An enlightened
home
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CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2020
16 | HOME FEATURE: Years of planning result in this light-filled East Memphis home where beauty and practicality mesh seamlessly.
28 | DESIGN: Amanda Goetze of Goetze Art & Design loves to connect people with
art, by making it accessible and affordable through her “gallery on the go” concept.
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C OF E BNR UATREY 2N T S 020
16
58
54
28
HOME + DESIGN 16 home feature An Enlightened Home 28 design Connecting People with Art 68 in the garden Winter-flowering Plants IN EVERY ISSUE 14 publisher's note 81 sources 10 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
TRAVEL + CULTURE FOOD + DRINK 58 travel Scottish Odyssey 38 entertaining Winter Wonderland Party 54 wedding Margaritis/Norman 74 dining out Sweet LaLa's Bakery FOR YOU 76 healthy you Experiencing Love & Happiness 82 on a good note Les Passees
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FEBRUARY 2020 • VOL. 18 NO. 11 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com
ART DIRECTOR ANNA HALEY | aleppert@athomemms.com
MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com
COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER
IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com
ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com
MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com
HOW TO REACH US 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11 | Cordova, TN 38018 901.684.4155
WEBSITE: athomemms.com
At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018.
SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.
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P U B L I S H E R ’S NOTE As we enter the month of February and the greeting card industry gears up for a record month of selling $5.00 cards we read and toss, I will share a story with you. Years ago, my husband and I pretty much quit giving gifts to each other on special occasions. Truth is, we are blessed and really have all we need; we would rather create memories with each other and our children and their spouses than open another gift from each other. This extends to Valentines as well. I do not want a dozen roses that cost $100 on Valentine’s Day, but I do appreciate the bundle of fresh flowers from Costco he brings me more than monthly. We haven’t eaten out for years on that day, but instead we take turns cooking for each other. We do support the numerous incredible local restaurants we have here in the Mid South, but that night we let others enjoy dining out and we choose another night that is less crowded. That brings me to the cards. I LOVE a good funny card but I enjoy them more when they are for no reason. After years of getting cards from Trip, I finally asked him to please stop. It made me crazy to turn the card over to see that price and then toss it in the trash. I couldn’t help but think, “That $5.00 could have gone to actually feed someone in need and here I am tossing it in the trash.” I told him to just give me the $5.00 and I would donate it somewhere—it’s a win/win. Well, the next holiday came and he gave me an envelope with what felt like change in it. Yes, it was not $5.00, but instead 50 cents. When I asked him why all of a sudden so cheap he replied, “I was going to start getting your cards at Dollar Tree and they are two for $1 there!” Yes, he can be rather annoying, but I love him anyway! This Valentine’s Day if you are exchanging gifts, eating out, buying flowers or cards, please remember to support local businesses. Showing our homegrown establishments the love when shopping for those we love equals a big win for everyone. If you are still a bit overwhelmed with all the holiday gifts, you might want to look into donating to a local charity in a loved one’s name. However you choose to celebrate, I wish you all a peaceful remainder to our winter season and I pray with all my being that on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil does not see his shadow—this weather has been amazing! Get outside and enjoy!
Warmest Valentine’s wishes!
Margaret Monger, Publisher Photo by Steve Roberts 14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
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home feature
An Enlightened Home Years of planning result in a light-filled home in which beauty and practicality mesh seamlessly
Story: Terri Glazer | Photography: Annabella Charles 16 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
home feature
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spotlight home feature
The owner of this East Memphis home says she has always been inspired by natural light. “It’s just uplifting,” she explains. That love played heavily into the plan when the couple turned to David Anderson, a Memphis architect who specializes in custom homes, to create the house where they are raising their family. Lots of light was at the top of the must-haves they gave Anderson—a long list compiled over time and with much thought. “There was an existing home here that my husband had originally lived in, and we were living next door. We planned for probably seven years, just kind of dreaming and planning and sketching out ideas and making wish lists,” the homeowner recalls. “Then finally, we decided to take the plunge. We bulldozed the house that was here. [Construction] took about a year and a half to complete, start to finish.” Lockwood Griffin of Griffin Homes was the builder. “We wanted so many windows in the home. David has this knack for windows,” says the homeowner. “He really delivered on just where to put the windows so light would filter in but we’d still have privacy.” Nowhere is the emphasis on windows more evident than in the home’s dining area. Situated at the front of the house, adjacent to the open kitchen, a double-height set of windows backs a banquette that spans the entire length of the space. The windows continue around the corner to the room’s west wall, allowing even more light to flood in. 18 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
home feature Every aspect of the dining room, from its size and scale to the furnishings, is the product of careful consideration. “When we built the house we knew we didn’t want an enormous footprint on everything so we tried to consolidate and work with David on making the most of a space without it being so grand. Palladio built the long bench and we decided that since we were having a banquette, it would be easier when we’re having multiple guests over, as they’re sitting on the banquette, to have a table that would split for the ease of getting in and out. That “light-filled-and-not-enormous” aesthetic continues into the adjacent kitchen. Explains the homeowner, “With the floor plan being so open, the area kind of turns into one big living space. I didn’t want it to read so much as kitchen.” To that end, she decided to forgo wall cabinets and selected a refrigerator that didn’t require a front vent. Even the barstools that border the kitchen island are upholstered, for a “softer look,” she says. Although the white fabric on the seats looks refined, it’s also easy to clean, a must with seven-year-old twin sons in the family.
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home feature
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home feature
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home feature Despite the absence of upper cabinets, this kitchen offers plenty of storage, from drawers in the oversized island, to the sizeable pantry just behind it, a feature the homeowner describes as a happy coincidence. “When we were working with David on revisions, we were, again, trying to keep the footprint from being so large. We had to make a change in the powder room and it ended up enlarging my pantry. I was so glad because I went from a little broom closet to this pantry that has storage, a nook for keeping track of lists and even a little dog food spot.” The clever addition of barn doors allows the owners to close off the pantry when entertaining, transforming the area from a utilitarian necessity to a passthrough leading guests to the powder room.
