December 2021

home feature:

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

26 | HOM E FEAT U RE It's time for the holidays at the 2021 Vesta Home Show! We have an exclusive look into the home by John Duke Homes & Warehouse 67 Design.

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54 | GIF T GUIDE Our Stocking Stuffer edition is full of local finds for any last- minute shopping.

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

DECEMBER 2021 home & design 26 HOME FEATURE A Story to Tell

64 ENTERTAINING Cozy, Fireside Christmas Brunch

food & travel 72 IN THE KITCHEN

Southern Squash Dressing

for you

38 WEDDING Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rainer 44 EXPERIENCE THIS

Holiday Wonders at the Garden

54 GIFT GUIDE

2021 Stocking Stuffers

76 HEALTHY YOU

Breathe Life into the Holiday Season

82 ON A GOOD NOTE

Memphis Athletic Ministries

in every issue

14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

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81 SOURCES

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DECEMBER 2021 • VOL. 20 NO. 9 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com

MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@athomemms.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER GINNI JONES | gjones@athomemms.com

COPY EDITOR TERRI GLAZER

IMAGING COLOR MANAGEMENT CHARLES REYNOLDS | cr@colorretouching.com

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

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com CHRIS PUGH | chrisapugh@gmail.com QUINN PEEPER | qpeeper@icloud.com

REGIONAL MARKETING JANA FITE HERBISON | jfherbison@gmail.com

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

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

HOW TO REACH US 7776 FARMINGTON BLVD, #1321 GERMANTOWN TN 38183 | 901.684.4155 ATHOMEMMS.COM At Home Memphis & Mid South doesn't accept unsolicited manuscripts. To inquire about freelance opportunities, send a letter, resume and three writing samples to—Editor, At Home Memphis & Mid South: 7776 Farmington Blvd, # 1321 Germantown TN 38183.

SUBSCRIPTIONS Call 901.684.4155 or subscribe at athomemms. com. Annual subscription rate: $19.95. Single copy price: $4.99. At Home Memphis & Mid South is published 12 times a year. Postmaster: Send address changes to At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. We make every effort to correct factual mistakes or omissions in a timely and candid manner. Information can be forwarded to Trip Monger; At Home Memphis & Mid South, 7776 Farmington Blvd, #1321 Germantown TN 38183. or to tmonger@athomemms.com.

@athomemagazine

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PUBLISHER'S

Note

Merry Christmas and happiest of holidays to you all. As I reflect on this past year, all I can think of is how blessed I am! That is certainly not saying our life is always perfect, but I feel perfectly blessed this year for many reasons—four of which are our children and our children-in-law. As I am sure ALL of you who read my letters know, Trip and I welcomed our first grandchild, our precious granddaughter Crawford, in July, and oh what a feeling! It's like a whole extra area of my heart, that I didn’t know existed, came to life.

We were at our daughter-in-law’s parents’ home (Aubrey Ann, who is doubly amazing as our Managing Editor, as well) for the opening game of the Ole Miss football season and before dinner my son was saying the blessing. We all bowed our heads and had no idea of what was to come. He began by blessing the food and I am sure praying for a Rebel win was in there somewhere, but the ending of his prayer we will forever hold dear. As he thanked God for our blessings so far this year and he also thanked him for the new member of our family, joining us next spring. Yes, we will welcome our already-so-loved grandson, Miles Monger, in May and we couldn’t be more thrilled. Hugs were shared, happy tears were shed and the Rebels won, so a perfect night in our eyes. I am so glad to be able to finally share this exciting news with you and also warn you that there are more photo overloads in the near future!

As I think about this Christmas and the ones to come, I am reminded of the joy of sharing our homes, once again, with loved ones and friends, and the magic children and grandchildren add to the season. Our homes are the heart of so many of our memories. Some may be happier than others, but they all make us who we are.

