So many of you send me the most wonderful notes about issues you have enjoyed, and I truly love them and do read each one! Many of you ask the same questions, which have led to this blog post: What all do you publish at Hoffman Media? How many magazines do you have? Those are two fantastic questions, and I …
A Timeless Tradition
Taking afternoon tea simply never goes out of style. There is just something extra special about celebrating a moment with a tradition that has stood the true test of time. Yes, the custom originated in Europe, but this drink has ties around the world. And that is exactly what our new book Tea Parties Around the World by the editors …
Summer Sweets and Sales
The marvelous thing about summer is that we tend to have a bit more time on our hands to do some of the simple tasks that make life rich and beautiful. For me, some of those tasks are sewing and spending time crafting delicious recipes for my favorite people. The last few weeks have been, for the most part, exceptionally …
Say Hello to Cook: Real Food Every Day
I love to get in my kitchen and cook scrumptious meals for my family. I can do a special occasion with the best of them. But just as important as those special occasion dishes are, everyday meals rank equally as high on my list. Everyday meal creation at our house has to be easy to make with wholesome ingredients that …
Let’s Party!
I love a good birthday celebration. My mom always made birthdays special. She is a good “birthdayer”! We got to pick out our favorite dish for supper and our cake! This past weekend we celebrated our grandson’s 10th birthday. I watched this special young man play baseball and have fun with friends. All grandmothers think this way, but he grows …
Father’s Day is almost here!
Father’s Day has always been a wonderful time in our household. When I look back on my childhood, I know my Dad probably had the biggest collection of macaroni crafted pencil holders and boxes of any man on the planet. I can’t remember if it was school or church where we discovered our macaroni art talent, but all three of …
The Queen’s Dessert of Choice: Chocolate Biscuit Cake
With all this talk about the royal wedding and the enchantment surrounding the festivities, I can’t help but admire Queen Elizabeth II for her impeccable taste and style. I’ve talked about her selection of a beautiful embroidered coat for the wedding in my “The Royal Wedding in Review” post. Her taste in clothing is far from the only agreeable preference …
An Easter Tea Menu
With Easter just around the corner, what better way to prepare for Sunday afternoon get-togethers than a light snack and tea menu from our lovely TeaTime magazine? From guest editors of TeaTime magazine: Easter is a time for rejoicing. Our simple but elegant menu—featuring traditional favorites such as deviled eggs, ham and cucumber tea sandwiches, and chocolate—is sure to enchant …
Courage to Believe in Yourself
“Oh, I could never do that!” “I would be scared to try that!” You and I have heard these phrases many times when people admire another person for something they have accomplished. It could be a dish that was prepared from a complicated recipe or a flower arrangement that was made for a luncheon. Oftentimes we shy away from trying …
Set in Our Ways
I have heard that little comment come up on several occasions lately—set in our ways. That is really a scary thought that we are set… like concrete, maybe? Being truthful, I guess we all are set in our ways to some extent. Perhaps there is comfort with the familiar in our lives. We talked about changes in another blog a …