Innholdsfortegnelse for January - February 2012 i Southern Lady

AFTER ALL TH E HUSTLE A ND BUSTLE of the holidays, we happi ly heed winter ’s c all to curl up i nside and enjoy the cozy com forts. To that end, this issue of Southern Lady is filled w ith ways t o celebr at e t he great indoors, from a frilly and feminine tea par ty for fr iends to a romantic and elegant movie night for s weethear ts. The beautiful laceinspired dinnerware in Seasonal Settings reminds me of snow flakes— a perfect tribute to th is shivery time of year. January is also an ideal time to do a little a rmcha ir traveling. We pop into Memphis to v isit Gracela nd, home of the legendary Elvis Presley, and for T wo Days…

THE GARDEN LANE Just purchased my first copy of Southern Lady magazine and I’ll be taking out a subscription. Love, love, love it! I’m a 7th generation Southern lady from Mobile, Alabama, and this beautiful magazine truly does capture the essence of Southern hospitality, love of home and family. ANGIE SANDERS Beautiful Fall issue! Especially like the feature of my cousin Scott and his wife and their fundraiser 147millionorphans. Thank you for publishing info on their wonderful mission! CAROL DUKE TRENT Lovely, lovely magazine! I smile when my latest copy comes!!! BONNIE LLEWELLYN SEELINGER Thank you for the Fall issue, and especially your magazine. It’s the best kind of indulgence for a transplanted Southern girl. :) A few of your favorite things from November/December 2011: CHRISTY HOWELL WELCH This Tennessee…

For years, Barbara McGarrah built a solid reputation in Florida’s capital city as a designer and seamstress making custom suits for women professionals. Then, a 100-pound bag of peanuts arrived on her doorstep. Hoping to revive an old tradition, Barb had ordered the bag— the smallest bulk quantity available— to make homemade brittle to send as gifts to her large family. But looking back, Barb laughs and says, “I made brittle for everyone I could think of, and I still had 50 pounds left!” So when she found out about an approaching crafts fair at the local senior center, she hatched an idea, started making more candy, and recruited help from friends and family to develop a brittle booth. “I tell people to this day it was the smartest decision…

THINK OUTSIDE THE GLASS to create a clever tabletop display that combines common elements in a most uncommon way. To achieve this elegant arrangement, just invert a stemmed glass over a single blossom—roses and even alstroemeria look especially lovely— then group several glasses together. Place a pretty votive candle atop each upturned glass, and step back to admire the view. Guests will marvel at this easy-to-accomplish yet oh-so pretty focal point for your dining table or any other spot in your home.…

VINTAGE VIBES Sheet music from past eras is usually pretty easy to come by, but finding antique musical instruments might take a little more legwork. I’ve found that estate sales are a great place to discover well-loved instruments that are ideal for display, particularly brass pieces and hand-painted dulcimers and autoharps. THERE ARE FEW THINGS that make me happier than sitting down at my piano and playing the afternoon away. Though the room where I have my own piano also functions as a den, I love the idea of a dedicated music room where I could surround myself with music memorabilia. Framed Broadway playbills and vintage sheet music would make great wall décor, and the space would be perfect for displaying a collection of antique instruments. I would add a…

Create a clever canine hidea©ay. Oh, how we love our puppy pals! They never wake up cranky, always have wet-nose kisses at the ready, and regard simple tennis balls as the ultimate in entertainment. But finding a way to integrate a king-size pet crate into our home décor poses quite a conundrum. Fortunately, our dog-loving friends at Pate-Meadows Designs (patemeadows.com) have found a solution that beautifully corrals our precious pooches and keeps them close by. The ladies created a fabric cover-up that slips right over a pet crate, turning it into an attractive bedside table with a doggone sweet secret.…

