Country Living articles from May 2009

Country Living archives from May 2009

Thanks for such a warm welcome!(editor's note)(Editorial)
May 1, 2009... A couple months ago, in my first editor's note, I asked y'all to share your hopes for country Living. And boy, did you respond--with some of the most passionate, intelligent, friendly letters I've ever received. Even the harshest critiques were...

Dear Country Living ...(letters)(Letter to the editor)
May 1, 2009... Do tell! Readers share their biscuit-baking tips, favorite collectibles, and other thoughts on our March issue. "One of my favorite rituals is to sit down with a cup of coffee--early on a Saturday morning, before the world is awake--and...

My country life.(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Reader: Lynne Rooker Hometown: Norlina, North Carolina Her idea of the perfect day: "Spending time with my 2-year-old grandson, Dresden (far right), on our 800-acre farm. We dig for worms, then go fishing for catfish and bream in our...

Plant a row for the Hungry.(DO GOOD)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... This year, why not share your backyard bounty with someone other than your next-door neighbor? Join the Garden Writers Association's grassroots campaign to fight hunger by cultivating an extra row of vegetables for a local food bank or soup...

A brief history of the mason jar.(MADE IN AMERICA)
May 1, 2009... Used for canning pickles and sipping iced tea, these wide- mouthed jars have been kitchen mainstays ever since the Ball Corporation began producing them in 1884. Even now, the company continues to make 585,000 mason jars each day. 1858 ...

Why we * these rockers.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... "Sure, there are plenty of great, classic rocking chairs on the market for around $300, which seems like a decent price... until you realize that it'll take seven of them to fill your side porch. Hence my excitement when I discovered these...

Make a mint julep.(HOW-TO)
May 1, 2009... Just in time for the Kentucky Derby (May 2), head bartender Cindy Kebbell of Louisville, Kentucky's old Seelbach Hilton Hotel shares her recipe: [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Make a simple syrup by bringing 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup sugar to a...

A home for farm animals in distress; The Humane Society's Longmeadow Rescue Ranch in Missouri offers mistreated livestock a helping hand.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... Each Saturday farmers, families, and suburban homesteaders make their way to Longmeadow Rescue Ranch, just outside Union, Missouri, in hopes of finding a duck, lamb, sheep, or horse to adopt and give a loving home. "As one of America's only...

The best way to spend: $4.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... Made from recycled paper and nontoxic inks, these NOTEBOOKS--in a purse-friendly 4-by 6-inch size--manage to be easy on the earth, adorable, and less expensive than a venti latte. (cartolina.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Five things we learned from books this month.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... 1. A backyard branch perched in a jar makes a clever jewelry holder for necklaces and earrings. --Try 49 additional nature - themed projects from Jennifer Worick's Backcountry Betty: Crafting with Style ($ 19.95; Skipstone) ...

Apricots are in season ... now what? Fresh ideas for cooking with this late-spring fruit.(the good life)(Recipe)
May 1, 2009... MADHUR JAFFREY, author of Simple Indian Cookery "Apricots are a rare treat! When I was a child in India, my family used to pick barely ripe, slightly sour apricots from our tree, crack them in half, remove the pits, and sprinkle them with...

May 11-15.(COUNTRY CALENDAR)
May 1, 2009... Embrace the slower-paced pleasures of a two-wheeled commute during national Bike to Work Week, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. For safe-riding tips and a state-by-state listing of events, visit bikeleague.org. [ILLUSTRATION...

The best way to spend:$9.95.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... Scatter a hefty quarter pound of region-specific WILDFLOWER SEEDS to create a loose and colorful summer garden. A mix of annuals and perennials ensures blooms the first season--and for years to come. (americanmeadows.com) [ILLUSTRATION...

Preservation gets personal: join the National Trust's photo-sharing campaign to celebrate local landmarks.(the good life)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... If you think the National Trust for Historic Preservation safeguards only grand antebellum mansions and the birthplaces of important men, then Dolores McDonagh, vice president of membership for the nonprofit, would like to have a word with you....

America's best-selling China: we surveyed six top companies to find out which dinnerware patterns are most popular with customers across the country.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... CRATE & BARREL White Pearl Introduced in 2003 Best seller since2005 ($19.95; crateandbarrel.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VILLEROY & BOCH French Garden Introduced in 1997 Best seller since 2000 ($46; villeroy-boch.com) ...

