December 2014

Decorated for the

Holidays

Decor

FRONT DOOR AND MANTEL

STOCKING STUFFERS

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2014

58

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68 26

SPECIAL SECTION ALL STOCKED UP

DECEM BER

Stocking stuffer ideas that will delight those on your list

2014

58 HOME

FEATURE HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

LE • YOUR LIFESTY • YOUR HOME FOR YOU

The Hunsuckers’ Mississippi home features rich, festive seasonal décor Decorated for the

Holidaysor D ec

MANTEL OR AND FRONT DO .COM ATHOMEMMS

G STOCKIN S STUFFER

68 DESIGN DECK THE HALLS Style meets tradition on your front door and mantel

Angela Mazanti adds her decorative touch to the front door of Annesdale Mansion on page 68.

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER. 6 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

CONTENTS DECEMBER 2014

LIFESTYLE 18 fashion Holiday Glam 20 beauty Party Palette 22 health Holiday Solutions for Special Diets 52 music Marty Stuart and the

30

Fabulous Superlatives

HOME 54 at home with Salvation Army Captains Barbara and Jonathan Rich

56 technology Holiday Technology

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74 garden Paperbark Maple

ON THE ROAD 30 mid south must do Memphis Zoo Lights & Starry Nights

36 travel The Gift of Travel 44 roadtrip Bonne Terre 46 community hotspot Jonesboro, AR 98 a closer look Can You Guess It?

76

F O O D & E N T E R TA I N I N G 76 entertaining Children’s Cookie Party 82 cooking Cranberries 84 cuisine Holiday Deli & Ham Co. 88 chef ’s corner SoCo Bake Shop

I N E V E RY I S S U E 12 | PUBLISHER’S NOTE 14 | CONTRIBUTORS 72 | STYLE MARKETPLACE 90 | BY INVITATION — the social pages 97 | SOURCES 8 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

DECEMBER 2014 • VOL. 13 NO. 9 PUBLISHER/EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

EDITOR LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT | lcolvett@athomemms.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR BRITTANY WALLER | bwaller@athomemms.com

EDITORIAL COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

SOCIETY EDITOR LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT | lcolvett@athomemms.com

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT

CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

ADVERTISING SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE HILARY FRANKEL | hafrankel@comcast.net

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE JOCATHY ELKINGTON | jcelkington@athomemms.com

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

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

WEBMASTER/GRAPHIC DESIGNER LAURIE A. SUMMERS | lsummers@athomemms.com

CONTRIBUTORS CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS TERRY SWEENEY, MICHAEL ALLEN

INTERNS OLIVIA BETTERTON, SHAY GARRETT, E.B. WATSON, MADELINE POLINSKI

HOW TO REACH US 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200 | Cordova, TN 38018 TOLL FREE 877.684.4155 | FAX 866.354.4886 WEBSITE: athomemms.com

At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 877.684.4155 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, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 671 N. Ericson Rd., Suite 200, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

10 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

publisher’s note

MOST

Wonderful

I

TIME OF THE YEAR

s it really that time of the year already? Where has this year gone? I totally missed decorating for Thanksgiving and the only Christmas decoration I have out is a Santa Claus pillow that didn’t get put away last year that I just noticed last week. This truly is my favorite holiday and I am usually a few steps ahead of the game, but not this year. Looking through this issue and seeing all the beautiful decorations and the Christmas cookie party created by Angela Mazanti makes me want to twinkle my nose and have her magic appear at our house.

I do have a head start on gift buying. While visiting all the great towns throughout the Mid South, It is easy to get a bit carried away with all the outstanding gifts our local retailers offer. I have bought some perfect items and if I could remember where I “put them up so they wouldn’t get lost,” that would be just great! I foresee a scavenger hunt in my closet and dressing room this weekend, for sure.

For those of you who are decorated and ready to go with gifts wrapped and menus made, enjoy your relaxing time by the fire reading our December issue.

For the rest of us, I guess it’s time to get the decorations out, start shopping, or in my case, fi nd the gifts that were hidden, run to Hobby Lobby for some paper and bows and make it happen. I will start my Kroger and Costco list tonight as I look forward to our son coming home from school for winter break and getting together with our daughter and son-in-law for some rare time together. We can’t wait to break out our moose mugs and let the eggnog flow while we watch Christmas Vacation for the hundredth time and still laugh as hard as we did the first, while trying to “out quote” one another.

Best of luck at finding that perfect gift for everyone on your list. A subscription to At Home Memphis & Mid South is always a good idea and much like the jelly of the month club, “it’s the gift that keeps on giving,” according to Cousin Eddie. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

12 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2014

contributors ANGELA MAZANTI • Design and Entertaining is the proprietor of Angela Mazanti Design. She specializes in interior, floral and event design, and her work has been locally and nationally recognized as outstanding in the field.

jordana white • home feature is a lifestyle writer and editor. In addition to contributing to At Home Memphis & Mid South magazine, she writes for nationally distributed Life & Style magazine and several online outlets.

Once a resident of Nashville, she now lives in New York with her husband Ian and two young sons, Brayden and Cooper.

April McKinney • cooking is an award-winning cook, food writer and recipe demonstrator. She has been featured on the Today show and Better TV, after her recipes won national cooking contests.

You can also see her creating new healthy and simple dishes on her YouTube channel, “April McKinney Cooking,” where she demonstrates her recipes on camera.

ANDREW PULTE • garden is a gardening expert and internationally certified arborist who teaches at the University of Tennessee, contributes to several gardening publications and hosts a radio show, “Garden Talk.” Originally from Nebraska, Pulte now gardens and resides in Knoxville with his wife Beccy and son Theo.

Chuck Dauphin • music has two decades of experience covering country music for both print and broadcast media. He is currently the online country editor for Billboard magazine and has worked for radio stations including WDKN and the Interstate Radio Network. He has also written for such publications as Music City News and Roughstock, and can be heard weekly on WNKX / Centerville.

14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

16 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

fashion

HOLIDAY

Glam

Be ready to shine daytime or evening with versatile style 4

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Shop these styles Purchase information:

1. Anniversary Allure Dress $53, www.modcloth.com 2. Maria Nicole Necklace Melinda, $230, www.shopbop.com 3. Illusion Yoke Crepe Sheath Dress Maggy London, $148 www.shop.nordstrom.com 4. Tevere Foldover Clutch Anthropologie, $48 www.anthropologie.com 5. Crystal Statement Earrings Ann Taylor LOFT, $40, www.loft.com 6. Moonlight Mile Cuff Bracelet Samantha Wills, $145 www.shopbop.com 7. Detour du Jour Blazer in Black $50, www.modcloth.com 8. Samarkand Earrings Anthropologie, $58 www.anthropologie.com 9. Square Link & Pave Necklace Ann Taylor, $80, www.anntaylor.com 10. Klub Nico Marla Shooties Anthropologie, $225 www.anthropologie.com 11. Aiguille Cutout Cuff Bracelet Alexis Bittar, $345 www.shopbop.com 12. Sizzling Steps Heel in Red $65, www.modcloth.com December 2014 • athomemms.com | 19

beauty

Party Palette Spice up your makeup with color and shimmer this holiday season

Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eyeshadow 5-Color Palette in Currant Desire Estee Lauder, $50 www.esteelauder.com

NAKED Illuminated Shimmer Powder Urban Decay, $29 www.urbandecay.com

Mister Lash Booster Givenchy, $30 www.sephora.com

Travel Brush Set

Chantecaille, $174 www.chantecaille.com

Virtual Domination Cheek Palette NARS, $65 www.sephora.com

20 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

Lovermarc Lip Gel in Seduce Me

Marc Jacobs Beauty,$30 www.sephora.com

On The Rocks Always Sharp Liner Set Smashbox, $39 www.sephora.com

Rose Lip Balm AERIN, $30 www.aerin.com

Le Chrome Luxe Eye Duo in Piazza San Marco Chantecaille, $58 www.chantecaille.com

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 21

health

Brianna Rogers

Whole Foods Market's Cooking Instructor shares

HOLIDAY SOLUTIONS FOR SPECIAL DIETS

H

TEXT BY BRIANNA ROGERS, SALUD! COOKING SCHOOL SPECIALIST, POPLAR AVENUE

oliday festivities often revolve around sharing food with family and friends, but if you or your guests have food allergies, sensitivities or any number of special dietary needs that are so prevalent these days, filling the table with suitable options can present a challenge. Here are some tips and advice to help keep those around your table happy, healthy and well-fed and to make December party and meal planning fun, easy and, most importantly, delicious.

First, talk with your guests when planning your menu to find out more about their needs. Some who eat glutenfree must follow strict rules to avoid cross contamination, while others can do just fine with foods made in any kitchen.

