Country Living articles from December 2005

Country Living archives from December 2005

I am elated by the beautiful imagery conjured up by Deborah Geigis Berry's essay "A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch" (My Countryside, October 2005).(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I am elated by the beautiful imagery conjured up by Deborah Geigis Berry's essay "A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch" (My Countryside, October 2005). I could feel the crispness of October, and the anticipation of selecting that idiosyncratic pumpkin...

Capturing autumn.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... My sincere compliments to you! The beautiful photos and recipes in the Halloween issue reminded me of the magic that I felt as a child each autumn. I enjoy every issue, but October was the icing on the cake. I have already made the chocolate...

Our new home.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... Thanks to Country Living's Real Estate Sampler, my husband and I purchased a Victorian home in historic Aberdeen, Miss. We always turn to that column, where you list properties of interest for sale. The weekend after we read the October 2004...

A fruit remembered.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I was delighted to read the article "Forgotten Fruit Trees" (Your Garden, September 2005). Growing up on a small orange-grove "ranch" in Southern California, we had several fruit trees, including a persimmon and a loquat. The loquat stands out...

Seasonal splendor.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I just have to tell you how much I enjoyed the October 2005 issue. It was filled with wonderful pumpkins, leaves, gourds, berries, and all of the decorations that say "autumn." That's my kind of magazine, and I will keep this issue. I'm looking...

Old friends.(your letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2005... I just finished reading the October 2005 You & Your Pet column about adopting older pets. Over the years, my family and I have welcomed into our home many animals that were for some reason no longer wanted. We now share our home with a Pembroke...

December.(editor's journal)
December 1, 2005... The holiday season seems always to rush up on us. Once Halloween passes, it's a frantic, hurried several weeks preparing for the holidays. Shopping, cooking, wrapping gifts, and writing cards--these enjoyable but time-consuming tasks come to...

The cheer starts here.(out & about)
December 1, 2005... Christmas comes but once a year, so go all out, advise the creative experts at Seasons of Cannon Falls, a holiday-accessories manufacturer in Cannon Falls, Minn. In Celebrating Home ($29.95; Watson Guptill), their new, 144-page hardcover,...

Christmas classic.(buzz)
December 1, 2005... The No. 1 best-selling holiday china pattern in the United States. Spode's nostalgic Christmas Tree dinnerware has been used to set America's holiday tables since 1938. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Great shop.(buzz)
December 1, 2005... Located in Leesburg, Va.'s historic district, English Manor Gardens & Interiors is an inspirational 3,000-square-foot shop that carries comfy upholstered furniture, classic garden urns, and beautiful home accessories, including French armoires...

Collect it now.(buzz)(vintage holiday cards)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Thanks to their retro graphics and snappy messages, vintage holiday cards are always appealing. Look for them at antiques stores and flea markets. They usually sell for less than $10 and come in sets, sometimes with original envelopes. If you...

Inn of the month.(buzz)
December 1, 2005... With five ski areas within a 30-minute drive of its front door, the elegant Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness, N.H., makes an ideal retreat for comfort-craving skiers. Many of the historic mansion's 25 cozy, antiques-filled rooms feature...

Festival of trees: at this annual event sponsored by the Northfield Arts Guild in Northfield, Minn., the spirit of Christmas shines bright.(day trip)
December 1, 2005... Now in its seventh year, the Northfield Arts. Guild Festival of Trees (Dec. 1-4) has become a holiday destination for Minnesotans who enjoy the town's old-fashioned Christmas charm and community spirit. Local artists help trim trees for the...

Ribbons: here, 18 of our editors' favorite sources for festive holiday ribbons, candles, boxes, gift tags, and sparkly glitter.(great sources)
December 1, 2005... bargain The Container Store carries simple, inexpensive satin, organdy, and metallic wire ribbon. Prices start as low as $1.79 a roll; containerstore.com. Papermart.com has wired and iridescent metallic ribbon, and natural raffia ribbon in...

