Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas 2011 i Southern Lady

Few things compare to the comfort and joy of going home for Christmas. Classic crooners provide the soundtrack for a drive that takes me over the river, through the woods, and into the countryside. When I finally make that turn into the driveway, I can’t help but smile as I think about what’s to come: twinkle lights and evergreen wreaths adorning the house; my mother and nephews peering through the kitchen window, anxiously awaiting my arrival; and the excitement of being met at the front door with open arms, lots of laughter, and the smell of something delicious coming from the oven. This year, we celebrate those blissful family get-togethers with signature Southern style. From quick and easy recipes to new twists on familiar favorites, this issue is jam-packed with…

“BE MERRY ALL, BE MERRY all, WITH HOLLY dress THE FESTIVE HALL; PREPARE THE SONG, THE feast, THE BALL, TO WELCOME merry CHRISTMAS.” —William Robert Spencer DIVINE DETAILS Fill interiors with lots of gleaming accessories such as beribboned cherubs, jewel-toned ornaments, and silky scarves that serve as adornments for dining room chairs. Add a bit of sparkle to the table with beaded fruit ornaments and an eye-catching centerpiece, then bunch satin fabric to create a lovely table runner. EVENING ELEGANCE Create a stunning entrance with the liberal use of garlands laden with yards of string lights and lots of baubles and bows. A twinkling tree in the foyer offers a dazzling focal point to this welcoming scene.…

TASTY twist Try this new take on Southern-favorite shrimp and grits. Easy-to-handle grits cakes form a yummy base for spicy, Creoleseasoned shrimp. SHRIMP AND GRITS CAKES Makes ? dozen ? cups chicken broth ?¹⁄? cups quick-cooking grits ? cup grated Gruyère cheese ? tablespoons chopped fresh parsley ¹⁄? teaspoon salt ¹⁄? teaspoon ground black pepper ? tablespoons butter, melted Savory Shrimp (recipe follows) ?. Lightly grease a ??x?-inch baking pan. ?. In a large saucepan, bring broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir in grits, and return to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for ? minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat. Spoon grits into prepared pan. Cool slightly. Cover, and refrigerate for ? hours or until firm. ?.…

SEASONAL TWIST Parmesan-Peppercorn Pretzels provide a quickand- easy snack during Christmas travels or after a long day of shopping. An additional bonus: The kids can mix up the yummy dipping sauce, which will keep their little hands occu pied—and out of the cake batter—while you bake. PARMESAN-PEPPERCORN PRETZELS with HONEY MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE HONEY MUSTARD DIPPING SAUCE Makes ?³⁄? cups 1 cup Creole mustard 1/2 cup honey 1/4 cup yellow mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1. In a small bowl, combine Creole mustard, honey, yellow mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Festive SPREAD Requiring minimal prep time and just a few days to marinate, this antipasto favorite comes together with little fuss. Keep it on hand as a go-to hostess gift or a quick appetizer for company. For a truly splendid presentation,…

FETCH YOUR FRIENDS FOR A GOOD TIME AT A bona fide GATHERING THAT'S WORTH barking ABOUT. SIT. STAY. GOOD DOG! Our canine companions are treasured members of the family who possess a loyalty and patience that humans would be wise to emulate. Why not honor these precious pooches with a holiday gettogether that celebrates the joy they bring to our lives? Seat guests with clever place cards labeled with the names of attendees’ pets, and send everyone home with yummy take-home doggie treats for rewarding good behavior. Trim the tree with ornaments bearing the likenesses of various breeds, from Affenpinschers to Labrador Retrievers to Yorkshire Terriers, then wrap small boxed gifts with collars-turned-ribbons to keep the bowwow theme going. How-to Everyone on our staff fell in love with these simple…

