This time of year, I like to keep the comfort foods coming. But, like you, I can get stuck in a rut when it comes to what to make for dinner. Fear not! We’ve got some culinary inspiration in this issue with a mouth-watering feature about a local food blogger. Amanda Paa of Heartbeet Kitchen shares her story of relocating to the St. Croix Valley and leaving her corporate gig behind to spend more time in the kitchen cooking and encouraging conversations around food. An added benefit is that she shares some spectacular recipes.
Don’t care to cook but still have some creative muscles that need flexing? We’ve got an editorial collaboration of DIY creative craft ideas for you to try at home. From an ambitious project to more modest endeavors, we’re sharing ways for you to enjoy working with your hands and training your brain while learning some fun craft skills.
We also want to inspire you to get outdoors. Winter in the St. Croix Valley can be one of the most beautiful and breathtaking times of the year. Seasonal activities include snowshoeing and skiing, but have you tried ice fishing or winter camping? Proper preparation and a few basic supplies are all that stand between you and an outstanding seasonal experience. Just keep turning pages in this issue to learn more. And, pssst … if after you read our stories about outdoor winter adventures, you still decide to stay hunkered down indoors, we’ve got some inspo for that too. It’s called hygge and it’s all about how to embrace seasonal niceties like candlelight, books and blankets by the fire. In all, we’ve got you covered when it comes to enjoying what remains of winter. See you in the spring!
-Angela Johnson