Country Living articles from August 2008

Country Living archives from August 2008

Country Living has inspired me for years.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... Country Living has inspired me for years. I usually pull one or two recipes from each issue and post them on my refrigerator. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] --CATHERINE VAN GILDER, BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, PA.

Habit of saving.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I am a Country Living reader from when Rachel Newman edited the magazine, and I want to tell you how much I loved the June 2008 issue. It covered my favorite topic: collections. I recently authored a book called Art-Making: Collections &...

Antique decor.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... I have been a subscriber to Country Living for many, many years. I was so thrilled to see the "Collective Wisdom" piece (page 113) in the June 2008 issue. I loved the whole look and feel of the 18th century-style design. It was eye-catching and...

Secret admirer.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2008... For years my boyfriend would ask me what I was going to do with all the "junk" I had been hauling around. Then I moved into my own place three years ago, and I found that there was a way to use almost everything I had accumulated over time....

This month on CountryLiving.com.(THE COUNTRY CLUB)
August 1, 2008... (1) Now is the time to start decorating with bright colors. Not sure where to start? See our favorite rainbow-hued rooms at countryliving.com/color. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] (2) Share your summer vacation pictures on our blog! Visit...

Weekends.(EDITOR'S JOURNAL)
August 1, 2008... Funny how things slip by with time. I really used to enjoy riding my bike several days a week, knowing that it was not only good exercise, but a great way to connect with my surroundings and myself. There is something almost meditative about...

Summer living; Playful pieces in tropical colors create vacation atmosphere at home.(marketplace)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2008... WEEKEND STYLE Colorful, laid-back gear means vacation days have arrived. Keep it all organized with Shaker-style page rails. For more summer must-haves, read on. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Durable cotton-canvas pillows add easy style...

The Nantucket Basket Handbag: made for use and prized for their beauty and craftsmanship, Nantucket basket handbags carry their own cache.(country classic)
August 1, 2008... THEN... ORIGIN Nantucket, Mass., c.1960. ORIGINAL USE Baskets, the first carryalls, did just that. And in the late 1940s, artisan Jose Formosa Reyes extended their utility to include women's personal sundries with his lidded handbag...

Thrifty bathroom redo: A fresh coat of paint and other budget fixes help revive a dreary bath.(make me over)
August 1, 2008... LOCATION A second-floor guest bathroom in a weekend home in the Catskill Mountains, originally built in 1890. POTENTIAL A vintage cast-iron tub, casement window, " and sloped ceiling contribute to this bath's inherent style....

If you like ... romantic-style; Get the look with tailored furniture, layered florals, and a warm palette.(get the look)
August 1, 2008... WHAT PULLS IT TOGETHER: HANDMADE DETAILS, which lend individuality to a romantic space, says Christina Strutt, author of Romantic Home Sewing (Potter Craft; $26). The book offers more than 30 simple sewing projects, from bolster pillows to...

Recycled chic: Jodi Kahn, author of Simply Sublime Bags, shares her ideas for fun, easy projects.(inspiration)
August 1, 2008... BRING YOUR OWN BAG There's no need to decide between paper or plastic if you carry one of these stylish, fun, and do-it-yourself totes designed by Jodi Kahn. What were you thinking?" is often the first thing people ask when they see...

DIY.(Supply Closet)(do it yourself)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... (1) THE GOODS For practical sewing tools and accessories that also look good, visit purlsoho.com. (2) FREE PATTERNS Burdastyle.com offers free patterns for a variety of designs, such as aprons, skirts, and eye masks. (3)...

Rack it up.(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... House your favorite spools of thread on this metal wire rack from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft. Mount it on the wall near your sewing machine for easy access. $20; joann.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Virtual sewing bee.(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... Join fellow stitchers online at sewmamasew.com/blog2 and share tips, new projects, and sewing resources. There is also an online shop where you can find patterns, notions, and cotton, linen, and bamboo fabrics; sewmamasew.com.

Fun find.(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... Protect your fingers with these malleable thimbles that are available in assorted bright colors. Jelly Fingers, $2 each; reprodepot.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Win this!(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... Amy Butler's Sew-It Kit offers 15 simple sewing projects for the home, such as how to make a floor cushion, apron, and tote bag. The kit includes instruction cards, patterns, a guidebook, and fabric. $25; chroniclebooks.com. For details, go to...

Reader-to-reader.(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... If a pin is a little dull, run it (carefully) through your hair. The tiny bit of oil it picks up will help it glide through your fabric with ease. --Meg Spacth ELSIEMARLEY.COM

Get a grip.(Supply Closet)
August 1, 2008... Make your own handbags with handles from M&J Trimming that come in a variety of sizes and styles. From $8, per handle; mjtrim.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Weather vanes & whirligigs; A passion for early American artifacts inspires wood-carver Steve Hazlett to create his signature weather vanes and whirligigs.(country living guild)
August 1, 2008... PAST & PRESENT In 19th-century America, skilled craftsmen produced whimsical weather vanes. The tradition continues today with this boat weather vane made by Country Living Guild artisan Steve Hazlett. From the stable-turned-studio...

