Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2020 i Southern Lady

As always, Christmastime finds me grateful for the many blessings in my life, more than I could possibly name. But one feels especially close to my heart this time around: the blessing of family. What a year it has been, and there is such delight in being surrounded by the ones I love most, reviving the same treasured rituals that have made the holidays special since I was a small child. Like most families, we’ve added to and modified our traditions over the years as our kids married and grandkids were born. I’ve shared a little of our story on page 91, and I hope reading it brings a smile to your face, just as reminiscing did to mine. Throughout the rest of this issue, we offer decorating ideas, recipes,…

Starting behind the wheel of a refurbished yellow school bus, Jael and Dan Rattigan have sown the seeds of cacao-bean bliss from Minnesota to Costa Rica to their most fruitful operation: French Broad Chocolate in Asheville, North Carolina. Their restaurant, café, and boutique delight patrons with scrumptious confections like a molten truffle-in-a-cup and seasonal favorites such as bonbons and peppermint bark—all with the main element crafted at their own factory. Finding the best ingredients for their delectables is of utmost importance to Jael and Dan, whose adventure began in Minnesota nearly two decades ago. “We are very meticulous about our sourcing,” says Jael. The pair is also committed to supporting local farmers and craftsmen, a sentiment that dates to a stint on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica working hand…

As a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, pomegranates lend an air of graciousness to decorative arrangements fashioned this time of year, whether tucked into wreaths, set at individual place settings, or perched amid fresh flowers. A silver footed cachepot serves as the foundation for the bouquet, creating a versatile display that’s suited for home vignettes or for gifting to neighbors and friends. Snow-white peonies, cream garden roses, and vermilion anemones surround the crimson fruit, which is secured in floral foam with a wooden skewer. Twigs of winterberry and feathery astilbe add texture to the mix, while cedar tree clippings spill forth and provide lush contrast. Stagger the stems and branches at varying heights, granting the pomegranate due prominence as it conveys well-wishes to those who pause in appreciation of…

When Anita Rankin and her husband decided to downsize, the seasoned designer had no intention of parting with all the furnishings and fixtures she’s collected over the years. Instead, she dreamed up a house that let her scale back without sacrificing the generous wall space and sense of grandeur she’d grown attached to in her family’s 4,500-square-foot homestead overlooking Mobile Bay. As a couple in their 70s, the Rankins desired a more manageable place that would still accommodate their sophisticated, traditional style. Yet, the combination proved difficult to come by in an area well-known for its petite cottages framed by moss-laden live oaks. “I was frustrated with trying to find a smaller footprint with a bigger presence, so I wouldn’t have to give up the things I love,” says Anita.…

TOKENS OF REMEMBRANCE As a celebration of camaraderie and keepsakes, close friends gather to share in the season’s tradition of giving and receiving. Whether brand-new or handpicked from the guests’ personal collections, holiday baubles wrapped with care make heartfelt gifts that double as mementos. A palette of royal blue, cranberry, and cream energizes a tableau that punctuates the party’s main event. Glinting ornaments parade around the border of porcelain plates, and stylized place card holders are an apt addition, mimicking the glittery balls that festoon tree branches all through December. On the tablecloth, a subtle metallic-foil pattern anchors a twosome of gold chargers in differing shapes. Understated silver flatware and etched glass mugs complement the scheme, while lively arrangements of roses, scabiosas, hypericum berries, and abundant greenery provide captivating color.…

Buttermilk-Orange Rolls MAKES 10 Dough: ¼ cup warm water (105° to 110°)1 (0.25-ounce) package active dry yeast3½ cups all-purpose flour¼ cup granulated sugar1½ teaspoons kosher salt¾ cup whole buttermilk1 large egg, lightly beaten6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened Filling: ½ cup unsalted butter, softened¼ cup firmly packed light brown sugar2 tablespoons orange zest Glaze: ¼ cup whole buttermilk2 ounces cream cheese, softened2¼ cups confectioners’ sugar⅛ teaspoon vanilla extractGarnish: orange zest 1. For dough: In a small bowl, combine ¼ cup warm water and yeast. Let stand until mixture is foamy, about 5 minutes. 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine flour, granulated sugar, and salt. With mixer on low speed, add yeast mixture, ¾ cup buttermilk, egg, and butter. Increase mixer speed to…

COVER Styling by Sidney Bragiel. Photography by John O’Hagan. See Let it Glow. ENTERTAINING TOUCHES: PEEKABOO SURPRISE Page 25: Peace on Earth blue bauble stocking; Bauble Stockings. Wedgwood Lavender on Cream dinner plate and Noritake Monteleone salad plate; Replacements, Ltd. MIX & MATCH: SIMPLY RADIANT Page 31: Rosenthal-Continental White Velvet (Platinum) dinner plate, Spode Winter’s Eve Blue (Camilla Shape) salad plate, and Oneida Silver Act I five-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Patina napkin in white, gunmetal, and silver; Kim Seybert. Page 33: Rosenthal-Continental White Velvet (Platinum) dinner plate; Royal Copenhagen Star Fluted salad plate and flat cup and saucer set; Oneida Silver Golden Juilliard five-piece place setting; and Waterford Christmas Suite water goblet; Replacements, Ltd. Alcott Hill napkin ring; Wayfair. SEASONAL SETTINGS: EVERGREEN ALLURE Pages 39–43: Interiors; Keleigh Cleveland of…

