Indholdsfortegnelse for May - June 2011 i Victoria

Over the years, I have learned that no other decorating color scheme speaks to my heart and offers me serenity quite like the combination of blue and white. My introduction to this duo I now hold dear came through an act of family love. A simple oval vegetable bowl, Blue Willow patterned and well worn from years of use, was handed down to me from my grandmother’s assortment of chinaware. I was thrilled to be entrusted with this piece that had held the potato salads, green beans, and stewed squashes served at family gatherings for more years than anyone seemed to recall. My lifelong love of blue and white ensued. I became knowledgeable about antiques shops and flea markets within a 75-mile radius of my home, and I left no…

We kick off the season outdoors, with music! My husband and I enjoy visits to the Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site in Flat Rock, North Carolina. Each Memorial Day, a folk music festival presents selections from the famed writer’s The American Songbag. Musicians from all over the region come to this celebration. We bring a picnic and stay the day. There are beautiful trails to explore, and one can even observe descendants of Mrs. Sandburg’s award-winning goats! It’s a wonderful way to start the summer. LIZA LACASSE Taylors, South Carolina We live in Colorado, so Memorial Day weekend means trips to the mountains for most people around here. Because we don’t like crowds, we have started a different tradition: staying home. For us, this holiday is a chance to…

Like a joyous melody, a serene watercolor, or even a perfect cup of tea, true hospitality has an aura of appearing effortless. Yet, much can go into creating that illusion—composing a tune, applying color to paper, or extending an inviting welcome to a home or, in my case, a bed-and-breakfast. In essence, a good B&B is an idealized home, went my thinking, and thus the hospitality should be comparable. This would mean doing what I’d always done for family and friends at holiday gatherings and parties, I thought—only doing it better. Reflecting on the evolution of hospitality at Royal Oak House Bed & Breakfast, however, I realize that, as so often happens when trying to change or improve oneself, a step forward meant first taking a step back. After graduating…

See Recipe Index, page 86, for recipe information.…

A self-styled traditional Southern girl—somewhat defiant—who has never liked social confines, Ashley Carter has taken many leaps of faith. This successful singersongwriter, marketing/advertising specialist, mixed-media artist, and creator/owner of Goldbug Studio in Raleigh, North Carolina, attributes her diverse background to “grueling hard work, fearlessness, and knowing when to seize moments of dumb luck.” Heavily inspired by childhood memories and impressions of New Orleans, where she was born, the artist is drawn to folklore, fairy tales, Southern traditions and superstitions, vintage ephemera, and her mother’s elegant style of entertaining. “My family moved to North Carolina when I was 3, but we visited [New Orleans] often,” says Ashley. “My grandmother Meme lived on Napoleon Avenue for more than fifty years, and I always thought New Orleans was a storybook place— almost like…

THE PERFECT SUNDAY BREAKFAST ON THE PORCH Begins on page 38 Tangerine Lime Juice p.38 Makes 4 cups 12 tangerines, juiced and strained 2 teaspoons lime zest 4 limes, juiced and strained 1 cup Simple Syrup (recipe follows) In a gallon-size pitcher, combine tangerine juice, zest, lime juice, and Simple Syrup; whisk to blend. Serve immediately. Simple Syrup Makes 1 cup 1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon light corn syrup In a large saucepan, combine water, sugar, and corn syrup over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves; bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, and cool. Raspberry Almond Crumble Bread p.39 Makes 8 servings 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract…

1. PIXIE LILY Inspired by owner and designer Léda McIntosh Jackson’s daughter, Suzanne, this well-known Charleston, South Carolina, boutique features tiny couture creations and heirloomquality baby finery from gowns to bonnets and blankets. A favorite among celebrity moms, Pixie Lily’s classic layette line is made from the softest pima cotton and finished with signature handmade details. Visit pixielily.com. 2. SIXPENCE ANTIQUES & GIFTS Carrying on her mother’s legacy since 2005, shop owner Laura Angel—along with her husband, Jay—specializes in antique and vintage items with French Provincial style and English cottage flair. These avid collectors are continually on the hunt for a neverending treasure trove of transferware, furniture, Staffordshire dogs, prints, paintings, linens, and jewelry. Contact their Lake Oswego, Oregon, shop at 503-635-0595. 3. RAG & BONE BINDERY A family business…

