Seems like everyone wants to emulate the South these day. Whether folks are "putting up" Mason Jars of Pickled Okra or adding a track of Shelby Lynn to their Playlist, the South has an irresistible draw. Here are a few ways to capture the sweet-as-Sorghum charm of the South for your next gathering or event.
Make it Homey. Of course, the heart of Southern Culture is the family home. Add some homespun nostalgia to your event by using items that could have been plucked from your Grandma's house. A honeypot filled with fresh cut flowers creates a wonderfully unique table centerpiece. Other homey items to consider:
-Vintage Silver
-Family Portraits
-Aging Photographs
-Family Photo Album
-Hurricane Lamps
-Antique Pepper Mill
Make it Farmy. Incorporating a farmy element will give your event a nice Southern rustic distinction. I suggest using classic farm tables (around ten feet in length) for dining instead of round tables. Typically, farm tables would be surrounded by benches. This creates a nice opportunity for a "family-style" dining. Also, filling hearty wooden bowls with fresh harvest vegetables for table decor will dramatcially punch up the farm element. Continue to accessorize with old farming and gardening tools or anything that may have been found around the farm for that matter. Old shovels, tins, chicken coops. My mother sets out her food for guests on an old carpenter's table treated with milk-paint for an extra weathered look. Guests get a kick out of it and always inquire about the origin of the piece.
Make it Bright. Cherry Red. Marmalade. Mint. Southerners love color so being bold with your palette is one of the best ways to dail up the Southern Charm for your next event. This is also a perfect opportunity to mix and match items your may otherwise think "I really like it, but it's a little much."
What to Serve:
-Apple Pie with Cornmeal Crust
-Sweet Potato Pancakes (silver dollar size for appetizer)
-Blackberry Margaritas
-Frogmore Stew (made with Georgia Brown Shrimp)
-Rustic, homemade Grits
Make it Literary. The Soul of the South is a collaboration from great writers like Eudora Welty, William Faulkner, and Tennessee Williams. Incorporate the soul of Southern Literature into your event by incorporating assorted Southern classics (early editions if you have them) like To Kill a Mockingbird and As I Lay Dying into your table vignettes. Arrange the piles of books in an aestetically pleasing way.
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