Innholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2018 i Country Woman

A ragtag flock of heritage-breed hens named after TV characters lived in my childhood yard. Wilma and Betty, Lucy and Ethel, and Alice and Trixie supplied our family with great eggs—recipe ideas for which you’ll find on page 36. They also offered our golden retrievers much entertainment. Ever since, I’ve had a soft spot for chickens. By law, they’re the only farm animal allowed at my suburban home, and on lazy afternoons, I design a backyard coop in my head while staring at an open patch of grass. But that’s as far as it gets. My exuberant pup would stress them out. So I’ll raise chickens vicariously through this issue with you. We’ll watch their antics with Becky Sernett, who writes on page 56 about how keeping hens is theraputic.…

Wilber stole Staci Greene’s heart years ago. The donkey was a gift that left quite an impression. “He was so much like a big dog,” Staci says. “I was in love with him and will never forget him.” Years later, Staci began taking in donkeys and mules on her ranch in Ramona, California. She named her venture Hee Haw Place Donkey Rescue. The animals came to her through word of mouth, auctions and the Humane Society. Hee Haw Place has housed as many as 13 animals at one time, but thanks to Staci’s success in finding qualified people to adopt them, she now only owns six—two donkeys, two mules and two horses. She ensures the new homes are suitable for the animals and that prospective owners are sincere in their…

Easter Egg Cookies My mother started baking these cookies with me and my eight brothers and sisters when I was a child. I carried on the tradition with our four kids when they were little. —BARBARA NEUWEG WEST POINT, IA PREP: 20 MIN.• BAKE: 20 MIN./BATCH + COOLING MAKES: 3 DOZEN 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 large egg 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup quick-cooking oats 3/4 tsp. salt GLAZE 1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/8 tsp. salt 2 1/2 Tbsp. half-and-half cream Cake decorating gel, optional 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, oats and salt; stir into creamed mixture. Divide dough into…

Brunch Hash & Egg Bake When my kids were growing up, I was cooking for eight people. I couldn’t conveniently fry eggs for that many, so I devised this recipe that became a family favorite. Mild and salty feta cheese is my favorite for the dish, but shredded cheddar or Parmesan work well, too. —LILY JULOW LAWRENCEVILLE, GA PREP: 45 MIN. • BAKE: 15 MIN. MAKES: 8 SERVINGS 2 lbs. Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4 -in. pieces 1 lb. bulk Italian sausage 1 large onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 8 large eggs 1 cup crumbled feta cheese Minced fresh parsley 1. Preheat oven to 375°. Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover.…

My mother gave me her charm bracelet years before she died, but I never wore it. I’m just not a bracelet person. It stayed tucked in my jewelry box, cherished but hidden. When a friend wrote a book called The Charm Bracelet, I was inspired to pull out my mother’s tarnished silver heirloom from its hiding spot. And I decided I wanted to share it with my five sisters. Instead of mailing the bracelet from state to state in a sort of time-share arrangement (which we’d once done with a treasured family quilt), I decided to use the charms to create necklaces. Each of my sisters (sorry, big brother) got one as a gift from me as a memento of Mom. Although I could have done the project myself, I…

In Japan, a walk through the woods is also known as forest bathing, which refers to the therapeutic practice of taking in the sights, smells and sounds of the wilderness. In essence, the hiker is bathing in the woods. This activity, as many a lover of the outdoors can attest, offers immune-boosting and stress-relieving benefits. On my homestead in central New York, we regularly engage in chicken bathing. This does not mean giving our feathered friends a good washing, but instead is our name for time spent in the chicken yard with the Brahmas, Buff Orpingtons, Ameraucanas, Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. The chickens’ fenced-in yard provides plenty of room for them to roam, with a few chairs scattered about for humans to sit and offer treats or…