When touring one of the VESTA homes a few weeks ago, the one featured in this issue, I stopped to think about homes and how they are so much more than mere shelters. We were all standing around talking about the house and trying to think of a word to describe it. There was no furniture, some walls were still unpainted and bare concrete floors were unfinished, yet it spoke to all of us. When I was asked to describe the home in one word, all I could think of was “soul.” As I toured the upstairs, I immediately noticed the extra-wide hallway. I imagined major Barbie villages that I would have created as a child, and the super cool Hot Wheels tracks my brothers would have made. That was my first thought, honestly! The VESTA show home was being staged to include a boy’s and girl’s room upstairs. Downstairs, the mud room includes a built-in dog wash. It is truly a home that screams “family” and ironically, the home pre-sold to a family with a daughter, a son and a dog. Those special rooms in particular were designed long before knowing who the owners would eventually be. It may be irony, but I like to think it was meant to be.

John Duke built the house, Kim Loudenbeck, owner of Warehouse 67, designed or “built” the interior, but this family is going to make a home. The story of this particular VESTA home reminds me of one of my favorite Christmas movies, Miracle on 34th Street. Natalie Wood’s precious character, eight-year-old Susan Walker, asks Santa for a house. Her mother tells her “faith is believing in things when common sense tells you not to.” With Susan’s faith and a little help from Kris Kringle, she receives a home, not just a house, but a home. I am convinced that is what the family who purchased this particular VESTA house is getting…a home with a soul ready to be filled with memories.

Warm Christmas and holiday wishes to you all. I hope you enjoy sharing time with those who are near and dear to you in your happy place. Laura Ingalls Wilder said it best, “Home is the nicest word there is.”

Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER 14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • December 2021

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H O M E F E AT U R E

a story to tell I N T E R I O R D ES I G N WA R E H O U S E 67 | B U I L D E R J O H N D U K E H O M ES STORY TERRI GLAZER | PHOTOGRAPHY ANNABELLA CHARLES

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

“The house feels like it’s been here forever and it has a story.”

That description is perfectly fitting for a classic English manor. One with timeless style, distinctive details and a sense of warmth. While it might be an unexpected characterization for a brand-new Vesta showhouse, it depicts perfectly the ambiance of this home, and it’s exactly what the designer had in mind from day one of the project.

“We always love English. It never goes out of style; it’s a classic design and architectural style that feels

warm and inviting,” says Kim Loudenbeck, owner of Warehouse 67 and designer of the home. Along with builders John and Elizabeth Duke, Loudenbeck set out to create a modern English manner that would feel warm and cozy, “as if it has a personality and a heart," traits that sometimes elude large homes. To achieve that goal she paid careful attention to detail in every design element. Her focus paid off—the result is a seamless blend of timeless beauty, updated clean lines and features for the way families live today.

With its decorative brick work, timber accents and stone chimney, the exterior is vintage British. Modern flair appears in the iron and glass front door. The designer says the departure from a more traditional wooden door allows natural light to flood the entryway and also creates a sight line all the way through the house to the stunning pool area out back.

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H O M E F E AT U R E Loudenbeck says one of her favorite aspects of the house is the way the spaces flow from grand and open to cozy and intimate. The study off the foyer is decidedly one of the more tucked up spots. The limestone fireplace and coffered ceiling set the mood, which the designer further played up by painting all the trim in an atmospheric gray/green.

Across the entry, the formal dining room is lightfilled, thanks to a large window. Tall wainscoting topped by wallpaper harkens back to a different time without being fussy. As Loudenbeck explains, “The architectural elements we created are tied to the historical, but the way we’ve done it is with clean lines and the colors give it more of today’s styling.”

The family room leans to the grand and gorgeous side. Its vaulted ceiling draws the eye up to handsome wood beams, the handiwork of local craftsman Wade Burrus. “In a historical home you would have post-and-beam construction with beautiful beams and timbers,” says Loudenbeck.

“And the hearth in an English home is what the whole room centers around. We did a classic limestone fireplace and added custom paneling on the wall, but we chose a color that would make it dramatic.” On the back wall three large sliding doors allow traffic to flow effortlessly onto the bluestone patio, through an inviting outdoor room, to the pool with a trio of waterfall features and landscaping that brings an orderly English garden to mind.

