Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2020 i Country Living

Rachel Hardage Barrett EDITOR-IN-CHIEF @RACHELHARDAGEBARRETT A A Welcome from the Editor Because this year has been a trying one for small businesses, I’m devoting this space to a few favorites. (See more in our “Shop Small” Gift Guide; pg. 44). Here goes: Alabama Booksmith (signed books; alabamabooksmith.com); Crab & Cleek (canvas totes in fun patterns; crabandcleek.com); Farewell Frances (quilted masks; farewell-frances.com); Pine & Birch (custom wood signs; @pine.and.birch); Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ (rubs and sauces; rodneyscottsbbq.com); Pinecrest Printery (letterpress stationery; pinecrestprintery.com); Sarah Bray Bermuda (sun hats with vintage ribbons; sarahbraybermuda.com); The Sip (bubbly in a box; thesipsociety.com); Susan Gordon Pottery (pretty vessels and jewelry; susangordonpottery.com); Tom Beckbe (high-end sporting apparel; tombeckbe.com); Workbench Kitchen (serving boards; workbenchkitchen.com). Go to fair.countryliving.com/town-square for more makers and artisans! treat yourself! Featuring your favorite…

EDITOR’S TIP Excluding the two projects that go in the oven, spray all the candy canes with clear varnish before you start crafting. No 1 Hook Wreath Arrange candy canes in a circle with the hooks all facing the same direction. Affix together with hot-glue (don’t worry if the ends don’t line up, as they will be covered). Top center with round peppermint candies, overlapping them slightly and holding in place with hot-glue. Thread ribbon through two candy canes at top to hang. No 2 Circle Wreath Wrap a 12-inch foam wreath form in white ribbon. Attach candy cane sticks, small candy canes, and peppermint balls with hot-glue to conceal the form. Loop a ribbon around top of wreath to hang. No 3 Door Swag Attach extra-large ($9 for 3;…

Make Your Own Tom and Jerry! Separate 6 large eggs. Whisk together egg yolks and 3 Tbsp. room-temperature unsalted butter in a large bowl until yolks are pale. Whisk in ¾ cup confectioners’ sugar, ½tsp. ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg, ⅛ tsp. ground cloves, and a pinch ground all-spice. Beat egg whites until stiffpeaks form. Fold whites into yolk mixture. Heat 2 ½cups whole milk just until warm. Remove from heat, and stir in ½cup each dark rum and brandy. Transfer milk mixture to a bowl, and gently fold in egg mixture. Transfer to a punch bowl, and garnish with nutmeg. Makes 6 to 8 servings. OBJECT LESSON: Hazel-Atlas Tom and Jerry Sets WHAT TO KNOW: Attributed to British journalist Pierce Egan and dating back to the 1820s, the warm…

Every holiday is cause for celebration at Kaley and Jaryd Cutting’s Connecticut farmhouse. But when it comes to decorating their circa-1812 home on three acres in the 317-year-old town of Canterbury (population: 5,100), Christmas is when the couple really gets in the spirit. Starting in mid-November, Kaley (@thelittlewhitefarmhouse) cranks up the Christmas music—“I play it 24-7,” she says—and breaks out collections upon collections of vintage decor to spread throughout the house. “I even give my basement Christmas touches!” she adds. But don’t expect any light-up snowmen or plastic Santas here. “What I go for is a color palette,” says Kaley. “Nothing has to scream ‘Christmas’ to me. If it’s vintage and red or green, I’m all about it.” That means pops of red and splashes of plaid mingle with the…

Movie Night Menu Toasted Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Popcorn and Candy Snack Packs Popcorn Seasoning Theater-Candy Brownies PLAY BINGE-WATCH BINGO Did you spot the reindeer? Make movie marathons more interactive with this flick-themed activity (countryliving.com/christmas-bingo). Use buttons or popcorn to mark the squares. Give Foot-Warmer Favors Shoes optional! Let guests kick up their feet in seasonal socks ($13; landsend.com). SET THE SCENE Typeset the name of your favorite holiday flick on a letter board ($33; feltlikesharingshop.etsy.com), and hang above a popcorn buffet complete with popcorn mistletoe balls (see the instructions below) and a garland made from tickets ($8; orientaltrading.com). Provide each guest their own cookie tin lined with parchment paper and filled with plain popcorn. Serve an offering of custom seasonings—try black pepper and Parmesan, cinnamon sugar, or everything-bagel seasoning—in shakers and…

