Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2006 i Southern Lady

This is a very special issue of Southern Lady. Throughout the ages, the rose has been a blossoming symbol of love and remembrance. Mom and I each have our own memories connected to this flower, and my very first one stems from a Mother’s Day of years past. My grandmother Hill always picked basketsful of roses from her gardens, and we took them to the cemetery to participate in the custom of Decoration. For all of us girl cousins, that meant frilly dresses—with, of course, prickly petticoats—high heels, and hours of parading in our finery and paying respect in the form of flowers. Afterwards, the entire family gathered at my grandparents’ farmhouse for a covered dish lunch. It may sound a little strange, but every year this tradition came to…

Throughout the ages, mankind has marveled at the return of life anew to Mother Earth. The Druids celebrated the end of winter with a revelry known as Beltane or “Return of the Sun.” Later when the Romans occupied the British Isles, they brought their own tradition, a five-day festival dubbed Floralia in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers. And so on and so forth, people throughout history have borrowed from these ancient customs in their own celebrations of springtime jubilee. Even today, the first signs of the changing season still evoke a desire to celebrate. So welcome the coming of spring with a stunningly beautiful Maypole display. With a traditional topiary tree as the base, floral garlands and colorful silky ribbons radiate from the eye-catching crowning bouquet, transforming this…

WWe know her best for the treasured tale Little Women, but Louisa May Alcott penned other novels in addition to the one that explored the adventures of our beloved March sisters. Born in 1832, Alcott grew up under the influence of literary greats and family friends Henry David Thoreau and Ralph Waldo Emerson. While her writing talents were evident early on in the plays she wrote for her and her sisters to perform, Alcott also developed interest in the women’s suffrage movement. First published in 1876, her novel Rose in Bloom tells the story of a young heiress who wants more than anything to establish herself as an independent woman. This sequel to Eight Cousins—which we highly recommend reading first—illustrates some of the social issues prevalent in the nineteenth century…

“There’s a special place in our hearts for pearls,” says Suzanne Goldasich. “We love them, the way they look, the way they make us feel.” The “we” she refers to includes her business partner and longtime friend, Teri Owens. Together, these two Alabama ladies have taken that love and turned it into a thriving business by the name of Two Pearls. “From the start, our goal has been to import quality pearls and offer them at a price that every woman could afford,” Teri says. After much research, the ladies found a way to put that plan into action, and today, they are living that original objective day in and day out. Offering more than 400 different styles of authentic pearl jewelry, Two Pearls’ line of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and…

From cheerful sunflowers and friendly daisies to vibrant zinnias and sunny black-eyed Susans, Brown’s Cut Flower Farm boasts a bright and blosssoming selection. A A trip down a country road in Cook Springs, a small community outside of Birmingham, Alabama, brings you to Becky Henderson’s home place, the modest gray house where her parents, Hazel and Bud Brown, settled in 1951. Here, on ten acres of land intersected by the road, Becky has established a cut-flower farm with posies aplenty: zinnias, sunflowers, daisies, dahlias, black-eyed Susans, and more. “Whatever we can coax into growing!” says Becky. Seeing the flowers that sweep across her field, you might think Becky has always farmed, but for thirty years, she worked at Bell South. “I retired so I could be here to take care…

“Oh, no Man knows Through what wild centuries Roves back the rose!” —Walter de la Mare The story of roses begins before history was recorded, before women and men walked the earth. Fossilized rose leaves give proof that roses grew in prehistoric times. An open single rose, engraved on silver votive medals dating 4000 B.C., is the earliest known representation of this beloved flower. Records show that the first painting of a rose was on “The Blue Bird Fresco,” circa 1450 B.C, at the palace of Knossos in Crete. Throughout history, the graceful form of the rose has been chosen to embellish the objects in our lives. A rose alone is a note sung clearly; a bouquet becomes a song. The rose bouquets that sweep and swirl gently over the table…

MENU: Shrimp & Avocado Salad Chicken with Basil Cream and Angel Hair Pasta Vegetable Ribbons Frozen Fruit Salad Strawberry Cream Puffs The soft summery days, so wistfully recalled through the winter’s chill, have returned to the delight of everyone. What better way to celebrate the season’s longawaited reappearance than with a convivial gathering of friends for taste-tempting dishes and cheerful conversation. Begin the occasion with an enticing menu, presenting both savory and sweet selections. Then, bring the beauty of the outdoors inside by enveloping your guests in the singular scent of cut roses in an array of vases. Echo nature’s floral belle with hand-painted interpretations on exquisite ceramic dinnerware and lovely linens in roseate hues. In this setting, guests will be tempted to linger on the veranda for the last…

