Our 20 Best Photos of 2013

November 21, 2013
See our 20 favorite shots—selected by the art staff—from the 2013 issues of Midwest Living.
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Fall picnic

Pete Krumhardt

When the leaves turn and the air gets nippy, it's time to pack a cooler and have some old-fashioned outdoor fun one last time before winter.Read about fall picnic ideas.

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Creative license

Bob Stefko

The fantasyland in this wooded Wisconsin garden reflects the owners' joy in indulging their imaginations by creating colorful mosaics and reusing old objects.Read more about this garden.

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Caramel Pecan Skillet Brownie

Blaine Moats

Caramel in the bottom of the pan melds with the brownie, creating a dessert so rich and gooey that you need a spoon to serve it.Caramel Pecan Skillet Brownie recipe

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Outstanding in the field

Kevin J. Miyazaki

Uplands Cheese Company's Andy Hatch stands with his business partners near Dodgeville, Wisconsin.Read our story about Wisconsin's dairyland.

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Porch pleasures

Jay Wilde

This porch, on the cover of our May/June issue, suggests put-your-feet-up visits and wile-away-an-afternoon daydreams. Read six ways to create an inviting porch.

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Spring harmony

Bob Stefko

Artist Linda Volz captures flowers on canvas during the annual plein air (open air) art festival in New Harmony, Indiana.Read about a spring getaway in New Harmony, Indiana.

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We bought a camp

Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux

Rather than let a storied Wisconsin getaway fade into the forest, a Chicago couple bought Camp Wandawega and set out to rebuild the rundown property as a vision of what summer camp used to be. One part: this vintage Boy Scout tent with World War II-era cots.Read more about Camp Wandawega.

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Colorful boots

Jay Wilde

Pictured on the cover of our March/April issue, these rain boots filled with tulips make a sweet and simple spring centerpiece.

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Michigan lights

Bob Stefko

The North Pierhead Lighthouse is just one of the warming sights that greet visitors to the small town of Manistee. Read about our holiday visit to Manistee. 

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Urban roots

Nate Luke

In the heart of Springfield, Missouri, Adam and Melissa Millsap share the bounty of their 1 acre at an annual harvest dinner. Here, their daughter Béla holds Strawberry.Read about Urban Roots Farm.

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River cruise

Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux

The romance of river cruises returned to the Mississippi with the refurbished American Queen.Read about our steamboat journey.

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Why we love fall

John Noltner

After Labor Day, autumn stretches ahead like this country road, winding through a few glorious weeks of corn mazes and apple cobbler, home games and scenic drives.Read more about why we love fall.

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Double takes

Blaine Moats

Soda-shop nostalgia meets cupcake-cute at with these desserts, which were featured on the cover of the January/February Midwest Living. See all the recipes from the January/February issue.

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Lure of the lakes

John Noltner

Vacationers bound into Gull Lake, a slice of summer life in Minnesota's Brainerd Lakes region.Read about our getaway to Brainerd Lakes.

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Tomato Galette

Tender Parmesan-pepper pastry cradles heirloom tomatoes, shallots, goat cheese and fresh herbs in a fold-over tart that's ideal for a summer weekend brunch. Tomato Galette

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Camp like a star

Nate Luke

We picked our favorite campgrounds in categories for scenery and for amenities-then crowned 5 "supercampgrounds" that have an amazing combination of both, including this Hayward KOA in Hayward, Wisconsin. See all our picks for top campgrounds.

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Chicago's Do-Rite Donuts and Coffee

Bob Stefko

Don't knock $14.95 for six doughnuts until you've tried the beauties from this Chicago Loop theater-district spot-one of our picks for the Midwest's best new restaurants.Read more about top new Midwest restaurants, hotels and attractions.

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Door to the door

Kevin J. Miyazaki/Redux

Sturgeon Bay provides a memorable start to the lake views, forest drives, art galleries and orchards that have made Door County, Wisconsin, famous.Read about a fall getaway to Door County.

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Deck the stalls

Werner Straube

Timeworn cedar planks cover the walls and ceilings of this cheery space, originally the tack room of a polo stable. The stable was converted to a residence in the 1970s.Read more about this Chicago-area home and its holiday decorations.

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Thanksgiving feast

Our Thanksgiving recipes hew to tradition, but a handful of small changes-orange zest in the biscuits, cider in the gravy-transform familiar dishes.See the recipes from our November/December issue.

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