A Haven at Home Neat + stylish aesthetic in Jackson, TN
2 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 3
4 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 5
6 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 7
CONTENTS NOVEMBER 2019
20| HOME FEATURE: Lexi Powell of Alexandra Lauren Interior Design draws
inspiration from luxury resorts for her clients with a growing family in Jackson, TN.
32| DESIGN: A Memphis couple’s West Tennessee weekend retreat defines “cozy”
with the perfect sense of rustic charm. 8 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 9
CO N T E N T S NOVEMBER 2019
HOME + DESIGN 20 home feature A Haven at Home 32 design Rustic River Retreat 42 in the garden Fall Colors
76
60
66
72
TRAVEL + CULTURE 50 travel The Land of Smiles 60 experience this A Giving Spirit 66 social Mid South Happenings 72 wedding Eager/Goerke
IN EVERY ISSUE 14 publisher's note 89 sources 10 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
FOOD + DRINK 76 entertaining Friendsgiving 84 in the kitchen Cinnamon and Sugar Donuts
FOR YOU 16 healthy you 'Tis the Season and Self Care 90 on a good note Soles4Souls
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 11
NOVEMBER 2019 • VOL. 18 NO. 8 PUBLISHER / EDITORIAL DIRECTOR MARGARET MONGER | mmonger@athomemms.com
ART DIRECTOR ANNA HALEY | aleppert@athomemms.com
MANAGING EDITOR AUBREY ANN MONGER | aamonger@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 MEGAN EIDT | meidt@gmail.com BRITTANY SANDERS | brmcdonald45@gmail.com GAIL HARRELL | gharrell@athomemms.com
BUSINESS DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS TRIP MONGER | tmonger@athomemms.com
MARKETING AND CIRCULATION HARRIET W. DEATON | hdeaton@athomemms.com
HOW TO REACH US 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11 | Cordova, TN 38018 901.684.4155
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: 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018.
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, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, 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, 320 South Walnut Bend, Suite 11, Cordova, TN 38018 or to tmonger@athomemms.com.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!
12 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 13
P U B L I S H E R ’S NOTE Are you ready? Halloween is over and it is time to prepare our homes for the holidays. Do you take one holiday at a time or are you the Christmas-tree-up-on-Novemberfirst type? Never having hosted Thanksgiving in our home, I will admit that I have jumped right into Christmas in the past, but not this year. We are grateful to be hosting both Thanksgiving and Christmas this year and I am looking forward to a month of fall leaves and pumpkins before I pull out the tinsel and trees!
I hope this issue inspires you to enjoy the season in your home. Whether your style is light and bright or you prefer a cozy retreat with a porch swing and a fire, it’s all good when spent with family and friends. If your family is few, our “Friends Giving” feature should give you ample ideas and inspiration to celebrate with friends. After all, friends are the family we choose for ourselves.
In closing, I wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving filled with faith, food, family and friends. Oh, and of course, plenty of elastic waist pants!
Margaret Monger, Publisher
Photo by Steve Roberts 14 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 15
healthy you
’Tis the Season & Self Care Story: Michelle Johns
It’s hard to believe it’s already time for Thanksgiving and Christmas—a season of year filled with joy, love, hope, connection, devotion and reflection. With the holiday season can come a multitude of emotions. Some people are celebrating and others are grieving with the loss of a loved one on their hearts and minds. As the year comes to a close, a practice of mindfulness is most important. Yes, there’s that word again—mindfulness. It’s a perfect word to describe a practice of being. Before I move on to the meaning of mindfulness, why it’s important to practice it, and how to do that, I want to talk about what mindfulness is not… • Mindfulness is not a practice of right or wrong. • It’s not a practice of kindness or compassion, yet it has been shown to yield such results. • It’s not always a practice of quiet meditation. • It’s not a religion. • It’s not perfection. Mindfulness is awareness of the current moment of time; where you are, what you are feeling, what you are thinking, the focus of your thoughts. Mindfulness is conscious awareness. We often travel through the day without connecting our surroundings to what we are feeling, and what we are feeling to our thoughts and responses. Our life is on autopilot. Breath flows in and out of our bodies freely, without thought or effort. Not only do we breathe autonomically and our hearts beat autonomically, science has revealed to us the ways in which our emotions and thoughts become autonomic in response to stressors. This is important information. While a baby is in the womb, the brain begins forming from the bottom up. It continues to develop throughout a person’s life, with the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain used to rationalize and think logically, developing last, around age 25 for most people. The reptilian part of the brain develops in the womb. The reptilian brain controls appetite, heartbeat, digestion, rest patterns and instinctual responses. It tells us when we are in danger and need to run, fight or freeze. The limbic brain, the emotional control center, develops from birth to about the age of five. It is the memory center, stress responder, hormone regulator, and the area where emotions such as nurturing, compassion, anger, fear, rage, pain, love and kindness are released. This part of the brain records our responses to situations and, subsequently, when we are faced with similar situations, it automatically sends a signal to respond. This is one of the most compelling pieces of information I have ever considered. The first time you had a traumatic experience your body recorded your response, then every time you have a similar experience your body autonomically sends signals to tell you how you react. Have you ever promised yourself you would change a specific behavior, yet the next time you were in the same situation you responded the same way? Then did youCourtesy beat yourself up for not having done better? It’s lifePhotos: of Blake Dubinski GenTeal Apparel changing to understand the physiological reason we,and and others, behave this way. 16 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
healthy you Not only does the brain develop bottom up, but information travels from the bottom up. It goes to the reptilian brain first, then to the emotion center, and finally, to the thinking center. This means that even before we think, we are responding! Most people spend 25 of their expected 79 years (the average lifespan of humans) with the limbic system in control because the prefrontal cortex has yet to develop. Additionally, because the natural flow of information is bottom up, most of our responses go into action in the limbic area before the logic center is activated. Mindfulness matters! It begins with acknowledging where we are and what we are feeling, and then controlling our responses. Thomas Hanna, renowned philosopher and educator, said, “Everything we experience in life, we experience in our body.” Someone speaks a sharp word to you, and it feels like they punched you in the gut. Someone tells you they love you or you look nice and you are filled with warmth or perhaps chills in your body. As you enter the holiday season, whether it brings emotional elation or grief and pain, take each moment with a practiced presence of mindfulness. You will not get it right every time, but your intentions will matter. It is a “practice,” not a “perfect.” Mindfulness guide: When entering a social space: • Take a breath • Acknowledge where you are and who is with you • Take a moment to acknowledge how you feel in your body • With awareness, engage in the moment - Listen with empathy - Respond appropriately and with intention not to harm but to do good Note: a social space is any space you are sharing with one or more other persons. It can be two people sitting on a sofa, a room filled with people or a dinner table with a group of friends.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 17