Vegetarians do not eat meat but often

will eat dairy or eggs. Holiday food is frequently prepared using one or more of the top eight allergens: milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, shellfish, soy and wheat. Because of this, it can be difficult for those with allergies to enjoy a party with lots of different dishes or food made in an unfamiliar kitchen. If your guests have food allergies, a discussion beforehand will help you plan a dinner they can eat, too. However, don’t be offended if they opt to bring a dish for themselves (or one to share) or decide to eat before they come. For people with severe allergies, it’s a serious health matter.

Once the guests begin to arrive, give them a quick, private rundown on which dishes meet their specific needs and which don’t. Also consider serving your holiday meal buffet-style and setting out

22 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

small cards that include the name of the dish and the ingredients.

Second, look for ways to keep it simple.

There's no need to make gluten-free and regular versions of a dish—just go with the gluten-free! You’ll not only save time, but your guests with food restrictions will feel more at home and less singled out.

Foods appropriate for someone following a special diet can be just as tasty to folks with no notable dietary needs.

Not all dishes need to meet everyone’s requirements. Serving at least one protein choice with a couple of side options is fine.

For example, add a legume or lentil dish for vegetarians if you are serving turkey or ham. Vegans can enjoy mushrooms, tempeh or tofu as meaty substitutes. If whipped cream is on the dessert menu, have a non-dairy whipped topping as well.

Menu Planning Tips: • Use vegetable broth in place of chicken or turkey broth when cooking for vegetarians.

• Choose from a variety of stuffing mixes or recipes that rely on gluten-free grains such as corn and/or rice.

• Baking and cooking with one of the many popular non-dairy beverages, available sweetened or unsweetened, can work well for non-dairy changes. Be sure to have a non-dairy option for sour cream or whipped cream, if needed.

• Savvy swaps like arrowroot powder instead of flour for thickening pie fillings, or coconut oil instead of butter, make recipes accessible.

• Always check the labels on packaged foods for hidden allergens like milk proteins, soy sauce (which contains wheat), nuts or gluten. Look for products that are clearly labeled as vegan or gluten-free.

• Skip the bulk section when buying ingredients. Though buying from the bulk bins saves money, there is a risk of crosscontamination of ingredients.

Whether dairy-free, nut-free, glutenfree or wheat-free, vegetarian or vegan, people have a variety of needs when it comes to food – some that are personal choices and others are medically necessary.

Whatever the reason, no gluten, no dairy, no soy… no problem!

Bri loves cooking, but more importantly, teaching and sharing that love with others.

If you don’t find her in the kitchen, she’s spending time with family and friends or walking her dog, Turnip.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 23

special

All Stocked Up

Santa knows that great things come in small packages

Coin Shot Glass Tennessee Pewter • $35 each • www.tnpewter.com

Princess Bracelets (Hair on Calf & Agate Geode) Gigi & Dugar • $85 each • Hewlett & Dunn in Collierville, TN

Fox Fur Collar Mitchie's • $169 • Betty Hays in Germantown, TN

Change Your Clothes, Change Your Life by George Brescia $22 • Booksellers at Laurelwood in Memphis, TN

14 Strand Love Knot Bracelet Ranaldo • $293 • Patricia's in Collierville, TN

Cross Hairtie Bracelets Heart On Your Sleeve Design • $7.50 each Kindred Spirit Style in Oakland, TN

Bamboo Teak Candle Archipelago Botanicals • $17 • Turkoyz Home in Memphis, TN

William Henry Knife Call For Price • Doris McLendon's in Germantown, TN

Banzai Sunglasses Maui Jim • $159 • Ultimate Gifts in Southaven, MS

The Mighty Purse Handbag Butler • $99 • Marmi at Shops of Saddle Creek in Germantown, TN

26 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

Vinnebago by Corkcicle $30 • www.corkcicle.com

special

Connely Necklace & Quincy Earrings Kendra Scott • $130 & $70 • Ultimate Gifts in Southaven, MS

Leather Bracelet with Metal Flower $26 • Lipchic in Corinth, MS

Wallet with Interchangeable Straps Katie Kalsi • $180 • www.katiekalsi.com

Roll Out Tool Kit $52 • Social in Memphis, TN

Gift Certificate Creative Touch Day Spa & Salon in Tupelo, MS

Whiskey Wedge Corkcicle • $15 • www.corkcicle.com

YETI 30 oz. Rambler $35 • Dixie Pickers in Collierville, TN Monogram Hairbrush $15 • Farmer's Home Furnishings in Somerville, TN CheeseTile Set of 4 $30 • www.placetile.com

Textured Fringe Scarf $146 • Social in Memphis, TN

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December 2014 • athomemms.com | 29

mid south must do

Photo courtesy of the Memphis Zoo

Winter Wonderland

Memphis Zoo Lights & Starry Nights Text By Laurie A. Summers

Photo courtesy of the Memphis Zoo 30 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

Photo courtesy of the Memphis Zoo

W

inter in the Mid South is a time of wonder. While we don’t always have snow, we find other ways to dust the winter landscape with an ethereal glow.

Light displays, from elegant and ornate to fun and playful, are a tradition that both children and adults look forward to every year.

SUNTRUST ZOO LIGHTS The Memphis Zoo provides an unforgettable experience for animal lovers during the holiday season. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the animals in a new light. Literally!

The SunTrust Zoo Lights isn’t just a spectacular light display; it’s a celebration of all the season’s best elements set in Memphis’ award-winning animal haven.

Zoo Lights kicks off with grand fanfare at the Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 21 at 5 p.m. Special guests include Ron Childers and the Stax Music Academy performers.

Afterwards, the zoo transforms into a winter wonderland where there is a 100 percent chance of snow every night and families can visit Santa.

Visitors of all ages will find something to enjoy, from children’s activities in the Expo to encounters with real reindeer and even camel rides. Though many of zoo’s residents will be sleeping, Animals of the Night, the Herpetarium, the Aquarium and Once Upon a Farm will be open.

Take a free ride through Zoo Lights by tram and enjoy the luminescent ambiance. The 200-foot-long tunnel of light is back this year as well as the huge LED ferris wheel. Ride the China Carousel and the North Pole Express Train, and don’t forget to catch a Magic Mr. Nick Illusion Show for a light-hearted and magical experience.

Memphis Zoo on Ice is back for the fifth year so the whole family can enjoy ice skating. Listen to singing Christmas trees or enjoy hot chocolate and holiday treats available in the Cat House Café. Zoo Lights runs until December 30, starting at 5 p.m. nightly. For more information, visit memphiszoo.org.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 31

mid south must do

32 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

STARRY NIGHTS Another do-not-miss experience is the Orion Starry Nights Light Show and Holiday Festival at Shelby Farms Park.

This year's version features both new and updated displays in addition to original favorites like the giant ball of lights rolling down the hill. More than 2.5 million environmentally friendly LED lights combine to form trees, animals, menorahs, a nativity and an underwater scene that leads right into a celestial wonderland of stars and angels.

Visitors of all ages will be captivated by the whimsical displays illuminating the night sky.

After experiencing the breathtaking lights of Starry Nights, discover Mistletoe Village, a fun, merry place complete with gently falling snow! The once “drivethrough” light show has grown into a festival that is a feast for the senses. The park’s Woodland Discovery Playground is transformed into a magical Christmas village full of fun things to do and see.

Local artisans offer the chance to get some holiday shopping done while listening to live performances by carolers, choirs and bands. Bring the family for portraits with Santa Claus, or stop by the Holiday Café for some delicious hot cocoa. Kids will love visiting the Starry Nights Petting Zoo and the chance to ride a camel. Afterwards, gather everyone around the campfire to roast s’mores.

All proceeds from Starry Nights help Shelby Farms Park Conservancy, which relies on fundraisers, as well as the generosity of members, donors and sponsors to maintain the park and keep the Shelby Farms Greenline “clean, green and safe.” Starry Nights runs from November 21 to December 28. For additional information visit shelbyfarmspark.org.

Don’t miss out on a Mid South tradition that not only brightens up the season, but is also a lot of fun. Make a night of it and build holiday memories at these unforgettable celebrations of light and holiday spirit.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 33

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 35

travel

THE GIFT OF

Travel

TEXT BY BARBARA MAY, OWNER OF TRAVEL LEADERS | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF TRAVEL LEADERS

• When the holiday season rolls around,

folks are always looking for the perfect gift for their loved ones.

More and more people are giving the gift of travel.

36 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

F

For parents, Christmas can be especially challenging because they want to experience that special feeling of seeing the kids rip open brightly wrapped gifts and watching the joy on their faces.

Remember the TV commercial where the parents surprise the family with a trip to Walt Disney World? The look on their faces and the excitement they felt?

