Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2006 i Southern Lady

Mother and I often spend this fall season creating dried flower projects for friends, family, and ourselves. We enjoy the creative process and, even more, the time we get to spend together. It also gives us a chance to think about sprucing up our surroundings—maybe new curtains in the living room or an arrangement of pumpkins and other harvest offerings on the table. Whatever the case may be, we always appreciate the hands-on experience that comes from artistic undertakings. In this issue, we celebrate color and art with ladies across the South as well as with Mother Nature herself. From the sleek and sophisticated Jazz Age-inspired paintings of artist Cynthia Markert to the whimsical touches of easy-to-make, do-it-yourself glittering pumpkins, you will find page after page of fall fun. You’ll…

Dorothy McDaniel’s & Design Your Own MATERIALS Styrofoam cube Sheet moss Decorative moss Florist pins Ribbons Straight pins Decorative fruits Wooden picks Florist wire Green leaves and stems Glue gun and hot glue Step by Step…

Defined as “the application of skill to the production of the beautiful by imitation or design,” art varies from an original Van Gogh above a mantel to a painted mime in the French Quarter. For Jane Eades and Claire Williams, owners of Jane Claire Designs, obtaining the beautiful is just another innovative and daring step in their twodecade friendship. Jane and Claire began their journey as sorority sisters at the University of Montevallo. During summer breaks the two would sew draperies to make a little extra money. After graduation, both became mothers and schoolteachers. Recently, with their education careers and more than twenty years behind them, the artistic pair found themselves free to once again turn their inventive genius to the sewing machine. “We tap into our creative side,” says…

Windows are an integral part of the design and structure of every room, and according to author Brian Coleman, you should never hesitate to accent, embellish, and highlight them. In his recently released book, Window Dressings: Beautiful Draperies and Curtains for your Home, Brian shares the why and how. “People need to pay more attention to their windows,” he says. “Curtains and soft finishes, in general, are important in any room décor, but it is often where people run out of steam. They paint a nice color on the walls, get beautiful furniture, but stop before they do window treatments.” This “window neglect” is one of the problems Brian says he hopes his book will solve. “Most times people just aren’t sure what to do with their windows,” he says,…

When the chilly winds of autumn rustle in, they bring with them plenty of pleasures, including a resplendent and rich palette of colors with a plethora of possibilities. Whether you’re decorating a dining table or serving a scrumptious snack, you’ll find all the inspiration you need among the pyramids of pumpkins and gourds as well as in the fabulous floral finds at local farmer’s markets. From tabletop flower arrangements to a selection of sweets, the pumpkin inspires a bounty of autumn deli_hts. Deep russet and scarlet, bittersweet and honey gold—the vivid hues of the harvest season warm our homes inside and out. Why not celebrate the opulence of autumn by incorporating these intense shades in your everyday entertaining? The dining room table, as well as a mantle or sideboard, makes…

SKYLINE DRIVE VIRGINIA Skyline Drive is not just a 105-mile road through Shenandoah National Park, it’s one of the Park’s main highlights. Extending along the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains from Front Royal to Waynesboro, Virginia, drivers pass rock cliffs, wildlife, tree tunnels, and more than seventy astonishing overlooks. With color cresting in mid-October, this time of year brings above-average traffic to the byway. Thankfully, a standard thirty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit helps ensure visitors can coast leisurely along for a truly enjoyable ride. Or, if you’re so inclined, the Park boasts hundreds of miles of trails, perfect for unspoiled views of brilliant foliage. www.nps.gov/shen. BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY NORTH CAROLINA AND VIRGINIA Considered the queen of scenic drives, the Blue Ridge Parkway winds 469 miles through the Blue Ridge Mountains, and…

Inspired by the sight of fancy low-to-the-ground cars—called “low-riders”—in a Texas parade, Kathy Whitehead wrote the picture book Looking for Uncle Louie on the Fourth of July and mailed it off to a publisher. Though it was originally turned down, when Kathy sent her story off a second time, she got a “yes!” Soon after, admiring the primitive art of Clementine Hunter of Nachitoches, Louisiana, Kathy wrote the nonfiction picture book Art from Her Heart about the artist. This time, the first publisher to whom the author mailed her manuscript accepted it. Kathy laughs at her “instant” success—she’s been writing children’s literature for sixteen years. Anchored with a strong background in teaching, Kathy spent years going through the ups and downs of “writerhood,” honing her craft. And sustaining her throughout…

