Peggy Sijswerda

Virginia Beach

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Founder, Editor and Publisher at Tidewater Family Plus

Peggy Sijswerda, adventurer, truth seeker, writer, author: https://t.co/YNtiYaN3TK. Happy trails.

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Articles

Christmas in Eastern Virginia

Nov 20, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White

Wood smoke rises on street corners as fires blaze in cressets—an early form of street lighting and reminiscent of super-sized torches. A heavenly cinnamon-apple scent wafts by—it’s hot cider and just what you need to warm your bones on a cold December night. Soon the Fife and Drum Corps march into view, drummers keeping a steady rat-a-tat as staccato bursts of fifing—like excited birdsong—add joy. A group of carolers in period clothing sing “Silent Night.” Fireworks explode in the night sky.
Christmas in Central Virginia

Nov 18, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Heather Bien |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White

If you like your holidays with a dash of razzmatazz, check out Charlottesville’s Christmas events. The Grand Illumination takes place at Ting Pavilion on the Downtown Mall on Dec. 6. The merriment commences just as evening falls and features vendors selling holiday crafts, tasty treats, and beverages, as well as a kid-friendly wonderland with bounce houses, face painting, games, and photo-ops. Exciting musical acts perform your favorite holiday tunes on stage throughout the evening.
Christmas in NoVa

Nov 15, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Heather Bien |Madeline Mayhood |Amy White

If you are a bagpipe fan like I am, Alexandria invites you to their unique Christmas celebration: Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade (Dec. 7). Dozens of Scottish clans dressed in colorful tartans march through the streets of Old Town, joined by pipe and drum bands, as well as terriers and hounds, community groups, and more. What’s the connection to Scotland? Alexandria was founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, and the city pays homage to its heritage with this annual event.
Christmas in the Shenandoah Valley

Nov 8, 2024 | virginialiving.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Heather Bien |Richard Ernsberger Jr. |Eric Wallace

Big red bows adorn lantern-style street lights. Pine-bough garlands, twinkling lights, and decorated storefronts add to the festive factor. Soon, carolers approach, wearing 18th-century garb, singing “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.” Bob Cratchett waves. No, wait. This isn’t a Dickens novel. It’s Main Street in downtown Lexington. It’s time to shop, and Lexington merchants want to help you cross items off your Christmas list.
Dresden: Once Devastated, Now Vibrant

Sep 3, 2024 | boomermagazine.com | Rick Steves |Emma Patch |Peggy Sijswerda |Annie Tobey

Intriguing Dresden, Germany, winds up on far fewer American itineraries than it deserves to. Don’t make that mistake. Since its horrific firebombing in World War II, the city has transitioned to a thriving cultural center that’s well worth a visit. Even with only a day to spare, historic Dresden is a doable side trip from bigger attractions like Berlin or Prague.
Visit European Underdog Cities

Aug 26, 2024 | boomermagazine.com | Rick Steves |Emma Patch |Peggy Sijswerda |Annie Tobey

Go beyond the most popular cities in Europe (and even the U.S.!) to discover the “underdog cities” with their creativity, cutting-edge eateries, fewer tourists, lower prices, authentic welcomes, and “a more honest cultural experience.”Each European country has its marquee city that attracts the vast majority of travelers – think Rome, Paris, Amsterdam. And all too often, that tourist-pleasing destination is a traveler’s one and only stop.
Take a Train Vacation for a New Perspective

Aug 23, 2024 | boomermagazine.com | Emma Patch |Peggy Sijswerda |Rick Steves |Martha Steger

Consider a train vacation, riding along the rails to unplug, take in the views, and discover new-to-you U.S. destinations. For your next vacation, consider hitting the rails. The Wi-Fi might be spotty, particularly on long journeys through rural America, but some find it a welcome opportunity to unplug and take in the view. Amtrak’s cross-country rail itineraries have been in high demand since the pandemic, says Bob Johnston, a writer for Trains magazine.
Eye-Popping Rotterdam

Aug 21, 2024 | boomermagazine.com | Peggy Sijswerda |Rick Steves |Martha Steger |Annie Tobey

Historic Rotterdam, the second-largest city in the Netherlands, provides glimpses of amazing architecture, art, food, unique hotels, and even an annual bluegrass festival. Travel writer and baby boomer Peggy Sijswerda takes us there. I’m standing in a crowd listening to the twinkling sounds of banjo music. Surrounding me are smiling faces both young and old: families with kids, seniors, bearded millennials, even a few folks dressed in overalls and straw hats.
Julia Child's Recipe for Life — Tidewater Family Plus

Jun 1, 2024 | tidewaterfamily.com | Peggy Sijswerda

Before I became a foodie, I didn’t really understand the fuss about Julia Child. I watched her on PBS occasionally growing up, but I couldn’t relate to her or to the food she prepared. It wasn’t anything like the food served in my family, where meals were built around meat and potatoes. Vegetables were likely to be salads or canned corn since these were the two options all us kids liked.
Culinary Adventures in France — Tidewater Family Plus

Apr 26, 2024 | tidewaterfamily.com | Peggy Sijswerda

I’m a mustard fan. I like it yellow, brown, grainy, hot, sweet. I eat it with sausage, cheese, potatoes, cooked carrots, and of course in salad dressings. Whenever I go to a new country, I always check out the mustard. It’s an inexpensive condiment, goes with many different foods, and, the best part, has hardly any calories! So when Peter and I decide to go camping in France for a week, we set our sights on Dijon and the surrounding Bourgogne (Burgundy) region.