spotlight
Photos: Courtesy of Blake Dubinski and GenTeal Apparel 18 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 19
A Haven at Home
20 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
home feature
Designer Lexi Powell of Alexandra Lauren Interiors creates a retreat inspired by luxury resorts for a growing family Story: Terri Glazer | Photography: Kristen Elizabeth Photography
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 21
home feature From the beginning, Lexi Powell had a clear vision of the direction this design would take. “During our initial consultation, the homeowners spoke about how they loved staying at hotels, and described the neat, stylish aesthetic of several places they had visited. It was my goal to design a space with an aesthetic that created their own private sanctuary they didn’t need to retreat from,” she says. When Eric and RiCha Buchner bought the house in North Jackson, TN, they knew the location and layout were perfect for their young family. Upstairs were three bedrooms and a playroom perfect for their trio of little ones, twins Curt and Anna Kate, and baby brother Benjamin. The downstairs, with a master suite, living and dining areas, kitchen and laundry room, also fit their needs to a T. The basics were all there, but the design was a different matter. The Buchners knew they would eventually undertake a major remodel to make the house their home. Enter Lexi Powell of Alexandra Lauren Design in Jackson. “No corner or switch plate of this home was left untouched!” she laughs when asked about the scale of the project. “We replaced all of the flooring, with the exception of the tile in the foyer. We gutted and remodeled all 4.5 bathrooms and revamped all of the bedrooms. We did a full kitchen gut and remodel, and also enhanced the living room and upstairs playroom.” Very rarely is a child’s bedroom the cornerstone of such an all-encompassing renovation, but this was the case in the Buchner home. Powell started with Anna Kate’s room, which she admits was great fun to design, and the results are stunning. The idea of decorating such a large room had left the Buchners feeling a bit overwhelmed, but Powell knew the key to success would be to divide the space into zones for play, reading and sleeping. The focal point tying it all together is the dramatic Ellie Cashman wallpaper on the back wall. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve peeled wallpaper out of homes, but Ellie Cashman’s design is NOT your grandmother’s wallpaper!” says Powell. “It is the most fresh and exciting update on a traditional floral.”
22 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
home feature She carried the wallpaper’s black, white and blush palette into the attached bath, as well. Black and gray marble hex tile anchors the room. Classic white subway tile keeps the design fresh and light, while charcoal grout ties in the floor’s darker contrast tones. Curt’s bedroom is all boy, but with a bit of a retro feel. Simple, classic furniture and blue bedding are punched up with orange accents, vintage artwork and fun glass lamps that are both sophisticated and playful. In the bathroom vanities Powell included a clever feature—a built-in step stool can be pulled out of the toe kick to make washing up and brushing teeth a breeze. The nursery was originally planned to be a guest room, so halfway through the project, when the Buchners found out they were expecting their third baby, Powell had to shift design gears. Wallpaper makes another appearance in the nursery in the form of a beautiful warm grasscloth. Paired with a series of adorable animal prints over the crib, the design is sure to have little Benjamin dreaming of forest adventures. The nursery bath also reflects classic style with a fresh, updated note. Shiplap gives the walls texture and interest, and white subway tile makes a reappearance on the tub surround. The black vanity and shower curtain lend a masculine quality that will stand the test of time as Benjamin matures into a young man, but a sweet print of a mother and baby elephant reminds that for now, he is still a little guy.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 23
home feature Powell delivered in spades the resortquality aesthetic the homeowners sought in their master suite. “We added architectural interest by installing vertical tongue and groove to the walls. This not only created texture and warmth it draws the eye up to the ceiling," she says. Set under a soaring vaulted ceiling, her design focuses on calm neutrals, punctuated by cool blues and dark wood accents. Full-length windows dressed with linen drapes over woven shades flank the bed. Nearby, a cozy chair and ottoman make the perfect place to relax after one of the hectic days that define parenting young children. A generous sized rug in dark taupe and blue adds weight to the otherwise ethereal design.
24 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
home feature
The adjoining master bath is nothing short of spa-like. Lush marble, timeless fixtures including a lavish freestanding soaking tub, and accents in polished nickel and lucite evoke the glamour of old Hollywood or a five-star European hotel. Powell’s “secret weapon” in the master bath design was the addition of towers on either side of RiCha’s vanity. Recessed into the wall, they make the ideal storage spot for small musthaves. She explains, “I have found that most cosmetics and beauty products are three inches in diameter or less. All we really need is a few visible shelves to store tiny items, as opposed to tossing everything into messy drawers. These towers take up minimal counter space while allowing a clean, clear view of items when getting ready.”
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 25
home feature
The roomy kitchen is a cook’s dream where form and function combine flawlessly. Design lines are definitely clean, but warm accents stop the style short of minimalist. White base cabinets, wall cabinets and subway tile backsplashes coexist with hardwood floors, oriental rugs, and an island and beverage center painted in a stunning charcoal. Powell mixed a stainless steel range and vent hood with brass hardware and a wrought iron chandelier over the island to keep things interesting.
26 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
home feature Styles also mix and match in the dining area, where a rustic round table is surrounded by Parisian cafe chairs. Botanical prints grace the wall, while light spills in through a series of tall windows.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 27
home feature Powell opened her bag of “tricks” again when designing the laundry room. The well-thoughtout area, vital for a growing family, includes cabinetry with a “mock” drawer. “When you pull out the drawer on the right side of the laundry room sink it reveals a hidden gift-wrapping station complete with storage for ribbons and rolls of gift wrap,” she says. Another ingenious addition: the custom cubbies the designer added in the mud room. The three lockers, one for each Buchner child, include internal USB ports so electronics can be checked at the door when entering the home. Powell credits this brilliant transformation to M & M Construction, who made her ideas a reality, along with Emily Johnson from Sew Many Blessings, Charles Williams Cabinetry, and Steve Moore Woodword. “Eric and RiCha were very receptive. Nearly every idea I came up with was met with an enthusiastic ‘Yes!’” No doubt the Buchners are thrilled to have jumped on board with the designer’s inspired ideas to make their house the perfect home for their growing family.
