Innholdsfortegnelse for August/September 2021 i Country Woman

It was one of those magical summer mornings—with filtered light and a warm breeze. Perfect by most standards, and made more so by the location: a yard outside an old house in a rural town, an auctioneer’s melodic cadence rising above the crowd gathered before him. I love a good country auction. This one drew me in for no particular reason that Saturday. When the runners unfurled a Double Wedding Ring quilt in the pinks and blues of old feedsack cloth, I realized why I was there—to bid on that quilt. I came home with the pretty piece of history that day, and countless guests have slept under it since. If an old quilt causes you also to suck in your breath, or if you can spend hours sitting in…

Cows and Flamingos I saw your Button, Button article in the February/March 2021 issue and was inspired by the chicken wall art. I needed a birthday gift for my 87-year-old father-in-law. He’s a retired dairy farmer, so I used the chicken inspiration to create a Holstein cow for him. Later, pursuing my love of flamingos, I created flamingo wall art too. Thank you for the fun, easy, inexpensive and creative projects ! DIANE E. CLAPPER MARTINSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA Gnomes Come Home After seeing the cute gnome, ladder and truck on the cover of your April/May issue, I was inspired to run out to my local dollar store, buy lots of gnomes and fairies and let them loose to play in my garden. Thanks for the lovely idea. DEBRA BALLEW STOCKBRIDGE, GEORGIA…

Here’s how to make our quilted wreath. WHAT YOU’LL NEED Template 12 5x7-in. fabric scraps Coordinating thread 1 skein embroidery floss 18x18-in. piece of fabric Polyester stuffing 1-in. plastic ring 1-in.-wide twill tape Scissors Sewing machine Sewing needle Iron DIRECTIONS 1 Using template, cut 12 pieces from fabric scraps. 2 Stitch 12 pieces together, right sides facing and using a ¼-in. seam allowance, to create a circle. Press seams open. 3 Using 3 strands of embroidery floss and a running stitch, hand sew ¼ in. from side of each seam. Start and stop ½ in. from inner and outer raw edges of wreath. 4 Lay circle on top of 18x18-in. fabric piece, wrong sides together. Pin inner and outer edges in place. 5 Using a ¼-in. seam allowance, stitch inner…

WHEN JERA BRANDVIG FIRST WALKED INTO a quilt shop 15 years ago, the textiles she found there bewitched her. “I started buying fabrics, even though I had never touched a sewing machine,” she says. After her husband bought her a machine for Christmas, Jera began teaching herself how to quilt. As she explored nontraditional methods, she landed on the popular “quilt-as-you-go” technique, in which each block is quilted independently before coming together into a full quilt. She’s since written three books on the subject—the latest, Quilt As-You-Go Made Clever, is due out in August. Her original love of fabric also persisted, and Jera now designs her own collections for Maywood Studio. Her latest, Sweet Beginnings, debuted this spring. It was a previous collection for Lecien Fabrics, High Tea, that gave…

When groups of quilting friends decide they want to get together regularly, a quilt guild begins. Here are some tips for finding fellow quilters. • Head to a fabric store or quilt shop. Start a conversation with someone who is buying a lot of fabric. • Post notices on message boards in your area, including coffee shops and grocery stores. • Mention it in your hair salon. • Search social media. • Once you’ve found your group, decide on a mission and start stitching!…

CHECKERS WHAT YOU’LL NEED Large tree stump Black paint pen Black paint Polycrylic finish Thick tree branch Paint in 2 colors Screw hook Muslin or canvas bag Orbital sander Paintbrush Miter saw DIRECTIONS 1 Using orbital sander, sand top of stump. 2 Measure stump and calculate size of checkerboard, which should be 8 squares by 8 squares. Draw border and checkerboard spaces with paint pen, and fill in every other space with black paint. Dry thoroughly. 3 Apply polycrylic finish to seal top of stump. Dry thoroughly. 4 Using miter saw, slice branch into 24 rounds, each ½ -in. thick. Paint 12 checkers in one color and 12 in other color. Dry thoroughly. 5 Screw hook into side of stump. Store checkers in muslin bag and hang from hook. RING…

