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Articles by Ashlyn Ware
We Picked the Best Fall Getaway in Every Midwest State—Is Your Favorite Here?
U.S. Route 20 in Galena, Illinois. Credit: Courtesy of Drone Media Chicago The full beauty of the Midwest comes to life in the fall, when blazing red maples and vibrant yellow birch trees show off their true colors. It’s the perfect time for a getaway, whether close to home or a little farther away. We’ve rounded up the best fall destination in every Midwest state, places where you’ll find breathtaking leaf-peeping, epic hikes, and a bumper crop of seasonal activities and festivals.
19 Juicy Peach Recipes From Pie Bars to Cobblers
The fragrant, sweet possibilities of peaches are endless—just like we hope summer will be. Yet, just like summer, peach season always races past too fast. So we’ve gathered our favorite ways to enjoy everyone’s favorite stone fruit while it’s ripe and juicy. You can slice them up to bake in our old-fashioned Peach Pastry Bars, split them in half to grill, or pile them on toast with bacon and avocado—a savory-sweet combo that will make you question why you ever ate plain avo toast.
Have a Perfect Beach Day at These 13 Chicagoland Beaches
The Lake Michigan shoreline beckons Chicagoans and travelers alike. Its deep turquoise waters can become a lullaby of crashing waves, the backdrop to your social gathering, or the momentum carrying you as you sail across it. Whether you’re looking for a chill beach day, a place to rent a boat, or a dog-friendly option, there’s a Chicago beach to suit your needs. Here are the 13 best beaches in the city and surrounding area.
14 Fun Cocktails and Mocktails to Make For Brunch
When mapping your brunch menu, don't forget a fun beverage! With ideas for all seasons, this list of cocktail and mocktail recipes includes fresh takes on bloody marys, mimosas, sangrias, lemonades, spritzes, and more. 01 of 14 Pimm's Cup for a Crowd Pimm's Cup for a Crowd. Carson Downing Made with a gin-based liqueur called Pimm's No. 1, this old-timey summer cocktail calls for fizzy lemonade and a salad bowl of garnishes—strawberries, cucumbers, oranges, and herbs.
The 14 Best Pride Celebrations in the Midwest This Summer
The Chicago Pride Parade is the finale to the city's month-long Pride celebration. Credit: Courtesy of PRIDEChicago The fight for equity and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community never really stops, but every June, Pride season brings a chance to celebrate how far that fight has come. Across the Midwest, cities large and small host parades, festivals, concerts, resource fairs, and family-friendly events that honor queer joy, resilience, and community.
14 Simple, Healthy Salmon Recipes For Better Weeknight Dinners
Flavorful and naturally nutritious, salmon is one of the easiest proteins to bring to the table any night of the week. It cooks quickly, pairs well with countless seasonings and sides, and delivers heart-healthy omega-3s in every serving. Here are 14 recipes that show how simple it is to bake, grill, roast, or saute salmon. 01 of 14 Salmon with Swiss Chard and Radishes Salmon with Swiss Chard and Radishes. Carson Downing. Food Styling: Charlie Worthington.
28 Spring Dinner Ideas for a Fast and Fresh Weeknight Meal
Celebrate spring with easy dinners that showcase the season's best produce. This roundup includes a few simple additions to familiar recipes, such as tossing asparagus into a stir-fry, and a few fancier options, like folding morel mushrooms into a silky linguine. All can be on your dinner table quickly. 01 of 28 One-Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Peas One-Pan Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Peas.
20 Best Botanical Gardens and Arboretums for an Easy Afternoon Escape
The Midwest’s public gardens and arboretums offer beauty in every season. These carefully tended landscapes invite visitors to wander winding paths, linger beside lily ponds, and discover plants from around the world—often just minutes from bustling city centers. Some highlight native prairie and woodland ecosystems, while others showcase elaborate rose gardens, sculpted hedges, and striking contemporary design.
10 Delicious Morel Mushroom Recipes
When you're lucky enough to find morel mushrooms in the woods or at the farmers market, the best thing to do is fry them up in butter. (And we'll tell you exactly how to do that). But if you score a larger haul, consider one of our other creative spring recipes. If you don't have quite enough morels for one of these recipes, you can usually supplement with other mushrooms, such as shiitakes or creminis. 01 of 10 Simplest Sauteed Morel Mushrooms Simplest Sauteed Morel Mushrooms.