TIPS FROM THE PRO Designer Lexi Powell shares do’s and don’ts for creating your own haven at home. • Do use color! In the kitchen I lightened and brightened the previously dark cherry cabinets with white, and grounded the room with an island in charcoal. • Do minimize clutter on kitchen counters for a clean aesthetic. • Do add glass upper kitchen cabinets to draw the eye up, but only use them to store orderly items that are cohesive with your overall design. There is no point in using a glass cabinet to showcase clutter! • Do pay attention to countertop details in bathrooms. Play with different styles and edge options and be creative with back and side splashes. Even with a standard ready-made sink vanity you can create a totally customized and unique countertop...get edgy! • Don’t skimp on hardware. It’s the jewelry of the bathroom! Just like you choose jewelry and clothing to express your own personal style, select hardware that is expressive of the style you plan to achieve in your space. • Don’t limit your options. It’s okay to mix metals in a room. And tile is great fun to play with—the varieties are endless. This also applies to fabrics. I created the calming feel of the master bedroom by mixing natural materials such as woods, wovens, and linens, with white-on-white tones. Note: For more information on Alexandra Lauren Designs and to purchase some of the items featured in this home, go to alexandralauren.com. 28 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
" It was my goal to design a space with an aesthetic that created their own private sanctuary they didn’t need to retreat from." — Lexi Powell November 2019 • athomemms.com | 29
Dining Room (top Frida print): @jesi.lee 30 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 31
design
Rustic River Retreat
Story: Terri Glazer | Photography: Steve Roberts 32 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
As temperatures drop and leaves turn, it just seems natural to seek out a cozy place to relax and enjoy the beauty of autumn. A Memphis couple’s West Tennessee weekend retreat defines “cozy” with the perfect sense of rustic charm.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 33
design The homeowners brought together the perfect blend of natural features, time-honored family treasures and a few well-thought-out new acquisitions to achieve the comfortable atmosphere. It’s only fitting that nature plays a starring role in the home; it sits on 150 acres with bluff views of the Mississippi River. The outdoors comes in via elements like wood, stone and windows that flood the space with natural light and vistas of the tranquil surroundings. Wood is plentiful in the home, and in a number of varieties, from floors to ceilings and everywhere in between. Massive wooden trusses and beams support tongue and groove ceilings, stained, rough-sawn spruce lines walls, and handsome hardwood covers floors. The most remarkable wood elements, however, are pieces of the homeowner’s family history. “We used a lot of reclaimed wood,” the homeowner explains. “Most of it came from my family’s property in Mississippi. We had an old barn and a couple of old houses dismantled and brought the wood up here. It’s very special.”
34 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Perhaps the most special piece covers the entrance to the master suite. Although barn doors have become a popular design feature in new construction and remodels recently, this one is the real McCoy. Salvaged from an actual barn on the family farm, the 100+-year-old structure still had old vines attached to it when it was installed in the house. Another wooden element that melds rustic beauty with function and heritage is the butcher block section of kitchen countertop. “[It] was made out of boxcar flooring by my grandfather,” explains the homeowner. “He had it made for my parents, so when I was growing up it was our kitchen table for a while, and then it was part of our kitchen island. Eventually, my parents remodeled and they weren’t going to use it anymore, so it had been in storage. When I found it I decided I wanted to use it in this house because I had grown up with it. I’m very thankful to have it.”
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 35
design Natural stone in several varieties adds to the home’s rustic appeal. Bluestone floors bring in the cool water tones of the nearby river, and river rock floors in the master bath also give a nod to the house’s locale. “I love the whole idea of a river rock floor in a house on the river,” says the homeowner. The handsome stacked stone fireplace on the screen porch is the perfect complement to the wooded surroundings. With the beauty of nature just outside, it’s no wonder that the house is filled with windows. Through groundlevel and clerestory windows in the great room, a cheery sunroom off the master bedroom, and the porch screens, natural light floods the rooms and the setting provides vistas to rival any artwork. In the end, though, it’s the furnishings that make this cozy getaway so dear to the homeowner. The decor is a blend of family heirlooms and a few acquired pieces. “We had a lot to use in the house and then I bought a few pieces that I’d been looking at,” she recalls. “I feel like the house is a good mix of old and new, rustic and modern, and that’s what I was going for.”
4. 36 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Antique leather seating, lush accessories and a rich Oriental rug give the space an air of easy elegance. A wood-burning stove original to the house keeps things from getting too fancy, though. This time of year the stove isn’t just for looks; it does double duty keeping the place toasty warm. Both the homeowners are hunters, so mounts and trophies take prominent places in the decor. Some of the treasures have a longer history, however. “There are some very precious things from my family. We had a camp house for a while and my dad had some of his trophies and things he had collected there. We decided to give them a new home up here. Along with the wood that we salvaged, I feel like some things from my family are going to live on in this house and that makes me happy,” she says.
Brent Heath in Cordova with Naturalized Jonquilla
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 37
design This perfectly comfortable, rustic ambiance is the result of a major remodel the homeowners undertook in 2016. Though the house originally had “good bones,” with open ceilings and trusses, the layout was awkward. With the help of Memphis architect Jeff Edwards, they revamped the floorplan and made the place their own. After having completed the extensive project, what advice would the homeowner give? “It’s good to have guidance from your architect or builder, but if you know what you really like, be confident and make the decision!” she says. That way of thinking certainly paid off in this case. She made a nontraditional, but decidedly brilliant, furniture choice for the screen porch. “I saw that porch swing in a catalog and dogeared the page, thinking, ‘One day I’m going to have that. I don’t know where I’m going to put it, but I’m going to put it somewhere!’ But it was what I wanted so I decided to just do it and I love it. Except for the very hottest part of the year, that porch is my favorite part of the house. When it’s cold, we build a fire in the fireplace and sit on the swing. It’s a pretty good spot,” she admits.
1.
