The Lo’Down

What is your passion?

That’s a hard question to answer, right? For me ,passion is often all-consuming— meaning even when I want to set it to the side, it lingers like 47 open tabs on my mental web browser. But what I can tell you is that there is a definite line between what I like and what I am passionate about. For example, I like a well-made cocktail; I am passionate about a hot and frothy cup of coffee. The more I chewed on this subject, the more I realized how quirky some of my passions are.

I am passionate about reading. Magazines, obviously, but books are my love language. I am an unapologetic chain reader: Once I find an author I love, I devour all their work.

I am passionate about food, in particular cooking and baking for family and friends. I truly believe that is an extension of love and my cookbook collection is a testament to my continued effort to feed them my affection. Frequently with bacon. (Speaking of bacon, did you know we have a sandwich named after us? See page 45 for that delicious bite.)

I am passionate about my various little collections. My rolling pins, some of them antiques; my Nordic Ware Bundt pans; my ridiculous amount of nail polishes. Don’t judge.

I am passionate about my bed. I hunted for my furniture, I researched and tested brands of sheets, I have collected quilts and comforters to alternate with the seasons. On those long workdays, I frequently fantasize about slipping between freshly washed sheets with a cup of tea and a good book.

New to my passion list is this magazine. Being editor of The Local has connected me to this community in a way I never imagined, breathing new life into old friendships, discovering exciting new businesses, meeting extraordinary people, and fanning the flames of my curiosity. Perhaps I can’t collect issues like rolling pins or nail polish, but I can certainly say that this crush is much better for my waistline than bacon or baking.

I consider The Local to be our monthly love letter to Winter Garden, and that’s something we can all be passionate about.