Innholdsfortegnelse for July - August 2006 i Southern Lady

The grass is greener, the sun is brighter, and the days are longer—yes, summer brings a vibrancy and joy to the South. We love those late evenings on our porches, and we adore those afternoons outdoors spent in our gardens. During summer break from school, my girl cousins, my sister, and I often spent the night at my grandmother’s house. One morning in particular, she woke us up early and told us to come out to the backyard for a surprise. So off we went, several pairs of little, shuffl ing feet winding down the hallway and out the back door. In that early morning light, we rubbed our eyes, not quite sure if what we were seeing was real or just a dream. Under the large oak tree was…

As daylight fades and paints the sky those incredibly rich hues of blue and scarlet and gold, we retreat inside and replace the evening shadows with the warm glow of lamplight. Captured in delicate glass, colors stolen from the sea and sky bring nature indoors to light our interior spaces. Light emanates from a gilded chandelier fashioned with crystals and metalwork garlands and radiates from the graceful loops of prismatic glass candleholders, fi lling our hearts and homes with a peaceful and lovely brilliance.…

The effects of time are often amazing to behold. On a grand scale, time carves spectacular canyons from tiny rivers; more quietly, it imbues antiques with a warm patina that’s practically impossible to replicate. It also has the power to take an object that was once commonplace and transform it into a piece of art. In the latter case, however, the catch is that these long-forgotten objects must fi rst be rediscovered— which is where Edelen Wille comes in. The company, founded six years ago by sisters-in-law Fran Edelen Clegg and Cheryl Wille Clegg, seeks out vintage illustrations from sources such as children’s books and seed catalogs, and then reproduces them as cards, journals, and framed artwork for the home. It was an idea that came about simply enough. “By…

When Patti Callahan Henry’s then-seven-year-old-daughter climbed in her lap and declared, “I want to be a writer of books, really good books, when I grow up,” Henry responded with: “No, that’s what I want to be when I grow up!” Reminded by her daughter that she was, indeed, grown up, Henry knew it was time to listen to the “whisper of her heart” and write the stories that had swirled in her head since her youth. When Light Breaks, Henry’s third novel, is one such tale. Set in the entrancing South Carolina lowcountry where the rhythms of the sea are a given infl uence on the lives of those who dwell there, this story centers on Palmetto Pointe native and bride-to-be Kara Larson. As a PGA TOUR manager, Kara’s career…

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! Daniel Webster SSummer days alone are cause for jovial gatherings and good cheer. The endless azure skies, the balmy southern breezes, the shore-tickling waves—such seasonal splendors make it easy to fall in love with summer in the South. And as an added bonus, we get to celebrate the birthday of our country, giving us even more opportunities for outdoor enjoyment and entertaining with parties and picnics and fun galore! Synonymous with the season, the sunfl ower adds a cheerful note to most any arrangement. Whether used singularly in watermelon-hued vases or in combination with daisies and summer berries, sunfl owers brighten the table setting and bring added delight to already-pretty…

A single shell can be showcased simply resting atop a book. A group of seashells might be presented nesting in a special basket or arranged in a pretty bowl. But to take shells over the top, look no further for inspiration than the seashell creations of Johnny Sims. “I’ve always been fascinated with shells,” says Johnny. Six years ago he saw a pretty but pricey Victorian shell box and thought, “I can do that—and I can do it better.” He was right. With his eye for design, he now exquisitely transforms old planters, boxes, silver-plate candelabras, chandeliers, tables, and more, using the natural beauty of shells. Make a Treasure Box Start with an old wooden box. Flea markets, garage sales, and even your own attic are good sources. If the…