LUXE LIGHTING A cut glass chandelier, which Elvis Presley bought during an after-hours Memphis shopping trip, hangs above the foyer’s grand staircase, giving visitors a first glimpse of Graceland’s glitz and glamour. When Mississippi-born Elvis Presley began his rapid rise to stardom, he and parents Vernon and Gladys realized they needed more privacy than their home near downtown Memphis afforded. So in 1957, the 22-year-old singer flew home from filming in Hollywood just long enough to purchase a new place for his family, a remote estate known as Graceland. Once a working cattle farm named for the original landowner, Grace Toof, the expansive property became not only a refuge from fame and fans but also a canvas for Elvis’s unmistakable style and, eventually, a major chapter in his legendary story.…

ELEMENT OF FUN A bit of British influence appears in this pristine setting that is accented with happy spots of color. A lacy table topper anchors the scene with ladylike style, while teacups that dangle by ribbons from the chandelier allude to funloving and fanciful possibilities. THE MOST DELIGHTFUL WAY Cast aside the idea that everything must match, and embrace the pure jubilee that accompanies creative combinations. Pair old china patterns with new ones, and work plenty of printed linens and various flatware patterns into the setting. CHIM CHIM CHERRY SCONES Makes ? dozen ? cups all-purpose flour ? tablespoons sugar ¹⁄? teaspoon baking powder ¹⁄? teaspoon baking soda ¹⁄? teaspoon salt ¹⁄? cup cold butter, cut into pieces ¹⁄? cup finely chopped maraschino cherries ? cup plus ? tablespoon…

SEAFOOD CHOWDER Makes about ?. quarts ¹⁄ pound bacon, diced cups chopped yellow onion cup chopped celery cup chopped carrot tablespoon minced garlic bay leaves teaspoons salt teaspoon ground black pepper ¹⁄ cup all-purpose flour cups seafood stock* ? pounds potatoes, cut into ?-inch pieces cups fresh or frozen corn kernels cups heavy whipping cream pound fresh cod fillets, cut into -inch pieces ? pound medium fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined ? pound large fresh sea scallops, cut into ?-inch pieces ? (?-ounce) container lump crabmeat, picked ?. In a large Dutch oven, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Add onion, celery, carrot, garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Cook for ? to ? minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender. Add flour; cook for ? minutes, stirring constantly. Add seafood…

In the great treasury of Southern food, there is perhaps none more simple, delectable, varied, revered, and nostalgic than the biscuit. Descended from the humble flour-and-water dry bread known best to soldiers, sailors, and travelers as hardtack, biscuits have evolved over generations to endure as one of the region’s premier delicacies. They have become an all-occasion edible, at home on catered party platters and homemade pot pies alike. And, of course, the “original” is still a celebrated sight at meals, especially when accompanied by preserves or gravy. Southern Biscuits explores the beloved staple in both its historical and modern-day forms—from entrée accompaniments to dessert indulgences, classic recipes to creative variations—and it also serves as a helpful companion for all levels of biscuit bakers. For those interested in the scientific intricacies,…

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 Tea Cake Stand; Rosanna. Flatware (5-Piece Place Setting); Cake Vintage. Watercolor Pastels Tea Cup and Saucer; Anthropologie. SINCERELY PAGE 10: Stationery; Wiley Valentine. MIX & MATCH: SWEET SOPHISTICATION PAGES 22-23: Chair Place Card Holder; At Home Furnishings. Floral Designs; Tana Avery of Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. SEASONAL SETTINGS: WINTER REVELRY PAGES 24-27: Tablecloth, Napkins, and Centerpiece Container; Bromberg’s. Dinnerware and Ornaments used as coasters under votives; Maggie Weldon Designs. Celery Vases used as votives; Two’s Company. Floral Designs; Alan Townsend of Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. Bird Figurines and…

BRITISH INVASION page 32 I studied for a stint across the pond, and while there, I developed an affinity for all things British. So when I recently discovered freehand machine-embroidery art from the UK’s Three Red Apples, it became instant inspiration for a room redo in this installment of Fresh Look. (There’s also a friendly nod to our favorite British nanny in Set to Serve, starting on page 68.) LOVE ME TENDER page 50 When I say that my mother is an Elvis Presley fan, it is an understatement. At the mention of his name, she gets all shook up, and then she tells me about the time she missed his concert because her soon-to-be mother-in-law was throwing her a bridal shower on the same day. (Note: Southern ladies don’t…

