February 2024

H O M E F EAT U R E

F E AT U R I N G C H A D

DICKERSON OF SANCTUARY ANTIQUES

E N T E R T A I N I N G BY A L E X A N D R A B L A N T O N E V E N T S

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

26 | HOME FEATURE Chad Dickerson, owner of Sanctuary Antiques, invites us into his historic Corinth, MS, home.

56 | ENTERTAINING Event planner and designer Alexandra Blanton styles an enchanting tablescape with a Valentine’s family gathering, girls’ night or supper club in mind.

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

FEBRUARY 2024 home & design 26 HOME FEATURE Entrusted to His Care

56 ENTERTAINING Love is in the Details

food & travel

46 TRAVEL Come Discover the Wild Beauty of the Last Frontier – Alaska!

64 IN THE KITCHEN

Seafood Lasagna

for you

40 WEDDING

Mr. and Mrs. Hodges

70 HEALTHY YOU Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

74 ON A GOOD NOTE Project Transformation

in every issue

14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

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73 SOURCES

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FEBRUARY 2024 • VOL. 22 NO. 11 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@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 GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com

BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com

MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com

HOW TO REACH US 7776 FARMINGTON BLVD, # 1321 GERMANTOWN TN 38183 | 901.684.4155 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: 7776 Farmington Blvd, # 1321 Germantown TN 38183.

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, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. 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, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

@athomemagazine

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The month of January

tried its best to push me over the edge, but I think I made it safely to February despite having had Covid again (third time’s a charm) and our temps trying to copy those of the Antarctic Plateau. I live in the South for many reasons: hospitality, food, charming homes and the fact that snow shovels are not common household items.

Although winter can sometimes feel like there’s only cold and dreary gloom, there are several aspects of it that can be quite charming. Being trapped at home for a week forced me to slow down a bit and do some things I otherwise would not have taken the time to enjoy. I discovered Youtube has great concerts and I took numerous Ritz Carlton virtual cruises. So many that Roxanne with the Ritz cruise line sales and I have become chat buddies!

Our home feature this month is a Corinth, Mississippi, gem. Charming is the first word that comes to mind when visiting this lovely home full of wonderful collections, and I can only imagine the memories its walls hold from its 100+ years. I am an avid lover of antique blue and white pieces so I truly was like a child in a candy store at first sight.

I did enjoy the time in my home in January, but I am ready to get back out and visit our local shopping and dining establishments. I can’t wait for outdoor concerts, vacation planning and eating something other than soup. I hope this issue inspires you to do the same!

Happy February, Happy Valentine’s and Happy (almost) Spring!

- Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER

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H O M E F E AT U R E

E n t ru st e d to H i s Ca r e DESIGN BY CHAD DICKERSON STORY BY TERRI GLAZER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNABELLA CHARLES

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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Living in a house that’s over

100 years old entails more than just being a homeowner, says Chad Dickerson. There is an added sense of responsibility for its future well being. “You’re in charge of it for now and you have to take care of it,” he says of his home in Corinth, MS. Built in 1908, the house has had several lives. “It was a duplex at one point, and also a boarding house,” says Dickerson. “But it’s been a single-family home for the last

50 or 60 years.” As a result of those varied iterations, the layout was ill-arranged when he bought the house in 2007. “You had to walk through a bedroom to get to a bedroom to get to a bathroom,” he laughs.

Dickerson wasted no time rearranging the flow to make more sense, creating a large primary bathroom and plenty of closet space in the initial renovation. “I was really proud of it and I lived with it like that for a long while.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

Well,

mostly like that. The house and its furnishings were gradually metamorphosing as a byproduct of Dickerson’s business; he owns Sanctuary Antiques in Corinth. While collecting treasures for his shop the Mississippi native often found pieces he felt compelled to add to his own decor.

The change shifted into high gear after a tornado ripped through the city in mid-April of 2022. A tree fell on the house, damaging the roof and interior. “While I had a [repair] crew there I thought, ‘We’re going to take advantage of this and do some things,” Dickerson recalls.

“So we did.”

From refinishing and replacing floors to removing three nonfunctional fireplaces to creating a stairway and repurposing an unused attic into cozy living space, the project encompassed almost every part of the house.

The storm sent a tree limb through the front wall into the living room, but the space now shows no evidence of damage thanks to extensive sheetrock replacement and refinished floors. The room is a showplace for many of Dickerson’s favorite things, both antique and modern.