June 1–5, 2021 countryliving.com/nashvilleexperience Have you ever dreamed of experiencing Music City like an insider? Now is your chance! Grab your girlfriends and kick up your boots alongside Country Living editors—and special guests!—for a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the country’s hottest city. Highlights include: Spend an evening at the Grand Ole Opry. Meet one of the night’s entertainers during a party backstage Visit the 12 South neighborhood. We’ll pop by must-see general store White’s Mercantile to meet its owner, singer-songwriter Holly Williams Take a letterpress workshop. Famed concert poster purveyor Hatch Show Print will school you on the craft. Become a whiskey connoisseur. Sip a spell at Belle Meade Mansion. Enjoy live music. Visit venues and honky-tonks ’round town. Hit the hay at the city’s best hotels. Choose from hip Hutton Hotel,…

ASK A COUNTRY VET How to Prep Your Coop for Winter If you’re a new member of the chicken-keeping contingency, you may be wondering how to winterize your flock’s space. CL’s country vet Dr. Tricia Earley recommends preventing drafts with minor repairs, preparing a heater for your chickens’ water source, and adding a layer of straw or hay bedding for warmth. Consider installing a heat lamp or insulation if you live in a particularly cold climate. Gus’s Gift Guide When it comes to pet presents, Country Living’s office dog takes great pride in a 100 percent no-regifting track record. Here’s what he’s digging up for his pals this year.…

Spruce It Up Stately spruces have sharp needles and stiff branches that bear ornaments well. The Colorado blue spruce is particularly popular for its silvery blue hue, symmetrical form, and needle retention. GET THE LOOK: “Colorado Mountain Spruce”; balsamhill.com stylist secret When embellishing your tree with garland, begin at the top, draping loosely on branches at a slight angle, working toward the bottom. Add your ornaments beginning with the largest, then use smaller ones to fill in empty spaces. TIMELESS TRIMMINGS Focus on handcrafted ornaments like quilled paper snowflakes ($16 for 3; quillingcanada.etsy.com), felt trees ($17; silkroadbazaarshop.etsy.com), and jute candy canes ($7 for 6; factorydirectcraft.com). A straw tree topper ($12; ingebretsens.com) adds subtle texture up top, while this quilt-patterned tree skirt (Country Living Home collection “Angelina,” $50; overstock.com) provides a…

IF THERE’S ONE THING WE CAN ALL AGREE ON, it’s Dolly. “People celebrate me in their own ways, which I love,” says the blond beacon of positivity, who does have one request: “If you throw a party in my honor [see #2], there better be some gaud!” And while the country icon doesn’t want anything for Christmas (she and husband, Carl Dean, keep it simple with little poems), she would like us all to just play nice already. “I want less chaos and more kindness. Hopefully we’ve learned lessons this year, and we’ll be better people after all this is behind us.” So what does she think of those “Dolly for President” tees? She admits her Imagination Library motto has the perfect platform: Dream More, Learn More, Care More, Be…

What You’ll Need Yields 4 servings PREP TIME: 10 mins TOTAL TIME: 35 mins ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided4 4-oz. chicken breasts, boneless skinless¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper1 red onion, finely chopped1 clove garlic, grated2 pints cherry tomatoes2 cups frozen corn4 oz. Velveeta, cubedFresh basil leaves, for garnish 1 In a 12" cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season chicken breasts with pepper on both sides. Add chicken to skillet and sear until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate to let rest. 2 Add remaining olive oil to skillet. Add chopped onion and garlic, season with pepper, and cook until onion starts to become translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add cherry tomatoes and corn,…

