Lifestyle

Full disclosure- this is not my recipe, but one I found a few years ago on ABeautifulPlate.com. I've made it many, many times since, though. The crispy, roasted Brussels sprouts, the creamy, slightly sweet chunks of butternut squash, studded with sweet dried cranberries, and tied together with the tart Dijon vinaigrette is simply amazing (and pretty festive looking as well.) If you're looking for something just a little different than the norm to add to your Thanksgiving table, this is definitely one to try! Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash with Dried Cranberries and Dijon Vinaigrette Ingredients 1 lb butternut squash peeled and cut into ¾-inch chunks 1 lb Brussels sprouts trimmed and sliced lengthwise in half 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil ¾ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup dried cranberries (unsweetened or sweetened) Dijon Vinaigrette: 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar or rice vinegar 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil two pinches kosher salt freshly ground black pepper   Instructions Preheat the oven to 450°F (232°C). Place the butternut squash chunks and halved Brussels sprouts on a large baking sheet. Drizzle them with the 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and toss them with your hands to distribute the oil evenly. Sprinkle the vegetables evenly with kosher salt and pepper, and toss them again with your hands. Spread the vegetables out evenly onto the baking sheet. Roasting Tip: Place the Brussels sprouts cut-side down, this will allow them to caramelize more evenly against the surface of the sheet pan. Roast the vegetables for 20 to 30 minutes (time will vary depending on the size of your Brussels sprouts and butternut squash chunks), tossing them gently 1 to 2 times during the roasting time to ensure that they caramelize evenly on all sides. Scatter the dried cranberries onto baking sheet in the last five minutes of roasting time. Allow the pan to sit on a rack to cool slightly while you prepare the Dijon vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard and rice wine vinegar. Slowly pour in the olive oil, whisking continuously with your other hand, until the ingredients are emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently place the roasted vegetables in a large serving bowl or platter. Pour on the Dijon vinaigrette and toss the vegetables gently until they are lightly dressed. Serve warm, lukewarm, or cold.

Enter my first ever Great Big Thank You Giveaway! 2022 has been a pretty fantastic year, and that's in large part due to you, my clients, friends, and followers. I'd love to say thank you, and what better way than a great giveaway! I'll be giving away a Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 to one lucky soul, so here are the details! How to Enter: 1) Buy or sell a home with me between January 1 and November 15, 2022. (4 entries) (Yes, you get 8 entries if you bought AND sold with me this year!) 2) If we've worked together, leave me a review on Google or Zillow! (Obviously, a great review is preferred. I always say, "If you have a bad experience, tell me. If you have a good experience, tell everyone!") (2 entries) 3) Subscribe to my YouTube channel between now and November 15, 2022 (2 entries) - When you subscribe, just take a screenshot and send it our way! If you've done any/all of the above this year, you're already entered!  All entries will be entered into a drawing to win a SOLO STOVE Bonfire 2.0! Contest ends at midnight November 15th and I will draw the name of the winner LIVE on IG November 16th at noon! I can't thank you enough for your business, your kind words, and your referrals! **The finer fine print. You must be local to win, and all entries will be verified.