We were thrilled to see how our April/May 2017 cover encouraged you to create your one-of-a-kind fairy gardens. This year’s cover is inspired by your boundless creativity. BRIGHT IDEA! Create your teacup garden with fresh and silk flowers, succulents and moss. We love hearing from readers. Antique shops and rummage sales are tea set treasure troves. Show us the tiny gardens that sprout up from your finds. It’s easy! Upload pictures of your creations at: countrywomanmagazine.com/submit…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED ½ yard burlap fabric Embroidery floss Craft twigs Floral picks Greenery picks Pinecones Orange spray paint Decorative accents, as desired Large-eye needle Hot glue gun DIRECTIONS 1. Cut the burlap into 2 half-oval pieces 7¼ in. across. Use embroidery floss and needle to stitch pieces together along the bottom curve in a semicircle, keeping the top of the pouch open. Add ornamental stitches, if desired. 2. Wrap the craft twigs together and bend them to create a handle. Hot-glue the ends of the twigs to the top part of the bag. 3. Arrange the floral and greenery picks inside the bag, and adhere with hot glue. 4. Spray-paint the pinecones orange, and glue pieces of greenery to the flat end of each. 5. Glue pinecone carrots and…

1 The NEGG Egg Peeler neggmaker.com  $18 Hard-boiled eggshells—even from farm-fresh eggs—slide off smoothly thanks to this simple kitchen gadget. 2 Egg Collecting Apron fluffylayers.com  $26 Gathering eggs just got cute. This half-body apron has 10 little pockets that are perfect for safely transporting your flock’s fragile cargo. 3 Natural Egg Dye Kit naturalearthpaint.com  $11 Tint your Easter eggs with dye made from fruits, herbs and vegetables. Each package contains four colors and a handy sheet of egg art ideas. 4 Gardener’s Hand Rake whiteflowerfarm.com  $42 Use this small rake to clean up nesting boxes or while working in the garden. With a cherrywood handle and stainless steel tines, this tool is built to last. 5 Deviled Egg Tray popjoypottery.etsy.com…

SEASON 1: SPRING SUPERSTAR Start with a whiskey barrel planter; add early-blooming plants in a palette of pinks and blues. Pair with crisp white pansies for a fresh and breezy look. At the front edge, place sweet potato vine and pale yellow calibrachoa. The plants’ elegant trailing growth habit will send them spilling over the side. SEASON 2: SUMMER SIZZLER The summer sun has overcome your pansies by now and your delphinium won’t be far behind. Replace them with plants that both beat the heat and introduce hot hues like fiery orange and bronze. KEEP: Angelonia, sedge, African daisies, sweet potato vine and calibrachoa. REMOVE: Delphinium (transplant this perennial to the garden bed when it starts to fade, and enjoy the show again next year) and pansies. ADD: Orange Cosmos…

I started collecting teacups around 1976, and in the decades since, I’ve amassed hundreds. I display some of them in my china hutch in my living room, but most are packed away in marked bins. Thrift shops are always my first stop when looking to buy. I also check out flea markets, garage and estate sales, country auctions and antique shops. There are websites that have new and used teacups for sale that may be of interest, but I like to run my hand over the rim of a cup to check for chips or cracks, so I tend to be cautious with online purchases. Decide on a budget before you get started collecting. I usually won’t spend more than $25, and I’ve paid as little as 10 cents. My…

“The rhubarb adds rosy color and mouthwatering flavor.” Dijon-Rubbed Pork with Rhubarb Sauce This moist and tender pork loin roast is served with a rhubarb sauce that’s just delicious. It’s great for company and makes a special weeknight meal. —MARILYN RODRIGUEZ SPARKS, NV PREP: 15 MIN. BAKE: 1 HOUR + STANDING MAKES: 12 SERVINGS (1 1/2 CUPS SAUCE) 1 boneless pork loin roast (3 lbs.) 1/4 cup Dijon mustard 6 garlic cloves, minced 1 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary or 1 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed 3/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper SAUCE 3 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb 1/3 cup orange juice 1/3 cup sugar 1 Tbsp. cider vinegar 1. Score the surface of the pork, making diamond shapes 1/4 in. deep. In a small bowl, combine the mustard, garlic,…

Cochin WEIGHT: 8.5 lbs. EGGS: LARGE TEMPERAMENT: HUGGABLE If you’re looking for big, plush chickens that resemble teddy bears, check out Cochins. Their thick feathers come in many colors, including black, buff, blue, white, partridge and barred. These hens are friendly and easily tamed, and they often act broody, protecting their eggs. Cochins are big enough to hatch duck or turkey eggs. Silkie WEIGHT: 32 oz. EGGS: MEDIUM TEMPERAMENT: DOCILE Known for downy soft feathers, black eyes and slate blue skin, this bantam breed makes a great pet. The plumage, which comes bearded or nonbearded in black, blue, partridge, buff, white or gray, looks and feels like silky, fluffy fur. The hens are small, so they’re easy to pick up. You’ll want to pet them often. Ameraucana WEIGHT: 5.5 lbs.…