The comfortable living area is at once airy and warm. Handsome natural wood beams crown the room and a wall that features a wood-burning fireplace (another item from the homeowners’ wish list) anchors it. Shaded sconces on either side of the fireplace produce soft lumens to complement the natural light from the bank of floor-to-ceiling windows on the rear wall. “We wanted to have seating enough for friends and family,” says the homeowner, “but we also knew this room would be lived in. The kids are going to have their pillow fights in here so it’s all furniture we can use.” Pieces range from a coffee table the family had in their previous residence and a well-loved leather chair to a new sofa, chairs and accessories selected specifically for the room. Along with an abundance of light, a sense of tranquility permeates the house, thanks in part to the neutral color palette that runs throughout. The homeowner worked closely with Interior Designer Dudley Rhodes during the construction process in selecting paints and finishes. The oak floors are finished with a simple classic gray stain, the walls are washed in a soft white, and the furnishings range from light-toned woods to soothing beiges, grays and taupes. “I like a calm in my life. I didn’t want to have too much going on everywhere and I wanted things to flow nicely,” says the homeowner. “We’re living in this house. We want it to be nice and neat and have a charm to it without the pressure of perfection.”
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home feature The downstairs master suite is a serene retreat. A tall ceiling in the bedroom creates a roomy feel which the homeowner loves, although she admits her favorite touch is out of plain sight. Flanking the room’s window alcove, full-length drapes hide a wall-mounted TV when it’s not in use. The curtains can open to let in the natural light the couple so loves or close completely for privacy. Elegant, yet completely livable, the master bath exudes a spa-like feel with a free-standing soaking tub and clean white fixtures dressed up with gold accents. Upstairs lies the generous guest suite, but the majority of the floor is the domain of the children. At the top of the staircase a rec room holds all the toys two busy boys could need, plus a TV and a cozy window seat—the perfect spot to read a book. Originally conceived as attic space, the room came to be as part of the effort to minimize wasted space. “Basically all the hallways. That’s why we have this little area outside the boys’ bedrooms,” says the homeowner. Brilliantly designed with twins in mind, the two children’s bedrooms are almost identical and each has its own bath. The wall that separates them is more aperture than barrier, a large cased opening with barn doors. Says their mother, “With twin boys, we didn’t know. Right now they love sharing a bedroom, but maybe one day they’ll want separate bedrooms, but would still want that feeling of being together. Or if they had sleepovers, it’s an area that could have the feel of a suite. They can close the barn doors for privacy, or if we have extra family come in it can serve as a second guest room.”
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home feature
Just outside the boys’ bedrooms and open to the downstairs, a study loft holds two desks for homework, topped by built-in bookcases laden with family treasures. “Things that were my husband’s parents’. Things that were his. It’s sweet to have a little spot where you can put those mementoes.” And, spoken like a true mom, she adds, “With it being in the loft area I can still kind of hear what’s going on. I can take a peek up and make sure they’re at their desks.”
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home feature When it came to their home’s exterior and outdoor living, the owners applied the same detailed thought process that went into the inside spaces. “With a new construction home, we didn’t want it to look brand new; that’s why we chose reclaimed brick. We debated on every single detail about it...how far apart we spaced the bricks to the color of the mortar. We put samples up and looked at new brick that was supposed to look like old brick. We were lucky to find this old, old brick that helped give the house that instant patina and charm.” English Garden provided an initial landscape design that is being built upon in stages to achieve a natural environment complementing the home. Even the fence was the subject of careful planning. “We didn’t want it to feel like a barrier, but just something to help contain two little boys and a dog. We wanted it to feel homey.” Out back, a cozy covered porch and an inviting pool by Eric Goode Pools promise sun-filled days and family memories waiting to be made. Like the rest of the home, the T-shaped pool design was intentional, with children and their safety in mind. “I really wanted a shallow end that the kids could play in,” says the homeowner. “I always pictured a basketball or volleyball game going on in the shallow end.” TNT Greens added an artificial zoysia turf that not only keeps the pool clean, but ensures the yard is ready for play by the homeowner's active boys no matter the weather. The detached garage is well thought out as well, and useful for the entire family. In addition to room for two cars, the garage has plenty of storage and even a “kids’ garage” for the boys’ bikes and gear. Above, a studio space provides room for the homeowner to create art, a passion she put on the back burner while her children were younger. And, of course, it has plenty of natural crosslight, she admits. “It has windows on the front and back walls, so it’s a great space.” With a degree in graphic design and a love for fine art in general, it’s no wonder that the homeowner fell in love with the design process—”the options and the studying and research and building a layout of just want you want.” Through deliberate planning and with expert professionals carrying out that plan, she created an inspired and light-filled nest where her family can thrive.
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design
Connecting People with
Art
Amanda Goetze of Goetze Art & Design
Story: Terri Glazer Photography: Ross Group Creative 28 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
design
“My mother jokes that I sell art out of the back of my car, but I’m really a gallery on the go,” says Amanda Goetze of her business, Goetze Art and Design. “I don’t have a brick-and-mortar situation; I will have a pop-up show or an open house occasionally, but generally I work with individuals.” Her clients, most of whom become repeat customers, value the concierge service she provides. “Someone might approach me and say, ‘Come over to my house and let me see what you think might work.’ We talk, because art can be really intimidating to people. We look at the space and we look at their price point. Then we get a feel of what they’re interested in, what they connect with, and we go from there. I really love the matchmaking. I love that ‘aha’ when it comes together.” Goetze currently represents a variety of artists both domestic and international. She keeps a few works from each artist in her home as examples so potential clients can see their styles. If customers don’t find a connection, she goes beyond her represented artists to find the perfect match. “I really enjoy the hunt—finding an emerging talent,” she says. Access to artists nowadays is virtually limitless, thanks to the internet, says Goetze, “The social media world has changed how artists work. They can sell directly to the consumer, but a lot of them don’t have the time to do it or the know-how to do it, so that’s what I try to do. I try to connect people with the art.” "I really pride myself on being able to work within my clients price point. Art should be accessible; finding a piece that speaks to you doesn't need to cost a million dollars” says Goetze. Goetze started her own collection at a young age (“At my house we bought art before we bought furniture!”) and encourages others to do the same. “I love the idea of being able to tell the story of a painting as part of a family’s lore: ‘I bought that for myself when I got my first promotion.’ or ‘We found that in Charleston in a little place.’” Goetze’s personal story as an art lover started before she can even remember. Her mother was part of a group of artist friends who had a studio in Midtown and both her parents were avid art collectors who instilled the love in their daughter. “As a child, I was fortunate to get to enjoy art. I went to classes at the Memphis Academy of Art and I loved mixing colors. My mother used to put pictures of famous paintings on the refrigerator down at my level for me to enjoy.”
