Southern Woman - March|April 2022

with Glampout Campout

Special Section

Bring the Garden Inside

2

SOUTHERN WOMAN

PERSONAL INJURY | FAMILY LAW Over 60 Years Combined Experience.

Treating Each Case With Personal Attention.

101 Devant Street, Suite 201 | Fayetteville, GA 30214 770.719.9290 | wadelawga.com

PUBLISHER

'

S

LETTER

New Beginnings Hey Y’all, This is the time of year that we welcome a new season. Spring is such a refreshing celebration of new life, rebirth, and renewal. Fresh buds bloom, animals awaken and the earth seems to come to life again. Farmers and gardeners plant their seeds and temperatures slowly rise.

I am truly looking forward to all that awaits us in the coming months. I feel we are all ready to put everything behind us and move on. I’ve noticed with each holiday that has come that more families are celebrating and making the best of them.

Take some time and lend a hand to our communities, plan outings with family and friends, make time for those that cannot get around. It’s so nice to brighten someone’s day with just a little of your time spent with them.

Our family at Southern Woman Magazine are so thankful for your support and we welcome y’all to join us on this journey ahead. May you always smile often and share the kindness from your heart.

Wishing you all a wonderful Spring, a Blessed Easter and a Happy Passover.

Melanie Denney-Haas Publisher, Owner

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TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

March April Features 10

CAKES BY NIECY Let Them Eat Cake

24

LIFE BEHIND THE SCREEN with Seana January

48

WEDDING TRENDS and Survival Tips

68

GLAMPING IN STYLE with Glampout Campout

March/April 2022

5

TABLE

OF

CONTENTS

In This Issue 2 REFLECTIONS A Moment of Pause

4 PUBLISHER’S LETTER from Melanie Denney-Haas

Arts & Culture 16 EASTER TEA Ideas for Your Celebration

20 SAVING THE DAY Floral Preservation

Wedding Special Section 30 PROPOSAL PERFECTION Planning the Occasion

34 WEDDING PLANNING Roles and Responsibilities

38 SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY The Venue at Murphy Lane

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44 A DESTINATION EVENT VENUE Willow Rock Ranch 56 WEDDING TRADITIONS Old, New, Borrowed, Blue

Food & Table 62 STIRRING THE POT WITH SCARLETT Classic Southern Bridal Shower

64 A SOUTHERN CLASSIC Chicken and Dumplings

Health & Wellness 67 TREAT YOURSELF Benefits of Massage

Home & Garden 74 THE ART OF COLLECTING with My Weathered Home

76 HEALTHY HOUSEPLANTS Bring the Garden Inside

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Publisher Melanie Denney Haas melanie.southernwoman@gmail.com Creative Director Mandy Inman mandy.southernwoman@gmail.com Editorial Contributors Bonnie Helander, Scarlett Inman, Michelle Denney, Holly Cellini, Margarette Coleman, Kimberly Blaker, Kim Antell Cover Photography South Atlanta Photography Stephen Wilson

Southern Woman is a magazine for and about women living in the South.

We want to invite you in and make you our family, one glass of sweet tea at a time.

Make sure to join us on the web and on social media we have so much to share with you!

We’ll see you online!

Cover Styling The Venue at Murphy Lane Cakes by Niecy Web Designer for SouthernWoman.com Country Fried Creative For inquiries, to be added onto our distribution list, or to advertise, please email mandy.southernwoman@gmail.com

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SOUTHERN WOMAN

Unique Handmade Wooden Jewelry We aim to make accessories for women and men that are versatile and that can be worn on a day to day basis or for a fun night out on the town! @brad.ritzwood

ritzwood.com brad@ritzwood.com

I have always loved the outdoors and the unique grain that each kind of wood nature has to offer. No two pieces of wood are identical, which means everything that I sell is unique in its own way. When you wear Ritzwood jewelry, I can guarantee that you have the only piece ~ Brad Ritzema, like it!

Owner & Artist

LET THEM EAT

By Michelle Denney

I didn’t begin my baking journey with the idea that I would someday make a career out of it. In fact, I'm not a pastry chef; I’ve never been to pastry or culinary school. I simply started with a love for baking, often reminiscing about the times my mother and I would spend in the kitchen baking pound cakes together when I was a young teen. I can probably count those occasions on one hand, but since Momma passed away quite some time ago, I've learned to cherish each and every one of those few moments we had together.

Far before my cake career began, my love for baking often drove me to attempt to recreate the exotic cakes I saw on the cover of magazines such as Woman’s Day or Good Housekeeping. I didn’t have any experience baking anything other than those amazing homemade pound cakes in Momma’s kitchen. Nor had I ever seen anything like those elaborate, magazine cover cakes ever in my life that made me feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I can remember being so excited while purchasing all of the ingredients for those edible masterpieces, many of which I had never heard of before such as almond paste. Being able to recreate the model cake, with a great deal of success, made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside like I had really accomplished a great feat like climbing Mount Everest or something. I used those cakes as gifts, usually for my father's birthday or for my kids' school events. The feedback I received from them was overwhelmingly positive. I felt empowered. My self-confidence blasted through the roof and I was so elated that I had found something so impactful that I absolutely loved to do. It wasn't until many, many years later that I would decide to make a career goal of it. I followed my heart while not even knowing what to do at first. I didn’t really ever think about that.

I just simply got started.

March/April 2022 11

When the cake show, Cake Boss, made its television debut around 2009, I was immediately drawn to the new techniques utilizing fondant and modeling chocolate. Buddy became my “mentor” right in my living room, and I would often try out what I had learned from the show. A few months later, I decided to make a go of opening a homebased custom bakery. I figured I could have a job doing something I was good at and simply loved to do.

I have now been in the caking industry for almost 12 years and have expanded my capacity to include a plethora of cake flavors as well as a variety of treats to adorn any sweets table. Needless to say, the love and passion I first experienced in the kitchen, years ago, with Momma has intensified over the years. It blesses my heart to create one-ofa-kind, edible masterpieces for people’s celebrations —no matter how grand or small. It may be a very small impact in a world that is so full of uncertainty and despair, but it’s a contribution that brings a little joy and happiness, and I’m totally okay with that. It’s my little influence on the world.

From gorgeous traditional to elegant elaborate, Niecy can create the perfect cake for your occasion!

Cakes by Niecy cakesbyniecy.com 404.542.8930 @CakesbyNiecy cakesbyniecy

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Southern Woman would like to thank Cakes by Niecy, The Venue at Murphy Lane, and South Atlanta Photography for creating our beautiful March/April cover!

Not Your

Grandma's Doilies Gone are the days when the table wasn’t properly set without an entire array of perfectly placed doilies. Dainty crocheted lace doilies have a new place in the modern home. Whether you’ve inherited a set from your great aunt or you’ve come across a few at the antique store, there are plenty of imaginative ways to incorporate and update them!

Sew one or two onto a pillow for a vintage look Stitch or glue patterns together to create a unique table runner Use the pattern as a stencil and apply to a shirt, skirt, or even shoes Layer several patterns and colors onto a canvas to create new artwork Mold around a bowl with Mod Podge to create a lace bowl Attach to an embroidery hoop to create a dreamcatcher Wrap a lantern or lamp shade to soften lighting

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Product by Hippy Sister Soap Company (Instagram: hippysistersoap)

How to Sell Your Artisan Products Wholesale WITH ELEVATION BY KIM Makers, how many times have you been told, “You should really sell your [insert craft or hobby]!” And when that craft, art, or hobby turns into a profitmaker, what are the next steps to success?

Selling at craft and farmers markets is a great way to test out your local market, gauge interest, and swap ideas with other creators. But there’s a whole lot more to learn when you’re ready to begin moving more products and increasing your earnings.

With 35 years in the gift industry, Kim Bartolotta is empowering women by sharing her wealth of experience; she’s teaching people the ins and outs of the wholesale market while also teaching them how to sell themselves to buyers. “When you’re new and don’t have the proper guidance, it’s intimidating,” she says. “And if you don’t have the confidence, you’re never going to sell your product to a store.”

