Table of contents for May 2020 in Southern Living (2025)

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Southern Living|May 2020Great EscapesWHEN MY WIFE, Susan, and I were shopping for an apartment in Brooklyn many moons ago, one of our top priorities was outdoor space, which was about as rare as a good parking spot on a rainy night. We looked for months, poring over the New York Times real estate section on Sunday mornings and showing up for crowded open houses at places that always seemed much smaller than advertised. When our determined agent, Phyllis, got a lead on a little garden apartment in a nice neighborhood, I was out of town, but Susan called me minutes after seeing it. “This is the one,” she said. As we signed the contract and made a down payment a few days later, I remember thinking two things: 1. We will never ever…3 minSee AlsoFull Text / Transcription of BNA-DIG-ARUBAANSECOURANT-1959-06Whisper Turns Stronger: Augmenting Wav2Vec 2.0 for Superior ASR in Low-Resource LanguagesSouthern Living|May 2020The Big PictureBE CONSISTENTWhile randomness might be the feel you’re going for, it also has the potential to make your walls look messy. Instead, include at least one similarity among the framed pieces you hang. “White mats work very well for this,” Wolf says. “The arrangement will seem calmer if there’s a visual through line.”MIND THE GAPSWhen hanging a group of photos together, there’s a sweet spot for making sure everything flows. Wolf recommends leaving 2 to 3 inches of space between each frame on all sides. If there is any more, things might look disjointed; any less and the wall may feel too crowded.MIX AND MATCHChoosing contrasting frame styles can be a fun way to add personality to your wall. Too much variation, however, can complicate the overall flow. Try to…2 minSouthern Living|May 2020Shaking Up SavannahMANY FAMILIES HAVE recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. For Ikeda Feingold, that recipe is a cocktail first made by her Japanese grandmother in the summer of 1970. It was a celebratory drink to toast Ikeda’s birth, crafted with shochu (a Japanese liquor similar to vodka) and infused with fruits and botanicals plucked from the garden. Nearly 50 years later, Ikeda introduced her take on the cocktail to Savannah with The 1970, a 19-ingredient, 70-proof liqueur that can be served on its own or stirred into a drink. “It’s a mix of who I am,” she says. “The idea of a cocktail is very American and European, but the flavor profile is East Asian. I love that it is this mélange of my two different sides married…3 minSouthern Living|May 2020All-Day Cafes“OPEN ALL DAY” used to appear only on diners, usually splashed in neon. Then along came all-day cafes. Defined by their bright and breezy atmospheres; locally sourced, vegetable-forward menus; and bars that serve up just as many macchiatos as martinis, these elevated, morning-noon-and-night hangouts are sweeping across the country and popping up all over the South. Now you can find delicious options from Austin to Atlanta.CAFE ROZENashville, TennesseeWhen veteran New York City chef Julia Jaksic headed south in search of a slower pace, there was one thing she didn’t anticipate. “I was on a cook’s schedule, so I was sleeping until 10:30 in the morning and discovered it was really hard to find someplace in town to get a great-tasting, healthy meal at 11 or 3,” she says. Inspired by…5 minSouthern Living|May 2020Whimsy On The WaterSome artists find inspiration in a muse, while others find it in a perfect canvas. For garden designer Holley Jaakkola, the switch immediately flipped when she first laid eyes on a verdant waterfront property in Georgia’s quaint Isle of Hope community. “There were hundreds of antique camellias, native azaleas, and lots of old boxwoods that I was really excited about,” she recalls of the large yard enveloping her family’s now-forever home outside Savannah. “We’re just surrounded by nature. It couldn’t be more serene.”But for the Jaakkolas and their two daughters, outdoor assets were only half the attraction. Anchoring the sprawling property was an 1850s Federal-style estate replete with old-timey charm, from wide front porches to original wavy glass windows pierced with bullet holes (souvenirs from the home’s Civil War days).