38 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Another bold decision came in selecting the paint color for the kitchen island. “The kitchen cabinets are charcoal gray. Originally, everything was going to be the dark gray, but I wanted the island to stand out a little more,” she says. “Green is my favorite color, so I found a green that complemented the gray and went for it. That’s how the island ended up green.” “And,” she adds with a laugh, “if it doesn’t work out, it’s only paint!” The perfect laid-back attitude for the perfect laid-back house.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 39
Get Away Corinth, Mississippi
Pizza Grocery 40 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
getaway
Story: Emily Steen | Photos: Courtesy of Visit Corinth November 2019 • athomemms.com | 41
in the garden Fall at Dixon Gallery & Gardens Photo: Courtesy Curt Hart
Fall Colors
Story: Dale Skaggs, ASLA, Director of Horticulture, Dixon Gallery and Gardens
November in the Mid South is the best month for fall color, as the temperatures cool and the days get shorter. This signals a shift for plants that shed their leaves. After this seasonal cue, deciduous plants shut down their production of chlorophyll, the green pigment in leaves. During the growing season chlorophyll is being produced constantly and broken down by sunlight. This process, key to photosynthesis, results in the plant’s production of sugars by taking in CO2 and splitting away oxygen as a byproduct, a truly amazing feat in nature’s plan. But the arrival of fall signals the production of the green pigment to stop, allowing the other orange, yellow, red and purple pigments previously masked by green to be revealed in a spectacular display of fall coloration. The environment plays a factor in the intensity of color of trees, but in general this is a genetic trait that varies by plant. Our native landscape is quite diverse and provides us with a wide array of colors. The hickorys and redbuds are yellow, the dogwoods and the dominant maple in our area are generally red, and the oaks’ color varies depending on the species. But arguably our best and most abundant tree of fall color, varying from burgundy to purple, is the often-maligned sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua. It is one of our toughest, fastest-growing native trees and very common in our local landscape. Many people have a strongly negative opinion of the plant because of the fruit it produces—a golf-ball-sized spiny ball that can be an unpleasant addition to a landscape or garden setting. When run over with a mower, gumballs become gnarly projectiles. Nonetheless, sweetgums have the redeeming quality of fall color and are best appreciated in areas of our native landscape that are less trodden by people. When I worked in agricultural extension I heard that there was a hormonal treatment to keep sweetgum fruits (gumballs) from forming. As I remember, it was expensive and needed to be applied every year at the right time to be effective. There are over 40 cultivars of sweetgum, including selections with differing white and yellow leaf variegation or strongly furrowed bark, as well as types with varying growth habits and fall color traits. Perhaps the most appealing to me are the ones that produce no fruit, of which there are a couple. The two cultivars that have the most promise for us in the Mid South are ‘Rotundiloba’ and ‘Slender Silhouette’. 42 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
in the garden ‘Rotundiloba’ is worth mentioning because it produces no gumballs. The leaves are rounder at the tips and provide excellent fall color. I have heard of limbs reverting and fruit being produced, but, in general, this is the exception. It is a strong grower with few pest problems and usually resilient to breaking in storms. The other variety, ‘Slender Silhouette,’ was selected by a famous Tennessee nurseryman from Winchester, Don Shadow. This tree’s claim to fame is its narrow growth habit; it only gets a few feet wide, similar to a totem pole. It can be used in the same way as the hornbeams often seem in Europe, planted as a narrow hedge. It fruits occasionally but as Shadow said of the plant, “You can catch all the fruits in a bushel basket.” I’m seeing Slender Silhouette used in commercial landscapes around town.
Acer palmatum 'Glowing Embers'
Glowing Embers Japanese Maple Photo: Courtesy Kate Trammell
Parrotia persica
Photo: Courtesy Bold Springs Nursery
Photo: Courtesy Bold Springs Nursery
Sweetgum
Parrotia persica
Photo: Courtesy Dale Skaggs
Many plants are specifically selected for garden use based on their fall coloration. A few non-native, garden-worthy performers I’m fond of using here in the Mid South are: Parrotia persica, Persian Ironwood, Acer palmatum ‘Glowing Embers,’ Glowing Embers Japanese Maple, and the one that is probably most familiar, Ginkgo biloba, Maidenhair Tree. The Persian Ironwood, native to Iran, is an underutilized medium-sized tree with attractive bark that rivals a Crape Myrtle. It is tough, pest-free and drought-tolerant and has some of the most amazing fall color, with purple to reddish-orange leaves. It can reach 35-40 feet in height and is one of the best mediumsized trees I know. Acer palmatum ‘Glowing Embers’ is one of the fastest-growing and most vigorous of the Japanese Maples. Though underplanted in the Mid South, it is heat tolerant and can take more sun than most Japanese Maples. It can reach 25 feet in height and can be grown from cuttings instead of the usual grafting that is common with these plants. Acer palmatum ‘Glowing Embers’ was selected as a seedling by the great plantsman and retired professor at the University of Georgia, Michael Dirr. Its fall color is an amazing orange-red-purple and the leaves age like glowing embers from a fire, hence the name. The species is native to Japan.
Glowing Embers Japanese Maple
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 43
in the garden Ginkgo
Photo: Courtesy Carol Reese
Fall at Dixon Gallery & Gardens
The last plant is probably familiar to most gardeners for its yellow fall color. Ginkgo biloba or Maidenhair Tree is an ancient tree that Charles Darwin called a living fossil because of its close ancestry to conifers like pine trees, despite its broad leaves. It is tough, slow-growing and long-lived, with well over 40 documented cultivars available. Select a Ginkgo carefully; some of the female forms have fruit that can be messy and foul smelling. This fruit may not appear for many years after the tree has reached maturity. The tree grows slowly in this area, but its growth can be hastened by an annual application of lime in our mostly acid soils. The yellow fall color is truly unrivaled in the tree world, and the leaves seem to fall from the tree all at the same time, making a beautiful yellow carpet on the ground. The plant originates in Asia where it is extinct in the wild, but ancient specimens are being cultivated at monasteries, temple gardens, and other public spaces where Ginkgo biloba is highly revered. Whether you enjoy leaf peeping in wild landscapes or growing plants in your own garden, I hope you fully enjoy fall, the other season of color. It is a true miracle of nature that we should all celebrate.
Civil War Relief Sculpture 44 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 45
gift guide
Gift ideas for everyone on your list !
