Country Living articles from April 2009

Country Living archives from April 2009

As a knitter and crocheter.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... As a knitter and crocheter, I really enjoyed February's "For the Love of Color," on Jutta Verde Rosa. I just adore her handmade afghans. --CAITLIN LETTMAN, MADISON, WISC. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Mother knows best.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... I felt so excited to find a dining room table just like mine in your 2009 House of the Year. The one I have was something I asked my son to build in his high school shop class, but he didn't like it. You have no idea how tickled I was to show...

Stone alternative.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... When we renovated our kitchen in 2007, we opted for a wood countertop instead of granite. We found a local company that specialized in reclaimed wood products, and our tung-oiled cherry work surface became a real labor of love. We're not...

Doll-making dreams.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2009... What a pleasure to see February's "The Dollmaker" on Christine LeFever's papier-mache figurines. Christine has inspired me to continue with my own craft: making porcelain and rag dolls. It's my dream to retire one day soon and contribute more...

I * spring!(EDITOR'S JOURNAL april)(Editorial)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Forget New Year's Eve. If there's one time when I'm really ready to turn over a new leaf, it's right now. With all due respect to T.S. Eliot, I'd argue that April is the kindest month--or at least the most hopeful one. It's like the morning of...

Bird-watch: what better way to welcome the season than with a flock of avian-themed accessories?(HOME FRONT)
April 1, 2009... HOME FRONT 16 marketplace 20 make me over 24 country classic FOR YOUR NEST Harbingers of the season, red robins enliven the morning. Their unexpected perch inside this teacup offers a cheerful reminder of springtime joys...

A new use for mismatched China: turn a collection of castoffs into an alice in wonderland-inspired lamp.(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... SOURCE Stylist Paul Lowe amassed an assortment of vintage china from his many flea market jaunts hunting for props. After seeing a photograph of a lamp made from a single teapot, he decided to create his own more elaborate variation. ...

The Alphabet Sampler: a needlework tradition for centuries, the alphabet sampler delights collectors and cross-stitchers with its handmade, graphic appeal.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... THEN... ORIGIN Newbury, Mass., 1804. PURPOSE From the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s, samplers were just that--displays of a young girl's plain and fancy stitching skills, which often included a depiction of the alphabet. DETAILS By...

Easy easter crafts: celebrate the season with these four fun spring projects.none of them requires much in the way of time, skill, or money--but the results rival even the fanciest store-bought decorations.
April 1, 2009... IDEA NOTEBOOK 32 inspiration 38 supply closet There's a reason people love to dye Easter eggs: Simple and family-friendly, this classic holiday activity yields beautiful results with very little effort. The crafts on the following...

Diy 1.(supply for knitting and baking)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... FREE PATTERNS Visit the quarterly online newsletter Knitty.com for hundreds of free, out-of-the-ordinary knitting patterns--check out the adorable sock-topus toy, a great way to use up scrap yarn, and the musk ox-inspired Ooming-mack...

Expert advice.(Supply Closet)
April 1, 2009... I keep each of my unfinished projects tucked into its own canvas bag. All my materials stay tidy and together, and the tote is easy to carry for on-the-go work. CREATIVE DIRECTOR OF COATS & CLARK, THE NEEDLECRAFT PURVEYOR;...

Pocketful of posies.(Supply Closet)
April 1, 2009... These delicate, handmade cotton flowers from the Czech Republic were originally used in millinery, but their wire stems easily adapt to decorate gifts or create a no-wilt nosegay. Lavender primroses, $8/12; narcissuses, $22/10;...

Thread lightly.(handicraft supplies)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Betz White merges her eco-sensibilities with cool crafts in Sewing Green (Stewart, Tabori & Chang; $25). In this, White's second book, she explains how to repurpose thrift-store finds, incorporating their designs and details into 25 projects...

Yarn done right.(Supply Closet)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... The Vermont Organic Fiber Company brings the organic movement to your knitting bag. Spun from the wool of sheep raised on pesticide-free pastures in accordance with the Organic Trade Association's fiber processing standards, no chemical dyes or...

Finely wrought: durable and classic, Vintage iron furniture is built to last.
April 1, 2009... COLLECTING 46 antiques 52 what is it? what is it worth? Long prized for its sturdiness and craftsmanship, wrought-iron outdoor furniture is bent and hammered into shape by hand--unlike mold-made cast-iron items, whose parts...