STORAGE SOLUTIONS Use these beautiful green glass canisters for holding everything from wooden spoons to cotton balls. Antique Mason Jars, $139 for small, $179 for large; Europe 2 You, available through potterybarn.com. AROMA-DERCI This deliciously fragrant travel-size candle ensures sweet scents will follow wherever you go. Florence Candelina in Orris Rose, $16; Tocca, tocca.com. CLEAN SWEEP Learn the fine art of simplifying with this guide to a more serene life. The Joy of Less book, $12.95; Amazon; amazon.com. TIDY UP We love these amazing cleansers— your home can be both clean and green! Laundry products in Sweet Pea, starting at $10.50, Signature Bucket, $20, and Brushes, starting at $5; Caldrea, caldrea.com. Cleaning products in assorted scents, starting at $3.99; Mrs. Meyer’s, mrsmeyers.com. SLEEPING BEAUTY This soft, gauzy pants-set promises to…

THE INSPIRATION Detailed platinum borders that echo the exquisite trims of bridal gowns lend this fine bone china an air of romance. Vera Wang Grosgrain Dinnerware, $139 for 5-piece place setting; Wedgwood, wedgwood.com. ELEGANT OPTIONS Create dramatic depth with layers of aubergine, then add softness with delicate blooms and a charming napkin ring. Plum Ava Goblet, $19.96 for set of 4, Plum Ava Flute, $19.96 for set of 4, and Owl Napkin Ring, $15.96 for set of 4; World Market, worldmarket.com. Josephine Runner in Prunelle, $139.92, Cailloute Napkin in Carmin, $18.48 each, and Cailloute Tablecloth in Carmin, $193.60; Garnier- ier Thiebaut, gtlinens.com. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Put a cosmopolitan spin on Valentine's tableaus with posh accents, such as alligator place mats. Then incorporate classic elements like ruffled napkins to balance the scene.…

BOLD IN COLOR YET DEMURE by design, this mounded cube arrangement makes a darling Valentine’s display. (Note: Short flowers tend to outlast their long-stemmed counterparts.) Tana Avery of Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market (dorothymcdaniel.com) began by lining the vase with aspidistra leaves; then she created a symphony of sweetheart shades with pink anemones, red tulips, raspberry stock, antique green hydrangeas, hot pink peonies, red spray roses, pink dorit roses, and pink hyacinths.…

baby mine Like an aerie tucked among the clouds, a lovely-in-lavender room offers the perfect surround for the sweetest slumber. A quilted banner bearing the monogram of the new arrival hangs over a crib fluffed with sumptuous bedding. Bring in a plump rocker, just right for soothing a sleepy baby, then add personal touches to the space, like an heirloom gown hung on the bureau and a needlework birth announcement mounted on the changing table. Use pretty wicker baskets to keep tiny toys and such neatly tucked away. everything nice Leave no doubt that royalty resides in this pretty palace with a room fit for a petite princess. Paint the walls dainty pink, then channel your inner Country French designer to add flowery and feminine details, such as hand-painted furniture,…

MUSIC OF THE NIGHT While the sweet strains of the movie soundtrack fill the room, treat guests to a array of hors d’oeuvres served on silver salvers and gold-trimmed china. Set the stage for glamour with silky crimson linens and extravagant floral arrangements composed of roses, dahlias, and hanging amaranthus, then add romantic candlelight to suit this special occasion. COSMOPOLITAN PUNCH Makes about ? gallons ? (??-ounce) bottles cranberry juice cocktail, chilled cup sugar ²⁄ cup fresh lime juice cups vodka cup lime-flavored vodka (-liter) bottle lemon-lime-flavored carbonated beverage, chilled ?. In a large bowl, combine cranberry juice cocktail, sugar, and lime juice. Stir until sugar dissolves. Add vodka, limeflavored vodka, and lemon-lime-flavored beverage, and stir gently to combine. LOBSTER NEWBURG DIP Makes ?? to ?? servings (-ounce) packages cream…