Chances are that most people probably don’t remember every gift they receive for Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries, but a gift of travel used toward a vacation will be long remembered. Some of the best presents don’t fit under a tree.

Travel gift certificates can be the most memorable and cherished gift possible because they make experiences possible that will create memories to last a lifetime.

They will never be lost, exchanged or forgotten, and will live on through family photos, videos and stories for years to come. Travel gift certificates are perfect for birthdays, Christmas/Hanukkah, anniversaries, graduations, group trips, family reunions, destination weddings and honeymoons or no reason at all!

Here are some top gift of travel ideas: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: Whether you seek an adrenaline rush or total tranquility, the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line ships have it all. Passengers can try rock climbing, zip-lining, ice skating and surfing 200 feet above the waves or experience the spine-tingling rush racing across the Oasis class’ Boardwalk®, suspended nine decks in the air. It’s a thrill that can’t be found on any other cruise line, and it’s all included in the fare! Those eager to melt away land-based stress can relax with a spa massage or a poolside loungee-art ships, fine cuisine and excellent service offer a remarkable value.

These smaller, “intimate” cruises include daily shore excursions, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and other amenities not often included on larger lines.

The on-board dining is about more than just food; ambience, variety and flexibility of dining options are key on the Royal Caribbean line. From casual to sophisticated, cupcakes to canapés, sample an array of options – many of them included in the price of the cruise.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 37

travel

38 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

travel

Royal Caribbean is the only cruise line to offer Tony Award® winning entertainment. World-class performers from across the globe come together to entertain guests from morning to night.

Catch Broadway musicals, the DreamWorks Experience, iceskating spectaculars – plus thrilling casino action, live comedy and music, bars, clubs and much more!

Kids will never be bored on board. The complimentary Adventure Ocean® Youth Program for toddlers, teens and kids in between includes activities like pajama nights, science experiments, scavenger hunts and theme parties. Young ladies will love the Barbie Mermaid dance classes and fashion shows— not to mention the complete room décor in signature pink with great take-home gifts! The Dreamworks experience offers memorable moments at sea, filled with favorite characters from Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda. From meeting and dining with the characters to fun-filled parades, it’s a trip they’ll talk about for years to come. (Note: only on designated ships.)

To celebrate a life milestone, a special day or a special someone, Royal Caribbean’s extra touches make for a truly unforgettable voyage. Sail away close to home with departure ports in New Orleans, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral and Galveston, just to mention a few. Other destinations are Alaska, Europe, Asia, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Bermuda, Australia/ New Zealand, Canada/New England and more.

Looking to take the family on Spring Break?

After having been cooped up all winter many families opt for warm destinations in spring. Beaches by Sandals All-Inclusive Resorts in Jamaica and in Turks & Caicos are the perfect choices, the ultimate all-inclusive family vacation resorts.

There’s something for everyone, from land and water sports to anytime gourmet dining at up to 19 restaurants, to activities and amenities for all ages and luxurious, family-friendly suites. The kids get the freedom to have a vacation on their own, and parents

can sit back and relax. The resorts even include on-site theme parks that features gigantic waterslides, kid-friendly pools and swim-up soda bars, as well as lazy rivers and the Caribbean’s only surf simulator.

Tweens and teens can learn the art form of deejaying at the world-famous Scratch DJ Academy, or they may even have the chance to play a new X-Box game that hasn’t been released yet!

Do you have a special-needs child?

Beaches by Sandals takes care of the whole family. Certified nannies are available to assist children with special needs who may require the care and support of a one-on-one helper to fully participate in all activities. Plus, if a child has food allergies, the Beaches Resorts chef will meet with parents and prepare their foods accordingly.

The most precious moments in life are when the entire family comes together, when time stands still and every minute is embraced. The gift of travel opens up a world of adventure to children; it opens their minds to the scope of the world and the possibilities that surround them. Focusing on travel rather than on toys encourages kids to dream and inspires them to experience life rather than to accumulate things…at Christmas and the rest of the year, too!

The up-and-coming destination for 2015 is Barbados!

Sandals Resorts has a new property opening on the island around May 2015. Barbados is famous for diving, exploring shipwrecks, swimming with turtles, and spectacular golf courses. It is an ideal family destination with convenient air service from Memphis.

Looking for a perfect gift for parents?

It’s always hard to find a gift for people who have everything.

A gift certificate for travel can be the perfect choice for even seasoned travelers.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 39

travel

40 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

Viking passengers experience personal touches: the drink the bartender has prepared at just the right moment, the gentle guidance from the tai chi master during a lesson in China, the handwritten directions from the concierge to the oldest coffeehouse in Vienna. Every aspect on-board, from expertly prepared meals to enrichment programs and beautifully appointed ships, enhances the traveler’s river cruise experience.

Passengers experience local life through such excursions as home-hosted visits or trips to local markets. They also have the opportunity to see the working world of bakers and artisans, and special access to museums, private collections and afterhours events that Viking staff members thoughtfully curate.

Viking Cruises recently announced it has set a new world record with the inauguration of its newest vessels. In a multi-phased event taking place over 24 hours, the company christened 16 of its award-winning Viking Longships – nine were christened in Amsterdam; four were christened in Rostock, Germany; and three were christened in Avignon, France.

All of Viking’s new ships will be deployed on its most popular itineraries in Europe, including new French itineraries.

A total of four Viking Longships will be deployed in France, including one vessel dedicated specifically to the company’s new Châteaux, Rivers & Wine cruise in Bordeaux. Also, as a testament to the popularity of Viking’s Portugal’s River of Gold itinerary, the two new ships there will double the company’s current capacity on the Douro River.

Some other ideas for travel gift certificates include: • Snow Skiing • Disney Cruise • Alaskan Cruise • New York Trip • Wine Country Tour • Escorted Tour of Italy • Mississippi River Cruise • Mediterranean Cruise For more ideas or information on your next getaway, call a travel professional at Travel Leaders, 901.377.6600. Travel Leaders is located at 2765 Wolf Creek Parkway, Suite 104, Memphis.

“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.”

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 41

roadtrip

Bonne Terre

Country Inn and CafE TEXT BY Olivia BETTErTOn

Imagine a landscape of rolling hills, lush woods and bright blue lakes. Now imagine such pastoral beauty only 20 minutes from downtown Memphis. Located in Nesbit, Mississippi, the Bonne Terre Country Inn and Cafe rests on 23 acres of breathtaking countryside. It is a large yet cozy bed and breakfast surrounded by flowering gardens and two picturesque lakes.

The Bonne Terre Inn’s 15 guest bedrooms are decorated with French and English antiques. There are four bedrooms downstairs, nine upstairs, and a two-bedroom suite that sits above the stable. Guest rooms in the main inn feature porches or private balconies so that guests may enjoy looking over the scenic gardens and lakes. Rooms may also come equipped with whirlpool tubs and fireplaces.

The Bonne Terre Inn’s mission is to create a romantic, relaxing getaway for its guests by offering amenities including roses, wine and in-room couples massages, as well as popular package deals. With the “Wine and Dine Package” guests receive one night at the inn, a three-course dinner in the Bonne Terre Cafe and a bottle of the house wine. The “Babymoon Package” for expectant parents includes a one-night stay, a couples massage (including a special maternity massage for the mother-to-be), breakfast and dinner for two. The inn’s staff works hard to provide the perfect atmosphere for couples to enjoy a romantic escape.

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roadtrip Bonne Terre’s beautiful grounds supply guests with plenty of outdoor activities.

The site’s two large lakes provide the perfect spot to relax with a fishing pole in hand and enjoy one of life’s greatest escapes. Both lakes are stocked with bream and largemouth bass. Quaint walking paths surround each lake and provide a chance for guests to experience the incredible scenery. Its convenient location close to downtown Memphis gives Bonne Terre guests the option to spend their stay enjoying the “away-from-it-all” quality of the Inn, or to drive a short distance and experience the fun and exciting activities the city offers.

While the inn provides an array of activities for guests, “Sometimes the best thing to find yourself doing is nothing,” says owner Emily Rygg. The tranquil quality of Bonne Terre leaves guests feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. Giving visitors the opportunity to nap, read or simply enjoy time apart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life is one of Bonne

Terre’s greatest features. Rygg adds, “There is something calming and soothing that I cannot explain.”

Aside from a freshly made breakfast each morning, guests are also welcome to dine at the Bonne Terre Cafe. Seating is available on the veranda and in the main dining room. Guests may dine outdoors overlooking the scenic landscape or inside, seated by the cozy fireplace. The cafe specializes in classic American cuisine with Southern flavors—the food is as comforting as the surrounding landscape.