German easter eggs, an elegant glass lamp, and a sturdy bench: professional appraiser helaine fendelman evaluates and appraises your collectibles and antiques.(COLLECTING)(Column)
April 1, 2009... what is it worth? EASTER TREATS Larger examples of these four-to six-inch cardboard eggs (up to 12 inches long), once used as displays in department stores, can command up to $1,000--much more than their smaller counterparts, which go...

SNAP shot.(antique dealer's collection)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Dealer Kathy Tarr at her Victorian Rose booth with 50 teacups made by the British company Shelley, renowned for its fine bone china and decadent chintz patterns. "Before World War II, no English lady got married without registering for...

Navigating a nursery: nursery owner Flora Grubb shares her top 10 plant-shopping secrets.
April 1, 2009... LIVING 60 in the garden 66 clippings 68 pets 70 ready to wear 75 the good life Ah, spring! Gardeners await its arrival each year after what can feel like an interminable winter. With the temperature rising, the...

Exotic Seeds.(Clippings)
April 1, 2009... Spice up your potager by planting vegetables from different regions of the world. Seeds from Italy (growitalian.com) specializes in uncommon Italian edibles, while Kitazawa Seed Company (kitazawaseed.com) offers hard-to-find Asian ones. From...

Water saver.(Clippings)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A typical garden hose gushes 12 gallons of water a minute. Conserve precious [H.sub.2] O by using a screw-on nozzle from Water geeks Laboratories. With seven settings--including shower, jet, and mist--you can avoid waste by adjusting the flow...

Hand protection.(Clippings)
April 1, 2009... Unlike creams laden with unhealthy chemicals, Gardener's Skin Repair lotion by Kirklands' Wood moisturizes skin with comfrey, lavender, aloe vera, and coconut oil. This refreshingly scented balm, which also contains soothing arnica, comforts...

Expert advice.(Clippings)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Don't worry if you didn't get your bulbs in the ground this fall. Potted tulips and daffodils sold at supermarkets can be planted outdoors for a hit of instant spring. Choose those with tight green buds, and position them out of extreme wind...

Preventive care: rejuvenate your pets' daily rituals-and maintain their health, says Julia Szabo.(LIVING pets)
April 1, 2009... DURING CHALLENGING ECONOMIC TIMES, regular ckeckups become even more important. That way, says Dr. Louise Murray, director of medicine at the ASPCA's Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital, "Health issues are detected early, when they're likely to be...

Cowgirl flair: Amie Sikes, co-owner of the texas-based junk gypsy company--the online shop gypsyville .com--shares her secrets to achieving ...(LIVING ready to wear)
April 1, 2009... "My look doesn't feel complete without something vintage--items with history help ground any outfit." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] --Amie Sikes 1 statement piece Dramatic jewelry turns even a plain T-shirt into a fashion statement....

Outstanding in the field.({NOTES FROM THE FARM})(food sources)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... "People have never been more curious about where their food comes from," says California chef Jim Denevan (far right), the founder of Outstanding in the Field, a 10-year-old Santa Cruz, Calif.-based organization that masterminds field-to-table...

Farm dinners.(the good life)
April 1, 2009... LET'S EAT Outstanding in the Field's farm dinners take place everywhere from cornfields on Nantucket to meadows on a historic farm in Minnesota to olive orchards on California's central coast. The festivities generally get under way in the late...

April moon phases.(the good life)
April 1, 2009... Gaze at the late-night sky on April 21 and 22 and catch a glimpse of the superbright Lyrid meteor shower. Expect to see around 10 "shooting stars" an hour. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Wildflowers.({THE JOY OF ... })(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Each spring, with little or no prodding whatsoever, wildflowers do what they do best--burst forth in riotous swaths of color on hillsides, vacant lots, state parks, highway meridians, and countless anonymous patches of dirt nationwide. During...

Peeps.(Just Born Inc.'s candy)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A SUGARY SIGN of the season, Peeps marshmallow candies have been popping up in Easter baskets since 1953. Although Just Born, the Bethlehem, Pa.-based company that makes Peeps, originally specialized in chocolates, today it stays busy churning...

Jacob Hill Inn.(INN OF THE MONTH)
April 1, 2009... A RESTORED 1722 farmhouse and barn lie at the center of the Jacob Hill Inn, a 12-room bed-and-breakfast on five acres in Seekonk, Mass. In addition to spacious rooms--each with a fireplace and wireless Internet--the laid-back inn also offers a...

