Innholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2011 i Southern Lady

I’m not sure who’s more excited about Christmas this year—my 3-year-old grandson or me! He may have visions of sugarplums dancing in his head, but I can’t wait for all the holiday gatherings that this joyous season brings. This issue of Southern Lady is filled with ideas to make those get-togethers truly jolly. We’ve also got a fabulous gift guide to help you find just the right thing for everyone on your list—even Fido and Fluff y—and decorating tips to bring a bit of magic into your home. And speaking of magic, photographer John O’Hagan works a little of his own with a pictorial tour of the enchanting town of Franklin, Tennessee, all decked out in its holiday best. So brew a pot of tea, settle in with your copy…

Julia Farill had what she calls a “magic moment” the first time she stepped up to a letterpress machine and leaned into the treadle. The result was a perfect imprint of a design on paper—and she was hooked. I went home and told my husband, Collin, that I had to get a letterpress!” says Julia. To his credit, he didn’t even flinch, and the search was on. When the couple found an old platen press in Madison, Wisconsin, they hopped in Collin’s truck for a nonstop road trip that culminated with the acquisition of 2,000 pounds of pure printing perfection. They hauled it back home, and—after replacing a few rusty parts—Julia was set. The designer, who grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, had been heading down a different path after graduating…

THE INSPIRATION Taken from an embroidery pattern that’s more than 80 years old, this timeless design presented in vermilion combines traditional poise and exotic style. Red Aves Dinner Plate, $100, Salad Plate, $90, and Cup & Saucer, $115; Royal Crown Derby, royalcrownderby.co.uk. MAGNIFICENT AND ELEGANT OPTIONS Earthy tones, natural accents, and metallic details fashion a regal scene with plenty of polish. Topkapi Tablecloth in Paprika, starting at $135, Topkapi Napkins, $16 each, and Michelle Napkin Rings in Gold, $15 each; Bodrum, bodrumlinens.com. Emerson Large Goblet in Gold, $89, and Small Goblet, $84; Juliska, juliska.com. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES Emphasize hallmark elements of the season’s splendor with tinsel-trimmed linens and ornamentinspired napkin rings. Gold Beaded Napkins in Rust, $4.95 each, and Fleur Gold Rhinestone Napkin Rings, $3.95 each; Pier 1 Imports, pier1.com. Reversible…

Ribbon has long been used as adornment for everything from ancient Egyptian headbands and Roman tunic bindings to present-day wedding gowns and haute couture fashions. Whether made of simple raw silk or woven into an intricate tapestry of pattern, ribbon adds eye-catching appeal to anything it bedecks. Atlanta designer Nicholas Kniel has created everything from lavish evening gowns to ingenious visual displays for boutiques and big companies. Th rough his work, he has developed a fondness for—and a fascination with—ribbon that led him to open his Atlanta store, Nicholas Kniel-Embellishments for You and Your Home, in 2000. More recently, Nicholas, along with artist/ poet and fellow ribbon aficionado Timothy Wright, co-authored a book that celebrates this versatile trim. In Ribbon: The Art of Adornment, the two take readers on a…

Anyone looking to rediscover the appeal and simplicity of Main Street USA need look no further than the captivating town of Franklin, Tennessee. Particularly lovely even on an ordinary day, the community transforms into a magical wonderland with the arrival of the Christmas season. Downtown merchants hang beribboned garlands of greenery and twinkling strings of lights to welcome customers to the historic district. Area residences are equally hospitable—the venerable structures along the tree-lined lanes radiate with picture-perfect elegance and allure. Happily, the annual Candlelight Tour, a ritual for nearly four decades, allows visitors a peek into a dozen of these luminous homes. And for one fun-filled weekend each December, Franklin harks back to 19th-century England with its Dickens of a Christmas celebration, an event that delights everyone from Tiny Tim…

WINNING SEASON Rally a collection of college-logo accessories— like ceramic stadium platters and team-themed serving pieces—to create a peppy setting that will garner plenty of cheers this December. It is a long-standing tradition for University of North Carolina Tar Heel fans and North Carolina State University Wolfpack supporters to swap good-natured pranks before athletic competitions. Fortunately, the two can set aside loyalties long enough for a Christmastime meal that celebrates both colleges. Dotted dinnerware in Carolina blue and State red forms the foundation for this spirited setting that also features mascot-motif neckties as napkin rings and school-color picture frames as place card holders. The combination of colors creates a truly merry tablescape. UA YULE The charming coeds that reside in the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house at the University of…

