Innehållsförteckning för Celebrate Special Easter Issue 2012 från Southern Lady

It has been a quick 30 years since Eric and Brian were born. I remember being in the hospital for weeks waiting for their arrival—they were coming early. I went into the hospital when it was still winter, and when I was discharged, it was spring. Th e flowers seemed so vibrant and alive; I felt that way, too. Bringing home two small bundles was a dream come true. I could write pages about the wonderful times we have had during their 30 years. Every year, their birthday was a big event. I always had two cakes (one for each) and a theme for every party. We have had clown parties, airport parties, limo rides from school, and so many other themes, I can hardly count. When their 30th was…

SPLENDID SIGN Brilliant quince is one of the first indications of the season’s change, so arrange a few branches to announce the arrival of spring. Use a tall transparent container to display the twigs’ natural twists and turns. UPDATED CLASSIC Give traditionally elegant calla lilies modern appeal by placing them in a rectangular vase at a fanning angle. Once blooms are positioned, carefully fill the vessel with water. NEW LIFE To communicate the budding sentiment of the season, start with a faux nest, which can be purchased at craft stores. Embellish with branches, greenery, and leaves from the yard, and finish with two speckled brown eggs. WARM WELCOME This gathering of daffodils offers greetings as guests enter your home—a sure way to let them know you’re celebrating spring. Simply place…

USE FRESH BLOOMS TO ADD the finishing touch to your table setting. Individual flowers can be tied with napkins or bundled as a centerpiece. Edible blooms such as these pansies can even be used as the perfect garnish. WHETHER SIMPLY BUNCHED TOGETHER OR FORMALLY ARRANGED, SPRING FLOWERS CAN CARRY YOUR COLOR PALETTE AND SET THE TONE FOR YOUR EVENT. PURPLE AND WHITE TULIPS with bright green stems and leaves are a lovely choice for an Easter table. White linens allow the flowers to take center stage. MIX AND MATCH your china, and then pair it with everyday glassware. MOVE THE INDOORS OUT INTO THE GARDEN, AND ENTERTAIN AMID NATURE’S BEAUTIFUL HANDIWORK. LET SYMBOLS OF spring—feathered friends and charming birdhouses— take over outdoor entertaining in your garden. Scour flea markets or…

Ginger Ann and Robert first met at a mutual friend’s costume party, but it wasn’t until their paths crossed again three months later at a wedding that their story truly began. After two years of dating, Robert proposed, and the planning of their special day commenced. Having grown up visiting her grandparents in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Ginger Ann knew that their home, full of childhood memories, would be the ideal setting for her spring wedding. She was delighted to follow in the footsteps of her mother and her sister, bringing friends and family to celebrate her wedding at her grandparents’ idyllic estate on the Mississippi coast. In lieu of hiring a wedding planner, Ginger Ann and her mother decided to tackle all the wedding details together, and their personal touches…

EASTER BASKET CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES Makes 2 dozen cupcakes 1 (18.25-ounce) box spice cake mix 3 large eggs 1⅓ cups pineapple juice ⅓ cup vegetable oil 1½ cups firmly packed finely shredded carrots Marshmallow–Cream Cheese Icing (recipe on page 107) Green food coloring gel Garnish: edible sugar icing bunnies and carrots* Preheat oven to 350°. Line muffin pans with paper liners; set aside Prepare cake mix according to package directions, using 3 eggs, 1? cups pineapple juice (in place of water), ? cup oil, and 1½ cups carrots. In a medium bowl, combine Marshmallow– Cream Cheese Icing with desired amount of green food coloring. Place mixture in a pastry bag fitted with a grass tip†. Pipe icing onto cupcakes; garnish with sugar icing bunnies and carrots. Store, covered, in refrigerator…

“Along with love and a sense of security, the best thing we can give our families is good memories.” —Alyce Head, Editor All of us hope that along the way, we will find ourselves doing what we truly love in our careers. Today I am living my dream. For more than 25 years, I have worked in publishing, and I must say this is a magazine that cuts to the heart of who I am. I thank Phyllis Hoffman DePiano, a tremendous mentor, for giving me an opportunity to work alongside her and be a “party planner.” Both she and my mother have been such an inspiration to me, and they continue to encourage me to grow in doing what we all three love. I come from a large, loving…

“A bright arrangement of seasonal beauties is a gorgeous way to jump-start spring.” —Phyllis Hoffman DePiano As soon as I see the first sign of spring, I am ready to shake off those winter blues and bring some color into my home. If you’re like me, you might not have had time in the fall (or room in your garden) to plant spring-blooming bulbs. But don’t fret—now’s the time to purchase all sorts of varieties of these bright buds from your local garden shop. These already-potted bulbs can be easily placed in any vessel to create your own magical mini garden. Mix them up with other seasonal annuals, and finish by covering the plastic potting containers with sheet moss. Whether you are entertaining or not, simply place these arrangements around…

