For the love of Victoria

Victoria watching Wild America

This picture was taken a little over a week ago.  She loves the TV show Wild America and I actually remembered it was about to come on that Saturday.   I turned on the old Sony and set it to that channel where the show was to start... and curled up on the sofa with the camera.

Look at those BIRDS!

Are you laughing at moi'?

One of our dear friends lives in the desert in New Mexico... so what does that have to do with Victoria and the TV.  Well, stay with me and I'll get there.  We used to chat on the phone about our delightful pets... me with Sasha and Storm and Kathy with her multiple cats, dogs, cow, horse, and many "off again-on again" menagerie.  (She really does live out in the boonies in the desert of New Mexico.  You couldn't pay me to live anywhere where one has to watch for rattlesnakes when walking in the yard... shudder.)

Almost every time we would communicate, she would talk about our animals being "cheap entertainment".  Although I think our cats were cheaper than her livestock. One year we were doing well financially and they were in a season of lack, we were thrilled to offer to pay a veterinarian's bill to save her beloved kitty... whom we called Pudge the Pirate because he had to wear a patch over one eye.

Pudge was especially dear to this household as our Storm had a long distance "thing" for Pudge the Pirate... no kidding.  We never figured out how she did it but often when I was talking to Kathy and mentioned Pudge, Storm would come running and put her face up to the phone and meow!

Pudge and most of Kathy's other kitties, her dog, and even her pet cow... as well as our Sasha and Storm... all have passed on but the good memories are all there.  Even now we'll laugh about something one of our animals had done when they were with us.

Now my friend enjoys hearing about the new kitty on the block and how the Maine Coon is more entertaining alone than the former two sisters were together.   Victoria is presently sitting in her favorite spot, looking out the window of the door leading to the deck where she can view the cardinals nest in the distance as well as a variety of birds, squirrels, and even a chipmunk or two meandering across the deck.

My husband says she reminds him of me watching cooking shows.  Hmmm... I'll have to put some thought into that... or maybe not.

Added note:  I actually went through and changed some words (like the fact I sat on the sofa and not the TV) but for some reason, those changes didn't save!

Victoria upon finding her mitten...

Victoria in a more placid and thoughtful mood

My friend who lives in New Mexico tells me she thinks pets more than pay for their keep for those of us on a tight budget... just in the amount of laughter they bring to a home.

This went on all afternoon.  I even caught her sitting on the mitten a few times!  She was convinced I was going to take it away from her and use it as a decoration again.  Don't worry, I wouldn't dare...

Now this is Bliss

I am really enjoying the new Victoria magazine.  A subscription is my Christmas gift each year from hubby.

The Fall issue contains stories about the Lake District in England, where Stephanie and her husband visited last year.  It is gorgeous.  My favorite issues of the original Victoria were all about England.

I remember telling Stephanie that I knew the former magazine was doomed when the brand new editor said she was going to show readers there were countries out there other than England.  They did write about other countries but the very soul of the old Victoria was British.

By the way, the publishers of the new Victoria also published a special magazine in July called Victoria Classics: Rooms of Bliss, which contains photos of beautiful rooms and such from the original magazine.

The last time I was in Border's (to peruse their copy of British Country Living because it has become too expensive for my budget), I saw they were still carrying Rooms of Bliss.  I have also seen it at WalMart so it is readily available (at least in the U.S.).

It looks like they plan to publish more of them (my copy was a birthday gift) from the article I had read introducing the magazine.  It came about when they found beautiful photographs in boxes of the old Victoria archives and thought they were too special not to share.

There is nothing like a lovely magazine and a cup of tea in a pretty cup to "take me away from it all".  :)

Dusting, decluttering, and the new Victoria

I have so many items on my To Do list today. After a season of working a few days a week, my house is sorely neglected. I can write my name on the dust in my living room! What would my mother-in-law say to that? (Fortunately, I doubt there is dust in Heaven so she's fine.)

I awoke early this morning to the sound of trees complaining about the ferocious winds blowing through our area. The corresponding sound of heavy rain beating against the window caused me to return to sleep a couple of times. (There is nothing like the sound of rain to make me relax.) However, it was soon time to slip into my warm and cozy favorite item of clothing (my red flannel housecoat, a gift from my daughter the year before Miss E. was born) and begin the day.

It was rather alarming to turn on the only channel we can receive on the little Living Room TV and find the entire state under a tornado watch! Thankfully all was well this morning but severe weather could return by afternoon and evening. I sent Christopher off for his day at work with a homemade bacon and egg "McMuffin", a packed lunch, my debit card to stop by Arby's if he does go to his tennis class this evening, and a few very strong warnings to keep in touch in case the weather takes a turn for the worst (thoughts of that movie about autumn storms, Night of the Twisters, running across the video screen of my mind).

I did peruse through Victoria last night. I even took the time to fully read a couple of articles. All I can say is it is far more wonderful than I expected. It is evident the Editor/Publisher was a true Victoria fan and that makes all the difference. There was a feel to the original Victoria that I doubted anyone could reproduce. Trust the people who publish Tea Time, Southern Lady, etc. to recapture the magic.

Now to that never-ending To Do list. When I'm working at my own pace and there are no deadlines to come up against (as in company arriving this evening or the President is stopping by on his way to Camp David)... I enjoy the process of getting the house back in order. That is how I'm hoping it will be today as I do some cleaning, decluttering, and baking. All done a little at a time with coffee or tea breaks, music in the background, and another peek at Victoria as a reward for work well done.

This is truly the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it. Even if it involves a lot of dusting. :)

Photo: Canning Day, Janet Kruskamp, Allposters.com

Victoria!