Plant it forward.({OUR COUNTRY SIDE})(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... April 24 marks Arbor Day, a time when families, Boy and Girl Scout troops, baseball teams, church groups, and hundreds of municipalities nationwide join together to plant trees for future generations to enjoy. Although frequently taken for...

Garden signs.(MAKE-DO)
April 1, 2009... Ever wonder what to do with inexpensive stainless steel forks that are past their dinnertime prime? Contributing editors Teri Edwards and Serena Thompson (a.k.a. the Farm Chicks) shared this clever idea for transforming them into temporary row...

RICH IN.({NATURAL BEAUTY})
April 1, 2009... RICH IN beta-carotene, carrots keep eyes sharp, lungs healthy, and skin clear. Ancient Greeks and Romans valued the bright orange root for its medicinal properties, and today, more than 100 varieties can be found growing in gardens worldwide....

Houses with wide and welcoming porches: porches became an American staple in the mid-19th century. Today, their presence signifies relaxation and neighborliness-and can significantly add to a home's curb appeal.({REAL ESTATE SAMPLER})(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... TURN-OF-THE-CENTURY CHARM Located 4 blocks from downtown Palestine--a town 100 miles south of Dallas--this c. 1902 Queen Anne Victorian features wraparound front and back porches that face a landscaped garden blooming with echinacea,...

The country living eco-challenge yes, you can reduce your environmental impact in one month--without giving up modern conveniences. Just make one of these 30 small (and easy!) changes each day in April for major results.
April 1, 2009... {1} Return wire hangers to the dry cleaner. BECAUSE: More than 3.5 billion hangers reach landfills each year, amounting to 200 million tons of steel that could be put to new use. {2} Tighten your gas cap until it clicks three times....

14 events not to miss.({COUNTRY CALENDAR})(festivals)(Brief article)(Calendar)
April 1, 2009... GEORGIA GEORGIA'S LARGEST EASTER EGG HUNT April 12; the Garrison House, Homer. This 50-year-old event, which takes place at a local family's private residence and is open to the public, features more than 100,000 hard-boiled and candy eggs;...

Dogwood festivals: take in one of spring's prettiest sights--the blooming of dogwood trees--at these seasonal celebrations.(ON THE ROAD)
April 1, 2009... Since 1960, the month-long Dogwood Arts Festival has brought fine art shows, garden tours, jazz concerts, and a crafts market to Knoxville, Tenn., home to some of the country's largest dogwood trees; dogwoodarts.com. Fayetteville, N.C.,...

Virginia's Historic Garden Week.({SPOTLIGHT ON ... })
April 1, 2009... Known as the country's "largest open house," Virginia's 76th annual Historic Garden Week, held April 18-25, features tours of more than 250 of the state's most beautiful historic houses and private gardens. Highlights include Tuckahoe...

Better your community.({GIVING BACK})
April 1, 2009... April 19-25 is National Volunteer Week. Nominate your favorite do-gooder for the President's Volunteer Service Award (winners receive a commendation from the White House; visit pointsoflight.org to learn more), or log on to 1-800-volunteer.org...

Green guides--online.(SITES TO SEE)(Brief article)(List)
April 1, 2009... Looking for ways to celebrate? Head to one of these Web sites: CAMPAIGNEARTH.ORG Sign up for this site's monthly challenges, which offer simple ways to gradually green your life--from drying clothes outdoors on sunny days to buying local...

April 17-19.({MARK YOUR CALENDAR})(International Quilt Festival )(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... If you're planning to attend the International Quilt Festival in Rosemont, Ill., make sure to stop by the Country Living Classics exhibit. Thirty quilts designed and stitched by readers--including Pennies from Heaven (left) by Gretchen E....

New & Noteworthy.(Cultivating Life)(Brief article)(Book review)
April 1, 2009... Available April 1, Sean Conway and Lee Alan Buttala's new book, Cultivating Life (Artisan; $23)--the companion to Conway's eponymous TV series--offers more than 125 backyard projects, crafts, and seasonal recipes that can help transform even a...

