Table of contents for December 2018/January 2019 in Sunset

It’s only a matter of time before Sedona trades its hippie aura for a hipster one. Located smack-dab in the middle of the Grand Canyon state, the low-key desert outpost seems primed for lovers of all things small-batch, arti-sanal, and vintage. Of course, it continues to draw visitors with its energy vortexes and crystal shops. Whether or not you believe in all that metaphysical stuff, you can relish hiking in Sedona’s colorful forests, gazing at its stars and red rock cliffs, and dining on locally grown and foraged foods. (Want more? Book a hair-raising guided tour in a bubble gum–colored Jeep.) 8 A.M. At Pump House Station Urban Eatery and Market (pumphousestation.com), cozy up to the stone fireplace and linger over delicate sugar-cinnamon crêpes with home-made sage sausage and a lavender…

At first, there was nothing to see. It was the middle of winter, and a storm had just dumped a fresh blanket of snow on Mt. Hood. Still, Portland’s Oliver and Sara Fritsch thought they could spot potential on the less-than-one-acre lot—although admittedly it was anyone’s guess. “The land was covered in snow, so we had no idea what we were buying,” recalls Sara, president of homewares brand Schoolhouse. “We held our breath until everything melted.” Luckily their gamble paid off, and that July, having signed on architect Blane Skowhede and contractor Ethan Beck, they broke ground on the weekend home that would be their vision of a contemporary ski chalet. A recent three-year stint abroad in Amsterdam with their children—Penelope, 9, and Winter, 10—gave the couple the varied cultural…

TOYS Weed through and donate unused toys constantly. Stick (mainly) to the basics that get the most play time: Blocks, books, cars, and magnets. STORAGE Build closets in kids’ rooms that make it easy to keep things orderly. Try not to overflow designated storage spaces. ACCESSORIES When it comes to items such as helmets, shoes, and socks, simply buy to replace what’s been outgrown or worn out. CLOTHING Purchase clothes on a seasonal basis. Opt for quality staples like jackets and pants that are durable and can be handed down the line. COMMUNAL ZONES Keep common areas sparse so there’s room for the things kids love and use daily. Open space makes it easier to create, draw, and build on a whim. It also makes cleanup easier.…

TRAVEL 101 ALASKA 102 Alaska Marine Highway System 103 Explore Fairbanks 104 Gray Line Alaska 105 ARIZONA 106 Tempe Tourism, Arizona 107 The Boulders Resort & Spa CALIFORNIA 108 Calaveras Visitors Bureau 109 Charles M. Shulz—Sonoma County Airport (STS) 110 City of Riverside 111 Fairfield—Gateway to the Napa Valley 112 Filoli Historical House & Garden 113 Hotel Del Coronado and Beach 114 Sonoma County Tourism 115 Stockton Visitors Bureau 116 The Lodge at Torrey Pines 117 The Oasis at Death Valley 118 Ventura County Coast 119 Visit California INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL 120 Caravan Tours OREGON 121 Morrison’s Rogue Lodge GARDEN 122 Belgard 123 Italian Pottery Outlet 124 Pacific Yurts HOME 125 Campus Quilt 126 David P. Virtue Handcrafted Jewelry 127 Replacements, Ltd. Order free advertiser information here. FOR FREE INFORMATION MAIL…

NATURE LOVERS HAPPY CAMPERS The new Airstream hotel, AutoCamp, set near Yosemite National Park’s gateway town of Mariposa, is one for the record. Set to open in February, the 36-acre property’s 102 Airstreams, safari-style glamping tents, and cabins are beautifully outfitted with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and creature comforts to make campers of all stripes feel at home in the woods. Bonus: a gorgeous pool that blurs the line between resort and Instagrammable campground. Keeping in mind recent wildfires, each site also comes with spark-free logs so you can roast marshmallows and tell stories by the fire with ease. From $200; autocamp.com. COOK’S CORNER NORTHERN EXPOSURE In Tofino, B.C., the Wickaninnish Inn is known for its seasonal storm-watching opportunities—hurricane-force wind windows, rain pants, and rain boots on hand. The hotel’s famous restaurant…

It’s the season for hosting parties, traveling to see family, and making sure each relative receives the perfect present. Between all the indulgent feasts, air miles, and rolls of wrapping paper, it’s easy to stop looking after yourself. Seriously, who has the time? Not Stefani Bittner and Kylie Flanagan of the San Francisco Bay Area’s Homestead Design Collective. When days are hectic at the landscape design firm or there’s just too much going on at home, they pluck ingredients from their backyards and whip up simple tonics and salves bursting with vitamins and healing properties. “The winter garden can be really beautiful and abundant in nutrient-rich plants,” says Bittner, who points to calendula, citrus, parsley, and radicchio as some of her favorites. She often shares what she reaps either as-is,…

