Innholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2009 i Southern Lady

I never cease to be amazed by how beautifully the South dresses up for summer. Hydrangeas and roses, daisies and dianthus—the flowers step straight from Monet’s paintings into gardens all around us, leaving us in awe of Mother Nature’s artistic touch. From the sweeping lawns of Natchez, Mississippi, to the manicured plots of northern Virginia, the season settles in, bringing with it a thousand shades of green, each one more vibrant than the one before. And speaking of green, our staff is doing its part to promote green living. From reducing and recycling to buying reclaimed-wood furniture, the ladies behind Southern Lady are putting sustainability into practice in their daily lives. This issue, celebrating the beauty and glory of the world around us, includes ideas on how to become more…

Giving by Design 1. Hand-colored recycled-glass plates, in four designs, help support the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC. Healing Garden Plates by Riverside Design Group, $115 for set of four; Plates With Purpose, 412-632- 1061; plateswithpurpose.com. Handmade Happiness 2. Sewn by women who survived the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia, these handsome bags not only look fabulous, they’re helping rebuild the craftsmen’s lives. Kuat Large Travel Bag in Dark Brown/Cream, $299.95; Laga Designs International, 888-524-2224; laga-handbags.com. Blossoming Friendships 3. It’s lovely to receive a note from a friend, but even lovelier to get a “plantable” card that blooms into a beautiful garden. Grow-a-Note, $15 for set of four; Eco-Artware, 877-326-2781; eco-artware.com. Lighten Up 4. These clean-burning soy candles don’t sacrifice a scintilla of scent. They’re better for the environment and…

We honor our mothers in May, and with this issue, we give Mother Earth her due respect with four books designed to make the world a better—and greener—place. Easy Green Living: The Ultimate Guide to Simple, Eco-Friendly Choices for You and Your Home By Renée Loux Published by Rodale Eco-expert Renée Loux refuses to let people be intimidated by environmental choices, and to that end, she has written a fact-filled guide to going green that will make the whole process a piece of (trans fat– and gluten-free) cake. She wears a number of hats—organic chef and host of the Fine Living network’s show It’s Easy Being Green, to name two—that more than qualify her to give advice in the eco-friendly realm. Easy Green Living helps readers decipher confusing labels, enabling…

If Spring sways, then Summer positively sashays—and who can blame her? The garden is bursting into full bloom, showering us with a visual and fragrant largesse so wonderful we just have to share. As the temperature begins to rise, we welcome the cooling color scheme of lush green and crisp white. Surprise a friend or neighbor with a bountiful basket arrangement in these hues, clipped fresh from the garden. Choose apple-green Bells of Ireland and spider mums, then fill in with creamy roses, white hydrangeas, and, for an exotic touch, delicate orchids. And treat yourself, too! Place stems of elegant calla lilies into a trio of eyelet lace–like vases to brighten your own summer scene.…

In the South, good times start in the kitchen. This is something my friend Kathy Owens knows quite well. As a certified kitchen designer, she has spent many years helping Southern ladies create the spaces of their dreams. During the planning process, Kathy works closely with her clients to determine their needs as well as their wants. For example, the kitchen pictured here once featured dark cabinetry, countertops, and walls. Kathy’s first suggestion was to simply “lighten things up.” Leaving only the wood floors the same, she worked with contractor Neal DePiano to bring in beautiful custom cabinetry from Wood-Mode that offered architectural interest and functionality. Top-ofthe- line Viking appliances, along with some of the homeowner’s favorite accessories, gave the space an efficient yet inviting feel. In every nook and…

Lively. Jubilant. Sublime. The fabric lines, the sewing patterns, the home accessories, the paper crafts, the instructional books, the sustainable undertones, and indeed, the creative process itself—all play a part in the vibrant collage that represents the life and style of Amy Butler. “I pull inspiration from everything around me,” says the world-renowned fabric designer and all-around creative genius who has captivated women of all ages with her fresh and fun approach to needle arts. Formerly a design director for Hallmark and a contributing editor for Country Living, Amy has found a multitude of ways to share her longtime passion for creativity. Immersed in art since childhood, she learned techniques from her mother and grandmother, both self-taught artists and crafters. Amy recalls watching them “dabble in and often master” a…