The adjacent kitchen is a study in understated beauty. Loudenbeck partnered with Lisa Russell of LM.Designs to create a unique and functional space in the heart of the home. “Sometimes less is more and this is one of those kitchens where the elements in it are done so well that it doesn’t need a lot of fluff,” says the Loudenbeck. Those elements include more timber accents from Burrus, paired with an of-the-moment waterfall quartzite countertop. They do not, however, include wall cabinets on the range wall. Loudenbeck instead opted for a pair of floating shelves and room to display artwork. “Negative space can be really good. It lets you focus on the areas that you want to be the focal points and highlight the pretty spots,” she says.

Nestled behind the kitchen is the scullery, an area fast becoming a must-have in well appointed new homes. With more cabinet space, a coffee bar and a second set of appliances, the room is all about function. To that end, the design includes a builtin “hub,” a desk area from which family schedules, meal planning and more can be easily managed.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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HO OM MEE FFEEAT ATU URREE H

“Half baths are fun to design because you can kind of be moody,” Loudenbeck says, and the main floor powder room in this home is a perfect example. Loaded with millwork and painted dark, the walls are topped off with a wallpaper that is historical and current at the same time. “Classic traditional, but in an updated way, is trending right now. We are seeing a lot of the high-end design companies doing throwbacks on fabrics and wallpapers.

I think people like having cleaner and more modern elements but there is something comforting about remembering the past,” Loudenbeck says.

The designer’s philosophy on primary bedroom design is simple: because homeowners spend more time there than any other place in the house, it should be especially beautiful and comfortable. “When you wake up surrounded by things you love, it sets a good tone for the day,” she believes. This home’s primary suite is a beautiful example of that theory. Under a vaulted ceiling embellished with timber beams, a fabulous gold and beaded chandelier lights up the spacious bedroom. A bay window adds architectural interest and makes a perfect spot to relax with a good book.

The window treatments in the primary bedroom and throughout the house are functional curtains that can close for privacy and open to maximize natural light. Loudenbeck says she intentionally shied away from using interior shutters or other treatments that would permanently cover the windows. “The lines of the house are so pretty that to cover up those windows would be a shame,” she says. “We wanted to accentuate them and frame them out instead of taking away from them.”

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H O M E F E AT U R E

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The primary bath design hinged on the room’s centerpiece, a double cast iron tub in relaxing blue hues. A pair of freestanding vanities in natural wood tones topped with quartz countertops hold their own due to thoughtful details like high backsplashes and gold tone fixtures, while still allowing the star of the show to shine.

The home’s main staircase, illuminated by tall windows, was inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s design philosophy, which Loudenbeck learned as a college student. “Jefferson thought a grand staircase was a grand waste of space,” she recalls.

“So our challenge was to create the grandeur but also make it usable.” Compact and beautiful, the space is definitely not wasted. Even the area under the staircase was put to use. It holds a 200-bottle, climate-controlled wine room fit for a connoisseur.

Atop the stairs a pretty vestibule, framed by more of the molding that gives the house so much character, leads to the spacious game room.

Furnished with an inviting sectional sofa, leather chairs and large ottomans, the room exudes comfort and relaxation. Loudenbeck describes the distinctive brass and glass chandelier as the room’s “jewelry,” emphasizing that even a home with the essence of English style can accommodate modern accents successfully.

Three additional bedrooms and baths, along with a charming wood- paneled flex space that could serve as a nursery as easily as a home office, round out the second floor.

Building a strong team from day one, John Duke was able to masterfully execute the vision of timeless beauty. With a stunning palette as a backdrop, the team of designers at Warehouse 67 created a comfortable yet elegant space that harmonizes with the home’s architecture. Custom furnishings and designer details from Warehouse 67 were planned early in the process to enhance the home’s character and charm. And just in time for Christmas, floral designer John Mark Sharpe added the final touches to this picture-perfect holiday home.

Loudenbeck summed up her affection for the home during a walkthrough on the eve of the Vesta Homeshow’s opening. “This is what we wanted—when you walk through the space you can connect to it and it almost speaks to you. This house already has a story to tell.”