Kim’s goal is to boost confidence and guide sellers to success with a seven-step-plan video series (“How to Wholesale”) available now on her website, elevationbykim.com. Topics will include knowing if you have the right product; pros and cons of wholesale; margins and pricing; trade shows; and more. She also has videos for the buyers out there (local boutiques, we’re looking at you!), covering skills like smart buying at trade shows and sourcing the right products for your store.

In addition to the video series, Elevation by Kim offers artist representation and consulting. Kim also hosts Secret Seller Markets™ in which she invites makers and buyers to a secret location to help them make connections and build relationships.

She wants to encourage buyers to attend smaller shows with new products they might not see at the larger trade shows. “I want to work with the buyer that has the mentality that they want to support women and people who make products in their town.

Those are the buyers I invite to my shows,” adds Kim. “I’ve always wanted to be able to give back and help women. I started with just representing women-owned businesses who make products and are new to the gift industry, and I started selling the product for them. I get such a thrill to watch someone succeed, and I love to be a part of helping them get there.”

ELEVATION BY KIM OFFERS: Representation for Artisans Wholesale Accounts Introduction into the Gift Industry for New Artisans Secret Seller Market™ Wholesale Startup Consultation

GET IN TOUCH Kim Bartolotta kimb@elevationrepgroup.com Elevationbykim.com Proud member of the Museum Shop Association MSA IG: @elevationbykim

“Whatever it is you’re making, there’s a way to scale it for wholesale.

It’s much more doable than you’d imagine.”

SPONSORED CONTENT

March/April 2022 15

EasterTea HERE COMES PETER COTTONTAIL! No Easter party is complete without Easter bunny frosted cookies! Make your own by investing in some cookie cutters or order early at your local bakery for a colorful selection of bunnies and chicks.

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TEA Make sure your guests enjoy a selection of delicious teas.

Favorite tea party teas include Darjeeling, chamomile lemon, Earl Grey, Autumn Chai and Lemon Delight green tea. And southerners always include large tea pots of sweet iced tea and lemonade!

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Be Creative Choose a theme and color scheme for your Easter tea. Spring pastels in blues, greens, yellows and pinks are a fresh look for warmer weather. Themed parties, like a “Mad Hatter” Tea party allow guests to dress up and get creative!

Mix it up with a variety of china cups and saucers and tea pots in different shapes and patterns. You can find beautiful cups at bargain prices at local resale shops like Clothes Less Traveled in Peachtree City, Georgia.

Add Some Bling Those little touches at the table will make your tea a big hit. Vintage brooches and pearls add a feel of “days gone by.” Use tea cups as favors, filled with chocolate eggs.

March/April 2022 17

Easter is a time of rebirth and renewal. Spring is coming alive! Bring in the outside to liven up your tea. Natural elements from the garden or from your local florist will remind your guests that winter is over. Add pots of forsythia, camellia, pussy willow branches or daffodils to the table.

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Create a special table for the children at your party. Add unbreakable cups and plates and small favors like ceramic bunnies and chicks.

Tuck in a few colored Easter eggs. Give each child a small basket to find eggs you have hidden in the yard.

GET OUTSIDE If the weather cooperates, enjoy an Easter tea outside in nature. Guests will enjoy hearing birds singing and the fresh scent of spring flowers coming into bloom.

PERSONAL TOUCHES Add your own personal touches to make the party your own. If you need inspiration, check out Easter tea party ideas on Pinterest.

THE DAY modern

floral

preservation

After 12 years as a professional makeup artist, Nancy Dunson veered into a new creative career creating beautiful memories from people’s most special life events. Thanks to a pandemic that halted her full-time business doing makeup for weddings and special occasions, she took advantage of her many contacts in the wedding industry and paved a new path preserving floral arrangements from some of life’s most important moments.

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Nancy’s first floral preservation piece was creating a memory for a friend who lost her mom to a long battle with Alzheimer’s. She took flowers from the service and dried and encased them in a resin block for her friend to display and cherish.

Nancy had used resin previously to seal other art projects, but floral preservation required much more delicacy and detail.

She delved into the research, learning the proper products to use and methods for successfully drying flowers, learning temperature control for the resin, and practicing layering and placement with botanicals she bought from the store.

March/April 2022 21

Working out of her home studio in Lagrange, Ga, each of Nancy’s creations has a 12–16 week turnaround from the time she receives the flowers. Local clients can arrange to meet her within two days of the ceremony, and those who live out of state receive specific shipping instructions to assure the flowers arrive in her hands as fresh and undamaged as possible.

The flower drying time alone can take two to three weeks, and once dry, they are carefully arranged piece by piece in a mold and surrounded with crystal-clear art resin. After curing, Nancy applies a harder finishing resin to ensure stability and longevity of the block, and her husband sands the piece to a shiny finish, ready to display in a special place in your home.

She has many shapes and sizes available including letters, prisms, hearts, and photo frames. And each order is special and individually curated.

“What’s better than having a wedding picture of you holding your flowers in a frame holding those flowers?” she says. “People spend so much money on these flowers, and I know they have photos, but it’s just about having something tangible in your hands. You can still sit and hold your flowers that you walked down the aisle with. I don’t think that there’s anything that can replace that. It’s just nice to have something tangible and beautiful to remind you of that day.”

For more information, visit: nancydunson.com,

or see more of her work on Instagram: @nancydunsondesigns.

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n o i h s a f g n i r sp arriving daily!

15 Barnes St. Suite 1B Senoia, GA 30276 770-727-9017 | pinkchairboutique.com

BEHIND WITH RIVERWOOD STUDIOS MANAGER SEANA JANUARY

By Kim Antell Riverwood Studios in the heart of Senoia, Ga., home of AMC’s The Walking Dead, is about to undergo a massive transitional period, and Studio Manager Seana January is at the head of the project.

Toward the end of March, the show will wrap after an 11-year run, and the deconstruction phase will be a huge part of Seana’s life. The Alexandria wall will come down, the houses inside will be renovated to be sold, sets will be taken down and taken apart. AMC, which owns the studio, will decide what parts, props, and sets they will keep and reuse, and the landscape will be restored to its original place. And there’s a fluid timeline to get it all done, all dependent upon the last weeks of filming the show.

It’s a major shift, and even after the show moves out, the studio itself will have to be restored, holes patched, mechanisms repaired, walls painted. Riverwood operates with only four full-time employees, and they’re a very close team, says Seana, but much of the repair work will be contracted out. “There will be quite a wrap because we’ve had some pretty significant sets there.”

As the show’s presence in the area winds down, Seana is anxious to get new projects started at the studio, but there are no decisions made yet as to what will move in next. “It’s exciting, but it's also sad because we’re really like a family.

It will be sad to not see the same people every day but exciting to have something fresh.”

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Riverwood is the first purpose-built studio in Georgia, says Seana. Most other studios in the area were old buildings turned into studios and stages.

The studio was originally built by Hollywood special effects team Paul Lombari and his father, Joe, in 1989; and Seana’s dad, John Harnett, was invited to come from California to run it around the time that Fried Green Tomatoes was being filmed there. Seana recalls, “My dad, oftentimes, was asked, 'Why would anyone build a movie studio out in the middle of nowhere?' His response was always that it was built on the belief ‘If you build it, it will come.’ And boy was he right! Look at all the growth that has followed!”

In 1992, when Seana was 22 and was “aimlessly going through college,” her dad asked her to follow him to Georgia to check it out. “I really liked it and liked the feel of it. Granted, it was very different in Senoia back then.”

And coming from California, she says “it was a bit of a culture shock at first, but I grew to love it. There’s nothing like the South, really.”

Seana saw a few films come and go through Riverwood, and the studio was home to a few music videos and commercials. She worked as a production

assistant on The War over its nine months of shooting, moving up into a directorial secretary position, and also spent some time in the special effects department. And as opposed to many other jobs in the industry, Seana has been able to keep quite “normal” hours, she says, so when she became a mom, she was able to bring her kids to work with her when the studio was quiet and was able to continue helping with office work, billing, and location scouting.

