Winter 2025 | Editor's Letter

Editor’s Letter

There’s no greater gift than the one you make yourself. Whether it’s a scarf you knitted, a necklace you beaded, a bowl you crafted, hand towels you embroidered, or a body scrub you mixed, bottled, and tied with a pretty bow, the receiver is rewarded with a creative present that comes from the heart.

Handmade and hand-selected food gifts are exceptional offerings, too. In this edition, we contribute four recipes that are perfect for gift giving: spiced mixed nuts, hazelnut brittle, preserved lemons, and bourbon cherries. Or put together a basket of foods and drinks curated from local international shops and restaurants. We offer tips and resources to transport your gift recipient to Italy, France, Asia, and the Middle East.

The holidays are about taking the time to make thoughtful meals to share with your family and friends. We provide inspiration for transforming root vegetables into tasty dishes, creating chutneys for the holiday table, and making pie with fresh pumpkin. And, to tie to hunting season, you’ll find a feature on a longtime outdoor sporting goods shop, a story on and recipe for quail, and two stories and recipes on duck.

I learned a lot about the origins of hot chocolate in our story. And did you know that children around the world leave out more than just cookies and milk for Santa? To discover other traditions, read our “Snacks for Santa” story.

During colder months, whether I’m feeling fine or under the weather, a big bowl of soup soothes, comforts, and satisfies me. In this issue, we feature some of the staple soups of Asia. You’ll find delicious ramen, pho, and tom yum at restaurants in our region. Read about their histories, ingredients, and flavors in our story.

Winter is citrus season just over the hill in California, and the Reno-Tahoe market gets flooded with the juicy fruits during this time. But what if you could grow your own at home? I have a kumquat tree that lives outside in the summer and comes inside in the winter. Read about how to successfully grow citrus here from locals who know.

November and December are lovely months filled with giving and gathering. We hope these stories, and the many others inside these pages, help you celebrate the foods and traditions of the season.

Happy Winter!