The menu features savory starters such as Pan Seared Shrimp Cakes and Grilled Flatbread, and delectable entrees including Seafood Pasta, Rib Eye Steak and Pan Seared Muscovy Duck Breast. Chef Jason McElvany changes the menu four times each year to keep items fresh and seasonal.

The cafe is open to the public Wednesday through Friday evenings.

Bonne Terre Inn also provides venues for corporate meetings and weddings.

Business meeting attendees can receive a 15-minute chair massage before their session begins. The facility’s scenic environment is a welcome alternative to the tedium of office-held meetings. For weddings, Bonne Terre offers indoor and outdoor options with both large and small reception spaces, along with sites for rehearsal dinners and bridal showers.

Romantic honeymoon rooms are also available for the newlyweds. Bonne Terre’s setting makes a breathtaking backdrop for wedding pictures. Whether it is a lush green landscape in the summer or a red and gold masterpiece in the fall, Bonne Terre is the perfect place for couples to begin a new and beautiful life together.

From the food to the scenery, Bonne Terre Inn and Cafe satisfies guests by providing a luxurious and relaxing countryside getaway close to home.

Whether you spend a single night or an entire weekend, your experience at Bonne Terre will be one you and your loved one will never forget.

December 2014 • athomemms.com | 45

community hotspot

JonesboroJaunt TEXT BY SadiE mcfaddEn

46 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

S

traddling a picturesque section of the rolling terrain of Crowley’s Ridge in northeast Arkansas, the city of Jonesboro is also riding a wave of growth and progress that’s enriching the flavor of the city for residents and visitors alike.

Barely 60 miles northwest of Memphis, Jonesboro—the fifth largest city in Arkansas—both clings to its delta roots and aspires beyond them. It’s a place on the move, with drivers of change popping up on multiple fronts from healthcare, industry and education to a revitalized downtown brimming with fine dining, fine arts and a burgeoning nightlife scene.

HEART OF TOWN The community’s historic business district is anchored by its original Main Street, which has seen historic levels of investment over the past decade.

The downtown preservation initiative earned Jonesboro a City of Distinction designation from Arkansas Business in 2012, and it became an official “Main Street Community” in 2013.

The vibrant area is a veritable “who’s who” for regionally popular businesses.

Sue’s Kitchen has been a local favorite for decades; the aroma of the famous freshbaked yeast rolls greets every lunchtime patron. Skinny Js is another local gem, and its eclectic menu offers morsels to please any palate. A particularly tasty appetizer is the Reuben egg rolls. Across the street is Godsey’s Grill, with more sandwiches than you can shake a sweet tea at—no visit to Godsey’s is complete without sampling the Hog Wild dip.

Downtown dining experiences range to suit everyone’s tastes, from the elegant Omar’s Uptown (the Hawaiian Ribeye is a melt-in-your mouth flavor explosion) to the Kimono Japanese steakhouse (featuring all-you-can-eat sushi lunch specials) to Coaches’ Sports Bar & Grill to Don Jose’s to Cregeen’s Irish Pub, with its authentic Irish furnishings and unique library upstairs. Many of the restaurants bring in live entertainment through the week, with occasional regional headline acts on the weekends.

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community hotspot

For beverages there’s One Love People Coffee Shop, specializing in organic coffees in a roomy, inviting setting with a full-front window that practically says, “sit, sip and enjoy.” Besides the selection of coffees from small cooperatives across the world, customers can also choose from nearly 20 organic teas specially blended with names like “Women’s Daily” and “Stay Calm.”

Just up the street is Therapy, a boutique wine bar in a cozy venue reminiscent of narrow big-city diners. Along with liquid refreshments Therapy also serves light appetizers and tapas.

Visitors to Jonesboro’s downtown shopping district can choose from 13 restaurants, nine trending retailers and boutiques, nine up-scale beauty/health and wellness establishments and a dozen cultural art organizations— including one of the state’s most recognized community theater organizations.

The Foundation of Arts, which presents shows at The Forum Theater just off Main Street, continues to set new standards in local entertainment. Earlier this year, The Forum was packed as audiences watched an all-local cast deliver a series of bring-down-the-house performances of the Broadway musical Les Miserables. In addition, more than 80 lofts have been built in traditional “above retail establishment” fashion, most of 48 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

which maintain the character and feel of the original centuryold buildings while featuring highly contemporary décor and amenities. Nearby are the city’s residential historic districts with stately homes, gardens and towering trees lining the avenues.

Jonesboro’s thriving downtown art community includes several galleries displaying original work. The Arts Center, a division of the Foundation of Arts, is one of the few art education organizations in the country that accepts all interested students regardless of ability to pay.

The FOA’s “Find the Artist in You” tagline echoes a larger “find yourself downtown” attitude that has people eating, shopping, living and enjoying themselves along Jonesboro’s happening Main Street.

HILLTOP SOARING HIGHER The recent opening of the new NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital on the north side of Jonesboro created what civic leaders have called an “economic earthquake.” The $400 million healthcare investment—which also includes the area’s largest multi-specialty practice, NEA Baptist Clinic, and a freestanding cancer center—generated a seismic ripple effect for development in the Hilltop area, as that part of town is called.

Bank branches, shops, markets and restaurants have sprung up along Highway 49 as part of the booming commercial development zone. Local restaurant Fat City relocated to the area a year ago, and other popular dining places include a Newk’s Eatery and the justopened J-Town Grill.

The new hospital rises like a beacon for better health on its 85-acre campus.

As part of the Memphis-based Baptist Memorial Health Care system, it incorporates the latest medical technology into an architecturally stunning facility that is nothing short of breathtaking.

Capitalizing on the north-side expansion around the emerging medical sector, a new mixed-use neighborhood development is in the planning stages.

Called Greensborough Village, the 200acre project is based on the Cool Springs master-planned development in Franklin, TN, and will be the first such community in northeast Arkansas. Plans call for a mix of upper-end retail, entertainment and residential development as a new gateway to the Hilltop area.

MORE GROWTH ON THE HORIZON Arkansas State University has been a key partner in Jonesboro’s growth for more than a century, and the college keeps getting better. Two years ago ASU made national education news when it opened a campus in Mexico, and this year it announced a partnership with the New York Institute of Technology to create Arkansas’ second medical school on its Jonesboro campus. The medical school will be housed in one of the best-known and most iconic buildings at ASU—Wilson Hall, a central structure distinguished by its Arts Deco architecture.

The inaugural class of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine at ASU is scheduled for 2016. With that class, estimated to be 115 medical students, will come another economic boost to the Jonesboro area—the impact is estimated to amount to $70 million initially.

So if you’re looking for a day jaunt, Jonesboro is the crown jewel of the northeast Arkansas delta, with more to see and do every day.

November December 2014 • athomemms.com | 49

music

MARTY STUART AND THE FABULOUS SUPERLATIVES TEXT BY CHUCK DAUPHIN | PHOTO COURTESY OF SHORE FIRE MEDIA

When you listen to “Cathedral,” a gospel cut from Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, the new double-CD set from Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives, it’s important to note that the song had its inspiration close to 15 years ago. Stuart related the story to At Home Memphis & Mid South.

“It was coming up on the year 2000, and we were headed back to Nashville from Mississippi. I made a comment and (Stuart’s wife) Connie agreed that it would be great to go to a church somewhere and bring in the new millennium. I started looking and in the darkness of the Mississippi Delta, out in the middle of a cotton field was a church with the lights on. There were a few cars there, so we whipped the car around and pulled in. It was Pastor Evelyn Hubbard’s church, the Commerce Missionary Baptist Church in Robinsonville, MS. There were about 40 or 50 people in there.”

“We met Pastor Evelyn that night, and she was playing the B3 (Hammond organ). I promise you that it was Aretha Franklin/ Mavis Staples quality. We fell in love with her that night, and she’s still a big part of our lives today. When we were making this record I called Pastor Evelyn and she brought her organist, Brother Kenneth, to the room. I wrote this song around her.

I just wanted to capture one-tenth of the joy and the spirit of her church. You can have that this Sunday morning if you want 52 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

to go down there. It was a wonderful get together,” Stuart says fondly.

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning is a celebration of what Stuart and company do best—combining the worlds of country and gospel. Mavis Staples appears on “The Uncloudy Day.” Stuart has the highest of praise for the Memphis music legend, saying, “She is the deep end of the pool when it comes to heart and soul. But it’s not only her; it’s the entire family. Pops Staples was one of my dearest friends. They are family. When it comes to deep-down Mississippi church-house music, it doesn’t get any deeper than the Staples Singers. I’ve always said they sound like ghosts singing in a cotton field. When you stand next to Mavis, you have to get your big boy britches on, because she takes you there.”

On Saturday Night, the country disc of the collection, Stuart puts his stamp on songs made famous by acts such as Charlie Rich and Warner Mack. He feels a debt to those musicians who came before him.