“That’s the kind of look I enjoy. I think it’s a little more practical for the way people live, with something that you might have inherited mixed with things you’ve picked out and something maybe you’ve saved up to splurge on,” he says.

Chief among Dickerson’s prized items is his collection of antique, leather-bound books. “Nothing warms up a space like they do. I have so many of them,” he admits. “There are a ton in the living room bookcases and they’re also scattered all over the house.”

Chinoiserie is another motif that appears in the living room and throughout the home. Blue and white porcelain is a classic staple of Asian-influenced decor and Dickerson says his love affair with it goes back to childhood. “My mom has always collected it and I think I just kind of developed a love of it because I grew up surrounded by it. It’s something I have a hard time not buying when I’m out and about. I’m constantly buying it for my shop and I’m constantly taking a piece home. It’s literally in every room of the house.”

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H O M E F E AT U R E

Window

treatments in a bold Schumacher fabric continue the theme and reflect the home’s diverse palette. Dickerson’s affinity for color is especially evident in the dining room, where he paired the Chiang Mai print drapes with vivid green grasscloth wallcovering by Thibaut.

Just off the dining room is a space that is small, but had a big influence on Dickerson’s decision to buy the home in 2007. “The house was not in great shape when I bought it. In the butler’s pantry there was a hole in the floor that you could see through all the way

to the dirt.” Despite its need of repair the little room charmed the future homeowner, who could see its true potential. Now restored to its original condition, the butler’s pantry is dressed up in a large-scale paisley wallpaper. “I’d been looking at [the paper] for a long time. It was busy and bold and it was expensive. I thought, ‘I can afford to put it in a space this size and I will never get sick of looking at it.’ It’s been hanging there now since 2007 and I have never gotten tired of it,” says Dickerson. He thinks the pass-through nature of a butler’s pantry makes it the ideal location for a statement decor element. “It’s not a room you’re going to spend all day in. You’ll love it every time you walk through the space or go past it.”

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H O M E F E AT U R E

While

the pantry’s charm is original to the home, another of Dickerson’s favorite architectural elements is brand new.

In order to access the new upstairs living space created in 2022, the contractor had to install a staircase that encroached on the primary bedroom. Dickerson embraced the idea of a sloped wall, creating a warm and personal corner vignette filled with art he admits others might find a bit quirky. “Some of the things have special meaning to me and some are pieces I’ve invested in,” he says. “It’s the first thing I see when I wake up and I love it every day!”

Dickerson says the secret to success when assembling a gallery wall of diverse items is to use similar frames. “They are all in black or black and gold frames, which gives them all something that is relational. You can have something that’s bold and colorful next to something that is black and white or very monotone, but they still relate to one another because they’ve got that common piece. You don't have to spend a fortune on frames. Some of those frames I picked up at Hobby Lobby or Pottery Barn. Take them home, frame them yourself.”

The new staircase that gave birth to the gallery wall leads to a homey bonus room that Dickerson describes as his go-to spot to decompress at the end of a busy day. The vaulted room is nestled among the hand-hewn beams of the original roofline, leading to some unusual angles that add to the intimate ambiance. A blue-on-blue patterned carpet covers the floors, providing a subtle source of visual interest. The homeowner didn’t have to look far for furnishings, filling the space mostly with pieces from other rooms in the house. Again, Dickerson paired modern with antique, including a sofa from the estate sale of a prominent Corinthian in whose clothing store he worked while a college student.

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The

latest in the series of renovations involved the kitchen. While the storm repairs were ongoing Dickerson mentioned to the contractor that he wanted to rework a blank wall and move the refrigerator. The builder cautioned him not to bite off more than he could chew at the time, so he waited. But not for long. Only a couple of months after the initial work was completed he pulled the trigger, adding a wall of cabinetry, new appliances, countertops and subway tile backsplashes. Newly built shelves hold another favorite collection, monogrammed Pickard China. He explains, “It’s something that I’ve had in the shop and I’ve sold some of. All different colors with all different monograms—I really love it a lot.”

While Dickerson says the renovation projects are mostly finished—the primary bathroom is the last room slated for an overhaul—he also admits that work on a century-old house is never truly done. “There's always a project to do, whether you’re ready for it or not. You just have to love it.”

It’s clear that Dickerson does love this house; he has perfected it for the way he lives and continues to preserve it for generations to come.