The best way to spend: $11.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... More than a mere dishcloth, Blue Q's tastes-like-chicken KITCHEN TOWEL offers a clever way to put your "dry humor" on display. (blue ribbongeneralstore.com) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

It's tag-sale season!(COUNTRY CALENDER)(Brief article)(Calendar)
May 1, 2009... Cruise for bargains at these multistats events: MAY 1-3 100-MILE GARAGE SALE Thousands of homeowners participate in this 14-town extravaganza on the banks of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin and Minnesota...

Real estate sampler: a historic house for less than $100,000? You better believe it. Check out our top five favorite steals currently on the market across the country.(the good life)
May 1, 2009... $99,900 Located in the small farming community of Comstock, Nebraska (population 110), this carefully restored 1905 Victorian contains four bedrooms and two baths. It also features original hand-carved oak woodwork, pocket doors, a formal...

Feed-sack chic: used to transport grain and other dry goods, these humble bags have inspired high-style accessories. Buy (or DIY) to bring a well-traveled rusticity to your decor.(DECORATING)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... 1. Bolster A reproduction of a French sulfur factory's logo marks this rugged burlap cylinder. ($58; mothology.com) 2.Customized You can choose a date and single monogram to add to this regal pillow, covered with burlap. ($150;...

Takeaway tins: these portable wonders treat chapped lips, dry skin, and more--all while packing a dose of vintage glamour.(BEAUTY)
May 1, 2009... 1. Moisturizer A rich texture and lily-of-the-valley scent earned Nivea a place on Marilyn Monroe's vanity. (99 cents for one oz.; at select CVSs) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 2. First-aid salve J.R.Watkins's lidocaine treatment has...

Under glass; Intended to protect tender seedlings form cold nights outside, cloches also work wonders indoors--showcasing hothouse flowers that thrive in humid environments.(GARDENING)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Practical An ingenious two-part design enables gardeners to grow specimens (like this pitcher plant) directly in the terra-cotta base. ($129; campodefiori.com) Classic A slipper orchid sits inside this understated dome from Two's Company....

The bentwood chair; Picasso owned one. So did Brahms. And 150 years after Michael Thonet introduced the first mass-produced seat, his iconic chair still draws fans.(COUNTRY CLASSIC)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... French Comptoir de Famille's chair brings Parisian bistro charm to bent acacia wood. ($179; 877-233-1118) [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Outdoor A rust-resistant aluminum frame and a water-repellent mesh seat make this option ideal for a...

Key looks for spring: unlock the statement-making power of classic skeleton keys with one of these sculptural necklaces.(FASHION)(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Timeworn These iron keys, found in an old Maine barn, introduce a storied patina to their accompanying steel chains. ($30 each, 28"; ericaweiner.com) Wood Laser cut roble wood puts a modern twist on a traditional silhoutte. ($38, 16";...

Artisanal cheddars: Let the French have their chevre. These handcrafted American varieties--recommended by Liz Thorpe of Murray's Cheese in New York City--offer all the nuanced richness of fancy imports.(ENTERTAINING)
May 1, 2009... Firm Produced in Vermont, Cabot Creamery's cloth-bound wedges burst with toasted-nut flavor. ($26 a pound; murrayscheese.com) Creamy Aged for three years by Amish cheese-makers in Pennsylvania, this Goot Essa tastes slightly sweet. ($8 for...

A time for reflection: sterling silver hand mirrors can dress up way more than a vanity. These surprisingly affordable antiques deserve a closer look.(OLD AND NOW)
May 1, 2009... First produced in the 1600s, the earliest sterling silver hand mirrors came as part of elaborate, 30-piece grooming sets that European noblemen bestowed upon their royal wives. These looking glasses tended to be hand-hammered affairs, made to a...

What is it? What is it worth? Our professional appraiser, Helaine Fendelman, evaluates your collectibles and antiques.
May 1, 2009... What it is: FOLK ART SQUIRREL CAGE Lightweight and inexpensive, tin became popular in the 18th century as a replacement for heavy iron, expensive copper, and delicate pewter. It was used for cooking tools and other household objects, but...

Hand embroidered.(DIY MADE EASY)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... While it may not provide the same fingers-in-goo satisfaction of plaster of Paris, this new take on the old hand cast--inspired by blogger Megan Heep (myplumpudding.blogspot.com)--does feel a whole lot fresher. Use a fabric pencil to trace your...

