Innholdsfortegnelse for March - April 2008 i Southern Lady

Springtime is finally here. Every year, I look forward to the daffodils and tulips that will soon brighten my garden and my home, as they did in my mother’s house during my childhood. The return of beautiful blossoms also reminds me of all the parties and showers she hosted—what wonderful times we had. You probably have similar memories of springtime. There’s just something about new life and new growth that inspires celebrations. In honor of the joy around us, we would like to present you with a very special issue of Southern Lady. The pages are filled with some of our favorite colors and party themes, and, in fact, the entire magazine is dedicated to something that is practically sacred in the South—entertaining. Brunches, lunches, dinners. Baby showers, bridal teas,…

It’s hard to imagine a color more uplifting than yellow. It instantly raises your spirits and illuminates interiors with a happy glow, so it’s only natural to turn to this lemony hue when setting the table for spring. A silky cloth in the palest shade of saffron glides like a gentle waterfall over the table, forming a perfect foundation for crisp black and white china. Whether dazzling light floods through the windows by day or an incandescent shimmer radiates from the chandelier by night, echo the illumination with goldrimmed crystal goblets and gleaming sterling silverware. Taper candles on the table and sideboard bring a bit of elegance, as well as bonus lighting. As with any setting, flowers make a powerful statement. The exuberance of spring is interpreted in an arrangement…

While its functionality is truly appreciated, a table also presents the perfect opportunity for creative decorating. Rather than limit your imagination to a simple cloth, dare to dream big. Think of your table as a mannequin, waiting for the perfect ensemble to come along and breathe life into her. Choose her garment to fit the occasion—or in this case, your décor—and create looks tailored to suit the day, the event, or even the time of year. A flirty little toile skirt, tied up with bows, shows a bit of leg like Claudette Colbert in It Happened One Night, while a white cloth bearing intricate stitching and a cutout “neckline” resembles an ingénue ready for her debut. Or perhaps the room calls for a belle-of-the-ball effect. Start with a sumptuous fabric…

Start simple,” says chef Loren Wood, the Southern Lady test kitchen’s queen of the crowning touch. “Garnishing does not have to be difficult. The keys are practice and patience.” Though Loren has honed her culinary skills in some of the nation’s finest restaurants, she found her niche in developing dressed-up desserts. Her handiwork has appeared in the pages of Victoria, Taste of the South, and Cooking with Paula Deen, and she takes pride in presenting dishes that look as divine as they taste. “There are so many creative things you can do when it comes to cooking. It’s about more than just combining ingredients; it’s about creating an experience,” says Loren. And she’s right, especially where garnishing is concerned. From citrus zest to cocoa monograms, the edible art form can…

Dreaming of a slower pace of life and soulful rejuvenation, thoughts of the tranquil emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico abound. For those seeking respite from the hustle and bustle of big city life, Rosemary Beach offers a muchneeded retreat. Great for girlfriend getaways, couples looking to reconnect, and family vacations, the community offers everything you need (or simply just want) all within a leisurely stroll. Cars are optional and pleasure is plentiful in this elegant Floridian beach town nestled between Panama City and Destin. Uniquely planned, Rosemary Beach brings back notions of community, neighborhood, and convenience. The architecture seemingly transports you to the West Indies or the Mediterranean, yet no passport is required for a quick escape to Florida’s gulf coast. Perched alongside sugar-white sand and mesmerizing rolling…

I do a lot of traveling, and recently, I visited Lynchburg, Tennessee, and Miss Mary Bobo’s restaurant, both of which were featured in your fabulous magazine [“Taste of Tradition,” July/August 2007]. My friends and I had such an amazing time there, and the food was incredibly delicious, especially Miss Mary’s cinnamon apples. Thank you for being a source of inspiration and delight. Your staff is so talented—I can’t wait to see what you come up with next! Tiffany Fortunis Nashville, Tennessee I just wanted to let you know that I really love Southern Lady. I moved to Texas seven years ago and discovered your wonderful magazine at our local grocery store. After taking it home, I felt it made my move to the South perfect in every way. I have…

