Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2011 i Victoria

As we planned the issue you are reading, our Victoria editor, Barbara Cockerham, sent me the following note: “The hows and whys are lost from memory, but circumstances were such that, in my thirteenth year, I began a letter-writing relationship with an Irish girl who was one year older. Oh, the magical thrill of receiving from the hand of the postman a thin, almost fragile envelope with a foreign stamp and the word airmail written across it. “Our correspondence was filled with the typical interests of young teens, and she became my confidant as our letters crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean. She sent small packages at Christmastime that held treasures such as a linen handkerchief embroidered with a kelly-green shamrock. Another special gift was a gold bar pin topped with, yes,…

One of our country’s greatest strengths is its diversity, bringing together and welcoming cultures and ethnicities from around the world. Here, our readers share the ways they proudly celebrate their heritage. My heritage is from all corners of the United Kingdom, while my husband’s family comes from the Abruzzo region of Italy. We have enjoyed a cultural exchange throughout our long marriage, beginning with cooking lessons for me in David’s grandmother’s kitchen. There, I learned to make hand-rolled pasta and savory sauces, as well as delicate cookies to mound on a platter, drizzle with honey, and adorn with a sifting of powdered sugar like new-fallen snow. David, meanwhile, fell in love with the music of Ireland and Scotland. He has become a skillful fiddler, and we join friends to play…

1. LES INVASIONS EPHÉMÈRES Originating in Paris, this artistic company is the result of a collaboration between Pierre-Yves Toudic and Sofia Antonovich, who began designing decorative decals in 2004. Since then, their creations have grown into a playful selection of products including jewelry collections, handbags, and trompe l’oeil applications for furniture and interior spaces. 2. UNCOMMON OBJECTS This landmark emporium in Austin, Texas, has been building its reputation as a vintage mecca since 1991. The store, owned by Steve Wiman, houses an amazing assemblage of nostalgic curiosities uncovered in ambitious hunts by more than twenty dedicated antiques sellers. For more information, visit uncommonobjects.com. 3. ROSEMARY STAFFORD FLORAL DESIGN Enchanted by the vibrant blooms in her own backyard, Rosemary Stafford developed her fascination for flowers during a childhood spent in what…

The Atlanta Dogwood Festival Piedmont Park | Atlanta, Georgia | April 15–17 This legendary floral festival has heralded spring’s arrival with characteristic Southern charm and hospitality for seventy-five years. With the magnificent dogwood trees in full bloom, Atlanta’s scenic Piedmont Park provides the perfect setting for this magical event. Hundreds of artists from around the world will present their work at a nationally renowned, juried fine artists market that includes paintings, sculpture, p o tt e r y, j e w e l r y, photography, and much more. Attendees can enjoy a wide array of musical performances on multiple stages and savor delicious cuisine from local restaurants. For more information, visit dogwood.org. Dallas Blooms Dallas Arboretum | Dallas, Texas | March 5– April 10 Celebrating its twenty-sixth year, this…

Florilegium Imperiale: Botanical Illustrations for Francis I of Austria, by H. Walter Lack (Prestel Publishing). Francis I of Austria, the last monarch to rule over the Holy Roman Empire, had an unbridled passion for flowers. In 1791, he commissioned Matthias Schmutzer to paint portraits of every flower in the Imperial Gardens—an endeavor that took the artist three decades to complete. This visually stunning book presents one hundred of Schmutzer’s 1,300 watercolors. Painted to life-size scale, the illustrations are exceptional in their clarity and color quality. Detailed biographical information is also included about Francis I, as are descriptions of the gardens as they appeared in his era and photographs illustrating the way they look today. Flowers in the Louvre, by Michel Lis and Béatrice Vingtrinier (Flammarion). Since the dawning of time,…

Karima Cammell thrives in a curious space of her own creation, filled to the rafters with exquisite European ephemera, esoteric craft supplies, and uncommon treasures from a diverse patronage of artisans. A shop and studio born from meager resources and powerful self-discovery, Castle in the Air is her fantasy realized—an ideal artists’ environment that stirs the imagination and encourages the inventive spirit of play. Raised in Berkeley, California, in an artistic family composed of painters, writers, filmmakers, and architects, Karima explored numerous media before discovering a true passion for illustration. It wasn’t until she graduated college and began pursuing a master’s degree that financial considerations led her into the commercial art field to take on the graphic-design demands of San Francisco’s dot-com boom. With a steady income but no time…

“And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in _ e running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every_ ing.” —WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE See Recipe Index, page 86, for recipe information.…

It was the second week of March, and Old Man Winter was making a final curtain call. Forecasters were predicting a band of heavy snow moving up the East Coast after several balmy, sunny days. An accumulation of 10 to 15 inches was expected, followed by frigid temperatures. On cue that afternoon, a dark cloud cover rolled across the sky with winds so strong they caused even the heaviest branches to creak and crack. I went down to the basement to unpack my cross-country skis from the back of the closet. Just the week before, I’d put away all things winter— flannel sheets, snow shovels, skates, and skis—and aired out the house, thinking that surely winter was over. Every year, there is that sunny, 60-degree stretch that never fails to…

“How can one help shivering with delight when one’s hot fifingers close around the stem of a live flflower, cool from the shade and stiff with newborn vigor!” —COLETTE…

GO TO VICTORIAMAG.COM TO DOWNLOAD THE PRINTS SHOWN HERE See Recipe Index, page 86, for recipe information.…

NORTHERN IRELAND & CROM CASTLE A patchwork of verdant fields blankets the hills of Northern Ireland, high above the country roadsides. Sunlight dapples through gray skies that turn a brilliant blue as the road bends and the breathtaking coastline appears. Nearby, in the heart of Ireland’s Lake District, is Crom Castle. The historic seat of the Earls of Erne for more than 350 years, it carefully safeguards history within its perimeter walls. The grounds, now parkland, invite visitors to picnic, walk throughout hazy meadows, and explore the noble surroundings. A regal experience awaits overnight guests who choose to stay in the majestic West Wing of the castle, which contains elegant accommodations available for weeklong lodging. BELLE ISLE ESTATE Encompassing more than 470 acres and eight islands in the Fermanagh Lakelands,…

Nikki Depew modestly insists she had no experience in floral design, even though her parents were the largest carnation growers in the country and her grandfather was renowned for his awardwinning hybridized dahlias. But when she took ownership of The Tended Thicket, a richly storied florist and gift boutique in downtown Denver, it was clear that flowers were in her blood. After agreeing to continue the shop’s distinguished legacy at the request of previous owner Wendy James—a longtime family friend—she would soon come to realize it was the perfect fit. A self-professed leader and hard worker, Nikki was already in the midst of a new endeavor after making the decision to leave a demanding career in social work. As luck would have it, she was pursuing an opportunity at a…

LIQUID GOLD Begins on page 36 Honey Thyme Crackers p.37 Makes about 18 crackers 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon whole-wheat flour 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons semolina flour 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup lukewarm water 2 teaspoons honey 1/4 cup olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1. Preheat oven to 425°. In a medium bowl, mix together wheat flour, semolina flour, thyme, and salt. Add water and honey, stirring to combine. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface; knead for about 2 minutes. Place dough in an oiled bowl; cover and let rest in a warm place, free from drafts, for 15 minutes. Remove from bowl; knead for an additional 2 minutes. Cover and let rest in a warm place, free from drafts, for…