Innholdsfortegnelse for August 2022 i Country Living

By the time you’re reading this, you’ll likely be steeped in the “dog days of summer,” an expression that dates back to the ancient Romans. This hot, sultry season—often considered unlucky (see: droughts, famine)—was associated with the rise of Sirius, aka The Dog Star. Still, despite this Farmers’ Almanac factoid, I prefer to think the phrase refers to the countless canines lounging on front porches across the countryside, because it’s too darn hot to bother with things like playing fetch and chasing squirrels. I’ve also heard the month of August described as the “Sunday” of summertime, and I prefer the spirit of that sentiment. This time of year may lack the Friday-like anticipation of June and the abuzz-with-activity, hyper-scheduled Saturday energy of July, but that’s precisely what sets it apart.…

Object Lesson Whoosh, There It Is: The summer of 1886 was a hot one, and the Manhattan office of C. & C. Electric Motor Co. was abuzz with something refreshingly cool—the first electric table fan. Dr. Schuyler Skaats Wheeler, a Thomas Edison protégé, built the workbench fan by attaching a two-blade propeller to a small motor, thus revolutionizing personal cooling forever. Fan Craze: The 1910s heralded the Golden Age of fan design. Necessity was the mother of invention during these years as Americans relied solely on fans to keep cool. Engineers like Philip Diehl and George Westinghouse worked hard to perfect their designs made of heavy cast-iron and brass blades. Protective metal cages came soon after. Country Cred: The new electric fans weren’t just for cooling rooms. Farmers also installed…

Table Talk The post-war prosperity of the 1950s and ’60s sent homemakers on an entertaining spending spree. Decorative tablecloths became so coveted that companies constantly churned out new styles. Today, collectors seek out pieces from American brands such as Wilendur, Simtex, and Startex. Fruit and floral designs, often underlaid with graphic patterns influenced by midcentury modern aesthetics, run $25 to $75, while rarer barbecue and lobster motifs command as much as $300 apiece! Cold-Fashioned Illinoisan Richard Laramy patented the portable metal ice chest in 1953, but The Coleman Company acquired the rights shortly thereafter and went on to market the product as a cooler. As car travel increased, they became a hot commodity, with early models featuring latch closures, top handles, and the occasional mounted bottle opener. (Major beverage brands…

One in a Melon Making use of everything from the rind to the flesh, these refreshing sips and sides serve up maximum flavor. Recipes, pg. 92…

The Setting: The succulent-filled backyard of a Spanish-style home in Southern California Around the Table: Recipe developer and food stylist Marian; her husband, Lee; cat Soufflé; dog Possum; and a small group of friends. “I joke that I started a supper club, but I’m the only one allowed to cook,” says Marian. Spice of Life: “Being from Alabama, pimento cheese was served at everything from barbecues to weddings. To keep busy during the pandemic, I started delivering my homemade pimento cheese to friends, and it grew into a mail-order business (pimentochzclub.com).” Grate Expectations: “Good pimento cheese is all about the texture, so hand-grating the Cheddar is key! I like to serve a big bowl of my Pimento Cheese with Quick Summer Pickles and crostini for dipping and Green Chile Pimento…

“Watch the sun rise on the rock jetty of a sandy peninsula beach…”…and 12 more ways to take in the last light of summer. Set the Morning Aglaze: At Deviant Donuts, locals line up early (think 7:30 a.m.!) for honey-vanilla cold brew and decadent brioche donuts. Go for a Stroll: Ease into the day with a walk along Water Street in Stonington Borough (top right). The thoroughfare is dotted with quaint storefronts, historic homes, and, at its southernmost point, duBois Beach. Soak in History: The “streets” of the open-air Seaport Village at the Mystic Seaport Museum are lined with 200-plus-yearold trade shops that were transported from maritime towns throughout New England. Take a Lobster Roll Trip: Cruise the coast to Ford’s Lobster in Noank for lunch, where you’ll enjoy lobster…

If you’re the sort of house-obsessed person who can’t resist peeking inside a well-designed country home—whether it’s a lovingly restored farmhouse, a charming antiques-filled cottage, or a rustic lake cabin—then you have officially stumbled upon old-house heaven. That’s right: We’ve rounded up our all-time favorite houses from issues past and present that you won’t find anywhere else. So, kick back and enjoy all the Country Living All Access house tours right here: Plus, it’s just one of the many perks you’ll get to enjoy as a Country Living All Access member. Learn more at countryliving.com/signup or scan to become a member today.…