Whether remodeling an entire home or decorating a single room, Texas-based interior designer Betty Lou Phillips incorporates her preference for French style. Her expertise on the subject has earned her a stellar reputation from the California coast to the streets of the Big Apple. “It’s artistry, it’s attitude, it’s style and far more,” says Betty Lou of her favorite fashion. “It is a virtuous mix of panache and simplicity, taste and resourcefulness that is at once inviting, surprising, and inspiring.” The ability to mix elegance with ease, the choice of furniture with presence, and the focus on harmony over conformity are just a few principles of French design that Betty Lou has adopted, and she shares these principles with clients as well as readers. The renowned designer has published seven…

In days gone by, women often wore one apron while they cooked and then changed to a fresh, fancier one when the time came to serve their families the delicious meal that had been prepared. Many kitchens featured an “apron drawer” to hold a lovely assortment of gingham check and cotton fl oral aprons as well as dressier linen and organdy styles that all belonged to the lady of the house. Step back in time. Recall those cherished memories of standing in Grandmother’s kitchen as she rolled out the biscuit dough, fl our fl ying, her clothing protected by a faded fl oral apron tied “just so” around her waist. “If you behave,” she would say with a smile while tying a miniature version of that apron around your own…

EEarly settlers brought herbs to America to scent rooms, remedy illness, fl avor food, and dye homespun fabrics. As the population grew, others brought new varieties with them, resulting in an exchange of seeds and plants Today, whether you’re a devoted culinary farmer or a new grower that appreciates fragrant foliage, herb gardening offers an opportunity to experiment with versatile plants. A tiny gardening shed can be a cozy space to house tools of the trade. Easily accessible trowels, hoses, gloves, shovels, sheers, and pots are all good excuses to get out and grow.…

Nothing satisfi es a summer sweet tooth quite like the refreshing taste of homemade sorbets. One of the world’s fi rst iced delights, these milk-free ice cream alternatives were originally used to cleanse the palate before dinner’s main course. Though still served the traditional way in select venues, sorbets now enjoy their share in the spotlight as a popular pick for the meal’s grand fi nale, and they’ve even been known to stand alone as a most pleasing mid-day snack. These three recipes feature some of our favorite frozen fl avors—a few spoonfuls of which we trust will provide deliciously icy indulgences on even the hottest of days. Strawberry and Lavender Sorbet Makes 5 cups 2 cups sugar 2 cups water 1 teaspoon dried lavender 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries…

SINCERELY PAGE 8: Clothing by Laura Ashley. Earrings by Van Atkins Jewelers. GROWING INSPIRATION PAGE 20: Plates available at Harmony Landing. Clay pot available at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. DOROTHY MCDANIEL’S DESIGN YOUR OWN: MINIATURE MEADOW PAGE 26: Miniature meadows designed by Tana Avery. SUMMER SETTINGS PAGE 40-43: Vase trio, napkins, bowls, and plate settings available at Harmony Landing PAGE 42-43: Red vase available at Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. BASKET OF ROSES PAGE 45: Green container from Alda’s Forever DISPLAYING THE BEAUTY OF SHELLS PAGE 48-50: J. Marshall Sims Collection available at Interiors at Pepper Place. FOYER FIX-UPS PAGE 54-55: Frames and furniture available at Martha Lauren Antique Linens & Accessories. APRON REVIVAL PAGE 72: Apron and hand towel available from Cath Kidston PAGE 74: Halter-style aprons available from Kitsch’n Glam.…

Begin by placing a small plastic liner in the center of any sized bowl. Surround liner with soil and cover with whole grain wheat. Next, add a thin layer of soil to cover wheat. Water as needed. Once grass has reached the height you desire, trim a cube of deluxe fl oral foam to fi ll the small plastic liner. Starting in the center, insert the largest daisy stem into the foam and continue to fi ll with smaller fl owers Dorothy McDaniel’s _ Design Your Own Whole grain wheat is available at health food stores and will sprout lush, thick grass within four to ten days. For best results, keep miniature meadow well-watered in a window or under light at room temperature. If desired, carefully remove extra stem leaves…