Stacked Tomato Salad 4 or 5 red and yellow tomatoes, cut into ¼- to ½-inch slices 3 stalks whole hearts of palm, julienned ⅓ cup crumbled blue cheese 2 tablespoons drained capers 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Kalamata olives (optional) Caper berries (optional) ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh basil Stack the tomatoes evenly, alternating colors, on 4 salad plates. Top with the julienned hearts of palm and sprinkle with the cheese and capers. Whisk the olive oil and vinegar in a bowl. Just before serving, sprinkle the tomato stacks with salt and pepper and generously garnish with olives and caper berries. Sprinkle with the basil and drizzle with the olive oil mixture. Serve immediately. Serves 4. Dallas Dish They…

I just picked up my March/April 2006 copy of your magazine today. I opened it and there were Scout and Atticus—my two favorite people [“Mary Badham: In Her Shoes”]. The article was wonderful and portrayed that magical and deep relationship that they shared. I have been in education working with special needs students for thirty-five years. To Kill a Mockingbird has been one of the novels I have used to open doors to my students for them to explore the challenges of perceived difference. Clearly this role was a calling for both of them. Although I am no longer in the classroom, I work with teachers in instruction and will use this article as part of my training. When I read it to classes, the students write back to me…

Christen Baswell is a born romantic. Maybe it was her love of classics such as Gone With the Wind or her tendency to throw elaborate weddings for her Barbie dolls. Chances are, however, that Christen’s intrinsic romanticism can be directly attributed to her parents. The oldest of three children, she was born to high school sweethearts in Albany, Georgia. “My parents have a beautiful love story,” says twenty-three-year-old Christen. “More than anyone, they have influenced my feelings of romance and love.” That strong family foundation and affinity for affection stayed with her as she completed high school and began writing for an Albany newspaper. After one year, Christen moved to Athens, where she attended the University of Georgia as a journalism major. She then took a part-time job with a…

When it comes to planning the Big Day, author and newlywed Cara Davis knows a thing or two about how to make a dream come true—and this she does without breaking the bank. Her new book, Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot: How to Plan a Church Wedding for Less than $5,000, gives brides-to-be helpful advice about saving money without sacrificing style and quality. Her book includes tips on how to handle such issues as choosing invitations, hiring a photographer, and creating breathtaking bouquets. In addition to insider information about matrimonial matters, Cara underscores the importance of financial responsibility, a practice young couples can adopt as they begin their lives together and continue to rely on for years to come. TURN THE PAGE TO SEE SOME OF CARA’S SECRETS TO…

Set the stage for serenity by surrounding yourself with a soothing white palette. Imagine fresh linens, linedried outside in the sun, covering plump, down-filled pillows just waiting for your weary head. Embellished with white-on-white embroidery and cotton lace, dainty ivory purses are reminiscent of a more genteel era. And whitewashed dinnerware, curved and swirled and beaded, is the perfect backdrop for the kaleidoscope of fresh fruits and vegetables that summer gardens yield. Whether used as a soft background or as a crisp accent, white lends a pristine touch to your home décor.…

The rose, with its almost limitless varieties, possesses a beauty that is rich and exotic yet also so familiar. Its delicate scent conjures up our dearest remembrances. We think of the white climbing tea roses that spilled over the trellis at our grandmother’s house, the petals fluttering down like snow in June. We recall the fragile red-rose-and-baby’s-breath corsage pinned nervously into place by our first beau. And then we remember how, on our wedding day, splendid bouquets of roses filled the church with vibrant color and intoxicating fragrance, how delicate rose buds trimmed the veil that our mother straightened just before she took her place of honor on the front row and we prepared to walk down the aisle, stand beside our groom, and say our wedding vows. Roses are…

Sometimes in addition to their own homes, creative people also have a little house where they do their creating. “This is my little house,” says Beverly Ruff, referring to her Antiques & Linens shop in Vestavia, Alabama. And what Beverly creates is enchantment. Old lace, tied loosely with ribbons, dresses each window of her cottage-like store. Soothing music plays softly in the background. A scent of lavender whispers through the air. And in each small room, layers of treasures await—old treasures. “I don’t do new,” says Beverly. What Beverly does do, however, is showcase old things in charming new ways. To add feminine softness, she uses antique lace to cover the mat around a photograph. She treats a lampshade to a romantic layer of lace. Beverly’s passion for collecting antiques…

Roses were cultivated by ancient cultures. Kings counted roses as their treasures. Emperor Nero scattered rose petals on the floors of his banquet halls. The cushions he lounged on were stuffed with rose petals. And rose water bubbled over in his fountains. Yet a rose is called the queen of flowers— not king. Their appeal feels feminine. In 1804, Napoleon’s Empress Josephine became so passionate about roses that she filled the garden at La Malmaison with blossoms from French and English nurseries. At the time of her death in 1814, some 250 different varieties were represented in her well-known collection. A rosebud is a promise, a beautiful one, assuring us of more loveliness to come. When William Penn sailed to America, he brought with him cultivated roses. But roses were…

