December 2023

OUR 2023

H O M E F EAT U R E

F E AT U R I N G M . L A V E N D E R

INTERIORS

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

26 | HOME FEATURE

40 | 2023 GIFT GUIDE

Mark Lavender transforms his residence into a

Our 2023 Holiday Gift Guide is sure to point you to

handsome and personal showplace, inspired by a

the perfect gift for everyone on your list for this special

masculine English cottage.

season.

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

DECEMBER 2023 home & design 26 HOME FEATURE

British Empire in East Memphis

56 IN THE GARDEN Deciduous Hollies

food & travel 48 EXPERIENCE THIS

A Winter Wonderland of Art

62 TRAVEL

Barcelona and More for ’24

76 IN THE KITCHEN Savory Blue Cheesecake

for you

40 GIFT GUIDE

Happy Holidays 2023

80 HEALTHY YOU Enjoy the Holidays with Positivity 86 ON A GOOD NOTE Agape Child and Family Services

in every issue

14 PUBLISHER'S NOTE

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85 SOURCES

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DECEMBER 2023 • VOL. 22 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

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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I am

not sure who said it first, but most of us have heard the old saying that there are three stages we go through when it comes to Santa. We believe in Santa, we don’t believe in Santa, and then we are Santa. To me, there is one more stage—the one when we believe in Santa again.

Maybe it comes with having grandchildren, but the magic of Christmas has me believing again. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think a fat man in a red suit is going to pop down my chimney and leave me gifts like in the song “Santa Baby” or anything. In fact, that is one of my least favorite Christmas songs ever. It is not material items this “fourth-quarter-oflife” Santa brings, but the gift of pure joy. I see my grown kids with their spouses and children and I no longer wish for them to wake up in our home on Christmas morning. Those days were magical, but now it makes me so happy to think of them waking up and feeling that magic in the homes they have created together.

Just as Mark and Guy, the owners of this month’s featured home, feel settled in their new house, I am also realizing the magic and wonder of being “home for the holidays.” Although I hope we will always have time together on Christmas day, knowing my grown children will wake up in their homes with their children is a magical gift I have prayed for since the moment I held my babies in my arms. Christmas is such a wonderful time and the gifts, once again, are coming in magical ways that only happen when we truly believe.

I wish you all the magic and love we are given this time of year and I hope you always believe.

- Margaret Monger, PUBLISHER

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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

British Empire

in East Memphis

STORY BY TERRI GLAZER | DESIGN BY M. LAVENDER INTERIORS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANNABELLA CHARLES December 2023 • athomemms.com | 27

H O M E F E AT U R E

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"I think

we’re home now. It’s ours, 100 percent.” Designer Mark Lavender recently made that declaration about the East Memphis home he and his partner bought in August of last year. Getting to that point required making plenty of changes to the home, keeping some elements as they were, adding new pieces and reusing treasured favorites, all while dealing with the client Lavender jokingly refers to as his “most difficult”—himself.

Lavender spent the previous 23 years in Chicago building his reputation as a designer, first in the commercial realm and more recently at the helm

of his own firm. Spurred by the brutal midwest weather in the winter of 2021, Lavender and his partner Guy pulled up stakes and headed south, eager to get back to their roots and a friendlier climate. They settled in Memphis and set about making a home here and establishing a new, locally based design firm.

In just over a year, Lavender has transformed his residence into a handsome and personal showplace, inspired by his extensive global travels and anchored in a style that’s at once English cottage and masculine. “British Empire is our overall theme, our guiding principle throughout the house,” he explains.

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H O M E F E AT U R E

Lavender

credits his

training as an architect for his expert sense of scale. “Everything is properly proportioned for the house,” he explains. Properly proportioned, however, does not mean everything is the same size. Lavender deftly blends stand-out pieces with equally interesting background elements. He says, “There are supporting players and there are rock stars, but everything has a part to play.”

From showstoppers on down, Lavender’s home is filled with an eclectic mix of pieces that hold personal meaning. He strives to incorporate that principle into his professional work as well as in his own space. “We feel that every home has and should have a story, and we really want to create a design that tells our clients’ stories in their homes,” he says. “One of the first things we do when we take on a new project is come in and inventory all the clients' things. We want to know which pieces are special and then we work to incorporate them into the new design for the home.”