When Seana’s dad retired in 2012, Paul Lombardi’s nephew, Scott Tigchelaar, took over as president. He had relocated from Canada around the same time as Seana, and wanted her to continue to work with him.

Scott was instrumental in getting The Walking Dead to come to town when he was the studio’s president, says Seana. He has also been responsible for managing growth in Senoia, and building Alexandria. “It was all able to happen because of how popular the show was. People wanted to come down to see the different locations. I think he’s done a good job with Senoia and helping aim its development toward the post–Walking Dead world.”

When AMC purchased Riverwood in 2017, they asked Seana to stay on to run the facility and Scott passed the torch to her. As the studio manager, she oversees daily operations, ensures the four sound stages are fully operational, works tirelessly to see that the land and surroundings (128 acres) are respected and maintained, and a host of other responsibilities.

Seana loves the reactions visitors have to seeing the studio in person: “It’s interesting for people to see how sets are built. For instance, we have the Hilltop set [TWD] built out on an adjacent property. And it’s an exterioronly set. It’s a big, big house, like a three-story building.

In its heyday, with all the gardens and stuff, I think it blows people away to see all the attention to detail and the craft and the woodworking and everything that goes into making these sets that you’re eventually going to bulldoze over.”

“Then, as a contrast, to take people to stage four where we have the interior of that set, and that, again, was built with so much care and planning, expertise, and skill,” she continues. “For people to walk through the set, you see the wonderment in their eyes, especially if you’ve seen the show. It’s kind of like that ‘movie magic’ feeling. For me, that’s still a really cool thing, after all these years, and all these sets.”

She loves to see the wide variety of people creating and doing what they are naturally good at and loving being able to work on those things in the industry. “It’s amazing to me that people of all types, from all different walks of life, with all different types of skills, all come together and work in unison to make a production work. All the pieces fit together just right. And to watch everybody become a kind of family is just amazing.”

D SEANA AN HER DAD

SEAN AA HUSB ND AND, JEFF

“It’s a different life being on movies and tv shows. You’re able to be a little bit more yourself, dress how you want, express yourself, and geek out on what you’re really good at.”

“There are very few people left from the very beginning [of TWD], but it’s a tight little group. It’s unlike many other shows, really, just because of the length of it and the impact it’s had on the area,” she says.

“I like seeing how much life this show and the fanbase has brought to the area, too,” she notes. While Senoia is still a small town, it has grown immensely since the show started. Main Street is full of restaurants and shops and is a bustling town.

“The Walking Dead put it on the map.”

“Back in the day, there weren’t as many people in the business, and so you’d work with the same people a lot,” she remembers. Even when she wasn’t working on shows, she’d run into people she knew from something previous. “It was a really tight, tiny community, and now it’s blossomed. So many people have moved here to work on a show, fallen in love with it, and just moved here; and there’s plenty of work for everyone!”

Seana plans to keep the family legacy going for a long time, though she lost her dad in 2018. “I feel like keeping that place going, and going there to work, is keeping his spirit alive for me, and kind of honoring him because he cared about it so much, too. It helps me stay connected to him.”

“Coming out here was such a big move for me, and it opened up my whole world,” she says. She met her husband, Jeff, on the set of TWD, has raised her three kids here (and Jeff’s three, when they come to visit from Denver), and her mom and brothers have also moved to Georgia.

“I would love to stay [at the studio] as long as they’ll have me,” says Seana. “I also want to do something creative, maybe on the side. I’m not quite ready to give this up yet, but I also don’t want to close any doors. As we know, life’s short, and I don’t want to have any regrets down the road. I really love where I am right now.”

WISHING YOU A

safe & healthy YEAR!

FROM ALL OF US AT

The Fayette County Sheriff's Office 145 JOHNSON AVENUE, FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA 770.716.4720 | FAYETTESHERIFF.ORG

WEDDING

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Our guests become much more than clients, they become lifelong friends and together we seek to create a wondrous experience for each and every guest at Murphy Lane.

We look forward to meeting you and helping you create the wedding or special event of your dreams.

525 Murphy Road - Newnan 770.262.8241 | thevenueatmurphylane@gmail.com thevenueatmurphylane.com

Proposal

Perfection

By Holly Cellini

Gentlemen, so you’ve found the love of your life. You want to propose to her, but you have no idea what to do other than to buy a ring and to get down on one knee. Consider hiring a professional to help guide you through a day neither of you will ever forget.

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For one of the most special days of your lives, you need to think about what type of proposal you would like. Do you want it to be in a public place? Do you want it to be just the two of you? Would you like your families to be there to witness this momentous occasion? Is there a special place that is important to you? These questions should make you start to think about what is important to the two of you.

Hiring a professional to help you through this process may sound silly to you, but let me explain why it is so important.

An expert can help you create a unique plan to make your day stress-free and memorable.

They can find and secure the location, put together a timeline, hire the photographer, hire a florist, bring the champagne, hide the families… just to name a few details. All you have to do is be there with the ring.

The couple in this proposal had known each other since high school but didn’t start dating until they reconnected in college. Kyle, the groom-to-be, had grown up with a mom in the wedding industry. He always knew that he wanted something over-the-top and memorable. He had the ring and was ready to go.

Then came Covid. The location and date changed a few times. All of the vendors moved and changed with the times. But Kyle didn't have to worry about any of it. It was taken care of.

Makenna was told that she and Kyle were going to be a part of a photo shoot to help relaunch the struggling wedding industry. She showed up in a dress suited to the occasion. Kyle was waiting for her in front of the styled backdrop at The Venue at Daisy Hill patio. He was wearing a coordinating suit from Celebrate Tuxedos in Peachtree City, Georgia.

March/April 2022 31

As Makenna approached him, she started noticing small hexagon tiles tucked among the flowers and candles. They had locations and dates important to their relationship. It was at that point she started to get a little suspicious. Kyle took her hand as they followed the prompts of the photographer, Michele Mabie of Everything Lovely Photography. Kyle got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. After they had a moment, their extended family appeared from their hiding place to congratulate the happy couple. The chilled champagne was opened and they sliced into the Peach Bourbon Cake by Sweet Creations by Candi.

It was an occasion they will never forget. They have photos that capture every moment. They loved the cake, the photographer, the tuxedo vendor—and they used them for their wedding, too. Kyle and Makenna were happily married on June 3rd, 2021, at The Jekyll Island Club Resort.

Proposal planned and executed by My Floral Bliss of Peachtree City, Georgia.

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She Said Yes

March/April 2022 33

y a D n Moder ding Wed ing: Plann and Rolessibilities n Respo

Traditional Roles and Expectations

Bride: Purchases groom’s wedding band, chooses maid of honor and bridesmaids, chooses bridal gowns Groom: Purchases bride’s wedding band, chooses best man and groomsmen, chooses groomsmen’s attire Bride and Groom: Choose the ceremony date, choose theme and venue, compile guest list, procure gifts for wedding party participants, coordinate for marriage license, select and secure officiant, send thank you notes Father of the Bride: Pays for the bulk of the wedding, secures transportation and lodging for out of town guests, escorts the bride down the aisle, makes a speech at the reception, and performs father/daughter dance

by Margarette Coleman, Etiquette Trainer and Consultant, Everyday Manners

Ahhh…weddings: The excitement of joining two people in matrimony; the beauty of the flowers, cake, and dresses; the joy of family and friends in celebration of love! Weddings are wonderful to experience and to look back upon. But weddings are not always so pleasant to plan. Some of the major particulars that need to be determined involve the happy couple’s closest champions, their family and friends. As soon as the engagement is revealed, communication with these individuals needs to occur. The expectations need to be clear. These conversations have the potential to be difficult, but if handled properly, you could be smooth sailing in no time.

Below, you will find the most traditional expectations of the major players in the wedding party. These are based on American wedding customs and can vary from person to person and family to family. That also needs to be taken into consideration when wedding two into one union. When planning your wedding party discussions, feel free to use these descriptions as guides to determine where you want to keep tradition and where you would like to build your own practices.

