How much fun was the TODAY Show!!! It was such a
treat for this Farmer to talk to Kathie Lee and Hoda about a
Southern-style holiday table! From mixing and matching dinnerware, linens,
flatware and stemware to the décor of the tablescape itself, each and every
part was memorable.
JTF, HK, and KLG chummin' it up at Studio 1A
With help from my friends at Southern Living and
their great collection of tabletop items from Dillards,
I was able to create a tablescape with true Southern flair. First off, a trio
of cake stands served as the main centerpieces that dotted down the center of the
rustic wood farm table. For the center stand, I chose the classic Southern Living white
cake that is proudly featured on the December cover each and every year. For a nod to Fall, I used
ribbons of orange peels, pecans, walnuts and pumpkin seeds that all paired
nicely with the red fondant ribbon on the cake.
Serving as sentries on either side of the cake were stacks
of clove studded oranges – which just may be one of my favorite scents! The
pomanders look great in the Fall and on through the holidays and even into
wintertime. With citrus coming in this time of year from Georgia’s southerly
neighbor, Florida, citrus has always found its way onto Southern tables and
into our recipes too. Apples, oranges and handfuls of pecans were scattered in
between the cake stands – all anchored with a burlap runner – so Southern chic
if y’all will!
Full array of Flower, Fruit, and Foliage -- 3 F's for strait A tabletop
Mason
jars are a stemware staple and glassware must in the South. If we
are not using them to drink our sweet tea from, then they might as well be
holding some flowers! Orange roses in varying hues and sizes and white
hydrangeas were casually arranged and placed amidst the cake stand trio –
giving a floral note to the table. Flowers don’t always have to be the
centerpiece proper, but they sure do make a table ever so lovely!
Magnolia leaves arranged as chargers brought the garden to
the table – literally! If y’all have never traveled with magnolia leaves from
Perry to NYC, then rest assured that they travel beautifully in Ziplock bags
with some dampened paper towels. Ha! I love white dinnerware for its neutral
aptitude throughout the seasons. Here, a stack of white dinner plates and salad
plates are layered with the napkins – another classic white shade but
monogrammed appropriately for a Southern table and in a seasonal shade. As I
told Hoda and Kathie Lee, “If it sits still in the South, we monogram it!” I
love the “fishtail” style monogram for myself, for it is fancy enough to be a
monogram but not too frilly for a gentleman Farmer.
And, y’all, the table isn’t the only part that got all
gussied up for this appearance – yours truly knew just where to shop for this
segment! Being a tall drink of water, I sometimes have a hard time finding
shirts that don’t “Gus Gus” on me – you know, roll up over my tummy when I
raise my arms like Gus the mouse on Disney’s “Cinderella.” Thankfully, Mr. Doyle
Johnson at A.D. Mathis in Gainesville, Georgia, has tailored and
custom made shirts for me for so long. The larger scaled gingham shirt is
plenty long to prevent and “Gus Gus” type of wardrobe malfunction and, of
course, sports my monogram on the cuffs.
My friends at Onward
Reserve in Atlanta suited me up the handsome Barbour
vest and Bird Dog Bay tie, jeans and Luchesse
boots too! I love a one-stop shop like Onward Reserve – they know how to
dress the gent for any occasion! Hoda even complemented my boots, so I know she
has good taste too! Ha!
After wrapping the segment, I scooted off to lunch with my
fellow Southern Living Editor-at-Large Jenna Bush Hager to
grab a bite at Todd English’s “Food Hall” at The Plaza.
We gabbed and laughed and simply caught up with one another, ate a delicious
lunch and even made sweet tea – add simple syrup from the bar to your iced tea
and voila! From lunch, I had to zip on to the airport and catch a plane to
Dallas. A fun trip – a quick trip – but still so much fun nonetheless. I could
not have done this segment or anything I do without Team Farmer keeping me in
the saddle and on track. Stacey Byrd – I had to twist her arm – my PR gal flew
up ahead of me and prepped and gathered everything just in time for our
rehearsal at Studio 1A. I cannot thank her and my team enough for all they do!
JTF and JBH teachin' folks at The Plaza how to make sweet tea
Team Farmer #orangeroomselfie
So, y’all enjoy some of these snapshots from the day and know
that it is such an honor for Southern Living to have me on board and a
privilege to share some Southern style with our friends in NYC. Happy Holidays
y’all!
Just in case y'all missed it!