A well-lived life is reflected in the beautiful things we leave behind. The quilt glowed in old scrap-bag colors—reds, blues, greens, yellows, pinks—hand-pieced in a sea of creamy muslin. Love at first sight takes many forms. First came the low-key haggling. The next day, just before closing, I was back at the antique store. The quilt came off the wall. The owner held it up and open, as far as her arms could stretch. The edges looked intact, coming to whimsical points. Intricate machine quilting swirled across the surface. “Are you a collector?” she asked. “I don’t know. How many do you need to be a collector?” The shop owner laughed. “I always say three,” she said. “If you have three of something, you’re a collector.” The new acquisition was…

Lori and Dirk Vanover of Waukesha, Wisconsin, are certified judges with the Kansas City Barbecue Society. They focus on these five things when judging competitions—or just firing up the smoker on a Saturday afternoon. 1 LOW AND SLOW —Keep a close eye on your smoker during cooking to maintain a steady temperature. This helps the meat cook evenly and makes it tender. True barbecue can take several hours; it is not prepared hot and fast, like on a grill. 2 TENDERNESS —Ribs should be tender, but contrary to popular belief, they should not fall off the bone. This means they’re overdone. A properly prepared brisket, once sliced, should gently stretch with a little resistance and not fall apart. Pulled pork meat should not be overcooked and mushy. To avoid overcooking,…

My grandma always had a quilting frame in her house. It was a perfect indoor fort for us grandchildren, although Grandma would shoo us away if she caught us playing under it. I remember lying quietly beneath the frame until she came to sneak in a few stitches, then grabbing her ankles and giggling as she squealed. Grandma’s hobby is a running thread in my childhood. She and Grandpa didn’t have much money, but my first lesson in charity was taught by Grandma’s church quilting circle. I was about 10 years old when I understood how much money a quilt could be raffled for. It was shocking for me to think something I just used to wrap up in on the floor to watch Sunday morning cartoons could be worth…

Tell us about yourself. I am a retired medical administrator and college instructor. I live in a small community about 20 km (12 miles) from our province’s largest city. What are your hobbies? I have been a knitter since I was a child, and that is my favorite hobby. I do quilt a bit and enjoy embroidery. Any advice for new quilters? Take a few lessons. Choose a small project like a wall hanging or some place mats to start, so you don’t get overwhelmed. I found that joining a ladies’ quilting group at our church taught me so much. The stitching was interspersed with laughter and lessons. Quilting is not something to read about in a magazine or watch online. This was hands-on, with experienced teachers sharing their tips…

Q: What are your best tips for a successful camping trip? Buy a pill organizer and label it to hold your spices like salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder. That way you don’t have to carry full containers with you. I also save my soda cans and pour popcorn kernels in them with a little olive oil. When I have a campfire going, I set the can on the fire and shake it every so often. (Wear gloves! The soda can gets hot.) When the kernels are done popping, lay the can on its side and cut it open to release the popcorn. DIANA JOHNSON LIMA, OHIO When camping, I love to put roasted marshmallows between two gingersnaps to make a sandwich cookie. So good! JILL THOMAS WASHINGTON, INDIANA The…

These darling little desserts are a family favorite. At birthday parties, everyone loves the individual servings. LINDA EMERY BEARDEN, AR TAKES: 20 MIN.• MAKES: 10 SERVINGS 2 cups cold 2% milk 1 pkg. (3.9 oz.) instant chocolate pudding mix 1 carton (8 oz.) frozen whipped topping, thawed 1 pkg. (14.3 oz.) Oreo cookies Optional: Sugar gum succulents, chocolate rocks and edible paper butterflies In a medium bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping. Pulse cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form or desired texture is reached. Divide a third of the cookie crumbs and half of the pudding mixture among 10 dessert cups; repeat layers. Top with remaining crumbs. If desired, top with sugar gum succulents, chocolate rocks and edible paper butterflies.…

Caitlin and Tony Spinnato had sold their previous house in just three days in the summer of 2016 and, desperate to find something new, fell in love with a fixer-upper farmhouse on 13 acres in Durham, Connecticut. “Tony is a very handy person but he worked full time as an accountant, and I worked nights as a nurse, all while being parents to a young child,” Caitlin says. So they moved in with Caitlin’s parents for nine months while they set about refurbishing the home. The couple hired contractors for the heavy lifting—electrical, plumbing and cabinets. And then Caitlin, with the help of torn magazine pages and Pinterest pins, began designing her dream kitchen. “The kitchen was my first priority,” she says. “I picked everything out—countertops, size and style of…