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Mother of the Bride: Assists bride with wedding planning, passes down family traditions, hosts bridal party and wedding reception Mother and Father of the Groom: Hosts and funds the rehearsal dinner Maid of Honor: As the bride’s biggest source of support, emotionally and physically stands by the bride, holds the bouquet during the ceremony, adjusts the gown and train of the bride at the altar, holds the groom’s wedding band, and toasts the newlyweds at the reception Bridesmaids: Support the maid of honor by planning the wedding shower and bachelorette party, contribute to the DIY décor and favors Best Man: As the groom’s biggest source of support, executes the bachelor party, gets the groom to the altar on time and in good fashion, escorts maid of honor, holds the bride’s wedding band, delivers toast at the reception, organizes transportation for newlyweds Groomsmen: Assist in bachelor party details, help usher honored guests, escort bridesmaids up the aisle, decorate newlyweds’ exit vehicle

Approaching the Wedding Party What an exciting time in the couple's life. This is The Event that cements their relationship, it celebrates their promises to each other, and where the couple is presented to society as an official unit. A perfect time to have these conversations with the individuals that will be a part of your wedding party is at or around the engagement announcement. Some people have a meal, others throw a party, some share the exciting news individually. However it is done, take the opportunity as a couple to speak with the individuals about the honorable positions you would like for them to hold. That means the wedding couple will need to determine ahead of these conversations not just who will hold these positions but what the expectations of each role will be. And that will be the guide for approaching the wedding party participants.

Carve out time in the beginning to have individual conversations with each member of the wedding party. Find out how much time, effort, and money they can contribute to the special occasion. Use this discussion as a guide to their final responsibilities. If duties need to be reassigned, try thinking outside the box and do what works for this occasion, with this group of people, at this time in their lives. Is it reasonable to ask your retired father on a fixed income to fund your extravagant wedding you have dreamed of for forty years? Does it make sense to expect your best friend to leave her new out-of-state dream job to spend a month in town with you, wrapping up final details, planning and participating in your shower and bachelorette party, and being at your side for all the wedding festivities? Make these open and continuous conversations that you revisit throughout the planning process.

This may sound like a lot. A wedding is a major undertaking in itself. The couple needs all the support they can get. And though this day may be all about them (or the bride), they probably need this special group of individuals more than they know. The relationships with these important figures in the couple’s life should live beyond this occasion. Make sure they are taken care of to determine how beautiful and joyous this observance of love and commitment really is.

Traditionally, the family of the bride was responsible for the cost of the wedding. Also traditionally, the bride was offered to the groom and his family with a dowry or a trousseau. This was to ensure that the bride was coming to the marriage with something worth the groom’s while. The bride’s family was in fact paying to have this daughter taken off their hands. With these gifts, she becomes the groom’s responsibility (since she couldn’t work and contribute to the household finances).

Who should pay for the

wedding But that global tradition has mostly outgrown its roots.

And, in my opinion, the tradition of it being the bride’s family’s responsibility to foot the bill for the wedding has outgrown its roots as well. These days, brides are bringing just as much, if not more, to the marriage as the groom. And, with many couples marrying later in life, each is often established enough to take on the cost themselves.

So, the new trend in the United States is to allow the couple to figure out how best to take on the wedding when it comes to the size, location, and other logistical details, as well as the financial responsibility. I recommend not falling into the trap of ancient traditions in these modern times. As the wedding couple, do what you want and what works for you and for your families. Meet with those contributing financially and set a budget, decide who will pay for what, and set deadlines. A spreadsheet might be a good idea.

What About the Rehearsal Dinner?

In the same vein of tradition, as the bride’s family has been responsible for funding the wedding, which has included flowers, catering, cake, venue, photography, music, etc., it has been the responsibility of the groom’s family to pay for the rehearsal dinner. This meal usually occurs the evening before the ceremony with the purpose of feeding the wedding party after rehearsing the wedding ceremony. Because the majority of the wedding cost has been on the bride’s side, the groom’s side has had the honor of funding the rehearsal dinner as a thank you to the party. Again, feel free to keep this tradition if it works for the families. But the couple should make these decisions as they are planning their wedding events. It is perfectly acceptable for the couple to pay for the rehearsal dinner as a thank you to their wedding party, including their parents.

March/April 2022 35

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March/April 2022 37

ta

ty

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Hosp n r i

e u n e V e h t t a Shines urphy Lane at M B Y

B O N N I E

H E L A N D E R

VENUE

spotlight

SOUTHERN CHARM. SOUTHERN ELEGANCE. SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY. THAT’S WHAT YOU WILL FIND AT THE VENUE AT MURPHY LANE. BRIDES AND GROOMS WHO HAVE SHARED THE MAGIC OF A WEDDING HERE HAVE CALLED THE ENCHANTING SPOT “THE PERFECT MIXTURE OF RUSTIC AND ELEGANCE!”

Owners Kara and Hank Lane moved from Peachtree City to this stunning 88-acre estate in rural Newnan in 2016 with the dream of creating the perfect spot for weddings and special events. They fell in love with the property from the moment they first viewed it. “We felt this was land meant to be shared. We could just breathe here,” recalls Kara, “and we want our guests to feel they can come here, relax, enjoy nature’s beauty, and just breathe!”

As you enter the beautifully landscaped grounds, you are whisked back to “days gone by.” The winding road from the main gate leads you to one of the signature locations for a wedding or special event – the modern farmhouse-inspired barn. But this is not just any barn! 16-foot barn doors open onto a wedding wonderland. The interior offers a classic neutral cream and ivory palette that complements any color scheme and decor. Banks of windows allow nature to be the perfect backdrop to your event, showcasing the natural beauty of the land with wide open vistas, night skies filled with stars, and stunning sunsets. The barn and glass-enclosed wraparound patio can easily accommodate your wedding or special event. A plush and comfortable bridal lounge is conveniently located at the barn for getting ready for the wedding or for photos. This location is truly a marriage of southern charm and sophistication!

March/April 2022 39

About the

VENUE

OUT DOOR

L OCAT I ONS

In addition to the barn, The Venue at Murphy Lane offers numerous outdoor locations for your special day. Clients can choose the white, wooden gazebo, a shaded and cool valley location, a picturesque raised platform site atop a hill next to a beautiful tree, an open field with a very long aisle and grand oak tree, or a hayfield with wide open views of the pastureland. Since weather often impacts any outdoor event, Kara and Hank always have the perfect backup plan for inclement weather!

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A C C O M O D A T I O N S On-site overnight accommodations are available at the country cabin – a luxurious log cabin on the property that can sleep up to 15 guests. The cabin features all the amenities, including a large wraparound porch for family and friends to gather, and a “man cave” basement – the perfect spot for the groom and his attendants to kick back and enjoy while the bride and bridesmaids are getting ready in the bridal lounge at the barn.

Impeccable Service,

attention to detail and meticulous cleanliness are hallmarks of your experience at Murphy Lane. Kara and Hank are attentive, caring, and present for all the details of each event. The venue can be rented alone or customized with an all-inclusive wedding package. Kara and Hank have an exclusive relationship with wedding planner, Lea Ann Hurd of Southern Flair Events and work as a team to learn your needs, develop a plan and go the extra mile to ensure your special day is absolutely perfect. “If you need us, we are here,” says Kara! “Our clients become family. They trust us enough to take care of them on their BEST DAY EVER and we build lasting friendships.”

March/April 2022 41

Kara and Hank

invite anyone with an event idea to meet with them. There are endless possibilities!

They are available for corporate events, anniversary celebrations, team building activities, live concerts church retreats, non-profit fundraisers, business meetings, rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, and so much more! Their goal is to help create the ultimate experience that will be remembered for a lifetime! Kara and Hank look forward to meeting you and helping you create the memorable wedding or special event of your dreams!

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE VENUE AT MURPHY LANE, CONTACT KARA LANE AT 770-262-8241 OR CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE AT THEVENUEATMURPHYLANE.COM .

Our clients become family at Murphy Lane!

