Last fall, my sweet children took us to Vermont to the Trapp Family Lodge for my birthday. I am a Sound of Music addict, so you can imagine my delight when they announced the plans. The views were breathtaking from the mountains, and there were pumpkins everywhere. My birthday dinner was at a lovely restaurant that was a converted farmhouse. …
I have always admired—actually adored—all things British. When Lady Diana became a household name and her wardrobe shaped the apparel business worldwide, I just loved it. My friend Barbara Cockerham and I actually studied her wardrobe and would buy every book we could find that had Diana as the subject. One of the things we really loved and decided to …
I have had the pleasure of attending baby showers for new moms and now grandmothers—yes, grandmothers. We grandmothers need our nursery stash as well. And what better excuse for a party than a grandmother shower for a friend? When your gift giving calls for something unique for a new mom, give a gift that is special and sentimental. Here are …
I was sitting in my sewing room the other day and looked around at the keepsakes I have kept through the years. I have wonderful artwork from my boys when they were young, quilts from grandmothers, embroideries and crochet from the women in our family, paintings from my mom, and many other things that have special meaning for me. There …
When Vanessa James got married and I was searching for a special gift for her, I decided that I would sit down and write all my favorite recipes in a three-ring-binder cookbook for her. Since all new brides struggle with dishes to cook for two, this just might be something to consider. Vanessa said this was one of the greatest …
From the time of my earliest recollection, my mom had a button box. It was filled with every conceivable button that was made at the time. Buttons were never discarded and were reused on new garments when needed. When my sister and I had a sick day from school—which meant we were close to death—we could play with Momma’s button …
This is the last segment of my interview with Paula Deen. I am so excited that she shared the details about her new TV Network and the crazy things we can expect in addition to her good Southern cooking. She is a natural on camera, and her network will be more fun than any of us can imagine. AND you …
I absolutely love planters. There is something intriguing to me about grouping plants in containers to show off their beauty. I had the opportunity to travel to Wisconsin last week and wanted to share some wonderful plant displays that I have seen this summer. The planters with the old iron and weathered wood were so creative. They look so old …
Planning a party for boys is no small task. For my grandson’s 6th birthday, my daughter-in-law Katie planned a wonderful party with the perfect theme for the birthday boy—Camp Hays. Since Hays is an outdoorsman, she planned a camping party complete with a campfire, s’mores, hot dogs, and all the water balloons they could stand. My son Eric, Hays’s dad, …
When our team returned home from Victoria, Canada, after hosting An Occasion for Tea, they brought me a little surprise gift from Ivana Smulik. When I opened the cellophane wrapping, I found the most intricate cookie I have ever seen. I contacted Ivana asking if I could share this work of art on The Ribbon In My Journal. She graciously …
