Christmas Giveaway - Christmas All Through the South - Southern Living

  

Photos courtesy of Southern Living

First of all, Merry Christmas everybody!  It's that time of year again...my absolutely favorite.  A time that was so magical as a child, and yet still finds a way to be magical as an adult.  All of the twinkling lights, hot cocoa, holiday movies and music makes my heart happy.  And let's not forget the true meaning of Christmas!

Today, I bring you a truly magnificent Christmas book by the awesome editors at Southern Living - Christmas All Through the South.  When I first received this book to review, I was delighted with the cover.  It's so festive and pretty, and it's made a beautiful display on my kitchen counter this holiday season sitting on its easel.  It's a rather large book filled with gorgeous, full-color photos, which I love.

Photos courtesy of Southern Living

Here's a blurb from the official press release:
"Combining all the elements for which Southern Living is know and revered - food, travel and gorgeous homes - this books is a joyous journey around the region that showcases the unparalleled  hospitality, rich history and larger-than-life celebrations that are the Southern holiday way." 

Photos courtesy of Southern Living

One of my very favorite aspects of the book are the personal stories from all over the region.  Reading through them truly put me in the Christmas spirit.  There's a great Foreword by Rick Bragg, and the book is broken out into 5 Parts:  Joyful Anticipation, Delightful Destinations, Heartfelt Gatherings, Sparkling Celebrations and Festive Recipes.

I particularly loved the photos of Southern homes all decorated for the holidays.  They gave me some wonderful ideas and inspiration for what to do with my own home.  

I found the dessert recipes in this book to be particularly spectacular.  I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after seeing the recipes in the Christmas Morning Brunch and The Grand Finale/Christmas Cakes sections.  The giant stacks and tiers of Hummingbird Pancakes, Italian Cream Pancakes and German Chocolate Pancakes resemble tall layer cakes more than pancakes - a true feast for the eyes!  The Chocolate-Toffee-Gingerbread Cake, Layered Peppermint Cheesecake and Gilded Bourbon-Chocolate Cake had my mouth watering.

Photos courtesy of Southern Living

  
The dinner menus found within each section are also special, and I love that there's a summary of all of these recipes in the back of the book.  It's a well thought-out book that you'll cherish for years to come, for sure.

If you'd like a copy of this great book, please enter my rafflecopter giveaway below...It's super duper easy to cast your entry! 
  Good luck, friends!  :)

Photos courtesy of Southern Living

  IMPORTANT NOTE:  If you enter by leaving a blog comment, don't forget to click the "I Commented" green tab on the rafflecopter widget below.  If you don't, it will not count your entry.

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