Innholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2017 i Southern Lady

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”Proverbs 31:10 Christmas is a time for hospitality, and we are perennially grateful to the Southern homeowners who welcome us so warmly this time of year, opening their doors and allowing us to share their delightful décor and traditions with our readers. In this issue, we invite you inside a handful of holiday abodes throughout the region: a gold-and-white beauty right here in Birmingham; a Chattanooga home laden with keepsakes from our nation’s capital; a pair of storied structures on the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour in Edenton, North Carolina. We were so enchanted with Edenton itself that we decided to spotlight it in Two Days Away (page 115), as this quaint coastal town radiates colonial history as well…

THE INSPIRATION With a white pointelle pattern on an icy blue-gray background, Vietri’s Lace Gray dinner plate stirs visions of swirling snowflakes—a perfect partner for shimmering frost tones or cheery, vibrant red. SEASONAL LUSTER Serene white and cool blue glisten like a fresh dusting of snow on a rural landscape, enhanced by a playful snowflake-motif salad plate. Bursting forth like branches from a frozen drift, the napkin ring echoes the silver trim on a billowing napkin. The smooth facets of Lucite flatware handles reflect e light llike a glassy frozen lake, while white anemones whisper of calmness in this tranquil scene. CARDINAL SHINE A chipper red bird perched atop a neutral napkin enhanced by a subtle silver print is the focus of this setting, which uses color and texture to…

Many of us take pleasure in decking our halls with brightly adorned wreaths during the holidays, but do you know the story behind them? It’s not completely clear how the wreath, which dates from ancient times, came to be a Yuletide classic, though we do know that the word itself comes from an Old English word that means “to twist.” As the centuries went on, wreaths evolved into an emblem of Christianity, used from the 16th century onward to represent the Advent season and eventually becoming the widespread symbols of Christmas that we cherish today. On my daily drive to the office or strolling through the neighborhood this time of year, I always enjoy getting a peek at the beautiful and varied wreaths that hang on doors, windows, and gates.…

 YULETIDE WELCOME From the vintage Santa standing guard in the vestibule window to hand-lettered lyrics above the fireplace, Dori and Blake Waller fill their Chattanooga abode with sentimental decorations. Many of their most personal holiday displays stem from the six years Dori lived in Washington, D.C., and the four White House Christmas celebrations she helped plan as deputy social secretary to then-First Lady Laura Bush. Along with the fond memories as a White House official, Dori returned to her Tennessee roots with holiday menus, cards, and invitations for events she helped to plan during her tenure. In the Wallers’ foyer, White House holiday cards and invitations are tucked among the evergreens and twinkling lights that wrap the banister. Dori incorporated her favorite holiday colors, red and white, in wreaths of…

There’s something about this time of year that transforms the family kitchen into a place of wonder, where freshly made treats give off a little extra warmth and a touch of magic. For celebrated baker Elisabet der Nederlanden, some of her greatest inspiration comes from memories of holiday cooking in her childhood home in Sweden. In her new book, Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season, Elisabet shares recipes from her early years as well as other favorites gathered over decades. “As a child growing up in Sweden, we baked a lot—especially during the holidays,” Elisabet recalls. “I still love the cozy feeling of being in a warm kitchen when it’s cold outside, baking away with all the aromas filling the air.” She started cooking professionally at the age…

Open Invitation Here in the South, December weather is mild enough that we can bundle up in a sweater and go right on enjoying the outdoors. Even so, the warmth from a fire pit or an alfresco hearth is always welcome, and it’s an especially appealing backdrop for a holiday get-together. The scene on page 33 couldn’t be more welcoming, with its layers of upbeat patterns, happy colors, and luxuriant textiles (not to mention that glorious lacquered magnolia wreath). Trade the reds and greens for woodland browns or luminous cream and gold, and you’ll have a picturesque tableau fit for a Thanksgiving feast or a New Year’s Eve party. Cheers! Handmade Happiness One of the many things that makes our region special is our rich tradition of artisanship, from distinctive…

COZY IN CRIMSON Thanks to our mild Southern winters, outdoor entertaining can be a festive option year-round. Arrange an enticing scene on the patio with a plethora of accents to warm both heart and soul. A playful mix of buffalo check, polka dots, stripes, and plaids sets a cheery tone for this fireside setting, with notes of crimson tying the medley of patterns together. From a stand of miniature trees to lanterns with red candles and topiaries bedecked with rosy baubles, the magnificent hue frames the patio and imparts holiday spirit. A hanging wreath of lacquered magnolia leaves shines in the winter sun and elevates the setting to fit the occasion. Colorful cushions and a fur-lined throw or two keep the gathering comfortably toasty on the nippiest of days. NATURAL…

WHITE AS SNOW On Christmas morning, this gracious space becomes the cozy gathering grounds for Deanne and Tyler Vail and their four boys. As the family exchanges long-awaited gifts, the hum of festive carols mingles with laughter, and the sweet smell of homemade cinnamon rolls fills the air. In preparation for this joyous occasion, the Vails chose a nontraditional holiday décor scheme that simply continued the ambience of the polished room (a collaboration with Birmingham designer Julie Terrell), which is cloaked year-round in shades of white. A grand tree provides the season’s focal point, embellished with sparkling ornaments in gold, silver, and ivory that shimmer against abundant strands of light. Fresh blooms bring cheer, and the limestone mantel is dressed up with snow-dusted evergreen garland, mixed with green apples and…

