Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2013 i Southern Lady

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10 THOUGH AUTUMN’S ARRIVAL IS SOMETIMES a bit belated in the South, I can already feel a hint of that telltale crispness in the morning air and see leaves making a turn toward the reds and golds I love so much. It’s the ideal time of year to plan outdoor activities for the whole family, and this issue of Southern Lady gets you started with a fabulous backyard carnival that children of all ages are sure to enjoy. And speaking of children, this installment of Gracious Living features a mural I painted with my grandson, Hays (see page 37)—we have so much fun together! It’s no secret Southerners love their porches, so we created an easy…

CLASSIC CHECKS Linen gingham napkins add a refined, traditional touch to an outdoor meal. Gingham Check Napkins in Blue, $22 for set of 4; Pottery Barn, potterybarn.com. MOVABLE FEAST Whether on the grass or at the beach, sip your wine with a worry-free mind. Bamboo Wine Table, $22; UncommonGoods, uncommongoods.com. SITTING PRETTY Enjoy the simplicity of a day outdoors by cloud watching on an oversize, dew-resistant blanket. Large Mega Mat in Blue Chambray, $59.99; Picnic-Plus, picnic-plus.com. ’S WONDERFUL Set the musical mood with jazzy love songs played on this portable turntable. Traveler in Tan, $129.95; Crosley Radio, crosleyradio.com. ALFRESCO OUTING Form and function blend flawlessly with this allyou- need basket for two. SunnyLIFE - Jervis Picnic Basket For 2, $99.95; Ron Robinson, ronrobinson.com. MY SEPTEMBER Embrace the romance of a…

Award-winning artist Debra Riffe works in an unforgiving medium. “Once you make cuts in linoleum, there’s no turning back,” she promises. “You have to be flexible and adapt. You never know what you’re going to get.” The same can be said of her artistic path. Gifted since youth, Debra recalls a childhood spent drawing “on anything they’d hand me—from white paper to paper bags.” At Howard University, she was trained to carry a sketchbook to capture all her doodles, ideas, and dreams in one place. This habit served her well when, as a mother of two young children, Debra spent hours sketching at sports practices and games. “I became fidgety when I’d sit for long periods of time, so I decided to look into needlepoint,” she recalls. She began transferring…

AS THE TEMPERATURES TRANSITION from the steamy heat of summer to the perfectly pleasant days of September, we often have an impromptu get-together outdoors with the dual purpose of reveling in the lovely weather and enjoying the camaraderie of friends. In keeping with the casual ambiance of the occasion, try this idea for a simple but stunning arrangement that takes its inspiration from autumn staples. Start with a galvanized bucket— the kind used in bobbing for apples—and fill it to the brim with water. Add both red delicious and Granny Smith apples, along with several floating candles. Fill in with a colorful variety of Southern-favorite zinnias, and you have the perfect accent to welcome the season.…

Best friends and Atlanta-area interior designers Joann Kandrac and Kelly Kole have created a partnership that balances both their visual and relationship styles. “Our business is very reflective of who we are,” they say. “It’s fun, sophisticated, hard working, and efficient.” Although both have a background in the business world— Joann in the legal field and Kelly in luxury-property management—they have always expressed an affinity for design and décor. After changing careers and earning a degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta, Kelly began working in the same design showroom where Joann was a merchandiser and buyer. The two first joined forces to execute a room in a designer showcase house, and they quickly realized their partnership was meant to be. With complementary personalities, styles, and work ethics, they soon…

DOUBLE TAKE Greet guests at the gate with a pretty wreath featuring the “last rose of summer.” Wrap a grapevine circle with silver Elaeagnus and purple leaf plum branches until the wreath is the desired degree of fullness. Fill in with September-blooming ‘Graham Thomas’ roses and mini green hydrangeas (as shown opposite). Extend the welcome with a unique faux fountain. Place a concrete urn atop a birdbath, and plant with low-maintenance Sedum—like ‘Sea Urchin’ and ‘Red Carpet’—allowing the plants to drape over the edge. TEACHER’S PET For kids—and moms—going back to school is something to celebrate, and this cheerful outdoor vignette does just that. Plant bright red zinnias in a vintage brass watering can, then allow others to peek out from the base of a potted evergreen. Combine ‘White Star’…