Victorians were known for their over-the-top opulence. They had a talent for taking ordinary, functional items and adding embellishments that turned them into objets d’art. Such is the case with the knife rest. Dating back perhaps as far as the late 16th century, knife rests began as strictly utile resting spots upon which the master of the manor set his carving cutlery. At first, they were restricted to the gentry of the upper class, who used the rests to spare their delicate tablecloths the stains associated with the serving of game and meat dishes. Basic blocks of wood evolved into more detailed designs. Before long, wealthier households began setting the table with cut-glass rests or porcelain ones that matched the china. The rise of knife rests came during the Victorian…

“Here hyacinths of heavenly blue shook their rich tresses to the morn.” —James Montgomery Of all the lovely blossoms that welcome springtime, it is the hyacinth that evokes the essence of the season. With stems straight as arrows and laden with dense clusters of tiny star-shaped blooms, this fragrant flower holds the quintessential scent of spring. Named for Hyakinthos, a handsome young man from Greek mythology, the hyacinth is native to the Mediterranean and was introduced to Europe in the late 16th century by Leonhardt Rauwolf, a German doctor who collected the bulbs while visiting Turkey. For quite some time, the flower was a perk of the privileged. Its extravagant fragrance made it an immensely desirable addition to the gardens of wealthy collectors across the continent. Eventually, the hyacinth became…

formal fuchsia flower power Getting the Look…

Happiness and good wishes abound with the birth of a baby, so it follows that a party to celebrate this event should embody that same joie de vivre. And what represents pure delight better than delightful daisies? Make this plucky happy-go-lucky flower the theme of the day, and sprinkle liberal doses in the tablescape. Daisy dinnerware really pops against a striped cloth of spring green and white. Invert a matching bowl as the base for a cake-stand-turned-servingtray for refreshing coolers. Acrylic-handled utensils, hemstitched napkins, and clever daisy details add playful punches to an already gleeful gathering. To direct guests to the proper seat, tie a simple place card around a single stem, and tuck into a cup. Add a menu that includes quick-fix dishes, and the stage is set to…

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Lexington is in the heart of horse country, but there’s more to this city than bluegrass and stone fences. The Garden Club of Lexington reveals some of the area’s unexpected charm in the pages of its cookbook, Entertaining with Bluegrass Winners. “It is typical for festive meals and parties to be the likely settings when Thoroughbred industry people strike deals, exchange information, or celebrate success,” note the club members in the opening pages. “Entertaining with Bluegrass Winners is a new compilation of menus and recipes that provide a fresh way to entertain, whether it’s a family gathering, a postsale buffet, or a lavish party.” Delicious recipes such as Bourbon Pork Tenderloin with Rolls, Cheese Grits Soufflé, and Corn Pudding are found throughout the pages of the book, along with dozens…

let's dish service with a smile sweet & chic happy together hostess necessity…

For metalware creator Beatriz Ball, an unfurled head of lettuce stirs visions of bowls, and a falling leaf guides the imprint of a plate. Any pattern, any shape, any object could inspire this creative genius, who, without a doubt, dreams in dishes. The serving ware in her Beatriz Ball Collection, based in Harvey, Louisiana, looks like art, shines like silver, and functions like everyday tableware. Each piece is made by hand using a lustrous mixed metal and the ancient art of sand casting. Skilled artisans pour the molten material into one-time-use molds and finish it with four stages of buffing. “We like for the piece to speak, for you to see the hand of the polisher, the hand of the molder,” Beatriz says. But while she takes pride in the…

Step-by-Step: Materials: • Two square containers in graduated sizes • Two blocks soaked floral foam • Blue delphinium • Purple lisianthus • Purple larkspur • Fuschia stock • Lavender Maritim roses…

