Life at Southern Living

Southern Living, Sep 2002 by Floyd, John Alex Jr

Dear Friend,

Fall is coming, and here at Southern Living it's turning into the busy season of the year. This month we present our first-ever Idea House that is a renovation, we announce our grand event to judge the finalists of Cook-Off 2002, and we distribute our famous free Cooking School cookbook through our super-- market partners.

If you are in the Birmingham area, I urge you to visit our special Idea House. I am a bit partial to it because this is a concept I have wanted us to do for a long time-a renovation. Plus, my neighbors Danny Buchanan and Andy Chauvin were the builders. (They had to put up with a lot of hometown super-- vision.) I think the "found" space in this renovation is remarkable. I hope you enjoy the section, which starts on page 107, but seeing the actual house is even better-it will be open through October 27. Also, don't forget that our Savannah and Dallas Idea Houses are open through September 29. Our Web site, southern living.com, has details about and directions to all three houses.

We are looking forward to being at Gaylord Palms in Orlando on Saturday, September 28, with the 15 finalists of our Cook-Off 2002 contest. These fine cooks will join Al Roker; my wife, Pam, and me; the judging team; and a whole lot of Southern Living Foods folks to select the grand-prize recipe (plus many other prize winners). I hope you will come. For reservations call 1-888874-7799. By the way, on Sunday, September 29, Pam and I will be hosting brunch, where we hope to have a chance to visit personally with you.

This issue also contains our Cooking School special section, starting on page 161. I always enjoy the national sponsor recipes. This section, along with all of this month's magazine, salutes the joys of fall: seasonal recipes, football, comfortable cabins, colorful fall flowers, the beauty of the South's landscape, and much more. I hope you like September.

Best regards,

John Alex Floyd, Jr., Editor

RS. While you're in Birmingham visiting the Renovation Idea House, make time to stop by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and see the Southern Living Garden. You'll receive information and a map at the Idea House.