Southern Lady Celebrate Simply Spring 2011

I cannot remember a time when we didn’t have my mom’s delicious sugar cookies during the holidays and anytime the occasion called for treats. They are not terribly sweet and are perfect for cutting in your favorite shapes. As a child, I thought that making cookies and icing them was the most fun in the world. Now that I have my grandchildren, Hays and Amelia, this recipe will be my favorite to make with them. Grandchildren get to cut out all they want. Hays is already helping Gigi make cookies! As you can see, fun is the word to describe our time together in the kitchen. And when Amelia is older, she will join in the flour-flying fun as well. Editor Linda Wright shares wedding photos from her daughter’s wedding. What a…

We love featuring weddings in Celebrate because it’s one of the biggest celebrations in a person’s life, whether your own or your child’s. In this issue, I’m so lucky to be writing about my daughter Lauren’s wedding. Planning for the big occasion was such fun, even when I was sometimes reminded whose wedding it really was (we all know it’s the mother’s, right?). When you are reading the story and you finding me gushing too much, please write it off to motherly pride. With our spring issue, we are making a few changes—we’ve divided the magazine into new sections. We share the latest ideas for the table in Party Picks, cocktails and appetizers in Happy Hour, and a simple dessert for Sweet Ending. You’ll also find stories divided by weeknight and…

Spring Scene Th is toile platter, covered with rabbits and veggies, is the perfect serving piece for your Easter dinner table, or use as a decorative plate throughout the season. Available at The Dandé Lion, 205-879-0691. Mother Bird Nesting on her eggs, this little bird is a precious decorative item for a spring table. Place these at each setting, and then let guests take them home as favors. Available at table-matters.com Burst of Color Set your table with these dishes and guests will know that spring has sprung. The variety of colors in the design make it easy for you to use just about any shade of table linens. Available at anthropologie.com. A Place for Everyone When you use these birds’ nest place-card holders, every guest will know a special seat has been designated just for them.…

Mojitos Makes 4 drinks 1 cup loosely packed mint leaves ½ cup sugar 4 tablespoons lime zest (about 2 limes) 4 tablespoons lime juice (about 2 limes) 2 cups crushed ice, divided 1 cup spiced rum, divided 4 cups club soda, divided Garnish: mint leaves, lime zest strips In the work bowl of a food processor, combine mint leaves, sugar, lime zest, and lime juice. Pulse until mint is finely chopped. Divide mint mixture among 4 glasses. Add ½ cup crushed ice to each glass. Add ¼ cup rum and 1 cup club soda to each glass, stirring to combine. Garnish with additional mint leaves and lime zest, if desired. Serve immediately. To make a raspberry mojito, add ½ cup frozen raspberries that have been slightly thawed to sugar lime mixture when pulsing in food processor. Note: If you do not like…

Yellow—flowers, ribbons, paint, and fabrics— transforms a simple white wooden table into a springtime tablescape. The contrast of yellow and white provides a bright, fresh off ering after a dreary winter. Inspired by the color of the flowers, we mixed a variety of yellows. It’s not important that all the yellows match—we think they complement one another just as they do in nature. As you begin creating your table, select place mats or a tablecloth, and then pick out your chargers and plates. We’ve combined two different settings, smaller patterned plates and solid yellow chargers. Next are the centerpiece and the addition of the two side vases. The final touch is two yellow pots of natural and dyed eggs. Whether you sit at the table for Easter breakfast or just for…

Kate Landers began planning children’s parties when a child herself, creating birthday celebrations for her younger sister Julia. Kate says, “I took more pleasure in planning fun-themed parties for her than I did in planning my own parties.” After college Kate managed a highend stationery retail business for more than three years. “I helped customers with invitations, custom party favors, and other amazing goodies for celebrations,” she explains. Kate later worked for a private event planner in Boston, helping her put together spectacular children’s parties. Then in 2009, with the help and support of family and friends, she took the leap and launched her own children’s party design business, Kate Landers Events, LLC. “I design and style small-scale events with an emphasis on oldfashioned charm, imagination, style, and sophistication,” says Kate. “My…