Carol Williams of the Uhuru Quilters guild offers these suggestions for taking care of your quilts. • Use archival, nonacidic paper and boxes—or wood with a polyurethane seal—for storage. Avoid newspaper and plastic. • Wrap in clean cotton sheets and store folded or rolled on a tube. Refold periodically. “You don’t want to form creases,” she says. • Include a label with the quiltmaker’s name and address, date made, pattern used and reason for making the quilt. • If your quilt develops an odor, lay it flat in the sun between two old sheets. Vacuum gently through a screen or nylon netting. • Old quilts can be washed safely. Visit nationalquilterscircle.com and search “how to clean a quilt.”…

1 Never put off to tomorrow what you can do today. This lesson happened before those rectangular blocks ever hit the table. Play never started until I helped Mema with the dishes. 2 Play the hand you’re given. Depending on the number of people, you draw seven or nine tiles. Players can’t trade, fold or exchange. I’ve found it’s the same in life—you play the hand you’re given to your best ability. 3 Take turns. Various methods work to decide who plays first, but at that little kitchen table in south Louisiana, we simply took turns. I like this way best, both in dominoes and in life, as it’s good to let others have a chance to succeed. 4 Survey the options. When I first learned to play, I’d grab…

The scent of four bushels of peaches hits me the moment I walk into the kitchen this morning. I need coffee but decide I should start canning before the kids wake up. It’s a hot, humid Ohio summer day, so I turn on the air conditioner and get to work. Too soon, the pitter-patter of little feet announces that my children—5, 4, 3 and 2 years old—are awake. Child No. 3 is especially mischievous. He could give Dennis the Menace a run for his money. After we finish breakfast, I shoo everyone outside so I can snap a bushel of green beans that need to soak while I work on peaches. I snap away on the porch swing while children play happily in the yard. Life is good. When I’m…

1 Alabama White BBQ Sauce When my boys spent summers with their grandmother in Alabama, she’d take them to a restaurant that served chicken with white barbecue sauce. SABRINA EVERETT THOMASVILLE, GA TAKES: 5 MIN. + CHILLING MAKES: 3 CUPS 2 cups mayonnaise 1 cup cider vinegar 2 Tbsp. pepper 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper In a bowl, whisk all ingredients. Refrigerate 8 hours. Brush sauce over meats the last few minutes of grilling or serve sauce on the side. 2 TBSP. 124 cal., 13g fat (2g sat. fat), 1mg chol., 192mg sod., 1g carb. (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 0 pro. 2 East Carolina Barbecue Sauce On a recent trip, I discovered this bold, spicy sauce in the Carolinas. It was served with pulled…

1 Pals From the Start Dallas and Tyler are best friends born 13 months apart. They’re both tractor-obsessed, so we hope they do something that involves big rigs someday. BRANDI ANDERSON WEST PLAINS, MISSOURI 2 Deer Friends Our daughter has helped raise Liddy Bug since we adopted the muntjac deer at 2 weeks old. Liddy Bug rewards the devotion with deer kisses. BRITNEY DENMAN HORNBEAK, TENNESSEE 3 Beanie Baby Six-month-old Griffin found a good spot to enjoy a warm afternoon among the beans. JORDAN SHINN CONVERSE, INDIANA Visit countrywomanmagazine.com/submit to share a family snapshot. If we publish it, you’ll get a free year of Country Woman.…

My son went to his first day of kindergarten and came home excited to tell me about his day. I stopped him at one point. “Oh, Roger, we forgot to brush your teeth.” I said. “That’s OK, Mom,” he said. “I didn’t open my mouth.” JIMMIE ELZY EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS When my daughter was about 7, she was being quite naughty one day. I asked her what got into her. “The devil on my shoulder made me do it,” she replied. I asked her about the angel on her other shoulder. “Oh, Mommy,” she said. “I can’t hear her. She only whispers.” PATRICIA NOGLE WATERLOO, NEW YORK We had a pile of manure to spread on the garden, and my 4-year-old granddaughter asked what it was. “It’s manure,” I said.…

A Place for Houseplants Did you take on a few new houseplants in the pandemic? You’re not alone! Now we want to see the clever ways you potted up those new greenery pals. Did you DIY a tabletop greenhouse? Macrame a pretty hanger for a sunny window? Snap a photo and tell us about it! Mighty Mantels Do you have a gorgeous holiday fireplace mantel to show off? If so, we want to see it. Share pictures and descriptions of the materials you used in the design, and you might see it in an upcoming issue. These Boots Were Made for Something Tell us about your favorite pair of boots—what makes them special? Have they seen you through the toughest jobs? Maybe they’re your dress boots, with a style all…