NOW THAT HER PICNIC is a yearly tradition, Beth always keeps an eye out for décor. She nabbed 600 plastic eggs right after Easter last year—on clearance. Give spring the warm welcome it deserves with an outdoor picnic accompanied by an adventurous egg hunt. Beth Little, mother of two and lover of parties, hosts what has become a yearly Easter fete for her two girls, inviting friends and family to join the celebration. “I’ve always wanted to do something annually for both of my girls, and a picnic this time of year is just so nice,” Beth says. Keep an Easter picnic kid and family friendly. To make sure all the children who attend get their hands on some treats, hold off on the egg hunt until everyone has arrived.…

This May, skip the crowded restaurant scene, and host your own fiesta. This dinner menu offers fresh flavors and a new twist on traditional Mexican fare. Menu AVOCADO AND CRAB MINI TOSTADAS OVEN-BAKED ARROZ CON POLLO WATERMELON-MINT MARGARITAS CHOCOLATE FLAN AVOCADO AND CRAB MINI TOSTADAS Makes 24 servings 3 avocados, peeled, pitted, and chopped 3 cloves garlic, peeled ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided 2 limes, zested and juiced, divided ¼ cup cilantro, divided ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground cumin 8 ounces lump crabmeat ½ cup seeded, diced tomato 2 tablespoons diced red onion 24 round tortilla chips In the work bowl of a food processor, combine avocados and garlic. Pulse until smooth. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, juice of 1 lime, 2 tablespoons cilantro, salt, and cumin. Pulse…

“Spring is when life's alive in everything. ” —Christina Rossetti MARSHMALLOW BUNNIES ON A STICK Makes 24 treats 2 (3 ⅜ -ounce) packages bunny-shaped marshmallows* 1 (10-ounce) package chocolate-flavored candy coating Pastel sprinkles† 24 (8-inch) lollipop sticks Ribbon Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper. Separate marshmallows, and pinch exposed areas back together with fingertips. In a microwave-safe bowl deep enough for dipping, melt candy coating in microwave according to package directions. Hold marshmallow bunny by the ears, and dip in candy coating, letting excess drip off. Place coated marshmallow, back side down, on wax paper to dry, allowing room for stick. Using a wooden pick, apply additional melted candy coating in small dots for eyes and nose and to make sprinkles adhere. Decorate with sprinkles. Allow 5 minutes for…

We often make excuses for why we aren’t interested in entertaining. Our house needs to be redecorated, we don’t know how to cook a gourmet meal, we can’t afford it, and we simply don’t have the time. In her book Th e Reluctant Entertainer, Sandy Coughlin encourages readers to stop thinking negatively and to abandon these “joy busters.” Entertaining is not about every last detail being perfect; it is about connecting with friends and family and simply enjoying each other’s company. What a relief! I love that Sandy takes the weight of perfection off our shoulders and helps us realize that at the end of the day, the way guests feel is much more important then the menu or the tablescape. She offers helpful tips on how to simplify entertaining,…

THE VENUE LEONI USED already had a stock display cart (much like a mall kiosk) that was ready to use. For a similar look, she suggests buying a garden cart secondhand, spray-painting it to match the party decor, and adding fabric for the canopy. When Leoni Jena was planning her daughter’s first birthday three years ago, she pulled together all the details while sticking to her minimal budget. But as the party neared, she realized she had one more expense that was slightly out of reach. “I was desperately searching for some fondant farm animals for a cake I planned to make, but everything was just too expensive,” she recalls. “My budget was tapped, so I decided to attempt to make the figurines myself. To my utter surprise, I found…

CREATE PLACE MARKERS that also serve as party favors by using our downloadable art for the base tags and attaching seed packets. Finish with a piece of jute twine or ribbon. HERBED GOAT CHEESE PHYLLO CUPS Makes 2 dozen cups 4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley 1 tablespoon minced fresh chives ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper 24 frozen mini phyllo cups*, thawed Garnish: fresh dill In a small bowl, stir together goat cheese, cream cheese, dill, parsley, chives, salt, and pepper. Spoon filling into a piping bag fitted with a star tip, and pipe into phyllo cups. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired. Serve immediately. *We tested with Athens TROPICAL CHICKEN…

MINT JULEP SPRITZER Makes 1 serving 4 mint leaves 1 tablespoon sugar ¼ cup bourbon 1 tablespoon Mint Simple Syrup (recipe follows) Crushed ice ¼ cup lemon-lime-flavored soda Garnish: fresh mint Place mint leaves and sugar in bottom of a glass. Press with a wooden spoon or muddler until leaves have released their juices. Add bourbon and Mint Simple Syrup, stirring well. Place ice in glass. Top with lemon-lime soda. Garnish with sprig of fresh mint, if desired. MINT SIMPLE SYRUP Makes 1 cup 1 cup sugar 1 cup water 20 large mint leaves, rinsed In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, whisking frequently. Reduce heat to medium. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until sugar is dissolved, stirring frequently. Remove…