What a grand greeting for guests! In addition to crisp linens and fluffy pillows in the guest room, I like to include a small surprise—a lovely tray set for tea and nibbles. To add a cheerful note, I always include a sweet-scented bouquet, which fills the room with a wonderful fragrance. More often than not, I cut the blossoms from my own garden, which adds another personal touch. The garden in full bloom—along with the warm, sunny weather this time of year—inspires me to entertain outdoors. Chilled and frothy concoctions like Raspberry Sherbet Champagne Floats are an absolute delight on a spring afternoon. (You will find the recipe in my book, Gracious Tables, available at bookstores nationwide.) For easy transport from kitchen to patio, carry refreshments on a woven basketturned-…

Begin the metamorphosis by draping the table with a botanically inspired cloth in a rich chenille fabric. Play off the scenic surroundings and incorporate bits of nature as table accessories. Tiny votive candles take on added importance when cloaked with velvety moss from the forest floor. Want to bring in some ethereal charm? Capture the magical moment of a butterfly’s gentle landing with delicate accents made in its likeness. Go one step further, and tuck silky green napkins, along with simple place cards embossed in gold, into handcarved wooden bowls. Continue the natural theme by creating fanciful fern-embellished candelabra. To save time, take your own candlesticks to a trusted florist, and have the completed arrangement delivered on the day of the party. Combine tried-and-true recipes with a few new ones…

Just as a well-appointed foyer welcomes guests into your home, so a perfectly personalized invitation sets the tone for your party. From classic to trendy, casual to formal, stationery speaks to guests long before the event ever begins . . . Whether you’re planning a shower for a blushing bride or a tea party for 20, in the South first impressions mean everything. In fact, the timeless practice of selecting, addressing, and sending invitations has become a beloved tradition for a history of hostesses. Gayle Driggers, product manager of social stationery at Crane & Co., Inc., knows firsthand the everlasting appeal of a well-designed invitation. “In a world where we see so much impersonal communication in our daily lives, a personal invitation is something that stands out amid the clutter…

FRESH SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP Makes about 6 cups 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 teaspoons minced garlic 2 (6-ounce) packages fresh baby spinach 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 2 (16-ounce) containers sour cream 1 (1-ounce) package ranch-flavored dip mix 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, chopped 1/2 cup chopped green onion Garnish: chopped green onion • In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until lightly browned. Add spinach; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until wilted. Cool spinach completely; drain spinach, and finely chop. • In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, ranch-flavored dip mix, and pepper. Add spinach, artichoke hearts, and green onion, mixing well.…

We may have arrived more than 150 years after the area’s first settlers, but walking through Grapevine, one of the oldest settlements in north Texas, is a bit like touring a time capsule. Sidewalks stretch through a tranquil downtown along narrow streets lined with family-owned shops and their inviting storefronts. Bronze sculptures dot the historic district, paying homage to figures who shaped Grapevine and its rich heritage. As we strolled down picturesque Main Street, breezes of dusk began to brush by, and we agreed we couldn’t wait a minute longer to taste the town’s famous red—red chili, that is. A favorite of locals and the warmest welcome dish we could hope for, Tolbert’s Original Texas Red Chili at Tolbert’s Restaurant is made from the same recipe used by the owner’s…

“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” —Bo Derek COLLECTOR'S CORNER PAGE 16: Knife rests; On A Shoestring. SEASONAL SETTINGS PAGE 20-23: China; Tulipes Noires collection by Gien. Tablecloth; Linens ’n Things. Antique silver tea set and tray, antique Victorian butter dish, centerpiece container, vintage glass candlesticks, and sterling-silver-place-card baskets; Tricia’s Treasures. Lace-edged handkerchiefs used as napkins, sheer dot ribbon used as napkin rings; Smith’s Variety. Stemware; HomeGoods. Floral designs; Flower Stems. MIX & MATCH PAGE 31-33: Floral container; Summerhill, Ltd. Decorative birds; Harmony Landing. ENTERTAINING TOUCHES PAGE 36: Four Flower Sorbet by Chef Antony Osborne and ice sculpture by Nicholas Hartmann Ice by Design; reprinted with permission from The Entertaining Touch, Hoffman Media, LLC, available through hoffmanmedia.com. ART OF INVITATIONS PAGE 69-71: Kate…