View from Marin

WELCOME TO OUR first issue of 2015. We know it is cold out and the days are short, but we also know the best way to beat the winter blues — warm, delicious food. Writer Lynda Balslev and photographer Tim Porter get cooking and present four one-pot wonders, complete with recipes, that are sure to nourish the soul and the body.

Next up in features, writer Laura Hilgers talks to a Mill Valley couple who were happy to move to a house near Mount Tamalpais but weren’t so thrilled with the quality of the view that came with it. They worked with architect Ron Sutton to remodel their home and add a bedroom window that really brings the iconic mountain home.

You’ll also find our annual wedding special section. Calin Van Paris meets five very different couples who share their wedding experiences in Marin and Lake Tahoe. We follow that with our wedding planning guide, offering tips on caterers, venues, jewelers and much more.

Up front we’ve got information on how to lower stress in the new year, find the perfect workout bag or look great for your own wedding. We also introduce you to sportswriter Ann Killion, author Daniel Alarcón (who wrote this year’s One Book One Marin selection) and Assemblyman Marc Levine.

In Destinations, we learn how the olive is changing wine country and giving rise to a true second harvest. Not to forget about the wine, we also provide details on all the great things the grape is up to in 2015. And Ben Davidson invites you to take your ski pass farther — in this case, all the way to the Swiss Alps.

It’s quite an issue and we think a great start to the year. Enjoy the stories and then crank up that fireplace and start concocting those warm meals in a bowl — and save a few bites for us.