Great gifts: spread holiday cheer this season with these festive--and affordable--gifts.(country classics)
December 1, 2005... under $30 The American custom of decorating a Christmas tree with ornaments didn't become common until the late 19th century. mercury glass Lit or unlit, Anokha Inc.'s Mercury Glass candle-sticks (12"H; $28 each) make a striking...

Finally a shine that lasts: miracle polish ends struggle with tarnishing metals.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Lately, I have noticed quite a few newspapers and magazines praising a polish formulated by a homemaker. The articles report that Donna Maas grew frustrated with rubbing and scrubbing her silver, brass and other metals only to see them quickly...

"I want to send you the finest Natural Spectrum[R] Daylight Lamp--at no risk!".
December 1, 2005... I'm so confident you and your family will love our new Heritage[TM] Natural Spectrum[R] floor lamp--with the finest reading light system in the world--I'll send it to you risk-free to try in your home for 30 days. I'll also send a free gift to...

The original snowmobiles: hand-painted sleds of the 19th century provided an exhilarating means of riding snowy hills.(antiques)
December 1, 2005... There is nothing like coasting to bring a healthy glow to boy, or girl or grown-up," reads the caption in a 1908 catalogue for Flexible Flyer sleds. Color to the cheeks, a smile on the face, and yelps of joy are still the typical responses of...

Choose the fit that's right for you Riders Jeans.(Special Advertising Section)
December 1, 2005... FIT STYLE INTO YOUR LIFE Comfortable. Versatile. A great fit. Here, 5 different women tell us about their favorite jeans. "My daughter and I share everything--including our search for the perfect pair of jeans. While my daughter wears...

Holiday sheet music: professional appraiser Helaine Fendelman identifies and evaluates your collectibles and antiques.(what is it worth?)
December 1, 2005... valued at: $8 each From the 1940s until the '60s, most Americans who loved to entertain during the Christmas season had holiday sheet music tucked in their piano bench. Irving Berlin's White Christmas (above), one of the most popular of...

Vintage gifts & giftwrap: it's as much fun to give as it is to receive when you combine flea-market finds and crafts into one-of-a-kind packages.(idea notebook)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Graphic paper- and fabric-covered boxes, even egg cartons, are just a few of the vintage containers that can hold gifts. Attach a single glass ornament with ribbon, for added sparkle. IDEA: Designate a space in your house to store such finds so...

Reuse, recycle, rejoice! Train a creative eye on everyday objects--finding new uses for old things adds to the enjoyment of wrapping gifts.(inspirations)
December 1, 2005... The perfect marriage of present and presentation can yield a small work of art, suitable for display around the holidays or at any time of year. Here, diminutive Shiny-Brite ornaments of blue, green, and gold fill a vintage glass-top box that...

Handle with care: when wrapping fragile items such as ornaments or antique china, consider both a container's sturdiness and its appearance.(solutions)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Save money by shopping off-season for holiday accessories such as ornaments, figurines, postcards, and glassware. Prices in May or July will likely be a fraction of what you might expect to pay in November and December. safer by the dozen...

Good things in small packages: gathered all your materials but unsure how to proceed? Follow this guide to pairing a present with its proper box.(gift ideas)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... Twice as nice, this useful box (below) not only functions as an attractive holder for a holiday gift, it also can be reused throughout the year. Tin canisters that once held candy, coffee, or tea are also practical for storing recipe cards and...

That's a wrap: a name tag provides the perfect finishing touch on any gift, combine new and old materials to create a vintage effect.(simple project)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... * A SIMPLE APPROACH to tags, such as these white- and brown-paper examples, can be found at flea markets as well as office-supply stores. The designs have changed little over the years, so even new purchases will have a vintage feel. *...

Country Living's 2005 kitchen makeover winner.(ADVERTISING PROMOTION)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Country Living is making over America--one room at a time. Be on the lookout for more Makeovers Across America Contests in our upcoming issues for your chance to win a makeover in the family room, office, dining room, kitchen, bedroom and...