THE LITTLE THINGS Fresh greenery and well-placed twinkle lights can add instant charm and cheer to everyday décor. Most Southerners have pine boughs in their backyards, and these beautiful branches can transform vignettes into seasonal displays. “Plant” them in empty baskets, or clip sections and tuck into vintage-style lanterns. Cozy up interior spaces by draping plush throws over chairs and benches, and throughout the house, place pillar candles and rustic arrangements made from forest finds as simple nods to the happy holiday. INVITING ATMOSPHERE Achieve a sense of welcome with simple floral touches in festive red and green. Combine everyday items with holiday-themed accents for a seasonally suited tablescape. One striking element, such as a reindeer napkin ring, can make quite an impact, and a small take-home token of appreciation,…

FRONT DOOR FINERY Come on in! A holiday wreath lets visitors know that you are happily ushering in the Christmas season. Try an all-green wreath that gets its pizzazz from ferns, orchids, button mums, and such, or pull out all the stops with one that features red roses, hydrangeas, and magnolia leaves sprayed with silver paint. Or perhaps, enjoy understated elegance with a circlet of fresh-cut evergreen. Announce THE ARRIVAL OF THE CHRISTMAS season Anno WITH lovely WREATHS.…

WINTER WARMER Rich, tomato-based Brunswick stew has long been a seasonal Southern staple. Though some versions are made with chicken, ours revs up the flflavor with pulled pork and barbecue sauce. VEGETABLE SOUP FOR A CROWD Makes ? gallons ? tablespoons olive oil ? stalk celery, cut into ¹⁄?-inch pieces ? large yellow onion, cut into ¹⁄?-inch pieces ? tablespoon minced garlic ? quarts chicken broth ? pounds red potatoes, cut into ¹⁄?-inch pieces ? pound carrots, cut into ¹⁄?-inch pieces ? (?-pound) bag frozen baby lima beans ? (?-pound) bag frozen niblet corn ? (?-pound) bag frozen cut okra ? (??-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes ? (??.?-ounce) cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained ? tablespoons garlic powder ?¹⁄? tablespoons salt ? tablespoon sugar ? teaspoons ground black pepper ?. In a…

AWAY IN A MANGER In the South, temperate weather allows us the pleasure of dining alfresco throughout much of the year. Celebrate that good fortune by decking a barn—or other outdoor structure—in holiday splendor to create a setting that is as rich and wondrous as Christmas itself. For down-home comfort with uptown style, combine accessories like handsome dinnerware by Earthborn Pottery with exquisite textiles, and set the table beneath a sparkling chandelier. “EVERY TIME WE love, EVERY TIME WE give, IT'SChristmas.” —Dale Evans Rogers ALL THE TRIMMINGS Imagine the gasps of delight at the sight of a table laden with sweet and savory favorites! A traditional-with-twists menu is bound to entice even the youngest family members to enjoy this festive fare. CRANBERRY-APPLE RELISH Makes about ? cups ? (??-ounce) bags…

To president of Hoff man Media, Phyllis Hoff man DePiano, whose generosity has afforded our team the freedom to express and create; to Art Director Jessica Stalnaker, whose incredible vision and talent brought both shape and beauty to each and every page of this issue; to the entire editorial team who invested immeasurable hours and contributed limitless ideas and energies to this project; to the homeowners who opened their hearts and homes for location photo shoots; to those at shops and stores who offered countless props and services; to our families and friends who gave throughout this project and continue to give their love and support; to my Lord and Savior, who has bestowed blessings abundant and for whom this season is celebrated—thank you. A.F. directory of companies AGATHA &…

ALL BUTTONED UP Beautiful embellishments are no further away than your sewing box. Hot glue a selection of vintage buttons atop a gift that is wrapped in satin ribbon and bound with yarn. NATURALLY PRETTY Twine, jute, and paper twist ribbon are the perfect complements to eco-friendly papers and fabric-scraps-turned-wraps. Look for natural accents, like mini pinecones, evergreen sprigs, or even nuts and acorns, to add interesting details to packages. Frills AND FLOURISHES Beautifully decorated packages need not cost a fortune. Save scraps and snippets throughout the year so that, come gift wrapping time, you have a treasure trove of goodies for the task. Squares of leftover cloth are perfect for wrapping bottles of wine or jars of homemade jellies and jams. To fashion unique gift tags, use scrapbook scissors…

