From the time Heather was a child she loved entertaining. Whether it was setting up parties for her Barbies or having the high school French Club over for a festive holiday gathering, serving homemade crêpes and a bûche de Noël cake, entertaining came naturally. Heather thought that this affinity for entertaining was normal for everyone since she was used to …
Fall Quilting
In the fall my sewing interests turn to quilting. I don’t know why, but the cool weather just reminds me of quilting. I especially love blue and “any color” quilts, but my current project is quilt blocks that are made from Civil War reproduction fabrics. I am using start patterns, and I just love it. My ultimate goal is to …
Apple-Pear Tart from Plymouth Plantation
It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday baking. Today, I wanted to share with you a recipe that is very near-and-dear to my heart. I first ate this simple tart several years ago at the Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, and it’s an old recipe the Pilgrims used! The best part: It’s easily customizable. And I promise the aroma …
Halloween Memories and a “Frozen” Dress
Halloween was a big deal when I was a child. I can remember deciding what I would be for the big night of trick-or-treating. My favorite costume that I recall was the year of the gypsy. I got into Mom’s costume jewelry and put on all I could. Then I applied all the makeup I could get on enhanced with …
Give Your Heirloom Jewelry an Update
Tracey Holton-Garrett of Van Atkins Jewelers in Mississippi taught us how to care for pearls, gave us valuable information on what to look for when picking out diamonds, and now she’s passing on her knowledge regarding the art of redesigning antiques. So many women inherit beautiful family pieces that maybe look a little dated, and Tracey creatively updates vintage brooches and …
How to Care for Pearls
Just about every one of us has pearls that we wear with great pride or that women in our families wear that will be passed down. Pearls have traditionally been given at graduation or for a bride on her wedding day. Caring for pearls is something that I was keenly interested in learning to do, so I consulted with Tracey …
Your New Favorite Pecan Pie Recipe
My assistant, Lynn Terry, came in this morning and told me her 85-year-old mother was abandoning her family tried-and-true pecan pie recipe for the one that is on the cover of the new issue of Taste of the South. Since we are beginning to see the leaves change here, our minds are turning to pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies. I …
Amelia’s Art-Themed Birthday Party
I love sharing party ideas with you because we all are looking for great ideas when planning birthday parties for our little ones—whether grandchildren or children. My daughter-in-law, Katie, planned an art theme this year for Amelia’s birthday party. The invitations were adorable and set the tone for a creative afternoon. Her foods were very innovative, and I loved the presentation. …
A Weekend at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina
I just love short weekend trips where we can get away, relax, and re-energize. Neal and I did just that and had the privilege of staying at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, just a couple of weeks ago. I had been there many years ago when I spoke at a convention but had not been there just …
Louisiana Chefs to Takeover Birmingham Restaurants
At Hoffman Media, we’re always coming up with new events and ways to interact with the community. So next Tuesday, September 23, in conjunction with the Louisiana Travel Promotion Association, we’re presenting a Louisiana Takeover, an evening where Birmingham diners will have the opportunity to experience the culinary trails of Louisiana. Seven chefs from Louisiana will be placed at restaurants, allowing …