Innholdsfortegnelse for March/April 2023 i Southern Lady

CAROLINA CALLING It’s been more than two decades since I first visited Davidson, North Carolina, but I remember clearly how it charmed me from the start. I arrived on a mild, sunny day in late March, and both the town and its namesake college campus were lush with azaleas, dogwoods, and cherry blossoms, the Greek Revival buildings dappled with shade from towering oak and sweet gum trees. All these years later, Davidson is more delightful than ever, and on page 51, we take you on a jaunt through the highlights that combine for a perfect spring getaway. Be sure to make time for my personal favorite: Main Street Books, a terrific independent bookshop whose staff recommendations never fail to hit the mark. From weekend escapes to milestone birthdays, our March/April…

When Anne Neilson painted her first angel, the lifelong creative was at a crossroads. Then, a day volunteering at a homeless shelter inspired her career path that led to a gallery, home goods line, and her latest book Entertaining Angels: True Stories and Art Inspired by Divine Encounters. “I painted this one little angel and sent it to my sister. She said, ‘You’ve found your voice,’” Anne says of that first painting completed when she was a teacher seeking a new vocation. Now, her art and the wares inspired by her angels have touched people around the world, including celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Kathie Lee Gifford. In Entertaining Angels, Anne explores how ordinary people can act as “angels” in each other’s lives with a collection of stories from herself and…

As delicate as garden buds unfurling beneath the springtime sun, a diminutive display of hand-dyed eggs and fresh blooms lends a little Easter joy. Start by making a small hole in the top of an egg with a thumbtack or needle. From there, carefully poke away at the eggshell until you have a sizable opening. Empty the contents of the egg and gently rinse the inside. Dip the shell into the dye of your choice, holding it steady until your preferred color develops. Allow it to dry completely before placing in an egg cup. Add water and then nestle in dainty florals like ‘Lemon Drift’ roses, green hydrangeas, and waxflowers. Pose one atop each place setting in a festive tablescape, or arrange a few on a silver tray for a…

FRUITFUL ABUNDANCE The charming Basket pattern by Villeroy & Boch from 1983 adds a cheery splash of sunshine year-round. Bright scalloped linens and glassware in citrus shades pair with a tablecloth bearing lemons and large-scale blossoms; woven-handled gold flatware carries out the sense of warmth. VISION IN CREAM Introduced in 1927, Patrician by Wedgwood anchors a soft scheme that whispers of springtime, including a pink lettuce ware salad plate and a napkin embroidered with fanciful vines. A curvy blush charger and an ombré silk ribbon of the same hue layer in feminine flair. ROSY REVERIE Inspired by a French pattern created for Marie Antoinette, Haviland’s 1974 Louveciennes is wreathed in lush florals. A coordinating dessert plate and tablecloth, plus a tumbler and napkin dotted with dainty pink petals, play up…

LAUGHTER AND LIGHT Convivial chatter echoes among companions in a space cloaked in a dreamy palette. Blue-and-white dishware lends classic elegance alongside floral arrangements tinted with feminine shades of fuchsia and blush. Candlesticks modeled after feathered friends present an exotic touch with towering aqua tapers, while geometric motifs in the tablecloth and rattan place mats accent the stylish tableau. Partygoers dine on a light menu of soup and salad followed by delicate pink cupcakes as the guest of honor opens pretty parcels, delighting in the thoughtful gifts bestowed. Cherry-Lemon Sparkler MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS 1½ cups sugar1½ cups water2 cups fresh lemon juice1½ ounces gin (optional)4 cups sparkling water3 tablespoons grenadineGarnish: maraschino cherries, lemon slices 1. In a small saucepan, bring sugar and 1½ cups water to a boil…

Crawfish Wedge Salad MAKES 4 SERVINGS 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped1 pound crawfish tails, rinsed and drained2 tablespoons all-purpose flour1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning½ cup sliced green onion1 large head iceberg lettuceCajun Buttermilk Dressing (recipe follows)1 cup halved grape tomatoesLemon wedges, to serveGarnish: chopped fresh parsley 1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in skillet. 2. Pat crawfish dry with a paper towel. In a large bowl, toss together crawfish, flour, and Cajun seasoning. Add to skillet and cook over medium heat until crispy. Add green onion and cook for 1 minute. Remove from skillet and let drain on paper towels. 3. Remove core from lettuce, keeping lettuce intact. Rinse and drain.…

