Innehållsförteckning för November - December 2013 från Southern Lady

Dear Friends, With all the work that goes into producing our holiday issues, it seems as if we celebrate Christmas year-round here at Southern Lady. But when the actual day arrives, we are still as giddy as children! I love all the rituals associated with this special time, from trimming the tree and singing carols around the piano to hosting gatherings and choosing the perfect gift for everyone on my list. And speaking of gifts, we’ve done the legwork for you with this year’s fabulous gift guide. Just turn to page 17, and start shopping! This issue also off ers a peek into beautiful Southern homes, all dressed up in their holiday finery, as well as a tour of the always-festive town of Nachitoches, Louisiana, that really outdoes itself at…

FUN & GAMES Treme: Stories and Recipes from the Heart of New Orleans, Michael Chiarello’s Live Fire, Where There’s Smoke, The Encyclopedia of Cajun & Creole Cuisine, Smoke & Pickles, Craft Beer World, $14-$55.95; barnesandnoble.com. Pickles, Pigs & Whiskey, $40; amazon.com. Full House Party Bottle Opener, $11.99; modcloth.com. Dorset Brandy Glass, $59.95 for set of 2; williamssonoma.com. Whiskey Stones, $19.95; surlatable.com. Whisper Creek Tennessee Cream, $19.99; tennesseesippingcream.com. Snake Eyes Yard Dice, $49.50; orangeand pear.com. Stubbs BBQ Sauce, $3.79; stubbsbbq.com. Fox Bros. Rub, $7.99; foxbrosbbq.com. Antler Rustic Ice Scoop, $50, Antler Corkscrew, $165; vagabondhouse.com. Michael Aram Fig Leaf Grilling Platter Set, $239; michaelaram.com. Triumph Sports Cricket ACE-600 Dartboard, $99.99; shopper.com. for the Gentlemen TRAVEL & LEISURE Ernest Hemingway Four Novels, The Count of Monte Cristo, Classic American Short Stories, $18 each;…

THE INSPIRATION Bearing the season’s signature colors in a rich, burnished undertone, this plate is equally at home in harvest Thanksgiving tableaus and classic Christmas settings. Chianti Dinner Plate, $45, Arte Italica, arteitalica.com. ELEGANT OPTIONS A few metallic touches lend effortless sophistication. Choose rust-colored mats to draw out the same hue in the dinner plate, then complete the look with pewter-stemmed glasses and a festive detail at each place setting, such as pomegranates placed in copper coasters. Verona Red Wine, $72, and Verona Beverage Glass, $70; Arte Italica, arteitalica.com. Copper Bottle Coaster, $29.95, Chain Link Napkin Ring (in stores), $14.95, and Alton Flatware, $119.95 for 5-piece place setting; Williams-Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com. Versailles Taupe and Red Napkin by Charvais, $20, and Place Mat by Deborah Rhodes, $22; Lamb’s Ears, lambsearsltd.com. CASUAL POSSIBILITIES…

FILLED WITH NOSTALGIA AND FAMILIAL WARMTH, this time of year presents a wonderful opportunity to decorate with cherished items in unexpected ways. For this arrangement, stylist Tracey Runnion chose an antique wooden box as her container and created a layer of protection by lining the box with cellophane. Then she filled it with soaked floral foam cut to fit. Delicate blooms of velvet red cockscomb, red spray roses, and pink mini callas spill forth from the interior alongside waxflower and Bupleurum, creating the look of a tabletop treasure chest bursting with Christmas cheer.…

gathering around the table is one of life’s sweetest blessings. MERRY MEALTIME Host holiday dinners in style with plush, hand-upholstered velvet chairs in the season's signature hue. Fionn Dining Chair in Ruby, $149.95; Pier 1 Imports, pier1.com. TRES CHIC The curved lines and tufted fabric of this chic design exude a French, high-fashion feel. Martine Upholstered Armchair in Sand, starting at $379; Restoration Hardware, restorationhardware.com. ANTIQUE CHARMER Bring signature flair to traditional seating with a monogrammed Louis XVI–inspired chair. Adam Arm Chair by Mark Hampton, starting at $2,175; Hickory Chair, hickorychair.com. FASHIONABLE FORM A walnut finish and an open back lend sleek sophistication. Emile Arm Chair, starting at $480; Drexel Heritage, drexelheritage.com.…