F From pretty platters and pastel placemats to a collection of crosses and colorful containers, Mandy Bagwell’s booming ceramics, tableware, and paper business—M. Bagwell Art—is a refl ection of the artist herself. With red shoes and pencil-smudged hands, Mandy possesses a contagious enthusiasm and enduring energy as bright and lively as her precious creations. This cheerfully chatty designer spent much of her childhood painting, tracing, and creating—even plucking seeds from her mother’s fl owers to reproduce marigold packages with construction paper. “I’ve always been inspired by whim,” Mandy explains, nodding toward her studio. “Whatever’s within arm’s reach is subject to creative direction.” After college, Mandy moved to Montgomery, Alabama, to pursue a teaching career. But when she became pregnant with her oldest son, the creative mommy-to-be returned to her paints,…

1 Blossoms this gorgeous deserve a container that will showcase their exquisite beauty. Arrange two dozen roses—in the color of your choice—in fl oral foam placed inside a pretty vase. 2Add sprays of greenery with delicate white blossoms, such as Carolina jasmine or viburnum, allowing sprigs to trail down the sides. Clip two branches of garden greenery, such as elaeagnus, and insert one branch into each side of the vase. 3Bring the ends of branches up to form a handle shape and wrap the ends over one another to secure. Keep the fl oral foam moist and this stunning display will brighten your home for several days…

No longer used for just boxes and bows, ribbon is an affordable way to incorporate color into your home. New styles featuring scallops, ruffl es, and cutting-edge patterns offer countless choices for enchanting embellishments. From taffeta and chiffon to satin and silk, Elaine Turner carries many hard-to-fi nd ribbons in her store, Elaine’s. With over 2,000 spools of ribbon—including a specialty “ruffl e” ribbon that Elaine created exclusively for her shop—there are numerous opportunities to tie together a decorative theme. Elaine’s No-Hassle Tassel This tassel is made with 11/2-inch ribbon, but any width or combination of ribbons can be used. What you’ll need: 17 pieces cut 24 inches each 2 pieces cut 30 inches each Total needed: 13 yards 1. Fold each 24-inch piece at both ends and cut in…

What an occasion! Guests are coming for a weekend visit. Though it means you must fl uff the pillows, tidy the living room, and sweep the porch, it also means you get the chance to provide your visitors—those dear friends and adored family members—with a welcomed retreat by creating an unexpected haven in your very own home. Bringing out the best of the best for a guest is an age-old tradition that has been practiced by kings and commoners, friends and families, even neighbors and complete strangers. In this day and age, that custom remains ever pertinent and important as we try to pamper and please guests with the utmost of our means. A guest room can take on any number of designs. Traditionally, intricate fl oral patterns and soft…

Dottie Smith is no stranger in the kitchen. As owner of Edgar’s Bakery, Dottie has fashioned more than her fair share of fetching confections. Now she shares with you her years of experience and expertise in Cake Expressions. Following Dottie’s “three P’s” for success, you too can bake, assemble, and embellish alloccasion cakes that will dazzle guests down to the last scrumptious bite. In Dottie’s defi nitive, 160-page guide to creating great cakes, you will discover: • Professional, do-it-yourself tips • Recipes for the perfect cake • Ideas for cake and party themes • Step-by-step instruction takes you from the basic ingredients to the decorated masterpiece…

Southerners rarely need an excuse for a potluck, and the overfl owing bounty of end-of-summer gardens is as good as any. So gather fellow green-thumb gals and invite them to bring the cream of their crops as well as a homemade dish to share. Your supple garden sets the perfect stage for an afternoon of tasting, toasting, and trading. STYLING BY YUKIE MCLEAN Squash and peppers and fi gs, oh my! Stand on your stoop and watch guests arrive bearing baskets full of ripe reds, greens, and yellows. Escort your friends to the backyard, fi rst to converse, and then to dine on fresh foods before the swapping commences. Tomatoes for eggplant, cucumbers for herbs—everyone wins with such perfect produce. When the party is over, send guests home with freshly…