Stepping in the front door, the designer’s love for the Asian aesthetic is evident. Lavender created the foyer’s look around a jungle-themed Manuel Canovas paper he found on the wall of the sample room at Chicago’s Cowtan & Tout designer showroom. A statue of an Indonesian goddess welcomes guests while locally sourced pieces—a chandelier from Graham’s Lighting along with a settee found at a Poplar Avenue antique store and freshly recovered in a Clarence House fabric—help complete the look.

The striking burnt orange hue on the ceiling foreshadows a theme. “I love orange! I wanted to paint the ceiling in this space for drama and thought, ‘Why not a burnt orange?’ We have orange wallpaper in the back of the house and there are shades of orange on various pieces of furniture and artwork throughout the house,” says Lavender.

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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 HO MM E EF EFAT E AT U RUER E

Photo by Mark Lavender

the

foyer extends deep into the main floor of the home, creating a strong central spine. Lavender established a waypoint in the back of the space using a framed panel of mural wallpaper behind a table and a graceful chair from Latin American furniture maker Alfonso Marina. “It pulls you in once you come in the front door,” says Lavender.

“The idea was to create this point of interest towards the internal area of the home to lead you into the rest of the house.”

The home’s two front rooms, a formal sitting room and a slightly more casual space with

a fireplace, have distinct personalities. The sitting room was one of the first projects Lavender tackled upon moving into the home, replacing marbleized wallpaper with a classic Philip Jeffries grasscloth. Faux alligator wallpaper in rich blue lines the backs of bookshelves filled with mementoes of travels in Thailand, Morocco and Argentina. “We wanted this room to have an exotic feel; like a trophy room from an old English home,” he says. A Lillian August for Hickory White sofa, scaled perfectly for the intimate space, provides a comfortable spot to sit and read or enjoy a bourbon from the bar set up on the built-in cabinets, a nod to the homeowner’s Kentucky heritage.

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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

"When

we looked at this house, the first thing I noticed was the living

room curtain fabric. It’s one of my favorite classic patterns,” Lavender says, recalling that he took it as a sign that this would soon be his home. “It’s called Xian Linen from fabric house Brunschwig & Fils. It’s a fabric that we use a lot in our practice and it was already here!” No matter where they’ve lived, the couple’s living room has always been a variation of seafoam green, and this house is no exception. Benjamin Moore Nature Lover covers the walls and sets the backdrop for a melange of long-held favorite pieces and new acquisitions including a Lee Jofa sofa, a Tomlinson lounge chair and a Ralph Lauren bench in front of the fireplace.

Although larger in scale than the sitting room, the space has a cozy vibe that makes it the perfect setting for a beautiful Christmas tree and a crackling fire. Lavender achieved his goal of creating an inviting room—comfortable, yet with a bit of a formal feel.

“I love a good chocolate brown paint color. This color, Deer Trail by Benjamin Moore, was already in the dining room, so we stayed with it,” says Lavender, noting another tidbit of serendipity. The custom dining table the couple had made a few years ago has a rustic, “been-here-forever” ambiance that blends seamlessly with a Stickley buffet they have owned for years and a Chinoiserie secretary that they found at a recent estate sale. The room’s artwork is an eclectic mix that includes a 150-year-old portrait, a bright depiction of zebras and a still-life original painted by Guy’s mother. The grouping proves that meaningful pieces collected over a lifetime will always bring interest and a personal touch to a home.

Rather than a complete remodel, a less drastic renovation achieved the English look Lavender sought for the kitchen. After some debate, the homeowners opted not to paint the cabinets, allowing the rich wood to set the tone. The new green tile backsplash and Rohl bridge faucet bring to mind Mrs. Patmore’s Downton Abbey kitchen. Deep blue walls and white countertops feel crisp and buttoned-up, while Noelle Holler’s original turkey hen painting sourced from Goetze Art and Design adds an element of whimsy. Says Lavender, “There’s something kind of regal about her that just says, ‘You were saying?’”

Adjacent to the kitchen, the family room has a grand scale that comes as much from its tall ceilings as the square footage. Playing off its proportions, weighty design elements are right at home. From the substantial Ralph Lauren chandelier to the massive live-edge coffee table to the sturdy antique fireplace accessories, large-scale pieces make a major impact. Even the television had to be big. A Samsung Frame TV that displays art on the screen when not in use was the ideal choice. Handsome British khaki on the Verellen sofa creates a clean backdrop for an assortment of interesting throw pillows. Lavender first assembled the collection for the 2022 Christmas vignette he created for Serena & Lily’s suburban Chicago showroom. A pair of Cisco Home swivel arm chairs decked out in clean-cut plaid upholstery from Romo Fabrics completes the look.