Fresh Broccoli Salad Makes 8 servings 4 cups broccoli florets 3 cups cauliflower florets 1 (8-ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms 2 cups halved grape tomatoes 1 cup chopped green olives 1 shallot, minced 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1. In a large bowl, combine broccoli, cauliflower, mushrooms, tomatoes, olives, and shallot; set aside. In the work bowl of a food processor or container of a blender, combine lemon juice, cheese, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper; process until smooth. 2. With processor or blender running, slowly pour in oil until well combined. Pour over salad. Toss salad 1 hour before serving. Cover and chill. Note: If…

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. COVER Cake Stand; HomeGoods. Linens and Server; Pottery Barn. Plates; Anthropologie. CONTENTS PAGE 14: Succulent; Smith & Hawken. LADY'S CHOICE PAGE 24: Pure Beech Sateen Sheet Set in Champagne, Bamboo Washcloths in Ivory, and San Pablo Marble Soap Dish; Bed Bath & Beyond. ENTERTAINING TOUCHES PAGE 40: Neva Jali Vases; Lunares. Floral design; Flower Stems. Plants; Andy’s. MIX & MATCH: SUSTAINABLE STYLE PAGES 42-43: Napkin and Flatware; World Market. Salt Cellars, Cream and Sugar Set; Tricia’s Treasures. Floral design; Flower Stems. SEASONAL SETTINGS: GARDEN VARIETY PAGES 44-47: Linens; Smith…

1. {SIMPLY FRESH} These triple-milled soaps feature calming rose extracts and balancing magnolia bark. –KC Kimono Rose Bar Soap Set, $20; Thymes, 800-366-4071; thymes.com. 2. {SILKY SOFT} Deeply quench skin with this nutrient-enriched, lavender-scented oil. –AA Natural Lavender Body Oil, $6.99; Watkins Inc., 507-457-3300; watkinsonline.com. 3. {TRUE BLUE} Each pretty bottle comes tied with silk ribbon and a snippet of prose. –AF Oiseau Eau De Toilette in Darling Blue, $28; Anthropologie, 800- 309-2500; anthropologie.com. 4. {SUGARY SMOOTH} Real brown sugar, massaging bubbles, and hints of citrus simply melt stress away. –KJ Fresh SugarBath Lemon Bath Cubes, $34; Sephora, 877-737-4672; sephora.com. 5. {PURE SHIMMER} This powder, complete with old-fashioned puff, offers a sweet fragrance and healthy glow. –JR Shedonism Divine Dusting Powder, $35; Origins, 800-674-4467; origins.com. 6. {JUST BREATHE} Whispers of favorite botanicals lend an alluring aroma…

My daughter and I have been reading The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, first published in 1911. Even today, with the author’s magical descriptions of plants and, in particular, roses, we can almost inhale their intoxicating scents. In my own garden, I favor the old-fashioned roses that thrive with a minimum of care. I like to combine them with shrubs and perennials in my mixed border. With this approach, my garden looks nice even when the roses finish blooming. A rambler that can also easily be trained as a climber, Rosa ‘Zephirine Drouhin’ is a favorite of mine, with delightfully fragrant cerise-pink blooms. This thornless old-fashioned Bourbon rose blooms in the spring and then on and off during the summer and fall. While most roses perform best in a…

floral allure Lily-pad chargers lend whimsy to everyday accessories and also pair well with plates bearing exuberant posies. Recycle felt clips as ever-blooming napkin rings, and balance antique pitchers by adding bamboo details in the fresh flowers and flatware. DINNER PLATE Nantucket Basket Dinner Plate, $30; Wedgwood, 866-714-0592; wedgwoodusa.com. SALAD PLATE Floral Porcelain Plate, $24.99 for set of 4; Target, 800-591-3869; target.com. NAPKIN & PLACE MAT Linen Hemstitch Napkins in White, $54 for set of 6, and Linen Hemstitch Place Mat in Green Apple, $9 each; Pottery Barn, 888-779- 5176; potterybarn.com. NAPKIN RING Felt Flower Clips, $19 for set of 6; Pottery Barn Kids, 800-993-4923; potterybarnkids.com. pleasing nature Found in sky, land, and sea, blue and green are the ultimate hues of sustainability. Float the charger on a neutral cloth…