“Maybe it’s a self-imposed responsibility, but so many of the artists that you talk about in that era of country music were the people that raised me, gave me breaks, their treasures, and trusted me with them.”

Marty Stuart and The Fabulous Superlatives will be appearing at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in Huntingdon, TN, on Saturday, December 13 at 2 p.m. For information, go to www.

DixiePAC.net.

at home with

Salvation Army Officers CAPTAIN JONATHAN RICH, MEMPHIS AREA COMMANDER AND CAPTAIN BARBARA RICH, ASSOCIATE AREA COMMANDER, MEMPHIS INTERVIEW BY BROOKE WATSON SHIRLEY

As fifth generation Salvation Army officers, the husband and wife team have upheld their benevolent legacy in Memphis with a gracious collaboration of their respective talents. This month, they give us a candid look into the Christmas season, what inspires their work and how Memphis has moved them.

AS MEMPHIS AREA COMMANDERS, WHAT DOES YOUR WORK ENTAIL? We are responsible for the oversight of all The Salvation Army operations in the greater Memphis eight-county area. These services include a wide array of assistance for homeless women and children, addiction recovery services, Angel Tree, disaster services, ongoing services to the impoverished of our city, two Salvation Army congregations, The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps and Community Center in Midtown and more. We work with a Women's Auxiliary that has almost 600 members who volunteer their time to raise funds for The Salvation Army and we have a very effective Advisory Board of community leaders.

YOU’VE BEEN HERE SINCE JUNE OF 2012; HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE SALVATION ARMY DEVELOP IN MEMPHIS? In the time we have been here we have seen huge changes. The opening of the Kroc Center in February of 2013 was a game 54 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

changer. Our staff increased from 50 people to almost 200 overnight. We have completely reorganized the staff reporting structure and the way we do business in Memphis. The visibility of The Salvation Army has increased as well. We have just cut the ribbon on a remodeled part of our Purdue Center of Hope that will now house an intensive outpatient program for women who struggle with drug and alcohol addiction. We were already the largest provider of services to homeless women and children, including those with addiction, and this new program will extend our services to many more.

WOULD YOU SAY THAT YOUR MARRIAGE HAS PLAYED A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN HOW YOU OPERATE THE SALVATION ARMY IN THE LOCAL AREA? Absolutely. When you are married and you sense that God has called you to serve as a Salvation Army officer, it has to be a package deal. As a married couple we are both ordained ministers and have received the same training. In any appointment we are assigned to, we have the opportunity to divide up the leadership in ways that make the most of our gifts. My wife and I are very different from one another and we think that serves the organization well. I have a business background and many years of non-profit leadership. My wife has an education and fundraising background. We are able to use all of that experience to accomplish our work here in Memphis.

at home with As fifth generAtion sAlvAtion Army officers, how hAs thAt legAcy Affected you?

We are very proud of that heritage.

We have the benefit of having witnessed our own parents in ministry leadership as we were growing up and have also had the benefit of picking their brains as we have experienced our own challenges and opportunities as Salvation Army officers.

This legacy in no way meant that we were automatically going to follow in the footsteps of our predecessors. Post college, while pursuing careers in business and fundraising, we were distinctly called

by God to serve Him as Salvation Army officers. We feel like we are standing on the shoulders of people who have done amazing work throughout the 150 years of Salvation Army history in general and over 114 years here in Memphis. the christmAs seAson is AlwAys An importAnt time of yeAr for the sAlvAtion Army. how do you prepAre AheAd of this cruciAl time?

We start planning in the summer of every year. We meet to go over all the plans for Angel Tree (we serve over 5,000 children and seniors each year) and our Red Kettle Campaign fund raising (our goal is to raise $533,333 this year). For Angel Tree we start taking applications starting the day after Labor Day each year and we start hiring Red Kettle workers at that time as well. In many ways, our Christmas season is six months long! We raise 50 percent of all of our resources during the months of November and December. tell our reAders About Any fAvorite moments you've mAde during the spAn of your cAreer.

Our favorite moments all include opportunities to see lives changed by God through the work in which we have the privilege of participating. We have seen many people through the years who have had no hope for a better life, find hope because they have been helped to get their lives on the right track. From the women

at The Purdue Center we hear stories of hope that often include the phrase, “If it hadn’t been for The Salvation Army I wouldn’t be alive today.” We were blown away by the amazing response of the community to the opening of the Kroc Center. February 23 and 24, 2013, will always be two of the most amazing days in our career, as the whole city turned out to celebrate the grand opening of the Kroc Center.

One other thing. Just a couple of days ago we were eating in a restaurant in Overton Square and our 20-something server approached us (we were in our uniforms) and asked us if we were with an airline (a common question!). We told her we were with The Salvation Army and she immediately began to tell us how blessed she had been as a little girl to be the beneficiary, along with her family, of the services of The Salvation Army. With tears in her eyes she expressed gratitude for the way her family was encouraged and supported by The Army. We feel very fortunate to be on the front lines of helping those in need! hAve you enjoyed your work here in memphis? where do you find sources of inspirAtion?

We love the city. Both of us are “city” people. I grew up in the New York City area and my wife grew up in Detroit. We fell in love with Memphis as we learned about its history and experienced what the city has to offer. Whenever we have visitors from out of town we take them downtown to see the Peabody Ducks and walk around to see many of the sights that make this city unique. Our favorite place and most inspirational place by far is the Civil Rights Museum.

When we first caught a glimpse of the Lorraine Motel, it took our breath away.

We were both children in 1968 and have vivid memories of the day Dr. King was assassinated. My wife lived in Detroit during the ensuing riots and had to be evacuated. Experiencing the museum and being residents of this diverse city where so much history was made reminds us constantly that there is more work to be done, and we hope that what we

do as Salvation Army officers, staff and volunteers will, in some way, contribute to a better Memphis for all people. you've trAveled to severAl cities during your cAreer; how is memphis different? do you hAve Any fAvorite locAl spots?

As I mentioned earlier, I was born in New York City, my wife was born in Chicago and spent her early years in Detroit. We have lived in Chicago and Kansas City and have traveled to most states and abroad. Memphis is the first Southern city in which we've lived in.

We love the hospitality, we love the sense of civic responsibility that we sense that makes Memphis one of the most generous cities in the US. Our favorite spot is the downtown area, the Civil Rights Museum, and we also like to go to Harbor Town every now and then. When we go there we feel like we have gone away to the beach! outside of work, whAt do you enjoy doing in your free time?

We love to go to the movies and out to eat. We enjoy walking and reading. A few years ago we took ballroom dance lessons and we love to dance, but we rarely get the chance. Our daughter is at Middle Tennessee State majoring in Horse Science and we love to see her compete in equestrian competitions. Our son is in the Kansas City area and is getting married soon and we love to catch up with him whenever we can. do you hAve Any speciAl holidAy plAns for the seAson?

Because Christmas time is such a busy time for us, we always look forward to just relaxing with family on Christmas day and a few days afterwards. We hope to travel to Kansas City this year and spend time with family there for a few days. We lived there for 16 years and our son, soon-to-be daughter-in-law and my mother-in-law all still live there.

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technology

HOLIDAY TECHNOLOGY TEXT BY SCOTT FUELLING, PRESIDENT, PHOENIX UNEQUALED HOME ENTERTAINMENT

The holiday season is upon us and many of us are in search of the perfect gift for that special someone to let them know we care. Some of us are preparing for the entertainment events that are always part of holiday celebrations. But mostly, we are all trying to get caught up so we can spend time with family and close friends, the most important part of this festive season.

There are many technology-related gift options available in a wide range of price points; it would be a disservice for me to try and fill you in on only a few of them. I can, however, provide a bit of advice that might assist with shopping for the tech lover on your holiday list.

Personal electronics are the hot items for the season. With all of the recent smartphone releases, there are plenty of accessories available that offer many benefits. Tablet computing has exploded, so there are plenty of options for consideration as well. Music and movie gifts are always thoughtful and appreciated, especially if you know specific tastes and tailor selections accordingly.

When considering giving a tech-related gift do some research. Find out what the recipient enjoys, uses or needs, and follow that down the Internet rabbit hole until you’re happy with your selection. An

infinite number of websites, blogs, etc. will show up when you start the infamous “Google” search for a specific topic. The more reputable sites will offer genuine advice and product reviews.

We have many clients with completely automated homes. This basically means the house has audio/video, lighting, heating/cooling systems, security, pool/hot tub control and, in some cases, specialty items designed to meet specific needs, which have been tied together to allow ease of use and one-touch operation.