After more than a year transforming the house Lavender felt he was meant to have into his own, it’s no wonder he smiles when he says he thinks he’s 100 percent “at home” now. As the old saying goes, and as he will surely agree, there’s no place like home for the holidays.

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2 0 2 3 H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet - 18k yellow gold .90 carats diamonds, 1.92 carats blue sapphires Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry | Germantown, TN 901.474.7427

Diamond by the Yard - 14k white gold .88 carats total Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry | Germantown, TN 901.474.7427

Inside Out Diamond Hoops - 14kt white gold 3.6 carats total Hollie Winter Fine Jewelry | Germantown, TN 901.474.7427

BRAVE Kikki Belt in Hibiscus Hair on Hide, $115 Sage & Willow | Corinth, MS

CORKCICLE. Estelle Tote , $179.95 Sage & Willow | Corinth, MS

Comp Braided Belt, $150 Hinton & Hinton | Oxford, MS

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hinton-hinton.myshopify.com

Together at the Table, $50 Oxford Floral | Oxford, MS

MudPie Marble Pedestal Cake Stand $48 Hattie's | Jackson, TN

I’m Hungry plush alligator book $26 Aiden + Ollie | Southaven, MS

www.oxfordfloral.com

hattiesjackson.com

aidenandollie.com

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Estelle Colored shot glasses $250/set of 6 Katherine Beck | Oxford, MS

8-Bit Archie Dress Socks $20 Oxbeau | Memphis, TN

katherinebeckgifts.com

shopoxbeau.com

Fossilly T-Rex $35 Itty Bitty Bella | Collierville, TN shopittybittybella.com

2 0 2 3

Musical Jewelry Box $49 Itty Bitty Bella | Collierville, TN shopittybittybella.com

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2 0 2 3 H O L I D AY G I F T G U I D E

pj Harlow Elijah satin robe $93 Southern Avenue | Germantown, TN southernavenuecompany.com

Brass Bud Vase $19 Southern Muse | Collierville, TN shopsouthernmuse.com

Estelle Colored Decanter $195 Magnolia House | Southaven, MS magnoliahouse.com

Roberto Coin Cialoma Flower Necklace $9500 Sissy’s Log Cabin | Memphis, TN sissyslogcabin.com

Susan Shaw Bracelet $79 Warehouse 67 | Germantown, TN warehouse67design.com

Orchid $315 Warehouse 67 | Germantown, TN warehouse67design.com

Heartfully Yours by Christopher Radko ornaments

Lazy Susan with hand pressed flowers $205 Social | Memphis, TN

Pearl and diamond necklace 14 karat white gold. Also available in yellow gold or sterling silver. $495

Cotton Row Uniques | Memphis, TN

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social-memphis.com

Jewelers' Choice | Memphis, TN jewelerschoiceinc.com

Signature Gift Box $40 Bluff City Toffee | Memphis, TN bluffcitytoffee.com Goodman Spalding gold tone necklace with clear stones $128, Goodman Spalding drop earrings $46 Two Doors Down | Germantown, TN 901.385.3115

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EXPERIENCE THIS

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E X P E R I E N CTER TAV H IESL

A WINTER WONDERLAND OF ART

M E M P H I S A R T S C O L L E C T I V E’S H O L I DAY M A R K E T T E X T BY T E R R I G L A Z E R | P H OTO S C O U R T E S Y O F M E M P H I S A R T S C O L L E C T I V E

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Wal k th r ough a winter wonderland of art this month, and while you’re there, pick up unique, handmade gifts for everyone on your list. The Memphis Arts Collective’s annual Holiday Market is back, open now through Christmas Eve. More than 30 local artists and craftspeople are scheduled to participate, selling lovingly created jewelry, pottery, paintings, candles, stained glass and much more.

This year ’s market location is 5847 Poplar Ave., Suite 110, next door to Lane Bryant in the Ridgeway Trace Center. Hours are 10:30 am to 6:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

Sundays are special at the Holiday Market. MAC members will demonstrate their art and hold hands-on art activities Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 1 until 2 p.m.

The Holiday Market benefits a local non-profit organization chosen by MAC members annually.

This year ’s charity is the Miracle League of Memphis, also known as Everybody Plays, an organization dedicated to building a facility at Tobey Park where disabled and specialneeds children and adults can play baseball safely and successfully. The group will have an information table at the Market and will receive proceeds from a silent auction that includes a creation by each MAC member. Bids will close Dec. 17, however the auction also features a “buy it now ” option for shoppers who just can’t wait to bring home a treasure.

