Innholdsfortegnelse for Holidays 2012 i Southern Lady

Christmas may come but once a year on the calendar, but for our staff , it is a yearlong event—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. From decorating trees to dreaming up desserts, our team gets positively giddy over producing seasonal themes and creative ideas to help you make the season truly bright. Early in the planning stages for this issue, I received a little divine inspiration. I was thinking about how much I enjoyed the hanging of the greens at church when I was a young girl and how my dad would hold me up so I could see the lighting of candles over the pews and people. His deep voice mixed with my small one, and “The First Noel” filled the sanctuary from wall to wall. It…

GOLDEN TOUCH Brilliant gold chargers set off the intricate design of the lovely holiday dinnerware. Choose color-coordinating napkins with beaded trim, and gather with delicately embellished napkin rings. THE holly-and-ivy THEME THREADS beautifully THROUGHOUT THIS charming Christmas TABLEAU. SIMPLY SPLENDID Create an eye-catching display by weaving cedar trimmings with holly and ivy into the chandelier. It makes a stunning design set among the hanging crystal prisms. ORNATE ELEMENTS The shimmers of gold seen in the details and the vibrant reds and greens found in the arrangements of holly and roses further the room’s elegant atmosphere. Include a coordinating tea set as a sweet decorative accent, and group large pieces in similar tones on the buffet to create a strong visual impact. To complete the buffet’s festive appeal, mix in greenery…

MERRY FRILLS Often the focal point of holiday decorating, the Christmas tree emits glee and inspires seasonal décor throughout your home. Ornaments and gifts beneath the tree can be repeated as festive details on the table. Simply add stately candelabra for an easy centerpiece DELIGHTFUL DETAILS Coordinate charming Christmas tree–inspired china with a larger dish in a harmonizing hue, such as burgundy. Place upon a subtly detailed gold charger. To keep the setting simple as well as elegant, use a white lace napkin and gold fabric trim napkin ring. A stunning magnolia-leaf garland entwined with red mesh ribbon creates a beautifully natural fireplace accent. Finish the mantel with oversize gold ornaments nestled into the top of the garland and a petite magnolialeaf wreath tied with shimmering ribbon.…

EASY ELEGANCE A quieter color palette can be just as festive as its brighter cousins. Choose a traditional Christmas china pattern to anchor the setting, then fashion a casual centerpiece with citrus, Granny Smith apples, and cedar boughs. SYLVAN SIMPLICITY The homeowners stay true to their preference for simple yet refined décor when dressing their abode for Christmas. Tall grapevine trees, cedar swags, and similar nods to nature accomplish the task. Mother NATURE LENDS HER pretty COLORS AND TEXTURES TO A cozyHOME ADORNED FOR THE holidays.…

CHEDDAR OLIVE PUFFS CHEDDAR OLIVE PUFFS Makes about ? dozen ? cups all-purpose baking mix* ? teaspoon garlic powder ¹⁄? teaspoon ground red pepper ? cups shredded Cheddar cheese ? cups chopped green olives with pimientos ? large eggs, lightly beaten ?. Preheat oven to ???°. Spray ? rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray. ?. In a large bowl, combine baking mix, garlic powder, and red pepper. Add cheese and olives, stirring to combine well. Add eggs, stirring until dry ingredients are moistened. Shape mixture into ?¹⁄?-inch balls, and place, ? inch apart, on prepared baking sheets. Bake for ?? to ?? minutes, or until lightly browned. CHEESY ITALIAN SAUSAGE DIP Makes ?? to ?? servings ? tablespoons olive oil ? (??-ounce) package hot Italian sausage, casings removed ?…

CINNAMON COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE CINNAMON COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE DRIZZLE Makes about ? dozen ½ cup unsalted butter, softened ½ (?-ounce) package cream cheese, softened ¾ cup firmly packed light brown sugar ¾ cup sugar ? teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ? large egg, lightly beaten ?½ cups all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon baking soda ¼ cup raisins ¼ cup chopped pecans Cream Cheese Drizzle (recipe follows) ?. Preheat oven to ???°. Line baking sheets with parchment paper. ?. In a large bowl, combine butter and cream cheese. Beat at medium-high speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add sugars, beating until smooth. Add vanilla, salt, and cinnamon, beating until smooth. Add egg, beating until well combined. ?. In a medium bowl, sift together…