THOUGH I LOVE BEING A SOUTHERN LADY for many reasons, one of my favorites is the emphasis on family time. My parents embraced the idea of having extended family, so our home was often the hub for uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, and neighbors alike to gather for food and fun. We used every inch of our yard, playing tag and horseshoes, even turning garage finds into games. Those memories shaped the inspiration for our Backyard Carnival—complete with caramel apples—on page 68; we hope it warms your heart and inspires the child inside to host a play day of your own. As a whole, this issue nods a bit to nostalgia and celebrates age-old practices such as picnicking and food gifting, but of course, we did our best to introduce a…

PICTURE PERFECT Savor the memories, and snap some family portraits with a retro inspired camera. Diana F+ Camera, $89; Lomography USA, shop.lomography.com. SUMMER SERENADE Sing a sunny song accompanied by this cheery yellow ukulele. Kuranda Yellow Ukulele by SunnyLIFE, $29.95; Ron Robinson, ronrobinson.com. GAME ON Your family will have a ball with portable versions of these classic lawn games. St. Pierre Bocce Ball Championship Series with Wooden Box, $149.95; Tosso, tosso.com. St. Pierre Presidential Edition Horseshoe Set, $69.99; Hayneedle, hayneedle.com. IN THE BAG Pack a lunch to go in this stylish rattan bag that includes a carafe, jars, and all the accessories you’ll need for a party of four. Picnic Basket for Four, $199.95; RedEnvelope, redenvelope.com. BAKE AWAY Sweet and savory treats stay just the right temperature in this thermal…

THE INSPIRATION Neutral in color yet dynamic in style, this everyday pattern was modeled after an antique majolica lavabo. Basket Felice Dinner Plate in Crème by Provvista Designs, $110; Vignettes on Magnolia, 334-887-2980. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Welcome the approach of calm, refreshing fall with natural textures and apple-green accents. A few engaging details, such as marbled plates or enamel-dipped flatware, bring balance to the easygoing earth-tone scene. Firenze Marbleized Salad Plate in Green, $36, and Caning Place Mat in Green, $30; Juliska, juliska.com. Basket Felice Cereal Bowl in Crème by Provvista Designs, $80; Vignettes on Magnolia, 334-887-2980. Green Embroidered Chambray Napkin, $17.96 for set of 4, and White Enamel Flatware, $11.94 for set of 4 forks, knives, or spoons; World Market, worldmarket.com. La Primavera Glass in Green by Rose Anne Hall…

If you love the look of sunlight in your home, then you might think that bare windows is the only way to go. Well, we have another suggestion. Sometimes just a hint of decoration provides a pretty focal point while still allowing plenty of precious rays into the space, like with this simple but sophisticated topper from Pate-Meadows Designs. The idea for this clever project came from Leigh Pate, who found her inspiration in the decorative furniture knobs that are all the rage these days. Her daughter-in-law, Ann Yates Pate, was looking for the perfect window treatment for her kitchen, a charming and airy room that features open shelving and butcher-block countertops. The two selected a cheery fabric that seemed to suit the relaxed yet stylish design dreams. Leigh came…

KEEP ’EM SMILING Put a homemade spin on the annual county fair with a gathering to delight all ages. You probably have most of the makings on hand—classic Coke bottles for ring toss, tin cans to stack and knock down, a galvanized bucket to bob for apples. Pull other nostalgic favorites like bingo and backgammon from the game closet, and for an extra fun surprise, set up an old-fashioned photo booth (we rented ours from Magic City Photo Booths). It underscores the carnival atmosphere and frees up snap-happy guests to enjoy the party. PICNIC WITH PERKS A vintage Airstream trailer, decorated in cheery bunting and colorful balloons, sets the mood for this merry get-together. The menu for the day is filled with easy-to-manage dishes, so formal seating isn’t required. Scatter…

Though pretty in any season, Greensboro is particularly nice in fall when temperate days call for time spent outside, whether for a round of golf, recreation on the water, or strolling through downtown. At day’s end, retire to the lakeside Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation, to enjoy fine dining and family-friendly activities, including the ever-popular marshmallow roast (see page 97 for more). Journey into Georgia’s heartland and you’ll discover the picturesque community of Greensboro. Halfway between the bright lights of Atlanta and the tradition of Augusta, the town is building on its own rich history of King Cotton and rail travel to emerge as a destination known for leisure, luxury, and outdoor fun. Just a short drive away is the state’s second-largest lake, Lake Oconee, which draws swimmers, boaters, and heat-weary…