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EXPERIENCE THIS

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TH IS Y E A R ' S HO L IDAY MA R K E T A RT ISTS :

AGinn Elements, Angi Cooper, The Billford Collection, Cat Snyder, Cindy Uphoff, Combustion Ceramics, Don Blalock, Eric Echols, Feefifibby, The Garden of Aiden, The Green Orb, Gwynevere Jewelry, The Hammered Pear, Jan Shively, Jennifer Hyatt Metal Art, Jennifer Williams, Last Year ’s Tree, Leigh-Anne Sandlin, Low Rent Greetings, Marjorie’s Originals, Midtown Glassworks, MLC Mosaics, Nicola Tupis, Rebecca Chappell, Sarah Terry, Sherry Robinson Designs, Snow Lake Pottery, Solstice Studios, Sandy Word, Vintagia by Jana Wilson, and non-members Jim Massey and Elif Hepvar.

_____________

The Memphis Arts Collective is a non-profit membership organization that has been dedicated for the past 30 years to supporting the creative endeavors of Memphis and Mid South artists and craftsmen and sharing their talents with the community. In addition to the annual Holiday Market, its members participate in pop-up shows at other times of the year.

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IN THE GARDEN

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IN THE GARDEN

DECIDUOUS HOLLIES T E X T A N D P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F D A L E S K A G G S , D I R E C T O R O F H O R T I C U LT U R E , DIXON GALLERY & GARDENS

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IN THE GARDEN

D E C I D UO US HO L L I E S

Dur ing my shor t time as a Universit y of Tennessee E x tension Agent I was asked t his question se veral times: “ Why is my dec iduous holl y no t se tting any fruit?“ Since I continue to receive calls about t hese hollies t hat lose all t heir leaves dur ing t he winter mont hs , I kno w many people have t his problem. While t here are se veral explanations as to why t he bare stems don’ t have red , plump berr ies , it usuall y is a func tion of pollination.

All holl y plant s are gendered , meaning t he entire plant is eit her male or female in terms of t he f lo wers it produces . Onl y t he r ipened ovar ies on t he female plant give us t he red-berr y fruit t hat makes t his plant sought out by gardeners and f lo wer arrangers . The female plant s must be pollinated by bees in order to have fruit se t . Males ne ver se t fruit , so be sure to plant named , female cultivars to ge t berr ies .

Gardeners must also be sure to plant t he appropr iate k ind of holl y for our area.

Two different spec ies of t he dec iduous holl y ex ist . One gro ws wild in our area, t he possumhaw (Ilex dec idua), whic h has an attrac tive , almost-weeping form. The females are in full fruit r ight no w; I see t hem on my commute home e ver y day.

The o t her form gro ws fur t her nor t h and has a more shrubby, shor ter, multi-stemmed spreading habit . This winter berr y (Ilex ver tic illata) is an attrac tive Yankee plant wit h a fruiting effec t similar to t he possumhaw.

Possumhaw selec tions like ‘ Warren’s R ed ’ f lo wer at t he same time as t he winter berr y and are readil y pollinated by t he plentiful , wild-gro wing males in t he region. These will generate fruit wit hout hav ing a spec if ic pollinator planted i f t hey ge t enough sun to f lo wer. ‘C ounc il Fire’ and ‘Pocahontas’ are also good female possumhaw selec tions .

If you plant t he non-regionall y native winter berr y t ypes suc h as ‘ R ed Spr ite ,’ you must plant a male near by to prov ide t he pollen. The bees will do t he rest . Many cultivars of males propagated and sold by nurser ymen do just t hat , and t hey often have r isqué names like ‘Escor t ’ and ‘ Sout hern Gent leman.’

There are also many hy br ids be t ween possumhaw and winter berr y hollies wit h var y ing f lo wer times . If you plant ‘ Spar kleberr y ’ or some of t he o t her hy br ids , I recommend planting a pollinator to ensure fruit . The plantings in t he median at t he end of S am C ooper Boule vard at East Par kway here in Memphis are good ex amples of hy br id forms; t he grouping inc ludes a few plant s t hat don’ t have red fruit s . These are t he “escor t s ” t hat make sure sex occurs for good fruit se t .

I have a large wild-gro wing, native possumhaw male holl y gro wing on my proper t y wit h a nice form, and I have planted a ‘ Warren’s R ed ’ nex t to it in antic ipation of t he t wo gro wing into a contiguous arc h to walk beneat h. Alt hough t he smaller female has some catc hing up to do, she will have plent y of pollen and hopefull y no shor tage of fruit s .

