Innholdsfortegnelse for Celebrate Spring 2009 i Southern Lady

Just hearing the word makes me happy! Celebrate? As I ponder that word I've come to realize that everyday should be celebrated to the fullest. Don’t get me wrong, I love a big party with great music and food, but I also love small intimate gatherings. Each opportunity we have to make a moment special should be celebrated with great excitement. Spring is a reminder of the world starting over with new colors, flowers, and breathtaking sights. Easter eggs, beautiful daffodils, and colorful tulips are all a part of the splendor of spring. One of my favorite “old” customs is May baskets. Inside, you’ll find splendid ideas for surprising someone special with an age-old custom of a May basket. Anyone that knows me knows that I love monograms. Imagine my…

There are many theories out there to explain the origin of April Fool’s Day. Some tend to think the holiday dates back to ancient times and celebrations such as the Romans’ spring festival, Hilaria, or a Northern European festival celebrated in honor of Lud, the Celtic god of humor. Then, there are those who hold fast to the idea that April Fool’s Day came about in the 16th century when a new calendar was adopted, switching the date of the new year from April 1 to January 1. According to legend, there were a few Frenchmen who didn’t get the message and continued to celebrate New Year’s Day on April 1, earning them a designation as “April Fools.” Kidding Around In the realm of jokedom, there are certain items that…

Or, combine flowers such as roses, callas, tulips, and oriental lilies. Wire bunches of like flowers together for fullness, and arrange in a basket lined with plastic and filled with wet oasis. Add forsythia branches for an eyecatching accent. Chubby bare feet toddle on lush green grass. Little girls preen in pastel dresses with matching hairbows, and little boys sport john-johns and just-polished Sunday shoes. Rainbowcolored eggs wait to be found, and baskets full of sugary confections bring sticky smiles to happy faces. It’s four o’clock on the Saturday before Easter. A hundred children, with parents looking on, are running across the lush lawns of this antebellum homestead with one goal in mind: Find the golden egg. Most, however, will settle quite nicely for the sweet, gooey delights of the…

Menu Asparagus soup Creamy trout almondine Stuffed zucchini Wild rice pilaf Parmesan-peppercorn biscuits Lemon-stuffed angel food cake Asparagus Soup Makes 8 to 10 servings 1/4 cup butter 1/2 cup chopped onion 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 cups chicken broth 2 bunches asparagus, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces 1 1/2 cups half-and-half 1 cup sour cream Garnish: asparagus tips In a large Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook for 5 minutes, or until tender. Add flour, tarragon, and salt; cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and asparagus; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes. In the container of an electric blender, process asparagus mixture, in batches, until smooth.…

From the moment a young woman realizes that she has met The One, she practices writing her future name in flowery scrolls over and over, admiring the way it looks. A bride is quite taken with her monogram and the thought of it adorning the happy couple’s household possessions, right down to the bathroom soap. Knowing that, what could possibly be more appreciated than a monogram shower? Monograms always add such lovely touches; they introduce a note of elegance to everything they grace. The invitation may specify monograms, but there is a limitless variety of gifts that can bear the couple’s initials. Silver is always a good choice; trays, pitchers, and frames are easily engraved. Traditionally, monogrammed linens are wonderful gifts, ones that can be passed down through generations. Think…

Whether you’re planning a shower for a blushing bride or a tea party for 20, first impressions mean everything. In fact, the timeless practice of selecting, addressing, and sending invitations has become a beloved tradition for a history of hostesses. Gayle Driggers, product manager of social stationery at Crane & Co., Inc., knows firsthand the everlasting appeal of a well-designed invitation. “In a world where we see so much impersonal communication in our daily lives, a personal invitation is something that stands out amid the clutter and is all the more valuable because it does,” she promises. As a general rule, the invitation you send suggests the type of event you are planning. Color selection, both of the paper and printing, the lettering style, the printing technique, and any additional…

When Julia Azar started her stationery company more than 10 years ago in Memphis, she said to her mother, “Mom, if we can have fun doing this, let’s do it.” Well, it must be fun because Julia and her mom, Ellie, have a thriving business. Julia says, “At the first year of the National Stationery Show in New York City, we designed a 14-foot-high castle. We were all dressed in princess gowns and very impressive paper crowns (crowns I made on the airplane from Memphis to New York). We received a recognition award that year, but we were so new we weren’t sure what it meant.” The second year they chose a western theme, and wore chaps, holsters, and cowboy hats. Bales of hay decorated the booth and straw was…

For an easy do-ahead party dessert, choose from the selection of pound cake recipes submitted by our readers. Cream Cheese Poppy Seed Pound Cake by Billie Joyce McClendon Makes 1 (10-inch) pound cake 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 2 ¼ cups sugar ¼ cup poppy seeds 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 6 large eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt Glaze (recipe follows) Garnish: sliced lemon Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 10-inch tube pan with nonstick baking spray with flour. In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating well after each addition. Add poppy seeds and vanilla, beating well to combine. Add eggs, one at…

Menu Coconut Cream Pie • Coconut Bird Nests Buttermilk Coconut Pie • Coconut Macaroons Chocolate Coconut Balls • Coconut-Chocolate Chip Cookies Coconut Cream Pie Makes 8 servings 1 1/4 cups sugar 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 4 large eggs, separated 1/4 cup evaporated milk 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 cups whole milk 1 1/3 cups sweetened flaked coconut, divided 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided 1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/3 cup sugar Preheat oven to 325°. In the top of a double boiler, combine sugar and flour. Whisk in egg yolks, evaporated milk, and melted butter until well blended. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over simmering water for 5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in 1 cup coconut and…