Beaucoups of flowers make a beautiful centerpiece, it’s true. But to celebrate Mother’s Day, try an extraordinary floral-inspired presentation worthy of these wonderful women by assembling beaucoups of cakes. Arrange a circle of cut-glass cake plates of varying heights laden with exquisite confectionary wonders. These cakes, covered in dainty icing flowers, become even more dazzling when surrounded by a few fragrant petals, creating a look that absolutely captures the spirit of this sweet occasion. SEE RESOURCES FOR READERS FOR MORE INFORMATION.…

To purchase items featured in our articles, please refer to the information below. If an item is not listed, it is privately owned and not available for purchase. To contact the manufacturers and retail stores referenced below, see DIRECTORY OF COMPANIES. DOROTHY MCDANIEL’S DESIGN YOUR OWN: MAY DAY BASKETS PAGE 15: May Day containers designed by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. SALUTE TO SPRING PAGE 18-19: Floral design by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. Porcelain figurines available at Tricia’s Treasures. TIMELESS ELEGANCE: THE MAGIC OF PEARLS PAGE 30-32: Spoon, crystal bowl, and silver dish available at Martha Lauren Antique Linens & Accessories. ROSES: IN BLOOM PAGE 44-45: Floral design by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market FROM THE HEART: THE ART OF MARTY WHALEY ADAMS PAGE 49-50: For information, contact Wells Gallery Charleston at…

May Day—typically celebrated on May 1— began centuries ago as a Celtic holiday that marked the end of the harsh winter weather. Citizens gathered together to rejoice in the magic of springtime and the renewal of the earth. On the chosen day, neighbors made beautiful baskets full of spring flowers to be left on each other’s front doors. With a little help from Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market, you can share this age-old tradition with your friends and neighbors. Pink, red, purple, and green, May Day baskets boast of springtime’s brightest offerings. As an added surprise for the bouquet’s recipient, incorporate your friend’s favorite floral varieties into the arrangement. Step by Step: Before you begin, line the container with a small sandwich bag. Raffia can be tied around the top to…

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When those little girls grow up, finding the “dress of their dreams” can sometimes prove to be difficult. That’s where Eva Marie Harp steps in. Eva Marie creates custom-made bridal gowns, as well as bridesmaid dresses and mother-of-the-bride dresses, at her store, Eva Marie Bridal, in Marietta, Georgia. Her dresses are one-of-a-kind and made with the bride’s visions in mind. “I’m a perfectionist at heart, and when I see the everyday clothes we buy, they never fit you perfectly,” says Eva Marie. “Custom clothing allows me to make a garment that fits like a glove. Your wedding is the time when you want to look phenomenal.” Eva Marie has had years of practice in creating that phenomenal look. With a great-grandmother who was a seamstress, Eva Marie spent many a…

Focusing on two of the five senses, Aromatique features products that are as pleasing to the eyes as they are to the nose. Patti says, “It’s above and beyond potpourri. The visual items tell you what the fragrance is, and, in turn, the fragrance instantly transports you to a certain time of year. It sets the tone for the season, and it tells a story.” With lively characters and intriguing circumstances, the story behind this aromatic endeavor is equally noteworthy. Patti says, “I am the mother of twins, and when they were in high school, we decided to move from West Memphis, Arkansas to Heber Springs, which was our summer home. My husband was commuting to his business in West Memphis by helicopter, and my boys were in high school,…

“You love the roses—so do I. I wish the sky would rain down roses,” wrote Victorian novelist George Eliot, and southerners wholeheartedly agree with her. A walk through a southern garden reveals our love affair with this most splendid of Nature’s gifts. Not content with confining roses to gardens alone, we bring the beautiful blossoms inside to decorate our homes. As stunning and fragrant as cut flower arrangements are, we don’t stop there. From delicate dinnerware to splashy floral wallpaper to sumptuous fabrics used for draperies, pillows, and upholstery, we fill our abodes with infinite renditions of the flower we love so much—the more the better. I’d rather have roses on the table than diamonds on my neck. —Emma Goldman Dainty Delights Write Away Blooming Boxes Pretty as Pictures Cafe…

A detour from Interstate 98 is all it takes to uncover the vast riches along Scenic Highway 30-A. This road reveals a Florida of both past and present as undisturbed lands of state parks separate a matchless series of coastal villages. Fewer than 200 yards from the highway, rolling waves from the Gulf of Mexico rush upon a shoreline of sugar-white sand as sea oat-covered dunes stretch into the distance, disappearing into a horizon of boundless beauty. With this departure from the main road such a success, another venture seems worth a risk. The local bed and breakfasts—all within about nineteen miles of one another—offer a variety of choices as well as an abundance of amenities to ensure your stay at the seashore is nothing short of superior. A HIGHLANDS…