Skip the Airport—20 Underrated Midwest Destinations for a Weekend Getaway
Can you feel it? The ground thawing amid longer, sun-filled days; harsh wind softening into a crisp breeze; city calendars starting to fill with more activities. The Midwest is waking up. You're ready for spring, and these destinations—a mix of cities, small towns, and countrysides—are ready to host you. Two Harbors, Minnesota Gooseberry Falls State Park is a top attraction along Minnesota's North Shore. In direct defiance of the song lyrics, do go chasing waterfalls.
20 Underrated Midwest Destinations for a Spring Break Getaway
Can you feel it? The ground thawing amid longer, sun-filled days; harsh wind softening into a crisp breeze; city calendars starting to fill with more activities. The Midwest is waking up. You're ready for spring, and these destinations—a mix of cities, small towns, and countrysides—are ready to host you. 01 of 20 Two Harbors, Minnesota Gooseberry Falls State Park is a top attraction along Minnesota's North Shore. In direct defiance of the song lyrics, do go chasing waterfalls.
25 Stunning Kitchens for Every Style—Modern, Cottage, Farmhouse, and More
These 25 kitchens offer inspirational ideas for updating your kitchen with striking colors, clever material combinations, and hardworking layouts. 01 of 25 Tailored Character Marta Perez A spacious kitchen island lends plenty of room for entertaining in this stunning Michigan lake house. With inset cabinet doors, simple door pulls, and nothing but clean lines, the kitchen has an overall modern feel, but a mix of natural oak wood and moody gray-blue on the cabinets adds depth and character.
13 Easy Valentine's Day Crafts-Cards, Gifts, and More
Skip the store-bought cards and get hands-on this year—whether you're working solo or alongside your favorite person. These 13 easy projects include whimsical cardboard hearts, yummy stamped cookies, a heartfelt bookmark, and more. 01 of 14 Cardboard Cupid Hearts Marty Baldwin These DIY cutouts will capture your heart. Cut out two heart shapes from corrugated cardboard, one slightly smaller than the other, and paint. Once dry, fold the small heart diagonally and punch a hole through the center.
23 Valentine's Day Desserts for a Perfectly Sweet Date Night
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love, and what better way to do so than with homemade treats? Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner for two, a cozy night in, or a festive gathering with loved ones, these dessert ideas are sure to impress. Our Gâteau au Chocolate is all about chocolaty goodness, but it's easy to make. Lemon-Raspberry Cakelets will win over your Valentine's sweetie with its buttery perfection. Here are 23 recipes to make your Valentine's Day extra special.
18 Quick Vegetarian Meals to Warm Up Chilly Nights
During the cold season, our cravings shift toward warm, comforting meals, but we don't always have time for traditionally "hearty" recipes. These dishes can be cooked in under an hour and feature the best of fall and winter produce—think earthy carrots, crisp apples, versatile Brussels sprouts, and starchy potatoes. Vegetarian never tasted so good. 01 of 18 Cauliflower Chana Masala Cauliflower Chana Masana.
15 Must-Try Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipes from Midwest Bakeries, Cookbooks, and Blue Ribbon Winners
Scores of bakers around the Midwest make unforgettable chocolate chip cookies, but we had to know which recipes were the best of the best. So we searched for the all-stars—cookies that have earned a name at state fairs, popular bakeries, and everywhere else cookie fans gather. Some recipes are simple crowd-pleasers, a few use a smattering of chips besides chocolate ones, and others use adventurous ingredients like tahini in the batter.
22 Recipes That Prove Everything's Better With Bacon
There is almost no aroma as intoxicating as frying bacon, nor an ingredient that can so quickly turn up the yum factor in a soup, salad, or sandwich—so we gathered some of our favorite bacon-centric recipes in one spot. If your recipe calls for frying bacon, don't forget to save the drippings! They're smoky, porky flavor gold. Pour them from the pan into a jar to keep in the refrigerator to use as a flavorful cooking fat.
This Midwest Destination is the Best-Kept Secret for Skiing, Saunas, and National Parks
Deadwood is a town in the Black Hills of South Dakota, and it's gorgeous when blanketed in snow. Photo: Dana Halferty When snow dusts the Ponderosa pines of the Black Hills, the area becomes a quiet sanctuary. Mount Rushmore tourists dissipate, taverns become cozy dens, and a rugged stillness settles over the western rim of the Midwest. The crisp air awakens your senses, yet the hospitality is warm enough to melt away the winter chill.