CRANBERRY-PISTACHIO PRETZEL BARK Makes about 3 pounds 4 (11-ounce) packages white chocolate morsels, divided 3 cups crushed pretzels 1 cup chopped dried cranberries 1 cup chopped pistachios 1. In a large microwave-safe bowl, microwave 3 1/2 packages of white chocolate morsels on High, in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth (about 2 1/2 minutes total). Stir in pretzels. Spread on parchment paper in an even layer. 2. Sprinkle with cranberries and pistachios. Gently press cranberries and pistachios into chocolate mixture. 3. In a small microwave-safe bowl, microwave remaining white chocolate morsels on High, in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until melted and smooth (about 1 minute total). 4. Using a piping bag or squeeze bottle, drizzle melted chocolate over cranberries and pistachios. Let cool for 2 hours,…

1. GIFTS GALORE PAGE 22 For this year’s holiday gift guide, we picked a North Pole theme and found items to suit Santa and the Mrs., little “elves,” and even furry friends like Henry, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who stopped by for our photo shoot. 2. IN THE SPOTLIGHT PAGES 18, 20, 92 The young ladies featured in this issue completely won us over with their respective talents. If you’re looking for Christmas gifts or just something to inspire you, don’t miss the stories of how these Southern gals have found great success doing what they love. You’ll discover gorgeous letterpress cards and ornaments, divine music that sounds like it came straight from a vintage vault, and easy recipes to serve during the holidays or anytime. 3. COLLEGIATE CHRISTMAS…

KNOWN FOR HER creativity and love of bright colors, long-time Southern Lady contributor Barbara Randle surrounds herself on a daily basis with brilliant hues. Come Christmastime, she simply adds a few festive details to infuse her home with holiday cheer. Th is free-spirited designer tosses aside traditional shades of red and green and lets her imagination run wild. The result is a marvelously original mix of fanciful dinnerware, handpainted furniture, and exotic travel-souvenirs- turned-tabletop-accents that truly topples the conventional idea of what a Christmas tableau should look like. For this setting, she uses woven totes, which she found while vacationing in India, as place mats, then adds napkins in various coordinating fabrics. Her choice of dinnerware includes gilded chargers and ruffled plates, along with multicolored goblets. Barbara decorates the chair…

Once the residence of prominent Birminghamarea families, Arlington Antebellum Home and Gardens predates the city itself. William S. Mudd, who played key roles in developing the Magic City in the 1870s, built the Greek Revival home 30 years before, naming his beautiful, expansive estate “The Grove.” Some time later, an Iowa businessman bought the property and renamed it “Arlington” after the ancestral home of Robert E. Lee’s wife. Now a historic site and museum, it stands today as the city’s only surviving home of the pre–Civil War era and beckons visitors back each Christmas to enjoy its Southern grandeur once again. For more information on Christmas at Arlington, visit southernladymagazine.com.…

LIGHT THE WAY WITH A candle Each December for the past 39 years, the Carter House Candlelight Tour of Homes has invited visitors to get a glimpse into some of the loveliest houses in Franklin. In addition to the historic Carter House, nearly a dozen other residences open their doors and welcome all to experience the hospitality that is customary in this gracious Tennessee town. Every home is beautifully decorated inside and out, and inspiration is found in every detail. From shimmering trees to elegant tablescapes to treasured collectibles, the sights add immeasurable enjoyment to this special time of year.…

Sweet LOVE Christmastime calls for cookies and cakes—and lots of them! Nothing tastes better than home-baked goodies, and if you dress them up with pretty wrappers, they’ll be an even bigger hit. Be sure to bake plenty so partygoers can continue the celebration with take-home treats. CANDY stripes AND CHRISTMAS CHEER Take your cues from the happy hues of seasonal confectioneries, like these treats from Hammond’s Candies, and fill the setting with peppermint stripes and swirls. Sweeten the scene with fun details like Styrofoam “trees” covered in fabric, a wreath fashioned from rolled-up construction paper, and cardinals cut from red paper. Festive FLOURISHES The traditional Christmas colors of red and green truly shine when paired with snowy white. For a simple but eye-catching garland, tie candy canes to a strand…

