Put ramekins on a baking sheet. Bake for 25-35 minutes, until puffed and golden. Remove from oven, and let stand for 5 minutes. With a flexible spatula, remove strata to

A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Food

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Quiz

Quiz: How Much Do You Know About North Carolina’s Christmas Tree Farms?

Thanks to the hard work of our farmers, North Carolina is the second-largest Christmas tree producer in the nation, filling our homes with the fresh smell of the season.

by Alan Hodge

A tree near Sandy Hollar Farms in Leicester is one of about 58 million in North Carolina that will find a home this season.

photograph by Charles Harris

Editors’ Picks

Christmas lights in downtown Pittsboro, NC

Guides

A Locals’ Guide to Downtown Pittsboro

When it comes to spreading holiday cheer, the residents of this Chatham County town start early.

by Chloe Klingstedt

Our State Magazine editor in chief, Elizabeth Hudson

Editor’s Column

From Elizabeth Hudson: Retracing My Steps

Our editor in chief shares a few treasured memories from her childhood home, a Christmas Eve night being one of the very first.

by Elizabeth Hudson

Terry Braswell with chickens, Goat Lady Dairy cheese, and Partridge Nest cabin.

Living in North Carolina

The 12 Days of Christmas, Reimagined

We took some, ahem, creative liberties when we combed through Our State’s archives to find a few favorite stories that carry the tune of a Christmas classic.

by Our State Staff

Recipes

Festive Fare: 4 Vintage Holiday Recipes

From decades-old family recipes to a centuries-old Carolina cookie, we’re filling our holiday tables with dishes that have stood the test of time.

by Our State Staff

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Editors’ Picks