Did you take advantage of that amazing fall weather last weekend, neighbors? We did something special and headed to Abingdon to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail. If you’ve been reading a while you might have read how Joe and I biked it this summer and found it to be the perfect exercise for people who are lazy/have a bum knee/combination due to the low-grade incline that has you downhill for most of it (read more about the Abingdon trip and Creeper Trail HERE). We had wanted to do it again when the leaves changed, and although we missed peak foliage, it was still beautiful. Better yet, 2 other families met us there so there was a nice group of us biking together. What a beautiful day!
We’ve been busy working on a few things for the holidays. Erin typically makes us a guide that keeps all the holiday events such as lights and Santa sightings easy to find and she’s been busy. If you have an event to submit for the calendar you can do so HERE.
We’re also working on our #Shoplocal Guide, and starting our holiday shopping along the way. The Noodle wants a paint set and New River Art and Fiber has some beautiful ones. At Fringe Benefit I’ve seen RBG socks my friend Jennifer will love and a gorgeous sweater for my sister. The Floyd Country store is the place to find sheet music and other musical fun for my guitar-playing husband. Did you know Tea & Jam sells loose tea and tea brewing pots? Yup. Don’t tell my mom, but I think she’d love that as a tea lover. My father on the other hand- coffee from Radford Coffee Company. Did you know they are a non-profit and our purchases benefit several charities? I’ll head over to First & Main for some shopping including popping into CharMarie Salon, where they sell beauty products including a hair gel The Boy loves, and at Walkabout Outfitter I found some great gear for our families’ next outdoor adventure, and I added a pair of ski gloves to my wishlist. And we have a $10 coupon to Walkabout Outfitter for Macaroni Kid readers! I'm huge fan of experiences as gifts, and The Moss Center for Arts has a new take on a holiday classic that I'll surprise my family with: A Christmas Carol we can enjoy from home. This will be a special live-streamed show from the genius of the legendary puppet company Manual Cinema.
That’s just a sample of what you’ll find in the guide, but I wanted to share how easy it can be to shop local. I hope you’ll consider spending a significant portion of your holiday budget shopping local, and once again we’ll be reimbursing someone who shops one of our guide sponsors when they email us and save their receipt. The Holiday Gift Guide will officially launch the 15th but you can take a peek at our draft under construction.
This week inside NRV Macaroni Kid:
- Manual Cinema's “Christmas Carol”
- Have you been to Roots Natural Kitchen yet? Here's the scoop!
- Find Your Gratitude: 30 Days of Writing Prompts
- 3 Ways to Teach Kids Gratitude
- Free Thanksgiving Printable for the little ones to give thanks
- The YMCA Fair Kicks Off
- Turkey Craft and Turkey Cookies
- Taco Slowcooker Soup
- Hot Toy Alert: SuperThings & Build Your Bookshelf with Mo Willems Unlimited Squirrels
- Local events, Hiking Guide, and Kids Eat Free & Family Meal Deals Guide
