Come as you will be, the poster Cread. It was an apt party theme for college students who had achieved nothing, save our status as sophomores.
One friend slung a whistle around her neck, a substitute gym teacher. Another stuffed her pockets with Monopoly wealth. I wore a tropical-print sleeveless blouse tucked into matching shorts that fastened at the hips like diapers, in the era before the use of Velcro or fashion. I was aiming for surfer but landed far short of accuracy, irony or dignity. Still, as nights out go, it ruled.
Recently the same friends gathered for another costume party, this one themed, "Come as you became." (The alumni office called it reunion weekend.) The substitute gym teacher now works to house the homeless. The millionaire is a gazillionaire. And I'm a surfer, if I'm honest about my online habits. So, we were close.
We told old stories, slept in old dorms, cued up old albums. Were we...old? That thought landed with accuracy, with irony, and with little dignity.
On the last night there was a big bash with a crushing soundtrack and awesome outfits. Even the snacks, caramelized pears, showed up in a mummy-wrap of buttery pastry. We admired their tenderness, their creativity, their moxie.
As parties go, it was a smashing success. Though all the guests wore matching expressions: wistful.
Pastry-Wrapped Pears with Caramel Sauce
This story is from the Fall 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
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This story is from the Fall 2024 edition of Midwest Living.
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NATURAL FIT
WITH LANDSCAPES NEAR AND FAR AS THEIR GUIDE, A MINNEAPOLIS COUPLE BUILT A NEW HOME THAT COMPLEMENTS ITS ESTABLISHED NEIGHBORHOOD AND SOFTENS THE LINE BETWEEN INDOORS AND OUT.
AT LONG LAST
AT SUNNY MEADOWS FLOWER FARM IN COLUMBUS, OHIO, THE SAME CUTTING BEDS THAT FEED SUMMER'S FRESH BOUQUETS ALSO PROVIDE BUNCHES OF EVERLASTINGS FOR USE IN DRIED ARRANGEMENTS AND WREATHS-BOTH THEIR OWN CREATIONS AND YOURS. COLOR US INSPIRED.
COLOR SHOW
FALL IS A BIT LIKE THE HOLIDAYS, WITH SPECTACULAR DISPLAYS OF COLOR AND LIGHT EVERYWHERE-EXCEPT NATURE DOES THE DECORATING. TREAT YOURSELF TO THE SEASON'S SIGHTS AND SOUNDS ON A VISIT TO ONE OF THESE DAZZLING PARKS.
IT'S CHILI TIME
AT A TAILGATE, A CAMPOUT OR JUST BECAUSE IT'S FALL, NOTHING HITS LIKE CHILI. AND FEW MEALS STOKE MORE REGIONAL PRIDE AND DEBATE. (TEXANS, WE SEE YOU. WE RESPECT YOU. BUT WE LIKE BEANS.) SO WE'RE GIVING YOU FIVE NEW CHILI RECIPES INCLUDING ONE FOR LEGIT CINCINNATI CHILI-PLUS CHEESY SCALLION CORNBREAD AND AN ODE TO CINNAMON ROLLS. (DON'T ASK. JUST READ ON.)
The GREAT ESCAPES
IN WISCONSIN AND MINNESOTA, HISTORIC LAKESIDE RESORTS KEEP ALIVE A CENTURY OF TRADITION. GENERATION AFTER GENERATION, THEY HAVE YET TO GO OUT OF STYLE.
TWO FOR ONE
PLAN A FALL WEEKEND TO BENTON HARBOR AND ST. JOSEPH, MICHIGAN, AND YOU'LL HAVE DOUBLE THE FUN.
DAY OF THE DEAD
DURING DÍA DE MUERTOS (NOVEMBER 1-2), TRADITION HOLDS THAT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SPIRIT AND LIVING WORLDS WEAKENS, ALLOWING A REUNION WITH PASSED LOVED ONES. HERE ARE SIX PLACES TO CELEBRATE.
MAIN ATTRACTION
FRESH LOCAL FARE AND SLEEK COFFEE SHOPS RUB SHOULDERS WITH STYLISH BOUTIQUES AND VINTAGE MARKETS IN MOUNT VERNON, IOWA.
A CHANGING LANDSCAPE
GLACIERS ONCE SHAPED THE TERRAIN OF SIOUX FALLS, SOUTH DAKOTA. TODAY, PEOPLE DO. THEIR IMPRINT SHOWS EVERYWHERE IN A LIVELY FOOD AND COCKTAIL SCENE, THROUGH A KALEIDOSCOPE OF OUTDOOR ART, AND AT A WATERFALL PARK THAT LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER.
PEAR HUGS
AS COMFORTING AS A LIFELONG FRIENDSHIP (AND AS SPECIAL TOO), THESE PEARS COME WRAPPED IN PASTRY, DRIZZLED WITH CARAMEL AND INFUSED WITH GOOD FEELS.
