Innholdsfortegnelse for September - October 2007 i Southern Lady

I’m certain it’s just a holdover from my schoolgirl days, but September always feels like the beginning of a new year to me. Once the heat of summer releases its hold and the first chilly mornings arrive, I have to fight the urge to buy packs of looseleaf paper and No. 2 pencils! Over the years, I have learned to take that back-to-school enthusiasm and focus it on sprucing up my home décor for fall. It’s the perfect time to make our interiors warm and inviting for the coming cooler weather. With that in mind, this issue of Southern Lady is full of ideas for enjoying all that fall has to offer. If snuggling down before a dancing fire with a delicious meal is your favorite way to spend an…

Fashion guru Nina McLemore may live in Manhattan, but she knows a Southern woman when she sees one. “Southern women dress better and are more conscious of dressing well,” she says. “I can pick one out of any crowd.” A true Southerner herself, Nina is the owner of a designer clothing line that takes her name—the first pronounced with a long “I” drawl. She was born in not only the same house, but also the same room as her father in the small town of Hazlehurst, Mississippi. “I grew up in a very traditional family,” Nina says. She recalls learning to make her own clothes and how uncomfortable her petticoats could be during hot Mississippi summers. She credits those roots for much of her success in business and in life.…

“If you would be happy for a lifetime, grow chrysanthemums.” —unknown Chinese philosopher As Southern ladies, we often associate chrysanthemums with the huge, white dinner platesize homecoming corsages that sported yards of streaming ribbons in our alma mater’s colors. Those mums are quite the little showoffs, yet there are other less flashy varieties that are just as desirable for planting in our autumnal gardens and perching in pots on the sill. These petaled pretties date back to the early ages where they were cultivated as an herb. The Chinese believed that mums held the power of life, and they consumed all parts of the flower in salads and teas. When the blossom migrated to Japan around the 8th century, it was love at first sight: The chrysanthemum was adopted as…

lamp revamp To begin this project, start with a clean lamp shade. The proper paste, as well as ribbon trim, art papers, and other decorative details, may be purchased at an arts and crafts store. Play with the configuration until you achieve a pleasing arrangement, then glue the pieces in place. As the days shorten with the approach of autumn, we are drawn inside to the cozy comfort of our homes. To transition our interiors from summer to fall, we look for ways to bring touches of the season indoors. Why not borrow a page from the French and perform a little decoupage magic to add eye-catching details to already-beautiful accessories? From the word decouper, which means “to cut out,” decoupage groups together a collage of items—in this case, colorful…

Quilting. An art form and a hobby, this practice also brings about an end result filled with soft cotton batting and a measure of warmth that comes from folds of fabric. Each one unique, these quilts not only surround us in cozy comfort but also tell the stories of our yesterdays. One of my most prized possessions is a yoyo quilt made by my Grandmother Norton. Frugal by necessity, she saved scraps of fabric from outgrown dresses and other articles of clothing that were beyond mending and used them to make medallions that would then be stitched together to form a type of blanket. Granddaddy’s old shirt, Mama’s wornout apron, my favorite childhood dress—every remnant of fabric reminds me of something special. She also made a special blanket out of…

Commanding attention, fall colors fill the dining room with inviting opulence. An ivory cloth provides the background for these jewel-toned hues to shine in all their glory. Like a red carpet rolled out for royalty, an embellished silk runner in deep burgundy stretches across the creamy linen base, adding contrast and, with that, interest. The lords and ladies of this affair are the splendid pieces of floral-patterned china, flanking the exquisite runner with a finery all their own. Add slightly amber-tinted glassware as the noble soldiers proudly attending each place setting. Polished silver placed just so lends touches of glitz and glamour to your already shining assemblage, while fanned napkins take their place to the left of the dinnerware, acting as the belles of the ball in the dressiness of…

When the first chilly morning of the season awakens us from our drowsy summer slumber, an excitement begins to stir. Our thoughts turn to autumns past when an exhilarating walk in the woods was rewarded with steaming cups of cocoa before a crackling fire. What completes the reverie is the thought of a secluded getaway nestled in the trees with a vista that reveals a lake so clear and calm it inspires immediate meditation. The leaves may be withering, but we become energized with the approaching season and the anticipation of all it brings. At the very heart of this image is a cozy cabin—warm, welcoming, and calling your name. And while there is a place in this world for truly rustic lodging, you can create comfy quarters that beautifully…