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WEDDING

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Grace Elizabeth Ciolfi & Alexander Nichols Rainer J U LY 2 5 , 2 0 2 1 | V A I L , C O L O R A D O PARENTS OF THE BRIDE: Patricia and Lawrence Ciolfi PARENTS OF THE GROOM: Missy and Jim Rainer REHEARSAL DINNER VENUE: UP THE CREEK | VAIL, CO WEDDING & RECEPTION VENUE: PINEY RIVER RANCH | VAIL, CO EVENT PLANNER: MOTHER OF THE BRIDE, PATRICIA CIOLFI FLORIST: SOMETHING BORROWED BLOOMS PHOTOGRAPHER: STEPHANIE MIKULS ENTERTAINMENT: DIAMOND EMPIRE BAND BAKER: THE DESSERT STAND | WESTMINSTER, CO INVITATIONS: GORJO DESIGNS VIA ZAZZLE WEDDING DRESS: ALEXANDRA'S BRIDAL | FALL RIVER, MA MAKEUP: SUE CARCHEDI

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E XE PS IEGRNI E N C E T H I S D

Experience the Wonder this Holiday Season

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E X P E R I E N CDEE STIHGINS

TEXT BY OLIVIA WALL, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, MEMPHIS BOTANIC GARDEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAREN PULFER FOCHT December 2021 • athomemms.com | 45

D E XE PS IEGRNI E N C E T H I S

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EXPERIENCE THIS

as the

days get

shor ter and we march closer to the new year, staffers at the Memphis Botanic Garden are busy getting the site’s 96 acres of grounds ready for winter. Tasks range from refreshing annual beds and planting bulbs to rehousing tropicals back into greenhouses to hanging lights—yes, lights! During the holiday season, employees transform approximately five acres of the garden into a winter wonderland complete with magic snowfall, light displays and festive seasonal fun for the whole family!

From its humble beginnings as Snowy Nights in 2010, this celebration of the holiday season has transformed into a largescale extravaganza. Holiday Wonders, the garden’s annual outdoor light exhibition features thousands of lights in four distinct areas. Planning begins early each year with installation commencing during late summer.

Nearly ever y member of the garden team pitches in for the event ’s relatively shor t run, 22 days in 2021. Team members agree all the effor t is wor th it , though, for ever y moment of delight , wonder and cheer the event brings to the community during the holiday season.

This unique and expansive outdoor experience is a delight for all ages. Whether you are looking for a fun date night or a family outing, Holiday Wonders at the Garden will grow even the grinchiest hear t and is a perfect way to introduce visiting relatives or friends to Memphis. Enjoy signature cocktails, hot chocolate or apple cider while roasting s’mores in Yuletide Yard. Bask in the glow of the City of Memphis Christmas Tree in the Under the Stars Outdoor Lounge. Twirl beneath falling snow and explore the majesty of Playhouse Lane after dark in Snowy Nights in My Big Backyard. Visit Santa’s sleigh in Nor thern Lights and see the big man himself on Nov. 26, Dec. 5, 12 and 19.

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D E XE PS IEGRNI E N C E T H I S

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EXPERIENCE THIS

every

year, the

Friday after Thanksgiving marks the opening night of Holiday Wonders at the Garden. More special nights have been added for 2021, including dog-friendly Santa Paws, where folks can experience the wonder with their furr y friends, adults-only Mistletoe Monday (the perfect excuse for a festive date night), Jingle Jammies, featuring a special holiday stor ytime, and so much more! Think Santa and Elsa and ugly sweaters—oh my!

Two Season of Song concer t experiences are on this year ’s schedule; Scott Moore & the Memphis Symphony Big Band will perform on Dec. 5, and John Angotti will bring the holiday spirit on Dec. 19. These guest ar tists will perform holiday favorites to get you in the spirit , and the evening will conclude with a stroll through Holiday Wonders at the Garden.

A visit to Holiday Wonders at the Garden suppor ts year-round programming and hor ticultural effor ts at the Botanic Garden.

