When our newest edition of Southern Home was placed on my desk, my heart skipped a beat when I came to the article “Mountain Hideaway.” In the fall I always dream of living in the mountains where the autumn leaves surround you with an explosion of color. Toby West and Tom Hayes own the most enchanting cabin, and I wanted …
Fall is a happy season for me. With the harvest of fall vegetables and fruits, my cooking takes on new flavors. One of the vegetables that I absolutely love is butternut squash. From the first time I tried my hand at cooking it, I haven’t been able to get enough. Butternut Squash Soup is always a winner with me. It …
When I was growing up, my mother, who is a very patient woman, would look at me and quote the verse from the Bible that says, “Be still and know that I am God.” I would think in my mind, “I am too busy to be still,” and being still was not the choice of a young person. Even more …
So often thoughts of fall put us in the mood for something sweet. The general buzz around the Pumpkin Spice Latte seems proof enough of that. There’s just something about the flavors of pumpkin, sweet potato, pear, and apple that sound not only delicious but also comforting. I have loved sharing some of my favorite baked sweets from our fall …
I can’t explain it, but I feel that my year starts over in the fall. Most people think of new beginnings at springtime when the earth is waking up. But autumn to me is exhilarating! The colors, the crisp air, the beautiful sunsets over colorful mountains—I love it! Autumn also brings a harvest of wonderful apples, pears, root vegetables, pumpkins, …
I often find myself inspired by the home décor captured in our magazines. Peering into a person’s home tells a special kind of story. The color palette, the textures of the fabrics, the shape of the furniture—each element is a clue into what the homeowners love, where they’ve been, and what sets them at ease. Those pieces offer useful ideas …
I love Winston Churchill’s quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Courage is something that many of us struggle with in the challenges of our lives. It is not uncommon for a disappointment or failure to knock the wind out of our sails, leaving us weak in our efforts to …
I was sitting at home the other evening minding my own business when I started getting these texts from my son Brian who was at a supper club with our own Brooke Bell, Taste of the South editor. Apparently she had put her magic touch on the evening, and the group was completely blown away. Upon later discussion with Brian, …
I happened into the test kitchen here at Hoffman Media and watched one of our creative chefs make this amazing pastry dish with fresh apples. Now let me say, I had tried this before with no success, but she gave me the greatest tip for a guaranteed success. “Galette” is a term used in French cuisine to designate various types …
Growing up, when Mom would pull out the iron skillet, we all knew there was a treat in the making! She had two sizes of skillets, a small one for the cornbread and the large one for everything else. When she put the large skillet on the cabinet, we all secretly hoped she was going to make Pineapple Upside Down …