Sand pails: professional appraiser Helaine Fendelman evaluates and appraises your collectibles and antiques.(COLLECTING)
August 1, 2008... WHAT IS IT? In the early 1900s, the public beach became a popular summer destination for Americans and Europeans. The invention of the car simply made it easier to get there. The tin sand pail quickly became a must-have accessory for...

Snapshot: at the Marburger Farm Antiques Show.(Brief article)(Photograph)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Who? Jennifer Zanetti, Atlanta-based antiques textile dealer. Where? In her booth at the Marburger Farm Antiques Show in Round Top, Texas; roundtop-marburger.com. What is your business? "I specialize in...

Gas pumps: during the peak of the American gas station in the MID-20th century, the gas pump was an iconic roadside fixture.(antiques)
August 1, 2008... From the 1920s through the 1950s, before petroleum conglomerates such as Exxon and Shell came to dominate the industry, gas pumps bearing the logos of hundreds of smaller oil and gas companies colored the American roadscape. "Oil companies were...

The organic lawn: a chemical-free lawn will help conserve time, money, your health, and the earth.
August 1, 2008... SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS Enjoy the benefits of an organic lawn. Kick off your shoes and relish the feel of cool grass between your toes. Activities, such as croquet, are fun for the whole family. MAKING THE SWITCH An organic lawn is...

Reader-to-reader.(Clippings)
August 1, 2008... Bats are a natural predator of mosquitoes. I was amazed to learn that one bat can eat 1,000 mosquitoes in an hour! To encourage bats in the yard, I've installed a wooden bat house to provide shelter. Now twilight in the garden is much less...

All-weather beauty.(Clippings)
August 1, 2008... This Chinese Chippendale-style chair is made of iron and painted in an antique red finish. Use a set for outdoor dining chairs or position a pair in a treasured spot of the garden to create a destination. $225; (407) 489-8973; 99market.org. ...

Win this!(Clippings)
August 1, 2008... Display your favorite plant in this glazed terra-cotta cachepot. From $15; campaniainternational.com for stores. For details, go to country living.com/sweeps or see page 140. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Banish biting bugs.(ECO-PICK)
August 1, 2008... Instead of reaching for harmful insecticides, try an eco-alternative: Fill these antique Victorian glass wasp traps with a solution of sugar and water to lure wasps and other pesky insects. Hang a group of them near your outdoor dining table....

Digging in.(Clippings)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... 1 Plant cool-season vegetable seeds--such as broccoli, lettuce, and kale--for a bountiful harvest this fall. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2 Make a day of it! Pack a lunch and visit some of the private gardens open to the public as...

Handy tool.(Clippings)
August 1, 2008... This versatile hybrid pruner packs a lot into its compact form, including a weeder, knife, and saw. Carry it with you for quick fixes. Hybrid pruner, $40; leatherman.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

French country: find chic French home goods at Comptoir de Famille on Boston's bustiling Newbury street.(SHOPPING Boston)(Boston, Massachusetts)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Walking into Ludovic Grandchamp's French decor shop, Comptoir de Famille, is like looking at a snapshot of his childhood. "Everything in the store reminds me of my parents' home," says Ludovic, who grew up in Paris and Lyon, France. "Milk...

Sea salt: this common kitchen ingredient is also beneficial to the skin.(natural beauty)
August 1, 2008... Therapeutic sea salts are treasured for their high mineral content, which is rich in magnesium, potassium, and calcium chloride. They are mined from former seabeds or evaporated from the seas, most famously the Dead Sea. [ILLUSTRATION...

Country critters: are they plaguing you? Julia Szabo on how to handle wildlife humanely.(pets)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... SIMPLE SOLUTIONS trash talk Raccoons (left) are notorious garbage raiders, so keep cans indoors until collection day. If you have a dog door, seal the flap shut when you're away. And don't put out bird feeders--the seeds attract all sorts...

Nine ways to beat the heat.(Brief article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... AUG. 1-3 TWO HARBORS KAYAK FESTIVAL Two Harbors, Minn. Participate in kayak races, clinics, and instructional tours on Burlington Bay; kayakfestival.org. AUG. 7-9 MONTANA ANTIQUE AIRPLANE ASSN. FLY-IN Three Forks Airport, Three Forks,...

Inn of the month; Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel.(calendar)
August 1, 2008... Four years ago, Kate Pierson of the New-Wave rock band the B-52s and partner Monica Coleman channeled their love of 1950s design and opened Kate's Lazy Meadow Motel in Mt. Tremper, N.Y. The compound, which sits on nine shady acres in the...