This year ’s event runs select nights, 5-8:30 pm, from Fri., Nov. 26, through Thur., Dec. 23.

Tickets are $8 for Botanic Garden members (limit 6 per membership), $10 for nonmembers, and $12 if purchased the same day. Children under two are free. Tickets to Season of Song Concer ts are $20 per person and include Holiday Wonders at the Garden admission. Learn more and purchase tickets at memphisbotanicgarden.com/wonders.

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Bauble Stockings Cotton Row Uniques | cottonrowuniques.com Diamond Paper clip style two 14k white and yellow gold set with diamonds earrings Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry | 901.474.7427 Herend & Royal Copenhagen China Babcock Gifts | babcockgifts.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Ex Nihilo Gold Immortals Eau de Parfum Ex Nihilo | ex-nihilo-paris.com Ginori China Social | social-memphis.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Julie Vos Bracelet & "Stuff Every Woman Should Know" Book Social | social-memphis.com Manners: A Modern Field Guide Mrs. Post | mrspost.com Park Hill Candle & Wood Bead Rosary Warehouse 67 | warehouse67design.com The New Rules of Cheese & Grey's Cheese Log Grey’s Fine Cheeses | greyscheese.com Laura Park Makeup Bag & Painted Oyster Shell Oxbeau | shopoxbeau.com Designer M.W 18k white and diamond brushed bangle bracelet Designer M.W 18K yellow gold diamond brushed bangle bracelet Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry | 901.474.7427 Tyler Candle Co. Diva Glamorous Wash Detergent Southern Avenue | southernavenuecompany.com Comb, Compact and Sub Pacifique Spray Shelby Jewel | shelbyjewel.com Memphis Magna Handbag Strap Hemline | shophemine.com Nano Shopping Bag & Sunday Riley Charcoal Smoothie Body Scrub and XOXO Beaded Change Purse 20Twelve | 20twelvedesign.com Goodman Spalding Necklace Two Doors Down | 901.385.3115 Assorted Christmas Treats Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies | dinstuhls.com

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GIFT GUIDE

Zubels Tiger | Itty Bitty Bella | shopittybittybella.com If I Were A Reindeer... Moonlit Kingdom Puzzle, Vietri Christmas China, Christmas Mouse and Leffy's Christmas Gift | Babcock Gifts | babcockgifts.com Brilliant Bee Crayons | London & York | londonandyork.com Assorted Christmas Treats | Dinstuhl’s Fine Candies | dinstuhls.com Beaded Bracelet | Hemline | shophemline.com

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GIFT GUIDE

ESPRESSO MARTINI: Estelle Colored Glass Martini Glasses Lisa Mallory Interior Design lisamallorydesign.com J.BROOKS Espresso Beans jbrookscoffeeroasters.com

HOLIDAY GIN & TONIC: Vietri Striped Tumbler Babcock Gifts | babcockgifts.com Navy Hill Soda + Tonic Germantown Village Wine & Liquor | 901.737.3174 Old Dominick Gin Germantown Village Wine & Liquor | 901.737.3174

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GIFT GUIDE

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GIFT GUIDE

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

cozy, f ireside CHRISTMAS BRUNCH STYLING ROBIN THEISMANN AND MARGARET MONGER G R E E N E R Y A N D D E C O R PA U L A D E C L E R K P H OTO G R A P H Y A N N A B E L L A C H A R L E S

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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E N T E R TA I N I N G

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Christmas

morning at the home of Robin and Joe Theismann is a time to reflect and recover, especially at the end of a non-traditional year. After hosting Christmas Eve dinner for 26, the couple likes to cozy up next to the fire with their immediate family for brunch.

The kitchen/dining area at the Theismanns’ is second to none, seating 10 comfortably yet still able to maintain a cozy atmosphere. The fireplace ties two spaces together, making for an easy flow from the mimosa bar set up on the kitchen island to the dining table. Overall, the home’s primary colors of white and gold lend themselves nicely to the addition of festive seasonal decor. Robin makes sure the house feels comfortable, but likes to add in a few glamorous pops of gold to brighten up the space.

