Innehållsförteckning för Holiday Bliss 2021 från Victoria

Dear Friends This issue of Holiday Bliss presents, in glorious detail, many of the opportunities for joy that come this time of year. For my family, trimming a towering evergreen with shimmering lights, cascades of ribbon, and our cache of cherished ornaments is an annual tradition to be savored. “Decking the Halls,” which begins on page 9, offers glimpses of classic interiors dressed for the season, with inspiration aplenty for adding grace notes throughout the home. As an avid gardener and sewist, my heart thrills to the creativity brimming from “A Handmade Christmas” on page 35. Here, you will discover an array of charming projects. Whether fashioning a fresh-cut garland or stitching a bespoke stocking, I find that setting aside a few hours for crafting serves as a calming counterpoint…

“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 but perhaps surprising component—honey—to form the dough for the traditional cookies Ivana Smulikova has made since her childhood in Slovakia. Years ago, her family 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, taai-taai in Belgium), the cookies, called medovniky in Slovakia, look similar to gingerbread, but rather than molasses and brown sugar, they relyon honey as the sweetener. This natural ingredient also acts as a preservative, keeping the treats edible for several months. Although these…

Constructed at the height of the Gilded Age, Biltmore estate represents one of the greatest undertakings in the history of American architecture. George W. Vanderbilt, the third son of railroad magnate William Henry Vanderbilt, visited North Carolina frequently with his mother during the 1880s. Smitten with Asheville’s majestic scenery and temperate climate, the wealthy heir purchased 125,000 acres and commissioned famed New York City architect Richard Morris Hunt to build a “little mountain escape.” Hunt designed the opulent summer home in the style of working estates in Europe. Inspired by France’s Les Châteaux de la Loire, Biltmore is the largest private residence in the United States. The sprawling 4-acre, 250-room mansion took more than six years to complete. Both the interior and the exterior bear the fingerprints of George and…

“I WISH WE COULD PUT UP SOME OF THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT IN JARS AND OPEN A JAR OF IT EVERY MONTH.”—Harlan Miller THE RECIPES Blood Orange Mimosas p.80 Makes approximately 12 servings 1 (11.15-ounce) can blood orangesparkling fruit beverage, chilled*6 ounces blood orange juice1 (750-ml) sparkling wine or Prosecco, chilledGarnish: blood orange rind In Champagne flutes, pour approximately 1 ounce sparkling fruit beverage and ½ ounce blood orange juice. Fill glasses with sparkling wine or Prosecco. Garnish with orange rinds, if desired. Serve immediately. *We used Sanpellegrino Aranciata Rossa. Buttery Biscuits p.80 Makes approximately 18 3½ cups all-purpose flour*1½ tablespoons granulated sugar1 tablespoon kosher salt1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon baking soda1¼ cups cold butter, cubed1 cup whole buttermilk*1 large egg, lightly beaten 1. Preheat oven to 425°. Line a baking…

CREDITS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS JEAN ALLSOPP: pages 2, 7, 9, and 25–34 BILTMORE: pages 63 and 65–66 LAUREY GLENN: pages 3 and 17–24 KATE HEADLEY: pages 41–46 and 67–70 KATE SEARS: pages 55–58 MARCY BLACK SIMPSON: pages 4, 35, 37–40, 47–50, 59–60, 71–76, and 89–94 CAROLINE SMITH: page 59 CONTRIBUTING STYLISTS MISSIE NEVILLE CRAWFORD: 2, 9, and 31–34 BRITTANY WILLIAMS FLOWERS: pages 41–46 SARAH FOOTE: pages 55–58 MARY LEIGH GWALTNEY: pages 4, 85–86, and 88 KATHLEEN COOK VARNER: pages 35 and 37–40 CONTRIBUTING RECIPE DEVELOPMENT AND FOOD STYLING REBECCA TREADWELL: pages 77 and 79–84 LOREN WOOD: pages 4 and 85–96 WHERE TO SHOP & BUY 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…

“THE LIGHTS OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE ROSE HIGHER AND HIGHER, SHE SAW THEM NOW AS STARS IN HEAVEN.”—Hans Christian Andersen…

