EXPLORING THE RICH TAPESTRY OF THE SOUTH
&
SHARING IT WITH YOU
September 2024 Edition
Featuring...
DAHLIA DAY
AT
STONE HOLLOW FARMSTEAD
The Coastal Carolina Fair came to my hometown every year in the Fall. My family's annual visit always started the same way, a seemingly endless tour through the exhibit building to view the entries in the annual flower show. While other kids were enjoying corndogs and cotton candy before riding the Tilt-A-Whirl to the point of intractable nausea, I was in horticultural purgatory assessing the form and color of a legion of roses. It was the only part of the Fair my Mother truly enjoyed and she spent eighteen years navigating her way through the exhibit around my clearly expressed discontent. The irony can't have escaped her, then, when I asked her to accompany me this month to a dahlia exhibition and celebration in Harpersville, AL. Ever gracious, she accepted the invitation without commentary, packed her sunhat, and helped me haul a contingent of the family to Dahlia Day at Stone Hollow Farmstead.
Stone Hollow Farmstead is situated just outside of Birmingham, down a meandering dirt road flanked by cotton-dappled fields. The family-owned business brings their farm to your table with preserves, drinking vinegars, oils, popcorn and more available for purchase online. They also offer an apothecary line. While I'm not one to pass on preserves, this trip was motivated by the farm's annual floral festivities. I have been planning my own cutting garden and, with the clearing of our back acre officially on the calendar, my head is awash with dreams of dinnerplate dahlias. Dahlia Day at Stone Hollow Farmstead seemed like a fitting first stop on the journey to making those dreams a reality.
With a spectacular cut flower display, farm tours, educational opportunities, and a station to place orders for Spring tuber delivery, the experience was ideal for an aspiring dahlia grower. The event provided a rare chance to view the spectrum of dahlia form and color in one place, making tuber selections for my own garden a much simpler task. Live bluegrass, cold lemonade, flower art, and friendly farm animals ensured kid contentment, a convenience I'm certain my Mother would have appreciated all those years ago at the Coastal Carolina Fair. If you're an aspiring gardener, a seasoned grower, or just a flower fan, Dahlia Day at Stone Hollow Farmstead is a must-attend family-friendly event.
Pantry Staples to Keep on Hand for Drop-by Company
Drop-by company is both the blessing and curse of community. While constantly battling the chaos of three sons and a Labrador Retriever, it often feels more like a curse. I'm a firm believer that people notice the chaos a little less when they're distracted by the razzle dazzle of an unexpected nosh. I typically choose good quality pantry staples with a long shelf life that are easy to prep without notice. Here I've shared a few of my favorites and linked our go-to brands where applicable. The chips and mussels are taken straight out of the Katie Button playbook. Her Asheville based La Bodega is the only place I've found the Bonilla a la Vista Patatas Fritas at a reasonable price point. The cheese breaks my shelf life rule but it's an easy add to your weekly grocery list and makes an exciting Sunday snack if you haven't used it before the end of the week.
Mini Charcuterie Board with Cornichons, French Mustard, Marcona Almonds, and Crackers
Bonilla a la Vista Patatas Fritas with Tinned Mussels in Olive Oil & Vinegar
Mini Cheese Board with Fruit, Jam, and Crackers
Bon appétit! May the Neighbors and the Pastors and the Florida Cousins give you a heads up before they're at the door!
Tips for Arranging Flowers in Wide Mouth Containers
I rarely meet a flower arrangement I don't like but my favorites are those presented in wide-mouth pedestaled vessels. They possess a dynamic architectural quality that I find compelling but difficult to achieve at home without a working knowledge of the tools and tricks used by florists to craft these arrangements. For September, I am sharing a step-by-step guide to turning your locally bought bouquets into show stopping arrangements. My favorite tools are featured and linked below in this month's CW Favorites.
STEP 1: Choose your container. For this arrangement I used a vintage milk glass compote passed down from my Grandmother. STEP 2: Bunch up a piece of chicken wire and place it in the bottom of the container, securing it with a grid of waterproof floral tape. Here I used a green tape to make it easier to observe the process but I typically prefer a clear tape. STEP 3: Add water to your container. STEP 4: Begin to add your flowers and greenery, trimming stems and removing any unwanted foliage as you go and ensuring they are seated firmly in the chicken wire. Good flower scissors are a must for this step (see our September CW Favorites list below for my recommendation from Niwaki). As a general rule, your stems should be cut to a length approximately 1.5x the height of your container to achieve a nice proportion. Turn the vessel as you add stems, ensuring your arrangement will be beautiful from every angle. STEP 5: Once you're happy with your arrangement, if your floral tape is not completely covered by flowers and foliage, consider adding something like a preserved Spanish Moss to complete the look. Remember to keep your water replenished for long lasting blooms!
Curate
Whether planning a large dinner party or weeknight snacks, I usually reach for this cookbook first. Try the Confit Piquillo Peppers for a versatile meal prep food that doubles as a warm Sunday app and a weekday lunch sandwich.
Virginia Woolf's Garden
This lovely book details the history of Leonard and Virginia Woolf's country garden at Monk's House, featuring stunning photographs and delightful hand-drawn maps of the various plantings.
In the Night Garden
As the days grow shorter, reading this beautifully illustrated book is a great way to teach our children about the magic of the garden after dark.
Supplies for Your DIY Arrangements