A JOURNEY IN FABRIC Our oldest daughter, Paula, had finished two years of training in the U.S. Navy when she came home for a visit in 2010. She was to report for duty in Washington state and planned to drive from Illinois. I was concerned for her safety, so I invited myself along. But I felt apprehensive about reconnecting with my daughter. At 20, Paula had already trained for a challenging job, lived in several states and was about to board an aircraft carrier bound for a war zone. My own experience was different: I had spent my early 20s close to home, slowly completing my education. I wondered how we would relate as adults. My worries evaporated as we drove. The wide-open prairie had a beauty that soothed our…

When Ginger Geren’s mother died, more than 50 quilts she made for family members blanketed the church during the funeral service. Her grandchildren also draped the pews reserved for immediate family with the cherished quilts each received when they graduated from high school. “We weren’t sure how we were going to display all of the quilts she made for family,” Ginger says. But area quilters came to the rescue, bringing in their own racks for the funeral. The response was heart-tugging, but not surprising. That’s what quilters do, says Ginger, a member of the Ankeny Area Quilters Guild in Iowa. Quilters tend to be a caring, supportive group. And community service often is a mission of their guilds. Many guilds were launched across the country in the 1970s (the Ankeny…

1 Kantha These quilts, made from recycled sari fabric, hail from South Asia—kantha is the Sanskrit word for “rags.” But the term also refers to the type of stitches used to create these quilts. Many modern, exported kanthas feature a long, simple running stitch. But more traditional versions can feature elaborate embroidery, often using symbols and patterns to create a story. Kantha quilts are reversible with a different pattern on each side. The example is a modern kantha, circa 2015. Worth: $20 to $40 2 Signature The types of signature quilts vary as much as the reasons for creating them. Often given as keepsakes to friends moving away or to a bride, they could also be given to honor someone, called a presentation quilt, or offered to a young man…

Smoked Brisket This is always a crowd favorite. It really melts in your mouth! JODI ABEL LA JOLLA, CA PREP: 20 MIN. + MARINATING GRILL: 8 HOURS + STANDING MAKES: 20 SERVINGS 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 fresh beef brisket (7 to 8 lbs.), flat cut RUB 2 Tbsp. garlic powder 2 Tbsp. onion powder 2 Tbsp. chili powder 1 Tbsp. ground mustard 1 Tbsp. ground cumin 1 Tbsp. paprika 1 Tbsp. smoked sea salt MOP SAUCE 2 cups beef broth 1/4 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp. hickory-flavored liquid smoke 1. Brush olive oil over brisket. Combine rub ingredients; rub over both sides of beef. Place brisket on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan,…

Nutty Chicken Sandwiches Crushed pineapple gives these chicken salad sandwiches a bit of sweetness, while pecans add a bit of crunch. NANCY JOHNSON LAVERNE, OK PREP: 20 MIN. + CHILLING MAKES: 16 TEA SANDWICHES 1 cup shredded cooked chicken breast 1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped 1/2 cup unsweetened crushed pineapple, drained 1/3 cup mayonnaise 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted 1/2 cup fresh baby spinach 8 slices white bread, crusts removed 1. In a small bowl, combine chicken, egg, pineapple, mayonnaise, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. 2. Just before serving, stir in pecans. Place spinach on 4 slices of bread; top with chicken salad and remaining bread. Cut sandwiches into quarters. 1 SANDWICH 103 cal., 6g fat (1g sat.…

Keep a few cozy quilts handy for cool evenings with this easy project. Start by propping two 6-ft. pieces of reclaimed wood 2x4s against a wall to determine the desired angle for finished ladder to lay. Place a straight edge along the foot of each piece and draw a line across wood. Cut both pieces along angled line with a miter saw. This will allow the ladder to lean against the wall when finished, but have feet flush with the floor. Cut five 1x4x18-in. pieces of reclaimed wood for the rungs. Starting 4 in. from top of ladder, align the first rung at an angle between 2x4s. Mark rung placement with a pencil, and drill 2 holes through the 2x4 and the rung on each side for screws. Repeat process…