NOTEWORTHY

Outdoor Adventure Winter camping could provide the peaceful paradise you crave.

Winter camping may be just the vacation adventure you need to reconnect with nature. Serene scenes of fresh snow and a crackling fire are the stuff of peaceful dreams. If you dress for the weather and plan accordingly, you can enjoy a unique travel experience without traveling far. Afton State Park in Minn. and Willow River State Park in Wis. are open yearround for camping and other seasonal activities. Afton State Park has rustic backpack campsites, camper cabins with heat and electricity and two 7-person yurts with firewood, indoor wood stoves, skylights, bunkbeds, tables and chairs. Willow River State Park has 30 unplowed walkin campsites; 12 have electrical hookups.

A few winter camping tips from the Sierra Club: • Dress in layers • Stay dry • Bring a cold weather rated sleeping bag and pad • Steep coffee grounds in boiled water, then tap the pot to settle grounds • Pack extra containers for late night bladder relief (gross, but useful) —Angela Johnson AFTON STATE PARK 6959 Peller Ave. S. Hastings, Minn. dnr.state.mm.us

WILLOW RIVER STATE PARK 1034 County Highway A Hudson, Wis. dnr.wisconsin.gov

LIFESTYLE

BEES ARE ALL THE BUZZ Naturally inspired trends from our honeycomb friends.

Trends for 2021 will feature naturally inspired products. Part of that means bees will be all the buzz this year.

Honeycomb shaped tiles look great on a kitchen backsplash.

Keep baking pans and sheets looking good as new by buffing beeswax onto the surfaces. Cook with the pans as normal. Over time, your pans will develop a permanent layer of wax, meaning you don’t have to oil or grease them every time you use them.

For stuck zippers, rub a small piece of beeswax along the zipper’s teeth to create an easy slide.

You can rub a bit of beeswax onto chapped winter lips. Some versions provide a natural SPF.

Waterproof shoes with beeswax. Simply clean to remove dirt and then rub beeswax directly on shoes with a cloth and use a blow-dryer to melt the wax before rubbing away any excess wax with a towel.

You can find natural and local (Kinnickinnic Bees) beeswax bars at Smith + Trade Mercantile in Stillwater, Minn. —Contributed by Kelli Kaufer, interior designer/ owner of Kelli Kaufer Designs; kellikaufer.com

BEAUTY

What’s Under Your Hat? Relocated salon can help your winter hat hair.

After 16 years of doing business in downtown Stillwater, Monde Salon has moved to a new location in Oak Park Heights near Kowalski’s Market. The team of six stylists is excited to be in this newly remodeled space that salon owner Cyndy Hagle says is more modern than their previous space which is being torn down to make way for apartments. “We were unsure about moving out of downtown at first, but we love it,” says Hagle. Plus, clients love avoiding downtown traffic, especially in winter. Speaking of winter, Hagle suggests everyone consider a leave-in conditioner in order to have your hair looks its best this time of year, and always use a primer before you blow-dry. Want more beauty tips or need a new style, check out Monde Salon. (Note: extra precautions are in place to protect clients during covid-19.) —Angela Johnson

MONDE SALON 5821 Neal Ave. North Stillwater, Minn. mondesalonspa.com

MODERN FARMHOUSE 3572 kelvin court n, lake elmo

“It’s what is so satisfying for me. When people make my recipies and I know their family is sitting down for a night eating something that, creatively, comes from my kitchen.” —Amanda Paa, Heartbeet Kitchen PAGE 28

READ

RACH THE BOOKSELLER RECOMMENDS … Booked: A Traveler’s Guide to Literary Locations Around the World by Richard Kreitner

Organized into regions, from the Monroeville, Ala. courthouse in To Kill a Mockingbird to the Kyoto Bridge in Memoirs of a Geisha, author Richard Kreitner explores 80 of the most iconic literary locations from all over the world that you can actually visit.

This is a dream book for literature lovers and travelers. It’s equal parts travel guide and a really enjoyable read. This book will inspire and prepare you for future travels. Literary pilgrimage, anyone?

Pick up a copy for yourself and for someone you love at Valley Bookseller; 217 Main St. N., Stillwater, Minn.; 651.430.3385; Order online at valleybookseller.com

the propert y

Your modern farmhouse doesn’t have to be far from the city! Experience the inviting tran uility of this luxurious, customdesigned home located 20 minutes from do nto n St. Paul.

propert y features

4,006 s uare feet Energy efficient 4 bed 3 bath Gourmet kitchen Radiant heat flooring 2.5 acres Oversized 800 s.f. garage Close to nature reserve

SCHEDULE A PRIVATE VIEWING TODAY !