1. Share photos and stories with us using the online form at: countrywomanmagazine.com/submit 2. Note which department you’re submitting to, and whether the material has been published before. However, your item may be selected to run in any section of our magazine, or elsewhere. 3. We do not return submitted materials. Although we are unable to acknowledge receipt of any submissions, we’ll let you know if they’re published. 4. We accept high-resolution digital images. Digital images should be about 4x6 inches at a minimum resolution of 300 dots per inch, or about 1200x1800 pixels. Photos must be in focus and of good quality. Please send submissions only through our online form. 5. If we print your submission in the magazine, we will send you a complimentary copy of the issue…

The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman Becoming a New York City pastry chef is much harder than Sam expected, so when she quits her job, she returns to the comfort of her family’s Michigan orchard. Her love of cooking began with a box of recipes passed down through generations, but now Sam must decide what she truly wants for her future. Each chapter of this touching story centers on a recipe—and a slice of family history. Little Broken Things by Nicole Baart Quinn receives a late-night text from her estranged sister, Nora, asking for a favor, and winds up caring for a young girl named Lucy, who she suspects is Nora's daughter. In this perfect blend of family drama and suspense, keeping Lucy safe, and secret, proves to be next…

My husband and I decided that our West Coast days had run their course. Though my career flourished during our 13 years in Los Angeles and San Francisco, in October 2015, we felt an undeniable shoulder tap from the universe telling us it was time for a big change. We wanted our two little California-born children to grow up in the central states, as we both had. So, with an exciting job offer in hand for him—and for me, some concern that by settling in the Midwest, I would lose any cool quotient I had in the food world I worked in—we moved to Chicago. We moved to be close to family and friends, to increase our hot dog intake and to give our kids more seasons and less exposure…

Broccoli Mac & Cheese Bake My husband made a version of this casserole for me on our first date. During the 11 years we’ve been married, we’ve made several changes to the ingredients, and now it’s even better than the original. —LISA DEMARSH MOUNT SOLON, VA PREP: 25 MIN. • BAKE: 20 MIN. MAKES: 12 SERVINGS 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni 4 cups fresh broccoli florets 1/2 cup butter, cubed 3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. pepper 1/8 tsp. salt 2 cans (12 oz. each) evaporated milk 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided 1/2 cup crushed cornbread-flavored crackers (about 6 crackers) 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions, adding broccoli during the last 3-4 minutes; drain. 2.…

1 Breathe It In My 7-year-old daughter, Addilyn, and our cat, Mallow, smell the tulips. JECELYN McCLINTOCK UNIONTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 2 Saddle Up Luke, my grandson, is becoming a real cowboy. JENNIFER LONDON SPRING CREEK, NEVADA 3 Stealing Kisses Two-year-old Holden loves hugging and kissing his favorite chicken, Lucy. CHELSEA JEBSON LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA 4 It’s A Cowgirl If little Oakley is anything like her momma, her life will be filled with horses. LANAE KLINE KEWANNA, INDIANA Your Family Could Be Scrapbook Stars Visit countrywomanmagazine.com/submit  to share a family snapshot and description. If we publish it, you’ll get well-deserved bragging rights and a free year of Country Woman .…

Put those uneaten Easter basket Peeps to good use. The bunny-shaped version makes a clever DIY stamp in a project perfect for giving to a friend—or keeping for yourself. Wash and iron a plain white flour sack towel to create a smooth work surface. Coat a few Peeps marshmallow bunnies with Mod Podge and dry thoroughly. Dip one side of one marshmallow bunny into fabric paint and stamp on the towel to create your pattern of choice. Repeat with a fresh Peep and additional paint colors, if desired. When the paint is dry, use a hot glue gun to attach craft pompoms for bunny tails. PEEP-LE PERSON As the costume shop supervisor at Penn State University, Diane Toyos spends her days sewing wardrobes for the School of Theatre. She has…