Well, finally September is here, and I can officially put out all my harvest and pumpkin items. The thrill of autumn never gets old. I can just look at a pumpkin and smell the cinnamon and nutmeg that permeates when I bake a pumpkin pie! The leaves are beginning to turn here in Alabama, and for that, I am grateful. The brilliant colors of fall are so energizing to me after a long, hot summer.
As promised, I am going to show you what we have been working on here at Hoffman Media.
Pumpkin Everything
Once I saw the Bourbon Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls on the cover, I knew this would a favorite of mine! This special issue has 55 recipes, including breads, pies and tarts, cakes and cookies—all starring pumpkin, of course. I got a thrill seeing the Pumpkin Slab Pie. That one will go a long way feeding a crowd. Pumpkin Everything is exactly what the tasty-sounding title promises!
Fall Harvest
That wonderful gate on the cover just beckoned me to open this issue! The fall ideas for decorating are plentiful and beyond inspiring. Fall gatherings always range from casual family affairs to fancy dinner parties, so I love that there are recipes that cater to both! If you adore eating bruschetta like I do, this variety of recipes will make you smile. Table settings are always exciting to me, especially when they are easy to do. And trust me, you will find this a great addition to your library of tablescape inspirations!
Teatime Holidays
This Christmas-inspired magazine contains a plethora of tea party and holiday gathering ideas. Released early in the season, you will have time to plan something very special. The scone recipes are always my favorites, and I serve them for breakfast many times during the holiday season. Christmas teas are fun, too! The Snowflake Petits Fours have my granddaughter’s name written all over them. I can hardly wait for us to have a tea together!
Cast Iron Baking
I don’t know about you, but when my mom got out the black skillet, we were in for a treat. So many people have resurrected theirs or purchased new skillets to enhance their cooking enjoyment. Cooking schools are even including cast iron classes! If you don’t get past the biscuit chapter, it’s completely understandable. My mouth is watering just looking at the recipes. This is a wonderful magazine for those of you who want to learn to make biscuits, rolls, and cornbread of many variations. Then top it off with desserts—I can’t think of anything better!
Southern Lady Holidays
It’s hard to believe we are now only months away from Christmas. What we have found is that many of you start your holidays on the early side. This annual issue is always a top seller, as we all are eager for new and exciting holiday ideas and food. The table settings alone have me ready to unpack boxes of holiday décor. And when I found the Caramel Layer Cake recipe (my favorite), I knew it would be a permanent addition to my recipe box.
Victoria Classics Holiday Bliss
The Victoria team has completely outdone themselves again this year. The open door on the cover is an invitation to step inside and enjoy enchanting ideas for the holidays. The breathtaking trees and table ideas are so inspiring. One of my favorite shops, Seasons of Williamsburg, is featured, and the photos sparked my creativity. I immediately knew my wreath this year would have fruit! The colonial Christmas takes me back to my love of simple décor using natural elements. You will find this special collection a treasure trove of inspiration.
Southern Lady Autumn Splendor
This October issue celebrates wonderful women and their outstanding careers. I am always amazed at how women get their inspiration for starting a business. And just wait until you see the “Porches and Pumpkins” feature! So colorful and inviting. Emmylou Harris shares her wonderful story of providing shelter for pets that have nowhere to go in Nashville. Her work is remarkable! Celebrate the harvest with us as we explore wonderful foods of the season in beautiful settings.
Taste of the South
Sticky Buns! That’s serious stuff where we are from, and we are bringing you the South’s finest, along with great information for cooking with sorghum. I grew up with parents who always had their annual stash of sorghum in the pantry. I didn’t I quite grasp how wonderful it was until I grew up, and now people are rediscovering this delightful ingredient. If you think you already have your favorite mac and cheese recipe, we may have another to add to your lineup! Plus, we can’t ring in fall without the best pecan recipes. Overall, you will find 92 autumn-inspired recipes in this treasured issue!
Victoria
The October issue is always a welcomed issue. The enchantment of autumn is celebrated on every page! I fell in love with the story of Chestnut Cottage, nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains. It is filled with blue-and-white china in every room with phenomenal upholstery and accessories to match. What a beautiful collection. And oh, my goodness, the menu in this issue is a showstopper—these recipes are truly the flavor of harvest! From Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup to the amazing Swirled Pumpkin and Cream Cheese Tart for dessert, this collection will quickly become an autumn favorite.
Cooking with Paula Deen
My friend Paula has taken scrumptious to a new level! This issue starts strong with the Gooey Pumpkin Butter Cake Bars and then completely wins my heart with Cornmeal Cheddar Biscuits. I am ready to get in the kitchen already. Her sons share their favorite game day menus with us, which include a Layered Cornbread Salad. Yummy! Pears are a favorite of mine, and the Pear and Brown Sugar Tart will be on my table very soon.
So, there you have it! These are the issues we have been working on this past month. You all are so wonderful to send emails of encouragement and ideas! I wish you could spend a week in the office with us and see our fantastic teams that make these magazines come to life. I love to stroll through and watch the chefs and the photos stylists getting a photo shoot ready—I marvel at their talent.
I hope you enjoy your autumn and will celebrate the beautiful colors that we are about to experience.