If you have been following along on Ribbon, you know good and well how deeply charmed I am with all things Great Britain. The sophistication of British life swooned me from an early age, and my dream of visiting this splendid country came true when I was 40 years old. From its picturesque streets to magnificent cathedrals, I could visit …
When we asked you for feedback about what you all wanted to read on Ribbon, one of the topics that kept appearing was “sisters,” particularly my sister (and her glorious rebuttals!). Today, we were laughing about the pecking order of children in the family. I am the oldest, my brother, Keith, is the middle child and only boy, and then …
Post-holiday season is a rather strange time of year. We often find ourselves with extra time on our hands and not much going on. So, what do we do? Embrace it! A season of rest after the hustle and bustle of Christmas parties and New Year’s Eve fun is much appreciated and much needed. A marvelous idea for those uneventful …
Now, this is an announcement that I am beyond thrilled to share with all of you! Bake from Scratch magazine just unveiled their third annual cookbook! Covering both sweet and savory, Bake from Scratch: Volume Three is filled with artisan recipes for yeast bread, pies, birthday cakes, and so much more. I am particularly excited about the plethora of birthday …
Yet again, it’s time for resolutions! Oh, my—I could write a book. I have vowed to lose weight for years. I have lost 1,200 pounds and gained 1,205, so that’ a net gain of 5 over the last 40 years! I thought about resolving to get organized, but then I would have to remember where I put everything. So maybe …
I am often asked what my favorite Christmas movie is, and I have one response that always rings true: White Christmas! White Christmas is the most wonderful movie, full of dreams, conflict, and the resolution of a beautiful Christmas. But the real moment of truth is the musical number “Sisters”! Oh my, those wonderful dresses and feather fans just make …
OK, let’s talk about the one thing that gets the most criticism during the holidays—fruitcake! Just the mention of it makes some people crazy, and others hear it and can’t wait! And I just wonder how many recipes are out there for this trivial treat. My most favorite fruitcake of all is an Icebox Fruitcake my Grandmother Norton made …
When planning a holiday menu at my house, it is important that I have plenty of kid-friendly dishes. Especially in the dessert area. And what child doesn’t just love chocolate? Actually, what adult doesn’t love chocolate? Simply put, chocolate is a crowd-pleaser. Time and time again I’ve seen rows of nut-studded pies, spiced cakes or cookies, and cheesecakes galore. But …
I had the privilege of speaking at Bromberg’s store last week for a Vietri holiday event. As the women and men came in and took their places, I asked the question, “How many of you collect china or dishes?” Every hand went up in the room. Now, why should I be surprised? You know I love beautiful tableware and have …
We all kick into hyperdrive during the holidays. There are triple the errands, triple the meals, and triple the “projects,” as we call them in the South. Yet, we just miraculously keep going! Any other time of year, this number of to-dos would seem nearly impossible. In fact, we probably wouldn’t even attempt the insanity. But in these couple of …