Corinth

native Chad Dickerson proves that you can successfully go home again. After college he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in the music industry. He spent 10 years as a session singer and A & R director for a record label before deciding to return to his Mississippi roots. In 2003, his mother and aunt, Susan Dickerson and Patti Welch, opened Sanctuary Antiques in a former church building, and brought Chad on board. Now at the helm, he moved the store to a 7,500-square-foot showroom on Cruise St. three years ago. The shop focuses on European antique furniture as well as designer lighting and accessories.

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WEDDING

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Christopher & Hannah

HODGES

M A RC H 25, 2023 | M E M P H I S, T N

PARENTS OF THE BRIDE: STACEY & TIM HAYNES PARENTS OF THE GROOM: WARREN HODGES & LESLIE EVANS RECEPTION: THE COLUMNS WEDDING COORDINATOR: LISA CHILDERS FLORIST: SILKS A BLOOM PHOTOGRAPHER: TAYLOR SQUARE PHOTOGRAPHY CAKE: MYMONICAKES CATERING: DRAPERS WEDDING DRESS: MAGGIE LOUISE BRIDAL RENTALS: WHITE DOOR EVENTS MAKEUP: ISABELLA ALLEN & KACEY ACUFF HAIR: HEATHER GRIFFITH PAPER: RSVP VIDEOGRAPHER: BRIDGE FILMS PHOTO BOOTH: FAIRYTALE PHOTO BOOTH

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T R AV E L

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T R AV E L

COME DISCOVER THE WILD BEAUTY OF THE LAST FRONTIER

ALASKA

T E X T A N D P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F B A R B A R A M A Y, O W N E R O F T R A V E L L E A D E R S

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T R AV E L TO FRAC TURE A PHRASE FROM A POPULAR DR. S E U S S T I T L E , “O H , T H E P L A C E S YO U ’ L L S E E ” W H E N YO U T R AV E L T O A L A S K A !

T H E S H E E R M A G N I T U D E O F N AT U R E ' S W O N D E R S MAKES ALASKA SPECIAL. IT’S LIKE STEPPING INTO A WORLD WHERE THE WILD REIGNS SUPREME, AND EVERY MOMENT FEELS LIKE A PA G E F R O M A N A D V E N T U R E N O V E L .

FROM THE EPIC LANDSCAPES AND PLETHORA OF WILDLIFE TO THE MIDNIGHT SUN IN THE SUMMER, THE NORTHERN LIGHTS, AND THE U N I Q U E C U LT U R E , A L A S K A O F F E R S C O U N T L E S S REASONS FOR MAKING A TRIP THERE A B U C K E T - L I S T P R I O R I T Y.

CHOOSE YOUR SEASON TO TRAVEL TO ALASKA! The best time to visit Alaska is between May and September. At that time, the days are long and the temperatures are comfortable. Peak season is midJune to mid-August. June 21 is the longest day of the year, with 19 hours of daylight in Anchorage, 22 in Fairbanks, and 18 in the southeast. On average, Alaska’s summers are slightly rainier than those in the rest of the U.S. However, the month of May is dry, with only a 25 percent chance of measurable rain on any given day. The weather gets rainier as the summer progresses. By August, the chance of rain is just over 50 percent.

Alaska’s summer temperatures are surprisingly pleasant. Daytime highs range from 60 to 80°F. Nighttime lows are refreshingly cool, dipping into the 40s and 50s. May and September temperatures are five to 10 degrees cooler, on average, than the summer months, however, temperatures vary wildly depending on the region.

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Winter season, November to April, is the perfect time to see the northern lights, go skiing or snowshoeing , attend a Fur Rendezvous event, or share in the excitement of championship dog sledding races.

Travelers seeking adventure in the 49th state should make Denali National Park the first destination on their itinerary.

The wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery will make your heart skip a beat.

Try catching a glimpse of the elusive Denali, North America’s tallest peak.

Formerly known as Mount McKinley, Denali soars to a towering height of 20,310 feet. Climbers from around the world attempt to conquer its summit.

Then head south to Kenai Fjords National Park for some mind-blowing glacier action. Take a boat tour to witness calving glaciers and spot marine life like orcas and puffins.

Prince William Sound is also a prime whale-watching locale.

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Alaska’s indigenous people at the Alaska Native Heritage Center in Anchorage, the state’s largest city. The region is home to 11 major cultural groups, each with its own language, traditions and customs.