Christmas Light Gingerbread Cookies pg. 97 GIFT IT: Place cookies in a glassine-topped box for a fun take on ornament packaging. Add a note that says, “Hope your season is merry and bright.” Millionaire Shortbread pg. 98 GIFT IT: Place bars in a box lined with pretty paper ($25; himaldesign.etsy.com). Tie with ribbon, and tuck in seasonal greenery. Cinnamon Hard Candies pg. 98 GIFT IT: Nestle clusters of candy in cupcake sleeves, then wrap with glassine paper and a contrasting green-velvet ribbon. Sweet & Spicy Coated Nuts pg. 99 GIFT IT: Place nuts in 12-ounce glass jars ($23 for 5; amazon.com) embellished with ticking-stripe ribbon and a cinnamon stick. White Chocolate–Peppermint Patties pg. 99 GIFT IT: Arrange cookies on a peppermint swirl plate ($7 for 8; merimeri.com), then cover with…

SUNDAY SUPPER PAGE 80 Horseradish–Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes WORKING TIME 15 minutes TOTAL TIME 30 minutes MAKES 8 servings 3 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, halvedKosher salt and freshly ground black pepper1 ½ cups sour cream¼ cup prepared horseradish, squeezed of excess moisture½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces¼ cup chopped fresh chives 1. Bring potatoes to a boil in a large pot of salted water; simmer until tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Reserve ½cup cooking liquid. Drain and return potatoes to pot. 2. Whisk together sour cream and horseradish in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. 3. Add 6 tablespoons butter to potatoes and coarsely mash. Fold in sour cream mixture and 3 tablespoons chives. Fold in reserved cooking water to thin, if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and top…

Cookie Cutter Sets Vintage cookie cutters were often sold in themed sets with assorted shapes, like the ones pictured here. The most primitive cutters were all metal until the 1920s, when makers added colorful wooden handles to make cutting easier (bottom left). Plastic alternatives gained popularity after WWII and beyond (bottom right). Search for affordable full sets in original packaging ($15–$25), or splurge on wood-adorned pieces, which tend to go for about $8–$10 each. Cookbooks Most of these volumes date from the 1940s to the ’70s and ’80s. In addition to the traditional spiral cookbook format, classic cookie recipes were often published as promotional booklets and distributed by power companies (like the Wisconsin Electric Power Company’s annual Christmas Cookies collection, center left) in the 1950s. Most books and pamphlets can…

currently craving Eggnog Caps Thatcher Manufacturing Co. revolutionized dairy delivery with its Common-Sense Milk Bottle (the first reuseable, sealed version) in the late 1800s. The design included a cap for freshness, which farms utilized as ad space. During the holidays, eggnog caps offered seasonal greetings to folks on the route. At less than $1 each, vintage packaging fans can collect ’em and still have milk money to spare.…

Style Compass PAGE 12 Country Living Home collection “Holiday Ring” quilt and standard sham pillow covers; overstock.com. Floral Euro sham pillow covers; saintanonymous.etsy.com. Pine chest and demijohn; @barnyard_ antiques_atlanta. “Napoleon” headboard; phillipsscott.com. Brass “French Library” wall sconce; circalighting.com. White duvet cover and green “Faro” throw blanket; peacockalley.com. Habitats PAGES 14–15 Architect, Michael Marchetti, The Marchetti Company; 615-327-9168. Designer, Barbara Rushton, Dimensional Spaces; dimensionalspaces.com. “White Down” wall paint; benjaminmoore.com. “Delicate White” trim, cabinetry, and pantry door paint; ppgpaints.com. “1145” dark bronze cabinet pulls; ashleynorton.com. “Manuscript” wall sconces; curreyandcompany.com. “Oxford Pendant” lanterns; hudsonvalleylighting.hvlgroup.com. Custom sandblasted pantry signs; Russell’s Glass & Mirror, 615-352-0178. Barn Party PAGE 27 Mosser Glass cake stands; food52.com. Bottle brush trees; juliecollings.etsy.com. Postcard Perfect PAGE 52 Clothing (for similar); pendleton-usa.com. PAGE 54 Glass still life cloches; thefarmhouseproject.com/shop. Holiday wreath (on skis); hortandpott.com. PAGES 56–57 Clothing (for similar); pendleton-usa.com. PAGE 59 Candle container cocktail glass; thefarmhouseproject.com/shop. The Everything Guide to Trimming…