HowtoPolishSilver

Gracious Entertaining: How to Polish Silver

Phyllis Lifestyle, Video 25 Comments

The wonderful staff of Victoria magazine put together an easy guide for how to polish silver, so I thought I’d share: Silver has been prized as a precious metal for centuries. But it reached a new level of prominence during the Victorian era, when members of nobility enjoyed elaborate meals—sometimes with as many as ten courses. Each dish served required …

A Peek Into My Sewing Tool Collection

Phyllis Lifestyle 23 Comments

When we started our business in the needlework industry in the 1980s, one of the most popular magazines we launched was Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly. Inside those pages were patterns for sampler reproductions, historical information about needlework through the centuries, and fabulous collections of needlework and tools. I have a few pieces left from my once large sewing tool …

Football Mums

It’s Football Time Again

Phyllis Lifestyle 47 Comments

I just got an e-mail that my football tickets have shipped for the forthcoming college football season. I can hardly believe it. It is time to pull out the old tailgating recipes and start planning. I look forward to this time of year with great anticipation, but football season is also a time of reflection on special times in the …

baby shower

Why Baby Showers Are Special for Grandmothers Too

Phyllis Inspiration, Lifestyle 27 Comments

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 …

Childhood Keepsakes Remind Us to Keep Handwork Art Alive

Phyllis Inspiration, Lifestyle 29 Comments

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 …

Wedding

Create a Family Treasure for a Special Bride

Phyllis Inspiration, Lifestyle 17 Comments

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 …

Back to School Memories

Phyllis Lifestyle 32 Comments

“Back to School”—those words alone send chills down my spine. This year my little grandson is going to 5-year kindergarten and will be there all day: 8:00 to 3:00. Seriously? I can already see my bed-head sleepy boy trying to get up, get dressed, force down breakfast, and reluctantly go to school knowing that playtime is now restricted to the …