SUBTLE & SENSATIONAL There’s no need to clutter the table when the judicious use of accent pieces proves much more effective. Grasscloth wallpaper works well as a runner. Add red chargers, bamboo-patterned dinnerware, and silky napkins to create a look that works for Christmas, New Year’s Day, and even all year long. BRING A BIT OF THE orient TO YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH bonsai EVERGREEN TREES AND RED LACQUER wrapping paper. ASIAN CHIC Mirror the minimalist design preferences of the Japanese with a tablescape that features clean lines and a limited color palette. Kimonoed cuties offer a whimsical note while keeping napkins neatly rolled, and pretty chopsticks lend an authentic touch. In addition to arranging an eye-catching bamboo-based floral centerpiece, (see page 31) float flower-shaped votives in bowls filled with water…

STIR UP SOME SCRUMPTIOUS NEW DRINKS FOR HOLIDAY gatherings. RASPBERRY MOCHA Makes ? to ? servings ? cups milk ? cups half-and-half ¹⁄? cup Dutch processed cocoa ¹⁄? cup espresso powder ? cup raspberry syrup* ?. In a medium saucepan, combine milk and half-and-half. Bring to a simmer over mediumlow heat. Whisk in cocoa and espresso powder. Add raspberry syrup, stirring to combine. *For testing purposes, we used Smucker’s Raspberry Syrup. WINTER WASSAIL Makes ? gallon ? (??-ounce) bottle cranberry juice cocktail ? (??-ounce) can pineapple juice ? (??-ounce) can frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed ¹⁄? cup honey ? cinnamon sticks ? tablespoon whole cloves ? tablespoon whole allspice ? (???-milliliter) bottle red wine* Garnish: orange curls, cranberries ?. In a large Dutch oven, combine cranberry juice cocktail, pineapple juice,…

COOKIE CLASSIC This is a perfect time to bake and share favorite homemade treats. In our version of the timeless cookie sandwich, molasses cookies with a spiced cream filling lend a delicious dose of Christmas goodness. TASTE OF CHRISTMAS TRIFLE Makes ?? servings Gingerbread Cake, cut into ?-inch cubes, divided (recipe follows) ? (??.??-ounce) jars caramel topping, divided Cranberry-Pear Compote, divided (recipe follows) Orange Crème, divided (recipe follows) Garnish: sugared cranberries, sugared rosemary ?. In a large trifle dish, layer half of cake cubes, ? jar caramel topping, half of Cranberry-Pear Compote, and half of Orange Crème. Repeat layers; garnish with sugared cranberries and sugared rosemary, if desired. Store covered in refrigerator for up to ? days. Gingerbread Cake Makes ? (?-inch) cake ½ cup canola oil ½ cup firmly…

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._ RECIPE DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD STYLING BY Aimee Bishop Lindsey | STYLING BY Adrienne A. Williams COVER Photography by John O’Hagan Resources: Wreath Design; Tana Avery of Dorothy McDaniel’s Flower Market. FROM THE EDITOR Page ?: Photography by John O’Hagan Resources: Hair and Makeup Styling by Celine C. Russell GOODIES TO GIVE Page ??: Photography by Will Dickey Resources: Vinegar Jars; World Market and HomeGoods. Containers shown with pretzels and Crate shown with cheese crisps; Michaels. BUTTONS & BOWS Page ??: Photography by John O’Hagan Resources: Ceramic Napkin Rings used…

Adorable, irresistible, and just right for sampling: small is big when you’re entertaining. Your guests will love the variety and appreciate your creativity, not to mention the smaller portions of these mini delights. Bake your best with these proven, crowd-pleasing recipes that are sure to make your next holiday gathering a hit. While the tastes may be small, the pleasures will be great. Brownie Bites Dress up your classic brownies for a special occasion; all you need is a round biscuit cutter. 1 cup unsalted butter 2 1/4 cups sugar 1 1/4 cups Dutch-process cocoa 1 tablespoon espresso powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 4 large eggs 1 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour 2 cups chocolate chips 1 cup chopped nuts, optional…