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T R AV E L

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T R AV E L

BARCELONA AND MORE FOR ’24

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

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T R AV E L A S W E R E FL E C T O N 202 3, W E AR E H APP Y TO H AVE S H O W N YO U M AN Y PAR TS O F T H E W O R L D A N D S OM E O F T H E MO S T PO P U L AR T R AVE L D E S T I N AT I O N S C U R R E N T LY. TO C A P O FF T H E Y E AR , W E W I L L H I G H L I G H T B A RC E LO N A, S PA I N, AN D W I L L G I VE YO U A H E A D S U P O N T H E B E S T I T I N E R AR I E S F O R 2024.

BARCELONA

L ocated in t he nor t heastern par t of Spain, on t he coast of t he Mediterranean Sea, Barcelona is t he countr y ’s second largest c it y and t he capital of t he Catalonia region. The 2 ,000-year-old por t c it y is steeped in cultural her itage wit h vibrant ar t and arc hitec ture and offers st y lish, upscale hotels . From t he bust ling c it y center to t he G ot hic Quar ter, t he accommodations prov ide t he bac kdrop for t he ultimate European vacation.

C olor ful and quir k y, Barcelona is t he se tting for t he modernist wor k s of arc hitec t A ntonio Gaudi , considered by many to be a genius of modernist arc hitec ture . The to wers of Gaudi ’s master wor k , L a S agrada Familia basilica, pierce t he sk y as it s amazing facade cap tivates onlookers .

The struc ture , no table for it s tac tile organic form, is one of Barcelona’s most famous landmar k s . It s bold f l y ing buttresses and t wisted to wers loom over t he c it y. Built on t he reliance of donations since t he f irst stone was laid more t han 130 years ago, t he iconic c hurc h remains an unf inished masterpiece and t he wor ld ’s longest-running construc tion projec t—slated for comple tion in 2026 on t he 100t h anniversar y of t he arc hitec t ’s deat h.

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T R AV E L HIGHLIGHTS OF BARCELONA No visit to Barcelona is comple te wit hout a stroll t hrough Guell Par k , named for a wealt hy entrepreneur and count who became Gaudi ’s patron. Gaudi f illed t he par k wit h tree -shaped columns and undulating forms t hat merge in per fec t harmony, punc tuated by t he colors of t he tile mosaic s t hat cover t hem. A walk t here is a whimsical exper ience — t he garden holds in store many v isual surpr ises for visitors .

The pedestr ian boule vard L as R amblas is t he best place to watc h people go by, to stroll or simpl y rela x . It ’s f illed wit h f lo wer stands , book k iosk s and small mar ke t stalls , as well as a fasc inating pageant of jugglers , singers , dancers , puppe teers , sidewalk ar tist s , living statues and assor ted oddballs on parade .

Museu Picasso, located in a medie val palace in t he Go t hic area, is home to a magnif icent compilation of ear l y Picasso paintings . Bo t h oils and drawings displayed here are permanent . The near by El Born neighbor hood is kno wn for it s trend y boutiques , tapas bars and t he S anta Mar ia del Mar cat hedral.

Mont juic , a hill wit h a cast le and var ious museums , is also wor t h a visit .

In t he e vening, witness t he beaut y of t he Magic Fountain of Mont juic , a spec tacular light and music sho w. The water in t he fountain per forms by danc ing t hrough var ious routines , accompanied by music and color.

A tour of Mont serrat is an eas y day tr ip from Barcelona to a spec tacular site . The tr ip begins wit h a dr ive t hrough pic turesque litt le villages on t he way to t he incomparable se tting of t he mountain of Mont serrat , whic h r ises majesticall y to 4,051 fee t . One of t he most impor tant pilgr image sites in Spain for hundreds of years , t he R oyal Basilica of Mont serrat holds t he famous 12t h-centur y R omanesque car ving of Virgin Morene ta, t he Blac k Madonna. Most tours inc lude entrance to t he audiov isual exhibition in Mont serrat and a tasting of four liquors handmade by t he monk s of t he monaster y. On some days , t he c hildren’s c hoir sings in t he monaster y at midday, delighting visitors wit h t heir per formances .