If there were ever any question what Whitney Miller wanted to be when she grew up, one look at her annual Christmas list would have revealed a clear answer. Mixing bowls, stand mixer, pastry bag with tips. At age 12, she asked for a kitchen torch to make creme brulee. (After all, she had already mastered profiteroles and eclairs.) As her assortment of tools and equipment grew, so did her aptitude and passion for cooking. Says Whitney, “I can’t remember a time that I didn’t want to be in the kitchen. Food was really the center of my family and the activities we did.” Vacations were as much about places to eat as sights to see, and she earned her culinary education the oldfashioned way—at her great-grandmother’s side, where Whitney…

BIG CEDAR LODGE America’s Premier Wilderness Resort where your experiences, memories, and family fun will turn into year-after-year traditions. bigcedar.com. BROWNELL TRAVEL With more than 12 decades of success, Brownell Travel has experienced and knowledgeable travel advisors ready to help plan your trip today. Discover more with an unforgettable, extraordinary trip of a lifetime! brownelltravel.com. DIXIE CRYSTALS Your FREE Holiday Survival Guide from dixiecrystals.com has recipes, tips, and ideas for saving time, money, and effort this season. Visit dixiecrystals.com to download yours today! FRENCH GARDEN HOUSE An online retailer offering antiques, French décor, furniture, and gifts to romance your home and garden. frenchgardenhouse.com. THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS Plan your perfect Texas getaway. Call 800-8888-TEX, ext. 6125, or visit traveltex.com for your FREE Texas State Travel Guide. IMPERIAL SUGAR Your…

TRUE LOVE I’ve just returned from my first trip to the South. It was, quite simply, love at first sight. As my trip was coming to an end, I wasn’t quite ready to leave all the beauty and warmth behind. I grabbed a copy of Southern Lady from the store, and yes, it was love at first reading and a “keeper.” I’m back home now, with a newfound love of the South . . . and a new subscription to Southern Lady. Thanks for your magazine—a little bit of the South has come to stay in Colorado. Denise Little-Miller Broomfield, Colorado FEELS LIKE HOME Southern Lady is not only my favorite magazine, it is my home away from home. I was born and raised in the South; however, 12 years…

gift guide for santa claus Aluminum Camera, $49.95; Z Gallerie, zgallerie.com. Pocket Watch Clock, $79; C.S. Post & Co., cspost.com. Large Mugs, $38 each; Earthborn Pottery, earthbornpottery.net.Printed Wallet, $17; In Blue, inblue.etsy.com. Infinium Ale, $19.99; Samuel Adams, samueladams.com for retailers. BarTule, $44.99; BarTule, bartule.com. Reusable Cedar Roasting Board, $29.95; Fire & Flavor, fireandflavor.com. Wrist Watch Alarm Clock, $94; C.S. Post & Co., cspost.com. Complete Survival Manual by Michael Sweeney, $29.95; National Geographic, nationalgeographic.com. Home Plate: From Hot Dogs to Haute Cuisine by Rolf Baumann, $50; Amazon, amazon.com. Round Hammered Cuff Links, $25; Wendell August, wendellaugust.com. Monogrammed Wine Stopper, $54; Olive & Cocoa, oliveandcocoa.com. gift guide for mrs. claus Reversible Iemanja Clutch, $165, and Grasse Candle, $48; Hammocks & High Tea, hammocksandhightea.com. Holiday Jumbo Bars, $21.50; Olive & Sinclair, olive andsinclair.com. Thomas Paul…

WHEN MY grandson, Hays, was christened, he donned the gown worn by 41 cousins on his mother’s side of the family. But when the special day approached for his sister, Amelia, my daughter-in-law, Katie, wanted our little angel to have her own gown to pass down through future generations. You know me—I could hardly wait to start sewing! I selected a pattern from the Martha Pullen Company’s Grandmother’s Hope Chest collection and chose off -white Swiss batiste fabric and vintage French lace that I had been saving for years. I added a monogram and a flourish in thread that matches the color of the lace. Antique buttons on the back complete this heirloom-to-be. Katie wanted the dress to be simple but elegant, and I think we accomplished just that!…