During the course of the year, these homeowners can program lighting scenes, entertainment events, security functions and more to meet their specific desires, offering the easiest of interfaces while providing maximum benefits. These systems even automatically compensate for seasonal time changes to ensure anything set for dusk or dawn operation works effectively year round.

When we meet with our clients whose homes are fully automated, we discuss specific needs and then program specialty events for the season that can include entertainment and parties, fireplace control, outdoor holiday lighting, specialized music playlists and even the Christmas tree. Through a combination

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of timers, calendar scheduling and onebutton programming, we are able to automate even the most complex of events with ease. Imagine setting up a home’s atmosphere for a big party by pressing a single button, with everything responding to meet your needs. Even better, the same button press will return everything back to normal. Very convenient…

We have also assisted clients with needs for religious purposes such as the Sabbath, when interaction with technology is frowned upon. The clients who request this function appreciate that the systems in their home automatically operate through a predetermined series of events that meet even the staunchest criteria.

My overall point is, no matter what your technology desires, we live in a very exciting time. There are multiple products to meet your needs readily and reliably.

So whether you’re searching for a gift for someone else or you are looking to make your own life a bit easier by automating your home, you can bet a solution exists.

Please enjoy this wonderful season with all those you love. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a very Happy New Year to all! Till 2015…

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Holida ys

HOME FOR THE

TEXT BY JORDANA WHITE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY TERRY SWEENEY

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FOR BEA HUNSUCKER AND HER FAMILY, CHRISTMASTIME BRINGS A FOREST OF CELEBRATIONS TO THEIR LAKE CORMORANT, MISSISSIPPI, HOME. December 2014 • athomemms.com | 59

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F

For 25 years, Christmas has been a big deal for Bea and Charles Hunsucker and their four children, Shanna, Dallas, William and Gable. When the kids were young, the family marked the season by viewing light displays, baking cookies, making candy and even hosting the neighborhood Christmas party.

Today, the family has expanded—spouses have joined the group, not to mention five grandkids and a grandpuppy—and spread out across the country, from Atlanta to Houston and spots in between. As the core group of relatives has grown, so too has the Hunsucker home and, along with it, the family Christmas celebration.

Fourteen years ago, a friend called Bea with a proposition.

She had 23 acres of land available for purchase in Lake Cormorant and wanted the Hunsuckers to buy it and build a home on the property so the families could live closer together.

Despite never having thought of moving until that moment, Bea and Charles took a leap of faith and made the purchase, building themselves a sprawling 7,500-square-foot house over the next two years.

After moving into the grand new house, which features five bedrooms and six bathrooms, (not to mention an entire second story that the family never even uses!) there came a Christmas celebration on a whole different scale.

These days, the holiday decoration process begins the day after Halloween, Bea explains, and no wonder; each bedroom, entry, hall, den and office has a tree decorated with a different theme. Bea also sets up a “friends and family” tree to highlight the ornaments the Hunsuckers have been gifted with, her family tree, decorated with ornaments she personally picked out over the years and, if those weren’t enough work, Bea makes it even more elaborate. On a long pine table situated in a hallway she sets up four small trees, one for each of her children, decorated with their ornaments. “I kept all the ornaments they were given and made and ones that I made for them,” Bea explains. For an added personal touch, she’s added the grandkids’ ornaments to the mix on each of her mini-trees.

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THE OLD-WORLD

charm

, LOOK AND FEELING.” December 2014 • athomemms.com | 63

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In a home with halls so elaborately decked, it could be easy to let the rest of the décor fade into the background, but with Bea’s dedication to detail, the yearround beauty of the space shines right alongside the seasonal additions.

From the moment you approach the house, you know you’ve arrived somewhere special—the front doors, made from 200-year-old elm wood, lend some serious design weight to the exterior façade (the doors weigh close to 150 pounds!).

As the doors swing open, the wide foyer with its 28-foot yellow pine board ceiling stuns, but the hidden gems of the space are the hall closet doors, carved shutters

that were once used as exterior entryways in China’s Shan Xi Province. To add her personal touch to the treasures, Bea had them painted and fitted with gold leaf and added glass.

shaking her head ruefully. “In my entry hall I applied a plaster technique that I worked on day and night for three weeks with a trowel. It turned out beautifully, but it’s not a job that I will ever try again.”

The doors in the house are not the only design elements in which Bea’s eclectic taste shines through; gas lanterns are interspersed throughout the home, over the stone fireplace as well as down the hallway and on the brick columns of the entry hall, to provide what Bea describes as “the OldWorld charm, look and feeling.”

From sourcing antiques to applying wall treatments to creating a Christmas wonderland, Bea Hunsucker says her attitude toward beautifying her home has always been, “If I love something, I will make it work somehow.” The finished result shows just how far that spirit has carried her and her family.

Such attention to detail shows the Hunsuckers’ dedication to their home, but at least one interior feature still leaves Bea December 2014 • athomemms.com | 65

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design

deck the Halls

STYLE MEETS TRADITION ON YOUR FRONT DOOR AND MANTELS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON TEXT BY SHAY NIKOLE GARRETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL ALLEN | STYLIST ANGELA MAZANTI

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T

he holidays have arrived once again. As families come together and lights line the streets, home decor settles in our minds. From front door greetings to mantel arrangements, oversized ornaments and lush garlands appear throughout homes. From traditional to progressive, holiday decor can cover a wide range of themes.

Designer Angela Mazanti draws on various inspirations when creating front door and mantel decor. When designing for Annesdale Mansion, Mazanti was inspired by the style and age of the home.

“I wanted to do something that would be very similar to what you could have seen from the very first Christmas in the home,” Mazanti explains. Matching decoration size with the scale of the space is the key, according to Mazanti.

The ballroom of Annesdale Mansion is majestic, with an oversized mirror crowning a grand fireplace. Mazanti used long and thick magnolia-leafed garlands with extra-large sugar pine cones to match the grandeur of the room. She then added large ornaments, ribbon and fresh fruits to spice up the mantel setting.

“People decorated with what they could forage around their homes back then and using fresh, exotic fruits was a sign of luxury and wealth,” Mazanti says of the fruits included in Annesdale’s mantel design.

In contrast, Mazanti chose a modern, whimsical design for the second mantel.

The all-white backdrop allowed her freedom to add pops of color with a collection of nutcrackers and glitter ornaments. “I love to do something that is not expected but yet keep it close enough to tradition that it feels like Christmas,” Mazanti says. “Christmas is magical to me and I think the more glitter the better.”

Mazanti based the design of the third mantel on traditional reds and textures, choosing a charcoal gray to ground everything. The idea was to keep it warm and cozy for both children and adults. A wooden reindeer pulls a sleigh with two cheery stuffed children that represent her two grandchildren. “I used a rustic flocked garland that added to the idea that the weather outside is frightful, but the fire inside is delightful,” Mazanti says.

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design

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design

The fourth mantel was inspired by an icy, glamorous look. Mazanti used beaded and glittered pieces to mimic shimmering ice. The lush garland brings to mind a frozen winter wonderland.

These designs can be recreated and personalized by including what suits your design tastes the best. “If you like the idea of using a look that is inspired by nature, then you can go outside and cut fresh leaves and evergreens from your yard,” Mazanti advises. A mixture of leaves and Christmas greens works well with any mantel design. For more sparkle purchase pre-made garlands with lights or glitter in them or add holidayinspired knickknacks from the craft store. For more dazzle throw in extra

ribbon, ornaments, fresh fruit or even antique toys.

The latest trends for holiday decor range from minimalist to more-is-more.

Thick garland with extra lights and addins is quite popular this year, but Mazanti adds, “I am also seeing lots of neutrals that are very beautiful and can have a very sophisticated look by keeping the theme monochromatic.”

Picking a theme when designing mantel and front door decor for the holidays is the easiest and best way to go.

“For example, if you like the characters from all of the old Christmas shows we used to watch as children, feel free to add those in the garland,” Mazanti says.

If you seek a more sophisticated look add beautiful ornaments and bountiful ribbon. For a rustic feel add elements from nature—pine cones, branches, leaves etc. Fresh fruit and greenery lend a more Victorian theme to mantel design.

Holiday decor is an easy and fun way to put your custom spin on the season.

These looks create memories and add life to the home during holiday festivities.

“Mantel and front door decor welcome guests as they arrive and create a sense of anticipation about what’s inside,” Mazanti says. Guests and family will remember the festive feel the decor creates for many holiday seasons to come.