May Day—typically celebrated on the first day of May, began centuries ago as a Celtic holiday that marked the end of the harsh winter weather. Citizens gathered together to rejoice in the magic of springtime and the renewal of the earth. Pink, red, purple, and green, May Day baskets boast of springtime’s brightest offerings. As an added surprise for the bouquet’s recipient, incorporate your friend’s favorite floral varieties into the arrangement. Step-by-Step Before you begin, line the container with a small plastic sandwich bag. Raffia can be tied around the top to help hold the bag in place, if desired. 1. To make your own May Day basket, you can use a single floral variety or a host of complementing blossoms. Here, we used roses, stock, ranunculus, tulips, wax flower,…

Oh, the promise of new life that comes with a wedding: quiet mornings shared over coffee, lazy afternoons at the park, and late-night movies complete with popcorn. Tried, true, and treasured by betrothed couples and partygoers alike, around-the-clock showers offer an opportunity to give gifts that can be enjoyed throughout the day. The idea is simple. Once you’ve finished your bright and bold invitations, add a creative card to assign each guest a different hour of the day. Then wait to see what these friends will select—great gifts for the new couple corresponding to their given time: seven a.m. calls for matching bathrobes; noon, a pretty picnic basket; six in the evening suggests cocktail glasses; and nine p.m. brings beautiful bedding. Before the party, decorate the buffet with an assorted…

Invitations made from color swatches and pint-sized paint cans filled with happy tulips set the tone for this home improvement-themed gathering. Let your creativity be your guide as you search for ways to incorporate brushes, canvas, and hues into your party decorations. Guests need not worry about what to wear to this relaxed get-together. Casual and comfortable clothing is required attire for this painting adventure that has plenty of fun-filled spill-and-splatter potential. Teach your companions how to create a textured look on the walls in just a few easy steps, and before you know it, the talk may turn to a repeat of this process at one of your fellow painter’s homes. While the paint dries in between treatments, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and chat over delicious…

Designer Kathryn Gage of Kat in the Hat Designs created a spring invitation just for you. It’s perfect for an Easter egg hunt, a brunch, or spring birthday party. Above, a blank version is ready for your party information. Copy the artwork onto card stock, and fill in with specifics— who, when, where, and time. Or, scan the artwork and fill in on your computer, and then print the desired number of copies. A helpful hint—buy your envelopes before you print copies to ensure the card fits the envelope.…

Menu Blarney Scones • Blackstrap Biscuits Guinness® Ginger Cakes • Tipsy Squire Trifles Donnelly Tarts History Lesson Of course, there’s more to St. Patrick’s Day than just the color green. First, there’s the enigmatic man himself. You may have heard the legend of St. Patrick driving the snakes out of Ireland, but this is widely believed to be false. So, who was the real St. Patrick, and what did he do for Ireland that was so special that he merits his own holiday? His major claim to fame is that he spread Christianity to Ireland. At the tender age of 16, the Britishborn Patrick was captured by Irish raiders and taken back to their native country, where he spent six years in captivity. He eventually escaped back to Britain, but…

Menu tacos al carbon spicy mexican rice refried black beans mexican white cheese dip tomatillo salsa guacamole red and green shrimp enchiladas sopapillas mock sangria Tacos al Carbon Makes 12 servings 1 (4 1/2-pound) beef brisket, trimmed 2 tablespoons firmly packed brown sugar 1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chili powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon onion powder 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Flour tortillas Toppings: shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped tomatoes, salsa, guacamole, shredded lettuce Preheat oven to 300°. Place brisket, fat side down, in a large roasting pan. In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, powders, parsley, salt, and pepper. Rub spice mixture over top of brisket. Cover, and seal pan with foil. Bake for 4 hours and 30 minutes. Remove brisket…

Start a growing sensation among garden enthusiasts with a themed luncheon that’s absolutely budding with opportunities for your creativity to blossom. Donning a wide-brimmed hat, planting tidy rows of seeds, carefully watering each one from day to day, then watching as the tiny plants burst from the soil and grow and grow— such are the pleasures of a gardener. For those who cherish this pastime, a weekly meeting with other avid gardners is eagerly awaited, especially in the summertime when there are plenty of crops and seedlings to share. Inspired by this idea, a plant swap brings the group together for a splendid afternoon that’s full of surprises. Miniature watering cans, rakes, and shovels peeking from the table’s centerpiece of various greens draw guests near for a closer look. Pottery…

Long before Amanda McLean said yes to Bruce Mink, Jr., she dreamed of being married in a garden she had admired since she was a little girl. “I just knew that this would be the most wonderful place to be married,” says Amanda. Amanda’s mother, Yukie McLean, asked floral designer Cathy R. Blach of Jasmine Flowerworks to help make the setting even more special. “We wanted the flowers to flow into the garden a very casual look,” Yukie says. “I hoped it would feel more like a party than a big formal wedding,” adds Amanda, who thought a comfortable style would set the mood for an intimate gathering. To complement the apple-red dresses she had chosen for her attendants, the bride selected shades of red, yellow, and green, colors that…

Fresh from the Bunny Trail Things to gather: Clear glass containers of various sizes Jelly beans in a variety of colors Gerbera daisies Place a smaller glass cylinder in the middle of each glass container. Fill the space in between the two with an assortment of jelly beans. Layer the candy by color for a bold impact or mix them up. Before you place your daisies, add water to the inside cylinders. Luck of the Irish Things to gather: A variety of small glass vases A shamrock plant Fill the vases with clear water or water tinted green. Clip shamrocks from the plant and fill each vase with just one or two. Scatter the vases in the center of the table. Can Can Things to gather: New unused paint cans…