Now is the season to draw back the draperies and let sunshine come pouring into every nook and cranny. The play of sunlight through colored glass casts kaleidoscopic patterns throughout your home, resulting in tiny rainbows for you to enjoy. Use candy-colored cut-glass cake plates to showcase your signature confection for an afternoon party. And don’t forget the offi cial summer beverage, tart and tangy lemonade; it just seems to taste more refreshing when served in pretty pastel glassware.…

“Ever since I was a girl, I’ve always loved wildfl owers,” says Ginny Whitaker, who has an ever-expanding garden of these beauties in her yard. How fi tting it was when Ginny inherited the seventy-fi ve page portfolio her great aunt had fi lled with watercolors of wildfl owers—300 of them! Ginny Whitaker’s eyes open wide when she describes how the portfolio came to her. “In a cardboard dress box!” she exclaims, amazed that such a treasure was not better preserved. On each page, Ginny’s father’s aunt Janette Gardner had artfully recorded the wildfl owers she discovered as she searched for three years on the acreage around her Lakeland, Florida, home. Upon discovering a new variety, Janette dipped her fi ne-tipped pen into India ink and sketched the fl owers…

With its artful stripes of contrasting greens and succulent center so sweet and so red, the watermelon has long been a summertime staple. In fact, this favored fruit has grown so popular over the years that it is celebrated in cities and counties across the nation. These lively watermelon festivals—as they are referred to throughout the South—promise plenty of fun in the sun with a variety of activities and all-you-can-eat slices of fresh-from-the-garden melons. One of the most popular festivals of this kind takes place annually in the tiny Alabama town of Russellville. It began more than twenty-fi ve years ago with a small group of farmers offering free samples of their crops to entice passersby to make a purchase. As the crowd gathered, politicians took the opportunity to pick…

Celebrate the summer season with colorful dwelling decorations. Pretty plates in popping shades add merriment to mealtime, while vivid vases bring beauty to your blooms. If you’re hesitant, start in small doses. Whether it’s a green pillow placed on a neutral couch or a red fl owerpot set on a white side table, just a touch of color contrast is enough to change the mood of an entire room.…

When a charming ice cream shop went up for sale on favored summer getaway St. Simons Island, Barbara Barta couldn’t believe her luck. It was the property she had seen while on vacation, pointed toward, and told her husband, “That one.” The shop was her choice location for a restaurant, a little place she’d call Barbara Jean’s W “We started coming down here to St. Simons Island on vacation, and I just fell in love with it,” says Barbara Barta, a trained dietician who owned and operated a Virginia eatery called Black- Eyed Pea for ten years before opening up her namesake restaurant in coastal Georgia. “As soon as we got to the island the fi rst time, my husband said, ‘This is where we’re going to retire.’ It took…

Welcoming visitors into your home is an art unto itself, but remember that even the best hostesses can benefi t from an inviting receiving area. Since the entryway to your home sets the tone for the entire abode, it should refl ect your sense of style as well as your personality. With just a few quick changes to the décor, your foyer can be transformed into an extension of graciousness and charm that invites folks to come in and stay for a while. Fabulous Focal Point An eye-catching botanical display anchors a small collection of family knickknacks, turning an ordinary foyer into an impressive and inviting reception area.…

In the 1930s, she burst onto the big screen with powerful performances that launched her career and catapulted her into superstardom. She has captured Academy Awards as well as our hearts with brilliant portrayals that illustrate her strength as a dynamic leading lady. But to most adoring fans, she will forever be remembered for her role of Melanie Hamilton Wilkes, the graceful southern belle in the Civil War epic, Gone with the Wind. Such glamour and distinction can only be associated with one remarkable actress: Olivia de Havilland. “It is very strange that—whereas of the four principal characters in Gone with the Wind only Melanie dies—of the four players cast in those roles only Melanie’s interpreter survives,” says Madame Olivia de Havilland with a voice as elegant and warm as…

