriller--nobody owns this turf like Robert Tanenbaum. Reversible Error is Tanenbaum at his meanest, sharpest, and deadliest. While a serial rapist is ravaging the women of the city, a ruthless killer is slaying the city's drug lords. Assistant D.A. Butch Karp and three renegade cops are bending the rules to find the culprits--who may just be wearing blue.”  Bird of Paradise, Longw... 01/02/2016

Begonia Rex and Kalanchoe blossfleldiana, Longwood Gardens IMG 2195 This is a conservatory garden display of Begonia Rex and Kalanchoe blossfleldiana that I photographed at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. This is one of our favorite places to visit. The current special annual exhibit is A Longwood Christmas. Begonia Rex and Kalanchoe blossfleldiana, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA USA IMG 2195Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/3.2, 1/60 sec, ISO-100, 6 mm, No FlashPhotograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/02/2016

Recycling During Winter Storms in Gaithersburg While every attempt is made to continue recycling collection on a regular schedule during winter storms, sometimes it's just not possible. When recycling is cancelled, a notice will be posted on the City's website, and pickup will be scheduled for the Saturday immediately following the cancellation. When in doubt, it is best to hold recycling until your next regularly scheduled pickup day if a winter storm is predicted. This also helps prevent your bins from being damaged by snow removal equipment. Learn other helpful tips about dealing with snow here.This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement.   Caladium, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 5493Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 01/01/2016

Top Moments During 2015 Karen Fiddler has challenged ActiveRain bloggers to share their top ten moments during 2015. If you have not yet submitted your blog for this challenge, the deadline is January 3, 2015. Use the link to see the details. The reward for a blog submission is 1,000 points.1. Our major event for the year was the celebration of our 50th wedding anniversary. Dolores happens to be the best wife in the world.2. When you are in the advanced senior age category, good health becomes an important priority. When I made my regular visit to the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, tests showed that my leukemia is still in remission and that was very good news. 3. One of our favorite regular activities is to make day trips to places we enjoy. We were able to visit Longwood Garde... 01/01/2016

New Year's Fitness Resolution in Gaithersburg The New Year is the perfect time to re-energize your fitness routine. The City offers many classes to keep you moving, but which one is right for you - interval training, WERQ or Bollywood Dance? Wondering if your youngster will like jazz or HipHop dance? Try out some of our popular winter recreation classes with Free Samples, January 3 - 7. Registration is going on now. Explore the offerings here.If a traditional gym is more your style, consider membership at the Fitness Zone. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment conveniently located at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park, memberships start as low as $180 a year, with 25-visit and pay-as-you-go plans available. Check out the amenities and learn more here.  This is a City of Gaithersburg anno... 01/01/2016

Poinsettias, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA IMG 2418 The annual exhibit, A Longwood Christmas, is a wonderful time to see and enjoy a variety of poinsettia plants. It is an ideal time to visit Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Happy New Year! Subhash Sharma  These lovely looking poinsettia flowers also known as the Christmas Star and Christmas Flower, it’s said that this winter flower’s association with Christmas comes from a Mexican legend. The story goes that a child, with no means for a grander gift, gathered humble weeds from the side of the road to place at the church alter on Christmas Eve. As the congregation witnessed a Christmas miracle, the weeds turned into brilliant red and green flowers. Named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, first United States ambassador to Mexico... 12/31/2015

 Happy New Year! Poinsettias, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA USA IMG 2205Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/31/2015

Trash Collection: Holiday Schedule for Kentlands “There will be no garbage pick up on Friday, January 1st. The next pick up will be on the next regularly scheduled day, Tuesday, January 5th” – Kentlands Citizens AssemblyFor out of the area readers, Kentlands, our home community, is located within the City of Gaithersburg in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland.  Kentlands is one of the preferred areas for families relocated to the Metro Area of Washington, DC. Dahlia, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 6085Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/31/2015

Pinterest Board: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes If you are looking for some breakfast and brunch recipe ideas for the holiday weekend, please visit and follow my Pinterest board for Breakfast & Brunch Recipes. You will find over 1,300 recipes and this board has over 2,000 followers. Croton, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA USA IMG 2496Canon PowerShot G11 CameraPhotograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/30/2015

Pinterest Board: Appetizers and Dips Recipes If you need some new ideas for appetizers and dips, please use the following link to visit and follow my Appetizers and Dips Recipes board on Pinterest. This board has over 800 recipes and over 2,000 followers.Pinterest board are free. You can create your own boards for your community, your personal interests or for your business networking. Pinterest has become a wonderful resource for recipes.If you are the family chef, you may enjoy taking a close look at the Herb Wreath in the following photograph. Can you identify the materials in the wreath? Herb Wreath, Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA USA IMG 2408Canon PowerShot G11 Camera, f/3.2, 1/60 sec., ISO-160, 6 mm, No Flash Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/30/2015

Volunteer for a Gaithersburg Advisory Committee  Through a variety of volunteer committees, Gaithersburg residents play an important role in advising the Mayor and City Council on vital issues - from economic development and educational supports to environmental services and cultural arts. More than 150 people currently volunteer their time as members of 21 boards, commissions and committees. The City encourages you to participate on a committee that may deal with an issue of personal interest or require special expertise that only you can bring to the table. Explore opportunities here. This is a City of Gaithersburg announcement. Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, Maryland USA IMG 7963Photograph by Roy Kelley Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs 12/29/2015

DC Metro Area Home Sales: Median Days on the Market, November, 2015 When you planning to purchase a home in the Metro Area of Washington, DC, it is a good idea to understand the local market conditions. During November, 2015, the median days on the market (DOM) was 25. This is a very large and fast moving market. You need to be well prepared to make timely decisions when you identify the right property and during the negotiations for a purchase. Market conditions vary greatly in the different jurisdictions and individual communities.We recommend the use of an exclusive buyer agent to guide you through the home purchase process.  “Median days-on-market (DOM) are 25, which is down three days from last year and down two days from last month.  Median days-on-market are slightly below the 5-... 12/29/2015