March/April 2022 43

Grand Opening of

A Vintage but Classic Destination Event Venue

By Bonnie Helander

44 SOUTHERN WOMAN

ince opening her interior design shop, Blue Fern Design Community, in downtown Newnan, seven years ago, Lori Duncan has become known for her unique and imaginative flair that makes a big statement in the homes that she and her team design for her clients. Lori loves to “color outside the lines” and add a sense of the unexpected, while still creating a sense of “home.”

Blue Fern Design Community features an eclectic mix of custom home furnishings – everything you need for a comfortable living space. In addition, Lori uses her magic touch to repurpose the store into a magical event space for small weddings, rehearsal dinners, bridal and baby showers, holiday parties, business meetings and social events. The transformed space has an old-world, vintage charm, with a dash of Lori’s signature modern flair.

At Willow Rock Ranch, God’s scenery is your backdrop!

It is 80 acres of rolling hills, green pastures dotted with a few grazing cows, large pecan and oak trees and a flute-columned pergola, overlooking a tranquil pond. The pergola is one of several signature options for a picturesque wedding ceremony site. Wedding receptions and parties can be held outside under the stars or under large tents -all with ambient lighting and large chandeliers.

Lori has an event planner on site and a preferred list of caterers, florists, musicians and so much more!

Willow Rock Ranch can host weddings or corporate events with up to 300 guests. Hunting and skeet shooting adventures will also be featured at the ranch.

Lori is excited to announce she and husband, Jay Duncan, are expanding her event planning business with the grand opening in early May of Willow Rock Ranch. For the last 20 years, Lori and Jay have owned the 80acre working cattle ranch, located between Greenville and Woodbury, with Jay’s parents.

Recently, Lori and Jay have taken full ownership of the ranch and are busy renovating the ranch house as a wedding accommodation, Airbnb, and for use with corporate events. Lori’s vision is to create something different and unexpected – a destination and experience her guests will never forget!

March/April 2022 45

Beautifully renovated in Lori’s vintage but classic style, the ranch house (which can sleep up to eight) features four bedrooms, three full baths, a fully-equipped kitchen, a screened back porch overlooking the pastures, with a 12 foot table for entertaining, and a large front porch with eclectic seating and an unexpected feature- carved floral totem pole columns.

The ranch house is available for the bridal party to stay the night before the wedding, all day of the event to get ready in the bridal and groom suites and for the bride and groom to relax and stay after the wedding before they leave on their honeymoon.

Couples planning to wed at Willow Rock Ranch will take part in Whiskey under the Willow, a complimentary and unique experience, soon to become a new southern tradition. A few weeks before the wedding day, the couple will place a bottle of whiskey in a box under the willow tree.

On the night of the rehearsal, the box is opened and a toast is made, in honor of the couple, with family and friends, to ensure a beautiful and fabulous wedding day!

According to Lori, Willow Rock Ranch is certain to become one of South Atlanta’s premiere wedding destinations, and she and her team want to create the perfect experience for the bride and groom by making their fairy tale wedding come true.

Willow Rock Ranch is a destination venue, located just ten miles from Callaway Gardens and Warm Springs.

For more information about Willow Rock Ranch, contact Lori Duncan at 678-633-0080 or visit her website at bluefernmerchant.com.

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Taylor Marie Creations specializes in balloon decor and helps take your event to the next level rather it be a bridal shower, birthday party, school event, gender reveal, bachelorette parties, or a surprise proposal!

We creating organic garlands for our customers!

WE SERVICE ALL COWETA, FAYETTE, & TROUP COUNTY AREAS!

Check us out and follow us on social media!

INSTAGRAM - @TM_CREATIONS1 FACEBOOK - @TMCREATIONSNEWNAN

Wedding Trends and Survival Tips YOUR GUIDE TO PLANNING A STYLISH, SUCCESSFUL WEDDING

BY KIMBERLY BLAKER

With catering, flowers, music, and a myriad of other details to arrange, planning your wedding can be both exhilarating and anxiety-provoking. Discover the latest trends and follow these tips to reduce stress and survive the months leading up to your big day.

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YOUR CEREMONY AND RECEPTION SITE Weekday ceremonies are increasing in popularity in the U.S. This is especially true for those who've been married before. Off-day weddings can substantially reduce your overall costs. Whatever day you choose, unlimited options are available for your ceremony and reception sites so long as you plan well in advance.

If you belong to a church, you can ask your minister to be your wedding officiant and also inquire about the use of the church for your ceremony. If you prefer a more secular ceremony, contact your city hall for a list of judges who perform weddings.

Before you commit to a site or officiant, ask about their rules on the ceremony and wording of vows. Find out what fees the facility and officiant charge, how many guests may attend, and what decorations are supplied.

When planning your reception, keep in mind facilities often book a year in advance, particularly for Saturdays.

Choose a reception location near your ceremony with plenty of parking space, an adequate dance floor, and plenty of lighting, outlets, and power. Also, ask about facility restrictions and whether you can use your own caterer, florist, and entertainment.

March/April 2022 49

DINNER Ethnic cuisines have been growing in popularity for receptions, and there are plenty of choices sure to please your wedding party and guests. Traditional Japanese, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Italian are all excellent choices.

Another trend is for couples to create a multicultural menu that combines traditional dishes from both of their family's home countries. Done right, this makes for a delightful feast.

How about brunch? Because daytime weddings are less expensive than later in the day or evening, this has become quite popular. It could result in savings on your menu as well.

Before meeting with a caterer, decide the dishes you’d like to serve. When you meet, ask to see photos of the food.

Don’t rule out a plate dinner either until you discuss the cost. The price difference between that and a buffet is often nominal.

Also, discuss with the caterer how the food will be served and what the servers will wear. Then get a written quote that includes costs of the food, beverages, alcohol, service, decorating, set up and clean up, and the number of people to be served.

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THE WEDDING CAKE Wedding cakes are more delicious than ever with a broader array of fillings and frostings to choose from.

The hottest trend is statement cakes. Rather than serving multiple desserts, splurge on one big cake that is a focal point.

Still, many couples are opting for more simple one-tiered cakes, offering their guests an array of tasty desserts to choose from.

Designs that are currently quite popular include cakes decorated with rosettes, metallics, ruffles, monograms, geometric designs, and even painted cakes.

Take photos with you of some of your favorite designs when you meet with your cake maker. Ask to see pictures of the baker's designs as well. Be sure to discuss your budget and the number of guests with the baker. Also, schedule a tasting to determine the combinations you like best and ask if the baker will deliver your cake.

March/April 2022 51

ENTERTAINMENT Theme music for wedding receptions has become very popular, ranging from ethnic to movie soundtracks. Ballroom dancing is also on the rise, as is classic music from a particular genre or era.

A particularly hot trend is performance acts.

Performances run from about 20–30 minutes during the set break or with the band performing in the background. Acts range from a choreographed dance show to acrobats to fire dancers.

Don't forget the music for your wedding ceremony, too.

Before making your selections, check on facility regulations. Also, ask to hear the musicians perform to ensure they'll meet your expectations.

Discuss attire, breaks, and costs, including overtime fees.

Finally, on your wedding day, make sure the sound system is adjusted to avoid music that blares or is too low.

PHOTOGRAPHERS AND VIDEOGRAPHERS Photojournalism is quite popular in wedding photography. So your first step is to decide between traditional posed photographs and candid shots by a photojournalist. You may also want to consider having your special moment captured on video.

Whatever you choose, make sure your contract includes the number of hours for shooting or filming and the number of shots and rolls of film to be taken. It should also include package details, including the number and sizes of photos, and the costs.

Also, check with your wedding facility for any restrictions on photography.

Then, a few days before your wedding, send your photographer a list of the wedding party, close family and friends, and specific photos you want to be taken.

STATIONER Many couples today are designing their invitations with computer software. If this isn't your thing, don't worry. You'll be able to choose among a variety of templates and styles provided by your stationer.

When you visit your stationer, ask to see samples of paper types, invitation styles, and the ink colors available. Make your selection according to the formality of your wedding.

Also, ask if the stationer can print maps and directions and do the folding and inserting. Then decide whether you'll include your reception details on enclosures or the ceremony invitation and whether to include response cards.