CITY GUARDIAN While visitors might be a bit puzzled at the sight of a 56-foottall iron man looming over the city, Birminghamians love the big, friendly giant that stands guard atop Red Mountain. The cast-iron statue of Vulcan, Roman god of the fire and forge, was built for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. In 1936, he was moved to this permanent home where visitors get a spectacular view of the Magic City. The morning mists rise over the Cahaba River, lending a mystical quality to the scenic ribbon of water that gently meanders through the southern suburbs of Birmingham. The city and its sprawling neighborhoods wrap around Red Mountain—the primary source of the ore that fed the area’s iron and steel industry in its heyday—and spill out across…

So Christmas has come and gone, and you’re already missing that jingle-bell joy that is part and parcel of the season. Don’t worry. There’s a way to make the magic last a little longer and ward off January’s chill at the same time. Simply stir up a piping hot mug of decadent Peppermint-White Chocolate Royale from our Holidays issue (available on newsstands or at southernlady magazine.com). Fold crushed peppermint candy into traditional whipped cream to garnish, and you have a sweet reminder of the holidays to carry you into the year ahead. PEPPERMINT-WHITE CHOCOLATE ROYALE Makes ? to ? servings cups half-and-half cups milk ¹⁄ cup peppermint syrup tablespoons vanilla extract (-ounce) bars white chocolate, chopped Garnish: peppermint whipped cream, white chocolate curls ?. In a large saucepan, combine half-andhalf,…

SISTER SUBSCRIBERS Just wanted to tell you . . . I love your magazine. I had never seen it until I visited my sister in Kentucky, and she had a copy on the table. I looked at it and told her, “I have to get this magazine.” So now I pick it up and thoroughly enjoy it. Thanks for a wonderful magazine! Liz Epperson Fairborn, Ohio INSPIRING READING I love Southern Lady magazine! I can never wait when I finish reading the magazine for the next issue to come out! It’s a beautiful, inspiring magazine that I adore reading and flipping through. Thank you! Kim Vaughn Inman, South Carolina JOB WELL DONE Just bought my first copy of your magazine, and I have to tell you . . . I…

GRACEFUL LACE Artisan Maggie Weldon uses vintage crocheted doilies to imprint delicate lacy patterns on her pottery plates. Use these pretty pieces as the base for a setting that honors the beauty of the winter season, then add details such as raffia-wrapped votives and tiny branches tucked into simple ribbon napkin rings. There is an undeniable elegance to the simplicity of a winter landscape. Bare branches reach into the soft gray sky like a ballerina stretching her arms in high-fifth position. The sun paints each and every cloud with lustrous silver linings. And should the forecast call for snow, we are blessed with delicate flakes that cascade as softly as a lullaby toward the waiting ground. Take your inspiration from this pretty precipitation, and build a seasonal tablescape around lace-imprinted…

in Stitches Draw color inspiration from an accent piece—in this case a pair of weathered shutters in robin’s egg blue—and add splashes throughout to tie the room together. For a lovely wall display, frame pretty fabrics in several sizes of embroidery hoops. You can add an inspiring word with precut letters (available at crafts stores) strung on twine, or try your hand at appliquéing and embroidering simple sayings. Shine on Take a white lampshade from boring to beautiful by simply wrapping it in twine. This interesting textural element can be varied a bit by using ribbon or fabric strips. Use sepia-tone photos and a pair of coordinating scrapbook papers to brighten up basic frames. To spruce up a plain pillar candle, attach whole cinnamon sticks with cool-melt glue, then finish…

Warm welcome Both a sense of grandeur and a feeling of familial warmth pervade this home in Alabama’s capital city thanks to distinctive architecture, special building materials, and elegant, personal furnishings. Original CHARM The homeowners wanted their newly built home to have an old-world feel, so the architect opted for elements like exposed brick floors, walls, and columns. For the downstairs ceilings, salvaged wood beams create a handsome focal point that is at once dramatic and inviting. Double doors on either side of the mantel appear to be ordinary closets, but they actually conceal shallow shelves arranged with treasured Christmas collectibles. The doors remain closed for most of the year, then open in November to reveal instant holiday trimmings. Dining Outdoors A furnished veranda acts as an entertaining space nearly…