As all Southern ladies know, the right accessories can make an outfit. The same holds true for a Christmas tree. Even the scrawniest pine can look like a mighty fir when you fill its branches with shiny ornaments, twinkling lights, and yards of garland. And how do you complete the look? With a fabulous paneled tree skirt like this one stitched by the clever elves at Pate-Meadows Designs (patemeadows.com). Created from gorgeous designer fabrics and tied up with bows, this skirt makes a grand statement but is easy to make. You can let that be your little fashion secret. Visit southernladymagazine.com for instructions. ADD A sleighful OF STYLE with THE PERFECT TREE skirt.…

For Murlyne Clements of Montgomery, family has always been her top priority. Growing up, her responsibilities as oldest daughter included caring for her younger siblings. When she was widowed at a young age, she took over running her late husband’s business to support her children, and she later earned the distinction of being Montgomery’s first female real estate agent. My mother truly is a ‘steel magnolia,’” says Murlyne’s daughter, Teresa Stanley. “She has always been gentle and loving, yet strong and determined.” Th ough she’s slowed down a bit in recent years, there is one tradition this 95-yearsyoung matriarch has continued to observe for seven-plus decades. Every Christmas, Murlyne decorates a breathtakingly beautiful tree that shimmers from top to bottom with ornaments she’s collected over her lifetime. More than a…

TAKE A STEP BACK IN time The beautiful house that stands at the end of the cedar-lined drive leading to Carnton Plantation has seen its fair share of history. Built in 1826 by Randal McGavock, a former mayor of Nashville, the home welcomed famous figures from both Tennessee and American history and witnessed an epic battle of the Civil War. A restoration project begun in the late 1970s has restored Carnton Plantation to its former antebellum glory, and the mansion truly shines when dressed in fresh-cut greenery and timeless Christmas finery. BEAUTY IN SIMPLE details This modest Federal-style farmhouse, built in 1830 by Fountain Branch Carter, may seem unassuming, but it played an important part in the Battle of Franklin when it served as the Federal command post. The house…

ALL WRAPPED UP Color coordinate the packages under the tree by wrapping them all in simple craft paper, then binding them with a variety of red ribbons. Show off your bow-tying skills with fancy toppers and curly streamers. SYLVAN SETTING Even if—or perhaps, especially if—it’s just the two of you, make the woodland-inpired setting worthy of the occasion. Pretty china in a Christmas-red pattern anchors a tablescape that truly embodies the spirit of the season. on the menu POINSETTIA SAUTÉED BROCCOLINI with Bacon and Shallot WILD RICE PILAF with Mushrooms and Toasted Pecans CORNISH GAME HENS with Cranberry-Port Glaze PECAN POUND CAKES with Praline Crème Anglaise “CHRISTMAS HATH A BEAUTY THAN THE WORLD CAN SHOW.” —Christina G. Rossetti lovelier POINSETTIA Makes about 5 1/2. cups 1 (750-milliliter) bottle Champagne, chilled 2 cups cranberry juice…

COVER Cake Plates, Domes, and Dessert Plates; Rosanna. Ticking Napkin; Dransfield and Ross. SINCERELY PAGE 13: Stationery; Wiley Valentine. TO GIVE AND RECEIVE PAGES 22-24, 26, 28: Santa Claus: Pinecone Ornaments; Cody Foster & Co. Mrs. Claus: Alabaster Spa Pedestal Dishes holding jewelry; C.S. Post & Co. Antiqued-Glass Pedestal Bowl holding chocolate; Wisteria. The Great Lady Decorators by Adam Lewis and New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca; Barnes & Noble. Evergreen: Decorating with Colours of the Season by Helmer, Burns & Stewart; Evergreen Book. Star Ornaments and Round Ornaments; Cody Foster & Co. Elves: Classic Pooh Very Grand Things by Andrew Grey and The Complete Tales of Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne; Barnes & Noble. Petit Collage Garland; The Spoon Sisters. Thread Spools; Cody Foster & Co. Reindeer: Pet Stocking; Ballard…