Innholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2022 i Southern Lady

Merry Christmas, friends! As I reflect on the blessings of this marvelous season, I have a new appreciation for the small moments that feel the most meaningful. Whether it’s singing a favorite carol at church, stitching in my sewing room, or catching up with my husband by the fire at the end of the day, these simple pleasures bring a deep sense of peace and contentment. There is such joy in being surrounded by the people and mementos I hold dear. One of the loveliest gift ideas I can imagine is to present each of your family members with a special object from your personal collection, accompanied by a handwritten note that tells its story. Some years ago, my mother began an annual tradition of giving us all one of…

When Jennifer Cline thinks of blue-and-white porcelain, she recalls a childhood spent rummaging through estate sales with her mother, grandmother, and aunts. Playfully squabbling over the best pieces for their treasured collections, the women in her family unknowingly instilled a keen interest in heirloom china that inspired her business. “Any time there was a reason for gifts, you always knew what their gifts would be to each other,” says Jennifer, whose online shop The Caroline Chateau features home décor, antiques, and classic chinoiserie. Early on, she started collaborating with European manufacturers to produce custom pieces like the popular blue-and-white delft ornaments she stocks for Christmas. The Hattiesburg native founded her vintage store in 2017 out of both passion and necessity. “I was a single mom in graduate school and between…

The regal hues of Mikasa’s Palatial Holly Gold salad plate, featuring a bundle of foliage with a darling bow, perfectly complement an assortment of rich shades to ring in the holidays. A refreshing color choice for a holiday arrangement, blue mingles with the salad plate and recasts it with seasonal flair fit for any interior. Navy and gold highlight the dinner and bread plates, while a linen encircled by a metallic ring repeats the accent color. Beaded embroidery on the napkin adds glamour; a coordinating sapphire-tinted glass draws the eye to this refined setting. The intricate golden edge of the inspiration plate lends a sophisticated air to an accompanying star-bedecked dinner plate, gilded-rim goblet, and ornate silverware handles. A tablecloth bordered by a pine cone motif accentuates the holly leaves…

“HEAP ON MORE WOOD! THE WIND IS CHILL; BUT LET IT WHISTLE AS IT WILL, WE’LL KEEP OUR CHRISTMAS MERRY STILL.”—SIR WALTER SCOTT, WRITER NATURAL GLEAM The perennial elegance of a well-designed fireplace reaches new heights this time of year, as classic details and luxuriant top notes mingle in harmony. Shades of green, gold, and white complement the traditional aesthetic of this space while imparting a flair fit for Christmas. A swag of magnolia leaves, sprinkled with gilded clusters of pine cones and pomegranates, anchors the scene set for a pair of velvet stockings and gifts wrapped to double as décor. Like snowflakes drifting on a winter’s day, poinsettias bob along the mantel at staggered heights in terra-cotta pots; calla lilies in similar vessels complete the display. OLD MEETS NEW…

“WHEN WE RECALL CHRISTMAS PAST, WE USUALLY FIND THAT THE SIMPLEST THINGS—NOT THE GREAT OCCASIONS—GIVE OFF THE GREATEST GLOW OF HAPPINESS.”—BOB HOPE, ENTERTAINER Goat Cheese and Pecan Crostini with Honey MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS 1 demi-loaf French bread2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil1 (4-ounce) package goat cheese, softened4 tablespoons honey, divided¼ teaspoon ground red pepper¼ teaspoon smoked paprika½ cup chopped toasted pecans1 teaspoon fresh oregano leavesSea salt flakes, for sprinklingGarnish: coarse ground black pepper 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Slice bread into 16 (¼-inch-thick) slices. Arrange bread slices on prepared baking sheet. Brush with olive oil. 3. Bake until golden brown and crisp, 10 to 15 minutes. 4. In a small bowl, whisk together goat cheese and 2 tablespoons honey until…

WELCOME ONE & ALL During his childhood in the Mississippi Delta, my husband’s family always hosted an open house on Christmas Eve, a tradition friends and family looked forward to every year. It was a laid-back affair, with a buffet of nibbles and sweets plus a big pot of homemade hot chocolate at the ready. My mother-in-law would have everything set out on the table before they left for church, and after the service, the home would fill to bursting, from the minister and the mayor to little ones bubbling over with excitement about Santa. Guests who had visitors from out of town would bring them along to share in the fun—the more the merrier! Likewise, our open house feature on page 81 draws on that spirit of hospitality. Invite…

Beaming as a beacon of cheer during winter’s chilly embrace, pristine potted paperwhites are elevated in this festive floral display. Top the soil of these stately blossoms with a mossy bed dotted by ornaments; situate the arrangement in a silver vessel tied up like a gift with a ruby velvet ribbon. Enhance the scene with a sprinkle of elements nestled in a snow-white cloth. A stack of scarlet tomes serves as a foundation for a bowl of baubles and bells encircled by cuttings from the Christmas tree, while a nearby vase gathers roses, baby’s breath, and more tree sprigs. Lay any remaining roses delicately at the forefront of the scene, interspersed with metallic votives, for a resplendent setting sure to inspire guests to appreciate its winsome elegance.…