In With the Old PAGE 21 Bistro table; fermob.com. Tablecloths: Random Retro, randomretro.etsy.com; Filosaphy Home, filosaphyhome.com; The Linens Lady, thelinenslady.etsy.com; Ellie’s Vintage Fun, elliesvintagefun.etsy.com; Nannas 6 Treasures, nannas6treasures.etsy.com; Uncle Bunk’s Trunk, unclebunks trunk.etsy.com. PAGE 22 Coolers: Lloyd’s Treasures, lloydstreasures.etsy.com; Ladies of the Junkyard, ladiesofthejunkyard.etsy.com; Somthing 2 Treasure 4 Me; somthing2treasure4me.etsy.com; The Green Scene Antiques, thegreensceneantiques.com. PAGES 24-25 Lawn chairs: Florida Rediscovered, floridarediscovered.etsy.com; Fruitland Vintage, @fruitlandvintage; How Fast Time Flies, howfasttimeflies.etsy.com; Oakie’s Claptrap, oakiesclaptrap.etsy.com; Bowes Vintage Vibes, bowesvintagevibes.etsy.com; Florida Classics, floridaclassics.etsy.com. Soda bottles: Jim Healy, @jimhealyvintage; Country Girls Vintage, countrygirlsvintage.etsy.com; Kibster, kibster.etsy.com; Nana B’s Peace Emporium, nanabspeaceemporium.etsy.com. Picnics & Parties PAGE 36 “Rigo E Stella” plate; thearkelements.com. Ivory dinner plate; westontable.com. “Wave” placemats; amandalindroth.com. White wood bowl; spencerpeterman.com. PAGES 38-39 Yellow “Drift” napkin; bonnieandneil.com.au. Gingham cocktail napkin; mirthcaftans.com. Cake stand; match1995.com. “Linea” glass; thearkelements.com. “Mepra” ice bucket; potterybarn.com. “Sanya” block-printed table runner; soiltostudio.com. PAGE 40 “Aura” table runner; whitelodgestudio.com.…

1 Grabbing a spot on the dock to watch sailboats drift in and out of view 2 Improvised mudrooms that reflect life at this very moment 3 When the neighbors kindly swing by to share their bumper crop of tomatoes, cucumbers, melons… (See how to put that bounty to good use on pg. 33.) 4 How outfitting a home with a ping-pong table lowers the stress level of its inhabitants by at least 20 percent* *Not scientifically proven 5 “Gone Fishin’” signs in the windows of Main Street retailers 6 How you’re never stumped for fun when nature is your playground 7 Seizing the dog days of summer—and the sight of four-legged sidekicks suited up in life jackets 8 Lazy late-afternoon naps on a handcrafted hanging bed Follow us on…

Cool Lamp Swap standard blades for Edison bulbs (left) for a modern lamp with vintage flair. (Visit a lighting shop for wiring assistance.) Breezy Bookend A fan’s heavy weight and sculptural shape make for one perfect endcap to a row of books. Opt for smaller ones (around 8 inches tall) on a typical bookshelf. Well-Rounded Scrapbook Put sentimental photographs, postcards, or even concert tickets on display by clipping to a fan’s front cage with clothespins or metal clasps.…

Keep-it-Neat Rope Cleats Repurpose these dock essentials to keep summer gear orderly and organized. Simply screw evenly spaced metal cleats into a painted board. Five More Reasons To Go Antiquing Here’s how to capture that laid-back lake cabin look, even if you happen to be landlocked. № 1 Candle Propellers Create a sculptural centerpiece on a dining table by using small outboard motor propellers to hold tapers. Place either upside down or right side up and insert candles into the propeller hubs. № 2 Cast-Off Drawer Pulls Why settle for plain knobs when you can fancy-up a chest with vintage fishing reels? To attach them, drill two holes into the foot of each reel and screw to the drawer fronts. № 3 Row-Your-Boat Rod Switch out your box-store rod for…

“MY DAD TAUGHT ME TO FLY-FISH when I was young, but I have never been very good,” says designer Lela Rose (lelarose.com). Fortunately, Lela has since perfected a sport of another sort—party-throwing—and she recently put her well-honed skills on full display along a picturesque riverbank in Wyoming. “I just love being out here in nature, listening to the babbling brooks and rivers and the birds,” she says. In between casting lines, party guests took to canvas campstools (byerofmaine.com) around a rustic table set with a custom-sewn blue-and-white floral runner (kathrynireland.com), nature-inspired embellishments, and light summer fare, including avocado dip and ham-cantaloupe bites. In true Lela fashion, the designer came dressed in a vintage fly-fishing vest. “I’ve added fly ties over the years for color and fun,” she says. “Not necessarily…

COME FOR THE… Chance to Fully Unplug Sarah and Josh Pike purchased the 83-acre working farm from the original owner’s grandchildren in 2016. The property’s 11 rustic cabins, available for weekend rental, are intentionally electricity-free so visitors can feel at one with the woodsy surrounds. Come nightfall, everyone gathers in the event barn for communal dinners that pair the bounty of nearby farms with boozy slushies and rousing games of vintage bingo. STAY FOR THE… Blueberry Buckle Muffins At the end of Friday night’s welcome event, guests are sent to bed with a treat for the next morning: oversize blueberry buckle muffins baked with fruit from Sarah’s mother’s nearby blueberry fields. “The ‘buckle’ refers to what the top of the crust does when the weight of the sugar and butter…