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Deck Halls

styleMARKETPLACE

THE

FESTIVE HOLIDAY DECOR FOR YOUR HOME'S FRONT DOOR AND MANTEL

Dasher Cork Critter Reindeer

The Hampton Holiday Wreath

WIne Enthusiast, $20, www.wineenthusiast.com

$120, www.thefestivehome.com

Glitter Striped Gift Stocking Holder Pier 1 Imports, $20, www.pier1.com

Gold Lotus Wreath

Frontgate, $50-$90, www.frontgate.com

Woodland Door Stocking

Grandin Road, $179, www.grandinroad.com

Train Tealight Holder

Pier 1 Imports, $23, www.pier1.com

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Marquee Letters-CHEERS Frontgate, $90, www.frontgate.com

Kringle Mantel Scarf

Grandin Road, $59, www.grandinroad.com

Large Present Lantern

Pier 1 Imports, $60, www.pier1.com

Set of Two Shades of Gold Candleholders

Frontgate, $349, www.frontgate.com

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garden

A TREE YOU SHOULD GET TO KNOW:

ACER GRISEUMPAPERBARK MAPLE TEXT BY ANDY PULTE

AN ICONIC CHINESE SPECIES WITH CINNAMON-COLORED EXFOLIATING BARK THAT IS WELL SUITED FOR USE IN SMALL YARDS, PAPERBARK MAPLE IS A PLANT YOU SHOULD TAKE NOTICE OF THIS MONTH. If you were to ask me what the most photographed plant is during the winter at the UT Gardens in Knoxville, without pause I would tell you it is one of the two paperbark maple (Acer griseum) specimens. Visitors seem to be drawn to the mature stems exfoliating in thin sheets of cinnamon-brown. Under the exfoliating bark, stems have the appearance of having been polished smooth. Although old trunks lose some of their magic with age, young stems and new growth will continue to shine.

As plants go, paperbark maple has not been stateside for very long. In the fall of 1907, an early plant explorer named Ernest Henry Wilson collected at least two seedlings of Acer griseum in Hubei Province, China. These two seedlings were accessioned into the collection of

the Arnold Arboretum in the historic neighborhood of Jamaica Plain in Boston in December of that same year.

Maples in general have very complex flowers and their intricacies are fascinating.

A study of paperbark maple flowers provides an important window into understanding how this plant lagged into popular commerce. The flowers are solitary, greenish yellow and appear inconspicuously as the leaves unfurl in the spring. The species is “androdioecious.” That means there are some individual plants that have only male or staminate flowers, and there are some individual plants that have “perfect” flowers with both male and female parts.

Paperbark maple is extremely hard to propagate. Male trees produce no seeds and plants with “perfect” flowers often

74 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2014

have seed that is not viable. I have collected and planted hundreds in my lifetime and have never germinated one. There is some variation from plant to plant, but this plant is hard to grow from seed. Propagating paperbark maple from cuttings is also difficult. Brotzman’s Nursery reported in the early 1980s that they had stuck between 2,000 and 3,000 cuttings using a variety of methods and only rooted one.

Imagine that trip in 1907 when Wilson collected the first two plants in a mountainous region of rural central China. He may not have known about the botany of this maple’s flower, but if he had brought back only male plants, or if they hadn’t survived the journey, that would most likely have sealed the fate of the paperbark maple in the US until someone ventured back to central China.

Luckily for Wilson, and for gardeners everywhere, he brought back one male tree and one tree with “perfect” flowers.

Both trees are still alive today and can be seen on the grounds of the Arnold Arboretum, The one with the “perfect” flowers regularly produces some viable seed and is undoubtedly the source of the first generation of paperbark maples planted in North America. The Arnold Arboretum first distributed seeds and seedlings in 1927, 20 years after Wilson brought the trees home.

With the wide range of climactic conditions in this area some gardeners have found success growing paperbarks and others have not. I have seen nice specimens throughout Tennessee, however, I have talked to gardeners in all three regions of the state who have not had good luck with paperbark maples. The Mid South's warmer temperatures are not ideal for growing this tree. When they find a good home, though, they really look nice. Planting in afternoon shade with evenly moist, well-drained soil will give paperbarks the best shot at survival.

Trees will most likely top out between 20 and 30 feet high with a more conservative spread. The more shade they are given the more upright they seem to become. Overall, paperbarks are slow growers and have relatively clean foliage that can have a nice orange-red look in the fall. The leaf shape is not the typical maple–each leaf is comprised of three leaflets (trifoliate).

Paperbark maple is a true specimen tree and once established has the potential to be the star of any garden.

Even though the beautiful bark is its most notable characteristic, its relatively small stature, handsome foliage and overall form make it noteworthy.

December is one of the best months to plant trees in the Mid South and paperbark maple should be worthy of your consideration.

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entertaining

Children’ s

C o ok i e Party

TEXT BY LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MICHAEL ALLEN | STYLIST ANGELA MAZANTI

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entertaining

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entertaining

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entertaining

C

hristmas and cookies go hand in hand. The memories of baking, decorating and sharing cookies with family and friends will last forever. Event designer and stylist Angela Mazanti and Courtney Allen, owner of Cookie Couture, created a festive, memorable afternoon of cookie decorating with little ones.

“To me, the memories that you create around the holidays will never leave the children. That’s what creates their memories and tradition. The holidays

are just magical, and I want the children – and even the adults – to look for the true magic of the holidays. People pick up on your joy and level of excitement,” Mazanti says.

To set the scene on a chilly, drizzly day, Mazanti adorned the kitchen island with red holiday decor, reflecting a classic Christmas theme. “This year I am seeing a lot of traditional reds and greens,” she says. “I also like the color combinations of red and charcoal gray, and gold and cream,” Mazanti adds.

A large disposable tablecloth placed over the kitchen table or island allows for easy clean up. “Cookie baking and decorating should be fun and not stressful; there’s really no right or wrong way,” Allen explains. When it comes to the type of cookie dough, choose flavors that you enjoy. “Use what you like, even if it’s just chocolate cookie dough. Martha Stewart has some great recipes; and if you’re a novice, use a roll-out sugar cookie.

Gingerbread is fun, but can get a little sticky. Dip the cookie cutters in flour if the dough is sticky,” Allen advises.

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entertaining

Hayden Clark, Simmons Allen, Chloe Clark, Ayden Allen and Ella Colvett

‘‘

...the memories that you create around the holidays will never leave the children.

That’s what creates their memories and tradition. The holidays are just magical, and I want the children – and even the adults – to look for the true magic of the holidays." — Angela Mazanti

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Mazanti and Allen both recommend having a lot of great cookie cutter shapes on hand, along with plenty of toppings so the kids can get creative. “A good basic design to use is a Christmas tree, ornament, candy cane or a little gingerbread man shape,” adds Allen.

According to Allen, it is important to roll out the dough evenly. This assures uniform thickness throughout the dough so it will bake evenly. When baking the cookies, avoid over-baking; not even the edges should be golden or crispy.

When it comes to the frosting, Allen says homemade is best. “Find an easy recipe online, such as royal icing or a glaze,” she recommends. The glaze will create a nice shine and base for the children to add their decorative touch.

Allen shares her tip for an easy way to decorate cookies with frosting without having to buy the fancy tips that bakers use. “Fill disposable decorating bags, which can be found at craft stores or Wal Mart, with your icing and then cut off a little tip at the end of the bag.”

This allows for easy and precise cookie decorating. An offset spatula will also come in handy to easily and smoothly spread the frosting on your cookies. The iced cookies may be stored in the freezer for up to a month in an airtight container.

Allen and Mazanti both point out that there is really no right or wrong way to decorate Christmas cookies. It is about having fun and creating memories and tradition. “I like to buy a really big book of Christmas stories and read a story to my grandchildren each night with hot chocolate,” Mazanti says. So grab a cup of cocoa and celebrate the season with family and friends while baking and decorating cookies. And don’t forget to leave some cookies and milk for Santa!

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cooking

'Tis the Season for

Cranberries!

SMOK Y CRAN BE RRY SA UCE D M EAT BALLS SERVES 8-10 APPETIZER PORTIONS

INGREDIENTS FOR THE MEATBALLS:

2 pounds extra-lean ground beef • 2 eggs 1/4 cup milk • 1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs • 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. black pepper • 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/2 tsp. garlic powder INGREDIENTS FOR THE SAUCE:

TEXT BY APRIL MCKINNEY

The most wonderful time of year is finally here, and one of the most wonderful parts about it is, of course, the delicious food! Since you can never have too many Christmas party recipes or cocktail ideas, I am sharing with you one of each in this issue. Cranberries are the inspiration for these tasty recipes; I just love the festive color and tart sweetness from these berries!

My Merry Berry Spiced Martini gets its kick from a fresh ginger and orange simple syrup which is simple to make, just as the name suggests. Go ahead and use your cocktail shaker and some fancy martini glasses to get everyone in the spirit with this sweet libation.