The tiniest tannenbaum: spruce up your dining-room table, holiday mantel, or windowsill with this adorable scaled-down version of the Christmas tree.(centerpiece)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... tree topper Dig through fabric scraps for a remnant you like, trace two heart shapes, and cut them out. With the fabric wrong side out, stitch hearts together, leaving an opening to turn the ornament right side out. Stuff with a small...

Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments.(holiday gift guide)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Capture those special childhood memories with Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments. New in 2005, the Every Kid's A Star soccer ornament displays a wallet size photograph and can be personalized with name and year. This collection includes ten different...

Kodak EasyShare System.(holiday gift guide)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Digital made simple. Prints made beautiful. With the powerful 5.0 MP KODAK EASYSHARE V550 Zoom Digital Camera and the Printer Dock Plus Series 3, shooting TV-quality video and beautiful pictures in seconds is one-touch simple. ...

Cookie exchange: share the spirit of the season.
December 1, 2005... BAKING COOKIES is a favorite holiday tradition, but one that often gets bumped to the bottom of the to-do list. This year, try hosting a cookie exchange. Everyone brings just one type of cookie, but each guest goes home with a whole variety of...

All that glitters: for more than two decades, collector and dealer Ronna Lee Aikins has sought out the sparkle and glamour of rhinestone jewelry, an exuberant and affordable mid-twentieth-century art form.(collecting)
December 1, 2005... One day in the early 1980s, Ronna Lee Aikins came across a striking rhinestone bracelet with multiple layers of teardrop-shaped imitation topaz and intricate filigree. "The bug bit me!" she recalls. "I knew then I would buy jewelry forever."...

Season's greetings: make sending your love to far-flung family and friends a pleasant yearly ritual with these thoughtful ideas for card writing.(home making)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... dos and don't [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Charlotte Ford, author of 21st-Century Etiquette, mails out 500 cards each year. Here, she shares her tried-and-true tips. DO keep a master list and send a card to everyone who sent you one...

Faux and fabulous.(home almanac)(Christmas trees)
December 1, 2005... Whether real or fake, nothing symbolizes the holiday like the Christmas tree. Now more popular and better looking than ever, artificial trees have evolved throughout their long history. The first faux tree, made in Germany in the late 19th...

Monarch radiators.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Monarch Products manufactures over twenty styles of all steel radiator enclosures for homes, offices, churches, schools and institutions. Stock and custom sizes available in many colors. For more information, go to our website,...

Spiral stair kits.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Since 1931, The Iron Shop[R] has enjoyed a reputation for quality and value in spiral stairs. As the leading manufacturer of spiral stair kits, The Iron Shop[R] offers its customers the very best in selection, quality and prices. Spirals are...

Having trouble losing weight?(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... If you want to jump start your weight loss and get healthy again... Puranol is for you! In just 5 days this powerful 2-step formula will cleanse your toxic cells back to health and help you lose excess pounds so you can feel great again! Call...

Nutrisystem.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Get great-tasting food and total convenience with NutriSystem[R] Nourish[TM] low-fat, "good carb," easy to follow weight loss program. Order a 28-Day Program now and get ONE WEEK FREE! www.nutrisystem.com or 1-800-321-THIN[R] [ILLUSTRATION...

Spectrum.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... WWW.GREATCHANDELIERS.COM 100% Crystal Wrought Iron Chandelier. A Great European Tradition. Nothing is quite as elegant as the fine crystal chandeliers that gave sparkle to brilliant evenings at palaces and manor houses across Europe. This...

Directions for home and garden.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Weathervanes & cupolas. Order direct and save! Handcrafted copper weathervanes, finials, rain chains and more. Beautiful cupolas in maintenance-free vinyl or durable white pine. Visit www.directionshg.com today. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Fran's wicker & rattan.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Order with confidence from America's oldest and largest wicker and rattan importer. Highest quality, lowest prices and prompt delivery. For a FREE 96-pg. color catalog call 1-800-531-1511 and ask for Dept. CL05 or online at www.franscatalog.com...

