Indholdsfortegnelse for November/December 2023 i Southern Lady

HEARTFELT REMEMBRANCE Christmas is upon us once again, bringing with it the usual flurry of gift wrapping, tree trimming, carol singing, and celebrating. Yet, even with its joys, this season is bittersweet for our Southern Lady team as it is the first without our beloved founder, editor-in-chief, and mentor, Phyllis Hoffman DePiano. Whether you knew Phyllis personally or through her beautiful letters and essays in our pages, she had a way of making you feel like the dearest of friends. Known for her vivacity and quick wit, an enduring devotion to her family and faith, and her generosity and unfailing graciousness, she was a Southern lady through and through. It’s impossible to put into words how much Phyllis meant to us and our Hoffman Media colleagues, but on page 49,…

This time of year, the most meaningful gifts are those that give to more than just the recipient. No one knows this better than Augusta Training Shop, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering the talents and abilities of adults with special needs. The handmade snowflakes, ornaments, crosses, and other pieces crafted by these artists can be found in homes all over the country, even making their way into one especially magical place. Launched in the 1960s by parents from the Augusta Area Cerebral Palsy Society, the shop provides permanent jobs and a community for those with physical and mental disabilities, helping them gain greater independence. “They wanted more for their children—to interact and be more involved,” executive director Audrey Murell says of the founders. In its first few decades, the shop…

Hand-painted with a Christmas tree motif in swooping strokes of gold, Vietri’s Medici Natale salad plate emanates storybook wonder. Like a blanket of new-fallen snow, a white tablecloth creates a pristine backdrop for this tranquil setting, anchored by a French blue place mat with a swirling scroll design. An understated charger anchors a dinner plate in the same soft hues, atop which the inspiration pattern glows in a gentle wash of candlelight. Gold and azure dishware peppered with polka dots sets a sprightly tone, accented by a snowflake place mat and an intricate vine-print linen. A coordinating scallop-edged napkin is tucked beneath the dinner plate. Brushed-gold utensils and a milky goblet tie in perfectly with the palette, and a canapé plate from the Medici Natale collection doubles the cheer.…

Herb Dry-Brined Turkey with Apples MAKES 1 (12- TO 16-POUND) TURKEY ½ cup kosher salt2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper1 (12- to 16-pound) turkey, patted dry3 small onions, peeled and quartered3 Honeycrisp apples, quartered3 Granny Smith apples, quartered2 cloves garlic, smashed½ cup unsalted butter, diced and divided¼ cup unsalted butter, melted2 tablespoons olive oil1 cup dry white wine¼ cup apple cider vinegarGarnish: fresh thyme, fresh sage, roasted garlic, apples, persimmons 1. In the work bowl of a food processor, combine salt, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, and pepper; pulse until finely chopped. 2. Rub herb mixture all over turkey. Place turkey inside a large disposable roasting bag or stockpot. Refrigerate overnight. 3. Preheat oven to 325°. 4.…

COVER See Resplendent Noel. GILDED GRACE Pages 25–26: Medici Natale salad plate; Vietri. Stag dinner plates; Charlotte Moss. Mepra Raffaello 5-piece place setting; Bromberg’s. Americana Montecatria place mat in blu notte/sacco; Busatti. Napkin in beige; Carmel Ceramica. Eden Flower tea glasses in clear gold; Il’Argento. Royal wineglass, 360 ml; Moser. Page 27: Eisenhower charger in ultra-white; Pickard. Leckford dinner plate, side plate, and mug in blue; William Yeoward Crystal. Gold Snowflake napkins; Mrs. Alice. Wheat Gold 5-piece place setting; Michael Aram. Rialto Tulip glass in chalk; Sir/Madam. JOYFUL SPIRIT Pages 31–34: Interior design; Virginia McCary Design. Johnson Brothers The Florentine Green (gold trim) dinner plate, Wedgwood Kent Green Multicolor dessert/pie plate, and Gorham Silver Golden Medici 4-piece place setting; Replacements, Ltd. Braided glass charger in gold & silver; Williams Sonoma.…