New Orleans-based artist Ida Floreak is fascinated with specimens of plants and insects. The remarkable realism in her work has the ability to bring nature indoors. Her work refers to a centuries-old tradition of botanical and animal illustration but is thoroughly modern in feel. While at home in this beautiful traditional interior, her paintings add a modern touch, and the arrangement of these paintings in a graduated pyramid adds to this contemporary feel.
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design As a new college graduate, Goetze wanted to put her freshly minted art history degree from the University of Richmond to use in a Washington, DC, gallery. “I lived on someone’s couch, literally, and pounded the pavement trying to find a job,” she recalls. Eventually she left a resume in Sen. Bill Frist’s office, which led to a job offer. “I got a call later that day and they said, ‘We’ve got a great job for you operating the elevator in the US Capitol. My father said, ‘You better take that job!’ so I did.” A chance conversation in that elevator with then-senator from Mississippi Thad Cochran led Goetze to a job in the government relations office of the Smithsonian Institution, where Cochran was a regent. The lifelong aficionado was in heaven in a work environment where there was so much art that it couldn’t all be displayed—”There was art hanging over the copier!” she recalls. “It was the ultimate job for a 23-year-old.” It was here that Goetze’s penchant for matching the right piece with the right person got its start. “The Smithsonian would work with officials at Capitol building to place art in congressional offices, so it could be seen by people. I would coordinate with congressional members to help them select artwork for their offices, which was really neat,” she remembers. For example, Goetze assisted a Missouri member of congress in borrowing peace pipes that were indigenous to his congressional district. Once she moved back to Memphis, word of her “matchmaking” expertise got around. “Just on the side, people would come to my house and say, ‘I wish you’d help me find this or that,’ so I did,” Goetze says, and her business was born. In addition to helping clients select new works, she also sells art on consignment. "If you have a piece of art that you inherited or that no longer speaks to you, I try to find it a new home. It's a great way to pass art along and turn it into someone else's heirloom." She encourages clients to consider more than just the aesthetic value of artworks they purchase. “It’s important to think of art as an investment. Tastes change. A piece of art doesn’t have to be the heirloom forever. Of course, you want to love it, but it is truly an investment you enjoy, as well.”
This piece, The Exhibitionist, created by modern naturalist Adam Batchelor seems made for the space. It’s an incredible triptych that fits beautifully over the side board. The wallpaper is an important feature in this dining room, and the client was reluctant to hide or detract from it. So it was crucial that the chosen artwork complemented rather than competed with the space. Batchelor’s work was a perfect choice. 30 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
design
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design
This client’s home is filled with beautiful antiques and traditional spaces. This Adam Batchelor piece, Le Petit Jaune Mobil, is right at home with its traditional techniques and subject matter, but I also love Batchelor’s addition of modern elements, such as the abstract shape of the red string and the unusual posture of the bird itself. We framed it simply, letting the movement of the bird take center show. 32 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
design
We commissioned Charleston-based artist Katherine Dunlap to paint this work, which is inspired by a family photo (see right on shelf). The acrylic on board painting is an absolute fit, bringing personality and joy to the space.
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design This bedroom features a tall ceiling and is both soft and light-filled. The task was to source artwork to occupy a difficult space above the bed. The color and subject matter of this commissioned series by John Matthew Moore echoes the softness the room and provides a serene focal point of interest. By floating the work in the frame, the art appears almost suspended in the space.
The kitchen opens to the dining room, where the soaring ceiling and a wall of windows provide abundant light to the space. The room is a tribute to the family and its Mississippi roots from the much-loved farm table and ladderback chairs, to the McCarty pottery and cotton boll accents on the shelves, to the commissioned painting by Charles Guess. “My grandparents on both sides were sharecroppers, so that painting reminds me of them,â€? says Pat. The room has a 20 foot vaulted ceiling providing the backdrop for the staircase to be a focal point in the room. The original structure was removed, and solid cedar posts were installed creating an open feel. The structure itself features custom iron and millwork designed by Bacon. The fireplace feature was updated with the outside bluestone and rustic boards above a new cedar mantle. 34 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
Goetze’s Tips to Connect with art: 1. My best advice is to collect what speaks to you. Surround yourself with what brings you joy, makes you think, draws you in, draws you out, and ultimately catches your eye. 2. Think about your space and where the artwork will live. One important consideration is lighting. How much natural light does the room have and will artificial lighting be necessary? Will a piece framed under glass or a highly varnished piece catch a glare in a particular place? If so, would an artwork in a different medium be a better choice? 3. Use painter’s tape to mock up the ultimate size you see in the space. One work might fill the space but a grouping could also work. In that case, mock up the borders of the entire grouping. 4. Change your mind if you want. Live with your arrangement, but don’t be afraid to change it up if it is not working for you. 5. Is your possibly artwork purchase worth the stretch financially? If it really speaks to you, then probably yes! Remember that you can always consign it if you want. Enjoy your investment. For more information, visit goetzeartanddesign.com February 2020 • athomemms.com | 35
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entertaining
Winter Wonderland Party Story and Photos: Courtesy of Jim Norton
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What could be better than a beautiful birthday dinner for a beautiful friend with a pretty table and delicious food? Not much if you ask me! Recently, I hosted one of these dinners for our sweet friend, Singer/ Songwriter Kelly Lang. From my table to the food I wanted everything to be perfect and that included the guest list! Laughter flowed all evening with stories from Kelly’s husband, Country Music Legend TG Sheppard, along with Priscilla Presley, Jack and Leighanne Soden, Pat Kerr Trigrett, Dr. Jonathan Ellichman and his wife Nicole, Dianne Norton, and Robert Walden. Story: Emily Steen | Photos: Courtesy of Visit Corinth February 2020 • athomemms.com | 39
entertaining