Almost-instant message board.(DIY MADE EASY)
May 1, 2009... CL contributors Teri Edwards and Serena Thom[son, a.k.a. the Farm Chick, came up with this genius idea for repurposing a painted metal tray. Simply attach a sawtooth picture hanger to the tray's back with superglue hang the try from a nail,...

Clever uses for a hand rake.(DIY MADE EASY)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... LIFT YOUR SPIRITS Convert a cramped corner into a fully stocked bar by hanging a rake over a small table and suspending stemware from its tines. (To mount the rake, twist picture wire around the handle where it meets the rake, then loop it...

Three old chairs = one new bench.(carpentry )(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... "Where other people see junk, I see potential," says Athens, New York, carpenter Ryan McPhail, who spotted these three chairs (above left) at a fl market for only $18 each. Although the secondhand finds were loaded with character, their broken...

Redo your porch in one weekend: a few easy (and affordable) solutions turned CL reader Heidi King's bare front gallery into a full-fledged outdoor room.(INSTANT MAKEOVER)(Buyers guide)
May 1, 2009... "I love my swing," says Heidi King, a mother of three who lives in Tallahassee, Florida, "It's where Irock my youngest daughter to sleep." Still, King was hoping for something more: namely, an open-air extension of her living room, a place...

Step on it: soften the hard edges of stone steps, paths, or patios with tough but pretty ground covers that can withstand more than a little stomping.(GARDEN MANUAL)
May 1, 2009... Early on, we're trained not to walk on plants--to tiptoe through the tulips and stick to the sidewalks. But there's no need to be so careful all the time. A number of resilient ground covers happily with-stand foot traffic, so they're ideal...

The supermarket bouquet challenge; evernt producer David Stark works his magic on ordinary grocery-store flowers.(DESIGNER DARE)
May 1, 2009... The problem: We've all been there before--at the Safeway, say, picking up last-minute items for a dinner party--when it dawns on us that we don't have a centerpiece for the table. The options: spend a fortune on a professional florist, rob the...

10 Reasons to visit Ashland, Oregon; We asked locals Jennifer Bright and Laurel Walter to help us uncover this lively little town's best shops, events, and jalepeno-corn pancakes--so you can bypass the visitors' center and hit the ground running.(TRAVEL)(City overview)
May 1, 2009... 1. This is our "Cineplex." Built in 1937, the Art Deco Varsity Theatre on Main Street screens blockbusters as well as indie flicks. But the real treat, according to Bright and Walter, remains the film house's entirely unique popcorn,...

Bird-watching: by day, she edits Cosmopolitan magazine. At night, she stays up late writing mystery novels. But on weekends, Kate White searches for cardinals and wrens--and bonds with her son.(THE JOY OF ...)
May 1, 2009... * I guess you could say a bluebird made me do it. My crazy love for bird-watching began 15 years ago, the day I spotted an Eastern bluebird near our old farmhouse in Pennsylvania. When I was young, my mom told me that "the bluebird of...

Ask a country vet: can a bunny use a litter box? Is pet insurance worth it? Should you worry if your dog eats grass? Dr. Rob sharp of Hillsboro, Ohio, has answers.(PETS)(Interview)
May 1, 2009... Q. My husband bought our children a pet rabbit for Easter I've heard bunnies can be trained to use a litter box. Is that really true? --J.A., McLoud, Oklahoma A Well, yes and no. You can't do much to train any animal to use a litter...

A dash of daring: at the 1740s Connecticut farmhouse she shares with her husband. Tim Street-Porter, interior designer Annie Kelly displays the rare confidence to match fine antiques with Kmart finds.
May 1, 2009... Nestled amid a grove of pines down a winding road in Litchfield County, Connecticut, sits a snug, brown farmhouse with a curving Dutch gambrel roof. A stream runs around the property; lilacs, irises, and lilies gambol by the front door; and...

The glory of gingham: these classic checks have always been cheerful, but this spring they're downright cheap. Discover dozens of patterned pick-me-ups--starting at 59 cents--that make it hip to be square.(Buyers guide)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Gingham's on a roll. Taffeta ribbons. $2.75 per yard, 1" wide; $3.75 per yard,1 1/2" wide; midoriribbon.com for stores. Wallpaper (on table), $42.99 per roll; yorkwall.com for stores. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A tisket, how many sweet...