WHITE CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX Makes ?? to ?? servings ? cups honey graham cereal ? cups crispy corn cereal squares ? cups frosted toasted oat cereal ? cups roasted salted pistachios ? cups salted sunflower kernels ¹⁄? (?-pound) bag mini pretzel twists ? (?-ounce) bags dried cranberries ? (??-ounce) bags white chocolate morsels, melted ?. In a large roasting pan, combine cereals, pistachios, sunflower kernels, pretzels, and cranberries. Drizzle melted white chocolate over cereal mixture, stirring gently to coat. Store in an airtight container. OPPOSITES ATTRACT This blend of sweet-and-salty tidbits makes for an irresistible flavor combination. Be sure to mix up plenty—it disappears by the handful. WHITE CHOCOLATE APRICOT BARS Makes ? dozen bars ?¹⁄? cups all-purpose flour ³⁄? cup firmly packed light brown sugar ¹⁄? cup plus ?…

OH, WHAT FUN! Kids will love their very own unique holiday retreat. Create more seating by filling a wagon with pillows. Add a dramatic window effect by hanging camel burlap curtains from the ceiling and tacking a plaid blanket on the wall. A hanging lantern provides the lighting for this playful space. The mounting of a plush deer head gives a comical flair to the rugged décor. CHEERY TREATS & TREASURES Draw special messages and fun images on the festive table for two by placing a sheet of craft paper on top of a piece of plaid fabric. A toy truck cleverly hauls scrumptious cookies for the kiddos and Santa, while another one transports a quaint present. Colorful place settings are paired with quirky mugs resembling the jolly old man…

HOLIDAY À LA MODE Layer linens in ivory and taupe to form the foundation for a setting as fresh as new-fallen snow. Echo the brilliant hues of the rose-filled centerpiece with ribbon garland laced through the boughs of a corner Christmas tree. OOH LA LOVELY! Celebrate Joyeux Noel with an enchanting holiday tableau that would be equally at home in a Parisian parlor. Tiny Limoges boxes are perfect for holding place cards etched in gilded script, and they are also a pretty way to incorporate cherished collectibles into the setting. Think pink with exquisite raspberry-trimmed china by Herend, and add an extravagant bouquet of roses nestled in a lovely bas-relief vase. For shimmer and shine, bring in lighted trees, iridescent gift wrap and ribbons, and flickering pillar candles. FRENCH-inspired ACCENTS…

JOYFUL TIDINGS These homeowners turned their back porch into a jolly retreat for the annual Marietta Pilgrimage (mariettapilgrimage.com). Colorcoordinated sentimental baubles add both cheeriness and a reflection upon memories of Christmases past. Forgo a traditional tree topper, and incorporate a colorful adornment that mirrors the tree’s fanciful style. GRACIOUS IMPACT Delicate red and white china and ornately etched crystal goblets harmonize well with the beautiful natural accents. Small features like a cedar sprig tied with jute for a napkin ring and a petite wreath festooned to the chairs with red ribbon embody the lovely charm of the outdoors. Combine live and artificial elements into a rustic container to create a stunning centerpiece. This homeowner used a hollowed-out piece of driftwood to cradle pinecones, greenery, ribbons, and ornaments. Fresh ELEMENTS AND…

CRANBERRY PEAR ROSEMARY CIDER CRANBERRY PEAR ROSEMARY CIDER Makes about ? quarts ? (??-ounce) bottle cranberry juice ? (??.?-ounce) bottle pear nectar ? tablespoon whole cloves ? large sprig rosemary Garnish: fresh rosemary, fresh cranberries ?. In a large Dutch oven, combine cranberry juice, pear nectar, cloves, and rosemary. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for ?? minutes. Remove cloves and rosemary. Garnish with fresh rosemary and fresh cranberries, if desired. CHOCOLATE MILK PUNCH CHOCOLATE MILK PUNCH Makes about ? gallon ¹⁄? gallon whole milk ?¹⁄? cups Irish cream liqueur ³⁄? cup bourbon ¹⁄? cup chocolate-flavored liqueur ¹⁄? teaspoon vanilla extract ? quart chocolate ice cream, softened ?. In a large pitcher, combine milk, Irish cream liqueur, bourbon, chocolate liqueur, and vanilla. Add ice cream, stirring to combine. Cover…