Louisiana wears her zest for life like a diamond tiara, and nowhere is that more evident than in the historic town of Natchitoches at Christmastime. This charming community rests on the banks of the meandering Cane River Lake and boasts the distinction of being the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. The 33-block area known as the Historic Landmark District—composed of venerable homes, churches, and commercial buildings—is charming on a daily basis, but it pulls out all the stops during the holidays. That’s when the celebrated Natchitoches Christmas Festival lights up the town with music, parades, home tours, carriage rides, and more than a hundred sparkling displays. Shops and restaurants keep their doors open late to welcome visitors and locals alike for an array of wares and signature Louisiana…

Southern Lady GI VEAWAY Southern Lady GI VEAWAY uthern VEAWA uther VEAWA WIN a copy of Wintersweet for your own cookbook collection. Go to southernlady magazine.com for details. _ _ When bracing winter’s chill drives you indoors to the alluring warmth and comforts of home, there’s no better time to bake up a batch of sweet treats. “Call it a coping mechanism, but when the temperature plummets, I seek shelter in my toasty kitchen,” says cookbook author Tammy Donroe Inman. “It’s the perfect opportunity to bake all the flavors of winter: apples and pears, pumpkins and squash, nuts and chocolate.” In her book, Wintersweet: Seasonal Desserts to Warm the Home, Tammy takes advantage of these most festive of tastes to create both familiar favorites (like Baked Caramel Apples and Southern…

When the holidays roll around each year, friends and families in Franklin, Tennessee, tend to gather at Merridee’s Breadbasket. Amid the Swedish tea rings, cherry-and-cream-cheese candy canes, and cinnamon pull-apart Christmas trees, locals take pride in introducing outof- towners to their beloved hometown bakery, while others come back to reminisce over the scratch-made delicacies of their childhood. W This tendency to gather is nothing new. It’s an everyday occurrence at Merridee’s Breadbasket, and owner Jim Kreider wouldn’t have it any other way. For this, in fact, was the original Merridee’s way. Merridee Erickson grew up on a Minnesota farm, learning in the kitchen from her mother. Saturday was traditionally bread-baking day, and by the age of 9, Merridee had taken over much of the family’s baking. When she married and…

ALL IS BRIGHT Though every gathering this time of year is special, a dressed-up dinner elevates an occasion to celebration status. Pair traditional hues of red and green with the shimmer of gold for a setting that positively glows with elegance. Begin this beautiful table with a silky cloth draped at an angle, and layer with scalloped mats in the same creamy shade. Ivory china with wide gold bands and lead-crystal glassware add classic elements to the table, while alternating patterned napkins with solid gold ones offers a more modern note. For clever place cards that double as take-home gifts, use tinsel-trimmed ornaments bearing the first initial of each guest. Holiday-worthy florals incorporate crimson roses, gold and red ornaments, and striped ribbon, enhancing this luminous yuletide scene.…

Christmas holds an undeniable magic. The star shining atop the tree, stockings waiting at the hearth, packages whose contents remain a mystery even after a few secret shakes—we all become children again, filled with wide-eyed wonder and great expectations. The staff at Southern Lady has often laughed that we celebrate Christmas year-round, and with all the holiday issues we’ve produced over the past decade plus, it’s really true! So who better to turn to than the source you cite for entertaining and decorating inspiration all year long when you want fresh ideas for your own yuletide celebrations? Christmas with Southern Lady gathers all our best holiday how-tos, tips, and recipes into one beautiful book that is sure to become your favorite resource. You’ll find dozens of decorating ideas to spread…

FROM PILLAR TO POST With their position close to the curb, your mailbox and driveway entry columns offer the first greeting to guests, so they are the ideal spots to begin your holiday decorating. Try this combination of mixed fresh greenery, magnolia leaves, and green apples to create a festive mailbox swag and coordinating wreaths for the posts. Wired ribbon in a glittery copper hue fashions pretty bow toppers. To make the look uniform, carry the scheme to the front entry by flanking the door with matching wreaths and garlands and adding strands of lights for even more glimmer. Spread the news that Christmas is coming with beautiful outdoor décor. OUTSIDE THE BOX Create curbside attention with a lavish arrangement atop the mailbox. Start this eyecatching festoon with a blend…