For wilderness enthusiasts, a journey to the Arctic Circle is a must do.

Experience the stunning landscapes, the midnight sun, and maybe even catch the northern lights if the time of year is right. Witnessing the aurora borealis is like seeing magic unfold in the night sky. The colors dancing above are a cosmic light show not soon forgotten.

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T R AV E L No Alaskan vacation is complete without some dog sledding action. Head to Nome or Fairbanks for a mushing experience—those pups are just too adorable.

CRUISING ALASKA An Alaskan cruise is one of the most popular ways to see the largest state.

A favorite cruise itinerary is through the Inside Passage, a magical maritime highway that weaves through stunning coastal landscapes. On an Inside Passage cruise passengers are surrounded by towering mountain peaks covered in dense, emerald-green forests. It's like sailing through a nature lover ’s dream. The region is home to numerous glaciers, each one a sparkling work of icy art. The sight of glaciers calving into the ocean is a humbling and unforgettable experience.

The area is rich in wildlife, thanks to the nutrientrich waters of the passage. Photo opportunities lie around each bend; whales breaching , seals frolicking and eagles soaring overhead are common sights from cruise ship decks while sailing Alaska. Passing through narrow fjords with steep, dramatic cliffs rising on either side is the experience of a lifetime. The scenery is like a postcard come to life, with waterfalls cascading down the rugged cliffs.

Make memories after a long Alaskan summer day when you witness a breathtaking sunset over the water. Keep an eye out for wildlife during the twilight hours; that ’s when some creatures are most active. Cruisers who choose to sail during the late spring and early fall “shoulder ” seasons may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the aurora borealis dancing in the Alaskan night sky.

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PORTS OF CALL Cruise ships usually stop at charming coastal towns along the way. Places like Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway offer a taste of Alaskan culture and history, and a chance to indulge in some local seafood.

In Juneau, the capital city, explore the Mendenhall Glacier, go whale watching or take a tram up Mount Roberts for a majestic view.

Skagway is a charming town with a rich gold rush history. Hop on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad for a scenic journey through the mountains.

Ketchikan is another must-visit, known for its totem poles and vibrant arts scene. Here you can immerse yourself in Alaska's rich Native culture. Visit museums, attend cultural events, and maybe even catch a traditional dance performance. Fishing fans can hook native salmon or halibut in the teeming waters—it ’s a serious Alaskan experience.

Sailing through the Inside Passage is not just a journey from point A to B; it ’s a visual feast that immerses travelers in the raw beauty of Alaska’s coastal wonders. Each bend in the passage reveals a new marvel, making it a cruise experience like no other. Despite the grandeur, the waters of the Inside Passage are often calm and protected, creating a serene and peaceful sailing experience.

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T R AV E L

For more information on planning an Alaskan adventure, contact Travel Leaders at 901.377.6600 or 901.853.6200, or visit www. gotravelleaders. com. Offices, open by appointment only, are located at 2765 Wolf Creek Pkwy., Ste. 104, Memphis, and 155 N. Main St., Ste. 101A, Collierville.

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INSIDER TIPS: Alaska is not a formal place; people even wear jeans to the opera. Focus more on comfort when deciding what clothing to pack.

Bring along a quality day pack to make it easier to hold your necessities.

Explore local eateries for a taste of Alaskan cuisine. Fresh seafood, especially salmon and halibut, is a must-try.

Consider a small-ship cruise for a more intimate and flexible experience. They can access smaller ports and offer a closer connection to the landscapes.

While the cruise ports are fantastic, try to venture beyond and explore the less-visited areas to discover hidden gems and a more authentic Alaskan experience.

Learn a few words in Alaska’s local lingo: The “Alcan” is the AlaskaCanada Highway, for example, and “fish stories” are the local version of tall tales, unreliable yarns of mythological proportions, often told by fishermen.

Alaska’s weather can be unpredictable. Be flexible with plans, and lean into the spontaneity that comes with exploring such a wild and untamed environment.

Remember, Alaska is all about embracing nature and the unexpected. Pack a sense of adventure and get ready for a trip you'll be talking about for years to come.