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Guests arrived around 7:00pm and were escorted back to the bar to start the party off with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. About an hour into the party I asked guests to follow me to the dining room to be seated for dinner! With it being winter and pretty chill here in Tennessee I wanted my table to reflect that. I decided on a Winter Wonderland themed table with tall crystal trees, flocked evergreen, and touches of soft purples to bring in a little color. One of my favorite touches of the evening were the menu cards I made for each guest. Easy to make and definitely beautiful, I purchased the glitter card stock at a local craft store and cut it to the desired size. I printed the menu on a pearlized paper, cut it a tad smaller that the glittered piece and glue it on top. To finish, I attached elegant snowflake stickers to add color and depth. Time consuming? A little. But well worth it as every lady at the table asked if they could take theirs home. To start the evening I served a guest favorite, my Filet of Halibut atop Cream Cheese Grits with Country Ham topped with Wild Mushroom Marsala Broth. One of the guests, who has eaten at restaurants around the world, said he had never had a better halibut course. Next, I served a delicious Mixed Greens Salad with Granny Smith Apples, Dried Cranberries, Red Onion, Candied Pecans, and Goat Cheese topped with my homemade Sweet Blush Vinaigrette. For the entree I made Prosciutto and Sage Wrapped Pork Tenderlion with Buttered Shallots, Creamy Mushroom Risotto, and Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Applewood Smoked Bacon. Needless to say, I don’t like for my guests to go home hungry! Glowing Embers Japanese Maple
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entertaining
Photorgraphy: Janet Warlick for Four Seasons of Entertaining by Shayla Copas
Civil War Relief Sculpture 42 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
Dessert was the showstopper for me! For the birthday girl I didn’t want to do anything expected. So, instead of a traditional birthday cake I had a little fun! I made each guest a hollow white chocolate ball, about four inches in diameter, and embellished it with edible flowers I dusted in pink and yellow edible dusting powder. To top them off I used melted white chocolate as glue and attached beautiful dragonflies made of edible wafer paper...the birthday girl loves dragonflies. Hidden under each embellished ball I placed a tower of decadent carrot cake with cream cheese icing. Once a dessert had been placed in front of each guest I circled the table with my hot butterscotch glaze, pouring a liberal amount over each ball causing them to melt and reveal the hidden dessert beneath.Â
Glowing Embers Japanese Maple
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entertaining
We finished the evening with a delicious port to accompany the dessert as Kelly opened her birthday gifts. It was the perfect evening and I think everyone had a wonderful time. Especially me as I love nothing more than having guests around my dining table.Â
Civil War Relief Sculpture 44 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
entertaining Prosciutto and Sage Wrapped Pork Tenderloin with Buttered Shallots Ingredients • • • • • • • • • •
3 1.15lbs Peppercorn Pork Tenderloins 18 slices of prosciutto Fresh sage leaves (approx. 24) 6 sliced shallots 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth 1/4 cup Sauvignon Blanc 7 tbsp unsalted butter 1/8 tsp dried rubbed sage 1/8 tsp salt 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions Preheat oven to 350*. Pat each tenderloin dry with paper towel. Lay fresh sage leaves diagonally across each tenderloin. Wrap each tenderloin completely with slices of prosciutto. About 4-6 slices per tenderloin. In a large skillet drizzle olive oil and warm over medium high heat. When the oil is hot add 1 tablespoon of butter. Allow better to melt and foam. Place the tenderloins in the skillet and sear on all sides. Approximately three minutes per side. Once browned, place the tenderloins in a baking dish and pour the juice from the skillet over the top of each tenderloin. Cover with foil and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until done. While the pork is baking, return skillet to medium heat. Add 4 tablespoons of butter and melt. Add shallots and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add wine and broth. Cook and additional 3-5 minutes or until the shallots are nice and tender. Remove from heat and add additional 2 tablespoons of butter, sage, salt and pepper. To serve, slice tenderloin into 3/4" medallions. Place on individual plates and top with buttered shallots.
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entertaining
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Special Details: Jennifer and her guests enjoyed dancing under the stars to the Memphis Allstars Band. In lieu of gifts, she requested that donations be made to Southern Reins in honor of a special friend. February 2020 • athomemms.com | 47
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gift guide
VALENTINES DAY GIFT GUIDE Sissy's Log Cabin Memphis, TN 14K Two Tone Gold 0.17CTW Diamond Infinity Bracelet - $995 14K Yellow Gold 0.32CTW Diamond Three-Station Bracelet - $1795 14K Yellow Gold 0.54CTW Pave Diamond Station Bracelet - $1495
901.834.0067
Warehouse 67 Germantown, TN 901.867.6767
Seda France Ceramic Candle $55 Pure Notecards $42
Southern Avenue Germantown, TN Cotton Row Uniques Memphis, TN
Tokyo Milk Lotions & Perfumes - $22-$48
901.590.3647
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Two Doors Down Germantown, TN
Goodman Spalding Necklace $128
901.385.3115
Barefoot Dreams Cozy Chic Lite Island Cardigan $110
901.207.6407
gift guide Pink Carriage Collierville, TN
Jeweler’s Choice Memphis, TN
Bunny Canvas by Lynn Huffman $50
Monogram Disk in 14 Karat with silver chain $150
901.221.8481
901.763.0195
Candle & Gift Shoppe Batesville, MS Small Bogg Bag - $55
662.578.0290
Talk of the Town Batesville, MS The Family Bracelet $220
Southern Muse Collierville, TN
HOST Glass Freeze Beer glass (set of 2) $36.99
662.563.4684
901.221.7479
Center Stage Fashions Hernando, MS MYKA Designs necklace $167
662.429.5288
Cotton Row Uniques Memphis, TN Men’s Bourbon Line Lotions & Beard Products $10-$25
901.590.3647
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travel
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travel social social wedding getaway
Sophia Margaritis Drake Norman October 26, 2019 Byhalia, Mississippi Parents of the Bride: Mrs. Catherine & Mr. Bill Margaritis Parents of the Groom: Mrs. Stephanie & Mr. Brian Thomas, Forsyth Fountain Mr. James Norman, Jr. 54 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
getaway wedding social social
Montepulciano
SOURCES
Rehearsal Dinner: No. 2 Vance Wedding & Reception: The Glass Chapel at Mallard's Croft, Byhalia, MS Florist: John Mark Sharpe Photographer: Lela & Lyla Videographer: Cody Giles, Glacier Point Productions Entertainment: Al Paris & The Heartbreakers Caterer: Coletta's Restaurant Baker: Cakes by Mom & Me Invitations: Stovall Collection Wedding Dress: Stella York & Justin Alexander from Bliss Bridal in Dallas, Texas Hair/Makeup: Annie Shackelford, Micah Harper & Leigh Gardner Bridesmaids Dresses: Nordstrom Rentals: White Door Events & Elegant Chair Solutions
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Celebrates 50 Years of Family