Warehouse 67 Germantown, TN Concrete Moss Pot Small $19, Med $29, Lg $39 901.867.6767 warehouse67design.com Hollie Winter Germantown, TN Diamond Stackable Rings Call for pricing 901.474.7427
Cotton Row Uniques Memphis, TN ABC’s of Memphis Tray $79.50 901.590.3647 cottonrowuniques.com
Burrus Company Lakeland, TN Charcuterie Boards Starting at $75 901.569.1228 burruscompany.com
Southern Avenue Germantown, TN Scout Bags Cooler $49.50 901.207.6407 southernavenuecompany.com
46 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
gift guide
Deanna Hamsley Artwork Memphis, TN Hope Memphis Tee Shirt $40; Use code GIFTGUIDE to get 10% off your order
Germantown Pharmacy Germantown, TN Satterfield Pottery Round Platter $255 901.729.6429
Mid South Nursery Tupelo, MS Christian Ulbricht Nutcrackers Prices start at $115 662.842.4194 midsouthnursery.com Jeweler’s Choice Memphis, TN 14 karat white gold ring $3,450 901.763.0195 jewelerschoiceinc.com
Dixie Pickers Memphis, TN Mission Mercantile White Wing Waxed Canvas Briefcase $250 901.746.8067 dixiepickersstore.com
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 47
gift guide Warehouse 67 Germantown, TN 100 Days of Scripture $55 901.867.6767 warehouse67design.com
Southern in the City by Janna Fite Herbison $15.95 Amazon.com Southern Avenue Germantown, TN Smothers and Branson Needlepoint Belt $175 901.207.6407 southernavenuecompany.com
Buff City Soaps Activated Charcoal Face Bar $12
Buff City Soaps Calming Facial Toner $9
Buff City Soaps Memphis, TN buffcitysoap.com Buff City Soaps Brightening Eye Cream $18
Dixie Pickers Memphis, TN Pig & Hen Sharp Simon Bracelet Prices Vary 901.746.8067 dixiepickersstore.com Treehouse Toys Oxford, MS HearthSong Roll With It! Giant Inflatable Colorful Wheel $99 662.371.1234 treehousetoysms.com
Text: Elaine Glusac | Photos: Courtesy of Regency Travel, Inc. 48 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
gift guide Blairhaus Callie's Biscuit Mix $14
Blairhaus Tupelo, MS 662-269- 2513 blairhaus.com Blairhaus Cheese Straws $2 - $5
Blairhaus Nora Fleming Cookbook $65
Blairhaus Jams & Jellies $8.50 - 11.50
Blairhaus Nora Fleming Minis $13.50
Blairhaus Nora Fleming Serve Ware $24-46
Terri Hannah Germantown, TN Crown linen pearl cluster necklace $75 901.257.2965, terrihannah.com
Southern Muse Collierville, TN Shelley Kyle Taramani Body And Linen Powder Talc Free Gift Set $99 901.221.7479 shopsouthernmuse.com
Manduu Fitness Memphis, TN Gift Card 901.275.8997 manduu.com
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 49
travel Bang Pa-In, The Summer Palace
50 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Silver Dollar
THAILAND THE LAND OF SMILES Story: Callie Ellis Photos: Courtesy of Regency Travel, Inc.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 51
travel
Tucked in the heart of Southeast Asia, Thailand offers everything from ultra-modern cities to historical views dating back thousands of years. The country welcomed over 32 million tourists last year, and its kind, caring and hospitable citizens are the reason Thailand is known as “the land of smiles.� What is it that brings visitors here year-round? Impressive landmarks, city comforts, natural surroundings and pristine beaches are just part of the allure of this enchanting destination. Wat arun
Raleigh Beer Garden
The capital of Thailand, Bangkok, with a population of over eight million, is home to city living at its finest and busiest. Bustling Bangkok is a wonderful blend of contemporary high rises, luxurious shopping, world-class restaurants and vibrant street life. At the same time, sacred temples, ancient palaces and lavish shrines showcase a country rich in culture. 52 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Bangkok emanates a great sense of religion and extreme respect for the country’s royal family. The city is dotted with monuments, elaborate pictures and family shrines at every turn. Currently ruling the Royal House is the Chakri Dynasty, and the current heir apparent of Siam is Rama X. One of the most popular attractions in Bangkok is the spectacular Grand Palace, which from 1792 to 1925 was home to the kings of Siam. The elaborate complex consists of numerous buildings and pavilions and is covered in gold and precious stones. Crafted with an attention to detail like no other, the palace remains the spiritual heart of the kingdom. Wat Phra Kaew, known in English as the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, is also located here. Dating back to the 14th century, the greatly revered meditating Emerald Buddha is ceremonially dressed in robes according to the season by the king of Thailand himself, and is believed to have supernatural powers.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 53
travel
Another popular attraction located only a couple hours southwest of Bangkok in the Damnoen Saduak District is the floating markets down the River Kwai. A visit to the markets is unforgettable, a loud and color-filled ancient trading of goods experienced by speed boat or on foot. The river is packed with wooden boats overflowing with all sorts of local fruits, vegetables, dry goods, spices and freshly cooked meals. The mango sticky rice is a must try. Other unique finds in the district are hand-carved wooden furniture and frames, as well as a variety of artwork, clothing, purses, vases and more. The area holds special significance for travelers interested in WWII history, as immortalized in the 1957 film The Bridge on the River Kwai. Take a train over the storied bridge, then visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, resting place for over 6,000 Allied prisoners. Learning about the terror the prisoners of war endured while working the Death Railway is truly a moving experience. Ayutthaya, the ancient Siamese capital located around 1.5 hours north of Bangkok, also hosts some important historical landmarks that are worth a visit. Part of Ayutthaya Historical Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an excellent witness to the period of development of true national Thai art. Over a dozen jaw-dropping ancient temple sites and magnificent ruins are found here. Spirit of Detroit Statue
54 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
View the temple with its 14-meter-high gold, seated Buddha. The statue, named Wat Phanan Choeng, is regarded as a guardian for mariners. Nearby in Bang-Pa-In (about 35 miles north of Bangkok) is the Summer Palace of King Rama V, which boasts beauty in its impressive Thai and Chinese architecture. The palace complex used by the Thai kings lies beside the Chao Phraya River. Highlights include vast gardens and landscaping, along with the brightly painted lookout tower and the pavilion constructed in the middle of a pond. Thailand is famous for more than the historic and cultural sites mentioned here. Only a short flight south from Bangkok lies Phuket, a rainforested, mountainous island in the Andaman Sea, home to breathtaking beaches. The lush, tropical scenery is hard to top. The island is home to many seaside resorts with shops, spas and restaurants.