…4 minSouthern Living|May 2020It’s Salad SeasonCrispy-Shrimp Salad with Avocado DressingACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 20 MIN.SERVES 41 lb. large peeled, deveined raw shrimp½ tsp. black pepper1 tsp. kosher salt, divided2 large eggs, beaten½ cup panko breadcrumbs6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided¼ cup packed fresh cilantro leaves2 Tbsp. plain whole-milk Greek yogurt2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)1 large avocado, pitted and halved, divided1 (5-oz.) pkg. mixed baby greens1 cup sliced English cucumber (from 1 [5-oz.] cucumber)2 medium radishes, thinly sliced1. Sprinkle shrimp evenly with pepper and ½ teaspoon of the salt. Place eggs in a shallow dish. Place panko in a separate shallow dish. Dredge shrimp in egg, shaking off excess. Dredge shrimp in panko, pressing to adhere. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp; cook until opaque…6 minSouthern Living|May 2020Gather in the GardenWHEN LAUREN LIESS isn’t designing someone’s dream home; writing her blog, Pure Style Home; publishing interior design books (she’s written two so far); or raising five kids, three dogs, and the occasional gaggle of geese—yes, really—you’ll find her in the yard. “It’s cliché, but my garden is truly my happy place,” she says.Liess, who runs an interior design company with husband David in Great Falls, Virginia, likes an indoor-outdoor type of lifestyle and cites fresh flowers, good food, and music as a few of her favorite things—all of which are found at weekend brunches and afternoon gatherings hosted in her yard.In tandem with Liess’ trademark easy-living design style, the not-your-grandmother’s garden parties are made bespoke by using whatever’s ripe and in season at the moment. She primarily goes with the…4 minSouthern Living|May 2020The Grumpy GardenerBEWARE THE INVADERS› I want a hummingbird-friendly vine for my Florida house—possibly a cat’s claw vine (Macfadyena unguis-cati). When is a good time to plant one?—ANN» That would be never. Despite its showy yellow flowers, it is notoriously invasive. This plant could rumble with wisteria or duke it out with kudzu. A much better choice is our native trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). This well-behaved vine with red, orange, or yellow spring flowers will also attract hummingbirds.DISAPPOINTING DOGWOOD› We lost a beautiful dogwood tree in our Kentucky front yard after an ice storm in 2009. We bought another one that has done well. There’s one problem—it has never bloomed, but our surviving one flowers heavily. Why?—ANNE» Assuming the tree gets plenty of sun and water, it should have bloomed by now.…4 minSouthern Living|May 2020Spring Sensations1. ESTÉE LAUDER FUTURIST HYDRA RESCUE MOISTURIZING MAKEUP BROAD SPECTRUM SPF 45An SPF-armed foundation meant for those who battle year-round dryness, the medium-coverage, 12-hour-wear formula is bolstered with probiotics and antioxidants that soothe and reduce redness while protecting from future environmental damage. $45; esteelauder.com2. OLAY CLEANSING & NOURISHING BODY WASHThis hydrating bodywash calls on trusted skin care superhero hyaluronic acid to smooth, restore, and lock in moisture. $11; olay.com3. MISS DIOR ROSE N’ROSES EAU DE TOILETTEThe citrus notes from mandarin and bergamot somehow keep this perfume’s floral base in check while also allowing every last petal to shine. $85; dior.com4. PERRICONE MD COLD PLASMA PLUS+ SUB-D/NECKDelicate areas around the neck and chest deserve a specialized approach, and this cream delivers. Skin-strengthening peptides tighten and firm for a more lifted appearance.…2 minSouthern Living|May 2020The Wisdom Of Our MothersThe relationships between mothers and daughters are often rich beyond words and full of the pleasures of sameness: two women at meaningfully different points in time who love each other boundlessly and give to each other their deepest selves as if it’s nothing at all. Daughters begin their lives by having what turns out to be a wildly engaging quality: true helplessness. They continue by offering the wit of seeing the world freshly and the beauty of becoming. Mothers give all manner of resources, among them complex protections, admonitions, and recommendations. Some mothers share verbal advice with great frequency. Others rarely do and impart their wisdom by living a certain way. In the South, the mother-daughter bond can be shaped and flavored by social customs and even the landscapes—or cityscapes—of…13 minSouthern Living|May 2020Garden to GrillLETTUCEUnlike kale or romaine, iceberg lettuce is made for the grill because its high water content keeps it from drying out and shriveling over the flames. Oil the cut sides of the lettuce wedges, and keep a close eye on them as they cook—they can