If you have lived in the Mid South for any length of time, you’ve likely heard Sissy Jones’s catchy tagline, “Life’s too short for ordinary jewelry.” But for the Jones family, the story of Sissy’s Log Cabin is much larger than a simple phrase. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the business, and the story of this generational family enterprise is far from over. It all started in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, with a dilapidated log cabin with no air conditioning or restroom. Sissy Jones had been selling antique furniture out of her house, but when her business expanded, she needed to find it a home of its own. She drove past the log cabin on the side of the highway, felt drawn to the building, and the rest is history. Since that day, her determination and dedication to the people she serves have fostered five locations, and now three generations of Joneses are contributing to the legacy. 56 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
travel The Memphis location celebrated five years last fall, and Sissy’s Log Cabin recently opened a fifth store, located in Conway, Arkansas. As the business continues to grow, the Jones family’s appreciation for the Bluff City has deepened. “Over the past five years in Memphis, we’ve learned more and more about its generous community,” says Bill Jones. “They have welcomed us warmly, and we are honored to become part of their family.” Sissy’s was built on a foundation of quality jewelry and quality customer service. This level of customer care in the store has become known as “The Sissy’s Experience.” Expect personal attention and detailed service as soon as you enter the doors. The Sissy’s team believes when you come to Sissy’s Log Cabin, you’re family, and they are going to treat you as such. Each in-store expert is committed to giving guests the attention they deserve; that goes beyond customer service to the selection, as well. Sissy’s only provides top-notch products to ensure the quality of its pieces. All merchandise is inspected and checked for quality daily. In-house craftsmen allow customers to be part of the custom design process from start to finish — a unique aspect of the services offered at Sissy’s. The Memphis store is also well known for its quality repairs; they can bring their level of expertise to the most intricate of jobs. Michael Bohner, longtime Sissy’s teammate and vice president, has run the Memphis store since it opened. “Memphis continues to grow in many ways, and we are proud to be part of this vitality,” he says. The Jones family is dedicated to the community in everyday life outside of the cabin doors, too. Sissy has never forgotten the lessons her mother taught her about philanthropy on a local level, words that cast business and customers in a new light: “If you’re living in a town and you don’t help that town, how can you expect the townspeople to help you?” The team at Sissy’s was quick to begin their involvement in the Memphis community. Throughout the years, countless organizations have been impacted by the generosity of the family business. The Jones family is eager to continue its legacy in Memphis. Giving back is just part of their DNA. Besides serving her community, Sissy believes raising a family is one of her greatest accomplishments. Three generations of Joneses serve at Sissy’s now, and Sissy herself is still very much involved in creating one-of-a-kind experiences for each person who walks in the cabin doors. Bill Jones and his wife Sharri are the everyday managers of the business and work together to make the details and the big picture come to life. They have been married for more than 30 years and have been joined in the business by their sons William, Joe and Wyatt. William serves as vice president of operations and is located in the new Conway store. He has two young sons of his own with his wife, Dawn. Joe is the manager of the Sissy’s location in Jonesboro. He and wife Blair also have a son. Wyatt is learning the family business in the Little Rock store. The Jones family is growing just like their business! As we celebrate 50 golden years of Sissy’s Log Cabin, the growth of the company indicates that the future is just as bright as the past. The newest store is a special addition to the business, and yet it’s not the last. The family has plans to continue to grow the business and maintain its standing as the premiere diamond and bridal jewelry store in the Mid South.
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travel
SCOTTISH ODYSSEY
Famed Fairways. Fine Whisky. Historic Castles and Royal Palaces. A visit to Scotland is all that and more.
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travel
Story: Adapted from an article originally published in Virtuoso Life Photos: Courtesy of Regency Travel, Inc. February 2020 • athomemms.com | 59
travel The view from Calton Hill, a steep rise overlooking Edinburgh, is a panoramic summary of a visit to Scotland. To the west is majestic Edinburgh Castle, once the home of Scottish kings, and the restored buildings of Old Town. To the east is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, an imposing structure where British royals stay. And off to the north is the Firth of Forth, a major artery of shipping and commerce across which is the revered home of golf, St Andrews. Part history lesson, part golf vacation, all thoroughly exhilarating.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh I had visited Scotland before, to play golf. Classic guy stuff: play the best courses, drink single malts, tour castles, and even try haggis—once. But this trip was different. Though my brother and I were there to attend a British Open, we ventured across the pond ten days early to spend time in Edinburgh and then traveled north and west before ending our journey on the Ayrshire coast. And though we played golf, our experience went beyond fairways. It was Dave’s first trip to the Auld Country, so Edinburgh seemed the perfect place to start, 60 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
particularly in the summer, when the year’s best weather brings a host of concerts, events and festivals, including the renowned Festival Fringe. Though nearly half a million people live there today, it’s easy to imagine what Scotland’s capital was like 500 years ago, as many of its historic buildings are preserved, and every alley reveals a colorful story of the past. A short walk from the lobby of the elegant Balmoral Hotel one morning took us to the Scott Monument, a weathered Gothic tower that pays homage to novelist Sir Walter Scott.
travel
Scott Monument
That afternoon we crossed the North Bridge and walked the Royal Mile, which follows High Street from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It’s a fascinating walk unescorted, but during the summer months free tours, guided mainly by college students, make a walk through Old Town both informational and hysterical. We followed a tour past the Old Town Weaving Company and the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre to the steps of Saint Giles’ Cathedral, where our guide told colorful tales of witch trials and dungeons. Despite the somber material, with a wink of the eye and a well-told tale, the brutality and strife became the stuff of gallows humor, and we laughed as we learned. Three days was not enough in Edinburgh, but we had a large territory to cover and a golf tournament to attend, so we headed north to St Andrews.