Celtic Cross November 2019 • athomemms.com | 55
travel Opportunities to meet animals up-closeand-personally makes the area a popular destination for wildlife lovers. Experiences include playing with wild monkeys roaming the hilltops, taking a tour atop a mighty elephant, and visiting a retirement home for pachyderms. At the Elephant Retirement Park and Wildlife Sanctuary elephants rescued from shows and other environments in which they were mistreated and are now fed, bathed and loved on by tourists daily. The famous Phi Phi Islands are nearby and accessible via a quick boat ride. The picturesque clear blue waters and sandy beaches surrounded by rock structures and greenery must be seen to be believed! Many of the islands offer secluded accommodations. For a quiet chance to disconnect from the rest of the world, island hopping in this area is the ideal itinerary. From cities with history and culture to beach life with relaxation and beauty, Thailand offers locales and experiences for all types of travelers to enjoy in the land of smiles.
Weather and when to travel: Thailand has three major seasons, and most months of the year are suitable for travel. The country is busiest during the dry season from November to February, when temperatures seldom top 90°F. During the hot season from March to June, tourists flock to the many dreamy beaches along Thailand’s immense coast for plentiful sunshine. Travelers should be wary of booking a trip in April and early May, the hottest time of year in Thailand, when temperatures can reach 104°F. Monsoon season is in full swing from July through October. Expect to need a rain jacket at some points, and be ready for a little heat, as it feels similar to a Memphis summer! To avoid temples packed with tourists, January and February are perfect months to visit.
Food:
Phi Phi Islands
56 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
If you like spicy food, you will love Thailand’s cuisine. The country offers a wonderful variety, from street food to Michelin-starred restaurants showcasing food focused on texture, taste and ingredients with medicinal benefits. Rice, vegetables, stir fries, pad Thai and seafood, often with a little extra heat in the flavors, are popular dishes.
Currency: In addition to all the beauty Thailand has to offer, another reason this destination is booming with travelers is affordability. Thailand’s currency is in Baht; US dollars are not widely accepted. At this time, 1 Thai Baht is equivalent to 0.033 US dollars, making the country a great place to eat and shop well on a budget.
Temple attire and tips: It is rare to visit Thailand without entering a temple as there are 34,000 still in use here. Travelers should know a bit about temple etiquette before going in. At a dedicated area outside each temple visitors must remove their shoes. Many temple entrances have a threshold—stepping on it is considered disrespectful. Inside temples, pictures of the Buddha are not allowed and quiet, respectful behavior is expected—these are sacred places. As for clothing, hats must be removed, full-length pants or dresses are required, and shoulders must be covered at all times. Many temples provide appropriate pants and shirts of all sizes for around 3 Baht per piece, a perfect option for visitors who arrive wearing warm-weather apparel during the hot season.
For more information on a vacation in Thailand, call the travel advisors at Regency Travel at 901.682.9065 or visit www.regencytravel.net.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 57
travel
58 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
travel
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 59
experience this
A
Hastings’s giving Glenda Donna’s Table + spirit: Napa Cafe
Story: Alice Fugate | Photos: Courtesy of Napa Cafe
As a teenager, Glenda Hastings would take trips to a park in downtown Memphis on weekends and hand out McDonald’s Happy Meals to homeless people. Her friends would say, “Oh, here is the portion of the evening where we all have to go downtown,” joking about something that Glenda was quite serious about. She says, “I remember telling the workers in the drive-through that I wanted extra fresh and hot fries. It was important that their meal was hot.” That kind of determined sensitivity to the needs and wants of others, coupled with a passion for feeding people in a variety of ways, has driven Hastings’ business and life ever since. Her big personality, boundless energy, and passion for food and people seep into her local philanthropic efforts through her business., is the award-winning restaurant Napa Cafe in Sanderlin Centre. Honored for its exceptional food, wine and service, Napa Cafe has also become synonymous with giving back. 60 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
experience this The restaurant partners with local non-profits including the Carpenter Art Garden and the Germantown Performing Arts Center; Hastings has served as a board member for both Angel Street and the Boys and Girls Club. Since 2012 Napa Cafe has hosted a wine dinner called “Heart Full of Soul” to benefit Stax Music Academy. The event, set for Mon., Nov. 11 features Stax music and proceeds go to the school. Napa’s wines are the true stars of the evening. Hastings takes pride in her wine list’s selection of rare, vintage and high-quality wines and her staff’s ability to pair the perfect wine with any menu item. What Hastings says she’s learned from these ventures is that, “If you want to do something and it is the right thing, the right people will show up. You do not have to have a grand plan… just say out loud what you want to do. Declare it. Take the first initial steps and suddenly doors open.” That’s how Heart Full of Soul began, with a declaration to have a wine dinner fundraiser. That was also the impetus for Napa’s annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless, Donna’s Table. “In 2015, I was home on Thanksgiving,” Hastings recalls, “and I felt sad thinking about my mom and how much I missed her and especially missed her Thanksgiving feast. That lasted all of three seconds before I declared out loud that I would serve the community in some capacity the following year. When I was in the planning aspect…I knew it had to be something that I connected with...but it must also provide what is needed.”
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 61
experience this Named in honor of her mother, Donna’s Table has served a sit-down meal to those who are hungry, homeless or down on their luck in Memphis every Thanksgiving Day since 2016. “I am providing what my mom gave me and what all other moms give or want to give to their family,” Hastings says. No longer does she have to outsource McDonald's; now with Napa Cafe’s resources and connections, she can put on a real show right in her own restaurant. While it’s “nothing stuffy,” neither is this a typical soup-kitchen affair with plastic utensils and throw-away styrofoam cups. It’s a family-style holiday feast, complete with sunflowers, candlelight, fancy napkin folds, gold-rimmed china and glassware, and six volunteers attending each table. There are 20 whole turkeys, one per table. Just as her mother sent guests home with leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner, each of Hastings’ guests leaves with a care package. That kind of exceptional service, atmosphere and food are hallmarks of Napa Cafe year round. The inviting environment with its unique artwork, the sophistication of the food, and, of course, the owner’s involvement in every detail of the operation, down to chatting with the guests herself every night, combine to create a fine-dining experience that is at once elegant and warm.