New York Faerie Festival A Midsummer’s Dream | Ouaquaga, New York | June 24–26 Celebrate nature’s wonders and the power of imagination at this annual festival hosted amid the sylvan woods and hollows of upstate New York. Garbed in faerie finery, revelers of all ages gather to delight in colorful pageantry and parades, enchanting music played by wandering minstrels, and amazing spectacles of juggling and jousting. This family-friendly event offers performances by magicians and puppeteers, facepainting demonstrations, and a fashion show of woodland wearables. Shakespearian theatre selections and an arts and crafts show with thirty vendors are also presented. For more information, visit nyfaeriefest.com. Texas Crab Festival Crystal Beach, Texas | May 6–8 Now in its twenty-sixth year, this acclaimed event draws more than 10,000 seafood lovers to the Texas…

The reserved grandeur of a light-filled historic hall designed by Thomas Jefferson was the inspiration for a wedding reception graciously dressed in blue and white. A well-mannered palette that so eloquently expresses the joy and eminence of the occasion, the colors communicate softly yet sincerely with tradition and tranquility. Event designer Jennifer Carroll articulates the theme with her custom-made invitations and elegant cards, some nesting in beds of ivory rose petals and others set in refined white porcelain frames. Her sleek tablescape emerges from a soft-blue lattice-patterned taffeta tablecloth—a style statement reminiscent of the posh couture gowns immortalized by legendary actress Grace Kelly. Floral designers Pat Roberts and Sherry Spencer fashioned romantic arrangements in mercury-glass containers with ivory David Austin roses, white peonies and lisianthus, dusty miller, and pale-blue hydrangeas.…

An esteemed landmark of natural and cultural history, Ayr Mount is a magnificent 1815 plantation home situated on 265 scenic acres within the Eno River Valley, near Hillsborough, North Carolina. It was home to merchant William Kirkland, who named the property after his ancestral home in Ayr, Scotland. The estate remained in the Kirkland family throughout four generations and became known as one of the finest houses in the Carolina Piedmont. Unlike the colonial wood-frame homes more commonly seen in this region, the residence was constructed entirely of brick. Classically designed with a pair of single-story wings flanking a two-story center structure, Ayr Mount is celebrated more for its elaborate interior woodwork, mouldings, and 14-foot ceilings than for its extravagant architectural presence. “For its time and place, Ayr Mount was…

Marguerite feels like home— a comfortable nest within the quaint West Moreland neighborhood of Portland, Oregon. A shop that happened purely on a whim, it has since become a jewel box of expressive treasures that speak with heart and soul. “I never really dreamed of having a shop,” admits owner Daisy Allen Phillips, an interior designer with an intuitive sense of style and a loyalty to the principle that everything in a home should be well crafted and beautiful. “It happened when I realized there was nothing quite like this in Portland. I wanted a space that defined my aesthetic— a gracious salon offering a wonderful experience, a place to meet and greet, a place where women could find well-priced, lovely things for their homes.” A pleasantly scented respite awash…

Like footprints in wet sand, Maggie Weldon’s pottery always tells a story. Made from supple slabs of porcelain imprinted with intricate lace doilies, her fired works of art immortalize the delicate pieces of needlework crafted by a beloved grandmother, aunt, sister, or mother and are often created as tributes to these cherished family members. But Maggie’s own story is by far the most compelling. A journey that began with the first stitch of a crochet hook, her amazing tale of self-discovery, self-actualization, and self-made success is a true testament to her extraordinary courage and will to overcome. Having grown up in an unsettling family environment, Maggie learned to escape through crochet, a craft taught to her by a nun after school in the fourth grade. For years, she spent countless…

CALIFORNIA’S SCENIC COASTAL INNS Take a picturesque journey along Highway 1, just south of San Francisco, to discover some of the most serene stops along the California coast. Gracefully integrated within the rugged hills, tall trees, and dense foliage that contour the village of Big Sur, peaceful properties including Deetjen’s Big Sur Inn and the cozy Ventana Inn & Spa offer visitors a spiritual and gracious experience. Travelers to Carmel-by-the-Sea can enjoy the grandeur of the countryside amidst a distinctive European atmosphere of art galleries, boutiques, and fine dining. This pedestrian-friendly hamlet beckons guests to explore the historic San Carlos Borroméo de Carmelo Mission, browse the curiosities at Piccolo, or stroll the nearby beach. AND DON’T MISS … FLOWER SEED PACKETS Share your best showy blooms with family and friends…