“GIFTS OF TIME AND LOVE ARE SURELY THE BASIC INGREDIENTS OF A TRULY MERRY CHRISTMAS.”—PEG BRACKEN, WRITER…

MOMENTS OF LIGHT Exquisite details flow from this splendid setting that heralds a fresh outlook with a green-and-white motif accented by rosy florals and shimmering metallics. Playing upon the room’s leafy patterns and glossy ceiling, golden braided glass chargers bolster the regal tableau, while a trio of dishes at each place echoes the color combination. At the table’s center, a runner embroidered with jaunty sprigs nestles a pair of wreaths in concert with an ample show of crimson peonies, blush roses, and hydrangeas in a sterling footed pedestal. Water goblets twinkle in streaming sunlight, and emerald coupes await toasts to the grand occasion at hand. LUMINOUS REFLECTIONS An antique-finish mirror graced with a wreath sets the scene for a vignette of fancy goblets punctuated by a single rose and lush…

Before fall leaves replace summer’s waning blooms, visions of holiday glitz and gaiety are already dancing through Birmingham homeowner Terri Archer’s mind. Plans for lavish décor, tantalizing menus, and tabletops layered with exquisite keepsakes come together over months as savvy hosts Terri and her husband, Gary, prepare to offer those they hold dear the gift of fellowship. “It’s our gift to our friends. We can tell when people come here, they know it’s been a special treat. We can see it on their faces. They know we did it ourselves, and they just feel the love and the joy,” says Terri, who pulls out all the stops to delight guests at Christmastime. A beacon of Yuletide magic, the luminous Christmas tree epitomizes the couple’s labor of love at this time…

Orange-Ginger Apple Cider MAKES ABOUT 2½ QUARTS 1 (64-ounce) bottle apple cider2 cups water1 navel orange, quartered½ cup fresh orange juice¼ cup honey1 small Honeycrisp apple, sliced¼ cup chopped fresh ginger1 teaspoon cardamom pods, crushed1 teaspoon whole cloves2 star anise pods1 cinnamon stickGarnish: candied ginger, fresh orange slices 1. In a large saucepan, stir together apple cider, 2 cups water, orange wedges and juice, honey, apple slices, fresh ginger, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise pods, and cinnamon stick. Cook over medium heat until simmering; cover and reduce heat to low. Gently simmer for 40 minutes. 2. Strain cider mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids. Serve warm. Garnish with ginger and orange, if desired. Smoked Gouda, Ham, and Red Pepper Strata MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS 8 large eggs2 cups…

Evoking the glimmer of evergreen branches kissed by frost, a garnish of sugared rosemary graces beverages with a sprightly flourish. Trim fresh rosemary stems to your desired length, and place about 3 tablespoons of sugar in a small bowl. In another small bowl, whisk an egg white until foamy. Dip each sprig in egg white, allowing excess to drip off, and then dip in sugar, rolling gently to coat. Let dry for one to two hours. Perch the sprig on the rim of a glass containing your libation of choice, and share a heartfelt toast to the joys of the season.…

You knew when Phyllis Hoffman DePiano was in a room. She had presence, an intangible quality that makes you aware without words that someone is special. Whether laughing with a longtime colleague over tea (perfectly poured in an elegant floral cup) or welcoming a new employee to the company she fashioned over the last 40 years with grit, grace, and wisdom—she was always on point. Our team at Southern Lady would like to pay tribute to Phyllis, our mentor, leader, and friend. We hope to honor her by continuing the legacy of beauty, graciousness, and hospitality she established a quarter of a century ago when she launched Southern Lady. She taught us how to stop and enjoy a beautiful bouquet of freshly cut flowers or a pretty monogram or a…

Cardamom Hot Chocolate MAKES ABOUT 4 CUPS 4 cups whole milk6 cardamom pods, crushed4 ounces bittersweet chocolate bar, chopped2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder¼ cup sugar1 tablespoon vanilla extractGarnish: marshmallows 1. In a small saucepan, heat milk and cardamom over medium heat until steaming. Remove from heat and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain milk mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding cardamom. Return spiced milk to pan. 2. Heat spiced milk over medium heat. Whisk in chocolate, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla, whisking until sugar has dissolved. Serve warm. Garnish with marshmallows, if desired. Chai-Spiced Caramel Pie MAKES 1 (9-INCH) PIE 2 cups whole milk1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste5 cardamom pods, crushed4 black peppercorns2 whole cloves1 cinnamon stick1 strip orange peel1 whole star anise1 bag regular black tea½ cup firmly packed light…