go from nicely charred to burnt in minutes.Grilled Wedge Salads with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese DressingACTIVE 20 MIN. - TOTAL 20 MIN.SERVES 42 ½ oz. blue cheese, crumbled (about ⅔ cup)¼ cup mayonnaise¼ cup sour cream¼ cup whole buttermilk1 ½ tsp. white wine vinegar1 ½ tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided½ tsp. black pepper, divided1 small (about 6 oz.) head iceberg lettuce, outer leaves removed, head quartered through the core2 Tbsp. olive oil3 thick-cut bacon slices, cooked and cut into 1-inch pieces2…10 minSouthern Living|May 2020Kicked-Up BurgersCreole BurgersACTIVE 30 MIN. - TOTAL 30 MIN.SERVES 41 ½ lb. ground chuck⅓ cup thinly sliced scallions (about 3 scallions)2 Tbsp. Creole seasoning (such as Zatarain’s)¼ tsp. cayenne pepper½ cup mayonnaise2 Tbsp. chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley1 tsp. Creole mustard1 tsp. hot sauce1 tsp. fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon)1 medium-size red onion, sliced into ¼-inch rounds1 Tbsp. olive oil4 brioche hamburger buns, lightly toasted1 large romaine lettuce heart, sliced (about 1 cup)1. Preheat a grill to medium (350°F to 400°F). Place ground chuck, scallions, Creole seasoning, and cayenne in a medium bowl. Using hands, gently combine. Shape mixture into 4 patties, and place on a plate. Clean bowl thoroughly. Stir together mayonnaise, parsley, mustard, hot sauce, and lemon juice in cleaned bowl; set aside.2. Place patties on oiled grates. Grill,…1 minSouthern Living|May 2020Sip, Sip, Hooray!Drink Your Greens SmoothieCombine 1 ½ cups loosely packed spinach leaves, ⅔ cup vanilla whole-milk yogurt, ⅔ cup bottled coconut water, ½ cup ice cubes, 1 small banana, and ½ ripe avocado in a blender. Process until smooth, 45 to 60 seconds.Sunshine SmoothieCombine 1 ½ cups matchstick carrots, 1 cup frozen mango chunks, 1 cup vanilla whole-milk yogurt, ½ cup fresh orange juice, ½ cup ice cubes, and 1 Tbsp. honey in a blender. Process until smooth, 45 to 60 seconds.Nutty Strawberry SmoothieCombine 3 cups hulled and halved fresh strawberries, ½ cup almond milk, ½ cup ice cubes, 2 Tbsp. creamy peanut butter, 1 Tbsp. honey, and 1 small ripe frozen banana in a blender. Process until smooth, 45 to 60 seconds.PROP STYLING: AUDREY DAVIS; FOOD STYLING: EMILY NABORS HALL…1 minSouthern Living|May 2020Sow and Grow1. SUNFLOWERSFor early-summer blooms, plant seeds in rich, moist soil following a good rain after the last spring frost. The stalks may require staking as they grow tall and top-heavy. Cut sunflowers for seasonal arrangements.2. ZINNIASLollygagging gardeners can wait until late spring or even early summer to sow the seeds of heat-loving zinnias. Generously water and fertilize for bright color until fall.3. SPIDER FLOWERSSpread quick-sprouting spider flower seeds in warm soil along the fence line of your garden because they self-sow rapidly and grow into large, showy shrubs. Snip a few blossoming stems for textural bouquets.4. MARIGOLDSDeadhead spent flowers to make marigolds last from summer until fall’s first frost. Fill a vase with a cluster of these aromatic blooms.5. NASTURTIUMSPlant easy-to-grow nasturtiums in hanging baskets with sandy, well-drained soil. Get…1 minSouthern Living|May 2020Best of the BunchPick Versatile ContainersChoose washable wooden bread bowls that Mom can reuse for dinner parties or decor. Line the insides with plastic or waterproof foil. Then add potting soil, flowers, and foliage.Mix Pretty and Practical PlantsFill each bowl with white scaevolas, blue plumbagos, ‘Lucita’ echeverias, and flapjack plants.Make Them LastLeave plants in bowls no longer than two weeks. Indoors, give them bright light and water sparingly. (To prevent overwatering, we use a turkey baster to target the roots directly.) After Mother’s Day, place plants outside to accent garden beds. Scaevolas spread as ground covers, plumbagos grow into blooming shrubs, and the sculptural succulents thrive in full sun. Water regularly.ROBBIE CAPONETTO; STYLING: BUFFY HARGETT MILLER…1 minSouthern Living|May 2020Southern TailsPETIQUETTEStyling TricksInterior designer Claire Zinnecker shares her best tips for creating a pet-friendly living room for her two rescue dogs in Austin, TexasPICK SMARTER FABRICS“If you allow pets on furniture, there’s a good chance things will get ruined,” says Zinnecker (@clairezinnecker). Keep a dog bed in the living room so you both have a designated spot. “Or cover furniture in durable fabrics like Sunbrella or Perennials, which are easy to clean