December 2017

When my family lived in Ohio a few years back, we visited the Cleveland Botanical Garden every year at Christmas to see the gingerbread houses. Over time, that became my favorite holiday tradition. The artistry amazed me, and we had so much fun figuring out the types of confections the…

Have you ever had a holiday so perfect it set the bar for all future holidays? Like that time family flew in and you splurged on a Christmas tea at The Jefferson? Or when you took the kids (in their jammies) to see the The Polar Express at the Science…

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like our first responders – police, fire, medical, and so many of the people who help our families at times of great need – can go unnoticed. Their work and their dedication to the community often fly under the radar. People are inclined…

Winter break or Christmas vacation – or whatever you call the beautiful block of school-free time during the holiday season – never falls at the perfect time for families. When my children were little, I took full advantage of every single minute the kids were with their teachers before break…

Each year, as the holidays approach, I am overwhelmed with the countless articles, infinite ideas, and gazillion social media posts about ways to simplify, cookies to bake, crafts to make for your kids’ teachers, 101 events to hit in town, ways to watch the budget, gourmet meals to make for…

His eyes follow you around the room! It’s true. They do. I swear. See for yourself. Start from this end of the den, where he watches you from his preferred spot on top of the TV cabinet, his nose and eyes sandwiched between a furry white hat and the huge,…

This month is overflowing with fun things to do to celebrate the season, and if the rest of this issue wasn’t so darned good, I’d tell you to flip straight to the RFM calendar on page 48 and start circling events to check out! It’s a little overwhelming, trying to…

These sweet ornaments are packed with personality! Get creative with patterned papers and bright beads on wire to make a simple addition to your holiday decor. Hang individual ornaments on a tree, string them along a length of ribbon to make a garland, or tie a set of ornaments together…

My parents weren’t very comfortable discussing certain subjects as I was growing up. I’m aware kids are growing up faster than ever, and I want to be prepared to talk to mine about sex, and for them to feel comfortable asking questions. Can you give me some guidelines? The days…

Day after day, Anthony sat at a desk in a Richmond high school classroom, trying desperately to focus on learning algebra while he worried about a much more pressing issue: where he would sleep that night. “Maybe you sleep on your aunt’s couch one night, but you know you can’t…

Breastfeeding is a personal commitment that comes with many challenges and rewards. The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented for both mother and baby: protection from infectious diseases, cardiovascular health benefits, and mental health improvement and confidence for parents. In 2003, the World Health Organization recommended infants be exclusively breastfed until…

Pecan Clusters Arrange 48 pecan halves, plus a few broken ones, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast in a 350-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool. When baking sheet is cool to the touch, arrange 3 pecan halves into clusters so the tops are…

This time of year, many of us turn our thoughts to giving. In fact, according to money.com, TIME’s financial website, December is the top month for financial giving. With all of the hustle and bustle, it can seem easy to simply write a check to your favorite charity or place…

For much of Richmond’s history, all travel between Williamsburg and Charlottesville was dependent on one downtown street. Broad Street, named H Street until 1844, was a commercial hub for Richmonders and travelers alike all year long. Through the centuries, nearly everything has been sold there, from coffins and cattle to voodoo…

We all see the home renovation shows that allow a major kitchen remodel to miraculously take place within a 30-minute program. Sure, sometimes the best solution is to rip everything out down to the studs (or even further) and start from scratch. However, replacing cabinets, moving electrical and gas lines,…

Virginians have elected a new governor, Ralph Northam, who will take office January 13, 2018. What will his priorities be? One early action he could take to ensure children’s issues are a top priority during his administration is to form a Children’s Cabinet. Governor Terry McAuliffe was the first Virginia…

The holidays are here, which means the latest and greatest tablets, smartphones, laptops, and other tech devices are popping up on gift lists for family members of all ages. Rather than adding older tech items to the drawer of yesterday’s tech, here are a few ways you can repurpose them.…