Nov/Dec 2022

This holiday season seems busier than usual for me! Your guests will be impressed with your creative culinary talents. Toffee Delights bring together a salty and sweet combination that will bring back memories of Christmas past. Add some chocolate and pecans to enhance the toffee even more. The Delights freeze well and can be made…

The holidays are often filled with special traditions for many families. The Downing family in Milford loves that their own Christmas traditions create memories for countless families in the area, similar to Brian’s memories as a child. “Our family loves Christmas time and creating family traditions,” Brian said. “When I was a child, I remember…

One Day in December by Josie Silver A perfect festive drink & a perfect Christmas read!! Absolutely loved this one. “Laurie is pretty sure love at first sight doesn’t exist anywhere but the movies. But then, through a misted-up bus window one snowy December day, she sees a man who she knows instantly is the…

Meticulous perfection. Tom Matuska shapes each individual hair onto the form, creating a realistic masterpiece that showcases passion for nature and the wild. Since 1974, Matuska Taxidermy has been crafting authentic mounts, as well as teaching future taxidermists and developing a growing company that supplies the world with taxidermy supplies and art products. The taxidermists…

The creative juices flow and the possibilities are endless when Karla Kopsas makes wreaths. A mason by day and wreath-maker by night, this successful businesswoman loves her creative outlet at her shop along Highway 86. The idea behind Little Greek Girl Wreaths was born in 2016, when Karla was shopping with her mother Elodis at…

Every Christmas, a special tree spreads joy and hope through countless homes in the Spencer community. Through the Tree of Joy, the spirit of Christmas visits over 100 grateful kids and their families because of the generosity of Spencer Jaycees, local businesses, and Upper Des Moines in Clay County. For 100 years, the Spencer Jaycees…

As a child, you dream about being a grown-up and imagine yourself in different occupations. For Larry Dixon, he knew at a young age that he loved music, wrestling, and wanted to be a chiropractor. “I learned young that I had the passion and purpose for these gifts and that the Lord wanted me to…

Planter pots…is that what you would call them? Every year, I see social media flood with people’s winter planters that they either put together themselves or bought, and I love them all. I’ve always thought I would love to make one but have been WAY too intimidated—I didn’t even know where to start. I could…