“The old words seemed somehow reborn, as his spirit stepped forth to embrace his new parish.” —Father Tim Chapter Nine, Light from Heaven There is a quaint town in western North Carolina that doesn’t appear on any road maps. It doesn’t have a zip code, and it is as impossible to find as the lost city of Atlantis. But to the legions of devoted readers who have wandered into the place called Mitford, it is as real as their own hometowns. Who could have imagined that the story of a middleaged Episcopalian priest who ministers to the people and needs of a small southern town would capture the hearts of so many? In the series of books known as the Mitford Years Novels, author Jan Karon has given us the…

For more than twenty years, the most recognizable name in nighttime radio has belonged to one person—Delilah. Her unique blend of sincere storytelling and listener participation combines with soft rock song selections to create “The Delilah Show,” which broadcasts seven days a week to more than 200 cities in the United States and Canada. Such success in this competitive industry is indeed difficult to achieve, but for this grass-roots farm girl, it is simply the result of being herself and doing what she loves: helping others. TRUE EXPRESSION “My show is a reflection of who I am and what I believe in,” says the lady who goes by her first name alone. Though she has called many cities “home” over the years, most of her childhood days were spent on…

Makes 16 servings 14 ounces extra bittersweet chocolate (70 percent cocoa) 1 cup butter 1/3 cup heavy whipping cream 6 large eggs, separated 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1 recipe Glacage (recipe follows) 1 recipe Chocolate Merigues (recipe follows) 1 recipe Cashew Caramel (recipe follows) Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a 13x9x2- inch pan with non-stick cooking spray. Line with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt extra bittersweet chocolate, butter, and cream in microwave oven on High (100 percent power) for 30-second intervals until melted (approximately 21/2 minutes total). Stir until smooth; set aside. In a large bowl, beat egg yolks, sugar, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until pale yellow. Add chocolate…

Changing seasons shout the arrival of harvest jubilee. Further hints of festivity are found in the pumpkins, gourds, squash, mums, and hay that line the walkway leading to the back porch. Here guests discover an autumnal wonderland of wooden rocking chairs, soft patchwork quilts, and aromas so enticing that each and every one in attendance inquires about the evening’s menu. Tantalizingly tasty, Cajun-inspired appetizers please the palate and keep everyone guessing about what could possibly top such wonderful sweet and savory selections. But spicy Chicken and Sausage Gumbo does the trick. In between hearty spoonfuls, folks rave about the choice cuisine and exchange fond remembrances of days gone by. Sit back and cozy up for a _ris_ autumn _as_. Chicken and Sausage Gumbo Makes 10 to 12 servings 12 cups…

Watson Mill Bridge Comer, Georgia, 706-783-5349 Built in 1885 by W.W. King, Watson Mill Bridge, like many covered bridges of its time, was named for the local mill nearby. Measuring 229 feet in length, this focal point of Watson Mill Bridge State Park is the longest covered bridge in Georgia. Thanks to its durable construction and town lattice design, most of the bridge’s massive beams are original. Horton Mill Bridge Oneonta, Alabama, 205-274-2153 Soaring seventy feet above Warrior River, Horton Mill Bridge is the nation's highest covered bridge built over water. Constructed in 1935 by T.M. Horton, a descendant of the family that founded the gristmill namesake, the 220-foot structure was said to take fifteen men working from sun up to sun down a year and a half to build.…

With a natural eye for beauty, Heather Sakers is well on the way to making a name for herself—and her one-ofa- kind line of accessories. The twenty-four-year-old from Nagshead, North Carolina, is the owner and designer of Lady Maye, a jewelry business she created and named after a shared family moniker. But jewelry design isn’t an area in which Heather received formal training. Instead, the business graduate of the College of Charleston is a self-taught artist. While participating in a career day at the boarding school she attended in Raleigh, Heather watched a local bead artist at work. Inspired, the budding talent decided to try her hand at jewelry design. What happened next was completely unexpected. “Girls from the dorm started coming to my room and asking if they could…

Warm shades of seasonal change add sweetly rustic touches to your surroundings. Drift off to sleep when cool nights roll in as layer upon layer of the plushest silk bedding wraps you in cozy comfort. Green leaves on the vine embellish the antiqued edges of handglazed surfaces, textured to perfection for your serving pleasure. And bronze-finish lanterns bearing creamy pillar candles bring soft light to the season, adding a gentle shimmer to the most peaceful settings.…