A panoramic tour v ia air-conditioned coac h is a great way to see t he highlight s of Barcelona and learn about t he c hanges to t he coast line made for t he 1992 O l ympic Games . Itinerar ies t ypicall y inc lude t he O l ympic Por t , t he beac h and t he f isherman’s quar ter, called Barcelone ta, and Munt juic , a cable car r ide for amazing views over t he c it y, and a stop at t he M N AC v iewpoint . The bus also passes t hrough Passaic de Garc ia, locale of some of t he most emblematic Gaudi buildings , suc h as Casa Bat llo and L a Pedrera.

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T R AV E L

D I N I NG Barcelonans are ser ious about t heir food , and t he ple t hora of delec table eater ies found t hroughout t he c it y is solid proof. Because lunc h is usuall y eaten later in t he afternoon and dinners no t until late e vening, a be v y of tapas restaurant s come in hand y when be t ween-meal hunger str ikes . Cal Pep, one of t he best-kno wn tapas restaurant s in t he c it y, is famous for fresh seafood , a fun atmosphere and fr iendl y ser vice . Located on t he seafront in t he Barcelone ta area, Can Majo ser ves some of t he best seafood in Barcelona. A n outdoor terrace makes summer time dining unforge ttable wit h pic turesque views complementing t he freshl y caught seafood.

Espai Sucre caters to t he swee t toot h wit h a menu made up entirel y of lusc ious desser t s .

G E T T I NG A R O U N D Tour ist Bus: A good way to ge t to kno w t he c it y is to take a tour ist bus t hat passes all t he main sight s , where r iders are at liber t y to hop on and off at t he different stops at t heir leisure .

The open-air Barcelona C it y Tour hop-on/hopoff buses are adapted for people wit h limited mobilit y and have an elec tr ic roof for use in t he e vent of rain, ergonomic seat s and heating on bot h dec k s . Tic ke t s inc lude a map, a guide t hat list s all t he stops for eac h route , and discount s for di fferent establishment s in t he c it y. The bus is easil y recognized wit h it s br ight red color and t he Barcelona C it y Tour name .

Me tro: Barcelona has a highl y eff ic ient me tro (sub way) s ystem t hat easil y accesses all par t s of t he c it y. Me tro, rail and bus r ides are all paid for using t he same tic ke t s , whic h are fair l y inexpensive , espec iall y when purc hased in bloc k s of 10.

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T R AV E L

W E AT H E R Alt hough Barcelona is some times wind y, a pro tec tive semic irc le of mountains shields it from harsh, cold winds t hat blo w out of t he nor t h and west . The average annual temperature is 61°. Januar y is t he coldest mont h, averaging 49°, and August is t he hottest , at 76°. Prec ipitation amount s to about 2 3 inc hes per year.

Whe t her you’re fasc inated by arc hitec ture , ar t and histor y or simpl y want to soak up t he sun, Barcelona offers a diverse range of exper iences t hat leave a lasting impression. A tr ip t here is best paired wit h a v isit to ot her c ities on t he Iber ian Peninsula. Var ious tour companies offer itinerar ies from se ven to 14 days t hat br ing toge t her t he sight s and cultures of Spain and Por tugal ’s most famous c ities—Barcelona, Madr id , C ordoba, Se ville and L isbon—weav ing t hem into one mar velous vacation. E xper t tour direc tors and local guides br ing destinations to li fe wit h in-dep t h, f irst-hand kno wledge of t he c ities ’ histor y, sight s , culture and insider secre t s .

T R AV E L S CO O P F O R 2024 Almost e ver yone went somewhere in 202 3, but t here are still lo t s of places left to see . What are t he top destinations for travel in t he coming year ? Spain, Ireland , Sco t land , Greece , Ital y, Thailand and t he Car ibbean top t he list .

Cruises have hit an all-time high t hank s to t he number and var ie t y of op tions available , from budge t to luxur y, megaships to intimate yac ht s . Group tours will also be popular nex t year. They offer aut hentic and exc lusive exper iences led by kno wledgeable exper t s , and e ver y t hing is inc luded in one up-front pr ice , e ven sight seeing and many meals .

For more information on planning a tr ip to Barcelona, or any 2024 vacation, contac t Travel L eaders at 901 . 37 7.6600 or 901 .85 3 .6200 or v isit www.gotravelleaders .com. O ff ices , open by appointment onl y, are located at 2 765 Wol f Creek Pkw y., Ste . 10 4, Memphis , and 155 N Main St ., Ste . 101A, C ollier ville .