For such a getaway, little forethought is needed. No packing and hauling luggage required—though a glass of iced tea to bring along might be nice. Travel time depends on how long it takes you to reach the nearest botanical garden or that of a dear friend. If you are a gardener, it only amounts to the minutes it takes to step outside your back door. Enter a garden in the early morning and you experience its gentle awakening—you feel it as you tread softly on grass wet with dew. Your eyes may catch sight of dewdrop diamonds glistening on the petals of a rose. With a little luck, the slanting sun might highlight beads of dew outlining a spider’s web. By midday, the garden’s greatest gift may be the shade…

Partway between the seaside attractions of Myrtle Beach and the quieter shores of Pawleys Island, Brookgreen Gardens brings together the best of sculpture, nature, and wildlife. Founders Archer and Anna Huntington first visited this picturesque section of the Grand Strand in 1929 and immediately fell in love with the 9,100 acres of forest, swamp, shore, and field that had once encompassed four different rice plantations. The couple originally planned to build a simple oceanside winter home, but they soon decided instead to create a public museum that would preserve native Lowcountry flora and fauna while showcasing American figurative arts. With more than 1,200 works by 350 artists, this outdoor museum is as well known for its bronze and aluminum sculptures as it is for its lovely manicured landscapes. One of…

sleeping beauty Reward yourself at the end of the day with bed linens as pampering as a bubble bath and as pretty as an afternoon in June. Eco-friendly bamboo bedding has all the softness of silk without the slipping and sliding that makes it virtually impossible to have a neatly made bed. And, it keeps you cooler on hot summer nights, making it a perfect choice for your Southern sensibilities. Silky Bamboo Sheets, $33 to $239; VivaTerra, 800-233-6011; vivaterra.com. Naturalist John Burroughs once said, “I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.” The natural world is truly an endless source of inspiration. The ribbons of color at sunset, the cheerful chirping of the lark at dawn, the calming cadence of rain…

FRESH BERRIES WITH CITRUS MINT SYRUP Makes about 9 cups 3 cups water 1 lemon, peel removed and cut into strips 1 lime, peel removed and cut into strips 1 cup fresh mint leaves 3 cups sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice 3 cups fresh blueberries 3 cups fresh raspberries 3 cups fresh blackberries Garnish: sugared mint sprigs 1. In a medium saucepan, combine water, lemon peel, and lime peel. Bring to a boil over high heat. Remove from heat, and add mint leaves; cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Strain mixture, discarding solids. Stir in sugar. Cook over medium-high heat until mixture reaches 224° on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and lime juice. Cool for 15 minutes. 2. In…

For many of us in the South, a day in the garden is a fine day indeed. Our staff often swaps stories of successes (and failures) we’ve had potting and planting. One such discussion led to a conversation about how many beautiful gardens there are in our region, which in turn, brought up a specific name: Erica Glasener. Associate Editor Karen Callaway has been a longtime fan of her HGTV show, A Gardener’s Diary, and Assistant Editor Kathleen Johnston had also recently discovered—and delighted in—Erica’s biweekly column in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Like a tiny seed, the idea was planted, and it quickly blossomed into a feature article in our May/June 2008 issue. Kathleen cultivated quite a friendship with Erica during the back and forth that typically accompanies such a story,…

Bradley Geoghagan comes from a long line of woodworkers in Pensacola, Florida. In fact, he’s the seventh generation in his family to create beautiful and functional works of art from wood. “I used to introduce myself as my father’s son, or Edwin Thorn’s grandson, or Clayton Geoghagan’s grandson,” says Bradley. “It gave me a certain credit right away. Very young, I began to appreciate that they were leaving a good name for me.” Now Bradley is returning the favor. In his father’s refurbished 1950s woodworking shop, which sits no more than 5 feet from the house he grew up in (and now lives in again), Bradley preserves the art and heritage of the Geoghagan woodworking trade. His two sons, who are 7 and 3, work in the shop beside their…

