Southern Lady November - December 2017

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.”Proverbs 31:10 Christmas is a time for hospitality, and we are perennially grateful to the Southern homeowners who welcome us so warmly this time of year, opening their doors and allowing us to share their delightful décor and traditions with our readers. In this issue, we invite you inside a handful of holiday abodes throughout the region: a gold-and-white beauty right here in Birmingham; a Chattanooga home laden with keepsakes from our nation’s capital; a pair of storied structures on the annual Christmas Candlelight Tour in Edenton, North Carolina. We were so enchanted with Edenton itself that we decided to spotlight it in Two Days Away (page 115), as this quaint coastal town radiates colonial history as well as…

Open Invitation Here in the South, December weather is mild enough that we can bundle up in a sweater and go right on enjoying the outdoors. Even so, the warmth from a fire pit or an alfresco hearth is always welcome, and it’s an especially appealing backdrop for a holiday get-together. The scene on page 33 couldn’t be more welcoming, with its layers of upbeat patterns, happy colors, and luxuriant textiles (not to mention that glorious lacquered magnolia wreath). Trade the reds and greens for woodland browns or luminous cream and gold, and you’ll have a picturesque tableau fit for a Thanksgiving feast or a New Year’s Eve party. Cheers! Handmade Happiness One of the many things that makes our region special is our rich tradition of artisanship, from distinctive arts and crafts…

Dear Southern Lady family, Thank you for a most wonderful magazine. It is the thread that connects me back to my beloved South. I enjoy all of the cake recipes—especially the [simple] ones that are still delicious. I love it when you feature special places to stay for the weekend on short journeys. I have recreated some of your table displays and little decorative vignettes, which are versatile and can be used in many different rooms. Thank you for all that you do! Martha Morgan Merrillville, Indiana FROM OUR FOLLOWERS: INSTAGRAM PICTURES Get a glimpse of the beautiful images our social media friends have shared with us, capturing their own inspiration from the pages of Southern Lady.…

YULETIDE TOAST From polka dots to swirls and stripes, playfully etched glasses match the merry mood of gathered guests. Cheers Ruby Stemless Wine Glasses, $39.99 for set of 4; Mikasa, mikasa.com. DASHING DUO Add a dash of subtle sparkle to any tablescape with petite shakers that take a cue from mid-century glamour. La Cite Salt & Pepper Shakers, $42; Rosanna, rosannainc.com. FLORAL TOUCH Accentuate a simple white table setting with a dramatic French linen napkin in signature Christmas colors. Crocus Napkins, $80 for set of 6; Couleur Nature, couleurnature.com. BERRY BRIGHT A parade of savory hors d’oeuvres is the perfect accoutrement to this presentation-worthy platter. Gien Holly Oblong Serving Tray, $125; Bromberg’s, brombergs.com. ARTFULLY SERVED Handmade in Italy, a ceramic charger trimmed in a pristine lace design evokes the finery so befitting of Christmastime. Finezza Holiday Green Charger, $65;…

In the last 50 years, what began as an effort to unify a hodgepodge of holiday bazaars in Charlotte, North Carolina, has grown into one of the country’s most renowned Christmas markets. The Southern Christmas Show got its start in the late 1960s when local entrepreneur Joan Zimmerman was struck with a thought: Wouldn’t these seasonal markets offer so much more if they were all housed in one wondrous space? And so, together with her husband, Robert, Joan launched the first show in 1967. Today, the show holds onto its well-established heritage, while constantly evolving to keep up with contemporary trends. The result is a distinguished destination, intricately designed to recreate the look and feel of an old-fashioned Christmas village with a wide range of products for modern shoppers—attracting more than…

In 1919, a time when careers for women were limited, best friends Ruth Hanly Booe and Rebecca Gooch found a way to turn their passion for candy making into paychecks. While still in their 20s, the pair left their jobs as substitute teachers to launch Rebecca Ruth Candy in Frankfort, Kentucky. At the heart of their fledgling business were the homemade sweets they traditionally made and gifted at Christmas. Nearly 100 years later, the company’s chocolate confections continue to be a highly desirable holiday treat and a family legacy that Ruth’s grandson, Charles Booe, is proud to carry on. “This is a family business and I hope it stays that way,” he says. One of Charles’ earliest memories is of his grandmother hand-dipping chocolates on “Edna’s table,” the marble slab she'd…