CLAUS FOR CELEBRATION A timeless collection of ceramic Santas earned a place of honor under the den’s generous Christmas tree. These jolly pieces and a cherished angel tree topper are now beloved remnants of a lifetime of Yuletide memories, as they are the household’s only holiday trimmings to survive Hurricane Isabel in 2003. For each passing birthday and Christmas since the loss, friends have gifted the homeowner a new keepsake ornament for the family tree. NATURAL SPLENDOR From an array of apples and lemons tucked in beds of pine and magnolia leaves on the dining room table to urns of towering plumes that add drama to the mantel all year, elements from the outside world play a big role in this magnificent dining room. Candles cast a radiant gleam on…

Coconut Macadamia Pralines MAKES 42 2 cups sugar 1 cup coconut milk ¼ cup salted butter, cubed 1 teaspoon coconut extract 1 cup chopped salted macadamia nuts ½ cup finely shredded dry coconut, plus more for sprinkling 1. Line 2 rimmed baking sheets with wax paper. 2. In a medium stainless-steel saucepan, bring sugar and coconut milk to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring frequently, until mixture registers 234° on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. 3. Add butter and coconut extract, stirring until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Add macadamia nuts and coconut, stirring to combine. Using a wooden spoon, continue to stir mixture until cool and slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. 4. Working quickly, use a 2-teaspoon spring-loaded…

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. COVER See WINTER WONDER EDITOR’S FAVORITES PAGE 15: Hair and makeup styling by Kerri Bunn. MIX & MATCH: WINTER’S GLEAM PAGES 31-32: Seasonal Shine: Lace Gray dinner plate; Vietri. Berry & Thread Snowfall party plate; Juliska. Divot Napkin in White & Silver, Faceted 5-piece place setting, and Nova Napkin Ring in Silver; Kim Seybert. Sante red wine glass; Anthropologie. Cardinal Shine: Lace Gray dinner plate, Lace Red salad plate, and Lace Red cereal bowl; Vietri. Distressed Napkin in Natural & Silver; Kim Seybert. Cardinal Napkin Ring, Arabella Ruby footed…

Dear Southern Lady family, Thank you for a most wonderful magazine. It is the thread that connects me back to my beloved South. I enjoy all of the cake recipes—especially the [simple] ones that are still delicious. I love it when you feature special places to stay for the weekend on short journeys. I have recreated some of your table displays and little decorative vignettes, which are versatile and can be used in many different rooms. Thank you for all that you do! Martha Morgan Merrillville, Indiana FROM OUR FOLLOWERS: INSTAGRAM PICTURES Get a glimpse of the beautiful images our social media friends have shared with us, capturing their own inspiration from the pages of Southern Lady.…

HOLIDAY REVELRY With the tree trimmed and twinkling for this most festive season, open your home to neighbors and friends for an evening alight with holiday cheer. Dishes adorned with Christmastime motifs make their long-awaited debut and pair effortlessly with classic white platters brimming with homemade hors d’oeuvres. Brilliant poinsettias scattered about the welcoming scene add an air of enchantment to this casual mixing and mingling of companions. Sugar Plum Punch MAKES ABOUT 4 QUARTS 4 cups cranberry juice ½ cup prune juice ¼ cup lime juice ¼ cup Simple Syrup (recipe follows) ½ cup sugar, divided 2 (25.4-ounce) bottles sparkling white grape juice Garnish: lime slices, plum slices 1. In a large pitcher, stir together cranberry juice, prune juice, lime juice, and Simple Syrup. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or…

FAMILY FAVORITES Anne and Hood Ellis fill their home with Christmas decorations that celebrate generations-old traditions. Stockings for their children, grandchildren, and pets hang along the mantel; though the children are all grown, the Ellises have carried on the practice. Hood inherited the tree stand from his grandfather’s home, Oakley Hall in Portsmouth, Virginia. “It’s so much fun,” says Anne. “It’s not easy to get the tree into [the stand], but I love it.” Before the first frost, she and a friend harvest hydrangeas from their gardens and use them to create dried trees for the guest room and entryway. SILVER AND GOLD Silver cups abloom with posies and water goblets engraved with the initials of the Ellis children mark the place settings for the Christmas Eve meal. From the…

Biscuits and Sausage Gravy Casserole MAKES 10 TO 12 SERVINGS 3 (16.3-ounce) cans homestyle buttermilk biscuits 1 (1-pound) package sage breakfast sausage 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2½ cups whole milk 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt Honey, to drizzle 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Cut half of biscuits into quarters, and place in prepared pan. Bake for 10 minutes; remove from oven. 3. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until browned and crumbly. Sprinkle with flour; cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add milk, rosemary, pepper, and salt; cook, stirring frequently, until mixture thickens and begins to boil. (If gravy is too thick, add up to ¼ cup more milk.) Pour…