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travel
St Andrews
Old Course Hotel
After checking into the Old Course Hotel and admiring the views of the golf course, the “Royal & Ancient” clubhouse, and The Auld Grey Toon (as St Andrews has been dubbed), we headed to a storied bar for a late-afternoon Guinness. Strolling out the back door of the hotel, we saw not golfers, but families with picnics and dogs digging in the sand traps. The course is closed on Sunday, and the grounds are used by the community as parkland. In Scotland, golf is a game of the people; there are few private clubs. Monday morning we were on the first tee at the Old Course, ready to test our skills against her infamous challenges. I’m proud of my 83 and Dave’s less-than-stellar performance gave him insight. “Golf,” he said. “Were all the other four-letter words taken?” Luckily, we discovered the Jigger Inn, a roadhouse attached to the hotel that serves fish-and-chips and ales, so Dave’s woes were soothed.
ABERDEEN & INVERNESS
Inverness Castle 62 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
Saint Machar's Cathedral
Aberdeen is full of architectural wonders from Scotland’s past, such as beautiful Saint Machar’s Cathedral, built in 1131 on the site of an original Celtic church. The Old Town has charming buildings and cobblestoned streets. Remarkable castles dot the countryside. The drive from Aberdeen to Inverness took us through the rolling hills of the Grampian Highlands and alongside the Malt Whisky Trail, a collection of distilleries, including Cardhu and The Glenlivet. We made a stop at Glenfiddich, with its colorful gardens, factory tours, and gift shop loaded with bottles to ship home. Inverness, the capital city of the Highlands, was a highlight. We walked to the River Ness, which flows through the city into the Moray Firth, sampled local brews at Castle Tavern (next to Inverness Castle), and chatted with an enthusiastic young man who took pains to describe what the world can thank Scotland for. “Much of what you Yanks call the American spirit came from Scotland,” he said. “The idea that all men are equal; that the people are more powerful than the rulers they create; the right to free speech; and that a man can make of himself what he chooses.” We took one day of our Inverness itinerary to drive to Dornoch, home of a Scottish golf jewel: Royal Dornoch Golf Club. With its rumpled fairways and seaside location, this linksland course is guaranteed to jump into your top-five list. February 2020 • athomemms.com | 63
travel
GLENEAGLES & TURNBERRY
Gleneagles Hotel
From Inverness we drove to one of the world’s great golf resorts. First opened in 1924, Gleneagles has long been a favored getaway for European travelers. There is plenty more to do than golf on the majestic estate. Guests can play tennis, ride horses, hike the countryside, attend falconry and gun-dogging courses, try lawn bowling, or drive a Range Rover on an off-road course. The final leg of our Scottish odyssey took us to the Ayrshire coast. At Turnberry we played the tournament course—from the tournament tees, more than 7,200 yards. We decided that the score didn’t matter, and although we lost balls in the deep fescue, it was a round we will never forget. As we walked up the 18th fairway with the colors of the sunset painting the sky, I noticed the Scottish flag waving. In the distance I heard bagpipes and the drumbeat of time marching in a proud land. 64 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
Gleneagles Golf Course
For more information on a vacation in Scotland, call the travel advisors at Regency Travel, Inc. at 901.682.9065 or visit www.regencytravel.net.
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in the garden
WINTER FLOWERING PLANTS Story: Dale Skaggs | Photos: Courtesy of Dixon Gallery and Gardens
Hamamelis x intermedia 'Feuerzauber’
Mahonia ‘Arthur Menzies’
Although winter days are short and the nights get cold, some plants other than pansies actually flower during this typically barren season. Flowers are a particularly welcome sight in winter when they are not competing with the grandeur of spring azaleas or a June flower border. With the mild weather so far this winter, we’ve enjoyed many good opportunities to get out and enjoy them at the Dixon. Winter flowers seem to be immune to cold snaps and freezes; I have seen many that were encased in ice rebound after thawing. Since flowering is a component of reproduction, most plants have biological and ecological reasons for this cycle; our enjoyment of the blossoms is an appealing ancillary benefit. All the garden staff at the Dixon know of my affinity for witch hazels. An extract of the bark of our native American Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) has been used in pharmacopeia and women’s cosmetics for centuries. The Asian species are the best for your garden, as they have the showiest blooms. These winter-flowering plants have shed most of their leaves by now, and some with strap-like petals are already flowering. They are immune to freezes and cold weather, and many are extremely fragrant. I prefer the Chinese ones (Hamamelis mollis) which have large yellow spider-like flowers; they are often among the most fragrant, and generally flower a little earlier than other varieties. My favorite cultivar is ‘Wisley Supreme’, named for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Wisley Garden near London, where it originated. It always shows color by the New Year, and this year it was in full bloom by mid January. Most nurseries have the Japanese x Chinese hybrid witch hazels; they are listed as Hamamelis x intermedia cultivars and are generally good performers. I like a pale yellow form called ‘Angelly’. The most sold cultivar in the Mid South is ‘Arnold Promise’ named for the Arnold Arboretum outside Boston; it generally flowers in late February or early March, just before the forsythia.
