SHORELINES

While recollections of Christmas gis from childhood may fade over time, the memories of food and gatherings with friends and family instantly return with the first smells of Christmas pine needles. at holds true for Georgia native Amanda Wilbanks, author of "Southern Baked: Celebrating Life with Pie" and founder of the Southern Baked Pie Company. As a child, she began her Christmas Eve in the same magical way every year. "Every Christmas Eve was spent at my Aunt Betty Jeanne and Uncle Bob's house on Lake Burton," Wilbanks says. "It was always a formal black-tie affair, and I remember as a young child getting dressed up in my red velvet dress with stockings and dress shoes. We would stand in anticipation at their front door, which would open to a dining table set with her exquisite china and fall in love with her Christmas décor, which included a tree in every single room." Aunt Betty Jeanne had an all-white dining room and would decorate it differently every year. She loved to cook and entertain, which added to the magic of the season. "Christmas in the South can sometimes feel a bit balmy," Wilbanks says with a laugh. "at's what made going to Lake Burton so special. Driving to the lake, it was a bit cooler and you felt like you were driving through the forest heading for a Christmas surprise." Celebrating holidays at the lake doesn't need to be fussy to be special. Wilbanks recommends that you keep it simple so that you can spend time at the lake relaxing. "Prepare as much as you can at home ahead of time since oentimes you don't have all of your spices and other unique ingredients at the lake," she suggests. " You can also make it easier by purchasing dishes and just making a few things that you enjoy preparing." Sweets have always been one of Wilbanks' favorite things to prepare. As soon as guests would walk into the door at Aunt Betty Jeanne and Uncle Bob's, they'd be handed a glass of Spoon- Worthy Eggnog that was an elegant before-dinner cordial. Wilbanks continues that tradition, preparing it every year. Her Cranberry-Pear Pie, which tastes like Christmas in a dish, is perfect to take to the lake because it can be made ahead of time. It tastes even more delicious with a scoop of ice cream served on the side. And, the holidays would not be complete for Wilbanks without her grandmother Betty's Christmas Scramble. Her grandmother still gives Wilbanks and her cousins tins of Christmas Scramble each year to take home on Christmas Eve. Bring the taste of the holidays to your own lake gathering with a few of Wilbanks' special recipes. Celebrate a sweet Christmas at the lake AUTHOR AMANDA WILBANKS SHARES SOME OF HER BEST HOLIDAY RECIPES AND IDEAS. By Susan Ray 4 | 2018 Vol: 4

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