12 Healthy Smoothie Recipes
Smoothies are an easy and tasty way to get a lot of nutrients quickly, blending fruits, vegetables, and other healthy ingredients into one drink or bowl. They also fit busy lifestyles, making it simple for you to have a meal or snack on the go. Plus, with so many flavor combos, they feel like a treat while still being nutritious. Here are 12 of our favorite smoothie recipes, including fruit smoothies and green smoothies. 01 of 12 Mango Lassi Smoothie Mango Lassi Smoothie.
19 Good-For-You Vegetable Soups and Stews
Looking for a nutrient-dense yet meatless dinner? These soups and stews are packed with seasonal vegetables that are good for your body and good to your taste buds. Vegetarian Chili, Maple-Chile Butternut Soup, Buffalo Corn-Potato Chowder, and Winter Soup au Pistou are just a few of our recipes that deliver great flavor and nutrition. 01 of 19 Winter Soup au Pistou Winter Soupe au Pistou.
15 Great Midwest Winter Weekend Escapes
Don't let a snowy forecast stop you from setting aside time for a quick winter getaway. Head to the woods for a peaceful hike, curl up by the fire in a cozy cabin, or hit the town for some frosty window-shopping. Door County, Wisconsin Lake Michigan's choppy waves chisel and carve the shores of Cave Point Park into a ruggedly handsome landscape.
It's Not Too Late to Decorate—25 Easy Christmas Decorating Ideas
Don't sweat the upcoming holidays. Give your home holiday style in a flash with these simple yet creative decorating projects. Swap out framed art with vintage holiday cards, tuck tree trimmings behind picture frames, bedeck a house plant with string, and use ice skates as makeshift vases for a playful twist. 01 of 25 Seasonal Artwork Adam Albright During the holidays, this homeowner swaps out everyday framed artwork for seasonal vintage signs and cards.
29 Last-Minute Christmas Crafts to DIY This Holiday Season
Create playful holiday decor or personalized gifts with our tempting list of easy Christmas crafts that suit every skill level. The lineup includes our fan-favorite woven star ornaments, a woodland pinecone scene, handmade gift wrap, and more. The best part? Many of the crafts use supplies you likely have lying around the house: paper, string, glue, and paint.
20 Festive Living Rooms to Inspire Your Christmas Decorating
We've gathered the most charming holiday-decorated living rooms and dens to help you deck your halls. Whether you like traditional decorations that feel nostalgic, playful and bold color schemes, or laid-back contemporary vibes, you'll find inspiration here! 01 of 20 DIY Garland Austin Day Simple evergreens spruce up this North Dakota home during the holidays.
20 Gorgeous Christmas Mantel Decorating Ideas
Transform your mantel into a focal point using our ideas for easy Christmas decorating. See how to decorate with ornaments, evergreens, pinecones, holiday figures, stockings, and more. 01 of 20 Color Trend: Dusty Blue Adam Albright This bold-hued fireplace remains the star of the show, but greenery and antique pieces dress it up for the holidays.
5 Easy, Nostalgic Holiday Party Recipes from NYT Bestselling Author Kaleb Wyse
Kaleb Wyse, author of the cookbook There's Always Room at the Table, credits the women in his life with inspiring his love of cooking and homemaking; That's true year-round, but when the holidays arrive, his love gets an extra boost from nostalgia. His Grandma Conrad's peanut brittle has a surprise ingredient that makes it super airy, and his pickle wraps are inspired by the ham and cheese pinwheels at church potlucks throughout his childhood.
This Iconic Minnesota Shoe Brand is Amplifying Native American Artists in the Fashion Industry
Artists in the Reformation Collaborative include (L-R) Chris Nayquonabe, Adrienne Benjamin, Lucie Skjefte. Photo: Bryce Johnson Everyone knows Minnetonka's moccasins—instantly recognizable suede slip-ons with toe stitching and a rawhide bow—but the Native American origins of the style weren't initially given due credit.
15 Easy and Delicious Ways to Use Up Ripe Bananas
A couple of pantry staples and a ripe banana (or two) can go a long ways. Chop, mash, or mix them into a classic no-fail banana bread or an elevated caramel-banana muffin. Keep it simple with the single-pan Maple-Walnut Banana Bars or get busy with the delectable Chocolanutty Banana Cake. With options this appealing (er, apeeling?), you might be tempted to buy bananas just to let them go brown! 01 of 15 Coffee Shop Banana Bread Crunch Muffins Coffee Shop Banana Bread Muffins.
