Life + Culture

Oregon Inspired Holiday Recipes

Local Flavors and Seasonal Ingredients to Add a Twist to Your Traditional Meal Article by Julie E. Furnas When we think of a traditional holiday meal, classic dishes come to mind – oven roasted or smoked turkey, baked ham, stuffing, seasonal vegetables, mashed, sweet potatoes, rich gravy, warm rolls and perhaps a casserole or two. Like most states, Oregon boasts a unique cuisine that deeply influences our state’s culture, daily eating habits and our holiday traditions. Our natural, rich...

Arts + Culture

The Greatest Gift: Time

Giving More Presence and Less Presents to Bring Meaning and True Connection to the Holidays Article by Lynette Confer For many, the holiday season is wrapped in equal parts magic and frantic busyness, with the true meaning of the season often lost in between. As calendars fill and to-do lists grow, finding that perfect gift for everyone on the list often becomes a challenge and a chore. But what if instead of giving more material things, we gave something far more valuable—our time. What if...

Arts + Culture

Cocktails and Cocoa

Elevate Your Holiday Entertaining with a Festive Cocktail Bar for Adults and a Whimsical Hot Cocoa Bar Kids Will Love Article by Julie E. Furnas There is a long history of clinking glasses during the holidays, toasting to prosperity and wealth, dating back to ancient midwinter festivals with communal, spiced warm drinks like mulled wines and old English ‘wassail’ or cider blended with apples, oranges and spices. As trade routes expanded in the Middle Ages and other spirits became more...

Arts + Culture

A Wreath of Your Own

Handcrafted Evergreen Wreaths to Welcome the Spirit of the Holiday Season Article by Lynette Confer This holiday season, sprinkle a bit of magic into your home with a handcrafted evergreen wreath. There is something timeless about gathering fragrant boughs, weaving them into shape on a circular frame, and adding elegant, even whimsical, accents like ribbons, berries, or ornaments. Whether you are using trimmings from a tree your family cut by hand, or selecting greenery from a local craft...