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Each

guest enjoyed a pear topped with blackberries and raspberries, chocolate scones drizzled with pomegranate seeds and honey, and a pecan pastry. Robin mixed her elegant Lenox Eternal china with a festive tree dinner plate and gold flatware. The couple’s white-on-white monogrammed linen napkins provided a personal touch to anchor each place setting.

Paula DeClerk designed and crafted the impressive centerpiece, a myriad of 72 candles surrounded by several kinds of holiday greenery. Paula gold leafed the wooden base, sprayed multiple eucalyptus strands and pinecones gold and incorporated Granny Smith apples as a pop of color.

Robin laughs that the room, “Looked beautiful, but smelled even better.”

The pair of white Christmas trees complemented the rest of the decor perfectly and drew the eye toward the beautiful front windows of the home.

The Theismanns look forward to gathering their family around the fire again this year to toast to 2021 and the years ahead.

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IN THE KITCHEN

Southern Squash Dressing RECIPE & PHOTO JIM NORTON thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @thejimnorton

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IN THE KITCHEN

INGREDIENTS:

DIRECTIONS:

3 cups crumbled cornbread

Preheat oven to 350˚. Prepare your favorite cornbread recipe. Once baked, crumble into a large mixing bowl and set aside.

2 ½ cups cooked and chopped yellow squash (approximately 4 medium- size squash) 2 medium yellow onions, chopped 3 ribs of celery, thinly chopped 2 medium carrots, grated 1 10.5-oz. can cream of chicken soup 1 8-oz. carton sour cream 8 Tbsp. melted butter 4 Tbsp. butter for sautéing 2 Tbsp. rubbed sage 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper

Melt 2 Tbsp. of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onions and celery. Sautée until soft and translucent.

Transfer to the large mixing bowl with the cornbread. Using the same skillet, return to medium heat and add two additional tablespoons of butter and thinly sliced squash. Cook until soft and tender. Remove from heat and chop. Once chopped, transfer to the large mixing bowl with cornbread and onion mixture.

Add all the remaining ingredients to the mixing bowl and stir well to combine. Transfer mixture to a buttered 10x13 baking dish. Place in the oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.

Remove dressing from oven and allow it to rest 10-15 minutes to set up and cool slightly. Enjoy!

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Breathe Life Into the Holiday Season

STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

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

in a few

short weeks the year 2021 will come to a close. As we race to the finish line with a myriad of internal and external experiences, it is helpful to take a moment and breathe through the last-minute hustle. Below are a few common holiday stress busters. With a little bit of strategy and self-care, you can end the year on a peaceful note.

1. Breathe. I know, “just breathe” is a cliché we hear too often. Nonetheless, biological science supports the ability of our breath to help us selfregulate stress hormones. The tenth cranial nerve, with roots at the base of the brain (the body’s sensation center) runs through the entire body.

When you stop, become still and breathe, you calm your nervous system and soften stress-related tension.

•

Stop.

•

Be still.

•

Breathe in through your nose and out through your nose with calm, steady ease.

•

Take deep breaths but not big breaths. Big breaths create excitement and can make you anxious. Deep breaths in slowly through your nose into the depths of your belly and slowly out through your nose are the breaths that destress your body and mind.

•

Try to give yourself two minutes of solitude and stillness with your breath.

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2. Stop and assess. Decorating, shopping, baking, wrapping, parties, socials, etc. There is so much to do and often it feels like there is not enough of you to make it all happen the way you’d like. It can be overwhelming and zap the joy from your soul.

•

Make lists for the things you need to do.

Categorize your to-do list. For example, make a list of gifts you need to buy, baking, parties, etc. Sub-list the things you need to do to complete the tasks on the list.

•

Review your list. Give yourself permission to eliminate unnecessary items, perhaps those that create more stress than joy.

•

Remember, sometimes “good enough” ends up being the “GOAT” (greatest of all time).

•

Ask for help when you need it. It’s fun to include your support team in your tasks. The key phrase here is support team. Ask those who support you to help you.

