My precious grandson, Hays, invited me to be his guest for the gingerbread house day at his school. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to see 20 kids decorate their little houses. Each child got to invite one parent or grandparent, and I was the lucky one in our family, so it was off to school for GiGi. I …
The Magic of Christmas
Music is magic. It brings emotion and stirs our souls. My Christmas is not complete without music, for it is in music that I find peace and love. When selecting music for the “Magic of Christmas,” I wanted traditional carols that tell the story of the birth of Christ. I imagine the night long ago in Bethlehem as a beautiful …
Vanilla Scone Recipe and the Ultimate Tea Book Collection
As one who enjoys the pleasures of teatime daily, I have been happy to note that over the past decade or so, the availability and choices of loose-leaf tea have soared. Years ago, when I was a new convert to hot tea, it seemed my options were either English Breakfast or Early Grey. I loved and used both, reserving the …
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am so humbled by the wonderful blessings that I have in my life, and I want to live with a spirit of gratitude always. I want to wish you a very wonderful Thanksgiving week. One of the greatest blessings is to share life with wonderful friends on this blog. From my heart to yours, thank you for blessing me …
Meet Diane Bailey of The Bailey Boys
I admire women who take their talents and create wonderful businesses. Diane Bailey is one of those women. She is quite talented and has an entrepreneur’s heart. She and her family have built a wonderful business from the ground up. Her story will encourage you and maybe inspire you to begin your dream business. Thank you Diane for sharing with …
Holiday Special Issue Giveaway!
There are some things that will never go out of style, and at Hoffman Media, 31 years of experience publishing extraordinary books and magazines make our work timeless. So as the merriment of the season approaches, and we all begin making our lists, it is my great pleasure to give a bundle of our stunning 2014 holiday and special edition …
Pumpkin Mousse Tartlets Recipe
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without something pumpkin on the table. And every year, I can’t wait to serve a new, wonderful pumpkin dish to my family and friends. You see pumpkin in everything these days—lattes, donuts, breads—but I think it really shines most in a classic dessert. The recipe below is so easy and beautiful, we knew it just had to be the cover …
Our Holiday Gift Guide is Here!
Beautiful lights on the tree, crackling fires glowing on the hearth, and scrumptious food on the table are sights and sounds of the holidays that I long for every year. It’s a celebration of the gift of life, and it’s a blessed time of family and joy. In that spirit of joy and giving, it is my great pleasure to …
Amelia’s First Sewing Project
After I wrote the blog post last week about my quilting projects, I received a very special surprise. Amelia came for a visit, and I had planned our activities, but she had other ideas. She came in (while still in her gown) and announced that she was going to make a quilt for her new doll. I could have jumped …
Deep-Dish Apple Tart Recipe
When I walked into our test kitchens last fall, I was intrigued by this little creation. I had always wanted to learn how to make one of these “folded pastry” pies, but when I tried, mine completely unfolded. It was only when I saw that it is made in a pie pan that my heart skipped a beat. Of course, …