As August winds down, our wonderful fresh veggies and stone fruits are gradually going away here in the South. Oh, how we will miss them! As harvest season approaches for apples, pears, and pecans, I am already planning my fall recipes. My grandparents were farmers, and every fall we prepared ourselves for the “picking up” pecan season. I always thought …
The other evening, Neal and I were sharing the story of his banana sandwich with our friends. Now on the surface, a banana sandwich is a simple thing. Bread, mayo or peanut butter, banana—done! NOT at our house. First, let’s talk about the sandwich itself. I am assuming a banana sandwich is a national favorite. At least it is here …
So many of you send me the most wonderful notes about issues you have enjoyed, and I truly love them and do read each one! Many of you ask the same questions, which have led to this blog post: What all do you publish at Hoffman Media? How many magazines do you have? Those are two fantastic questions, and I …
Taking afternoon tea simply never goes out of style. There is just something extra special about celebrating a moment with a tradition that has stood the true test of time. Yes, the custom originated in Europe, but this drink has ties around the world. And that is exactly what our new book Tea Parties Around the World by the editors …
Thank you for your comments about Camp Gigi! For those who insisted on a photo of the finished product from the makeover…here it is! And yes, I wore the makeup all day with great pride, which just thrilled the girls! So many of you shared ideas and traditions from time spent with your grands, and each story was wonderful to read. I …
One of the main things I wanted to do with the girls at Camp Gigi is to get them working with the mind and hands—creativity is key! One thing I’ve noticed is that we all need more creative time, and it’s even more fun if we work with others. My granddaughter and her best friend encouraged each other, and their …
Camp Gigi has just finished. It was a full week of having my granddaughter at our home with her best friend joining us for part of the week. Her brother was at his camp in the mountains, so it worked out perfectly for her to come to stay with us. Camp Gigi (what my grandchildren call me) is a week …
Not allowing a single peep of Christmas until the Thanksgiving leftovers are packed and distributed among the family is a common preference. And I understand this opinion—I really do. It seems strange to be thinking about a time full of crackling fires and mugs of hot chocolate overflowing with billowy marshmallows when it’s sweltering hot outside. But stay with me …
If you have ever wanted to learn to make an heirloom outfit, then this sew-along is for you. And I’m delighted to tell you that it’s absolutely free! As you know, I learned to use heirloom techniques on my sewing machine and have made my granddaughter many beautiful outfits. It started with her christening dress, and I now use these …
The marvelous thing about summer is that we tend to have a bit more time on our hands to do some of the simple tasks that make life rich and beautiful. For me, some of those tasks are sewing and spending time crafting delicious recipes for my favorite people. The last few weeks have been, for the most part, exceptionally …