3. Minimize your time on social media. Social media is like a highlight reel of all the perfect things: perfect smiles, perfect families, perfect experiences. It can bring you joy as you celebrate with others or stir you into a state of distress as you compare your life to those you see on screen.

If you are stressed, social media may not be the best place for you to spend time.

Instead invest in the moments of your real life.

H E A LT H Y Y O U 4. Create connection. You may feel isolated and alone.

Many people have small families or are separated from their family and friends. You can create connection by attending community events, volunteering at soup kitchens or homeless shelters, and delivering meals and necessities to those in need.

•

Make connection by hosting a gathering of others who may also be alone and isolated from loved ones, connecting with family and friends on Zoom, via email or Skype. Helping others and hosting communion can bring you joy.

5. Honor your budget and the budgets of others. Many people are feeling strapped due to increased costs of everyday life expenses—gas, food, clothes, utilities, housing, etc. While exchanging gifts certainly sparks joy, the pressure of buying can be overwhelming. Real joy is found in spending time with the people who bring us joy and happiness. Making memories with our favorite people by sharing a meal, enjoying conversation and playing games is a wonderful way to deepen bonds and honor your special love.

6. Honor lost loved ones. The holiday season can bring on overwhelming feelings of grief. While grief is a journey we go through after losing someone we love, we can maintain a healthy bond with them in the way we honor their memory.

Baking their favorite dish, making a charitable contribution in their memory, and sharing stories about them at a group gathering are some ways to stay connected to them.

7. Take time to care for you. You don’t have to wait until January to take time out for yourself. Though the temperatures have dropped, the cool air can be invigorating. Put on your toboggan, coat, gloves and boots and get outside for some fresh air and sunlight. The outdoor atmosphere does wonders for your mental health and wellbeing.

Last but not least, Merry Christmas to you all from my heart to yours. Your emails and notes inspire and encourage me. It brings me so much joy to share wellness tips with you throughout the year. Thank you for taking this journey with me.

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December 2021 HO M E F E AT U R E Special Thanks Warehouse 67 warehouse67design.com John Duke Homes johndukehomes.com John Mark Enterprises Instagram @johnmarkenterprises Annabella Charles Photography annabellacharles.com

EXPERIENCE THIS Special Thanks Memphis Botanic Garden memphisbotanicgarden.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com Wellness MD wellnessmd.clinic

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Memphis Athletic Ministries mamsports.org

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ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT B Y APRIL ELIASON | PHOTOS COURTESY OF MAM

MEMPHIS ATHLETIC MINISTRIES Founded

in 1998, Memphis Athletic Ministries (MAM) exists to coach, grow and lead the youth of Memphis by helping them discover their identity in Christ and their purpose in the community. MAM’s vision is to see identity found, hope restored and lives changed. Operating in eight high-needs neighborhoods across Memphis, MAM serves over 700 youth, ages eight to 18, daily through free after-school programming that includes athletics, Bible studies, academics and mentoring.

Year-round athletic programs allow youth to participate in basketball, flag football, volleyball, soccer and cheer/dance.

MAM’s literacy program aims to improve the reading skills of elementary youth by building vocabulary and comprehension.

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High school students have the opportunity to participate in the Amplify Mentor Program. This program is designed to assist youth as they navigate their high school years and, more importantly, the transition to employment, military service or college. Youth enrolled in the program benefit from weekly training classes and a one-on-one mentor relationship with a caring adult.

MAM also offers a low-cost option for summer camp. Summer Academy consists of all-day academics, recreational activities and fun field trips for rising third- through eighth-grade students.

Every December, MAM hosts the annual MAM Christmas Store which helps families prepare for their Christmas celebration.

Selected parents/guardians shop at Target, alongside MAM staff, to provide their kids with a memorable and special Christmas.

In addition to receiving a Target gift card and household items, each shopper enjoys a meal, receives a Bible, and hears a message about the love and hope of Jesus Christ. The goal is to serve 110 MAM children this Christmas. To learn more or make a donation, please visit mamsports.org/christmas.

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