Indholdsfortegnelse for November - December 2016 i Victoria

“Aside from the table laden with their favorite morsels, beneath the ribbons and wrapping paper and tissue and tape, something mysterious is transpiring.” Overwhelming. That word keeps breaking the surface of my mind from mid-November until January. I make lists. I make lists of lists. Thanksgiving, for all my adult life, I’ve associated with convivial fun and with exhaustion. Oh, yes, I love setting the big table and the adjacent tables with just-polished silver, and writing the place cards, and arranging the flowers, and even cooking for three days prior. I love my aunt Mary’s cornbread stuffing, my mother’s brown sugar muffins and cream gravy. The actual dinner somehow falls short of my expectations. Something’s cold. I get stuck with a guest’s guest who recounts endless childhood anecdotes, and the…

    A jewel in the city’s crown, the Lightner Museum is housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, a Spanish Renaissance–style beauty Flagler built in the late 1800s. Chicago publisher Otto Lightner purchased the gallery in 1946 to house his vast collection of nineteenth-century Victoriana. Its offerings include fine examples of stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and a breathtaking assemblage of Victorian art glass. The Ximenez-Fatio House was built in 1798 as a residence and a place of business for merchant Andres Ximenez. After his death, Margaret Cook, a shrewd entrepreneur, purchased the traditional coquina-stone structure and turned it into a successful boarding house. Louisa Fatio owned the building from 1855 to 1875. It was authentically restored to its nineteenth-century visage, and now operates as a museum. SEE MORE ON…

Christmas truly is a celebration in Provence, with vibrant holiday markets, miles of fairy lights, and crèches displayed throughout this popular region of France. Beginning with the Feast of Sainte Barbe on December 4th and continuing into the new year, the period the French call Calendales is a joyous time focused on family togetherness. In a setting that seems like a Cézanne landscape painting come to life, the community of Apt is tucked between the scenic mountains of Luberon and Vaucluse. This quintessential Provençal town abounds with centuries-old residences that shine their brightest this time of year, and the beautiful seventeenth-century apartment owned by antiques dealers Nathalie and Jean-Bernard Masset is a perfect example. “They lovingly, completely renovated it themselves, removing hundreds of years of plaster and taking it back…

“WITH EVERY ONE OF MY HONEY COOKIES, I BRING HAPPINESS AND JOY TO SOMEONE.” —Ivana Smulikova Practiced hands measure flour, eggs, spices, and the most important component—honey—to form the dough for the traditional cookies Ivana Smulikova has made since her childhood in Slovakia. Eleven years ago, her family of four moved to British Columbia with only eight suitcases among them. Much was left behind, but tucked in her heart was the recipe for her homeland’s classic confection. Known under different names in other European countries (lebkuchen in Germany, taaitaai in Belgium), the cookies, called medovniky in Slovakia, look similar to gingerbread, but rather than molasses and brown sugar, they rely on honey as the sweetener. This natural ingredient also acts as a preservative, keeping the treats edible for several months.…

Take a closer look at some of our favorite November/ December features: Legacy of Beauty Amidst the stunning Old World architecture of St. Augustine, Florida, is the Ximenez-Fatio House. Built in 1798, the home was owned and operated by three women in succession, making it a landmark of rare historical significance. A Santa Workshop The imaginative artisan behind Bethany Lowe Designs crafts one-of-a-kind pieces that surpass mere Christmas décor. Let this magical studio inspire the holiday spirit. A Joyful Repast Gather guests and family members for a delectable Thanksgiving feast that is sure to please, with its combination of time-honored dishes and enticing new selections. Lasting Blooms Entrepreneur and former magazine stylist Lydia Pursell offers a guide to creating a stunning seasonal arrangement. Look for this symbol throughout the magazine…