Finally, before placing your order, make sure your guest list is complete. Also, have both of your families review your order to avoid errors.

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FLORIST Bold colors continue to be a popular choice. But also trending are rich, moody color palettes that set a romantic, emotional tone for the big day. Berry colors mixed with white are also being seen this year.

For bridal bouquets, minimalism is in. A single flower with a lovely display of greenery and small bouquets are quite popular.

Before you meet with your florist, visit the library and flip through floral and garden books. Make a list of your flower preferences as well as your dislikes. Then compile a list of your floral needs. This will include bridal bouquet, boutonnières, hair flowers, bridesmaid bouquets, corsages, and wedding and reception arrangements. Also, determine the quantity you'll need of each.

When you visit your florist, discuss colors and make sure bridesmaids' bouquets will complement, but not match, their dresses. Ask about substitution policies, freshness guarantees, and the charges for consultations, flowers, decorations, and delivery fees.

REGISTRY When you register for gifts, don’t forget to take along the groom-to-be. This is now the standard.

If you register in a fine shop, be sure to register at a moderately priced store as well to accommodate all of your guests. Keep out-of-town guests in mind also when choosing where to register.

March/April 2022 53

WEDDING ATTIRE Polka dots are the latest trend in wedding dresses. Features that are especially hot right now include regal capes, large bows, off-theshoulder necklines and sleeves, body-hugging silhouettes, and minimal embellishments.

Your search for a wedding gown is likely to be your most significant journey. It'll take you to department stores, bridal salons, designer boutiques, consignment shops, seamstresses, trunk shows, and bridal warehouses.

When you try on gowns, make sure you can stretch your arms, sit, and walk comfortably.

The contract for your order should include the store's alteration policy and cost, delivery date, and gown details, including color, fabric, and the designer and style number of the dress.

Don’t forget your veil or headpiece, shoes, jewelry, purse, gloves, and lingerie, too.

As for bridesmaid's dresses, these are becoming less of a burden for the bride-to-be. Bridesmaids still wear the same color gowns, but current trends allow each bridesmaid to choose her style. Tea-length dresses are particularly popular right now as well as two-piece ensembles.

Grooms are also becoming more involved in planning their weddings and choosing their tuxedos or suits. Offer your assistance to your fiancé, but allow him to make the final decision on his attire.

WHEN THE BIG DAY ARRIVES As your wedding day draws near, expect the unexpected, and don’t let surprises upset your day. In all the hustle and bustle, remember the most important part of your wedding isn’t the details of the ceremony or celebration but the commitment you and your fiancé make to each other. Keeping that in mind on your wedding day will ensure you see it as a success whatever bumps you might run into.

54 SOUTHERN WOMAN

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WEDDING TRADITIONS

onnolly Amy Keyser C il ’s Old: mom ve s ot bo s/ new: dres et el ac br : borrowed ranny G y m blue: ring from

OLD AND NEW, BORROWED AND BLUE As the Old English saying goes, on her wedding day, a bride should carry something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, and a sixpence in her shoe. While the tradition was originally created to ward off evil, the ritual still holds today as a fun and often sentimental practice, and many brides are given these tokens by family members to carry or incorporate into their wedding day wardrobe.

We asked women around town to share their old, new, borrowed, and blue pieces with us:

Mayci Brasfield I painted my toes really pale blue (you couldn’t see them with my dress on).

Something old was my grandma’s pearls that I wore. I borrowed my mom’s earrings, and I bought a new garter!

Roni Carl (Upcoming Bride April 2022) My something borrowed and something blue will be my dad’s retirement flag. He passed in March 2021, so it will be a little piece of him on my wedding day.

Heather Stokely Something blue and new: a sapphire ring my mom gave me the day of; something borrowed and old: my grandmother’s wedding ring.

Charlotte DuBose Lunsford Don’t forget, “and a sixpence for your shoe.“ I had one, and my mom has them saved for my girls!

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Lisa Nelson Cardinal My something old and blue was a bonnet turned handkerchief that my husband wore as a baby (saved by my mother-in-law for 35 years). Something new was my dress, and something borrowed was the veil of a dear friend that couldn’t be there on our wedding day!

Katie Barber Hammond For “blue” I wore my Phi Mu pin that had sapphires on it.

Meghan Hobbs Hill A piece of my mom’s veil wrapped around my bouquet; dress was new; borrowed a pair of pearl earrings; blue shoes.

Magen Hughes

Gamble Blue shoes!

Horton pinned in my Laura Sandlin handkerchiefs o tw as w d ol y Something others, and m th of my grandm bo ng om hi fr ac t co ue bouq of my dad’s was from one six ly ed ct something blue unexpe he passed away shirts because . ng di ed w my months before

and an old Blue flowers, ribbon, ndmother. gra at gre my m fro brooch

Leah Cleary Old: the dress. My grandma made it for my aunt, and my mom also wore it. New: the shoes. Borrowed: my cousin’s pearls (necklace and earrings). Blue: the garter, which I shamelessly threw.

Lindsay McFarland Something old: my great grandmother's wedding rings. Something new: my pearl/diamond earrings. Something borrowed: my best friend's crinoline (long story!). Something blue: my hairstylist put a small blue clip in my hair.

Melli Gallo Furlong Six years ago when my wife and I got engaged/married, I proposed to her with my mother's engagement ring (my mom passed away 26 years ago). She, of course, wore it on our wedding day as part of "something old.” I wore a brand new pair of kick-ass cowboy boots!

Cate Shadder My old was earrings from my mother-inlaw. My borrowed was the tea cups that my parents used at their wedding reception. My new was my panties, and my blue was the LED light that my mom put into my bouquet.

” dime from my A poem and a “new my mom and t tha r grandmothe t was actually aunts all used…tha t married. go I old by the time

March/April 2022 57

58 SOUTHERN WOMAN

March/April 2022 59

sweet spring setting Stick with whites and pastels to achieve this lovely spring table setting.

Keeping it simple is key, using plain white dishes and linens and incorporating touches of greenery with eucalyptus stems.

In keeping with the season, decorate with fresh (or faux) eggs of different varieties, and place a twine-tied treat for each guest for added charm and a sweet snack for after lunch. Ice your own cut-out cookies using the easy recipe from Wilton below: 4 cups confectioner’s sugar 5 Tbsp. warm water 3 Tbsp. meringue powder Beat ingredients together until icing forms peaks, check consistency and leave icing to sit so air bubbles have a chance to rise up before adding to a piping bag. Use a slightly thicker icing to outline and thinner to flood cookies.

Psst! Aquafaba can be substituted as a vegan alternative to meringue powder!

60 SOUTHERN WOMAN

ANSWERING THE QUESTION, "What's for Dinner?"

Lee founded Southern Sideboard while preparing for her oldest son's christening luncheon when she could not find ham biscuits, cheese straws, tomato aspic or a caramel cake anywhere in town. To her horror, even the local grocery store sold instant grits! After contemplating a move, she was reminded of her mother's Steele Magnolia type tribe that would descend upon the dining room with Junior League cookbooks and silver polish for any and all social functions. Those ladies pulled through again (refusing to let her son be dedicated to the Lord with instant grits) and when the celebratory weekend finally came, her parents arrived with southern staples and a pile of Junior League cookbooks. Lee set out to perfect said dishes and began offering them in "pop up shops".

For the past 20 years, Lee has been a fundraiser in both the political and non-profit arena.

When COVID 19 eliminated her job in December 2019 due to restructuring, she turned to her love of iconic southern food and decided to start over. While she had the love and support of her inner circle, few thought starting a business in the middle of a pandemic was a good idea, especially with no money to invest in the start up. But with one client and $0 in a business account, that is exactly what she did. A little over a year later, Lee cooks meals weekly for 12 families, has a growing event catering service, her own commissary kitchen for other start up food vendors to utilize, and now is shipping her beloved cheese straws and pecan sandies.

Today, Southern Sideboard offers family style meal prep services.

PERSONAL FAMILY STYLE OR INDIVIDUAL MEAL PREP SERVICES Menu's are published online every Thursday with an ordering deadline of Saturday at noon.

