Country Woman February/March 2019

A year ago in my editor’s letter, I confessed I couldn’t knit. Your outpouring of advice and support in the months that followed was overwhelmingly kind. Even with all your wonderful suggestions, I still can’t knit. But I have been practicing crochet. I haven’t mastered it yet, though I’ve learned enough stitches to start making a scarf. It probably won’t be finished until next winter, but I now understand how right you stitchers are: This is a delightful diversion from our daily tasks. Each week I gather with coworkers at lunch. We stitch and learn from each other. (Well, I learn from them. I’m not ready to teach anyone just yet.) I am, however, ready to celebrate National Craft Month this March with my newfound skills. My goal is to join all…

1 Inspired by our April/May 2018 cover, Diana Johnson of Lima, Ohio, made these sweet little fairy gardens in a set of canning jar lids. 2 Circle of Friends member Melody Richardson of Middlesex, Vermont, made this simple terrarium with succulents anchored in votive candleholders. She loves being able to change out the display depending on the holiday or season. For now, it’s a welcome breath of spring. 3 Cindy Eaton of Nokomis, Florida, was working on her family history when she found her mother’s 4-H mementos and created this clever display for the ribbons, which date from 1949 to 1956.…

After reading “Keep It” in the October/ November issue of Country Woman , I just had to write and tell you about my collections. I started collecting salt and pepper shakers when I was 11 years old. I’m now 96 and still collecting. I’ve lived in 10 states, including Alaska. Along the way I collected 4,897 salt and pepper shakers (yep!). I have shakers from every state. And I didn’t stop there. Remember Avon products? I also collect those beautiful bottles (the glass ones, not the plastic). I have more than 1,000 of them. When family comes to visit, I tell them, if you see something you want, take it now—which they have been doing, but not enough, as they haven’t put a dent in any of my collections! The salt and pepper…

Q: What’s your best keep-clean tip for mud season? I place newspapers on the floor to catch all the plops of mud and residue. Once the boots are on a drying mat, I roll up the newspapers and throw them out. It’s an easy, inexpensive fix on rainy days. JOY DETERDING CAMBRIDGE, NEBRASKA I ordered a clear vinyl runner for the hallway with floor mats on either end to trap dirt. Another tip is to let the mud dry and then get it with an electric carpet sweeper. Finally, we keep “paw towels” by the front and back doors and try to catch our dog before she runs back into the house for her treat. SHELBY OPPERMANN MECHANICSVILLE, MARYLAND Make note of any low spots in your yard that tend to pool up when it…

Cold Snaps What does winter look like in your corner of the country? What about when things start to thaw? Whether you’re still dealing with ice or preparing to plant, help us warm readers’ hearts by sharing your best cold-weather photos and wintertime experiences. Stock Exchange Planters and coffee tables, dog beds and benches...there’s scarcely a limit to the ways you can repurpose old stock tanks. If you’ve found a fun way to upcycle this rural-living mainstay, we’d love to see it. Let’s Talk Shop In southern climes especially, flea market season is just around the corner. Are there any communitywide or miles-long yard sales in your area? Have you ever traveled for a tag sale? We want to hear your rummage road trip stories and tips on the best markets in town. Turn to page…

Our Circle of Friends volunteers help provide the creative ideas and stories you see in every issue of Country Woman. Visit countrywomanmagazine.com/circleoffriends for more information or to apply. AMY ADAMS TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT TERESA AMBORD ANDERSON, CALIFORNIA HOLLY AMBRO SEQUIM, WASHINGTON SHARON BLUMBERG MUNSTER, INDIANA TERI CAROTHERS PORTERVILLE, CALIFORNIA TABITHA COOPER COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE BRENDA DAVEY GREENBRIER, ARKANSAS SANDY DUDZIK STREAMWOOD, ILLINOIS SANDY ERDMAN WINONA, MINNESOTA HELEN FLETCHER SHAD BAY, NOVA SCOTIA DANIELLE GLASGOW UNION MILLS, INDIANA MARIE HILLIARD NEWBORN, GEORGIA MARGIE LYTLE WASILLA, ALASKA MELLANIE McCREARY PALMER, ALASKA JENNIFER MILAKOVIC-NELSON CAMPTON HILLS, ILLINOIS STEPHANIE MORGAN EWING, KENTUCKY HAYLEY MOSS HULL, IOWA SHELBY OPPERMANN MECHANICSVILLE, MARYLAND WENDY QUATTLEBAUM MCDONOUGH, GEORGIA MELODY RICHARDSON MIDDLESEX, VERMONT CATHIE SCHOER SHEPHERD, MONTANA CHERYL STUNKEL TUSCARORA, MARYLAND JAMIE TAYLOR MUSKEGON, MICHIGAN JESSICA WAGNER VERSAILLES, OHIO WENDY WALKER EUSTIS, FLORIDA…