Grunt work or valuable learning experience?

Meet our intern, Andrea:

She's only been with us for a month but already she's been so helpful. Whether it's running errands, writing blurbs or helping the brainstorming process, we're happy to have her. We hope that, in the process, she's learning something about the magazine world - like, sometimes you have to crawl around on the floor at photo shoots.

--Jennie

Thanks to salt and lots of scraping...

...I've been dug out of the snow. Sufficed to say I didn't leave my house for four days. While snowed in, I caught up on chores, watched movies and became very attached to my pajamas. I also got behind on work, so now that it's back to the grind for me I wanted to remind all of you that the February issue of Amarillo Magazine is out. (If you didn't leave your house all weekend either, take a shovel and go dig the Sunday paper out of your front lawn. AM mingles with the ads.)

We hope you'll appreciate our alternative look at love this month, sharing stories of people whose passion defines their lives. There's also a fabulous bridal spread and yummy fondue recipes for a Valentine's night at home.

If you have comments, suggestions or ideas for Amarillo Magazine, feel free to email me at jennie.miller@amarillo.com or leave us a message on our website.

Enjoy!

-Jennie

Moving on to March

Now that February is quietly put to bed (the cover story is seriously one of my favorites so far - be sure to grab your copy on Sunday), we are moving on to March. Without giving too much away, here's a photo from our special feature interview with Dusters QB Julian Reese:



But let's get back to February. Inside the Love Issue, you can read about a woman who traveled across the globe to adopt her children, about two sisters whose business brings joy to others, and about two volunteers who donate literally hundreds of hours of their personal time for a passionate cause. We give you fondue recipes for a stay-at-home Valentine's dinner and stepfamily expert Ron Deal shares how you can find harmony and passion in a remarriage. We even show you how to give your favorite pet a Valentine of his own.

If you don't subscribe to the Sunday paper, check out Amarillo Magazine online.

--Jennie

Haiti

After already suffering a magnitude-7 earthquake last week, Haiti was hit again with a lesser 6.1 aftershock this morning. More than a million people are already homeless and tens of thousands are injured, but there is one layer of this tragedy that I can't shake from my brain.

Haiti is a country from where many American families adopt, and since the earthquake, all the parents and children who've been waiting to be placed together will now have to wait even longer - that is, if the children are still alive and if the paperwork can be sorted out. As an adoptive mother, I cannot imagine the pain and anxiety I'd feel if I were sitting stateside knowing my child was in Haiti. Is she in the hands of a caregiver, or is she even alive? Phone calls, news reports and photos from the disaster zone would haunt me.

As adoption agencies sort through the mess of the aftermath, my hope is that the heartache of this earthquake will be lessened by the uniting of adoptive families. In the meantime, remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

--Jennie

The Proofing of February

If you walked into the AM office on any given day this week or next, you'd see a mess of papers scattered around our work table sprinkled with scribbles, arrows, rewrites, and cross marks. It's proof week and that means we're arranging stories on the page, rechecking checked facts and hoping we have everything spelled correctly. (I know we're missing something!) We debate about what photos to use and how to caption them. We come up with headlines, subheads, and taglines. By the end of proof, we're comatose from too much reading and too much coffee.

It's always a difficult task choosing what photos are printed and which ones are filed away for later use. Such is the case with this photo which was taken on the day of our cover shoot. That is me on the bed with my new best friend, Louisa.


In the cover story we introduce you to ordinary people who have found a way to express their love in extraordinary ways, and I couldn't help myself from getting attached - quite quickly, in fact - to this adorable three year old. Tragically, our sweet photo didn't make it in the magazine, and it's just as well. This simple shot only scratches the surface of the fun we had that day. You're totally missing out on my Pippi Longstocking pigtails, courtesy of Louisa.

--Jennie

For all the Brides-to-be

Here's a glimpse behind the scenes at February's "Dress Code," which is all about finding your perfect wedding gown.

Michele straightens the meshy mess of tulle underneath this princess-style gown:

Elisa, our stylist for the shoot, and I add the finishing touches before capturing our favorite image:

A romantic photo isn't complete without lit candles:

February's issue comes out January 31st.

--Jennie

January 2010

The latest issue of AM is out, and if you don't subscribe to the Globe-News, that means it didn't arrive on your doorstep Sunday morning. No worries, dear reader! You can pick up the magazine at various places around town (like Hastings) or read everything online.

In this issue, we tackle your finances head on, giving you advice from professionals around town and encouragement from local folks who've been to the other side and back with bad debt. We give you a list of restaurants to grab a free (or really cheap) kids' meal and offer 10 ways you can start saving more money in 2010. It's tangible information for a better, more fiscally fit lifestyle.

Though 2010 hasn't officially arrived yet, we're already thinking about March and April, wondering how we can bring you the best Amarillo has to offer. If you have story ideas or just want to give us your two cents, drop us a line or email Michele (or me) directly. Don't forget our Facebook Fan Page and Twitter.

Lastly, our question of the month is up and ready for your winning answer. Take a moment to tell us about the most romantic Valentine's gift you've ever received or given. If your answer is our favorite, you'll receive $100 gift certificate to any AM advertiser. So basically, you have nothing to lose!

Stay warm!
--Jennie