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

LOVE IS

IN

THE

DETAILS

EVENT DESIGN BY ALEXANDRA BLANTON EVENTS STORY BY TERRI GLAZER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNABELLA CHARLES

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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FEBRUARY IS THE MONTH O F L O V E , B U T T H AT D O E S N ’ T N E C E S S A R I LY M E A N A TA B L E FOR TWO! A SPECIAL DINNER IN A BEAUTIFUL SETTING C A N C E L E B R AT E FA M I LY O R FRIENDS WE CHERISH. EVENT PLANNER AND DESIGNER ALEXANDRA BLANTON STYLED T H I S E N C H A N T I N G TA B L E S C A P E W I T H A VA L E N T I N E ’ S FA M I LY G AT H E R I N G , G I R L S ’ N I G H T O R S U P P E R C L U B I N M I N D.

THE INSPIRATION A casual scroll through Instagram provided Blanton’s inspiration for this bold color palette. “I came across a powder room on Architectural Digest ’s feed. It was in very deep reds and had a wallpaper that was a lot like the linen I ended up choosing. The walls had really deep, blood red tile along with the bottom half of the room. So I just took that color and the inspiration from that wallpaper and ran with it,” she says. “I decided to go with a jewel tone with a bit of a different twist.”

THE SETTING The glass chapel of the Florian at Mallard’s Croft in Byhalia, MS, provided a breathtaking setting.

Soaring windows allowed natural light to bathe the table and provided a panoramic view of the surrounding forest, creating an intimate, fairy-tale feel.

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THE FLOWERS Kristin Wolter of Everbloom Design created the stunning florals. “We took the colors from my mood board and turned them into an ombre floral runner,” Blanton recalls. “Kristin pulled in whites, pinks and purples and flowed it down the table. The table setting was pretty by itself, but when we added the florals it created this cozy, sweet vibe.”

Candles in tones to match the flowers provided the romantic icing on the cake. “Once you light the candles, it ’s hard to beat this look. Candlelight softens everything and always creates a romantic feel,” says Blanton.

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THE TABLE Blanton began by draping her table for eight in a floor-length cloth. The Sangria Aviara cloth from Nuage Designs features an updated take on a traditional red toile print. Solid napkins in Valentine’s Red, also from Nuage, continue the romantic theme.

“I decided to balance all the deep colors with black as a neutral,” says Blanton. In addition to striking cross-back dining chairs, she brought ebony tones into the picture with dinner plates embellished with dark gray thistles set atop black melamine chargers.

Simple silverware completed the place settings.

For the glassware, the designer kept with clear vessels, allowing other elements to take center stage. She paired a tall, linear wine glass from Target with a timeless, faceted coupe from Ikea to create interest.

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THE DESIGNER Native Memphian Alexandra Blanton is a full-scale luxury wedding planner and event designer based in Denver, CO. She credits her 12 years of ballet training growing up for her love of beauty and design, and her bachelor ’s and master ’s degrees in economics for her ability to plan and execute events efficiently.

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GET THE LOOK Flowers are the foundation for creating a similar look for your February event. The arrangement doesn’t have to span the entire length of the table as this one does, but a floral element always adds dimension and texture, according to Blanton. Next, add an interesting place setting. “It doesn’t have to be super special or expensive, but just mixing colors and patterns with the plate stack and using fun glassware makes it interesting. Use votives or taper candles to create dimension— to give your eye things to travel along.”

Don’t be afraid to mix patterns, colors and textures, the designer suggests. Things don’t have to match to work well together.

Blanton’s pro tip: pay attention to scale when mixing patterns. Too many small patterns together look busy, while only large-scale patterns become aggressive to the eye.

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IN THE KITCHEN

S O U T H E R N J U N I O R L E AG U E S A R E K N O W N F O R M A N Y T H I N G S , A N D T H E I R FA B U L O U S C O O K B O O K S A R E O N E O F T H E M . Y E A R S AG O, I D I S C O V E R E D A C R AW F I S H L A S AG NA R E C I P E I N T H E J U N I O R L E AG U E O F AT L A N TA’ S C O O K B O O K , T RU E G R I T S . L I K E A L L WO RT H Y C O O K B O O K S , M I N E I S S TA I N E D A N D M A R K E D U P, PA RT I C U L A R LY O N PAG E 1 1 3 . HAV I N G G R O W N U P I N S O U T H M I S S I S S I P P I W H E R E C R AW F I S H A R E A B U N DA N T, I R E F U S E T O C O O K W I T H O R E AT A N Y M U D B U G S T HAT A R E N O T F R O M L O U I S IA NA , S O I Q U I C K LY C HA N G E D T H I S R E C I P E F R O M C R AW F I S H T O S E A F O O D. I S T I L L I N C LU D E T H O S E TA S T Y L A R E S I D E N T S W H E N I C A N F I N D T H E M , T H O U G H . P L E A S E D O N O T U S E C R AW F I S H P R O C E S S E D O V E R S E A S . T H E Y A R E J U S T N O T E D I B L E T O M E . I F YO U C A N ’ T F I N D L A C R AW F I S H TA I L S , U S E T WO P O U N D S O F S H R I M P A N D I A D D LU M P C R A B M E AT B E C AU S E , W H Y N O T ?