Q. I’m taking my new dog on his first camping trip. What should I keep in mind? —Kasey S., Mt. Airy, NC A. Before you go, check park rules to ensure your pet can accompany you on all planned activities. During the trip, keep kibble in an airtight container in your car to avoid attracting unwanted visitors, and be sure to curtail any drinking from nearby ponds or streams, instead purifying their water. Also, remember that in an unfamiliar place, GPS dog-tracking devices—choose one with a wide cellular range—can be a literal lifesaver. And don’t forget to make sure your dog is up-to-date on flea and tick protection!…

If you’ve been fortunate enough to while away time in a rustic old cabin or clapboard cottage, then you are likely familiar with the happy-accident sort of shelving that presents itself along the exposed-framework walls. Intended to provide support, these noggins and headers—sometimes symmetrical, sometimes haphazard— help a country house maximize its charm per square inch. For a collector, the tucked-in two-by-fours present an opportunity to pack in quirk at every corner—a figurine here, a petite painting nestled between studs there. Nature-lovers tend to use these nooks to display the wares of their morning walks, be it a starfish or seashell, a few river rocks, or a sculptural piece of driftwood. And then there are the book-lovers without borders, whose summer syllabus can’t seem to be contained to a proper…

OBJECT LESSON: L.R. Nelson Lawn Sprinklers WHAT TO KNOW: In 1911, Lewen R. Nelson established his Peoria, Illinois-based L.R. Nelson Mfg. Co. Inc. as one of the first manufacturers of lawn care accessories. With the growing popularity of manicured lawns in the 1940s and early ’50s, their standard cast-metal base rotary lawn sprinkler quickly became a best seller. This new water delivery system consisted of two to four rotating propelling arms with a nozzle and was designed to adjust to the size of your lawn, with an automatic shut-off function. Many of their popular styles such as “Poppy” and “Jewell” came painted in colors like red, yellow, and green and had a geometrical or footed base embossed with the company name. Nelson’s later commercial irrigation systems revolutionized the agricultural industry. The…

Decorate with Driftwood. “I always look to the outdoors for styling ideas,” says Lela. “You never have to worry about colors not working—if they come from nature, they are always gorgeous together.” To make these driftwood-wrapped candle holders (far left), use a polyurethane glue (such as Gorilla Glue) to attach 3- to 5-inch-long pieces of driftwood to glass votives. Once dry, wrap votives with twine. Raise a Glass to Willie. The on-theme Whiskey River cocktail gets its name from an old Willie Nelson song. “Sometimes whiskey can sound dark and heavy, but this cocktail has a real ‘spring’ to it! Cardamom simple syrup adds sophistication, while a mix of citrus juices makes it refreshing,” says Lela. Cater to the Crowd. Sporting enthusiasts need sustenance to keep casting those lines. Here,…

Some of Brian Noyes’s earliest memories of baking are during summer visits to his grandmother’s in North Carolina. “She taught me cooking is about creating comfort and got me hooked on fresh fruit pies,” he says. As an adult, Brian spent 25 years working in publishing in Washington, D.C., but starting a food business was always in the back of his mind. He took culinary courses during vacations from his day job, and, “When I hit 50, I decided that if I was going to do it, I better do it now.” In 2007, Brian began baking on weekends at the Virginia farmhouse he and husband Dwight McNeill purchased two years earlier. He sold his goods at a small country store up the road, and, in 2008, a New York…

Moving away from Washington, D.C., a city I called home for 16 years, was not a decision to make lightly. But after riding out the pandemic in a small condo within that city, my husband and I conceded it was finally time. We looked south—first to nearby Virginia, then farther down to Georgia—for all the reasons non-Southerners usually do: Warmer weather. Friendlier neighbors. Wider open spaces. But most importantly: the oft-discussed, yet always elusive-seeming, slower pace of life. Zach and I hoped to learn not to do so much and move so fast all the time. In the end, my new job at Country Living landed us in Alabama. While we looked forward to reaching a stage of doing less, what we did not realize was that it would first…

Grilled Watermelon and Halloumi Kebabs with Basil Salt WORKING TIME 30 minutes TOTAL TIME 30 minutes MAKES 10 skewers ¼ cup loosely packed fresh basil, plus more for garnish¼ cup kosher salt2 cups (1-inch cubes) watermelon1 (8-ounce) package Halloumi, cut into 1-inch cubesFreshly ground black pepper 1. Preheat oven to 250°F. Process basil in a blender until finely chopped, 5 to 10 seconds. Add salt and blend until incorporated, stopping to scrape down sides as needed, about 15 seconds. Spread in an even layer on a small rimmed baking sheet. Bake until dry, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool completely. (Salt can be stored in an airtight container up to 3 months.) 2. Heat grill to high. Thread watermelon and Halloumi on 10 (6-inch) skewers. Season watermelon with basil salt and everything with pepper.…