HAUNTED HAYSTACKS Makes 11/2 dozen 2 (4-ounce) bars white chocolate, chopped 1 (10-ounce) package peanut butter morsels 5 cups pretzel sticks 18 Brach’s candy pumpkins • In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate and peanut butter morsels in microwave oven on High (100 percent power) for 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted and smooth (approximately 11/2 minutes total). • Break pretzel sticks in half, and place in a large bowl; add white chocolate mixture to pretzels, tossing gently to coat completely. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper or nonstick aluminum foil. • Artfully place one candy pumpkin against side of each haystack. Cool completely. No need for fright. The trick to these treats lies in their simplicity. BREW-HAHA Makes about 11/2 gallons 6 cups orange juice 6…

To purchase items featured in our articles, please refer to the information below. If an item is not listed, it is privately owned and not available for purchase. To contact the manufacturers and retail stores referenced below, see DIRECTORY OF COMPANIES. MIX &MATCH PAGE 26-28: White pottery centerpiece bowl; Harmony Landing. ENTERTAINING TOUCHES PAGE 30: Glass hurricane and bucket; Smith & Hawken. Autumn runner; Linens-N-Things. Pecans, mung beans, pistachios, Black Japonica (blend of black and mahogany rice), Just Corn freeze-dried corn, white chick peas, green split peas, and cranberry beans; Whole Foods. IN BLOOM PAGE 32-33: Flowers; Flower Stems. FRESH LOOK PAGE 36-38: Nate Burkis pillows; Linen-N-Things. Circle-embroidered pillows and grapevine pumpkin and gourd; Home Goods. Leaf-embroidered and paisley pillows, place mats, tortoise-shell silverware, dinnerware, bamboo chargers, and tabletop rug;…

ONE CHARGER, three ways Getting the Look…

Materials: Wire basket Sheet moss Floral foam Dish or container 1 croton plant (for cutting foliage) 1 small bunch dried wheat Picks 6 apples 3 large sunflowers 1 large dahlia 12 ‘Cherry Brandy’ roses 6 pink zinnias 5 stems pink cottage yarrow 1 yellow celosia 6 orange spray roses Step 1. Line a wire basket with sheet moss. Position floral foam inside a dish or container that holds a generous amount of water, and place into basket. Step 2. Cut croton stems and insert into floral foam, along with the bunch of wheat. Insert picks into apples and embed around lower outside edges of floral foam. Step 3. Remove petals from sunflowers and add stripped stems to basket. Fill in with remaining flowers. Helpful Hint: If you have young children…

The Velveteen Principles By Toni Raiten-D’Antonio Published by HCI Margery Williams’ much-beloved children’s classic, The Velveteen Rabbit, tells the story of a simple stuffed bunny that becomes real through his devotion to his Boy and the recognition that we are loved not for how we look but for who we are inside. Author Toni Raiten-D’Antonio took the seed of this tale and developed a collection of 12 principles we can apply to our everyday lives. With excerpts from the charming storybook sprinkled throughout, The Velveteen Principles guides us along the path to disabusing ourselves of society’s skewed values and finding the worth of a life led honestly and authentically, a life that embraces and incorporates our individual hopes and dreams. Raiten-D’Antonio states, “We are loved because of our flaws, not…

It All Begins with You and Me From her opening salutation, Naomi exudes sincerity. So lighthearted and open is this petite, porcelain-complexioned beauty that it’s easy to forget she and her two daughters, Wynonna and Ashley, are worldfamous celebrities. As the matriarch of this celebrated trio, Naomi has risen above adversity, dedicating her efforts to improving the quality of life for both her immediate family and families across the globe. “I enjoy connecting with people,” says Naomi, who in addition to authoring four books hosts “Naomi’s New Morning,” which airs weekends on the Hallmark Channel. “Since I was born, I’ve cared about people’s stories. I definitely think that’s a byproduct of being raised in the South. “Life is so fascinating. Boredom is a choice, and I’m insatiably curious about the…

Good food, good company, and good wine can be the recipe for a perfectly wonderful evening. A gathering of friends around the dinner table often includes the serving of wine that, when chosen with a certain amount of expertise, can enhance the flavor of the food and in turn make for quite the convivial meal. Acquiring that kind of wine savvy can often seem a bit intimidating, especially to novices. But never fear. Southern Lady is here to dissolve that apprehension and pour out a wealth of information to help you become a confident connoisseur. The South has a number of vineyards that in the past couple of decades have developed quite a reputation for quality, rivaling the offerings of California and Europe for accolades. Notable among of these Southern…