Over the last couple of years, I've helped lots and lots of people move to the Richmond area from other parts of the country and one of the biggest questions I get is obviously, why Richmond? What makes it so great anyway? So I'm going to give you my top 10 Of all the things that I love about Richmond that I think makes us one of the best places to live. 1. There is always something to do here. If you cannot find something to do, you are literally trying to be bored. 2. Second, history. With over 300 historical markers throughout the Richmond area, you can always find history. Again, you'd have to really try not to. 3. Third, art is everywhere from the VMFA to the murals all around town. You can find galleries you can find high-end art and street art. It is a really fantastic place to soak up some art culture. 4. Nightlife and adult beverages shall we say. From craft beers to spirits now to wines and everything in between. You can go on tasting tours that last all day or have a great night out with friends. 5. Festivals, we love our festivals here in the Richmond area. And that means any opportunity to get together with friends, have a food truck, have some music, and have some adult beverages. We are in with both feet. We are there in crowds, all four seasons. 6. I grew up in Richmond but I have lived all up and down the East Coast. And one of the best things about our area is we have four actual seasons spring, summer, fall, winter, and none of them last too long. Yeah, it gets a little humid in the summer. But you know you can deal with traffic. People move, from up north especially, and they want a 45-minute commute. No one here has a 45-minute commute. You really have to have a horse farm to get a 45-minute commute. So you can be almost anywhere in the area within 20 minutes or so. 7. Proximity in the Richmond area. Within two hours you can be in the mountains you can be at the beach, you can be in Washington, DC or Colonial Williamsburg take your pick, and you can be just about anywhere in under two hours. 8. We are 6% below the cost of living for the rest of the state of Virginia and about on average with the rest of most of the country so you get a lot of the perks of being in a metropolitan area without paying for them. 9. Food. National Geographic voted us a few years ago as one of the best places in the world to visit for food and we are holding to that whether you want something really unique and delicious that you can eat on the sidewalk or you want to go have a world-class dining experience. We've got it all for you here. 10. Last but not least, the James River. That is probably one of my favorite things and it runs right through the city. So you can literally be in downtown Richmond drop in with your paddleboard or walk right up and rent a kayak and hop right in the river, 10 minutes after you get off work. Where else can you do that?

If you’re looking for some fun fall activities in Richmond, Virginia, check out my 2022 RVA Fall Guide! Click the link below to get your copy today! https://bit.ly/3y8T9ev

As we head in to fall, having a great chili recipe (and a crockpot!) on hand is crucial. With back to school, football Sundays, and busy weeknights, it's definitely one of my favorites for making things easy.   Here's one of my favorite recipes: Crockpot Chili 2 pounds lean ground beef 1 medium yellow onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 2-3  garlic cloves, minced 30 ounces kidney beans, rinsed well and drained (2 15 oz cans) 15 ounces pinto beans, rinsed well and drained (1 can) 29 ounces diced tomatoes (use the entire can, including liquid) 3 ounces tomato paste 8 ounces tomato sauce 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 1 cup beef broth 1 teaspoon hot sauce 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon cocoa powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat until mostly cooked through. Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and garlic and stir to combine. Cook over medium heat until onion is translucent. Transfer the beef mixture to a 6 quart crockpot or slow cooker. Add the beans. Top with diced tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, beef broth and hot sauce. Next add the seasonings (chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper and cocoa). Stir to combine Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with toppings like shredded cheese, sour cream, tortilla chips, etc.

August Means Catching the Last Gasp of RVA Summer Here are a few of my favorites: Head to RVA Big Market Saturdays at Bryan Park from 8-1 and get allll the great produce. Make something you've never made, or just enjoy something simple like a tomato sandwich, before those Hanovers are gone! SuzySno is moving from Jackson Ward to the old Sweet 95 spot on Arthur Ashe Blvd. Opens in August, so go get you some! What says RVA as much as beer, cider, and music?? Head to Brown's Island on August 13th for the JamPacked Craft Beer and Music Festival.  Cool down with the family and learn about sharks (!) at the Science Museum of Virginia's Predator or Prey  Carytown Watermelon Festival is back (40 years!) on August 14, in Carytown, of course. Are you running out of things to do with the kids and it's just. too. hot? The Byrd has great family movies running all month. Click HERE for their schedule! Sunflowers and Sunsets? Yes please! Take a short ride to Burnside Farms and wander as the sun sets (and it's a little cooler, maybe) and enjoy their sunflower bounty. Tickets required. More info HERE

