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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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

Credit: 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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