Unraveling Traveling Ever have one of your super powers turn around and bite you in the tush? I’ve always been good at sizing up a space and figuring out how to fill it without wasting a square inch. In the past this has served me well when it comes to loading a dishwasher, packing a…
Vamping in Hollywood If you haven’t strolled through Hollywood Cemetery, or if it’s been a while, October is the perfect month to get out and walk the grounds. Hollywood was established in 1849 during the Victorian trend of making urban cemeteries more park-like and a place for people to meet, play and remember their…
What to boo, what to boo Richmond has plenty of fun options if you want to celebrate the spooky this month, here are a few recommendations. Historic St. John’s is having their Fancy Me Mad event, where you can stroll through the graveyard and meet fascinating spirits telling fascinating stories. It’s a highly entertaining…
Make Room for the Heirloom Say what you will about August, it’s been a good growing summer in Virginia. I adore heirloom tomatoes and more varieties are showing up at markets each year. Heirlooms were once grown commercially, back when the total focus was on taste, and hundreds of varieties were available. That changed…
Iris my Case One of my earliest memories is walking in a wooded area behind my house and stumbling across a bearded iris in full bloom. My first reaction was stunned awe and delight at its beauty. My second was to jank the whole plant from the ground and drag it inside the kitchen…
Know your H2O If you’re looking for things to do in the next two months, why not plan an adventure on or around the James River? Whether you want to be in it, on it, or near it, Richmond has a wide variety of river-based activities to welcome in the summer. First stop,…
Getting the Blues After the last issue of IORVA we received a request for an article on how to attract bluebirds. Happy to oblige, but attracting bluebirds is like dating. You can do your best to attract someone, but it all comes down to luck and chemistry. Bluebirds, like lonely hearts, are complicated critters. …
Bee Happy There is no shortage of things to do in Richmond as the weather warms up, and here are a few suggestions for the adventurous. Ever thought about raising honey bees? Siller Bee Farms is offering an all day class covering the basics of raising bees. Whether you have a general interest…
Flights of Fancy My latest obsession is watching the birds at the feeders in my backyard. Over the years I’ve put out bird feeders, but I’ve been a little more serious this winter, and between that and my new location the variety of birds has been mesmerizing. In my house, “want to watch the…
Jingle RVA…for the Family Today’s gift guide is all about the smallest members on your list! From bikes to books, I have selected gifts and experiences that I love from some of my favorite local businesses. When thinking about gifting for my friends and family, I like to balance a few wrapped presents…
