Some of my favorite childhood memories are those of summer’s country fairs. They were the highlight of the summer. The lights and sounds coming from the midway, the rides and games, demolition derbies and rodeos, and the food – cotton candy, caramel apples, funnel cake (I was a kid – of course all the food I remember was sweet!) Well that magical, memory-making season...
Summer means so many things – fresh produce and grilled foods, country fairs and carnivals, fireworks and outdoor concerts. Here in the summertime of Virginia though, there’s one feature of summer that can never be left out – finding ways to keep cool! The kiddie pool, sprinklers, and slip-n-slides can only provide so much relief and entertainment for the kids. What the family needs...
How do you climb a mountain? One step at a time. That advice came from my husband, probably said as I was gasping for breath on some steep climb up said mountain. I love to hike. There’s something about getting outside and being in nature with nothing but what you can carry on your back. Hiking doesn’t have to mean slogging up a mountain,...
Spring is busting open here in Loudoun. Flowers are popping up and the landscape is changing from a wintry brown to a soft, misty green. It’s a beautiful time of year and Loudoun welcomes the season with two annual garden events. This weekend, historic downtown Leesburg becomes a gardener’s paradise during the Leesburg Flower & Garden Festival. Now in its 23rd year, the...
Spring is coming. Really, it’s just days away! I’ve seen the proof too – daffodils blooming on the side of the road, red buds popping out on the trees. I’ve even heard the loud chorus of peepers at night. Best of all, Daylight Savings Time has struck again and we’ve sprung forward on the clock, giving us those extra hours of daylight to enjoy in the evenings. I can feel myself waking...
Labor Day weekend has past and with it, the unofficial end of summer. More importantly, it’s the start of fall. My plan this weekend is to say goodbye to the dog days of summer and instead grab my dog to go hit the trails for a long hike. This is my favorite time of the year for hiking. If it’s still a little...