MOTHERLY MEMORIES I was pleasantly surprised to open your March/April 2013 issue and see my mother’s china pattern—Rutledge by Lenox— on page 41. My mom told me an aunt she didn’t even know that well registered that china pattern for her as a wedding gift for my parents’ wedding in 1950. In the years since, my mom has used the replacement service to add plates to her collection. My mother died the day after Mother’s Day in 2011, and, as the oldest daughter, I claimed her china. I can tell the replacement china from the original china—a secret my mom told me—and people tell me all the time how pretty and timeless the pattern is. I loved the article on using china from “days gone by.” Please continue to tell…

When Nancy Jenkins and her husband, Howard, opened the Snak Shak in Somerville, Alabama, in 1970, it was only one of an assortment of business ventures launched by the entrepreneurial couple. Their little dairy bar was the ideal place for students from the adjacent Brewer High School to meet and enjoy a milk shake after classes. The couple leased, and eventually sold, the restaurant after deciding to focus on other interests, but the building came up for sale again in 2004. With Nancy’s warnings not to bid fresh in his mind, Howard attended the auction with their daughter Sandra and purchased the property. “I said, ‘Well, I’m not setting foot in that restaurant,” recalls Nancy. She laughs and adds, “My friends have since asked me, ‘Which foot was it you…

DOWN-HOME DESIGN Soften the rustic look of a weatheredwood table by covering it with a crocheted cloth—the contrasting textures create the perfect blend for rustic romance. Layer with place mats knitted in a similar design, and top with a mix of dinnerware patterns from Natalie’s Alabama Chanin Collection from Heath Ceramics. Complete the setting with napkins from the designer’s line and daisy-etched La Primavera stemware from Rose Ann Hall Designs. The gentle stirring of an autumn breeze adds its blissful note t o the day. POSH PICNIC Venerable oak trees shelter this dressy-casual setting. The happy gathering is bound to last into the evening, so hang pierced-tin lanterns among the branches to light the area when the sun begins to fade. Relax and enjoy the day outdoors, and consider bringing…

Claudia Strasser may call modern Miami her home, but her heart is always inclined toward the historic streets of Paris. As a decorator and an antique buyer specializing in the classic French style, she spends much of her time traversing the Atlantic to find European antiques and accents for her growing list of clients. Not only does the thriving flea-market culture in the City of Light make Claudia’s job easy, it also gives her a glimpse into the storied past of France’s capital city. “Each piece tells a story of who may have owned it, and it’s great fun to imagine what her life was like— her loves, her social life, and her time in Paris,” she says. In her new book, Paris Flea Market Style, Claudia shares with us…

Among the posh enclaves dotting the southeastern shores of Florida’s peninsula lie the towns of Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, separated by a silver sliver of the Intracoastal Waterway. Palm Beach is known for Worth Avenue with its four-block section of high-end retailers, while her sister city to the west boasts the Antique Row Art & Design District—home to more than 50 antiques and specialty shops—and the monthly, spectacular West Palm Beach Antiques Festival. Each community has its own flavor and personality, and both are extremely walker friendly. Just park your car, and meander through the enchanting wares to your heart’s content. TREASURE HUNT For more than 20 years, the West Palm Beach Antiques Festival has drawn dealers from far and wide for a mind-boggling lineup of vintage goodies.…

MEALTIME MAGIC When summer’s heat subsides but the days still run long, it creates a magical window for outdoor living and entertaining. Take advantage by gathering family on the porch for a simple weeknight meal, and make it special with a few on-hand touches, such as beautiful linens, soft lighting, and garden flowers arranged in bottles and jam jars. Menu Ham and Swiss Bagel Bites Wedge Salad with Ranch Dressing Chicken Tortellini Soup Cheesy Cornmeal Rolls Butterscotch Toffee Blondies CHICKEN TORTELLINI SOUP Makes ?? to ?? servings ? tablespoons olive oil ? pound carrots, chopped ? large yellow onion, chopped ? cup chopped celery ? tablespoon minced garlic ? quarts chicken broth ? tablespoon garlic powder ? teaspoons Italian seasoning ? teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ? (?-ounce)…

From classically schooled chefs with sophisticated flavor pairings to home-trained cooks armed with family recipes, the South is full of fantastic food preparers. And though we may not agree on which barbecue style or college team is best, Tennesseean Chris Chamberlin says, “One place that Southerners always come together is at the table.” In his new book, The Southern Foodie: 100 Places to Eat in the South Before You Die (and the Recipes That Made Them Famous), Chris rounds up the best watering holes in 13 Southern states. From seafood dives to swank dining experiences and downhome comfort-food kitchens to seriously dedicated barbecue joints, all express the boundless potential of the region’s flavors. Chris introduces readers to the people and places keeping Southern food traditions alive. While you will certainly…