Menu Cloverleaf Rolls Standing Rib Roast with Mushroom Sauce Sautéed Kale Parmesan Truffle Mashed Potatoes Roasted Herbed Carrots Crème Brûlée Cheesecake signs of the season The warm glow of candlelight shimmers across this inviting table set with rich reds and glittering metallics. Classic gold-trimmed white dinnerware and sophisticated crystal glasses elegantly anchor the arrangement, while lush florals and greenery incorporate natural beauty into the space. The nearby red-and-gold-festooned tree mimics the look of the table setting and evokes evergreenscented memories of Christmases past. CLOVERLEAF ROLLS Makes ? dozen rolls (.-ounce) packages active dry yeast ½ cup sugar, divided cups warm milk (º to º) to cups all-purpose flour ½ tablespoons salt ½ cup vegetable oil ½ cup butter, melted large eggs, lightly beaten ?. In a small bowl, combine yeast,…

THROUGH THE YEARS Less than a half hour from Natchitoches is Melrose Plantation. The large colonial-style home, flanked by twin garçonnières, was built in 1833, replacing the original main house. The circa-1800 African House, far right, boasts baked-brick walls and a hand-hewn cypress upper level. Among the characters in the site’s interesting history is turnof- the-20th-century owner “Miss Cammie” Henry, who created a retreat for artists and writers at Melrose. Visitors can tour the house and grounds, which are especially fetching at Christmastime.…

GENTLEMAN ADMIRER One of the special things I enjoy doing for my daughter is to subscribe to six magazines for her—all relating to Southern life and food. I am proud to inform you your magazine, Southern Lady, has risen to the top of the list. Your great magazine is getting more interesting, exciting, and enjoyable to read. Congratulations on your publication of what a “real magazine” should be all about. The elegant look of every page and your layout and interesting stories and articles increase my desire to read your magazine twice before I turn it over to my daughter. Please extend to the members of your great Southern Lady team my appreciation for making Southern Lady a part of our family life in this household. Mrs. DePiano must exemplify…

“FROSTED WINDOWPANES, CANDLES  gleaming inside . . .” Frank Sinatra’s version of the carol “The Christmas Waltz” paints a heartwarming picture of this special season. We look for ways to spread the spirit throughout our homes, and sometimes the simplest things, like this arrangement, catch the most attention. Start with a medley of glasses, and build “nests” of greenery inside. Add candles, and surround them with fresh cranberries. Arrange the glasses on a tray, carefully fill them with water, then let this display light the way to Christmas day.…

My affinity for red is a well-known fact, so I’m sure it comes as no surprise that I absolutely love to see this happy hue used in decorating come Christmastime. Every shade—scarlet, burgundy, ruby, rose—contrasts so beautifully with greenery, and the iconic combination is always in vogue. If you’ve found yourself drifting away from red toward trendier colors, perhaps this crimson- strewn home will inspire you to come back to a classic look this year. Stockings in a coordinating mix of plush garnet-patterned fabrics line a mantel adorned with a garland of cypress and magnolia, intertwined with sumptuous red ribbon. A collection of ornaments keeps with the theme and includes a medley of metallic balls, shimmery beads, hand-stitched fabric cones, and a sparkly star topper. And to finish off this…

Sylvan Splendor NATURAL ATTRACTION Subtle and rustic, Christmas accents spruce up this cozy home with holiday charm. A lighted grapevine-wreath tree, creamy white poinsettias, an iron lantern, and a basket of pinecones meet visitors at the front door, offering both a warm welcome and a hint of what is to come inside. In the dining room, a centerpiece display resting on a woven runner complements the earthy tones already present in the space. Tiny cedar saplings, pinecones, and forest fauna combine with more than a dozen twinkling votives in a variety of containers. Simple swags made of burlap ribbon and pinecones dress up curtain panels for seasonal gatherings. Even the back door gets a bit of holiday attention; a vintage sled bedecked in a burlap bow leans against the stone…

CANDIED SPICED PECANS Makes ? cups ½ cup butter cups firmly packed light brown sugar ¼ cup heavy whipping cream teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground ginger ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground cloves cups pecan halves ?. Preheat oven to ???°. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy-duty aluminum foil. ?. In a large Dutch oven, heat butter over medium-low heat until butter melts. Add brown sugar, cream, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, stirring to combine well. Cook, stirring constantly, for ? minutes. Stir in pecans. Spread pecans in an even layer onto prepared pan. Bake for ?? minutes, stirring at ??-minute intervals. Let cool completely on pan, and store in an airtight container. SALTED CARAMEL TURTLES Makes about ? dozen ? cups pecan halves ? (??-ounce) bags semisweet…