Crawfish or Seafood Lasagna RECIPE AND PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGARET MONGER 64 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2024

C R AW F I S H O R S E A F O O D L A S AG NA Box of lasagna noodles

1 lb. Louisiana crawfish tails

⅓ cup flour

1 lb. medium shrimp

½ tsp. shrimp boil

⅓ cup melted butter

3 cups milk

1 lb. lump crabmeat

1 cup chopped onions

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup sour cream

⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley

¾ cup chopped celery

2 tsp. dried basil

4 cups shredded Monterey Jack

2 tsp. dried oregano

cheese

⅔ cup chopped green onions

¾ cup chopped green bell pepper

salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste

Cook the noodles in water with the shrimp boil. Drain and set aside. Saute the onion, celery and green pepper in butter. Add the garlic, 1 teaspoon of basil and 1 teaspoon of oregano. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste.

Sprinkle with the flour and mix well. Add milk gradually and cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Whisk in the sour cream and 3 cups of the cheese. Saute the crawfish and shrimp or shrimp only, in a tablespoon of oil or butter. Add the remaining basil and oregano, parsley and salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Add to the cheese sauce. Fold in the lump crabmeat. Layer the noodles and seafood mixture 1/3 at a time in a lightly greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake at 350˚ for 40 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese and bake for 5 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serves 10-12.

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

STORY BY MICHELLE JOHNS

MA, LPC-MHSP (TEMP), NCC, 200 HR E-RTY, 500 HR RYT

This

B ibli ca l w i s do m e nca ps ul ate s the i nterconn e cte dne ss o f s e l f- l ove a nd l ove fo r o th ers— a dyna m ic duo t hat fo r m s the co r ne rsto ne o f e m o t i ona l wel l - b e ing.

A G o o gle se arch o f “the i m p o r ta nc e o f hu m a n conne ct io ns” y ie lds a bo ut 3 5 7 ,0 0 0 ,0 0 0 re s ul ts . M a ny of t he l i st ings say t hat hum a n co n ne c ti o n i s a s i m p orta nt to ove rall we ll-be ing a s n utr i ti o n a nd exe rc i s e . Rea d the work o f cognit ive b e hav i o ra l the ra pi sts to di s cover how s i gni ficant inte rnal tho ug hts a nd b e l i efs a re i n s ha pi ng s el f- wort h.

Accordin g to attac hm e nt the o r y, a co nc e pt o f the dyna m ics of hum an re l ati o ns hi ps , the qu a l i ty o f our re l atio nships is shape d a nd fo r m e d be g i nn i ng at bi rth a nd wit h o ur pare nt s o r pr i m a r y ca re g i ve rs . Ea r ly experie nce s play a pi vo ta l ro l e i n fo r m i ng a pe rs on’s re l atio nship attachm e nt sty l e . Th i s i s e s s e nti a l i nform at ion for anyo ne h o p i ng to c ul ti vate he a l thy a dul t re l atio nships.

Be low is a de scripti o n o f e a c h o f the pr i m a r y atta ch m e nt st y le s.

Se cu re Attachm e nt: I ndi v i dua l s w i th s e c u re atta c hm ent styl es te nd to have a po s i ti ve v i ew o f the m s e l ve s a nd t hei r re lat io nships. They a re co mfo r ta bl e w i th i nti ma c y a nd i nd e pe nde nce , str i k i ng a h e a l thy b a l a nc e i n thei r conne ct io ns. I n t he i r re l ati o ns hi ps they co m m uni cate openly an d support e a c h o the r ’s i n di v i d ua l n e e ds. T hey t rust t he ir part ne r a nd fe e l s e c ure w hethe r they a re toget he r o r apart . Th ey nav i gate re l ati o ns hi p c ha l l enges w i th m ut ual unde rsta nd i ng a nd e m o ti o na l s up po rt.

