Apple picking in Northern Virginia is almost as fun as pumpkin picking in Northern Virginia. Fortunately, at many of the farms on this personally-vetted list, you can do both! Even the people who live in the area don’t always know that Virginia is a state known for its incredible depth and variety of apples. NPR […]
small town america
Kiwi Picking in Virginia is The Fall Activity I Didn’t Know I Needed
Yes, you can go kiwi picking in Northern Virginia! Chances are you are reading this because you were like, “What?! I didn’t even know kiwi picking was a thing! I want to do that!”– and so here are the details, my friends: Kiwi picking at Virginia Golden Kiwi in Vienna, Virginia opens each Fall for […]
At This Charming Paw Paw Festival in Maryland, America’s “Secret Fruit” Shines
Momentum is growing behind a beautiful Paw Paw Festival that takes place at a 25-acre homestead in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Frederick, Maryland– an event that’s fast becoming one of the DMV area’s best-kept secrets in the realm of local food. Organized by permaculturist and landscape designer Michael Judd of Ecologia […]
The Little Lost Kitchen: A Gorgeous Pop-up in Maine
Every spring for the last ~12 years, I have been dutifully sending a postcard The Lost Kitchen in Freedom, Maine, in hopes of being randomly selected for one of their coveted dinner reservations, which are chosen through a lottery system of snail mail that they pull out of a bag. It’s an enduringly guirky system, […]
Easy Chestnut Hummus (Yes, Chestnut Hummus!)
This easy recipe for chestnut hummus combines cooked chestnuts with olive oil, garlic, tahini, lemon and spices to make a lovely, velvety, bean-free hummus. I first became aware that chestnut hummus was “a thing” when I attended a permaculture-focused paw paw festival that espoused the power of growing and cooking with native fruit and nut […]
The 8 Best Breakfast & Brunch Spots in Alexandria, Virginia
The best breakfast + brunch spots in Alexandria, Virginia reflect the locavore foodie ethos of this charming historic city. Whether you’re looking for a fancy new age restaurant, a healthy option, or a traditional greasy spoon, Alexandria can provide it– especially if you know where to look. Fortunately, like all of our bespoke restaurant guides, […]
An Insider’s Guide to Kennebunkport, Maine
Once known merely as the dreamy backdrop of the Bush family compound, Kennebunkport, Maine is a tiny New England town on the state’s rocky southern coast– the perfect place to have a quintessential New England beach experience. Today, however, Kennebunkport also has a hotel and restaurant scene that makes it a world-class summer travel destination. […]
The 10 Best Restaurants on Martha’s Vineyard (+ Other Lovely Foodie Things to Do There)
Don your Black Dog T-shirt, take a sunset stroll on the beach, lick your melting ice cream, purchase flowers on the side of the road, and indulge in great seafood; Martha’s Vineyard is a quintessential summer destination in New England, and with good reason! Along with Cape Cod, Nantucket, the Hamptons, and Kennebunkport, Maine, Martha’s […]
Homemade Cherry Blossom Sugar Cubes
These homemade, heart-shaped cherry blossom sugar cubes are super easy to make– simply mix one cup of sugar, a teaspoon of water, and whatever edible flower petals you like into a wet-sand mixture that you can press into a candy mold. Then, let the mixture dry in molds overnight to set the sugar and voilà– […]
9 Beautiful Places to Stay in Kennebunkport, Maine
If you’re looking for a gorgeous place to stay in Kennebunkport, Maine, then look no further. This insider’s guide to the best places to stay in Kennebunkport– whether you’re looking for a resort hotel, glamourous camping, or a cute little BnB– has something for everyone seeking a unique stay in one of America’s most enduringly […]