Grand displays of garden crops bring to mind thoughts of fall in the most delightful ways. Cool breezes fill the air, stirring a lofty dance among amber leaves as they float about, proclaiming the presence of fall. Soon, plump pumpkins, gorgeous gourds, and other precious produce make their way to the market, as turning leaves, colorful corn, and the boldest berries fill us with thanks for such a healthy harvest. Beyond your basic welcome mat, a front porch gathering of these autumn accents greets guests as they approach your door. Stacked hay bales showcase squashes, pumpkins, and gourds, while autumn-hued leaves add festive color to the crop. Pretty pumpkins on parade orange ones, striped ones, tall ones, white ones! With names such as Baby Bear, Spooktacular, Harvest Moon, Connecticut Field,…

When a listener calls “The Delilah Show” with a story of love or loss, hope or heartache, Delilah always knows just what to play. So what’s her secret? She says, “I can remember just about every lyric to every song that’s ever been written. God gives us all different gifts, and that’s one of mine. So, when somebody tells me a situation, my brain immediately starts sorting through sort of a card catalog of songs until I find one that speaks to that specific circumstance.” If ever in doubt, Delilah can count on Lucky, the show’s fourlegged mascot and music critic, who spends most days at the studio with his owner, Producer Janey Bulman. Lucky Dog is always ready and willing to give his “barking” opinion, especially when it comes…

Create a shining and shimmering fall display with miniature painted pumpkins. Before you begin this artistic endeavor, be sure that your fresh-from-the-patch picks are clean and dry. Select your favorite shade of metallic or glitter craft paint, and use a dry brush to lightly coat the sides of your tiny vineripe finds. If the coating seems too thick, simply use a wet brush or mix your paint with water until you achieve the desired consistency. Try experimenting with different combinations of hues, such as gold and bronze, to vary the look from pumpkin to pumpkin. If you choose a bolder shade, perhaps metallic red or green, it is best to use these colors individually as to avoid a muddy look that often comes with mixing dark colors. If the results…

Simple stems of flame-like flowers rise from wooden vases to cheer the arrival of autumn. A tumble of textures and colors fill a weathered bowl like jewel-toned confetti for this outdoor celebration. Fall comes quietly to the picturesque shores of the lake. The early serenity of the season allows us to rest and renew after the sizzling heat of June and July. The wonderful change in the weather beckons us onto lakeside decks and docks to enjoy the restorative respite of an Indian summer. What a joy to awake on that first chilly morning and discover that the apple-crisp days of autumn have tiptoed in while you were dreaming. To celebrate the return of these cooler temperatures, we take the festivities outside where nature provides a setting filled with splendor.…

Whether you’re looking for appetizers or after-dinner delights, the Junior League of Roanoke Valley blends together a variety of delectable dishes in its newest cookbook, Oh My Stars! Recipes that Shine. Traditional southern-style cuisine like Virginia Apple Walnut Cake and Fresh Berry Cobbler are included in the cookbook, along with more regional fare such as Black-Eyed Pea Dip and Corn Quesadillas. “What we tried to accomplish with the book is southern gourmet,” says Cookbook Chairman Mary Evelyn. “Instead of only having your basic southern recipes, we changed or added something to many of them, like the Sensational Shrimp and Bleu Cheese Grits. We added fresh seafood and used bleu cheese instead of typical cheddar. And with the Stacked Grits and Spinach Salad, we added bacon, spinach, and pecans. It’s not…

ENTERTAINING TOUCH PAGE 34: Glass tray available at Mulberry Heights Antiques. DOROTHY MCDANIEL’S DESIGN YOUR OWN: FRUITFUL FALL WREATH PAGE 36: Fruitful fall wreath designed by Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. STROKES OF BRILLIANCE PAGE 76: Metal platter available at Cabbages & Kings. Pumpkins designed and painted by Marcia Larson. HARVEST FLAVOR PAGE 78-80: Black tin containers available at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. Leaf-shaped plates available at Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. Votive holders available at Mulberry Heights Antiques. PAGE 81: Green plates available at Lamb’s Ears, Ltd. Black pots available at Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. ON THE PORCH PAGE 84-92: Glasses available at Pottery Barn. Rusticcolored plates, bowls, napkins, and serving dishes available at Harmony Landing. PAGE 86: Large platter and flower vases available at Harmony Landing. LAKESIDE SETTINGS PAGE 94-97: Tablecloth,…