Tabla de contenidos para Entertaining 2023 en Southern Lady

NATURAL SPLENDOR Host a tea party for winged visitors in your garden. Using epoxy, affix a teacup to its saucer, and attach two pieces of chain in an X shape to the bottom of the saucer. Allow to dry. Gather the four ends of the chain together, and thread them through an S-hook. Hang the assembly on a tree, and fill with an assortment of birdseed. (Opposite) Make a summery splash with this striking arrangement laden with lush apricots and Rainier cherries. Begin with a footed vase containing a flower frog, and insert large-leaf greenery. Add pink dahlias, antique hydrangeas, yellow hyacinths, and ruffled Campanella roses in lively hues. Finish with the fruit, wired on floral picks, for an eye-catching seasonal sensation. LINEN LIFT Repurpose vintage handkerchiefs or linens as…

OUTDOOR LIVING To celebrate the glorious days of spring, stage an impromptu celebration on the front porch. Hydrangea blue, jaunty orange, and sunshine yellow inspire the palette, so tuck fresh-cut flowers into a variety of on-hand containers to enliven the scene. Rely on pretty baskets and vintage linens for easy accents, then sit back and enjoy the view! A simple menu makes this party a snap. Try a new twist on favorite regional fare with a lively version of pimiento cheese and a fruit-infused blend of that essential sipper, sweet tea. Citrus-Berry Sweet Tea MAKES ABOUT 1 GALLON 3 quarts cold water, divided3 family-size iced tea bagsStrawberry Lemon Mint Syrup (recipe follows)Garnish: fresh strawberries, lemon slices, fresh mint leaves 1. In a medium saucepan, bring 1 quart water to a…

Herbed Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches MAKES 15 ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon mayonnaise¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon sour cream2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley2 tablespoons chopped green onion1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice½ teaspoon kosher salt¼ teaspoon ground black pepperPinch garlic powder2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken¼ cup golden raisins¼ cup toasted sliced almonds10 slices white sandwich bread½ cup thinly sliced cucumberGarnish: thinly sliced cucumber or fresh chives 1. In a large bowl, stir together mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, green onion, tarragon, dill, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Add chicken, raisins, and almonds, stirring to combine. 2. Spread a thick even layer of chicken salad onto 5 bread slices and top with cucumber slices. Cover with remaining bread slices. Using a bread…

ALL-AROUND CLASSIC From the grand plantations of South Carolina to the riverside markets of Savannah, life in the Lowcountry has a flavor all its own. Even without vistas of marshes and moss-draped oaks, you can borrow from the region’s relaxing style. A menagerie of green linens offers a timeless backdrop for informal pieces and modern accessories, while cheese grits, fresh fish, benne wafers, and Georgia peaches underscore the idea behind this occasion. PEACEFUL IDYLL Daisies dance in the shade of a spreading willow tree while an easy breeze wafts across the pond, giving respite from summer’s warmth. A simple white tablecloth and cane-back chairs elevate the scene, which marries green glass bottles, twine-wrapped glassware, and oyster shell votives for a casual air. Candles hovering over the tableau await the moment…

Champagne Pound Cake MAKES 1 (10-CUP) BUNDT CAKE 1¼ cups unsalted butter, softened2¾ cups granulated sugar, divided5 large eggs, room temperature3¼ cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon orange zest¼ teaspoon kosher salt1⅓ cups Brut sparkling wine, dividedGarnish: confectioners’ sugar 1. Preheat oven to 325°. Spray a 10-cup Bundt pan with baking spray with flour. 2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and 2½ cups granulated sugar at medium speed until fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, stopping to scrape sides of bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until combined after each addition. 3. In a medium bowl, stir together flour, zest, and salt. With mixer on low speed, gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating just until combined. Fold 1 cup…

ECHOES OF THE COAST Create a simple tabletop for this summertime get-together that borrows from the beauty of the beach. Wave-worn driftwood stars as the centerpiece in this scene, which elicits cherished memories of walks along the shore. Graceful air plants mirror the untamed natural beauty of sand dune grasses, and freshly clipped foliage in a striking vase highlights the splendor of the backyard surrounds. As a finishing note, crisp white china and crystal clear glassware catch the eye like glints of sunshine in the ripple of a wave. FRESH TAKE As beloved friends gather for this casual affair, serve them savory, bite-size delectables perfect for a poolside prelude to the main course. Flaky phyllo cups cradle dollops of hummus and homemade olive salad, while crostini are layered with Lemon-Basil…

FLORAL FANCY Frilly accents in a feminine palette give this table character and cheer as fresh and easy as a day in May. Gather a bouquet of colorful flowers from your garden. Lampshade frames painted white and festooned with ribbons, flowers, and Edison-style light bulbs add sparkle to the gathering. A swath of flowery fabric makes a perfect outdoor tablecloth; simply trim the raw edges with pinking sheers, and gather any excess length into a decorative knot. Lollipops tied with bows make sweet place-card treats, while paper punches dress up pink place mats and paper flags affixed to skewers. For a final creative touch, use the punches on edible paper to embellish a bakery-bought cake. Heirloom Tomato Salad with White Balsamic Dressing MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS 2 red heirloom…