Though wheatgrass has gotten a lot of attention lately for its supposed health benefits—yes, it is edible—I love it for the natural pizzazz it brings to an arrangement. Even a small bed of the vibrant green grass can give simple fresh flowers the grandness of a complete garden. Better yet, wheatgrass is both quick and easy to grow, and since it will flourish in a container of just about any size or shape, you can get really creative. For a cheery tabletop flower bed like the one shown here, start with a container of wheatgrass that has reached about 3 to 4 inches or your desired height. Remove an area of the grass where you want to “plant” flowers, and insert wet floral foam to fill the space. Arrange fresh…

Little bunnies frolic among cabbages and carrots on emerald-patterned plates, providing the idea behind a summertime setting that celebrates goodies from the garden. As green is the order of the day—and the season as well—spread it across the table with abundance. An ivory-hued tablecloth is the first layer in this tribute to summer’s healthy harvest. Turn cabbage-embroidered napkins at an angle to create a place mat, then top with woven rattan chargers. Since the bunny pattern is a bit busy, use simple fluted plates for a basic white background. Encircle grass-green napkins with “picket fence” rings to mimic a traditional garden enclosure. Use straight-from-the-garden produce to decorate the table. Cabbage, kale, and carrots mingle with cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and red potatoes for a clever centerpiece now and savory side dishes…

Summer sweeps in with its much-awaited brilliance, showing off its signature array of colors and scents— and you want it all. The local nurseryman would gladly fulfill that wish, but perhaps your space is limited to a small porch or deck. Rather than staring longingly at empty areas, get creative. The solution to your green-thumb aspirations is simpler—and infinitely prettier—than you may think: container gardening. This relatively trouble-free form of landscaping allows you to plant a miniature, moveable “garden on wheels” in anything from simple pots to fruit crates to vintage cookie tins. Whether it’s the dramatic pop of a single shade or an interesting assortment of several varieties, container gardening offers both the benefit of low maintenance and the freedom to mix and move plants where they look and…

For the man who trotted along beside your first wobbly attempts at riding a bike and turned your prom date into an absolute gentleman with just one look, nothing but the best will do. This day in June gives us a chance to show our dads just how much they mean to us. The close bond between Stylist Adrienne Alldredge and her golf-pro pop inspired a summery tablescape and menu worthy of their endearing mutual affection. Jerry Alldredge is no duffer in the dad department, and Adrienne created a setting that celebrates both this wonderful man and his connection to the game. To mimic a putting green, begin with a “grass” place mat, then add a golf ball place card, laying up like a perfect chip shot, at each seat.…

For writer, restaurant critic, and chef Holly Herrick, there is nothing like a day at the farmers’ market. Often accompanied by her chocolate cocker spaniel, Tann Mann, Holly loves to visit with farmers and neighbors while filling her broad, shallow basket with fresh greens, legumes, berries, flowers, and whatever other aromatic goodies entice her. She brings along no grocery list, explaining it “defies everything these markets are about,” and relies instead on her culinary imagination and an insatiable appetite for flavorful, local food. It’s exactly this cook-what-the-market-moves-me-to attitude that prompted each of the farm-fresh recipes found in Holly’s Southern Farmers Market Cookbook. Open to any page and you’ll experience her fervor for both justpicked produce—“the sheer indulgence of biting into a tree-ripened Southern peach while the juices run down your…

In the small steeps and valleys of north Alabama, just before you cross the Tennessee River and reach the state line, take a turn off the highway into the small town of Decatur. Here you’ll discover a land of color and imagination, a land of found treasures and of granted dreams. The place is Trish Land, an enchanting boutique envisioned by the Renaissance woman who shares its name. With experience as a performing artist, hair and makeup stylist, interior designer, event planner, painter, and florist, owner Trish Land fashioned her shop to be a charming mélange that touches on all her talents. Locals know this is the spot for garden goodies and beautiful florals, and visitors short on inspiration will surely find renewal in the vintage furniture and unique accessories.…