The perfect home accessory & gift.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Fire and Appalachian Rock, two natural elements are hand-crafted to create the perfect decorative OIL LAMP for table, patio, or bath. Fill the glass reservoir with oil, light the wick and enjoy a smoke-free, drip-free glow of tranquility. Each...

Chenille braided rugs.(country store)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... This chenille rug is cozy and soft, yet durable and affordable. Rich color and sturdy construction insure it will be a favorite for years to come. Yankee Pride offers many other flat braided rugs. Custom colors & sizes too! Also wool handhooked...

Winter ski retreats: here, a look at properties for sale all around the country. Please call the companies listed for additional details.(real estate sampler)
December 1, 2005... Country Cottage Built in 1915, this Victorian cottage in Lenox, Mass., has recently been restored. A new eat-in kitchen has French doors leading to a private patio and terraced garden with stone walls. In addition to 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2...

For the gardener: these thoughtful (and affordable) presents are sure to please a favorite green thumb on your holiday gift-giving list.(your garden)
December 1, 2005... 1 Festive holly-printed wellies are rugged enough to stand up to any tough gardening task, yet remain comfy with their soft cotton lining and padded footbed. Hunter's Holly RHS Digger half-boot. $59; (877) 495-1500; rhsboots.com. 2 If you...

This month's highlights: our monthly listing of antiques shows, crafts fairs, and festive events.(country calendar)(Calendar)
December 1, 2005... arizona CELEBRATION OF BASKETRY & NATIVE FOODS FESTIVAL. WHEN: DEC 3-4. PLACE: PHOENIX. Several hundred North American basketweavers gather to demonstrate, show, and sell their craft at the Heard Museum. Tribal farmers and chefs from...

Country news: your guide to exciting special events, promotions, the latest products and online offerings.(promotion)
December 1, 2005... Propane for the Holidays Submit Your Recipe to Compete for a Propane Cooktop, Oven or Grill-Just in Time for Holiday Cooking. Propane makes cooking and grilling as easy as holiday pie. And by submitting your favorite holiday recipe,...

Gifts with animal magnetism: when holiday shopping for Fido, Fluffy, and Polly, select items they'll really dig--and chew and scratch!(you & your pet)(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... stocking stuff CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Mackenzie-Childs' tartan stocking is a charmer: $65. Amuse your parrot and yourself with the Rudolph and Santa editions of Polly Wanna Pinata, stuffed with dried fruits; $9 each. Wilcox the cat wears...

Comfort & joy.(1815 Cape-style cottage)
December 1, 2005... The rebirth of this 1815 Cape-style cottage was nothing less than arduous. Yet, decorating its interiors came easily to a consummate collector and his partner. Come the holidays, all that's required are a few natural touches including fruit,...

Christmas cottage.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... In the Hill Country of central Texas, a couple celebrates Christmas in their cozy cottage. Here, centuries-past treasures and cherished traditions mingle with the new, capturing warm holiday memories. Even as lives change, traditions...

Oh! Christmas tree: Christmas is the occasion to really let your collections shine. Here, to inspire you, three dazzling trees all decked out in vintage collectibles.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2005... Collectors have a particular advantage at Christmastime: They have a passion--a passion that can infuse a home with heartfelt beauty and enthusiasm, lifting holiday decorating from the expected to the extraordinary. While many of us have...

In a twinkling: with the quiet shimmer of glass and candlelight, Rollande Vachon suits her holiday decor to the classic simplicity of her Montreal home. "The colors I live with year-round--white with a dash of lilac, plum, and silver--are really elegant at Christmastime," she says.(Brief Article)
December 1, 2005... For a shop owner and mother of two, the Yuletide can be anything but peaceful. But that's not the only reason Rollande Vachon has simplified her holiday decorating and entertaining. She has done the same for her 1925 house, rescuing it from the...