Check out Mari Nanci's blog/journal for info on the new Victoria website!

I have already subscribed since they let you sign up for a trial issue and pay later.

Victoria and "stuff"

I'm sorry that those of you who receive an rss feed (ie: Bloglines) had to receive my last post twice. When I got online this afternoon, I realized it had posted without allowing comments. I didn't change anything so I don't have a clue why it posted like that.

I wonder if it had to do with the new Blogger "thingy" of now being able to autosave or something? Hmmm...if I get any more technical about such terms, my son just might read my blog. :) Anywhoo...I republished it so anyone who wants to can comment.

I like comments and really don't have any problems...yet. A blog friend of mine has had a great deal of loathing comments and I'm so thankful that hasn't happened. Especially if you've read a book I've recommended and you thought it just awful. (I love the Mitford books but I have a family member that loathes them.)

So...I thought you would be interested in this e-mail I received from the publishers of the "new Victoria" today. They're just as nice as I would hope since I love the magazines!

Dear Brenda,

Thank you so much for your time and kind words.

Your descriptions of Victoria are beautiful!

We are so excited about re-launching this publication and are taking great care in listening to the loyal readers for whom the re-launch is taking place.

I wanted to let you know that you can subscribe early to Victoria
by calling (205)262.2121.

You are more than welcome to post this on your site if you please!

Thank you again for your time and support.

I cannot wait to embark on
this new Victoria venture together!
Very best,

M'Adele 

I can't wait to see what they do with Victoria. Since their other magazines (Tea Time, Southern Lady, Paula Deen, etc.) are so lovely.

A little more about the new Victoria

It is so good to be back to blogging. Just to have my time be my own again is...a good thing. :) There is still a lot to do but on a much more manageable schedule.

Last week, I was asked if I'd be willing to post this announcement about the new Victoria on Coffee Tea Books and Me. I'm very happy to and I am so excited about the possibilities of the new (resurrected) magazine. They publish all but one of the magazines I read on a regular basis (the other being Country Living).

So...here is their "official" announcement:

HOFFMAN MEDIA, LLC AND HEARST MAGAZINES

FORM JOINT VENTURE TO RE-LAUNCH VICTORIA

The Magazine about Romantic Living to Debut October 2007

Birmingham, Ala. (April 26, 2007)—Hoffman Media, LLC, publisher of the successful magazine Cooking with Paula Deen, today announced that it has partnered with Hearst Magazines to re-introduce Victoria, a magazine that ceased publication in 2003. The two companies have formed a joint venture for the purpose of publishing Victoria and ancillary media products and events under the Victoria brand name. Owned and operated solely by Hearst from 1987 to 2003, Victoria will now be entirely under the direction of Hoffman Media, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama.

Under the terms of the agreement, Hoffman will handle all editorial, production, distribution and advertising for Victoria. Hearst will contribute the Victoria trademark, copyright, URL, subscription database, and access to historical content of both editorial and art.

Founded in 1987 by Nancy Lindemeyer, Victoria was the authority on romantic living, including home and garden, fashion and beauty, food, home decorating, collectibles and profiles of remarkable women. Its mission was to create a community of kindred spirits – those who recognize the importance of beauty and manners and traditions in daily life. In its new form, Victoria magazine will once again take its place as the official guide to gracious living.

Victoria will be published bi-monthly with its first issue hitting newsstands in October 2007 with a November/December issue. The magazine will carry a cover price of $4.99. Hoffman Media’s launch plans for Victoria include heavy newsstand distribution, strong internet presence, and targeted direct mail campaigns. The ultimate goal for the launch of this bi-monthly magazine will be to reach 250,000 paid copies after just two issues.

“Victoria magazine had a unique editorial perspective and a loyal readership since its very first issue in 1987,” said Cathleen P. Black, president, Hearst Magazines. “Because of its success in the niche women’s lifestyle market, Hoffman is the right publisher to bring the Victoria brand back to life in its new format and we are confident that Phyllis and her team will do a great job.”

While Hearst ceased publication of Victoria following the June 2003 issue, the brand has lived on through a series of branded books published by Sterling Books.

“Women across the country have longed to have their beloved Victoria back and now they will,” said Phyllis Hoffman, CEO, Hoffman Media. “Victoria is a perfect fit for our roster of lifestyle titles that share a similar editorial and demographic focus. We’re thrilled to be working with Hearst to revive this brand for a more targeted audience of women.”

A leading special-interest publisher, Hoffman Media is known for specializing in magazines targeting the women’s market. The company’s most recent launch, Cooking with Paula Deen in October 2005, met with unbelievable success—reaching a rate base of 750,000 after only eight issues. The company also publishes titles such as Southern Lady, Tea Time and Taste of the South.

About Hoffman Media, LLC

Hoffman Media, LLC, headquartered in Birmingham, AL, is a leading special-interest publisher specializing in magazines targeted to the women’s market. In addition to publications, the company has a growing consumer seminar business and an established ancillary products division.

About Hearst Magazines

Hearst Magazines is a unit of Hearst Corporation (www.hearst.com) and one of the world’s largest publishers of monthly magazines, with a total of 19 U.S. titles and nearly 200 international editions. Hearst reaches more adults than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4 million according to MRI, fall 2006). The company also publishes 20 magazines in the United Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine Company Limited.

Since its founding in 1983, Hoffman Media has been a leader in special-interest publications. Targeting the women’s market, the company publishes TeaTime, Southern Lady, Taste of the South, Just CrossStitch, Sew Beautiful, Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly, and Cooking with Paula Deen.