Victoria January/February 2022

Dear Friends In a 1907 article titled “Turning the Old Leaves,” twentieth-century literary critic Bliss Perry asked, “Is the blank whiteness of the untouched page more pleasant to the eye or more fortifying to the will than those closely written, underlined, untidy, but familiar pages which make up the story of one’s life?” More than one hundred years after it was penned, this question still bears contemplation. As we survey the calendar that stretches before us, let us strive to combine the wisdom of the past, appreciation for the present, and the hope of the future in exciting new chapters brimming with joy. Throughout our January/February issue, you will find that inspiration abounds. On page 13,readers share the thoughts guiding them into 2022. Perhaps you will find your own sentiments echoed in…

WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Erica Bauermeister got the idea for her first novel while taking a cooking class. The experience made her wonder, what would happen if you put eight strangers together in such a culinary setting? The question developed into The New York Times best-selling volume The School of Essential Ingredients, which was published the year she turned fifty. Since then, she has written three more novels, including The Scent Keeper, a Reese’s Book Club pick, and her books have been published in more than twenty-five languages. Erica’s latest work is a memoir titled House Lessons: Renovating a Life, about her restoration of a neglected home in eccentric and idyllic Port Townsend, Washington. She describes herself as endlessly curious, and her work has been called “lyrical,” “compassionate,” and “delicious enough to devour.” ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Whether Victoria…

Visit our website to read this issue’s online stories and to find more of the content you love. Take a closer look at some of our favorite January/February features: Halls of Great Beauty To develop a wish list of travel destinations perfect for those who love reading, bookmark our inspiring post highlighting the world’s most beautiful libraries. Tokens of Confection Sampling our delectable recipes, celebrate Valentine’s Day with an array of homemade candies that will add a kiss of sweetness to the exchange of sentiments. Passions to Profits Meet the eight entrepreneurs profiled in The Business of Bliss, and let this panel of talented women inspire your unique path to professional success. The Art of Imitation Survey garments stitched with a breathtaking attention to detail by costumer Christine Millar, whose designs re-create fashions showcased in historic paintings. We love your…

It wasn’t until a few months ago that I decided to tackle the fast-approaching New Year from a different angle: being kinder to myself. Recently, I compiled a vision board with multiple words and phrases that serve as my goals. It was worthwhile flipping through magazines, cutting out words and phrases that spoke to me, and adhering them to a pretty background. The most poignant phrases motivating me? The first is “fortitude, flexibility, and forgiveness,” a quote from designer Nathan Drewes, and the second is “happiness and relaxation trump perfection,” from a beach cottage–themed publication. I need to be steadfast in my resolve to extend to myself the same gentleness that I give to others. And I need to realize that contentment is better—and far more attainable—than perfection. And in terms of…

My mother was a woman who loved to host dinners and cocktail parties, wide-ranging in her choices of dishes, an early adopter of avocadoes and jicama. Her baked scallop appetizers, dusted with homemade bread crumbs and broiled in the oven, were plated on actual shells. But she was also a fervent believer in recipes. In our household, it was always ½ cup of flour, not a handful, ¼ teaspoon of salt, never a pinch. I still have her battered copy of The Joy of Cooking, although I’ll admit I never use it. For me, recipes always felt like that teacher in English class, the one with the red pen, ready to swoop down on any grammatical transgression. As a child, I tried to follow the directions as given. If we didn’t…

“LUXURY MUST FIRST BE COMFORTABLE, OTHERWISE IT IS NOT LUXURY.”—Coco Chanel…