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IN THE KITCHEN

Savory Blue Cheesecake RECIPE AND PHOTO COURTESY OF MARGARET MONGER

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M A N Y O F YO U M I G H T N OT K N O W T H I S, B U T B E F O R E M Y M A G A Z I N E D AY S, I H A D A C AT E R I N G C O M PA N Y W I T H M Y D E A R F R I E N D O F M A N Y Y E A R S, J E N N I F E R YO U N G. W E S H A R E S O M A N Y M E M O R I E S F R O M T H O S E D AY S O F C O O K I N G I N O U R L I T T L E R E N TA L K I TC H E N W I T H O U R B A B I E S I N TO W. W E L L , O U R B A B I E S A R E A L L G R O W N U P N O W A N D S O M E H AV E B A B I E S O F T H E I R O W N. J E N N I F E R A N D I S T I L L F E E L L I K E W E A R E I N O U R 30S LO L , N OT! W E R A N D O M LY C A L L E A C H OT H E R U P TO R E M I N I S C E A B O U T T H O S E D AY S A N D P I C K E A C H OT H E R'S B R A I N S A B O U T S O M E O F T H E F O R G OT T E N R E C I P E S T H AT W E R E FAV O R I T E S. T H I S R E C I P E WA S C E R TA I N LY O N E O F T H O S E H I G H LY R E Q U E S T E D, E S P E C I A L LY O V E R T H E H O L I D AY S, A S I T F E E D S A C R O W D. I T ’S P E R F E C T F O R L A R G E H O L I D AY C O C K TA I L B U F F E T S A N D I T F R E E Z E S B E A U T I F U L LY!

S AVO RY B LU E C H E E S E C A K E ⅓ cup fine bread crumbs ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 3 ½ 8-oz. packages cream cheese 4 large eggs ½ cup heavy cream ½ pound bacon 1 medium onion, finely chopped ½ pound crumbled Roquefort, Stilton or Gorgonzola (or your favorite blue cheese) salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste

Sprinkle bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese in a buttered, water-tight, 8-inch round springform pan.

Combine cream cheese, eggs and cream in a mixer. Saute bacon until crisp; drain and chop. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon drippings and saute onion until clear. Add onion, bacon, blue cheese, salt, pepper and hot sauce to the cream cheese mixture and gently mix to incorporate. Pour into the prepared pan. Set the pan inside a larger one; pour boiling water 2 inches deep into the larger pan. Bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes at 300˚. Turn the oven off and let the cake set for 1 hour. Remove pan from water and cool for 2 hours. Best if made a day or two before and stored in the refrigerator or can be frozen for up to one month. I like to garnish with fresh herbs and serve with crackers. Enjoy!

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

Enjoy the Holidays with Positivity STORY MICHELLE JOHNS

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

ONE part of you really enjoys getting together with family and friends to celebrate, while another part of you feels over whelmed spending time with family and friends. Planning ahead for potentially negative interactions can help you stay grounded, peaceful and more positive.

Setting boundaries and protecting your wellbeing will make time with family and friends more enjoyable.

RESPECT FOR BOUNDARIES Respecting boundaries is a cornerstone of a healthy relationship. Toxic individuals often disregard personal boundaries, making you feel uncomfortable or violated. An example of this is when someone shares personal information about another person who is not present. If they are doing this, they are also likely to gossip about you. In a healthy relationship, people respect privacy and seek permission before discussing

Healthy relationships are essential in

personal matters with others.

a happy life, while toxic interactions can take a toll on mental and emotional health. Identif ying the signs of healthy communication can empower us to nurture positive connections and avoid harmful ones.

CONSTRUCTIVE VS. DESTRUCTIVE C O M M U N I C AT I O N Healthy conversations involve construc tive communication in which people listen

P O S I T I V I T Y V S . N E G AT I V I T Y Positivity is one of the most evident signs

actively, show compassion, empathize and offer support. They express themselves honestly but with tact and consideration for

of a healthy conversation or relationship.

the other person’s feelings. On the contrar y,

In a healthy interaction, people respond to

toxic interactions often include belittling ,

your joy, success or good news with genuine

insulting or manipulating language, which

happiness. They support your achievements

can be emotionally harmful. Recognize

and share in your pride. In contrast, toxic

when conversations turn hurtful and either

individuals respond to joy with negativity.

address the situation or distance yoursel f

They downplay your achievements and those

from such interactions.

of others, and make snide comments that diminish happiness.

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H E A LT H Y Y O U

TRUST AND HONESTY Trust is fundamental in any healthy relationship. Healthy individuals and relationships are built on honesty and

people you interact with to share their positive experiences and achievements from the past year.