“The summer morn is bright and fresh, the birds are darting by / As if they loved to breast the breeze that sweeps the cool clear sky.” —WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT “A something in a summer’s Day As slow her flambeaux burn away Which solemnizes me. A something in a summer’s noon —A depth — an Azure — a perfume —Transcending ecstasy …”. —EMILY DICKINSON “Great is the sun, and wide he goes Through empty heaven with repose; And in the blue and glowing days More thick than rain he showers his rays ….” —ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON…

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA FEARRINGTON HOUSE COUNTRY INN AND RESTAURANT Surrounded by verdant pastures and tucked amid stately oaks, the Fearrington Inn was once home to a flourishing eighteenth-century dairy farm. When the inn’s creators, R.B. Fitch and his wife, Jenny, purchased the property in 1974, they dedicated themselves to preserving the farmstead’s architectural heritage and storybook setting. Today, the vibrant Fearrington Village includes a world-class inn, a restaurant, a spa, and quaint boutiques. Inspired by their visits throughout the European countryside, they modeled the inn and other new buildings after those in picturesque English villages. Graced with antiques, original artwork, and fresh flowers, each of the thirty-five guest rooms radiates romantic country elegance and offers serene vistas of the courtyard gardens or the neighboring bucolic landscape. Soothing amenities such…

The Adirondack Chair: A Celebration of a Summer Classic, by Daniel Mack (Stewart, Tabori & Chang). This iconic symbol of summer has graced America’s backyards, patios, beaches, and summer camps for more than five generations. In this homage, author and furniture expert Daniel Mack traces the chair’s history and design evolution. The book includes nearly two hundred vintage and contemporary images of Adirondack chairs photographed in a variety of picturesque settings, as well as step-by-step instructions for building one of your own. Picnics, by Hilary Heminway and Alex Heminway with photographs by Audrey Hall (Gibbs Smith). Those who delight in the pleasures of casual dining will find joyous inspiration in this entertaining tome that provides dozens of creative ideas for packing and enjoying the perfect picnic in diverse and sometimes…

“The beauteous pansies rise In purple, gold, and blue, With tints of rainbow hue Mocking the sunset skies.” —THOMAS JOHN OUSELEY…

For Toni Elling and her daughter, Elizabeth Cerutti, basing a business around flowers was a natural choice. “Flowers have been such a constant in our lives,” says Elizabeth. “They always surrounded us: outside in the garden, inside at the table, on the piano, by the bedside. They were the language of happiness and always the gifts we gave to others. They seemed as necessary as food.” When the family moved from Long Island, New York, to a rural farming community at the foot of the Catskill Mountains, Toni was delighted to find that the soil there was ideal for growing a multitude of colorful flowers. To extend their ephemeral beauty throughout the long, harsh winters, she began experimenting with various preservation methods. Drying and waxing were practical but short lived,…

The scenes of wonder revealed behind the storefront windows of Piccolo tend to draw a crowd at any time of day or night in Carmelby- the-Sea. Passers-by stop their strolls to marvel at eye-catching displays that change seasonally and are thoughtfully crafted with a sense of great artistry—and a bit of whimsy and humor. Perhaps the same can be said of Jeannie Koby, the store’s owner and herself an artist. A charmingly tiny shop with shelves filled to brimming in every direction, Piccolo invites browsers to move slowly and take time to let their gaze fall upon the many offerings, being careful not to overlook a single fancy. Quiet conversations are accompanied by the cheerful songs of a canary in his palatial cage at the center of the shop—a perky…

I met Anne Shirley quite by accident one spring day back in the 1950s. This lovely red-haired, freckled heroine of the L.M. Montgomery books had been waiting for me to discover her. It was almost as if she knew how lonely and isolated I had felt moving to a new school in the eighth grade. I couldn’t make friends with my new classmates. They would laugh at my old-fashioned socks and shoes and the longer skirts I wore. I had been so eager and prepared to make a friend, but it was Anne who came to my rescue. It all started one day as I browsed through the dusty shelves of an old library. One book stood apart with its green antique cover and tissue paper protecting the delicate illustrations…