Fun Weekend getaways.(calendar)(Brief article)(Calendar)
August 1, 2008... FOR CRAFTERS Throughout August, meet artists who specialize in Shaker woodworking and weaving at the Shaker Woods Festival in Columbiana, Ohio; shakerwoods.com. Held Aug. 21 to 24 in Schaumburg, III., Sitches Midwest has classes for Knitters of...

Two by two; Noel Runnals and Verge Prior live and work in the house they renovated in Maine, and the welcome mat is always out, especially on weekends.(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... On summer weekends, Noel Runnals and Verge Prior entertain on the back patio with its wonderful assortment of chairs and an old pine table. They offer many of the items seen here, including the pillows and tableware, through their reproductions...

Big color lives large in a tiny house; A Nantucket cottage exhibits an outsize personality that enhances its tiny dimensions.
August 1, 2008... Against the sun-bleached landscape of Nantucket island off the coast of Massachusetts, this tiny home bursts like a brilliant poppy from the gray-green beach grass. When the current owners bought the house, cobbled together from vintage fishing...

On the Wyoming trail: On Teton Wagon Train & Horse Adventure would-be cowboys camp in Wyoming's backcountry and experience the thrill of life on the range.
August 1, 2008... On Teton Wagon Train & Horse Adventure guests can choose to travel the 10 or so miles between campsites on foot, by covered wagon, or on horseback. Experience with horses isn't required to participate, just the urge to camp and trek in scenic...

Paint, paper & personality (making it all work): recycling what she had, editor-in-chief Nancy Soriano transforms a former bedroom into a family room that offers style and comfort.
August 1, 2008... As editor-in-chief of Country Living magazine, Nancy Soriano knows what it takes to bring personal style and comfort to a room. "When we bought our 1920s Tudor-style home in Westchester County, N.Y., we set about converting what had been a...

Two hosts can be better (and more fun!) than one. So invite a friend to help throw a: garden party.
August 1, 2008... This garden party may look as if it's set in a formal garden, but it's actually in a driveway in Granville, Ohio. The secret? Movable container plants, such as agapanthus and English boxwood shrubs that can be placed around a table during the...

Gifts of summer: in late summer, farmers' markets come alive with sun-ripened fruit and fresh herbs. share their intense flavors with gifts of sauces and jams artfully presented in glass jars.
August 1, 2008... FRESH OFF THE VINE Heirloom tomatoes give this basil-infused marinara hearty flavor. Jar and present to a friend for a special summer treat. For more gift ideas, please turn the page. MAKE THIS SIMPLE COMPOTE WITH ANY SEASONAL FRUIT,...

Superdawg Drive-in Chicago.(EAT HERE)
August 1, 2008... At the retro Superdawg Drive-in on N. Milwaukee Ave., carhops have been serving all-beef franks (and crinkle-cut fries) to hungry Chicagoans since 1948. Cradled in poppy-seed buns, Superdawgs come topped with mustard, sweet relish, onions, dill...

In season: watermelon.(Tastings)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Juicy, sweet, and superhydrating, watermelon is loaded with vitamins A and C and the antioxidant lycopene--not bad for a melon that's 92 percent water! Pick one that's heavy for its size and has a creamy yellow spot on its underside, a sign...

Editor's pick.(Tastings)
August 1, 2008... With Reisenthel's durable bottle bag, it's easy to transport up to nine bottles (like Brancott's fruity 2005 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, $23, left) to picnics or parties. $15; reusablebags.com. "Enjoy" bottle gift tags, $11.50/six;...

Reader-to-reader.(Tastings)
August 1, 2008... I used to bake peach pies with my grandkids. As a joke, we always placed the pit in their great-grandfather's serving. We said whoever got the pit had to do the dishes! --Ethel ONeal Alderson ODESSA, DEL.

Clean & Green.(Tastings)
August 1, 2008... Twist's biodegradable sponges are easy on the earth-but tough on kitchen messes and spills. From $2; twistclean.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Can it!(Tastings)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... 1 Ball's Simple Creations No Cook Freezer Jam Fruit Pectin ($2) makes putting up fresh fruit a snap. Simply stir it into mashed fruit and sugar-30 minutes later, you have homemade jam. 2 Ball canning pro Lauren Devine washes and...

Win this!(Tastings)
August 1, 2008... For summer coolers and icy margaritas, enlist KitchenAid's five-speed blender, which crushes a pitcher of ice in less than a minute. $150; kitchenaid.com. For details, go to countryIiving.com/sweeps or see page 140. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

House plans you can buy; The Tanglewood: extra storage for growing families.(HOUSE PLANS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Multiple gables and dormers combined with a stone, board-and-batten, and shake exterior give this home a country-cottage feel. A covered porch leads to the foyer, which passes a half bath on the right and ends at the open-plan great room and...