Noteworthy

TASTE

SIDE HUSTLE

NOT THAT WE AREN’T THANKFUL for the meaty bird, but why is turkey the cynosure of Thanksgiving meals when side dishes are the real reason we pass around for seconds and raid the refrigerator after midnight? This year, buck tradition and delight your guests by adding a few new dishes to your sides repertoire.

Maple Blue Butternut Squash Dish up sweet, savory and tangy Maple Blue Butternut Squash and your guests won’t even miss the traditional sweet potatoes and marshmallows. Contributed by Kowalski’s Market.

» 4 tsp. Kowalski’s unsalted butter » 2 tsp. brown sugar » 4 lbs. peeled butternut squash, cut into ½” cubes (about 4 1/3 cups) » 2/3 tsp. kosher salt » 3/4 tsp. freshly ground

Kowalski’s black peppercorns » 1/3 cup blue cheese crumbles » 2 Tbsp., plus 2 tsp., Kowalski’s pure maple syrup

1. Preheat broiler. 2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; stir in brown sugar until dissolved (about 2 minutes). 3. Add squash cubes, salt and pepper; cook over mediumhigh heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned on edges (10–12 minutes). 4. Divide squash among (6 oz. each) oven-safe ramekins; top evenly with cheese and maple syrup. 5. Broil squash 6” from broiler until cheese is melted (about 2 minutes).

Head to whitebearlakemag.com for more unique Thanksgiving side dish recipes courtesy of Kowalski’s Market and Salad Girl, compiled by writer Staci Perry Merganthal.

READ

THE CITY BAKER’S GUIDE TO COUNTRY LIVING

Louise Miller’s debut, The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living: a Novel, will warm your heart in these cold winter months. When 32-year-old pastry chef Livvy Rawlings has to get away from an incident she created while working at a Boston dinner club, she retreats to a small Vermont town and the support of her best friend, Hannah. As she reevaluates her life, she takes a job baking at the local inn, discovering a kindred spirit and what it means to belong. This book is also filled with great baking tips that you may want to try out this holiday season; Miller is, unsurprisingly, a pastry chef from Boston.

Therese Sonnek is the branch manager of Ramsey County Library - White Bear Lake. Visit rclreads.org for programs and locations. ABODE

Hospitality for the Holidays

Hosting friends and family over the holidays is a time for celebration. Still, preparing to host can often feel daunting, so we have some ideas to bring warmth and joy to your guest room this season.

Declutter, Clean and Declutter Again Having a guest bedroom is always a perk, but, if it doesn’t get used often, clutter can pile up quickly. Clear out any unnecessary items for your visitors and make space for them to put their own things. When in doubt, move it out!

Follow your Style Check that your guest room still follows your style. It might be for visitors, but it is still your home, so pick out bedding that makes you happy and fits in with the rest of your house. If you are decorating your home interior for the holidays, don’t forget to throw some fun and festive décor in there as well. Just add your own flair and have fun with it!

Cozy and Comfortable Give your guests the comfort of being at a home away from home by making the space cozy. A coffee bar can be placed atop a dresser or extra table. Make sure to add different textures into the space with a fun rug or a basket for extra towels and blankets. And if your room has a lot of light, install curtains so your guests can sleep in if they choose.

At the end of the day, hosting doesn’t have to be stressful. Just remember to make it fun and enjoy the time with those you love.

Christina Miller is the founder and owner of Christina Lynn Interiors, a boutique interior design studio based in White Bear Lake.

SCENE

Spotlight on Community

Each year, the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation hosts a community-wide program called Community Partners to raise money to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that serve our area. In 2021, $67,500 was raised and granted to 23 nonprofit organizations. Since the program began in 2017, a total of $145,000 has been raised and granted to nonprofits serving our community.

The volunteer Grants Committee under the helm of Grants Committee chair Laura Whitney works to encourage nonprofits to apply for grants, helps nonprofits with its grant applications and evaluates all applications before making final decisions. At the community Share the Joy event in early December each year, the grants are distributed in person to all recipients.

Whitney says, “The best part is being able to meet the people behind the grant applications and to share that joy with members of the community!” This year’s event will take place on December 1 at the event center at Rudy’s Redeye Grill.

In celebration of the dedicated volunteers that uplift this community, the Greater White Bear Lake Community Foundation spotlights a noteworthy citizen or initiative of the White Bear Lake area in each issue. Learn more at gwblcf.org.

A Wedding to Have and Behold

Hold an idyllic wedding in a stunning setting at Union Depot. This iconic Saint Paul landmark provides a charming backdrop for an unforgettable experience. Surround your ceremony with historic architecture, natural light and an incredible ambiance. Union Depot has a variety of event spaces to choose from—tailor your event to match your vision. Plan a wedding you’ll remember for a lifetime at Union Depot.

2023 DATES STILL AVAILABLE

Visit uniondepot.org/weddings to get started or call 651.202.2723.

UNIONDEPOT.ORG I 214 4TH STREET EAST, SAINT PAUL, MN 55101 kianagrantphotography.com