This article is a guest post by local photographer Samantha Marshall. Reston has been a host to this wonderful Christmas tree lot for eight years.  The owner and operator, Travis of Hopkins Farms, was nice enough to let me wander and just take in all the nostalgia these beautiful Douglas firs bring. From the trees (including…

Arguably the best October snack around, pumpkin seeds are easy to make. Of all the steps in this recipe, the most complicated is separating the seeds from the pulp, but if you keep at it, you’ll be golden. Here’s what you’ll need: That’s it! Not pictured is the olive oil. I always forget to include…

In today’s guest post, Reston resident Erin Heintz discusses an event that took place in Reston last weekend to support research and care for the epidemic of Alzheimer’s disease. Erin works for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and offers an insightful look into this event and the importance of the funds it raises….

Today we’re excited to have our first post from Reston writer and food blogger Mark Hoover, who runs the website Peripheral Chew. He gives us step-by-step instructions to make Maryland Crab Soup, which looks like a delicious way to celebrate these final summer days. MARYLAND CRAB SOUP by Mark Hoover I make Maryland-style crab soup about…

When the Capitol Building is under seize, and all the nation’s leaders are held hostage, one Cabinet member is secure in a distant location. That person is chosen by the president to be the designated survivor. Chantilly author John H. Matthews imagines this scenario in his latest novel, a gripping thriller set in D.C. and Northern…

Contributor Kate Schwarz reviews her family’s experience traversing NoVa’s very first Ninja Warrior Course. Let’s just say they had a super-fun time — from the biggest to the smallest among them. Read on to find out more. There is no escaping American Ninja Warrior in our house. Without my knowledge and consent, my husband let…

Guest contributor Kate Schwarz is something of an expert on children’s books. She has three kids and reviews what they read together on her blog, Kate’s Bookery: Raising Kids with Books. It’s a treasure trove of beloved classics, modern picture books and Caldecott winners. If you have kids who love to read, bookmark this blog! I promise you’ll return…

I first met Reston resident Valeriya Chunikhin through her gorgeous photography on Instagram. Interspersed among her photos of travel, nature, and fashion are images of the amazing macarons that she makes herself. I had always assumed that macarons are too tricky for me to attempt, but Valeriya creates these beautiful French cookies even though she isn’t a professional baker. I figured…

To continue our We Tried it! series, guest contributor Charlie Schoening subjected himself to a month of classes at First Defense Krav Maga in Herndon. Maybe he can tell us what the heck Krav Maga actually is! (See our previous articles on CrossFit Reston and Pure Barre Reston.) Krav Maga is an Israeli martial art primarily used…