and hold up to outdoor elements,” she says. Canvas and leather are also great options.CHOOSE THE RIGHT RUGGo with jute or sisal floor coverings, cowhides, or vintage rugs. “Natural fibers hide pet hair and dirt, while vintage ones have already stood up to harsh elements and aged well,” she adds.COMMIT TO CLEANINGAlong with vacuuming regularly, Zinnecker uses a large…2 minSouthern Living|May 2020Face Her FearsSissy Goff sees lots of young patients who struggle with anxiety. It affects one in four children, and girls are twice as likely to suffer. “We can’t change people’s personalities, but we can equip them to recognize worry and handle it,” she says. To help parents starting the conversation at home, Goff wrote Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World. “Have an open dialogue about everything they’re feeling,” she says. “Ask them to tell you the top three things they fret about. That’s saying, ‘We all have fears.’”MUST-HAVESComing Up RosesCelebrate Mom with hardworking finds she can use to help her garden growHOUSE CALLThe Nose KnowsDr. Megan P. Stauffer talks asthma and allergiesPREP FOR THE SEASON AHEAD„ “We see a large percentage of…2 minSouthern Living|May 2020Berry Good CobblerDeep-Dish Berry CobblerA lattice crust gives any fruit cobbler a fancy upgrade, which is why it’s often reserved for church suppers and other special meals where you want dessert to look its best. Our version is still relatively fuss-free thanks to refrigerated piecrust, though you can also use homemade pastry. Make sure the filling is bubbling before you remove the dish from the oven. This is a sign that the cornstarch has been activated so the filling will be nice and thick.Deep-Dish Berry CobblerACTIVE 15 MIN. - TOTAL 1 HOUR, 30 MIN.SERVES 84 cups fresh raspberries (about 21 oz.)2 cups fresh blackberries (about 9 oz.)2 cups fresh blueberries (about 9 oz.)½ cup granulated sugar¼ cup cornstarch2 Tbsp. butter, cut into small cubes1 Tbsp. lemon zest (from 2 lemons)2 tsp. vanilla…5 minSouthern Living|May 2020The Great Cuban Sandwich DebateIN MAY OF 2019, a New York Times crossword puzzle asked for a five-letter city famous for its Cuban sandwiches. But Miami and Tampa both have five letters, and both are famous for their Cuban sandwiches. Nevertheless, the official answer was Tampa. In its wake, a firestorm of backlash reignited an age-old dispute in print, broadcast, and social media. Then the Tampa Bay Times declared victory: “A New York Times crossword clue weighed in on the Cuban sandwich war. Guess what? Tampa won.” It intensified with a segment on NPR. Of course, this debate wasn’t new. Previously, former Miami mayor Tomás Regalado had taken aim at his neighbors to the north. “Tampa certainly has a tradition, but salami is for pizza,” he said, citing one of that city’s signature ingredients.…11 minSouthern Living|May 2020Bowled OverSweet-and-Spicy Glazed Salmon BowlsACTIVE 30 MIN. - TOTAL 30 MIN.SERVES 4⅓ cup unsalted chicken stock½ tsp. cornstarch2 Tbsp. rice vinegar1 ½ Tbsp. honey2 tsp. Sriracha chile sauce2 ½ Tbsp. toasted sesame oil, divided1 ½ tsp. kosher salt, divided4 (5-oz.) skinless salmon fillets (about 1 ½ inches thick)2 (8.8-oz.) pkg. precooked microwavable brown rice6 oz. fresh snow peas, trimmed (about 2 cups)3 scallions, diagonally sliced (½ cup)1 small English cucumber, diced (about ¾ cup)3 medium radishes, cut into matchsticks (½ cup)1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds1. Whisk together stock and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Add vinegar, honey, Sriracha, ½ tablespoon of the oil, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt; bring to a simmer over medium, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until reduced to ½ cup, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.…2 minSouthern Living|May 2020Lost in TranslationMY ACCENT is not unique. Go into any pool hall south of the Ohio River, and you will hear it pouring out, probably in song. It is not soft, not lilting. You would not hear it in Savannah or Charleston or on Government Street in Mobile or on a veranda—unless I was in the driveway, lying under a Crown Victoria and cursing a transmission. But it’s hardly unusual.On any barstool in any barbecue joint between the Chesapeake Bay and the Suwannee River, there it is. It may be quaint, even a bit slow, but the diction is clear. So why can’t my phone or computer make out a thing I say? Is there no software for the Southern soul, no app for Appalachia?I reckon not. I routinely sit at rest…2 min