The instant garden: after falling in love with the formal grounds at Paris's Rodin Museum, fabric designer Michael Devine transformed a 25-by 120-foot patch of dirt into a backyard idyll--in just months flat.
May 1, 2009... not long ago, Michel Devine lived in the last spot you'd expect to find a gardening fanatic: an apartment smack-dab in the middle of New York City. For 20 years, he could only imagine a more relaxed, better-tasting life in the country--where...

Just like mom used to make; Seven of America's best chefs open their family cookbooks to share favorite recipes passed down, with love, by their mothers.
May 1, 2009... Sara Foster The owner of Foster's Market in chapel Hill and Durham, North Carolina, remembers her mother's: CHICKEN POTPIE "'Comforting is the best way to describe may mom's cooking," says Sara Foster, author of The Foster's...

Where time stands still; Like many city slickers, Michael and Emilie Bolton fantasized about trading their hectic Fort Worth, Texas existance for a slower pace. But unlike other dreamers, these two up and moved to the Hill Country for a new start in a tiny old barn.
May 1, 2009... In the mid-1990s, Michael and Emilie Bolton lived in a pleasant four-bedroom home in a pleasant neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas. Both enjoyed successful careers as sales reps for large furniture manufacturers, and with their two kids off at...

Cold cucumber soup.(ONLY FIVE INGREDIENTS)(Recipe)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Makes 4 servings. Working time 15 min. Total time 1 hr. 15 min. Place 3 medium seedless cucumbers, peeled and chopped; 3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions; 1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus 1 teaspoon lemon zest; 1 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2...

Mustard baked ham.(MAKE THIS TONIGHT)(Recipe)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Makes 25 servings. Workingtime 10 min. Total time 2 hr. 15 min. 1 (10-to 12-pound) precooked bone-in smoked ham 1 1/2 tablespoons whole cloves 1/2 cup dark brown sugar 3 tablespoons whole-grain mustard 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh...

Ham and potato gratins.(ENJOY THIS TOMORROW)
May 1, 2009... Makes 8 servings. Working time 35 min. Total time 1 hr. 20 min. 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for coating remekins 1 medium Vidalia onion, peeled and thinly sliced 3/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 2...

Banana pudding pie: a retro dessert gets a delicious makeover--courtesy of fresh bananas, a vanilla-wafer crust, and loads of gooey caramel.(UPDATED CLASSIC)(Recipe)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Makes 10 servings. Working time 30 min. Total time 2 hr. 45 min. 50 vanilla wafers (about 3 cups) 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, plus 1/2 cup 1/8 teaspoon sea salt, plus 1/4 teaspoon 5 tablespoons melted...

Three fresh ideas for frozen spinach; This freezer staple delivers the same nutrients as produce-aisle leaves--without all that washing and trimming.(CL SHORTCUT)
May 1, 2009... Spinach-Taleggio Bites Makes 40 pieces. Working time 25 min. Total time 40 min. Preheat oven to 400[degree]F. Thaw and squeeze liquid from two 10-ounce packages frozen chopped spinach. Add 1 1/4 cups grated Taleggio cheese (hint:...

Flora's jam-glazed chicken.(READER RECIPE)(Recipe)(Brief article)
May 1, 2009... Makes 4 servings. Working time 10 min. Total time 1 hr. 10 min. 1 (4-pound) chicken cut into eighths, or 2 bone-in split chicken breasts 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 lemon, juiced 3/4 cup peach jam 4...

The Recipes.(cookbook)
May 1, 2009... How to prepare the seven dishes featured in "Just Like Mom Used to Make," 134-139 Makes 10 servings. Working time 1hr. 10min. Total time 2 hr. 20 min. 1 (4-to 41/2-pound) chicken 12 Foster's Herb Biscuits, uncooked (recipe follows)...

Shop guide.(excerpts from books on gardening and interior design)(Excerpt)
May 1, 2009... FRESH PICKS: GARDENING PAGES 48-49 Hothouse Flowers Find the plants inside our cloches: The slipper and miniature orchids came from Orchids by Hausermann (orchids by hausermann.com); the African violet is from the Violet Barn...

It's hard to be humble when you're from Idaho; Spotted ponies, giant sand dunes, Pale Rider: America's 43rd state produces a lot more than just potatoes.(STATE PRIDE)
May 1, 2009... MOSCOW The first Appaloosa horse was born here. Learn more about these speckled ponies--originally bred by the Nez Perce Indians--at the Appaloosa Museum (appaloosamuseum.org). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] COTTONWOOD Forjust$92.you...