It's National Ice Cream Day! I'm celebrating with some of my RVA ice cream (or ice cream like) favorites. I've always loved ice cream. I mean, what says celebration, and summer, as much as ice cream? Just like so many things, I have a hard time picking a favorite, because sometimes that favorite just depends on my mood. So, here are a few (well, more than a few, really) of my faves. I'd love to hear yours!   When it comes to gelato, our overall, hands down favorite is Deluca Gelato at Gayton Crossing. Their gelato really transports you to Italy, and never disappoints. They've got all the classics- from Stracciatella and Spumoni to loads of sorbets and seasonal flavors. My favorites? I always go for a combo of Banana Nutella and Chocolate Sorbet, but you really can't go wrong here. (It's also very close to home, which is definitely a blessing and a curse.) One of the longest running ice cream spots in Richmond is Gelati Celesti, and it's the OG for a reason. (When I had my cafe in the early '90's, in fact, I would not rest until I had a full scooping cabinet of their ice cream.) With multiple locations now, it's super easy to grab your favorite no matter where you are. My go to here is always "Just Ask," a delicious white chocolate ice cream with frozen peanut butter ribbons and Oreos. We have some seriously fantastic "newer" additions to the Richmond ice cream scene, and yes, I have favorites there too! Charm School Social Club on Broad Street (in the heart of the Arts District) has a great, slightly edgy/artsy vibe and fantastic ice cream and flavors. Anything is great, but whatever you choose, you must get the house made, toasted fluff on top. So damn good. For flavors here, my favorites are Fruity Pebbles or Cereal Milk (obviously I have a thing for cereal) or the Princess Cake. If you find yourself on Southside, Charm School's Study Hall is the place to stop by for some delicious soft serve. This walk up window has a more limited menu than their flagship, and soft serve only, with a rotating variety of flavors (and a killer Dole Whip!) If you're looking for vegan ice cream, both locations of Charm School have good options for you, too! Scoop is located in the Fan, tucked into a little spot on Strawberry Street (next to Idle Hands Bread Company, another favorite). They are a small batch creamery as well, offering unique flavors, brownie sundaes, ice cream flights (hello!) featuring three flavors, shakes, and custom ice cream sandwiches. My favorite flavor here was always Croissants & Jam, but that's no longer a signature flavor. (The nerve!) Now, it's a toss up between Banana Pudding (going away soon), Roasted Strawberry, and Brown Sugar Cookie Dough. You may recognize the name Ruby Scoops from the Food Network show featuring Ben & Jerry's. Yes, she won the Grand Prize (justifiably so!) Located on Brookland Park Boulevard in Richmond's North Side, here you'll find a rotating menu of unique flavors, from ice creams like Dulce de Leche and Black Sesame (my two favorites) to vegan flavors and sorbets. Westray's Finest on Lombardy St. went from truck to cafe this year, and they've got some seriously top tier, small batch handmade ice cream. My favorite there is Gold Rush (Sweet Cream base, Dark Chocolate Swirl, and Honeycomb Candy. Yes please!) Bruster's has always been a favorite, since there is a location near my parents' house and we'd go there on hot summer evenings when my son was little. A great place to walk up, get a delicious sundae or waffle cone, and have lots of variety in flavors. ( A few locations have a drive through, too!) If you're in the mood for something a little different than "just" ice cream (though none of the above are "just" ice cream!), here are a few of my other frozen favorites: Sno Shack in Mechanicsville is the most unassuming little shack (yep, the name is no exaggeration) smack in the middle of a parking lot in Mechanicsville. With dozens of flavors for sweet, fluffy shaved ice, it's a true, old school, summertime treat. (Oh, yeah, they close after Labor Day, too, so get it in the summer or wait till next year!) My recommendation here? Tiger's Blood, with a Volcano. (A yummy blob of ice cream in the center of the magical ice!) Another soft serve/custard option around town is JiJi's Frozen Custard. With delicious flavors that change periodically, and "Pundaes" to go with the event/season and the flavors, they always have something unique and tasty. They are a truck, so seldom in the same place at once, but follow them on social to know where they'll be. There are a few new(er) places on my list to check out too- Sweet Wynns is an ice cream workshop, giving you the opportunity to create your own handmade, custom flavor. How fun and delicious does that sound?? Graham's Ice Cream reopened in Mechanicsville a few months ago, with lots of fun flavors, sundaes, and shakes. The only other "must have" on my list (as of today- that's always subject to change!) is Carl's Frozen Custard in Fredericksburg. I got turned on to Carl's when my brother was at Mary Washington, and I've been a super fan ever since. Carl's is an institution, and in operation since 1947. Usually a line, always worth it, and 3 flavors- chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry. Why mess with perfection? My go to is a Chocolate Strawberry Malt (not on the menu, but they'll make it.) It's a must stop any time I'm going up I95, and I'll confess that on more than one occasion I've taken a cooler to buy a spare to have later.        

