PARENT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What inspired you to start a
lifestyle blog? When did you
realize it was really resonating
with people?
I was always so inspired by other bloggers
and spent so much time on social media that
I decided it only makes sense to share my tips
and tricks as well.
In what ways has your family
gotten involved?
My husband is my biggest cheerleader. He helps
me every step of the way. My kids have gotten
involved with my partnerships and have earned
their first paychecks at 4 and 6 years old! We
naturally do everything together as a family, so
sharing all of that has been quite organic.
FAMILY FAVES
RECIPE: I’d have to say our favorite is s’mores quesadillas!
CRAFT TO DO WITH THE FAMILY: Anything involving painting
LIFE HACK: Pack lunches the night before—trust me.
WAY TO SPEND A WEEKEND WITH YOUR DAUGHTERS: Crafting
together for sure
BOOK TO READ TOGETHER: “Someday” by Alison McGhee (it makes me
cry every single time)
RAINY-DAY ACTIVITY: Crafting!
Markopoulos INTERVIEW BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN
Creating Family Experiences Through Crafting
B y day, Mimi Markopoulos works as a realtor throughout Washington, D.C. and
Maryland, but her passion is spending time at home with her family doing crafts,
sharing recipes and other lifestyle tips.
“You know how some people like to meditate or do yoga? Me … I like to craft and like to create
things,” she says. “That’s my time to just unwind and think. It’s very therapeutic for me.”
Her lifestyle blog, Life on Crosscut Way, chronicles her home life in Damascus, Maryland, with
her husband, George, and her daughters, Sofia, 6, and Olivia, 5.
“Anything I buy for myself to do, I buy for them too,” Markopoulos says of her daughters.
Markopoulos fell in love with crafting about two years ago, and with time at home during the
COVID-19 pandemic and an interest in social media and content creation, the blog felt like a
natural fit. People love her organizing tips the most, she says, and she draws inspiration from
Pinterest and the holidays especially (see her ideas for a children’s Thanksgiving table on page 12).
Washington FAMILY caught up with Markopoulos to learn more about what inspires her and
how she balances family life with blogging full time.
10 Washington FAMILY NOVEMBER 2021
What do your kids like
the most?
My kids love all of the things I create for my
blog. They tell me countless times a day how
much they love my creativity. They were so
proud of me when I was featured as a Michaels
and Cricut Official Maker. I am so proud to be
able to show my kids how to create a career out
of a passion and to go after what you love and
believe in.
As a working parent, how
do you balance creating and
crafting for the blog with
everything else?
Very simple … I include my kids when I craft.
They absolutely love creating with me. I also
find myself staying up late to get things done
around the house.
What do you love about
being a parent?
I love watching my kids grow into kind girls.
I love how they love me unconditionally. n
STEVE BOURSIQUOT/ALL OR NOTHING STUDIOS
Mimi VACATION SPOT: We really love Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, sooo much.
FAMILY FUN
BY LINDSAY C. VANASDALAN
Places to Choose or Cut Your
Own Christmas Trees in the DMV
Are you looking for family-friendly activities to do with your kids this holiday season? If you’ve already grabbed
your pictures with Santa, load up the car and make a trip to choose or cut your own Christmas tree. Whether you’re
looking for variety, pet-friendly options or shopping and snacking spots, this list of farms in Northern Virginia,
Maryland, D.C. and beyond has you covered.
5110 Cumberland Gap Road
Newport, Virginia
Open Nov. 13 | Tuesday through Sunday,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For a festive experience, head to this
Newport choose-and-cut farm for
weekend hayrides after Thanksgiving
for $1 (free for ages 5 and younger),
possible Santa sightings on weekends in
early December and custom greenery and
ornaments from the gift shop. Trees are
hand-sheared and include Fraser, Canaan,
concolor and Korean firs; white and Scotch
pines; Colorado blue and Norway spruces and
arborvitae ranging from 6 to 15 feet.
540-544-7303. joestrees.com
MEADOWS FARMS NURSERIES
& LANDSCAPE
Multiple locations including Frederick,
Maryland, and Manassas, Leesburg, Herndon,
Great Falls and Chantilly in Virginia
Open Sunday, Oct. 31 through Wednesday,
Nov. 24 (trees anticipated by Nov. 20) | Monday
through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday
and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Open Friday,
Nov. 26, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to
8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday,
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
With many locations throughout Virginia
and one in Frederick, Maryland, Meadows
Farms Nurseries & Landscape offers plenty of
options for families seeking Christmas trees
this season. Activities vary at each location,
but shoppers can expect refreshments such as
hot chocolate, along with appearances from
Santa. Tree varieties include Fraser, Douglas,
concolor and balsam firs. 703-327-3940.
meadowsfarms.com. Dogs are welcome to join the family in
choosing a Christmas tree this season at this
pet-friendly, family-owned and operated farm
serving Montgomery County since 1992.
Varieties available this year include choose-
and-cut Douglas firs, Norway spruces and a
limited supply of Colorado blue spruce trees.
Precut Fraser and balsam firs will also be
available. 301-842-7075. npnursery.com.
POTOMAC FARM MARKET
9045 Congressional Parkway
Potomac, Maryland
Opens Friday, Nov. 26 | Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
This family-run farm market specializes
in locally sourced goods and caters to its
neighbors and nearby communities. Families
shopping for Christmas trees can stop in for a
festive photo-op with the farm’s seasonal
backdrop and select from precut
regional North Carolina Frasers, with some
Douglas firs expected this year. The farm
also carries wreaths and a large selection of
firewood for those chilly, cozy nights.
240-620-9216. potomacfarmmarket.com.
SNICKERS GAP TREE FARM
34350 Williams Gap Road, Round Hill, Virginia
Opens Friday, Nov. 26 | Weekends, 9 a.m. to
sunset; weekdays noon to sunset
More than 37,000 trees (in various stages of
growth) abound amid views of the Loudoun
Valley. Take a tractor ride to the lot and select
from Mountain Slow Grown Douglas firs—
which the farm has grown on site for 41
years—along with some Serbian spruces and
young balsam firs. Also for sale are fresh, local
and handmade wreaths and gifts, including
lifetime tree stands handcrafted in Maryland.
Snack on hot dogs and soft pretzels or warm
up with hot spiced cider and hot chocolate.
540-554-8323. snickersgaptrees.com n
NAUGHTY PINE NURSERY
18200 Elmer School Road Dickerson, Maryland
Opens Friday, Nov. 26 | Weekends, 10 a.m. to
4 p.m.; weekday appointments if needed
WashingtonFAMILY.com 11
LIGHTS: GULSENGUNEL/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS; TREES, LUDMILA_M/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS;
BACKGROUND, SWILLKLITCH/ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES PLUS
JOE’S TREES