Innholdsfortegnelse for Celebrate Christmas 2010 i Southern Lady

In this issue, I am sharing with you the photos from our wedding. Neal and I were married a year ago beside our Christmas tree, surrounded by our children and family—it was the perfect evening. He even had his favorite Krispy Kreme crullers stacked as a cake! Dottie Smith at Edgar’s Bakery created my cake, which was reminiscent of birthday cakes from my childhood: white cake with pecan-cherry filling! What a dream. This issue is packed with creative ideas for making your holidays festive. It doesn’t have to be a huge event; it can be a small dinner for two. It is the people in our lives that make life worth celebrating. Put your special touch on the holidays this season, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Dream…

Chocolate Peppermint Spirals Makes about 2½ dozen cookies 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened 2½ cups confectioners’ sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4½ cups all-purpose flour, divided 2 teaspoons salt ½ cup finely chopped soft peppermints 1 teaspoon peppermint extract ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 egg white, lightly beaten In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in 4 cups flour and salt. Place 2 cups dough in a separate bowl; add remaining ½ cup flour, peppermints, and peppermint extract, beating well. Roll dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper into 2 (12x10-inch) rectangles. Chill for 1 hour. Add cocoa powder to remaining dough, beating well. Roll dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper…

Brian Hoffman and a few friends came up with a plan for an alternative party, free from stress. They put on their favorite flannel pajamas, showed a classic Christmas movie, and popped a little corn. And there they had it—the makings of a party that was relaxing and fun. It just may become a new holiday tradition. Eggnog Makes 10 servings 2 . cups whole milk ⅔ cup half-and-half . cup sugar 6 large eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract . teaspoon salt . teaspoon ground cinnamon . teaspoon ground nutmeg . cup dark rum Garnish: ground nutmeg In a large saucepan, whisk together milk, half-and-half, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Bring just to a boil over mediumhigh heat, whisking constantly until thickened. Immediately pour into a serving bowl. Stir…

When I was a little girl, there was this wonderful song that my Daddy had on one of his Christmas albums sung by the Ray Conniff Singers, “Christmas Bride.” My sister and I would listen to it over and over again every holiday season until we were grown. Each time we would dream of a Christmas wedding and all the things that would make it so amazing. Well this past December, my dream came true. When Neal and I started planning our wedding, we wanted an evening of candlelight, tree lights, and our family with us. So that is exactly what we had. Our friend Joaquin Hernandez went to his family’s farm in North Carolina and returned with our 14-foot tree. The day before it stood in the living room,…

Your hand-wrapped gifts will really get noticed with colorful wrapping paper designs created by Whimsy Press, Midori, French Paper Co., and Superior Gift Wrap. Vintage patterns are especially popular this year. Add a touch of flair with colorful ribbon available from Midori, May Arts, and Superior Gift Wrap. Try layering ribbon on packages to create a new look while adding charming texture. Finally search craft stores for stickers or scrapbooking decorations to embellish your wrapped gifts. make it personal local stationery stores can help you create personalized tags (middle far right), or create your own gift tags using card stock, stamps, and stickers found at your local craft store. Foam ornament gift cards and wooden holiday greetings also found at craft stores will add instant flair to any package. fun…

Our Christmas invitation designed by Jessica Stalnaker can be used for any of your Christmas parties this year. Take it to your favorite copy shop or copy and print at home. If desired, you can also download the card at hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate. Make these designs your own! Copy directly from the magazine or download them at hoffmanmedia.com/celebrate Merry Christmas from Happy Holidays from Gift tags designed by Breanne Jackson grab your slippers and join us for a PaJaMa PaRtY! WHEN? WHERE? WHAT TIME? RSVP:…

We are in a flurry of wrapping and writing here at Hoff man Media as we get ready to ship our Christmas issue. It’s September and 90-something degrees outside so we aren’t singing carols quite yet. But nonetheless, Christmas is taking over the photo studio and our desktops. Working out of season is a challenge. You begin to wonder what month it really is, and why stores are selling Halloween decorations when you are writing Christmas stories. It’s a funny out-of-sync world. But in sync or out, we have ideas for you to make this Christmas one to celebrate. Before the holidays get into full swing, check out our wreath-making party. With a couple of easy how-tos you and your friends can make a wreath to welcome the season. There…

Most towns host Christmas celebrations that last a weekend, or maybe two. Not this small, funny-named town Natchitoches, Louisiana, (pronounced Nack-a-tish). Despite its size, when it throws a holiday festival, it’s big! In 1926, the city’s head electrician strung some lights downtown as a gift to town residents from the Power and Light Department, later dubbing it the “City of Lights.” The oldest city in the state (it’s 4 years older than New Orleans) dating back to 1714, Nachitoches earned true recognition, however, when the iconic movie Steel Magnolias was fittingly filmed there. Today, people flock from all over the country to be a part of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, a true holiday memory maker. The big event, held the first weekend in December, includes a street parade,…

1. White Christmas 2. A Charlie Brown Christmas 3. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 5. Frosty the Snowman 6. It’s a Wonderful Life 7. The Bishop’s Wife 8. Holiday Inn 9. Christmas in Connecticut 10. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation 11. A Christmas Story 12. The Polar Express 13. The Santa Clause 14. Home Alone 15. Elf 16. Miracle on 34th Street 17. Santa Claus: The Movie 18. Scrooged 19. The Muppet Christmas Carol 20. The Holiday…