COME ON IN As the final days of the year wind down, take time to share a convivial atmosphere and a delicious mélange of goodies with a Christmastime open house for neighborhood families. Sparkling Citrus Punch and lively, lyrical carols add sparkle to the affair, featuring a menu of delectable finger foods and sweet treats to delight guests. A tabletop teeming with festive china, silver bud vases, shiny miniature trees, and gleaming ornaments offers joyous allure. Red and white roses stand out in a fuss-free centerpiece lush with evergreens and decorative berries, all surrounded by linens that accentuate the season’s traditional colors. Poinsettias, beautifully wrapped gifts, stockings, and a tall flocked tree set the ambience for this merry occasion. BRIMMING BUFFET The savory scent of spinach dip with bacon will…

Of all the symbols of the holidays, a classic wreath casts a welcoming glow unlike any other. Why not greet each guest personally at your table with a small boxwood circle brightly adorned? A pretty textured chair cover sets the backdrop for this scene, while a wide satin ribbon secured lengthwise around the chairback creates the perfect perch to attach the wreath. To make the bow, use wired ribbon in a traditional red or festive color of your choice to tie the ring of greenery to the wide strip. Adjust the loops, coil the fabric around your finger for curled tails, and then sit back to enjoy the refrain of sprightly carols and friends gathered for scrumptious food and fine fellowship.…

TASTEFULLY FESTIVE Whether shaped into creative cottages or ornaments, gingerbread kindles remembrances of a joy-filled December pastime. Fashion an endearing tableau that heralds this lighthearted staple of the season. A striped runner sets a carefree tone while a matching napkin at each setting nestles between a white ceramic dinner plate and a duo of dishes embellished with old-fashioned toys. Stylized soldiers and candlelit trees are encircled by artful holly wreaths that gently echo the fresh garland of Fraser fir, seeded eucalyptus, and pepperberry sweeping across the table’s center. Assorted floral arrangements brim with crimson peonies, red roses, calla lilies, and more greenery for a presentation as pretty as the iced confections awaiting gathered companions. For the final fitting detail, top each coffee mug with tiny gingerbread houses almost too adorable…

For Maggie and David Griffin and their two young sons, Henry and Samuel, Christmas is a family affair that begins well before Thanksgiving. “Generally, we start in early November,” Maggie says. “We love Christmas. I decorate super early so we can truly enjoy it for a longer period of time.” From following the Advent calendar and reading all of the Christmas books passed down from David’s mother to donning matching holiday pajamas, the Griffin family wholeheartedly embraces their traditions. “Christmas with children is so very special. We talk a lot about how Christmas is really about being with those we love and celebrating the arrival of Jesus,” Maggie says. “Our neighborhood is full of young families with kids, and sharing in the excitement is a highlight.” The Griffins have called…

MERRY AND MELLOW Settle in for a blissfully casual afternoon with family gathering for a quiet respite before Christmas revelry. Hand-painted dinnerware featuring playful polka dots, stripes, and eclectic patterns inspires the familiar color palette made fresh with modish accents. A pristine tablecloth and curvaceous place mats trimmed in red create an airy backdrop for the mix-and-match plates. Lending lovely contrast to the setting, linens adorned with emerald chestnut branches are tucked into napkin rings shaped as graceful reindeer—each with a teeny gilt nose. Play up the understated sparkle with mottled votives, polished silverware, and bubble glasses bearing a delicate gold rim; dress up potted poinsettias with sprays of evergreens and baby’s breath for an effortless centerpiece. FOOD FOR THE SOUL What better way to catch up on all life’s…

COVER See HEARTHSIDE ALLURE. SPOOLS OF SPLENDOR Page 25: Pickard Birmingham Gold salad plate; Royal Limoges Oasis White bread-and-butter plate; Royal Crown Derby Aves Gold Narrow Border Band dessert plate; Herend Fish Scale in Jade dinner plate; Bromberg’s. CHRISTMAS AGLOW Pages 47–48: Mikasa Palatial Holly Gold salad/dessert plate; Lomonosov Cobalt Net bread-and-butter plate; Lenox Eternal Gold 5-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Lomonosov Cobalt Net dinner plate and Neman Glassworks Vintage Crystal Classic wine goblet in gold, 6-ounce; VictoriaBellaGifts on Etsy. Starburst napkins in blue; Bodrum Linens. Estelle Colored Regal Goblet in cobalt blue; Estelle Colored Glass. Page 49: Bunny Williams Gold Star Dinnerware Collection dinner plate; Ballard Designs. Wallace Silver Golden Grande Baroque 5-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Block Print Poinsettia Cloth napkin; Hibiscus Linens. Noel tablecloth, 55x55-inch; Bodrum Linens.…