EVENTS CATERING PRIVATE PARTIES

EMAIL LEE@SOUTHERNSIDEBOARD.COM TO PLACE YOUR ORDER. thesouthernsideboard

SOUTHERNSIDEBOARD.COM

@thesouthernsideboard

S

tirring THE POT

carlett

WITH

CLASSIC SOUTHERN

BRIDAL SHOWER

Spring is in the air and it is the perfect time for a wedding which means planning a shower! You know…to shower the happy couple with all the things they’ll need to start their life together!

Years ago showers were simple get-togethers with friends of the bride and groom. A usual southern menu would be nuts, cheese straws, mints, and of course cake and punch! Sometimes tea sandwiches would be included. You would always have cucumber, chicken salad, pimento cheese, ham, or egg salad all cut in nice squares, triangles, or rectangles. Of course, with the crust cut off! Things have changed a lot over the years. As a rule, men were not invited, now it is not unusual to have a couples shower. This could easily be a bar-b-que theme, throw in a couple of games and you have a fun time for all!

Showers are much more elaborate now. Lots of decorations, full menus, wine, and beer, thank you gifts for the guests, and on and on. I like to keep it simple! I still include buttermints, nuts, and cheese straws… again it’s a southern thing! Here are a few updates on some old classics.

Cucumber open-faced sandwiches - this spread can be made the day before. Every time we make this we wonder why we don’t make it more often. It’s so good!

Sun-dried tomato BLT sandwiches - again, the spread can be made the day before and the bacon can be cooked early that morning. Remember to cook your bacon in the oven as it saves a lot of time and clean up!

Ham pinwheels - this is really an easy twist on a ham sandwich and it can be made the day before as well.

Coconut Cupcakes - instead of a cake, we prefer to do cupcakes. These should be made 3 days before you’re going to eat them. That makes them perfect for your shower! Top them with a cute favor to fancy them up a bit.

Now just throw in your favorite punch and always have a nice pitcher of ice water and sweet tea on hand. With this menu, you should not be in the kitchen all day before your shower!

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Coconut Cupcakes 1 Duncan Hines white cake mix 1 ½ cup sour cream 2 cups coconut (divided) ¾ cup powdered sugar 1 container Cool Whip 24 cupcake liners Mix cake mix according to directions on the package. I replace the water with milk. You can do either. This will fill 18–24 cupcakes. Cool completely.

While cupcakes bake, mix sour cream, powdered sugar, and coconut together and refrigerate.

Take cooled cupcakes, and using a small spoon (I use a baby spoon or apple corer) remove a small amount of cake trying not to go to the bottom of the cupcake. Put the small amount of cake in a bowl for a treat for yourself later! After all cupcakes are ready, using a small spoon, fill with about a tablespoon of filling in each cupcake.

Top with a large dollop of Cool Whip and sprinkle with coconut.

Chill.

Sun-Dried Tomato BLT Tea Sandwich 1 lb. peppered bacon, cooked 1 cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sundried tomato spread 1 head butter lettuce 1 loaf rye bread Mix mayonnaise and sundried tomato spread together.

Trim the crust off the whole loaf of rye bread.

Lay a slice of bread down spreading a good amount of mayo spread, topping with bacon (you will probably use 1 and ½ slices of bacon on each sandwich).

Top with a couple leaves of lettuce. Spread a small amount of mayo spread on the next slice of bread, placing it on top of the sandwich. Cut into three pieces.

Ham Pinwheels ¾ lb. thinly sliced ham ½-¾ cup Dijon mustard 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese 1 package puffed pastry 1 egg, beaten Thaw puffed pastry. Sprinkle a little flour on a piece of wax paper, place puffed pastry on it and roll it out just a little to get seams sealed. Do this with both sheets of puffed pastry.

Spread Dijon mustard on each pastry sheet and layer ham to cover (it’s ok if you overlap the ham). Sprinkle it with parmesan cheese.

Starting with the long side, roll tightly to the center half of the sheet. Turn and roll the other side to the center.

Repeat with the second sheet.

Wrap each in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Take out and slice in ¼-inch slices.

Place on a baking sheet two inches apart. Brush beaten egg over each slice. Bake at 375 degrees for 15–18 minutes until lightly browned.

These can be made a day ahead and baked the next morning.

Cucumber Sandwiches ½ cucumber, seeds removed and shredded ½ tsp. beau monde ¼ tsp. garlic powder Salt and pepper to taste Pinch of red pepper 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese, softened 1 French baguette sliced into thin rounds 1 cucumber sliced very thin and squeezed dry Squeeze the water out of the shredded cucumber. Mix softened cream cheese, beau monde, garlic powder, red pepper, salt, and pepper together. Add cucumber, mixing well. Spread a good amount on each baguette slice. Place a cucumber slice on each round and sprinkle with a little paprika. Chill until ready to serve.

INGREDIENTS

A SOUTHERN

CLASSIC

gs Chicken & Dumplin We’re all looking for a little calm and comfort after the chaos of the holidays, and what better way to be comforted than with a heaping bowl of homemade chicken and dumplings? Try our easy recipe for the soul-warming Southern classic below:

64 SOUTHERN WOMAN

3–4 cups baked chicken, cut into bite-size pieces 2 32 oz. boxes chicken broth 1 small onion, chopped 2 celery stalks, sliced thin 2 carrots, sliced thin 2 cups water 1 Tbsp. chicken Better Than Bouillon base

1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning Salt and pepper to taste 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. salt 1/3 cup shortening 1/2 cup milk

PREPARATION Put carrots, celery, and onion in a large stock pot with water, bring to a boil, and turn down to simmer for about 10 minutes. Add bouillon and broth, salt and pepper, and poultry seasoning. Add chicken and let simmer while you make the dumplings.

Dumplings: Mix together flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening using a pastry blender or two knives until it resembles crumbs. Add milk mixing lightly, and turn out onto a floured sheet of wax paper. Pat out adding a little flour if needed, and roll out to about a ¼-inch thickness. Cut into 1inch pieces (use a pizza cutter if you have one).

Bring chicken stock to a boil and drop the dough into the broth; cover and turn down to a simmer, and cook for about 12–15 minutes.

March/April 2022 65

Wooly Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) This velvety-soft herbal groundcover has a secret: It holds strong antibiotic, antifungal, and antiseptic properties.

Often planted in children’s gardens because of its appealing texture, the plant with Middle-Eastern origins now grows around the world and is perennial in warmer climates. In fact, you may have some in your own yard. While it’s perfect for bordering your garden, you can also use it in a pinch as a soft natural bandage.

Often referred to as “wooly woundwort,” Lamb’s Ear can be used to treat bug bites, small scrapes and burns, and can be chopped and infused into medicinal tea for fevers, sore throat, stomach upset.

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treat yourself

Sally’s recommendation for frequency is once per month, or weekly if someone is in a high stress position. “Listen to your body,” she emphasizes. “And be very open with your therapist about any contraindications. If you have any open wounds, sores or bruises, or if you have any questions about a rash, whether it might be contagious (poison ivy, for example), you should cancel, or cover it with a bandage.”

Getting ready

MASSAGE

By Kim Antell It’s widely known that stress causes many issues within the body, from sleeplessness to indigestion to physical pain. But treating yourself to a regular, or even occasional, massage helps to lessen stress’s damaging effects. Massage lowers blood pressure, stimulates the digestive system, releases toxins in the body, speeds up your metabolism, and helps with circulation, just to highlight a few benefits.

In addition, massage is often used as a form of touch therapy, releasing endorphins to counteract depression during times of isolation.

“Probably 60 percent of the clients I’ve had in the last two years are people who have been isolated and depressed, and they’ve just needed touch,'' says therapeutic masseuse Sally Conley, who shared with Southern Woman some of the things we should know about massage as well as what to expect from a professional therapist.

First things first, talk to your doctor if you have any specific medical concerns, she says, especially with illnesses like cancer. “They need to ask what type of massage they can get.

Medication can be intensified with massage, so it’s important to be careful. And I also tell my clients not while on painkillers because they won’t feel what they should be feeling.”