Customers describe Napa’s menu quality as consistent. A perennial favorite is made the exact same way every time, and if the guests want it to stay on the menu, it stays. The soups, salads and specials are seasonal, but the core of the menu includes beef, game, pork, seafood, and a plant-based entree. Must-haves include the boneless braised short ribs, a gourmet-style comfort food, and the potato encrusted halibut, a crisp sheet of potato hash seared onto a flaky white fish with shallot beurre blanc sauce. Hastings maintains integrity across all of her various initiatives and lives in a joyful Thanksgiving spirit all year. This generosity, which garnered her the nickname Glenda the Good Witch, has been her defining characteristic since her days of driving downtown with McDonald’s in tow.
62 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
experience this Gelato
Want to volunteer with Donna’s Table? Hastings says, “I ask for people to show up at 9:25 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. But they may want to call me. If this gets printed I may have 200 people show up to volunteer. However, I have never turned a volunteer away. I have learned a need is a need. Sometimes the need is to serve. I will find a place!”
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 63
social
Shotguns + Sunflowers
Text: Kristin Budzak | Photography: Elizabeth Looney Photography
64 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
social El Cosmico
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 65
social Mykonos Mission Windmill Church
Memphis Food & Wine Festival Text: Sherry Chimenti | Photography: Jay Adkins
On Sat., Oct. 12 the Memphis Food & Wine Festival returned to The Live Garden at Memphis Botanic Garden and celebrated its third year—bigger than ever! More than 40 renowned chefs served their unforgettable creations to festival goers, who also got to sample from a selection of over 200 wines poured by vintners from around the world. The evening was a benefit for FedExFamilyHouse.
66 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
social travel
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 67
social
On Sat., Oct. 5, a team of over 30 men departed West Cancer Center in Germantown, beginning their journey via bicycle to Rosemary Beach, FL. The cyclists covered over 525 miles in just five days while promoting cancer awareness and raising funds for the WINGS Supportive Care Division of the University of Tennessee/West Institute for Cancer Research. WINGS organization provides West Cancer Center patients with the resources and support they need for their cancer journey and beyond. Along the way, the R2R riders got to meet cancer survivors and supporters of the ride. They also visited with old friends they had met during the eight previous years of the ride. The group arrived at the Rosemary Beach town square on Wed., Oct. 9, where friends and family were waiting to welcome them. This year, the Ride to Rosemary raised over $190,000! Photography: John Parrish
R2R 68 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
RIDE to
social
ROSEMARY November 2019 • athomemms.com | 69
70 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 71
wedding social getaway
Taylor Goerke Paul Eager August 24, 2019 Memphis, Tennessee Parents of the Bride: Autumn and Glenn Goerke
Parents of the Groom: Caroline and David Eager Forsyth Fountain 72 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
getaway wedding social
SOURCES
Rehearsal Dinner: Flight Restaurant and Wine Bar Wedding: Calvary Episcopal Church Reception: The Cadre Building Florist: Kevin Griffin Designs Event Planner: Mona Dunlap Photographer: Taylor Square Photography Videographer: Message in a Bottle Productions Wedding Rings: Bachendorf's Jewelers; Dallas, TX Hair: Annie Shackelford Makeup: Caitlin McGill Entertainment: Memphis Soul Revue Caterer: CFY Catering Baker: Cakes by Mom and Me Invitations: RSVP Stationers Wedding Dress: The Bustle; San Diego, CA Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaids Rentals: White Door Events
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 73
74 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 75
entertaining
friends
76 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
giving
entertaining
EV ENT D ES IG N A ND T EXT BY G I N N I J O N E S
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHIRA MARIE November 2019 • athomemms.com | 77
entertaining
Each month our book club meets, surrounded by lots
of food and wine, as we weigh in on last month’s book and begin the debate on our next pick. Since we love to eat, drink and read, there’s no better way we could celebrate the season than to gather for a Thanksgiving-themed get together as the weather The decor Michelleoff Hope of Social Butterflies designedFor theour partybook space.club Every girl had an cooled and the leaves changed. assigned seat designated by party favors that doubled as place cards. Packaged in Friendsgiving each member brought a family favorite handmade boxes resembling a witch’ s shoe, party favors included dish and the corresponding recipe. To make it an a bottle of nail polish capped by club a witch’ s finger, a treat bag with atodecorated cookie official book meeting, we decided compile all from Elena’s Sweet Things, and a large container of slime. the recipes and make our very own cookbook full of all our favorite holiday fare. 78 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
SETTING THE TABLE I partnered with wonderful local vendors to help me bring together this stunning 16-foot dinner table. I knew I’d find the perfect place settings at my favorite shop, Social. It didn’t take long to be completely inspired by all the wonderful pieces they have to offer, from fine china to fun everyday dishes. We chose rich, chocolate-stained breadboards as placemats to go under handmade Montes Doggett white ceramic dinner plates. To complement the rich-yet-rustic look we paired sky blue, hemstitched Matouk napkins with a glossy wooden napkin ring. Gold flatware provided an elegant contrast to the natural elements and completed the stunning foundation for a wonderful tablescape. Kamille Martin of BettsMade, a local event planning company that also specializes in floral design, brought fall to life with these perfect arrangements! I am always inspired by the colors of the season, and BettsMade truly made my inspiration a reality. Dinner-plate dahlias took center stage, accompanied by a variety of scabiosas, roses and eucalyptus. An array of greenery completed the designs. Mixing darker tones with bright greens and peach tints, this color palette paired perfectly with the rich breadboards and light plates and napkins. Scattered between Martin’s arrangements were pale orange vases in various sizes from Anthropologie filled with winecolored ranunculus and scabiosas. November 2019 • athomemms.com | 79
entertaining
Forsyth Fountain 80 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
WHAT’S FOR DINNER? No friend was left hungry this Friendsgiving, as a variety of over 20 family-favorite dishes filled the table. Once again, Social came to the rescue with handmade Montes Doggett serving pieces that mixed fabulously with the plethora of platters brought by various guests. This year’s award-winning dishes included Cranberry Salsa, Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots, Kale and Butternut Squash Salad, Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes, Garlic Parmesan Sweet Potatoes, Homemade Biscuits with Honey Butter and of course, the perfect Roasted Turkey. Somehow everyone saved room for dessert and enjoyed homemade Apple Pie, Chocolate Hazelnut Tart with Roasted Marshmallows, and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 81
82 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
entertaining CREATE YOUR OWN Friendsgiving is always fun because everyone has a hand in the production! To simplify things, each member signed up for a dish to make so there were no duplicates, and the hostess provided the turkey. Besides setting the table and nailing down the menu, the most important part of any dinner party is perfecting the atmosphere. The “Dinner with Friends” playlist on Spotify always provides the ideal mix of music to help set the mood. Also, candles lining the table create a warm, welcoming vibe to make guests comfortable in any home. The highlight of this Friendsgiving was when a thunderstorm rolled through right as we sat down to eat. While the thunder rumbled and the rain fell outside, we dimmed the lights, lit more candles and chatted for hours, surrounded by all the friends we love.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 83
entertaining entertaining in the kitchen November officially marks the start of the holiday season. When houseguests come to visit from far and wide, why not surprise them in the morning with homemade donuts? These delicious Cinnamon and Sugar Donuts are always a hit at my house. Enjoy!