This New Michigan Distillery Only Releases 1,000 Bottles Per Batch—And We Got a Taste
Taking inspiration from a London dry style, Granor Dry Gin features notes of juniper and coriander. Photo: EE Berger In 2023, two of our editors attended a dinner at Granor Farm, a nationally lauded organic farm in Three Oaks, Michigan, and heard that a distillery project was brewing (or should we say fermenting?). Now, two years later, the farm's small-batch spirits and liqueurs are ready for their debut.
These Are the Best Fall Destinations in Every Midwest State
The full beauty of the Midwest comes to life in the fall, when blazing red maples and vibrant yellow birch trees show off their true colors. It’s the perfect time for a getaway, whether close to home or a little farther away. We’ve rounded up the best fall destination in every Midwest state, places where you’ll find breathtaking leaf-peeping, epic hikes, and a bumper crop of seasonal activities and festivals. Here’s where to visit this autumn.
10 Fun Festivals to Kick Off Hispanic Heritage Month in the Midwest
Outside, Chicago, the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, has a month full of events honoring Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo: Courtesy of The Morton Arboretum The toe-tapping rhythms, flavorful cuisine, and dynamic art at these Midwest fiestas bring extra flair to the already vibrant Spanish, Latin, and Central American cultures rooted in the region.
These Are the 56 Best Midwest State Parks
State parks are true treasures, providing refreshing oases of green and community gathering spaces. They're often affordable or free, and they're home to a variety of activities. The best part? You're usually not too far from one. Find recommendations—and a new park to explore—for each state below, plus expert advice from park rangers, enthusiasts, and state officials. Michigan Porcupine Mountains State Park Lake of the Clouds is a popular destination in Porcupine Mountains State Park.
Find Your Perfect Midwest Lake Based on Your Personality
If you're seeking solitude, consider the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Minnesota, where you might find you have a sunset all to yourself. Photo: Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux Though it's not in our nature to brag, we think the Midwest has saturated the market for freshwater bliss.
11 Potato Salads Perfect for Every Potluck and Barbecue
Would it be a potluck if no one brought potato salad? This list of potato salad recipes includes creative twists, like a salty ham and sweet pepper jelly combo, and the classic that always hits—potatoes, pickles, celery, and hard-cooked eggs. 01 of 11 Healthier Potato Salad Healthier Potato Salad. Carson Downing This potato salad looks just like your classic barbecue or potluck dish (and tastes pretty similar too).
12 Midwest Pride Events You Don't Want to Miss This June
The Chicago Pride Parade is the finale to the city's month-long Pride celebration. Photo: Courtesy of PRIDEChicago The fight for equity and visibility for LGBTQ+ folks has never ceased, but in the month of June, that fighting spirit shifts towards celebrating the progress that's been made. Across the Midwest this Pride season, people are coming together to celebrate queer rights, spread awareness about ongoing struggles and provide queer people and allies a safe space to show their Pride.
We've Tested Hundreds of Home Reno Tools and Decor Items, and We Think These 17 Are the Very Best
At The Spruce Labs, we test dozens of products every day in order to recommend the best furniture and decor for your home. Whether you’re going big or small with your home upgrades, use this curation of 17 high style, high quality pieces ranging from picture frames to armchairs to elevate your design. Consider these 17 selections our best of the best for home renovations, decor inspiration, tools, and beyond.
Ashlyn Ware
Ashlyn Ware is a freelance writer who specializes in home and lifestyle content. She started as an Editorial Apprentice with Better Homes & Gardens' Do It Yourself magazine in 2022 where she wrote home tours features and reported on home design trends. She has a knack for mimicking trends on a do-it-yourself budget and is a whiz with technical how-to writing that inspires readers to tackle projects with confidence.
National Pan-Hellenic Council Profiles: Zeta Phi Beta
Zeta Phi Sorority Inc. is one of the nine Black Greek Letter Organizations in the National Pan-Hellenic Council. It was founded January 16th, 1920, at Howard University. Brianna Harden, a senior in apparel, merchandise and design, gave a brief overview in an email correspondence of what the chapter’s values and traditions are. When and how was your organization founded at Iowa State? The Upsilon Nu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Iowa State Foundation hosts distinguished awards celebration
The Iowa State University Foundation recognized the accomplishments and dedications of alumni and friends Friday. The Distinguished Awards Celebration gives awards such as the Order of the Knoll, Honorary Alumni and Distinguished Alumni. As President Wintersteen said in her opening remarks, these awards are a “wonderful celebration of the incredible impacts of alumni, friends and family.” The Sun Room, tucked away in the back of the Memorial Union, gave the event a sense of posh privacy.