Everyone's invited: in Andes. N.Y., hosting a holiday open house often means inviting the entire village.(holiday open house)
December 1, 2005... Twenty years ago, when Rick Shaver and his partner, Lee Melahn, bought a Victorian house in New York's Catskill Mountains, it was with the intention of entertaining. But neither of them could have predicted that their hospitality would...

Gifts from the kitchen: a personalized gift bag full of homemade cookies is a holiday present everyone is sure to enjoy.(giving cookies)
December 1, 2005... Stack cutout cookies in a baking cup encircled with a matching ribbon. Place the filled cup into a "cello" bag. Using pinking shears, make a zigzag cut to the top of the bag. String a copy of the recipe and a glittery initial of the recipient...

Essentials for holiday baking: follow these basic preparation and decorating tips for picture-perfect cookies every time.(baking cookies)
December 1, 2005... For best results: Preheat oven for 10 to 15 minutes. Leave about 2 inches clearance on the sides of the sheets so that the hot air circulates properly. Rotate pans to ensure even baking. 1 Baking sheets Nordicware's Covered Half Sheet comes...

McCormick[R] presents holiday recipe swap.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... 'Tis the season to be jolly, creative, and oh-so-busy! A recipe swap is one ideal way to enjoy it all. You get to share festivities with friends and family, save time, and sample an assortment of delectable desserts you can then add to your own...

McCormick[R] presents the decorative dessert.(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... Decoration is part of what makes the holidays fun and festive--whether it's wrapping gifts, decking the halls, or adding that extra bit of ornamental flair to your cakes and cookies. With a few simple tips, even a novice can turn out creations...

Country holiday entertaining: easy ways to make it memorable, festive and delicious.(special advertising section)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... It's that time of year again! One of the unabashed joys of the holiday season is the chance to gather with family and friends... to pull out the stops and break out of the usual routines. Creative cooking is part of the fun. But stressing out...

Tasty ideas for spreading holiday cheer: get creative with some of your favorite foods.(special advertising section)
December 1, 2005... It's amazing where a little imagination can take you, especially around the holiday season. As if by magic, your favorite kid-friendly foods--crackers, meats and cheeses, veggies and peanut butter--can suddenly transform into edible works of...

Celebrate the golden anniversary of a holiday classic: complete your holiday meal with a festive vegetable dish.
December 1, 2005... For 50 years, the Green Bean Casserole has been an essential on American holiday menus. Created by Campbell's Kitchen manager Dorcas Reilly in 1955, the recipe fulfilled the need for a quick and simple yet satisfying dish that still delights...

Try tea for added taste: a favorite drink adds new zip to holiday recipes.(special advertising section)(Advertisement)
December 1, 2005... There's nothing like a seeping hot cup of tea on a frosty winter's day. Think of the warmth, the aroma, the flavorful goodness... hands down, tea is the ultimate comfort drink. But this perennial favorite can also be the "magic" ingredient in...

Abundantly healthy, elegantly easy: create simple appetizers that are sure to please.(special advertising section)
December 1, 2005... Holiday festivities don't have to take a toll on your stress level--or your waistline. The trick is to find ingenious ways to incorporate smart eating with easy entertaining. Toast recipes are one favorite staple that can really dress up for...

Write-away.(reader's resource)(Directory)
December 1, 2005... Write away, right here for information to enrich yourself, your home and your family with products and services from Country Living's advertisers. To order, check the corresponding numbers of the brochures and catalogs listed on the card found...

Shopping guide.(reader's resource)
December 1, 2005... Use this handy reference for all of your buying needs. The following Shopping Guide provides additional details and an index of manufacturers, antiques dealers, and stores where merchandise featured in Country Living can be obtained. Unless...

Simple country pleasures.
December 1, 2005... Somehow, not only for Christmas But all the long year through, The joy that you give to others Is the joy that comes back to you. --JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER