Layer cakes are absolutely essential to Southern culture. It is completely acceptable and quite common, actually, for more than one layer cake to appear on dessert tables at holiday gatherings, baby showers, church suppers…you get the idea! One of the more discrete Southern classics is the distinctive Lane Cake. Also referred to as Prize Cake or Alabama Lane Cake, this …
Let’s Talk Biscuits!
Whether or not you’re a Southerner, it’s no secret that biscuits in the South are a way of life. Born out of necessity and frugality, biscuits provided a high-calorie breakfast for those who worked a lot and did not have much to spend on meals. Now our nostalgic and familiar staples are found in nearly every Southern restaurant and home …
Happy “Galantine’s” Day!
Valentine’s Day really does just make me smile! It’s the first bit of brightness and celebration after an often long and dreary January—what a breath of fresh air! This day is celebrated in many ways other than romance. Some families have delightful Valentine’s traditions, and now, “Galantine” celebrations seem to be the thing to do! Which honestly, makes so much …
Inspiration for Your Days at Home!
It feels like this is the time of year that we have the most space to reflect and pay attention to details that we normally wouldn’t. Dreary weather and less sunlight naturally beckons for more days at home, which isn’t a bad thing in my book! It’s always funny to me the “projects” we create for ourselves during these home …
Home Bakers…This Is For You!
Now, this is an announcement that I am beyond thrilled to share with all of you! Bake from Scratch magazine just unveiled their third annual cookbook! Covering both sweet and savory, Bake from Scratch: Volume Three is filled with artisan recipes for yeast bread, pies, birthday cakes, and so much more. I am particularly excited about the plethora of birthday …
New Year, Lots of New Magazines!
Can you believe it is another New Year? It seems like we just started 2018. We have so many wonderful things going on here at Hoffman Media. Did you know we now own the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo? And the Martha Pullen Company? We are so excited about these wonderful additions to our company. More to come on that! …
Five Memorable Christmas Gifts to Give
It’s no announcement that I absolutely love finding the right gift for someone. It’s part of what makes Christmas so special! There are those moments when a gift idea comes to us with ease, and we happily make our purchase knowing that it’s “just the thing!” However, there are those years that we are simply stumped. Indecisiveness and an excess …
Are You Steeping Your Tea the Right Way?
Holiday tea parties are nothing short of magical! Tea parties are near and dear to me because they feel like such an elegant occasion, but they are fairly simple to prepare. The china, place settings, and sweet and savory finger foods are all key elements, but a tea party is only as good as the quality of tea served! And …
The Most Controversial Christmas Dessert: Fruitcake
OK, let’s talk about the one thing that gets the most criticism during the holidays—fruitcake! Just the mention of it makes some people crazy, and others hear it and can’t wait! And I just wonder how many recipes are out there for this trivial treat. My most favorite fruitcake of all is an Icebox Fruitcake my Grandmother Norton made …
We Have a Winner!
I am excited to finally announce the winner of the Santa Doll and The Magic of Old Saint Nick: The Adventure Begins book by Vietri founder Susan Gravely! Congratulations to Gayle Cooper! I truly hope that this gift brings you and your loved ones joy this Christmas season. This book is not only wonderful for reading to children but also …