Local change agent selected as Truman Scholar
Out of 705 applicants, only 58 Truman Scholars were selected, and Iowa State senior Natalia V. Rios Martinez beat those 8 percent odds. On April 11, Rios was selected as a Truman Scholar, the first Hispanic woman at Iowa State to receive the Truman award. “I received the notification that I was selected as the Truman Scholar, and I cried again,” Rios said.
Will student loan forgiveness really help your wallet?
The federal student loan program was created in 1965, and as graduates, current students and future students stress about student loan debt, it's clear that reformation is needed. Courtesy of Gettyimages President Biden has extended the federal student loan repayment pause to Aug. 31, which is a relief to many, but a shortcoming from the administration’s promise of student loan forgiveness.
Iowa State ready for second annual IGNITE Innovation Showcase
Iowa State’s Student Innovation Center is hosting its second annual IGNITE Innovation Showcase to celebrate innovation at the university. Image courtesy of the Student Innovation Center The IGNITE Innovation Showcase is a celebration and encouragement of innovation happening from students at Iowa State with multiple daily showcases, presentations and workshops, as well as 14 prestigious keynote speakers headlining the week-long event. The showcase will be held Monday through Friday.
Reimagining LAS: Faculty comments on impact
Beardshear Hall was constructed in 1906 and serves as the administration building at Iowa State University. Photo by Katherine Kealey The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) is facing budget cuts that are forcing the college departments to “reimagine” their educational structure. There have been emotional responses from department faculty as they try to predict forthcoming changes.
Storytelling in the courtroom: A First Amendment right
Judge Aquilina wrapped up the second day of First Amendment Days with her “Dare to Speak, Dare to Listen in the Courtroom: Seeking Justice for All” lecture in the Iowa State Campanile room. By Ashlyn Ware Honorable Judge Rosemarie Aquilina was the guest speaker for the second day of First Amendment Days on April 11.
New book meets Live Green! at the intersection of climate change
Iowa State’s Live Green! initiative encompasses the intersectionality of climate change by offering students, faculty and staff environmental, economic and social sustainability opportunities. Image courtesy of the Office of Sustainability. An Iowa State doctoral student co-authored a new book that addresses the intersectionality and holistic approaches needed to address the global climate crisis.
LAS Week kicks off Monday
This is the fifth year for the LAS Week Kickoff Breakfast event. Courtesy of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Free food, swag and the opportunity to connect with others are just around the corner at the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ fifth annual LAS Week celebration. “Students love LAS Week,” says Erin Halverson, social media and events coordinator for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Sloss Center hosts small talk for changes
Since 1980, the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity has been fostering gender equity at Iowa State. Courtesy of Gettyimages The Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity is hosting its third Feminist Friday event of the semester to open discussion about feminist topics. Zakariyah Hill, executive director and co-founder of The Supply Hive, will give her “Water Your Community” lecture Friday, March 11.
Rehabilitation through singing
Sensors are applied to participants’ throats for data collection while they talk and eat. Pictured here is Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, Elizabeth Stegemoller, attaching the sensors to Kathy Gundlach’s throat. Image courtesy of Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University.
Jazz ensembles to pay tribute to jazz icon, Dizzy Gillespie
For just $5 or a stable internet connection, enjoy the unique sounds of jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie as the Jazz 2.0 and ISU Jazz Combo ensembles pay tribute to his legacy. Courtesy of Devin Palmer. Iowa State’s jazz ensembles, Jazz 2.0 and the ISU Jazz Combos, will bring jazz icon Dizzy Gillespie’s global legacy to a local stage at Jazz Night tonight. The event begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall in Simon Estes Music Hall. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.
Sustaining the future by connecting in the present
Rob Sunderman’s “Crib in Crisis” is an interactive art piece whose interior is filled with pictures and stories of environmental crises. Sunderman’s piece asks people what they can do to live harmoniously with the environment. Image courtesy of Ashlyn Ware. By Ashlyn Ware What’s one thing that can get local artists, thrifting fashionistas, a Co-op and Iowa State University Dining all under one roof? Sustainability.
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