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in the garden
When I was admiring my ‘Wisely Supreme’ witch hazel recently, I thought to myself, “Why would a plant flower in the dead of winter? What advantages could that bring?” The only reason I could come up with was that at this time of year the pollinators need a source for the critical nectar. Some pollinators, like the solitary native bees, venture out on mild winter days looking for this liquid sugar. These plants fill an ecological niche by providing insects with nectar; and, in return, they can set seeds to insure their continued survival. Nature is amazingly efficient. Among evergreen shrubs with winter flowers, the Leatherleaf Mahonia (Mahonia bealei) is difficult to beat. I find gardeners either love or hate this plant, with no middle ground, but it certainly has some valuable attributes that should convince you to join me in celebrating its value. It will grow in the deepest shade and driest soils and still grace the late winter landscape with its showy lemon-yellow, small fragrant flowers borne in up to 12-inch-wide clusters. These mature into small round fruits that turn the color of a robin’s egg. A new hybrid from the Washington Park Arboretum in Seattle, Mahonia x ‘Arthur Menzies’, produces early flowers and grows taller; mine was in full flower by late January last year. ‘Winter Sun’ is a sibling, a new cultivar available in the trade. Some of my favorite winter-flowering plants are the Daphnes. Their evergreen foliage and fragrant flowers tempt gardeners to try to grow them in Memphis, where they are usually not well suited. If you’re lucky, you might get a couple of years of enjoyment out of them. Several local master gardeners have brought stems to horticulture events for a show and smell. I have followed up with several of these proud gardeners, only to find that the plants succumbed to the heat and clay soils in our area.
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in the garden
Helleborus double flowering hybrid
Galanthus
Helleborus orientalis
Edgeworthia
My favorite winter plant, and a popular one during our Dixon plant sale, is the ‘Oriental Paperbush’ (Edgeworthia chrysantha). The bark of this plant is used to make high-grade paper in Japan, hence this common name. It has a tropical-like feel during the growing season, but in winter, its coarse, bare stems are crowned with silvery-white flower buds that begin to open in January with yellow and white fragrant flowers. The flower head is comprised of many small flowers which open radially over about a one-month period. It is the ultimate winter-flowering plant and the only Daphne relative that grows well here. It gets much bigger than I first thought; we have four-foot high by four-foot wide specimens growing at the Dixon. Herbaceous plants for winter blossoms include the ‘Winter Aconite’ (Eranthis hyemalis), which has two-inch yellow buttercup flowers and grows a few inches off the ground. We grow it in the woodlands at the Dixon, but it seems to be more popular further north because it will bloom through the snow. A trick to growing winter aconite in Memphis is to add lime to sweeten the soil. I can remember an entire bank in full flower at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania—it was totally breathtaking.
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in the garden
‘Snowdrops’ (Galanthus sp.), bulbous plants, are very popular in England, and are a welcome sight in the winter landscape at the Dixon with their three distinct white-nodding tepals. Winter-flowering hellebores are increasingly popular. The best one for us is the ‘Lenten Rose’ (Helleborus orientalis), so named because it is usually in flower before the passage of the Christian Lent. This is an easily grown, long-lived, evergreen, shade perennial that is now available in a wide range of colors and even doubleflowered rosettes. Some striking new Lenten Rose selections are available with big flowers that do not nod. When the temperature permits, get outside and enjoy these winter-flowering plants. Mild winter weather is common here and a real treat for Mid South gardeners. Planting winter-flowering plants is a great way to celebrate warm winter days.
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dining out
Sweet LaLa’s Bakery Making Life Sweeter and Happier
Story: Lesley Harris Colvett | Photos: Courtesy of Sweet LaLa’s Bakery
Sweet LaLa’s Bakery in East Memphis has its roots in a sweet story. What began years ago as a vision and a dream for owner Lauren Young, whose nickname, LaLa, gave the shop its name, has grown into a reality. The bakery opened in March 2019 in Regalia Shopping Center, and serves everything from delicious coffee and espresso to homemade cookies, cinnamon rolls and sausage pinwheels, to custom cakes to soft-serve ice cream. 74 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
dining out
“I used to work in a bakery, and I always hoped that I would be able to own one and create one of my own. What I have loved is [that] we have done it in such a unique and specific way, with purpose,” Young says. “We were at JIFF (Juvenile Intervention and Faith-Based Follow-Up) in downtown Memphis, and we hired kids coming out of juvenile court as our bakers, to give them a second chance as well as accountability and responsibility. So for four years we baked with purpose, and when we moved here we wanted to continue to tell that story, but also tell a bigger story,” explains Megan Bock, general manager. Sweet LaLa’s is able to tell those stories through the products they offer. At the front of the bakery are three large hutches, each featuring a different theme. All the items in the “Mission Made” hutch are from a social enterprise or a local company that has a mission behind it. A few of the products include: Re+New+All Candles, all hand-poured in Memphis and signed by a woman survivor who is being rescued and restored from human trafficking; My Cup of Tea, which hires women in Orange Mound; Thistle and Bee Enterprises, which helps women who have survived sex trafficking; and hand-painted platters from Shepherd’s Haven, a residential and day center for adults with developmental disabilities. The “Memphis Made”
hutch holds locally made goodies, and the “Southern Made” area features delicacies from the region, currently products from Blackberry Farm in East Tennessee. “We get to represent social enterprises and local entrepreneurs under the motto ´Make Life Sweeter,´ and our goal was to rise together in this space where customers get to have amazing food and fabulous conversation and to connect,” Young says. This month, Sweet LaLa’s is the festive place to get in the Valentine’s spirit. The shop’s upstairs room will be the site of several themed events including a Galentine’s night, a date night with flights of prosecco, and a family night when children can make Valentine’s to give to their classmates. The upstairs space will be the scene of kids’ cooking camps this summer, and Sweet LaLa’s hosts children’s cookie-decorating birthday parties in the room year round. Sweet LaLa’s serves happiness, love and hope with each delicious treat they create! For more information on the upcoming Valentine’s events, follow the bakery on Instagram @sweetlalasbakery or go to www.sweetlalas.com.
