Victoria Holiday Bliss 2012_wrong year

“At Christmas, all roads lead home." —Marjorie Holmes What signals the start of the festive holiday season for you? Perhaps it is the first snowfall or a heavy frost that covers the ground with an icy, glittering glow. Or maybe it could be the evergreen-filled tree lots that spring up on street corners in early November. My celebration starts Thanksgiving weekend with a bountiful family dinner on Thursday and a Friday visit to the basement and the attic to retrieve boxes and boxes of ornaments, garlands, ribbons, and tinsel that will transform my house into a Christmas wonderland. Having little ones around releases a creative spirit in me, and I want every room to be enticing for my grandchildren, Hays and Amelia. Many of my choices for adorning spaces in my house, as…

Nature’s Palette As the verdant vegetation and brilliant blooms of summer mellow into the burnished golds and rich burgundies of fall, the landscape shimmers in mesmerizing exuberance. Like the fanciful flight of butterflies, jewel-tone leaves flutter on tree branches. The splendor of this vibrant time of year is also revealed in placid waters that reflect the multicolored tapestry of surrounding foliage. “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower." —ALBERT CAMUS…

Sweet and Tart Vibrantly festive, cranberries are the quintessential holiday accompaniment. Harvested during September and October, these tart and buoyant gems signal that Christmas is just around the corner. This year, enjoy the red berries to the fullest by incorporating them into a multitude of flavorful recipes. Cheers! Recipes Cran-Apple Ginger Cocktail Cranberry-Pear Jellies Green-and-Red Salad with Gorgonzola Vinaigrette Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies Mascarpone Mousse Tart with Cranberry-Orange Chutney Cran-Apple Ginger Cocktail Makes 1 drink Ice cubes 3 ounces cran-apple juice 1 1/2 ounces vodka 1 ounce Ginger Simple Syrup (recipe follows) 3 ounces club soda Garnish: sugared fresh cranberries In a cocktail shaker, place ice cubes, juice, vodka, and Ginger Simple Syrup; shake to combine. Strain into a glass. Add club soda, and garnish with sugared cranberries, if desired. Serve immediately. Ginger Simple Syrup Makes 1 3/4 cups 1 3/4 cups water 1 3/4 cups sugar 3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger In a…

Juxtaposed against a storybook setting of desert skies and majestic mountains, the historic Hassayampa Inn has presided over the postcard-pretty town of Prescott, Arizona, for more than eight decades. When the hotel opened on November 5, 1927, attendees danced the night away on the waxed hardwood floor of the dining room, where a sumptuous banquet was presented. The festivities, according to one report of the era, lasted “until a late hour.” There was much to celebrate. Prescott, a goldrush town, took great pride in this $300,000 project financed by hundreds of its finest citizens, who chipped in as little as $1 each. During the holidays, the Hassayampa welcomes guests with the spirit of Christmas Present. The lobby is decorated in a traditional style, and the inn forms a charming backdrop for a variety…

A Classic Combination The warmth of gold and the shimmer of silver impart a celebratory mood throughout this elegant Georgianstyle residence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Taking a cue from the traditions of Colonial Williamsburg, interior designer Colleen Bassett incorporated a festive medley of nature’s offerings—holly berries, magnolia leaves, spruce garlands, and boxwood—to enhance the surroundings with a beloved Yuletide palette of red and green. “Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time." —LAURA INGALLS WILDER…

Nostalgia’s Embrace Brimming with family heirlooms lovingly passed from generation to generation, the inviting home of Gretchen and William T. Arnold in Charlottesville, Virginia, sparks fond memories of holiday gatherings long ago while celebrating the joys of Christmas present. Interior designer Moyanne Harding skillfully melded the couple’s seasonal décor with much-loved pieces that once belonged to the owners’ relatives. “Mankind is a great, an immense family … . This is proved by what we feel in our hearts at Christmas." —POPE JOHN XXIII…