PLANT Look for bare-root trees (plus roses and shrubs) at your local nursery. They’re typically cheaper and easier to handle than potted or balled and burlapped specimens. The trick for success: Never let the roots dry out between purchase and planting. In colder regions, bare-root trees won’t be available until the ground thaws. MAINTAIN Start winter pruning deciduous shrubs and trees (including fruit-bearing varieties) as soon as leaves drop. Make your cuts from the bottom to the top and from the inside out, removing dead, diseased, and closely parallel branches. Finish the job by pruning for aesthetics and shape. Protect your deciduous fruit trees with a dormant spray. The oil smothers the eggs of aphids, mites, and scale. Apply a heavy layer on the bare branches, trunk, and ground within…

FIND A FOREVER TREE Embrace the faux-tree trend with a shimmering 7.5-foot tree in traditional green or breathtaking rose gold. Find these items and more at hayneedle.com. Tree: GH01072 White Chair: UNIR2703 Pillow: CLOU059 STYLE A NATURE-INSPIRED ENTRYWAY Turn a classic console into a decorating moment with tactile trimmings in soothing hues and a set of two-tone baskets for extra storage with an organic feel. Hayneedle featured items: Felt Wreath: GARS013 Felt Garland: GARS016, GARS034 Console Table: BTR3225 Baskets: ELI3669 TAKE THE FESTIVITIES OUTSIDE When indoor-outdoor living is the order of the day, creating a cozy winter wonderland means doubling down on alfresco comfort. Pile a covered backyard seating nook with pillows, add some interesting planters and unexpected seating options—and don’t forget the lanterns for that magical holiday glow. Hayneedle…

SERVES 8/1¼ HOURS Flour, for dusting1 refrigerated or frozen pie crust for a single-crust pie, thawed if frozen4 oz. diced pancetta6 large eggs1½ bunch (7 oz.) asparagus, ends trimmed, cut on a diagonal into 1-to 1½-in. pieces2 tbsp. chopped chives, divided1½ cup crème fraîche1½ tsp. kosher salt1½ tsp. freshly ground pepper4 oz. crumbled goat cheese 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Lightly dust a work surface with flour. Roll out pie crust into a 10-by 13-in. rectangle (if using a rectangular tart pan) or an 11-in. round (if using a round tart pan). Carefully transfer crust to an 8-by 11-in. tart pan or a 9-in. round tart pan with a removable rim, pressing dough into corners and folding it back inside edges of pan so it’s flush with top of pan.…

MAKES 12 (SERVES 4 TO 6)/35 MINUTES 4 large eggs1 cup milk1½ tsp. kosher salt1 cup all-purpose flour¼ cup salted butter, diced1 cup raspberries Powdered sugar 1. Preheat oven to 425° with a rack in center and another beneath it. In a blender, whirl eggs, milk, and salt to break up. Add flour and whirl until smooth; set aside. 2. Divide butter among 12 muffin cups (⅓-cup size). Bake on center rack in oven until butter melts and begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Pour batter into cups and sprinkle with raspberries. Set on center rack and put a rimmed baking sheet beneath to catch any drips. Bake until Dutch babies are very well-browned and puffed, 18 to 20 minutes. 3. Sift powdered sugar over Dutch babies. Loosen from…

TV when it’s on. Art when it’s off. Enhance your living space with a TV that adds premium style and design. The stunning Frame TV boasts a crisp, clear picture, and transforms into art to elevate the style of any room. samsung.com/Frame Visit Tempe, a Vibrant Urban Oasis! Change up your typical Arizona travel plans with a visit to Tempe. Discover acres of desert beauty in Papago Park, kayak on Tempe Town Lake, hike up ‘A’ Mountain and dine at local hotspots. Tempe’s college town vibe, arts scene and breweries are just a few reasons to try Tempe. VisitTempe.com Venture Out. Your Way. Ventura County Coast is a string of communities that radiate warmth from welcoming people and California sunshine. Adventure at your own pace through pristine golf courses, active…

MANY ALPINE DESTINATIONS IN THE WEST will hook you up with demo skis, a stylish hotel room, and a crackling fire, but few do it with the panache of Sun Valley, Idaho. The idyllic valley in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains has been welcoming the rich and famous (along with plenty of regular folks) since Sun Valley Resort opened in 1936. The area’s towns have earned a reputation for being low-key celebrity hideouts (at one time for Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper, and, more recently, for Bruce Springsteen, Jodie Foster, and Tom Hanks). But it’s getting ever more enticing for the sort of person who doesn’t have a personal chef (or their own private slope). The most recent hotel arrivals are smart without feeling exclusive, and new breweries, design…