Colonial revival: with her affinity for warm and serene interiors and an ardent love for the landscape, Nancy Taylor brought new life to a tottering 18th-century Rhode Island farmhouse and its weed-choked garden.
April 1, 2009... The house near the town of Westerly, R.I., had been uninhabited for a decade. Built in 1776 by a farmer on land purchased from the Narragansett Indians in 1731, the dwelling had seen six additions over the centuries, some so old that they were...

Pretty in link: everything, takes on a rosy glow at Elizabeth and Kevin mead's long Island, N.Y., home--where an exuberant application of spring's favorite color keeps the family of four in a good mood.
April 1, 2009... Homeowner Elizabeth Mead (shown opposite) found this drapery fabric at a Carleton V sample sale. Elizabeth loved the fabric so much, she used what was left over to cover the living room armchair and throw pillows. The walls were painted...

Keeping it rural: Jophie Purdy and Craig Meili two young farmers who share close ties to the land made a commitment one afternoon to their love and their community, with a wedding as natural as the outdoors.
April 1, 2009... YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO CELEBRATE THE WEDDING OF Jophie Purdy AND exaia Meili MEILI FARM AMENIA, NEW YORK DINNER AND DANCING FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY She found him on match.com, and his picture intrigued her: He...

Garden variety: want to bring eternal spring into your home? Start with flowers-on wallpaper, China, and fabric. Best of all, once in place, these blooms need no care other than your enjoyment!
April 1, 2009... An oversize accordion photo album showcases pretty wallpaper picks: 1 Secondhand Rose, 2 Brunschwig & Fils, 3 Thibaut, 4 Pierre Frey, 5 Seabrook, 6 Ethan Allen, 7 Osborne & Little, 8 Secondhand Rose, 9 Designers Guild, 10 Colefax and Fowler, 11...

A greenhouse goes glam: in this tiny retreat behind Heather Cameron's house, the flowers are mostly on fabrics and sun sparkles off Crystal Chandeliers.
April 1, 2009... TRASH TO TREASURES Heather found nearly all the furnishings at Vintage Home, a business in Abbotsford, British Columbia, that repurposes fabrics, collectibles, and old furniture. CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Flower-strewn linens get new life on...

Cajun comfort food: award-winning New Orleans Chef Donald link dishes up down-home recipes from his new cookbook.
April 1, 2009... COOK BOOK 130 cajun comfort food 138 tastings I grew up on the back roads and bayous of southwest Louisiana, a place I did not fully appreciate until later in life. It took me a while to recognize the value of the region's...

Expert tip.(Tastings)
April 1, 2009... Try natural ingredients instead of artificial dyes to tint frosting. For gorgeous pinks, stir in beet juice; add blueberry juice to the pink and it turns a fabulous purple. Or use a pinch of turmeric for bright yellow. OWNER, BABYCAKES...

Editor's pick.(Tastings)
April 1, 2009... Light and airy, these nutty candy crackles hail from Dufflet, Toronto's premier sweet shop. Try the award-winning Chocolate Crackle or the Caramel Crackle (second from top), a mix of almonds, pistachios, and sea salt. $12/5.3 oz,;...

A drizzle of Earth & Vine Provisions' sweet.(balsamic dressing)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... A drizzle of Earth & Vine Provisions' sweet, tangy tangerine fig Balsamic perks up salads, meat marinades, and-believe it or not -vanilla ice cream! $8; earthvine.com. To win one of 10 Earth & Vine Provisions' condiment sets, which include the...

In season now: radishes.(nutritional aspects, varieties, and recipes)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... Rich in folic acid and potassium, crisp, peppery spring radishes also pack fiber, magnesium, and vitamin C. Look for heirloom varieties, such as April Cross, Cherry Belle, and French Breakfast, at your farmers' market. Make sure to choose...

For the cook.(thekitchn.com and The Old Farmer's Almanac Everyday Cookbook )(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... 1 SITE TO SEE Thanks to informative, fun-to-read daily blogs and recipe reviews from professional food writers across the country, thekitchn.com entertains--and instructs. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 BACK TO BASICS The Old...

House Plans you can buy: the linworth packs significant square footage into a single story.(ranch house architectural design)(Brief article)
April 1, 2009... With its wide, single-floor layout, this home combines the openness of a 1950s ranch with the traditional appeal of a Colonial. Twin dormers let light into the great room, and an arcade porch adds interest to the facade. Inside, a...

Simple country pleasures.
April 1, 2009... The man who has planted a garden feels that he has done something for the good of the world.