COTTAGE APPEAL Think of wrapped parcels as part of your holiday trimmings, and choose the colors and style accordingly. Vintage prints, chunky yarn, and lace accents lend beaucoups of charm to a cottage Christmas. Shimmering PAPER, A heartfelt NOTE, ribbons WINDING ROUND AND ROUND— EACH thoughtful LAYER ADDS TO THE anticipation. INSPIRED EYE Peruse your own home for creative inspiration. Circle stickers from the office transform plain yarn into a garland, while trims left over from sewing projects offer a striking alternative to standard ribbon. Sticky scrapbook letters, available at crafts stores, add a final flourish. GRAPHIC TAGS Rather than hide away tags beneath the gift, make them the focal point of the presentation. Bold graphics from extra greeting cards work perfectly, as do old holiday photo cards—recipients will cherish…

ECHOED RADIANCE Incorporate rich details from driftwood place-card holders to dreamy garlands to textured linens, and rely on color and repeating elements to unify the scene. CHANNEL OF BEAUTY Use layers and levels to make ordinary objects feel extraordinary. An artful composition of different household treasures—silver platters, weathered wood, vintage books, and antique ornaments—is key to the whimsy and depth of this ship-centered display. PERFECT PAIRING The Old-World style of this tableau presents a perfect excuse to display handmade trinkets with heirloom treasures. A wreath covered in burlap and adorned with lace flowers, driftwood, and scrolled book pages makes a charming counterpart to antiques and vintage collections, as does a nontraditional tree. JOYFUL ACCENT This anthology carries its sweet sentiment through the season and all year long. Visit used-book stores…

BRINGING NATURE IN Fresh greenery paints a rich, crisp image among the white canvas of the walls. A stunning swag of tree trimmings and celadon-colored silk ribbon highlight an already captivating staircase, while boxwood wreaths and live accents fill spaces in the entryway and beyond. A TOUCH OF sparkle AND RICH gold BESTOWS A GRACEFUL glow ON THE DASHING ambiance. SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL Sparse white lights shine against a freshly cut tree. A palette still in keeping with your tones can be achieved even when mixing sentimental handmade ornaments from little hands and delicate, treasured collectibles. A touch of Southern flair is found in the striking magnolia-leaf wreath, left, that pulls attention to the fireplace mantel adorned with assorted sizes of white candles, a pair of lofty ornamental candleholders, and a…

VINTAGE THREADS Spools from an old mill in Scotland inspired this vintage-look adornment. Ivory spray roses, cotton, and brunia berries are radiant against a backdrop of varied foliage, while buttons and bottlebrush ornaments further the ensemble’s nostalgic tone. Exquisite ribbon from d.stevens (dstevensllc.com) adds a final flourish. Deck ENTRANCES AND INTERIORS WITH wreaths OF WARM WELCOME. CONTEMPORARY CLASSIC This take on a traditional holiday wreath gets a refreshing update from cymbidium orchids in a rich, enchanting hue. The varied textures of ‘Freedom’ roses, poppy pods, scabiosa pods, and viburnum berries create additional depth and detail, and a base of fresh cedar clippings softens the design’s edge with a hint of graceful movement. PLAYFUL FLAIR A third-generation floral designer, Mandy Majerik is the much-acclaimed creative force behind Hothouse Design Studio (hothousedesignstudio.com)…

CREAMY CORN CREAMY CORN Makes ?? to ?? servings ? slices hickory-smoked bacon ? cups fresh corn kernels (about ? to ?? ears) ? large yellow onion, chopped ? tablespoon minced garlic ¹⁄? cup all-purpose flour ? cups heavy whipping cream ? teaspoon sugar ? teaspoon salt ¹⁄? teaspoon ground red pepper ?. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat for ? to ? minutes, until crisp. Remove from pan, and crumble, reserving drippings in pan. To skillet, add corn, onion, and garlic; cook for ?? minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add flour; cook for ? minutes, stirring constantly. Gradually add cream, stirring to combine. Stir in sugar, salt, and red pepper. Cook for ? minutes, until heated through. Top with crumbled bacon. BAKED EGGPLANT PARMESAN BAKED EGGPLANT…

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 COVER Photography by Kamin Williams Resources: Wreath Design; Mandy Majerik of Hothouse Design Studio. FROM THE EDITOR Page ?: Photography by Kamin Williams Resources: Hair and Makeup Styling by Celine C. Russell. Jewelry; ExVoto Vintage. Shoes; Joyfolie. WHITE CHOCOLATE DELIGHTS Page ??: Photography by John O’Hagan; Styling by Adrienne A. Williams Resources: Miscellaneous Containers, Ribbons, Yarn, and Tags; Michaels. ALL WRAPPED UP Page ??: Photography by John O’Hagan; Styling by Katherine Tucker Resources: Colored and Printed Wrapping Paper; Target. Yarn,…