Vibrant foliage trails the gently scalloped edge of Maison Numen’s Green Ivy charger, giving life to two garden-inspired vignettes. Highlight the charger’s viridescent detailing with complementary pink garnishes, like rosy glassware, a whimsical teacup and saucer embellished with petals, and a napkin awash in watercolor blossoms. Gold accents bestow a hint of shine on a laurel-shaped napkin ring and coordinating bamboo flatware as a cheery floral teapot and fruity salad plate lend liveliness to the scene. Heighten the verdant charm of the inspiration plate with accents evoking the vivacity of warm-weather offerings. Linens appliquéd with lemons, a pitcher glazed in citrus colors, and glasses in a matching tint add refreshing touches, while the natural textures of the rattan place mat and wooden napkin ring ground the spirited vibe. The patinated…

BELOVED OCCASION The heady scents of fragrant petals swirl through the air as well-wishers celebrate a bride’s upcoming nuptial bliss at a honeymoon-themed affair. A fern pattern on the tablecloth accentuates the verdant setting where invitees partake of a honey-infused spread evoking the sweetness of love. Grounding the lush atmosphere, wicker detailing on chairs, vases, and napkin rings contrasts with soft elements like ruffled napkins and a pintucked place mat. Placed near touches of gold and silver in a framed menu and flatware, crisp white plates brighten the display that greets all who convene for this felicitous moment. Honeysuckle Sweet Tea MAKES ABOUT 2 QUARTS 8 cups water, divided3 tablespoons honeysuckle tea*, tied in cheesecloth with twine⅔ cup honey1 tablespoon fresh lemon juiceGarnish: thinly sliced lemons 1. In a medium…

Gone are the days when a white-gloved butler received calling cards to help the mistress of the house discern who might visit, but the shining silver tray he held to gather them is now a collectible with a fresh role in modern hospitality. “I have people come in and ask for them by name, card trays,” says Duncan Cox of the online store As You Like It Silver Shop. “I’m certain there are collectors for them because it is one of those oddball items like sewing implements or vestas (matchbox cases). There are a lot of collectors for items like that.” The card trays can be hard to find, although they are relatively inexpensive at about $200 to $400. “It’s a small item. It’s sterling silver, but it doesn’t break…

COVER See Glorious Repast. DIVINE INSPIRATION Pages 13 & 15: Art images taken from Entertaining Angels: True Stories and Art Inspired by Divine Encounters by Anne Neilson. Copyright © 2022 by Anne Neilson. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. LEAVES OF GREEN Pages 33–34: Green Ivy charger plate; Maison Numen. Villeroy & Boch French Garden Fleurence dinner plate; Replacements, Ltd. Milestone Tulips cup & saucer; Mottahedeh. Floral watercolor linen napkin; Arte Italica. Gold bamboo flatware; Blue Pheasant. Laurel leaves napkin wraps in gold; Frontgate. Page 35: Pitcher and green plate; Maison de France Antiques. BREATH OF FRESH AIR Pages 39–43: Vista Alegre Pavilion (Castelo Branco) service plate; Vista Alegre Pavilion (Castelo Branco) bread-and-butter plate; Ricci Amalfi 5-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Stemless wineglass in cobalt blue and martini glass in…

“I AWOKE THIS MORNING WITH GREAT THANKSGIVING FOR MY FRIENDS, THE OLD AND THE NEW.”—RALPH WALDO EMERSON, ESSAYIST AND PHILOSOPHER…

FRIENDSHIP BLOOMS CONGREGATE IN THE GARDEN TO MAKE USE OF THE SEASON’S BEST AND BRIGHTEST OFFERINGS AT A FLORAL-ARRANGING FÊTE. ARTFULLY ARRANGED Amid the flourishing beauty of an airy backyard, conversation flows freely as guests follow a demonstration in crafting a beautiful bouquet, jotting down notes in handmade booklets. A color scheme of soft pink and lavender matches the delicate tints of perennial favorites like peonies, hydrangeas, and roses, while satin ribbons and handwritten place cards enhance the setting’s aura. After an alfresco meal, the group moves to the petite worktable, where attendees can select from an assortment of fresh cuttings to assemble their own blossoming masterpieces. Elderflower Rosé Wine Spritzer MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS 2 (750ml) bottles rosé sparkling wine2 cups elderflower liqueur1 cup vodka1 cup fresh lemon…