February 2021

Foggy Dock on Crystal Bay

Looking to the north on Crystal Bay, Jace Dovolis, 13, captured Foggy Dock, the first-place winner in the Wildlife & Nature category of our annual Lens on Lake Minnetonka photo contest.

 
Woman reading while snuggled with dog

This month’s recommendation is for the romantics! Jasmine Guillory has become the queen of contemporary romance, and her novels are delightful.

 
stack of vintage hard-sided luggage

Organizing is so much more than filling up well-labeled plastic bins. It can be both decorative and thematic. Use items you already have, and think outside the (plastic) box.

 

Travel is one of the themes for this month’s issue, and I was delighted when Barbara Sykora of the Deephaven Historical Society reached out with news about a small facelift to one of the oldest structures in Deephaven.

 
Bakery treats

Hey, does anyone see January lurking around? Don’t get us wrong, we love new beginnings and well-intentioned resolutions, but after 31 days, we’re ready for a break.

 
golfing with hockey sticks on ice

A little snow and ice won’t stop Minnesotans from getting together, but, it goes without saying, something else might.

 
Jeff Verdoorn and Tyler Nelson

Charming lakeside town with boutique shopping, eclectic dining and quaint seasonal events seeks guests from near and far—sounds like a match in hospitality heaven.

 
Hotel Landing exterior

Well, my family and I were supposed to travel last March to Washington, D.C., but, you know—COVID. Being the optimist that I am (ahem), I figured Florida for Easter that April would be nice, but, you know …

 
using an ice auger

Land of 10,000 Lakes—well, we all know just how important those glistening bodies of water are to us in the Bold North, especially in the warmer months. For many of us, they serve as the welcoming center of our outdoor sporting lives.

 
Molly Golden

In 2017, Molly Golden took a step that would quickly change her career.

 
aromatically wine-inspired body sprays and candles

Sisters Carin Skowronsky and Sarah Bryant combine their passion for wine with their business savvy to create an educational blog and brand Pairs Well With…, and now they’ve added a new twist to their wine-themed repe

 
Ball’s Bank Block circa 1891

For over 50 years, a gas station has occupied the corner of Water and Third streets in Excelsior. In another lifetime, a noble two-story brick building held the spot.

 
Heart #44 original mixed media on canvas

“Stephanie Dillion’s signature heart paintings are like pieces of the past, hardships that one never thought they were capable of getting through, yet we do. And somehow, our heart is put back together stronger and more beautifully than we ever thought possible by grace and love.

 
Group standing at the top of a rock.

Have you ever gifted yourself with a retreat or group travel experience? I have had the privilege of curating and guiding retreats (specifically for women), but I imagine any retreat shares a common vision.

 
medium bodied red wine

If you’ve not enjoyed wines from Ridge Estate, I highly recommend picking up this one. Ridge Estate is very high quality with deep roots in Sonoma, specializing in age-worthy reds, zinfandels and blends.