When we started In a DC Minute over a decade ago, it was meant to capture a chapter of life that felt fast, exciting, and fleeting—exploring a brand new romance and our time in Washington, D.C. The name fit then, because everything about that season happened in a minute. Date nights, restaurant openings, neighborhood discoveries… life in the city pulsed with possibility, and we loved writing every word of it.

But life is never one story for long. 9 years ago today, we packed up our city life and traded metro stops for country roads. And somewhere along the way, In a DC Minute stopped feeling like it reflected the world we were living in. I stopped writing here, thinking maybe that chapter was closed. But the truth is, writing has always been my way of making sense of things, how I find the thread in the chaos and make sense through the noise. This blog has always been a record, a refuge. So I’m coming back to it, not because life feels calm and figured out, but because it doesn’t. It’s the way I hold on to the things that matter. And right now, I need that more than ever.

Lately, that feeling has grown heavier. We live in a time when the headlines are relentless and the air feels thick with tension—everyone at odds, everything a battle. It’s loud and exhausting. I have struggled personally in the last year maybe more than I ever have in my life, and I remember the sense of calm that washed over me after spending a morning with my blog and the relief when I hit publish. I am only hoping that redirecting my energy, my uncertainty, and my concern for humanity can somehow be eased by hitting publish again.

So, here we are. Same name, new season.

This relaunch is more than just a blog update—it’s a chance to tell the story of where we are now and what matters most. In many ways, life here in Western New York is every bit as busy as our days in D.C., just in a different way. With {almost} two boys in tow and a farm project that sometimes feels like a second full-time job, our days are full of family, hard work, and small joys. And I want this space to reflect that.

What will you find here now? The heart of this space has shifted, just as I have.

Here’s what you can expect moving forward:

– Local Adventures in Western New York (and beyond)
When we moved back to our hometown, I promised myself I wouldn’t take it for granted. That is how DC Minute was born after all, a desire to savor the here and now. There is so much to explore here—small towns with big character, hidden gems, local events that give you a reason to slow down and appreciate where you are. Whether it’s a weekend festival, a new restaurant, or a simple day trip, I want to share the best of what this region has to offer.

– Finding Fox Cross
The farm has its own story—a long one that stretches back to my childhood. We’re in the process of transforming it into something that honors its past while making space for our future. It’s part restoration, part reinvention, and every step feels both thrilling and daunting. Through Finding Fox Cross, I’ll share the ups and downs of that journey—the plans, the progress, and the inevitable surprises along the way. It’s my Tara, and in reinventing my childhood home, I feel like I am reinventing myself.

– Fox Cross Cooks
Food has not always been my love language, but after our life in DC and then owning the Shirt Factory and finding myself head of kitchen for a few years, I realized that it was not just a found passion, but part of my genetic code. It’s the thing that I think about when my mind wanders, when I am in need of comfort and solace. Lately I’ve found myself returning to the kitchen for a sense of grounding and creativity. I’ll be diving into new recipes, old family favorites, and a stack of cookbooks that I can’t stop collecting. Fox Cross Cooks will be a place for those kitchen experiments, along with honest reviews and tips for anyone who loves to be in the kitchen as much as I do.

So, that’s where we’re headed. Toss in matters of the heart, personal parenting anecdotes from a 41 year old “new” mother, and our attempt at navigating life during this chapter. This blog will never be about polished, curated Instagram/Pinterest worthy moments—life here is messy, loud, and gloriously imperfect. But it’s real. And it’s worth writing about.

If you’ve been here before, thank you for staying, even in the silence. If you’re new, welcome. I don’t promise perfection or predictability. What I do promise is honesty—and a life lived in all its messy, beautiful, ordinary moments.

Here’s to finding meaning in the words again.

-Al