If anyone can make you see what’s special about winter, it’s a fine art photographer. While no small number of us is focusing on our Thinsulate, some of the state’s most talented shutterbugs have slipped into a different mindset.
“On a below-zero degree morning, I waited for the sun to kiss the frosted branches of this tree,” explains Traverse City-area’s Tom Haxby of a shot shared on page 40, part of BLUE’s snow-inspired photography showcase.
Todd and Brad Reed, professional father-and-son photographers in Ludington, had been waiting for another big snowfall to hit Mason County when Brad captured his image. “But so far, this winter (February 2010) had been very hit or miss … That forced us to look deeper for good photographic moments.”
Further north in Leelanau County, Ken Scott knew exactly what he was looking for: the International Space Station to fly overhead. “You can look up the flyby times and dates online,” he noted (iss.astro
viewer.net), adding that taking this shot became even more wondrous when a jet unexpectedly entered the anticipated night sky scene in sync.
Embracing new experiences is a way to revel in winter. “A lot of times we go out to a restaurant and order three or four appetizers, a couple of drinks, and then move on to another one,” says northern Michigan Chef Michael Peterson. “With tapas or small plates, people get the chance to try different things.”
While BLUE presents a few new mini-dish recipes to try along with insights from regional chefs on page 34, Michigan slopes and spas state-wide offer their own menus of memorable ways to chill and chill out this winter (page 12, 28); Lake Stories contributor Kim Delmar Cory turns back the clock to savor warmth found in new-fallen lakefront snow (page 24); and Waterways shares where to start making your own glittering white tracks (page 15).
If cozying up to the amber glow of a crackling fire is more your thing, consider toasting this winter season with an at-home wine pairings party (page 74). “There are a lot of unusual grapes being made into wine in Michigan that people aren’t necessarily familiar with,” notes Aaron Hagen, sommelier-in-training.
Or warm up with words: Michigan author Jerry Dennis finds his own appetite expands for books these colder days. “Winter is the best season for reading,” he believes (page 80).
Before turning the page from one year to the next, invite yourself to savor at least one new splendor this winter — and revel in a wondrous start to 2013.
With heartfelt thanks for reading,
Lisa M. Jensen, Editor, Michigan BLUE Magazine
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