Don't hesitate to take breaks, practice

reliability. Trustworthy people keep their

self-care and seek support if needed to

promises, are transparent about their

maintain your own emotional balance. Taking

intentions and admit their mistakes. Toxic

care of your own well-being is crucial to your

individuals often engage in deceitful

experiences with others, especially in large

behavior such as lying , betraying trust

groups.

or being unreliable. If you find yourself constantly doubting someone’s honesty, it may be for good reason.

Identif ying the difference between healthy relationships and toxic ones is essential for your emotional well-being. Surrounding yourself with positive, respectful and

E M PAT H Y A N D S U P P O R T These are key components of a healthy conversatio n. In a positive interaction, people genuinely care about your fee lings and well-being. They provide emotional support during difficult times and are there to listen without judgment. Toxic individuals often lack empathy and may invalidate your feelings or make you feel guilty for expressing yourself. Be war y of those who consistently fail to provide the support and

supportive individuals can significantly improve your quality of life. By recognizing the warning signs of toxicity, you can take steps to protect yourself and build meaningful, nurturing connections with others. Remember that you deser ve healthy, positive relationships that contribute positively to your life. By applying these principles to your holiday festivities, you can create a more enjoyable and memorable experience for yourself and your loved ones.

understanding you need.

M I C H E L L E R . J O H N S , M A , T L P C A - M H S P, Prioritize your well-being with the following tips: Foster positive interactions by remaining open and respectful to all people. If you

N C C , 500 R Y T/200 E - R Y T OWNER, TRANSFORMING WELLNESS, LLC MJOHNS@TRANSFORMING-WELLNESS. COM

find yourself in a negative interaction, acknowledge the person’s feelings or thoughts and politely change the subject, tactfully verbalize your discomfort, or remove yourself from the situation. Engage with people you know and trust to be positive and thoughtful.

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DECEMBER 2 023 SOURCES H O M E F E AT U R E Special Thanks M. Lavender Interiors mlavenderinteriors.com Annabella Charles Photography annabellacharles.com

E XPE RIE N C E T H I S Special Thanks Memphis Arts Collective memphisartscollective.com

IN TH E G A R D E N Special Thanks Dixon Gallery & Gardens dixon.org

TRAVEL Special Thanks Travel Leaders 901.853.6200, 901.377.6600

HEALTHY YOU Special Thanks Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com

IN THE KITCHEN Special Thanks Margaret Monger

ON A GOOD NOTE Special Thanks Agape Child & Family Services agapemeanslove.org December 2023 • athomemms.com | 85

ON A GOOD NOTE

TEXT BY COURTNEY MICKENS-JEFFERSON | PHOTO COURTESY OF AGAPE CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES

AGAPE CHILD & FA M I LY S E R V I C E S Since 1970, Agape Child and Family Services has loved Memphis. Completely. Unabashedly.

Unconditionally. We see potential everywhere, but we don’t see the same opportunities everywhere.

That ’s why we serve children and families—to help them find those opportunities.

Research shows that 21.7 percent of Memphians battle poverty every day. One of our goals at Agape is to change that statistic and enable clients to escape hardship. In 2023, more than 26 percent of our families ascended from the federal poverty level after one year with Agape Child and Family Services. That ’s 850 families total. Agape is more.

We accomplished this goal via our “seven ways to love” Memphis.

Community-Based Services works with families to eliminate barriers to access by bringing hope and healing to them right where they live. We provide wrap-around services to lift and strengthen.

School-based Support attacks the common reasons children miss school: family responsibilities, transportation problems, illness and behavioral issues. We provide support in and out of the classroom.

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Workforce Readiness aims to promote parent/ adult self-sufficiency by addressing barriers to attaining education, employment and financial empowerment so that our families can experience success and find opportunities.

Homeless Services follows the example of Jesus by helping those in need. We provide transitional housing and support for homeless families on the path to self-sufficiency.

Counseling Services provides Christ-centered counseling services for individuals, couples, families and groups experiencing relationship conflicts, life crises or other issues.

Adoption Services are available for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and considering adoption, and also for those looking to adopt. We are here to provide love, encouragement and hope.

Spiritual Health and religious practices can provide significant resources to families seeking self-sufficiency. We follow the example of Jesus Christ by meeting not only physical needs but spiritual ones, as well.

Agape is currently asking all its supporters to give $100 to reach the goal of $30,000 to help strengthen Memphis. Donations given before December 31 are tax deductible for 2023. To donate go to agapemeanslove.org /donations.

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78 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • April 2020