Cinnamon and Sugar Donuts
84 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
inentertaining the kitchen
Ingredients 2 cups flour 1 ½ cups sugar 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. salt 1 large egg, lightly beaten 1 ¼ cups milk 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted 2 tsp. vanilla
For cinnamon/sugar dredge: 1 stick (8 Tbsp.) unsalted butter, melted 1 cup sugar 1 tsp. cinnamon
Check out Jim Norton on social media! www.thenortonrecipe.com Facebook @thenortonrecipe Instagram @the_norton_recipe
Instructions Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a donut tin well with non-stick baking spray. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Add egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla. Using a whisk, blend the wet ingredients into the dry until just combined. Using either a spoon or a pastry bag, fill each donut tin approximately three quarters full. Bake 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick tests clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 5 minutes before removing. Turn upside down and tap donuts out. Combine cinnamon and sugar for topping in a small bowl and melt 8 Tbsp. of unsalted butter. To top the donuts with the cinnamon/sugar dredge, simply swirl one side of each donut in the melted butter then dip immediately into the sugary mixture to coat. November 2019 • athomemms.com | 85
86 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 87
88 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
SOURCES
dining out
16 | HEALTHY YOU
Special thanks - Michelle Johns mjohns@transformingwellness.com
20 | HOME FEATURE
Special thanks - Alexandra Lauren Interior Design alexandralauren.com
42 | IN THE GARDEN
Special thanks - Dale Skaggs of Dixon Gallery & Gardens Dixon.org
60 | EXPERIENCE THIS + DINING OUT
Special thanks - Glenda Hastings of Napa Cafe and Donna’s Table napacafe.com
76 | ENTERTAINING
Special thanks - Ginni Jones, Event Design ginnijones1@gmail.com 901.692.1044 Shira Marie Photography www.shiramariephoto.com Social www.social-memphis.com 901.766.6746 Kamille Betts Martin Owner of BettsMade bettsmade@gmail.com 901.356.5519
84 | IN THE KITCHEN
Special thanks - Jim Norton thenortonrecipe.com
90 | ON A GOOD NOTE
Special thanks - Soles4Souls soles4souls.org
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 89
on a good note Hajra Motiwala, PA-C & Carson Strickland, MD
Dr. David Richardson
Soles4Souls
Story: Emily Adams Keplinger | Photos: Courtesy of Soules4Souls
This time of year, many people make an extra effort to count their blessings. That can be true for those who give as well as those who receive. “This is a time for us to give back,” says Dr. David Richardson, an orthopedic surgeon at Campbell Clinic who specializes in foot and ankle care and is the founder of the Memphis Soles4Souls event. “We are thankful that we are in a position to provide shoes and socks and medical care for those who cannot obtain those things on their own.” This is the 13th year that the annual Soles4Souls event will take place in Downtown Memphis. “The program, initially called Our Hearts to Your Soles, was founded in Pittsburgh, PA, in 2004 by then high school student Matt Conti and his father Dr. Steve Conti, a foot and ankle orthopedic specialist and colleague of mine,” explains Dr. Richardson. “When the program went national in 2007, the organization linked up with Soles4Souls to have the shoes provided, and Memphis was one of the first expansion sites. That’s also when the local partnership began between Campbell Clinic and Memphis Union Mission.” “Every year, during the week of Thanksgiving, the foot specialists at Campbell Clinic do a free clinic for our guests, to address whatever foot issues they might have,” says Howard Terada, communications and donor relations director for Memphis Union Mission. “We started at the main shelter at 383 Poplar, then moved across the street to 600 Poplar where we have more space. The timing of this event is intentional, giving a tangible meaning for being thankful, as well as trying to get good shoes on feet prior to the coldest weather.” Terada continues, “We exist to minister to the 90 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019
Howard Terada
physical, spiritual and emotional needs of individuals who are homeless, addicted or in crisis. Most of the Soles4Souls participants are men who are staying at the Memphis Union Mission as homeless guests. But there are others, including homeless women, who come to the event from word-of-mouth within the local community.” And while those receiving free shoes, socks and foot care are certain to be grateful, Dr. Richardson says, “For me, this is a time to be thankful for all the people who make this event happen. At Campbell Clinic, our mission is to provide excellence in patient care and orthopedic leadership in community service. Working with Memphis Union Mission has allowed us access to those in need who are often in the shadows. Outside of food and shelter, socks and footwear are some of the greatest needs of those in the homeless community.” “I’m thankful for the folks at Memphis Union Mission who work year-round with those who are less fortunate,” he adds, “And I’m thankful for those at Campbell Clinic who do so much to make this event happen, like our employees who work at the Campbell Foundation to organize the sock drive (700 pairs of socks were donated last year). I’m also thankful for those organizations that contribute to Soles4Souls; Red Wing, which donates shoes, and Dignity U Wear, which donates socks. Last year approximately 130 people received shoes, socks and exams.” This year’s event will take place on Tue., Nov. 26, starting at 9 a.m., with a line expected to start forming around 8:30. For more information or to make a donation, visit memphisunionmission.org, contact Karen Watson at campbell-foundation.org. or call 901.759.3233.
November 2019 • athomemms.com | 91
92 | At Home Memphis & Mid South • November 2019