Anx ious Attachm e nt: Pe o pl e w i th a nx i o u s atta chm ent styl es o fte n wo rr y a b o ut th e i r re l ati o ns hi ps a nd fea r re je ction. T hey m ay be co m e ove r l y de pe nde nt o n thei r pa rtn e r fo r validat io n a nd re a s s ura n c e , f re qu e ntl y worr y a bout o t he rs’ fe e ling s fo r the m a nd fe e l i ns e c ure i n re l atio nships. Whe n th e i r pa r tn e r ne e ds s pa c e or ti m e a l one, t h e o t h e r inte r prets i t a s a s i g n o f re j e c tion a nd becom e s eve n m o re a nx i o us . The co nsta nt n e e d for re a s surance and fe a r o f a ba ndo nm e nt ca n put a stra i n on

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MARK 12:31

thei r rel ati onshi ps. T he em oti ona l dema nds may b eco me over whel m i ng a nd l ea d to conf l i c t a nd f rustratio n.

Avoi da nt Atta c hment: T hose wi th avoi da nt atta c hm ent sty l es va l ue thei r i ndependenc e and may be uncomforta bl e wi th em oti ona l i nti m a c y. They of ten keep thei r di sta nc e to protec t themselves f rom potenti a l emoti ona l ha rm . W hen a pproached wi th deep conversati ons or expressi on of feelings , they of ten wi thdraw or becom e di sta nt. T hi s lack o f em oti ona l c l oseness ca n l ea d to feel i ngs of neglect and di ssati sfa c ti on i n thei r rel ati onshi ps.

W hi l e our atta c hm ent sty l es l ay the foundatio n fo r how we rel ate to others, they a re not set i n sto ne.

U ndersta ndi ng our atta c hm ent sty l e i s a k i n to ho lding a mi rror to our i nner worl d, a l l owi ng us to see how we devel oped our i nterna l sense of sec uri ty an d s elfworth, how we rel ate to others a nd how we b ehave in rel ati onshi ps. It ’s the f i rst step towa rd brea king free f rom patterns a nd devel opi ng conf i denc e a nd s ecurity in rel ati onshi ps.

Si m ul ta neousl y, the pra c ti c e of sel f-l ove beco mes th e cornerstone upon whi c h we bui l d hea l thi er i nteractio ns wi th others. W hen we trul y l ove a nd a c c ept o u rs elves , we bri ng a sense of sec uri ty a nd a uthenti c i ty into o ur rel ati onshi ps that ca n be tra nsformati ve. Develo ping a sense of sec uri ty a nd sel f-l ove i s essenti a l for build ing hea l thi er rel ati onshi ps a nd i mprov i ng overa l l well-bein g.

Somethi ng I have rec entl y begun to contemplate i s the expec tati on that we m ust f i nd a pa rtner who perfec tl y spea ks our preferred l ove l a ngua ge o f the f i ve l a i d out i n Dr. G a r y Cha pm a n’s popul a r bo o k.

W hi l e i t ’s bea uti f ul when someone understa nds and communi cates our em oti ona l needs, we of ten overlo o k our own responsi bi l i ty to spea k our l ove l a nguage to oursel ves. In the j ourney of sel f-l ove, we m ust beco me f l uent i n the l a ngua ge of sel f-ca re, sel f-a c c eptance and sel f-com pa ssi on. Treati ng oursel ves wi th k i ndnes s an d understa ndi ng i s not onl y a s i m porta nt a s receiving it f rom others but a l so the foundati on upon which healthy rel ati onshi ps a re bui l t.

H E A LT H Y Y O U It ’s e qually crucia l to re co g ni ze that w he n s o meone t ri e s to ex pre ss love i n the i r way, they a re g i v i ng a gra ci o us gift . I nste a d o f f i xati n g o n w heth e r they spea k our l ove language pre c i s e l y, we m ust a c k now l e dge thei r effort and t he love b e hi nd i t. I n do i ng s o, we c reate a s pa ce for ge nuine co nn e c ti o n a nd a ppre c i ati o n o f the uni que ways in w hic h l ove i s ex pre s s e d .