How many hobby carpenters does it take to renovate a house? If you’re Mike Kraus, just one. A foreman by day, the father of four spent nights and weekends ripping apart a San Clemente, California, ranch house and rebuilding it room by room—solo. Although he didn’t have hired help, his wife, Jessica, deserves a hefty dose of credit for design direction and, oh yeah, for manually draining the water out of the work-in-progress bathroom after anyone took a shower. (With four sons, you can imagine.) “We basically camped for eight months, sometimes without working water, and with a constantly shifting sleeping situation,” says Jessica, a blogger. “There was no form of permanence or order.” But it was worth it. Their new home is now just ten minutes from their go-to…

The Shoreline TOFINO, B.C. Two renovated 1960s A-frame cabins and an A-frame house on the Tofino Inlet are the perfect stage for games and hot drinks in between brief walks on the moody winter coast. From $107 U.S.; theshorelinetofino.com. Kalaloch Lodge OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA This historic national park lodge offers a few dozen clapboard cabins with breathtaking views on the notoriously wild Olympic Coast, an hour’s drive from the Hoh Rain Forest. Bonus: The lodge’s rustic dining room serves to-die-for dishes. From $99; thekalalochlodge.com. Far Meadow OAKHURST, CA Just outside Yosemite’s southern entrance and north of Bass Lake, cabin rentals, vintage trailers, a teepee tent, and three modernized mid century A-frame cabins offer a quiet retreat. From $260; farmeadow.com. Out’n’ About Treesort CAVE JUNCTION, OR Imagine if the Swiss…

A confession: My wife, Sarah, and I started hosting our annual holiday party purely because we love cookies. A lot. We live in a small space in San Francisco, so we created a stand-up get-together—one that’s cookie-focused and kid-friendly, and can be largely prepared in advance. We’ve been doing it for the past 15 years, and it has developed into a beloved tradition. In early December, we begin making and freezing batches of dough. Though we introduce wild cards, there are a few indispensable repeats. We arrange the cookies on the same tiered stand we pull up from the basement for the occasion. The kids, led by our sons, Ellis and Sidney, inevitably eat too many and run amok, fueled by sugar. The adults drink mulled wine, steam up the…

SERVES 6 (MAKES 12)/45 MINUTES 1½ cup melted unsalted butter, divided, plus more for pan3 cups blueberries, divided2 tbsp. lemon juice1½ cup granulated sugar, divided2 cups all-purpose flour2 tbsp. baking powder1½ tsp. kosher salt4 large eggs, separated1 tub (15 oz.) ricotta cheese2 tbsp. lemon zest1 cup whole milkPowdered sugar and maple syrup, for serving 1. Preheat oven to 425°. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with butter or cooking spray and line with parchment paper. Set aside. 2. Combine 2 cups blueberries, the lemon juice, and 2 tbsp. granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Let sit 15 minutes or so until juices get a little syrupy. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in another medium bowl. In a third medium bowl, beat egg whites with a mixer until soft peaks form.…

Try different fruity or savory fillings. The sky’s the limit, but these are our three favorite twists. EXTRA SWEET On the stove, melt a little butter in a sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add a cup of halved pitted sweet cherries (instead of raspberries) and cook until warm, a few minutes. Spoon over batter and bake as directed. SPICY Hold the raspberries and add minced jalapeño or serrano chiles to the blended batter. Cook as directed and serve with green salsa and diced avocado. HOMEY Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add peeled, sliced Golden Delicious apples, a little lemon zest, lemon juice, and nutmeg. Cook, turning occasionally, until apples soften a bit. Add a generous spoonful of brandy and cook, stirring, until juices bubble. Spoon over…

IF YOU’RE LIKE MOST PEOPLE, getting an invite to a formal dinner—to which of course you’ll bring wine—probably triggers some anxiety, so you pull over at a random wine merchant or supermarket en route, scan the shelves for something impressive-looking yet affordable, and hope for the best. With any luck, your $12 Malbec with lots of cursive on the label will quickly disappear onto a side table full of other offerings, never to be seen again. But, what if the bottle you contribute could be the star of the meal? These suggestions and shopping strategies guarantee you’ll never bring a forgettable bottle to a dinner party again. 6 ways to shop 1 Get weird A gathering of friends is the perfect excuse to spring for those esoteric wines you’ve been…