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healthy you
Experiencing Love & Happiness Story: Michelle Johns
Ah!! Love is in the air! It’s February! What is love? Theoretically speaking, love is an idea with varying abstract features. Happiness is also a theoretical construct with varying abstract features. Research reveals that happier people live longer. Curious, I set out to explore the research to see what makes people happy and how love is related to happiness. One research article showed that being in romantic love results in increased happiness and a healthier brain. Romantic love is considered a cornerstone of life and the quest of most people. Its effects are almost magical; research reveals that love can cure a multitude of ills. A person in romantic love is generally happier, and many who describe themselves as having romantic love report that love makes the less desirable aspects of life more tolerable and less frustrating. Alternatively, not being in love does not negate happiness. Other studies found that love of experiences creates a sense of wellbeing. For example, a pleasant smell or sight will bring a feeling of happiness. The love of a hobby, a pet, work or friends will sustain a happy heart. While material items do not make a person happy, the way they are used and how they enable favorable experiences may contribute to happiness and a sense of well-being. Interestingly, research also shows that individuals with a higher degree of autonomy are happier than those with a higher degree of dependency. Both groups are happier when spending time communally, however, individuals who are able to make 76 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
decisions for themselves, apart from the need of others’ approval, are happier overall. Studies prove that autonomous people find connection both in groups of strangers and in groups of people with whom they are familiar. I found this research compelling because it speaks to the philosophy of loving others as you love yourself. If you don’t love yourself, how can you love others? Said differently, the way you love others reveals the way you love yourself. One of the greatest gifts of love is allowing others to be true to themselves and accepting them as they are without imposing your will on them in a manner that stifles their gifts and talents. Being autonomous is not to be confused with being self-centered; they are two separate entities. In fact, research shows that selflessness leads to greater happiness than self-centeredness. Selflessness is also not to be confused with giving up one’s personal identity or beliefs. It is giving up for another but not giving in to another at cost of personal pain or injury. Acting autonomously cannot be at the expense of harming another in order to fulfill personal gain or pleasure.
In the end, we are happiest when we see others flourish and live out their life purpose as we are living out ours. German poet Marie Ranier Rilke describes love and happiness thus, “Once the realization is accepted that even between the closest human beings infinite distances continue, a wonderful living side by side can grow, if they succeed in loving the distance between them which makes it possible for each to see the other whole against the sky.” A mutual respect for ourselves and others allows love and happiness to flourish. Happy love month, At Home community. May you live well and be well.
Michelle is a corporate onsite health promotion specialist, integrative health and wellness educator, yoga teacher, food literacy educator and a green smoothie connoisseur. Michelle graduated from the University of Memphis with a B.S. in psychology, is a certified health coach from the Institute of Integrated Nutrition and an RYT 200 yoga teacher. Her approach to well being and living your best life every day focuses on the foundations of selfawareness, self-care and self-discovery through whole mind, body and spirit nutrition. Michelle educates clients through a journey focused on the way the whole self is nourished through food, career, relationships, exercise and spirituality. Her ultimate goal is to help clients discover not only how to live longer, but to live better by honoring the unique individual with compassion and self-love as they were created.
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entertaining
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SOURCES 16 | HOME FEATURE
Special thanks - Griffin Homes griffinhomes.net
28 | DESIGN
Special thanks Goetze Art & Design goetzeartanddesign.com
38 | ENTERTAINING Special thanks - Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com
58 | TRAVEL
Special thanks - Regency Travel, Inc. 901.682.9065
68 | IN THE GARDEN
Special thanks Dixon Gallery & Gardens Dixon.org
74 | DINING OUT
Special thanks - Sweet LaLa’s Bakery sweetlalas.com
76 | HEALTHY YOU
Special thanks - Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com
82 | ON A GOOD NOTE
Special thanks - Les Passees lpmemphis.org
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onaagood goodnote note on
Les Passees Helping Children and Their Families
Story: Emily Adams Keplinger Photos: Courtesy of Les Passees
Les Passees (LP) is one of the oldest local volunteer organizations in the Memphis area. Founded in 1909 as a women’s supper club, the group soon found a greater purpose; helping the local community. By 1918 the ladies were making bandages and knitting socks for the war effort (WWI). “The group adopted the name ‘Les Passees’ which meant ‘out of style,’ because as married women, they were no longer as fashionable as their single counterparts,” explains Kathy Sapp, current president. “Over the years, the group supported the Brooks Memorial Art Gallery, the Crippled Children’s Hospital, the Shelby County Tuberculosis Society, the Red Cross, the Girl Scouts and the Maternal Welfare League, among others.” Sapp continues, “Les Passees worked with Cheerfield Farm to operate a school and summer camp for physically challenged children. To support that effort, the members sold war bonds and helped the Red Cross.” Over the years, Les Passees has reinvented itself several times. “Whatever the next generation needed, that’s where the organization put its focus,” she says. “In 1950, The Les Passees Treatment Center for Cerebral Palsied Children opened on Court Avenue. Over the next 30 years, the center expanded, adding developmental screening, early education, parent education, an eye clinic, a physical therapy school, and a children’s daily activities program that was the first of its kind in the state.” Subsequently, Les Passees opened a larger building in the heart of the medical district. “It was a full-fledged rehabilitative center offering diagnostic 82 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2020
medical and dental services, as well as vocational counseling and occupational speech therapy,” recalls Sapp. “The center ultimately became part of what is now the Methodist-LeBonheur system.” Recently, Les Passees honed its focus to help children and families in some of the poorest ZIP Codes in Memphis. In 2009 the organization adopted Harwood Center, which provides care for young children with developmental delays. “Because the children aren’t in school yet, they often fall through the cracks in the state’s system, and don’t get the help or the learning tools they need,” explains Sapp. Other ongoing outreach comes through “Kids on the Block.” Child-sized puppets bring children messages of hope. “The program was formed nationally in 1977,” says Sapp. “In the 1980s we ordered some of the puppets. Years later, a member found them in a closet, and she worked to get the program going.” Topics include healthy habits, safety, good manners, no bullying, accepting differences, avoiding gang membership, and drug, alcohol and tobacco prevention. The puppeteers, most of whom come from an educational background, are trained to answer questions from the children. The Kids on the Block perform in classrooms as well as at libraries and camps. Teachers receive informational packets to gather feedback from their students. The kids’ responses help improve the scripts and alert guidance counselors to children who may need follow-up. For more information about Les Passees visit lpmemphis.org.
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