Re ce iving gif t s Ma ke yoursel f a treat, buy yoursel f a treat, write yoursel f a note a nd ma i l i t— gi ve yoursel f a g ift.

Act s o f Se r vice Do som ethi ng hel pf ul for yoursel f. Someti mes unl oa di ng the di shwa sher i s a n a c t of ser v i c e fro m me to m e beca use i t m a kes me feel l i ke I a c comp lis hed

Dr. Ga r y C h a p ma n’s f i ve l ove l a n g u a ge s a re ef fe ct ive ways to fo ste r s e c u r i t y a n d s e l f- l ove . Tr y p ra c t icing t hem eve r y d ay fo r t h e re st of t h i s m ont h .

Word s o f A f f i r m at i on Loo k in t he m irro r w i th k i nd a n d l ov i ng eye s a nd say to yourse lf, “ I am a va l ua bl e , l ov i ng a nd b e l ove d hum a n bei ng cre ate d by G o d, w ho k nows m e i nti m ate l y a nd l ove s m e uncon dit io na l l y. H e bre ath e d H i s di v i ne a nd hol y bre at h into my ex i ste nc e .

Qu a l i ty T i me S pe nd at le ast 15 m i nute s w i th yo urs e l f e a c h day. Ta ke a wa l k in nat ure , sit i n sti l l ne s s , da nc e , hum , s i ng , draw, w ri te or do w hatever br i n g s yo u j oy.

somethi ng a round my house. I don’ t thi nk of it as d o ing a c hore, I thi nk of the benef i t I rec ei ve f rom my own act of ser v i c e.

Physical Touch Ta ke a mi nute to wra p your a rm s a round yo u rs elf o r pl a c e a ha nd on your c hest. Cl ose your eyes an d no tice the ri se a nd fa l l of your body wi th your breath . Th en ta ke i n l ov i ng k i ndness towa rd yoursel f.

Jesus sa i d, “ Love your nei ghbor a s yoursel f.” If yo u l ove yoursel f wel l , you wi l l l ove your nei ghbo r well.

MICHELLE R. JOHNS, M A , T L P C A - M H S P, N C C , 500 R Y T/ 200 E - R Y T OWNER, TRANSFORMING WELLNESS, LLC M J O H N S @ T R A N S FO R M I N G-W E L L N ES S.CO M

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F E B R UA RY 2 024 SOURCES H O M E F E AT U R E Special Thanks Chad Dickerson of Sanctuary Antiques sanctuaryantiquesms.com Annabella Charles annabellacharles.com

E NTE RTA I N I N G Special Thanks Alexandra Blanton Events alexandrablantonevents.com

TRAVEL Special Thanks Travel Leaders 901.853.6200, 901.377.6600

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Margaret Monger

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Project Transformation Projecttransformation.org

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ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT BY TERRICE THOMAS | PHOTO COURTESY OF PROJECT TRANSFORMATION TENNESSEE

PROJECT T R A N S F O R M AT I O N Project Transformation’s mission is to transform communities by engaging children, college-age youth and churches in purposeful relationships. Offered during the summer months, the evidence-based program focuses on the holistic development of each child and emphasizes literacy, social-emotional health and relationship-building in a safe and communityoriented environment.

According to Tennessee Department of Education data, roughly 76 percent of third graders in Memphis Shelby County Schools are approaching or below reading proficiency.

Each June and July, Project Transformation’s enrichment program for students in first through eighth grades helps fill in literacy gaps and overcome summer slide. Academic skill-building is coupled with developing skills in relating constructively to others, engaging in activities that require collaboration and teamwork, and learning to experience deep and trusting 74 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • February 2024

relationships. The daily schedule includes guided reading enrichment, recreational play, creative arts and social-emotional learning skills.

College-age young adults from Memphis and beyond lead the program as part of a nine-week paid internship focused on vocation exploration, spiritual formation and leadership development.

They mentor and encourage the participants, helping each one realize his or her unique potential. Through this hands-on service, the summer staff make a tangible difference in the community.

Project Transformation includes several community partnerships to offer students engaging enrichment activities, and over 70 volunteers who provide reading support for children and mentoring for young adults.

The organization is currently recruiting children, summer staff and volunteers for 2024.

You can also join in at the Memphis Partners in Transformation fundraiser on March 21.

For more information, visit pttennessee.org or contact Terrice Thomas, Director of Memphis Programs, at thomas@pttennessee.org.

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