The second recipe is for my Smoky Cranberry Sauced Meatballs, using canned cranberry sauce and chipotle peppers. I love how the flavorful sauce also gives the meatballs a hint of the beautiful cranberry red color. They are perfect for parties since they can be served hot or at room temperature. Stick a toothpick in each one, sprinkle them with a touch of fresh parsley and arrange them on a pretty platter for the perfect holiday party food!

M E RRY BE RRY S PICE D MART I NI MAKES 1 MARTINI

INGREDIENTS:

3 ounces cranberry juice • 1 1/2 ounces spiced rum Club Soda • 1 ounce orange ginger simple syrup (recipe follows) 1 cup of ice • Optional: orange slices and fresh cranberries DIRECTIONS:

1. For the simple syrup, combine 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup sugar, 4 slices fresh ginger and the zest of 1/2 of an orange in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves.

2. Strain out the ginger and orange peel and store the syrup in the refrigerator until you are ready to use it.

3. For the martini, combine the cranberry juice, rum, simple syrup and 1 cup of ice in a cocktail shaker.

4. Stir or shake the mixture and strain it into a martini glass.

5. Top it off with some of the soda and garnish with an orange slice and fresh cranberries if desired.

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1 can whole cranberry sauce • 1 cup ketchup 2 chipotle peppers, seeded and minced 1/2 cup barbeque sauce • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Optional: fresh parsley to garnish DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚.

2. Combine the beef, eggs, milk, breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder in a large bowl.

Mixing this with your hands is the easiest way to combine these ingredients without overmixing them.

3. Roll mixture into 1 1/2 inch balls and place them on a greased baking sheet.

4. Bake the meatballs for 15 minutes.

5. While the meatballs are baking, whisk together the cranberry sauce, ketchup, barbeque sauce, peppers and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl.

6. Place the baked meatballs in a large skillet and pour the sauce over them. Allow the meatballs to simmer in the sauce for 10-15 minutes over medium-low heat.

7. Serve the meatballs with toothpicks for entertaining.

COVINGTON, TN

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cuisine

HOLIDAY DELI AND HAM CO. A FAMILY, AND MEMPHIS, TRADITION TEXT BY LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT

S

ince father and son Don and Trey Jordan first opened Holiday Deli and Ham Co. in 1993 Mid Southerners have enjoyed this delightful and delicious family-owned business. From the time the original Holiday Ham store opened near Poplar and Perkins in East Memphis it was love at first bite. According to Trey, the most popular items on the menu are the pimento cheese and the famous Holiday glazed hams.

“We are keeping the deli sandwich segment fresh and exciting with twists on old favorites,” Trey adds.

Holiday Ham’s motto, “Spread the Love,” is reflected in all areas of the company, according to Trey. “This is where we live, work and play; it is our opinion that we need to try and make the city better day by day and sandwich by sandwich. We try to do this with a smile in our restaurant, how well we treat our staff, and how particular we are at making the best food, and also by teaming up with groups that are making a significant difference.

I am proud to put our name next to those organization we help support,” he says.

This time of year Holiday Ham’s catering business takes off.

The company has catered holiday parties, business meetings and small gatherings for 20 years, as well as thousands of complete holiday dinners customers order and take home every year.

Business has steadily risen, thanks in part to the restaurant’s

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loyalty program. With 80,000 customers now enrolled, Trey jokes that in the early years he had one loyal customer—his mom, Marlene Jordan. “I think she may have come to lunch every day that first year we were in business,” Trey recalls. He also notes that Holiday Ham’s products have changed over the years; most of their products are currently made in-store from scratch these days.

The Jordans enjoy watching the Holiday Ham brand grow.

“We are not your momma’s Holiday Deli and Ham any more,” says Trey. “We are really having some fun with new, exciting sandwiches: from our chicken Sriracha avocado to our grown-up grilled cheese with oven-roasted tomatoes and hickory smoked bacon, our signature jalapeno pimento cheese, gouda and swiss.

And we have seven homemade salad dressings.” This attention to detail extends to the restaurants’ choice of fresh, homemade side items including chips, black bean and corn salad and pasta salad. Holiday Ham’s roast beef has a three-day preparation; after marinating for 24 hours the meat is then slow cooked to perfection. Breakfast at Holiday Ham may be the best-kept secret in town, from tasty egg sandwiches to the signature breakfast heap with homemade breakfast potatoes.

“We are family, and we want you to feel as if you are part of the Holiday family when you leave,” Trey says.

MARKETPLACE

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chef ’s corner

SoCo Bake Shop TEXT BY LESLEY HARRIS COLVETT

W

hat began as a dream about three years ago has become a yummy reality for Laura Albright, who opened SoCo Bake Shop in Corinth, Mississippi. this past June, and she has enjoyed every minute!

“I have thought for some time that Corinth needed a bakery. We haven't had a locally owned bakery since Haney's Bakery closed years ago. I like to bake and thought that if I started small I could establish a bakery here that would maybe satisfy some sweet tooths in our small town,” says Albright.

She began visiting bakeries within about a 200-mile radius of Corinth to learn about what bakers are making. “I met a lot of very enthusiastic and helpful people. It takes a lot of hard work and long hours to run a bakery, and many of the bakers I met were very willing to offer advice and let me into their kitchens to view their equipment and processes,” Albright says.

‘‘

Everything is made from scratch and is freshly baked every day. We try to use locally sourced ingredients as much as possible.

She began working on finding someone who shared her passion for baking, and that is how she met Amanda Patrick, who Albright refers to as a “creative genius” in the kitchen. “It became clear to me that Amanda had a very good grasp on baking. Her grandmother Betty Lockett was a ‘cake lady’ here in Corinth for years and had a loyal following. Her cakes were beautiful and delicious and Amanda helped her in the kitchen so she has a baking legacy.

My mother is a wonderful cook, and her mother was, too, and her father was a commercial baker so I have a little baking in my blood, I guess,” says Albright.

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SoCo Bake Shop is open Wednesday through Saturday 7 a.m.-1 p.m. and is located at 103 South Taylor Street in the SoCo District of downtown Corinth. “We have a convenient drive-through window and soon we will have a screen porch on the south side of the bakery where customers can sit down to enjoy a cup of coffee with their scone or cinnamon roll,” Albright shares.

“I've lived most of my life in Corinth. I am a third generation Corinthian and I’m raising the fourth. I love my small home town and want very much to see it improve and prosper. We have so many great people living here,” says Albright. “I want people to come and experience what a delightful small town we have and end their visit (or begin it) with a treat from SoCo Bake Shop.”

White Bread INGREDIENTS: • 4 cups milk • 1 cup shortening • 1 cup sugar • 2 packages yeast • 8 - 9 cups better for bread flour • 1 tsp. salt • 1 tsp. baking soda • 2 tsp. baking powder

DIRECTIONS: Combine milk, shortening and sugar in a saucepan. Heat on low until shortening has melted. Cool to 110° or cool enough to add yeast. While stirring, add yeast and dissolve. Sift together dry ingredients and add to milk mixture. Stir until well combined and cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Dump dough onto a floured surface and knead until elastic. Cut into 3 equal parts and shape into loaves and put into greased loaf pans. Cover and allow to rise in a warm place for 1 hour. Bake at 300° for 35 to 45 mins until golden brown on top and loaf sounds hollow when thumped lightly.

When enjoyed warm with butter and honey it'll make you want to slap your grandmother!!

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social

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social cuisine

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social

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social

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social

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social

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sources 22 | health Special thanks to — Brianna Rogers, Salud! cooking school, www.wholefoodsmarket.com

30 | MID SOUth MUSt DO Memphis Zoo, www.memphiszoo.org Shelby Farms, www.shelbyfarmspark.org

36 | travel Special thanks to — Barbra May, owner Travel Leaders, www.gotravelleaders.com

44 | rOaDtrIP Bonne Terre, www.bonneterreinn.com

46 | COMMUNItY hOtSPOt Special thanks to — Jonesboro, Arkansas

52 | MUSIC Special thanks to — Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives

54 | at hOMe WIth Special thanks to — Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmymemphis.org

56 | teChNOlOgY Phoenix Unequaled Home Entertainment www.phoenixcommcorp.com

58 | hOMe FeatUre Special thanks to — Bea and Charles Hunsucker

68 | DeSIgN Special thanks to — Annesdale Mansion, annesdalemansion.com Event Design Planner — Angela Mazanti Design www.angelamazantidesign.com Photographer — Michael Allen www.michaelallenphotography.com

76 | eNtertaININg Event Design Planner — Angela Mazanti Design www.angelamazantidesign.com Photographer — Michael Allen www.michaelallenphotography.com

84 | CUISINe Holiday Deli & Ham Co.. www.holidaydeli.com

88 | CheF'S COrNer Special thanks to — Laura Albright, SoCo Bake Shop December 2014 • athomemms.com | 97

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