Every season (or every season I remember to do it) I come up with a "must do" list. Doing this sort of forces me to be mindful about the things I appreciate, and it goes hand in hand with my gratitude practice. It helps keep me focused on the things that really matter to me in my life, and not let time slip by without doing some of those things that I truly love. Have you ever done this? Are you down to try it? I'm sharing some on social media, as well as attaching a downloadable list of ideas below. Let me know what you do, or what you add! Enjoy!! Summer Must Do List Want to customize your own Summer Must Do List in Canva? Click HERE for a free template!

Home Sweet Home The movers are gone, and you’re surrounded by boxes. Overwhelmed? Now what? To get settled in as quickly and as possible, Mary suggests you start with the areas that will allow you to get back into your daily routines - the kitchen, primary bedroom(s) and bathroom(s), and if you work from home, your office. By getting the spaces unpacked and organized first, you’ll be able to quit the take-out meals and get ready for your day without digging through boxes. Unpack methodically - emptying each box and staging items in their new home before moving on to the next box. If you haven’t already, think about your space and how you’ll live in it. Keep your most used items in the spaces that are easiest to access, and keep things near the area you’ll use them. For instance, keep dishes near the dishwasher, and the cosmetics and skincare you use daily in the top drawer of your vanity. Once you’ve got those primary spaces unpacked, start in other spaces you’ll use regularly. We know as well as anyone how tempting it is to head over to The Container Store or Target to buy all of the fun things to get your new home organized. Don’t…yet. It’s important to know what you’ve got and where it belongs BEFORE you buy bins and baskets. As you unpack, stage items in the spaces you’ve designated and see if it makes sense for how you live in your new home. Don’t worry if you need to make adjustments. Figuring out what works best for you and your new space is part of the process. It’s okay to adjust until it’s most functional for how you live. Then, before shopping, measure your cabinets, shelves, and drawers to make sure the new bins/baskets/dividers will fit. It can be hard to get unpacked when you can’t take a hiatus from regular life. Other responsibilities can make it hard to get all of the boxes unpacked. Try to keep unpacking at the top of your priority list until all of the unpacking is done so that you don’t end up shoving boxes in a guest room closet to find them months (or more) later. If it feels impossible to get it all done, consider investing in a professional organizing service to help you get moved in. This can drastically reduce the time it takes to get back to “normal” life. (Organizers can help you through the entire move process - decluttering, packing, and unpacking - and has the tools to help you determine the most functional systems for your new home.) I (Cindy) highly recommend In Good Order to help you get both packed up and unpacked at your new place. Trust me. Especially when you are organizing a brand new (or new to you) space, having a pro there to help you manage, both mentally and physically, can make a huge difference in how you organize your home, and ultimately, how you live in and enjoy it. Do you have more questions about moving? We’ve got you covered!

Orange Ginger Roasted Carrots Who's ready for spring? Easter? Outdoor picnics, and colorful produce? This is great for Easter, or anytime you want an easy, colorful side, and so much better than those bland cooked carrots from my childhood. (I could make a joke here about every bunny loving them, but I won't do that to you.)      Ingredients 1 Large Orange, Unpeeled 12 oz (or so) Carrots 2 T Olive Oil 2 Garlic Cloves (unpeeled) 6 Thyme Sprigs 1 t Ground Ginger 1/8 t Kosher Salt Dusting of Cayenne Pepper (optional) Drizzle of Honey Cut your unpeeled orange in half. Cut one half into thin slices; toss with carrots, olive oil, garlic cloves, thyme sprigs, ground ginger,  and 1/8 tsp. kosher salt on a baking sheet. Dust with cayenne and drizzle with honey. Roast at 450°F 15 minutes, stirring once. Turn on broiler; broil 2 minutes. Discard thyme. Peel garlic; place garlic and carrots on a platter. Squeeze remaining orange half over carrots. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt. (I use Jennifer Fisher Spicy Salt on this, and everything. It's unreasonably delicious, and just adds something special. Not paid, just a fan.)