SILENT NIGHT We typically host Christmas Day at our house, and it’s always a wonderful blend of family time and traditions, from our handmade stockings filled with surprises to the sausage balls we nibble while opening gifts. But perhaps the best part comes at evening’s end, after the presents are neatly stacked, the kitchen is clean, and the good tableware is put away. As everyone else settles down with their new books and other diversions, I like to steal into the living room for a few quiet moments to myself, a cup of hot chocolate or eggnog in hand. I switch off all the lamps, leaving only the glow of the tree, and curl up in my favorite armchair to reflect on a beautiful day and the meaning of the…

They say there’s no place like home for the holidays, but after almost two decades in the interior design industry, Colleen Waguespack was struck by a surprising seasonal trend: nothing was made to last. “In looking for Christmas decorations that were the quality of what we use on the interior design side, I found they weren’t being made of timeless materials you’d be interested in pulling out year after year,” she says. “It started with saying, ‘Gosh, we should make stockings and tree skirts for clients in fabrics that complement their houses, rather than Christmas being such a departure [in appearance].’” The decision to do just that inspired her to create Fig & Dove, a curated collection of fine decorative accents for the well-appointed home. Colleen got her start in…

ESPRIT OF LIGHT Swirls of light and glittering gold radiate celestial purity on a tabletop awaiting an extraordinary feast to extoll Christmastide for all who gather on the glorious day. The satin sheen of baubles lifts abundant white blooms enhanced by dinner plates and goblets trimmed in artful metallic flora. A single silver bell with a place card at each setting sits ready to ring in the grand celebration as an angel trumpets glad tidings to those prepared for gift giving in glee. Assorted votives and napkin rings of tiny spheres muster a polished touch, resting upon an alabaster linen and place mats formed with points to remind of mid-winter’s falling snowflakes. ABIDING TASTES A festive Brandy Alexander with chocolate and cinnamon notes heralds a menu that matches the lavish…

There’s a saying that the more things change, the more they stay the same. As I pulled my sparkly baubles and faux greenery out of storage and fluffed them up for this year’s celebration, that phrase kept going through my head. It’s important, especially in light of the pandemic, to entertain those nearest and dearest with the traditions they’ve become accustomed to. At the same time, we have to tweak some traditions to meet the changing needs of our families and our times—not just this year, but every year. As children, my siblings, Janice and Keith, and I awaited with wonder the lovely gifts, mouthwatering food, and glad-hearted bustle surrounding the joyful event of Jesus’s birth. Janice and I always wanted something homemade, and Mother would oblige us with outfits…

Mussels with White Wine-Tomato Sauce MAKES 4 APPETIZER SERVINGS 2 pounds of fresh mussels, debearded1 tablespoon yellow cornmeal4 tablespoons unsalted butter1 cup finely diced yellow onion¼ cup sliced garlic1 (28-ounce) can whole plum tomatoes1 cup dry white wine1 teaspoon kosher salt1 teaspoon ground black pepper¼ cup heavy whipping cream½ cup chopped parsleyFrench baguette, for servingGarnish: chopped fresh parsley 1. Fill a large bowl with very cold water and add mussels and cornmeal. Leave uncovered and place in refrigerator for 1 hour. This allows the mussels to expel their sand and any grainy bits. Scrub mussels and rinse well. For optimal food safety, examine mussels and discard any that have a damaged shell or remain open and will not close by tapping lightly on the shell. 2. In a large skillet,…

The exquisite elegance of Rosenthal-Continental’s White Velvet dinner plate offers a pristine backdrop for various wintertime schemes. Reminiscent of branches clothed in a glistening coat of snow, its subtle border accentuates the picturesque scene on the salad plate. A blue-tinted goblet and sapphire silk ribbon complement the china’s palette, while silver touches highlight the dinner plate’s platinum rim. Miniature ornaments and a sprig of fresh greenery add a festive flair. (Page 33) A jovial pairing of traditional red and green elevates the inspiration plate for a sophisticated celebration as gold and silver accents meld. Complete with a toy-filled garland motif, the salad plate and coordinating teacup and saucer evoke the excitement of treasures under the tree waiting to be unwrapped.…

GLAMOROUS SHEEN Time-honored china patterns and a parade of resplendent tableware ring in this jubilant season, showcasing the perennial appeal of cheery favorites. Trimmed with a garland of holly, Lenox’s Holiday dinner plate takes on an elevated presence when paired with luminous accents. A mottled ivory-and-gold charger grounds the setting, and a simple personalized accent plate makes way for gilded flatware and crystal glasses, glistening in the light of a votive candle. (Opposite) Against a shiny foundation, Pickard’s Winter Festival salad dish reigns atop Wedgwood’s Anthemion Ruby dinner plate. Continue the classic palette with an embroidered napkin, a red-tinted glass, and a twirling crimson ribbon that emulates the salad plate’s decorative border. NODS TO NOEL Whether going bold or sticking to a subdued scheme, complementary accessories vivify subtle seasonal motifs.…

ORNAMENTAL ELEGANCE Gather in the heart of the home amid a glowing display of neutrals, natural greens, and golden hues. The subtle scheme earns interest not from traditional holiday colors, but instead from assorted embellishments that meld shapes and sizes, patterns and textures, and festive finishes of sleek gloss and flashy shimmer. Artful touches enhance the refined ambience, from intricate spheres hanging on twinkling branches to handcrafted stockings with a Champagne-gold grain that glistens against the light of the flames below. A flourishing tree, topped with a majestic angel and anchored by an abundance of smartly wrapped presents, reminds of the many blessings we reflect on this time of year. LUSH & LUSTROUS Echoing the fullness of the noble tree, a stately mantel is dressed in copious swaths of garland,…