Victoria November - December 2009

The days of this year have passed in a rush, and I find I am eager to meet Christmas head-on, with all the celebrations, decorations, messages from friends, festive gatherings, and special foods that typify the holidays at my home. On the day after Thanksgiving, I will enlist family and friends to help carry the cartons of memory-evoking ornaments from my attic and basement, and we will spend the day reminiscing as we decorate trees in several rooms. What makes your holidays meaningful? We asked our readers to tell us about their personal special traditions, and hundreds of you responded. Reader to Reader is filled with some of your letters, and we’ve posted others on victoriamag.com. These heartwarming accounts will brighten your day and trigger memories from your Christmases past. For more…

The holidays surround us with the comfort and beauty of seasonal delights, presented by entrepreneurs who bring out the best in food and drink. 1. MIA’S KITCHEN Inspired by her passion for cooking, Mia Sebastiani developed a unique variety of wine-reduction sauces. Each gourmet offering enhances the flavors of fish, meat, vegetables, and even fruit and chocolate cake. 2. SPICE RACK CHOCOLATES Mary Schellhammer took her personal-chef business to a whole new level with her all-natural artisan chocolates. From the hand-ground herbs and spices infused in the chocolates to the exquisite hand-painted designs, each piece is utterly delicious. 3. THE PERFECT BITE CO. When Teri Valentine and her husband, John, began a catering business more than twenty-five years ago, she had a philosophy that cuisine should be made from scratch, using the finest…

WRAPPED IN STYLE: RIBBON ARTISTRY BY NICHOLAS KNIEL Charming silk and satin tied in loops and bows brings a sense of whimsy to this delightful thimble-size studio. Explore the myriad ways you can brighten interiors and gifts with this age-old adornment. ’TIS THE SEASON Spark your Christmastime inspiration with lovely photos of creative and classic holiday décor—a perfect way to celebrate the beginning of this magical season. FINISHING TOUCHES Your Thanksgiving table will shine with our simple yet stunning nature-inspired ideas. With the palette and patterns of autumn foliage as our muse, we’ve created unique projects for a festive setting. We love your ideas! Do you have any suggestions about something you’d like to see in the magazine? If so, e-mail us at victoriamagazine@hoffmanmedia.com. ON THE WEB Look for this symbol throughout the magazine for more online information.…

When I think of Christmas, I recall a story my mother told about her childhood. In those days, there was very little money for ornaments and gifts, but the one thing her family did have every year was a tree—not just any tree, but a gigantic evergreen that reached to the ceiling. On Christmas Eve, my grandfather would head to the woods to cut one down and cart it home. Anxiously awaiting his return, my grandmother would busy herself in the kitchen, baking apple pies and gingerbread cookies, while the children strung popcorn, cranberries, buttons, and candy canes for the tree. They laughed, sang carols, and enjoyed a generous dose of togetherness. Today, as I find myself in the midst of the holiday hustle and bustle, I take a moment to…

Whatever the festive occasion— an elaborate Christmas ball or a romantic evening for two —take the time to renew and refresh with lavish beauty indulgences. After you bathe or before you dress, pamper yourself with a perfumed dusting powder that will help you feel exceptionally elegant. Thymes Goldleaf Dusting Powder, shown at left, can be applied with the lustrous puff, leaving skin scented with hints of jasmine and hyacinth. Revive skin with the fragrance of a grand floral bouquet in this airy body powder by Floris. Lady Primrose sweetly blends golden honey and apple blossoms in this dusting powder that is sure to enrich body and soul. The etched-glass shaker and accompanying dusting brush make stunning additions to any vanity. Crabtree & Evelyn’s perfumed powder, far left, silkens skin with the gentle…

1627 Harvest Dinner with the Pilgrims Plimoth Plantation | Plymouth, Massachusetts | November 21– 22, 2009 Experience a taste of the past and celebrate American history with a memorable evening of entertainment and hospitality hosted by residents of the English Village. After enjoying a delicious feast, guests will learn about the original harvest celebration of the seventeenth century and discover the culture that traveled across the Atlantic Ocean with the Pilgrims. For more information and dinner times, visit plimoth.org. Matisse as Printmaker: Works From the Pierre and Tana Matisse Foundation Baltimore Museum of Art | Baltimore, Maryland | Through January 3, 2010 Universally acclaimed as one of the most gifted painters and sculptors of his generation, Henri Matisse also was deeply engaged in the art of printmaking throughout his illustrious career. He viewed…