A therapist needs to know what’s going on with a client medically, physically, and emotionally, she adds. “For instance, if someone is going through something high stress, like a divorce, you cannot use the same pressure that you would normally because they are very sensitive.”

What if I forgot or didn’t have time to shave my legs? “It really doesn’t matter,” she assures. “If it’s a good therapist, they don’t care. Don’t miss your massage just because you didn’t have time to shave your legs.” (Just make sure you take a shower and come clean.)

Aftercare

Take your time getting up off the table. Sally says many clients become lightheaded from laying down so long and getting up too quickly.

Drink a lot of water to help flush out your system, she adds.

“The water’s job is to flush out of the body any toxins (and lactic acid) that are being released from the muscles.”

Take a hot bath with epsom salts or a hot shower, or relax in the hot tub to help draw the soreness out of the muscles.

What to expect from your therapist You should always be draped, or covered, where private parts are concerned.

You should be allowed to disrobe to your level of comfort.

Leave undergarments on if you feel more comfortable that way.

The therapist’s fingers should never point toward any private areas, always away.

A fillable health form or interview should be conducted about health and personal issues, especially for a first-time massage.

Pregnancy massages should be done by a specialist and should not be deep tissue until the third trimester.

A therapist should have a thoroughly clean room, wiping down the table and room completely between clients.

If at any time you don’t feel comfortable with the therapist, the pressure being used, or anything else, you should say something. “The biggest thing is communication, and the therapist has to listen,” says Sally.

Since 1997, Sally Conley has worked as the on-tour therapeutic masseuse for Alanis Morissette, Journey, Tool, Toby Keith, and many more artists, earning the nickname Mustang Sally from her tourmates. She currently tours with Eric Church. When she’s not on the road, she performs professional massage for Georgia Power corporation, has private clients, and is also certified in canine massage.

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Hand-curated decor is selected for each theme, down to the smallest of details.

CAMPING OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT CAN’T GET AWAY? WANT TO GET OUTDOORS, BUT DON’T LIKE THE IDEA OF SLEEPING ON THE GROUND? Glampout Campout owner Krista Burruss took a rugged idea and glammed it up for the benefit of all of us. Krista, her husband, Todd, and their son, Cooper, are partnering to make glamping convenient and attainable for anyone by bringing the campout to you. The Glampouts are fully furnished and wellappointed, with tons of optional add-ons like catering, desserts, and floral touches.

Luxe is the vibe with rich patterns and textures, and plenty of places to relax and stretch out.

Floral by Marigold & Moss

Luxurious velvets and comfy quilts make for a restful and cozy sleep. Colorful pillows are softness and style, and floral arangements tie together the Flora theme.

“I want it to be like you just step into a room that’s always been there,” SAYS KRISTA. GLAMPOUT CAMPOUT HAS SEVERAL DECOR THEMES AND CAN EVEN HELP YOU CREATE ONE CATERED TO YOUR EVENT. GUYS WEEKEND, BACHELORETTE RETREAT, FAMILY TIME… THEY’RE ALL POSSIBLE, RIGHT OUTSIDE YOUR BACK DOOR.

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Canopy Beds A touch of delicacy, a touch of romance, a touch of luxury…

Originally designed to offer privacy and warmth, canopy beds from centuries past were draped with thick, heavy fabrics. Today’s canopy beds are a dreamy distant cousin with sheer, airy fabrics and delicate trim. Many retain the classic romantic look, while other popular modern designs are made with welded iron or steel in finishes from silver to gold to bronze. The timeless canopy bed suits any style, be it romantic or gothic, wooden, white, or metallic.

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art of collectin e g th

green

SPRING Emily Baker, lover of all things vintage and founder of My Weathered Home, shared with Southern Woman several of her artful vintage collections. And in light of spring arriving, we’re loving her green displays!

“I’m obsessed with green, especially that cabinet and the jadeite!” says Emily. She’s always rearranging and updating her collections with each new salvaging adventure. Growing up with antiquer parents, she’s got plenty of experience in picking and has developed an eye for finding the perfect pieces to add in. Take a look for some seasonal inspiration!

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Popular and trending houseplants are succulents, tropicals, and terrarium plants. Prized for their unusual shapes, sizes, textures, and color, succulents store moisture in their stems, are drought-tolerant, and need good light. Tropicals need tropical conditions (more water and humidity) to thrive. Terrarium plants (grown in a glass jar) are petite tropical plants that respond to high humidity and low light conditions.

MONS TERA

TERRARIUM

TROPICALS

Wendy Barnes, Retail Manager at The Gardens Flintwood in Fayetteville, is passionate about houseplants. “It’s exciting to see young families and a new generation discovering (sometimes remembering) the joy of caring for plants.

People are finding comfort

in gardening and tending to houseplants.

Houseplants are often more accessible than outdoor gardens. Nurturing plants and seeing them grow is very rewarding.” Some of Wendy’s favorite houseplants include the prayer plant (Calathea), prized for its patterned foliage, swiss cheese plant (Monstera) for its lacy, exotic leaves and Pothos, known as “the friendship plant” because it is easy to grow and propagate by clippings to give to friends.

POTHO S

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BROMELIAD

SENECIO ROWLEYANUS

Bryan McBrien, owner of the charming new plant shop, Green p.s.., in the upscale town of Trilith, across from Trilith Studios in Fayetteville, reflects on the heightened interest in interior plants: “I think with people spending more time at home, not only do they want to accent their homes with beautiful, healthy plants, but they are also seeking the opportunity to assist in the growth and care of their own plant baby. We have been seeing a fair amount of newbies, but also more and more people wanting more challenging plants. They seem to be drawn to the more difficult varieties, the Stromanthe triostar (a member of the prayer plant family), which can be complicated, or even some of the alocasias like the Frydek (a.k.a.

Green Velvet).” Brian’s assistant, Kate Schwarz, loves the tropical starfish snake plant (Sansevieria cylindrica) because it has great structure and can take low light.

ASIA ALOC

ISH STARF NT E PLA SNAK

LIGHTING

TEMPERATURE

How to Care for Interior Plants: Tropical interior plants appreciate day-time temperatures between 65-75 degrees, with humidity between 40-50 percent. Since most homes don’t have a high humidity level in the winter, you can increase humidity by grouping plants together in one area. Place saucers filled with pebbles and water under the bottom of each plant’s pot, being careful to keep the pot above the water line. Misting tropical plants throughout the day can have some limited benefit.

Lighting is a key element for healthy plants. If you don’t have a sunroom or greenhouse, it is difficult to provide sufficient light levels in the winter for plants that require bright light. Some of the plants with high light requirements are: geranium, hibiscus, wax begonia, cactus, coleus, jade, English ivy, weeping fig, and schefflera. Try to place these plants near windows with a western or southern exposure.

WATERING

Plants that need filtered light include: African violet, most ferns, bromeliad, Christmas cactus, dracaena, orchid, and spider plant. Plants that need low levels of light include: cast iron plant, maidenhair fern, fuschia, and pothos.

Houseplants do not need much watering during the winter. More plants decline from overwatering than under-watering. Use water that is room temperature and keep water off the leaves.

Most plants can be watered when the soil is almost dry to an inch deep. Ferns need a consistent moist soil environment. Succulents only need to be watered when the potting mixture is completely dry. When you determine it is time to water, water deeply until water is draining out of the drain hole into the saucer below. For best results, check the watering needs of your specific plant.

GREEN P.S.

is located at 308 Trilith Pkwy., #340, Fayetteville.

Bryan McBrien wants his shop to be more than just a plant store; he wants a place for the community to gather. He is offering educational courses, DIY workshops such as soap-making, opportunities for published authors to meet their fans, and film-related tie-ins.

FLINTWOOD FARMS,

located at 516 McDonough Rd., Fayetteville, is expanding its retail greenhouse and garden center and will feature the new and improved addition just in time for Valentine’s Day. The new greenhouse will feature garden displays with suggested plants for every garden, trees, shrubs, veggies, perennials, and an expanded house plant section.

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