Sara Anderson, REA TOR® 612.305.8828 sanderson @k .com

MNDISTINCTIVEHOMES . COM

Cozy up with a unique pottery mug and a container of hot chocolate. The 715 in Hudson also offers furniture, like this log table, and cozy lighting accessories like this rock lamp and Lafco candles. Get comfy with blankets and wrap sweaters from Barefoot Dreams or this red cross blanket by in2green. Mitten options and booties for the little ones will keep those tiny fingers and toes warm too!

How to Hygge

This Danish lifestyle concept is perfect for Midwest winters.

BY EVENING SETTLES

ANGELA OVER THE TUNDRA early JOHNSON in January when Upper

PHOTO Midwesterners experi-

BY CHRIS ence only eight hours of

EMEOTT daylight, half of what we get to enjoy in the summer months. We’ve been daily gaining precious minutes of sunshine since December, but these darker, colder midwinter weeks set the perfect stage for living a more hyggelig (hygge-like) life. Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish lifestyle concept that became an international movement a few years ago. Its Scandinavian origins and our northern climate make the hygge model especially appealing. We’re on board. Here’s how you can be too.

According to Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living, hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience that promote intimacy and coziness. The basic elements integral to creating a hyggelig space include things like candlelight; a comfortable corner or nook to cozy up; relaxed, casual clothing; blankets, pillows along with vintage style décor; steamy and delectable comfort foods and warm sips of tea, coffee or mulled wine; books; nature; and most importantly, togetherness.

LIGHTING: Candles are central to much of hygge because their soft glow instantly create a sense of intimacy and calm. Electric lights can emit a similar effect if chosen specifically to provide lower temperature pools of light rather than a harsh overhead glare. Scandinavian lamp designs by Poul Henningsen, Arne Jacobson and Verner Panton are particularly popular with hygge enthusiasts. Or consider installing dimmer switches so you can lower your lights for those special hygge moments.

Banking that fits your life.

Our full line of e-banking products allows you to stay home while staying connected. Transfer funds, pay bills, even make deposits from your phone. For our business customers, we offer Cash Management products to help manage your finances without leaving your office. We bring banking to you.

lakeelmobank.com • 651.777.8365 Stillwater • Lake Elmo • Oakdale Member FDIC

Welcoming dental patients of all ages!

651.439.8840 / StillwaterBeautifulSmiles.com

Complete Dental Care / Invisalign Provider / Laser Snoring Solutions

The 715 offers plenty of decor in the Hygge spirit like wintery vases and greenery, large wall hangings and even this contemporary metal dear head. And don't forget table settings! Stock up on coasters, mugs and candles with a cozy vibe.

LOCAL HYGGE ITEMS WE LOVE Cozy up your house with these items from The 715 in Hudson.

Just across from the Dunn Brothers in Hudson is a cozy little shop that offers plenty of products to add a little hygge to your home.

Private and virtual shopping appointmenst can be scheduled in advance. All COVID related precautions are in place to help protect shoppers.

The 715

524 2nd St, Hudson, Wis. the715hudson.com // 715.381.8175 @the715hudson

SNUGGLING: Fireplaces are a popular hygge element. You could extend this to an outdoor firepit or fireplace, a steaming hot tub or strategically placed patio heaters for those brave souls who enjoy congregating outdoors all year round.

For indoor types, be sure you stock your gathering spaces with plenty of lap blankets, soft pillows and interesting books. Also, a basket of cozy wool socks is an incredible treat for guests who’ve removed their shoes.

CLOTHING: Casual is key to the hyggelig life, something many work-from-home folks have lately become accustomed to. But that doesn’t mean you need sacrifice style. Just keep it minimalist with an emphasis on layers. Add in a variety of cardigans, scarves, wraps and warm socks and you’re set. Because you cannot hygge when you’re cold.

EATING: Cooking hygge meals is about slow … taking your time to create a dish or a simmering pot. Consider the creation of a hygge meal as a type of mindfulness. Turn off the TV, light some candles, put on some music and savor the process. Happy Hygge!

LYNN PETERSON DESIGN

INTERIOR DESIGN, LLC STILLWATER lynnpetersondesign.com • 612.986.1255

Women’s Health Services Women’s Health Services COMING SOON to the Western Wisconsin Health Roberts Clinic!

Learn more at wwhealth.org

1100 Bergslien Street ♦ Baldwin, WI 54002 ♦ 715-684-1111 503 Cherry Lane ♦ Roberts, WI 54023 ♦ 715-760-3311