Dedicate a day to celebrating the gifts of the harvest. There’s a whisper of fall in the breeze that blows across the field, stirring the blades of grass in waves of jubilation. Neighboring trees happily observe this vibrant scene, as they anxiously await their turn to join in the festivities by shedding their summer green and donning cloaks of orange and red and yellow. The vista spreads out like a watercolor painting: rolling farmland as far as the eye can see, bundles of sweet new-mown hay bleaching in the sun, cattle peacefully grazing in the distance, and, above it all, a canopy of brilliant blue. In the midst of this pastoral scene lies a harvest table, overflowing with the bounty of the season. Mother Nature has been gracious, gladly giving…

Travel just a bit down I-35 from the lively music-centered city of Austin, Texas, and you’ll find the flip side of the record, the laid-back village of Salado. With roots planted along the Salado Creek in 1859, the town grew up along the waterway whose banks still bear the imprint of wagon wheels that once traversed the crossing. The path of the historic Chisholm Trail weaves its way down Main Street, where cattle drives have given way to scores of visitors that are drawn to the town’s attractions. Southern Lady photographer Kimberly Finkel Davis and her mother, Bonnie Finkel, decided to drive down from Bonnie’s home in Dallas to discover for themselves this vintage Texas treasure just a stone’s throw off the beaten path. Following Salado Creek into town, they…

In a place packed with fine dining treasures, Magnolias reigns supreme. Since 1990, this Charleston institution has applied an uptown approach to down-South flavor, thanks to Donald Barickman, one of the region’s most prominent chefs. The Culinary Institute of America graduate published his first cookbook, Magnolias Southern Cuisine, in 1995 in response to the overwhelming popularity of his restaurant. His latest project, sequel Magnolias: Authentic Southern Cuisine, boasts more than 90 authentic recipes sure to inspire delicious daydreams of Carolina creations. Taste, for example, Pimento Cheese and Crab Fondue, Grilled Mahi- Mahi Soft Tacos, and Golden-Fried Buttermilk Chicken Breasts. Or try South Carolina Hoppin’ John, Creamy White Grits with Carolina Country Ham and Red-Eye Gravy, Pork Barbecue Sliders with Classic Potato Fries, and Parsley Potatoes. Donald, whose recipe favorites include…

The soft whirring of a potter’s wheel is the soothing background music in Susan Johnston’s home studio in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. With her loyal chocolate lab, Jake, at her feet, she settles into her morning routine of “throwing,” her favorite part of producing the pottery that bears her name. What begins as a simple clump of clay becomes a mug, vase, pitcher, or something else beautiful in Susan’s talented hands. Susan discovered pottery making at age 12 while growing up in Dunwoody, Georgia. She took a class at the North Arts Center and was immediately smitten. When other girls were receiving CDs and makeup for birthday and Christmas presents, Susan was happily opening a kick wheel and other tools of the trade. Except for taking a few classes and a…

From the tiniest seeds come some of the grandest trees—and table decorations. Let earthy delights be your inspiration for these simple-to-make home accents that rely on the layered look for their abundant beauty. Glass containers provide the perfect place to “plant” rows of seeds around pretty candles. A trip to the farmers’ market will yield plenty of produce for this assemblage: pecans, pistachios, beans, rice blends, sunflower seeds, corn kernels, split peas, chickpeas, and more. Try using various sizes and colors to sow creativity into your charming displays.…

CARAMELIZED PEAR AND GRUYÈRE TORTA Makes 1 (8-inch) torta 2 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup sugar 4 large green D’Anjou pears, chopped 4 (8-ounce) packages Neufchâtel cheese, softened 2 cups grated Gruyère cheese 1 cup chopped pistachio nuts In a large sauté pan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in sugar and pears until well combined. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes until liquid thickens and pears begin to caramelize. Remove from heat; set aside, and cool completely. In a medium mixing bowl, combine Neufchâtel cheese and Gruyère cheese. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until well combined. Line a round 8-inch cake pan with plastic wrap. Spread half of cheese mixture in bottom of pan. Spread half of pear mixture in pan; top with remaining cheese mixture; refrigerate…

PECAN DATE COOKIES Makes about 4 dozen 3 cups all-purpose flour 11/2 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided 1/2 cup light brown sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 21/2 cups chopped pecans 21/2 cups chopped dates • Preheat oven to 325°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. • In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a separate bowl, combine butter, 1 cup sugar, and brown sugar. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until well combinedned. Cool on pan for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks and cool…