How to Craft a Handmade Christmas Delving into a stash of coordinating fabrics can yield one-of-a-kind holiday adornments that reflect tender nostalgia in every stitch. 1. To create a simple pattern, loosely trace an existing stocking, or draw the shape freehand. 2. Cut two mirroring panels each of decorative and lining fabrics, plus ribbon for the loop. 3. With right sides together, pin the top of each decorative panel to the top of a lining panel. Sandwich the ribbon loop in the outside corner of one of these pairs, placing it between a decorative panel and a lining panel. Stitch each pair, panel to lining, joining the pieces only across the top (Figure 1). 4. Unfold and press. Pin this pair, right sides together, matching fabrics so decorative ends and…

Despite rising to prominence as commander of the Continental Army and achieving acclaim as the father of his country, George Washington was called back throughout his life to his home at Mount Vernon, on the banks of the Potomac River in Fairfax County, Virginia. The site remains an ever-popular destination, especially during the winter months. Each year, from the day after Thanksgiving through January 6, the estate hosts Christmas at Mount Vernon. During this season of hospitality, guests can view an elaborate holiday course in the dining room and explore the usually private third floor of the Georgian mansion. Hand-cut boughs of greenery crown the doorways, and a dazzling array of opulent trees decorate the grounds. Spectators are invited to step into the quarters during an evening event called Mount…

THE RECIPES Festive Spiced-Tea Blend p.85 Makes 12 servings 12 sachet bags4 tablespoons black tea1½ teaspoons dried chamomile1½ teaspoons dried calendula24 cardamom pods24 dried cranberries*24 (½-inch) pieces candied ginger24 (1-inch) cinnamon sticks 1. Into each sachet bag, combine 1 teaspoon black tea, ⅛ teaspoon chamomile, ⅛ teaspoon calendula, 2 cardamom pods, 2 dried cranberries, 2 pieces candied ginger, and 2 cinnamon sticks. 2. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month. 3. To prepare one serving, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Pour water over one sachet. Steep for 3 to 5 minutes; remove sachet, and serve. *We used Karen’s Naturals Just Cranberries, which can be purchased at specialty grocery stores or online at http://shopkarensnaturals.com. Toasted-Pecan Toffee p.85 Makes 36 (2-inch) pieces 3 cups granulated…

“CHRISTMAS IS A SEASON NOT ONLY OF REJOICING BUT OF REFLECTION.”—Winston Churchill The hushed neutral palette of Kathleen and David Roth’s gracious family home in the suburban enclave of Mountain Brook, Alabama, evokes a sense of pure serenity all year long. But come December, it offers a sublime backdrop for sumptuous swags of evergreen, boxwood wreaths, crimson amaryllis, yards of classic red ribbon—and all the other trimmings that make Yuletide complete. When the couple bought this charming 1940s two-story painted-brick house several years ago, Kathleen took on the task of decorating every square inch herself—but then, creativity comes naturally to this busy entrepreneur. As the owner of Key Circle Press, she designs and prints everything from calling cards and gift enclosures to wedding and party invitations. The attention to detail…

“CHRISTMAS WAVES A MAGIC WAND OVER THIS WORLD, AND BEHOLD, EVERYTHING IS SOFTER AND MORE BEAUTIFUL.”—Norman V. Peale “EVERY GIFT WHICH IS GIVEN, EVEN THOUGH IT BE SMALL, IS IN REALITY GREAT, IF IT IS GIVEN WITH AFFECTION.”—Pindar…

THE RECIPES Roasted Cauliflower and Parsnip Soup p.91 Makes 6 to 8 servings (8½ cups) 1 head cauliflower, chopped andstem removed6 parsnips, peeled and chopped1 (4-ounce) package deli-sliced pancetta1 cup chopped yellow onion1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped3 cups chicken broth2 cups water½ teaspoon kosher salt½ teaspoon ground white pepper¼ teaspoon ground black pepper¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg2 cups half-and-halfGarnish: fresh oregano 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with foil; spray with cooking spray. 2. Arrange cauliflower and parsnips on prepared pan. Roast until browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely. 3. In a stockpot, cook pancetta until crisp. Remove pancetta from pot, and set aside, reserving grease. 4. To same pot, add onion and garlic. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until…