Perhaps nothing is more satisfying than bringing the fruits of your labor from the garden to the table. Gardening enthusiast Dolly Walker couldn’t agree more. Putting her diverse collection of glass containers to good use, Dolly creates wonderful vinegar blends with herbs from her own backyard. The process she uses is easy First, fi ll quart-sized canning jars with your choice of vinegar. Then pack the jars with a few handfuls of herbs, using a skewer if necessary. Cap the jars and store in a sunny window for two to three weeks, allowing the fl avors to fully meld. Carefully remove herbs and, using a funnel, fi ll dainty decorative bottles with your personalized vinegar and fresh sprigs of herbs. Ingredients for a few of Dolly’s favorite blends: Rice wine…

Whether they’re canned, jammed, or straight from the hand, peaches are synonymous with summer. Fresh-picked and fragrant, these juicy treasures are the symbol of Georgia and the state fruit of South Carolina. Go ahead—reach for a peach and savor the sweet aroma, velvet touch, and, perhaps most importantly, the deliciously luscious taste. The scent of a peach is unmistakable, and so is the fl avor. From salads and sauces to pork medallions and parfaits, this fruit can be used to create a variety of fl avorful dishes. With that in mind, a basket brimming with peaches quickly becomes the beginning of an enticing entrée, a decadent dessert, or even an entire menu. RECIPE DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD STYLING BY AIMEE BISHOP/STYLING BY YUKIE MCLEAN/ PHOTOGRAPHY BY MAC JAMIESON Ripe, fragrant peaches,…

Located at the ceremonial entrance to Arlington National Cemetery, the Women in Military Service for America Memorial stands as the only memorial of its kind. The mission is plain and simple: to honor the ladies who have served in or with the armed forces. Since the founding of our nation, more than 2.5 million women are deserving of this honor, and that number continues to grow. Though their stories may not often appear in the history books, each one helps write the pages of our country’s epic tale. Civil War couriers, Spanish-American War nurses, WWI switchboard operators, WWII pilots—countless examples of heroism and bravery, and it is efforts such as these that you’ll fi nd documented and depicted in the Women’s Memorial. “We have a lot of stories to tell,”…

N“No party is out of our reach”—that’s the idea behind the Junior League of Tampa’s cookbook, The Life of the Party. “The book was based on the fact that most cooks want to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with their guests,” says Kathleen Lopez, the Junior League’s president. “We wanted to include recipes that would be great for family and large scale entertaining and that would also prevent the cook from working in the kitchen so much. Instead, they should be socializing with their guests.” Page after page, the award-winning cookbook offers plenty of planning ideas to make each and every gathering a success. There’s also a diverse range of menu suggestions— from a chic dinner club with Champagne Salmon Packages and Pesto Green Beans to…

Alda’s Forever, 800-253-7627. Anthropologie, www.anthropologie.com. Cabbages & Kings, 620 27th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35223; 205-731-9952. Cahaba Heights Antiques, 3131 Bellwood Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243; 205-969-2722. Cath Kidston, www.cathkidston.co.uk. Champion Produce Company, Floyd Champion, 205-665-7602. Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market, 2560 18th Street South, Birmingham, AL 35209; 205-871-0092; www.dorothymcdaniel.com. Harmony Landing, 2925 18th Street South, Homewood, AL 35209; 205-871-0585. Interiors at Pepper Place, 2817 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233; 205-323-2817. Kitsch’n Glam, www.kitschnglam.com. Lamb’s Ears, Ltd., 3138 Cahaba Heights Road, Birmingham, AL 35243; 205-969-3138. Laura Ashley, www.lauraashley.com. Martha Lauren Antique Linens & Accessories, 2417 Canterbury Road, Mountain Brook, AL 35223; 205-871-2283. Summerhill, Ltd., 2901 18th Street South, Homewood, AL 35209; 205-871-2902 Van Atkins Jewelers, 100 W. Bankhead Street, New Albany, MS 38652; 662-534-5012. Table Matters, 2402 Montevallo Road, Mountain Brook,…