Menu Beef Tenderloin Port Wine Sauce Green Beans with Bacon and Peppers Squash and Onion Casserole Garlic and Herb Mashed Potatoes Chocolate Fudge Cake with Raspberry Sauce The night before Christmas is always filled with family traditions and memories. This elegant menu featuring a splurge-worthy beef tenderloin with a rich port wine sauce is just right for celebrating with family and friends. A decadent chocolate cake with sweet raspberry sauce and whipped cream is the perfect ending to a special evening, sending to you to bed with visions of sugarplums dancing in your head. Beef Tenderloin Makes 8 to 10 servings 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 (6- to 7-pound ) beef tenderloin, trimmed 1 tablespoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper Port Wine Sauce (recipe follows) Preheat oven…

Menu Perfect Mashed Potatoes Carrot Casserole Bistro Rolls Ravioli with Shrimp and Scallops Herb-Rubbed Beef Tenderloin Caramel Dessert Cups Keep the table simple and sparkling by filling silver or glass compotes with mercury glass Christmas ornaments and silver baking dragées. Use a pressed white tablecloth and simple white dishes to serve this stellar meal. Have plenty of Champagne on hand and lots of candles. Perfect Mashed Potatoes Makes about 6 servings 1½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and quartered lengthwise 1 teaspoon salt, divided 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon whole milk ½ teaspoon ground black pepper Garnish: fresh thyme In a large Dutch oven, combine potatoes and water to cover. Add ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer,…

Red and green are tried-and-true Christmas colors, but the vibrant hues in this whimsical confectioned-themed décor will bring merriment to any holiday gathering. With a little imagination, a wink toward the bright and bold, and our expert tips, your Christmas tablescapes are sure to have your guests dreaming of dancing sugarplums! M ixing and matching colors, textures, and patterns in your dinnerware, placemats, and napkins adds a touch of fun, not to mention candylike appeal, to a table. Here, we chose bold colors and candy-inspired patterns such as swirls, stripes, and polka dots. To carry out the sweetshop theme, we substituted kitchen towels for napkins and used an oversize lollipop as a unique fork rest at each place setting. Sugar-cookie ornaments in the shape of guests’ initials serve as place…

Seasonal Delights Pages 11-15 –mailing tube, UPS Store; clear bags and paper, Michaels; clear plastic boxes, Paper Orchid; ribbon, May Arts Ornament Exchange Pages 22-29–wreath, Morgan Wood Painter; drink tray, Santa ornament, plates, and shrimp cups, Pier 1; punch bowl and glasses, Bed Bath & Beyond; martini glasses, Target Wreath Decorating Party Pages 34-44 –vegetable and pinecone wreath designs, Chris Carter at Christopher Glenn, Inc.; square wreath form, Davis Wholesale Florist; evergreen wreath, Laurel Springs Boxwoods A Christmas Bride Page 45-51 –Holiday Tartan china, Lenox; plaid ornaments, Michaels; flowers, Lillie’s Flowers for Weddings and Celebrations The Night Before Christmas… Page 52-59–dinner plates, salad plates, red pitchers, and red platter, Vietri; placemats, Target Pancake Breakfast Page 60-67–plates, placemats, platters, and mugs, Vietri; small white bowls, glass syrup pitchers, juice glasses, and…

Save change with an ornament exchange party. This holiday, instead of buying individual gifts for all your friends, invite them to bring one ornament to exchange with other friends. Everyone goes home with a gift and a little more jingle in their pockets. Citrus Punch Makes 20 cups 6 cups pineapple juice 4 cups orange juice 4 cups prepared refrigerated lemonade 4 cups ginger ale 2 cups pink grapefruit juice Garnish: pineapple slices, orange slices, and fresh mint In a large punch bowl filled wiThice, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, lemonade, ginger ale, and grapefruit juice. Serve chilled. Garnish with pineapple slices, orange slices, and mint, if desired. Cranberry Cocktail Makes 1 drink 3 ounces cranberry juice 2½ ounces simple syrup 1½ ounces gin ¼ ounce fresh lemon juice Garnish:…

SUGGESTED TOPPINGS: Walnuts in syrup Caramel Fresh Fruit Buttermilk Pancakes with Cranberry-Pear Syrup Makes 4 servings or 12 (3-inch) pancakes 1¼ cups self-rising flour 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ teaspoon salt 1 cup whole buttermilk 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter 1 large egg, lightly beaten ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 recipe Cranberry-Pear Syrup (recipe follows) Garnish: whipped cream, fresh mint In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In a separate small bowl, whisk together buttermilk, butter, egg, and vanilla. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir until just combined. Lightly grease a nonstick skillet, and place over medium heat. Lightly grease a 3-inch round stainless steel ring. Pour approximately . cup batter into ring. Cook for approximately 6 to 8 minutes, or…

Happy New Year! Menu Garlic-Cheddar Cornbread Muffins Lucky Stew Citrus and Fennel Salad with Honey Lime Vinaigrette Good Luck Cake Almond Cream Cheese Frosting To ensure 2011 starts off with a bang and is a year of happiness and prosperity, you need to be mindful of what you eat New Year’s Day. Black-eyed peas and other legumes are thought to bring good luck in many cultures. In the South, in addition to black-eyed peas, collard greens are supposed to bring money; and cornbread, wealth. The hog is also considered lucky because it symbolizes prosperity. So dig into this delicious menu and be prepared for a very successful new year. Garlic-Cheddar Cornbread Muffins Makes 1 dozen ½ cup butter, divided ½ cup chopped green onion 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1½ cups…

Carole didn’t start out in the floral business. Her mother loved flowers, and as a child Carole would play in the garden. But when she went off to college she didn’t study horticulture; she studied home economics and textiles. It was by happenstance that Carole even became a floral designer. A friend who was getting married asked for her help with the flowers. One wedding led to another, and Lagniappe Designs was born. Carole met and married David Sullivan, and over the years they became the parents of five boys. By the time all five were in college, Carole was committed to her business. She started with one or two employees and now has fifteen. There’s no retail shop, but Carole keeps busy providing beautiful floral arrangements and designs for…