Did Martha really make these delectable, chocolate- dipped, nutty fondant candies? I’ve prepared them every Christmas of my life, as did my mother and now my daughter. My mother performed the chocolate bath on our cold back porch so the dip would set immediately. Fun to make, jetties will elicit major joy from those lucky enough to receive this gift. One seems enough, since they are so rich, and yet by the end of the day, many have disappeared. For photos and more information, see my blog entry titled, “Without Martha Washington Jetties??? Christmas Would Be Impossible” at francesmayesbooks.com . Makes approximately 4 dozen For small fondant balls: ½ cup softened unsalted butter 4 tablespoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted 1…

“I LIKE TO THINK OUR TREE IS A COLLECTION OF TREASURED FAMILY HISTORIES.” —Earl McAndrew Dr. John and Margaret McAndrew, along with their two sons, had always been fascinated with the historical Louisiana plantations of antebellum days. When they decided to build a new home, they hired architect Arthur Joe Grant to replicate the façade of their favorite mansion, Oak Alley, and designers Jimmy Sellars and Mike Respes to create the equally gracious interiors. Completed in 1993, the resulting residence is stunning—especially at Christmastime when it is dressed up for the occasion. For those to whom December means snow and ice, the mild south Alabama winters hold an enviable distinction: The McAndrews are able to entertain outdoors in their New Orleans–style courtyard during the holidays. Tables are brought out, draped…

Much like the Old-World Santas standing sentinel at the Chanticleer Inn in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, owners Rob and Audrey Hart bear witness to Yuletide magic. The innkeepers inherited a treasure trove of holiday decorations and prized family traditions when they bought the retreat nearly a decade ago. The original stone charmer, built as a residence in 1927, was converted into a hotel in 1930. Situated across the street from the famed Rock City Gardens, the property offers an ideal location for exploring the natural wonders, historic sites, and cultural attractions of the Chattanooga, Tennessee, area. Audrey enjoys bringing a sense of luxury to the bed-and-breakfast through refurbishing its French Country–style interiors and preparing farm-fresh brunch specialties. But the real pleasure comes in connecting with people. “I love hearing their stories,”…

Below is a listing of products and companies featured in this issue. Items not listed are privately owned and are not for sale. Pricing and availability may vary. ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 9 , 19 , 23 , 81 , and 97 : To view more of Mary Shira’s work, visit maryshira.com. WRITER-IN-RESIDENCE Pages 15–16: Frances Mayes is the author of ten books, including Under the Tuscan Sun and Bella Tuscany. For more information or to contact her, visit francesmayesbooks.com. THE WISH LIST Pages 17–18 : Sullivans: Seasonal, everyday, and branded items for the home, including pine, ornaments, home décor, containers, stems, and greenery; 800-456-4568 or sullivangift.com for retailers. Reliant Ribbons Bows & Trims: Rhapsody Taffeta WE Turquoise 1.5", Terra Natural7/8", Double Face DFS Satin Moss 2.5", Double Face…

Years ago after my mother passed away, my two young daughters and I had nowhere to go on Christmas. When a coworker invited us to celebrate the holiday with them, it made all the difference. Many years later, the giving came full circle. We didn’t have a lot of money but wanted to share what we had with others, so we started a tradition. If we knew of someone who would be alone on Christmas, we would invite them to our house for a traditional meal. Sometimes I would wrap small packages and put one under the tree for each of our guests. From year to year, we never knew who would be there; it usually wasn’t a big crowd, but those who came really appreciated the gesture. LOLITA HAYES…

      “Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.” —Norman Vincent Peale…

With a gardener’s affinity for scrolling vines and thick foliage, Leaf and Petal owner Lydia Pursell brings the beauty of her family’s botanical business into her interiors throughout the year. But at Christmastime, these efforts are amplified with a combination of verdure that fills the house with the mingling scents of pine, rosemary, and cedar. “Fresh greenery is a simple luxury that anyone can enjoy at any time,” Lydia says. “Placing a plant or a flower in a room gives it life and energy.” Perhaps owing to her experience in studio art, the former magazine stylist favors painting walls and mouldings white—a gallery look that allows the vibrancy of these additions to shine. Although Lydia agrees that floral bouquets have their charms, she suggests extending that enjoyment by choosing potted…

     “When our hands have touched spices, they give fragrance to all they handle.”—JOHN VIANNEY…