Country Woman August/September 2019

I was an adult when I got my first bee sting. How I made it through a rural childhood without stepping on a bee while running barefoot through the clover, I’ll never know. But having not learned that lesson as a child, that is exactly how I got my first sting as an adult. Gosh, does it hurt. So I can relate to Cher Tom’s humorous story on page 54 about a sting her sister got. Still, I continue to love bees for their much-needed help in my vegetable garden—nearly a third of the food we eat relies on bees and other pollinators. And I especially appreciate the sweet rewards of the bees’ labor there. Every cold I get sends me straight to the honey jar and a comforting cup of…

Doreen J. Young of Pony, Montana, needed a graduation present for a neighbor’s daughter two decades ago. Looking at her pile of worn-out jeans, she decided on a denim quilt. That first quilt grew into more, until finally Doreen launched an Etsy shop, MadeInPonyMontana, for which she and a local seniors group produce quilts and other products from area cowboys’ jeans. The whole town pitches in, collecting and donating discarded denim. “Funny how I can feel so loved by finding a bag full of used jeans on my back porch,” she says. Doreen inspired us to wonder what else you could make with old denim. Turn to page 20 for more ideas.…

Q: How do you say “how do you do” to a new neighbor? What’s the best welcome you’ve ever received? I love welcoming new neighbors, as we have lived here for more than 40 years. And I’m a retired RN, so I always leave my contact information in case the new neighbor needs any medical resources. (Who’s taking new patients? Do you know a good pediatric specialist? ) Of course, I can’t give medical advice, but I can help smooth the path for some of these needs. MARCIA WEEKS MENDOCINO, CALIFORNIA A widow with some disabilities, I sold my country home due to the excessive outdoor upkeep. But my new neighbors went above and beyond to welcome me. When the couple across the street saw me trying to figure out my swamp cooler,…

Country Woman Turns 50! As we prepare for our 50th anniversary, we want to hear from you, the readers who’ve made it possible. What are your favorite Country Woman recipes and projects from across the years? Are there any you made and want to show off? Others we should revisit? Which stories have been the most memorable? All’s Fair Rides, games, animals and farm-fresh eats: What’s better than a county fair? Whether you never miss a year or have fond memories from the fairs of your youth, let us know. Calling All Collectors We’re looking for women who collect...well, all sorts of things! Do you have an antique dollhouse and the furniture to fill it? What about vintage sewing notions like pincushions, thimbles and embroidery scissors? What got you started, and which piece is your…

Our Circle of Friends volunteers help provide the creative ideas and heartwarming stories you see in every issue of Country Woman. Visit countrywomanmagazine.com/circleoffriendsfor more information or to apply. AMY ADAMS TORRINGTON, CONNECTICUT TERESA AMBORD ANDERSON, CALIFORNIA HOLLY AMBRO SEQUIM, WASHINGTON SHARON BLUMBERG PFLUGERVILLE, TEXAS TABITHA COOPER COLUMBIA, TENNESSEE BRENDA DAVEY GREENBRIER, ARKANSAS SANDY DUDZIK STREAMWOOD, ILLINOIS SANDY ERDMAN GOODVIEW, 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…

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Oval frame Foam core board with adhesive Yellow burlap fabric Chicken wire Utility or fabric tape Fabric flowers of various sizes Clothespins “Bee Blessed” template (Find on our Facebook page or design your own.) Cardstock Utility knife Hot glue gun Wire cutters DIRECTIONS 1 Remove back and glass from frame. Trace frame opening on foam core board. Using utility knife, cut foam core to fit into frame. 2 Cut burlap a few inches larger than foam core. Remove adhesive backing from foam and place fabric right side up on adhesive. Press into place, removing wrinkles. Flip over and trim excess fabric. Hot-glue edge of fabric to back of foam. 3 Using wire cutters, cut chicken wire slightly larger than the foam core. Place on top of burlap. Gently pull chicken wire around the back. Using utility or fabric tape, carefully tape down excess…