Right after Thanksgiving is over and we begin the holiday season, our thoughts turn to gifts that will be enjoyed by the recipients on our lists. And when I run across something that turns my head, I have to share it with you. Miss Ginny’s English Toffee from Chattanooga, Tennessee, is my new find. I met Ginny at a local …
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 …
This past week my dad, Oliver Norton, was given the flag that had flown over the capitol in Montgomery, Alabama, and then subsequently flown in the city of Hoover. It was a family celebration as my husband, Neal, a career fireman, presented him the flag folded and neatly placed inside the triangular case. It was amazing to see my siblings, …
I love sharing stories of people that make a difference in our lives. This issue of The Cottage Journal’s Holiday Home features Bob Timberlake. Did you know he was the mastermind behind the Keep America Beautiful commercials that feature the Native American in the canoe with the tear in his eye? I was moved by this commercial years ago. He …
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 …
Several years back, Allison Banks came to work here at Hoffman Media. She was a very artistic person and had wonderful style. Allison’s monograms and lettering had intrigued me from the time I met her. Working with her was so inspiring, and I was delighted when she decided to branch out on her own and start her own company. It …
Many of your responded with great fondness to the Visit with Jan Karon. Jan is sending autographed books of Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good to be given away to two lucky winners. She is a wonderful writer, and I know you would love to be the recipient of one of these books. To enter, share this post via one of …
It is always amazing to meet people that are support staff to celebrities. One of my favorite people in the world is Brandon Branch, assistant to Paula Deen. I first met Brandon when we went to Savannah to do photography for the first issue of Cooking with Paula Deen magazine. The premiere issue was a Christmas theme, and the decorations …
I sat spellbound last week watching this master floral arranger put together stunning creations from flowers cut fresh from a garden right here in Birmingham. Englishman Shane Connolly, author of “A Year in Flowers,” was in town for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Secretly, I wanted to hear him speak and see his creations because he is the floral designer to …
As many of you know, I love sewing for my granddaughter, Amelia, and have shared with you some of her dresses that I have made for various occasions. Now that she is 4, she loves the bright fabrics that are so wonderful today. Several months ago I shared with you the story of Riley Blake Fabrics, and just a few …
