COOKIE FAVORITES VINTAGE HOLIDAY DECOR FAST & FESTIVE DINNERS

DIY GIFT
IDEAS

COFFEE
SHOP
FUDGE ORANGE
PAGE 41
GUMDROPS
PAGE 46

CREAMY
CARAMELS
PAGE 43

ORNAMENT
POPCORN BALLS
PAGE 42

PACK & SHIP DECORATE CROCHET

GOODIES WITH EASE IN SILVER & GOLD A TREE SKIRT
Contents
®

DECEMBER / JANUARY 2021

59
A sea of green
turns to drifts
of red and white
in this Virginia
greenhouse.
 37

26
Welcome Home Let’s Eat Share a Smile
13 Door Decor 37 Gathering Place 59 On the Farm
Cookie cutters shape up A sweet life is summed up Life and work among
into a festive wreath. in cookies. the festive flowers.

14 Look What You Made! 40 Made with Love 62 From the Heart
A table fit for a farmhouse. Easy-to-ship treats make Holidays with a chocolate-
it simple to send a hug covered cherry on top.
15 Hands On through the mail.
Yoga balls as garden art. 64 Say Hello
48 Celebrate A vest was the perfect gift.
16 Stitched Together Eggnog isn’t just for sipping.
Crochet a tree skirt 66 Scrapbook
wrapped up in style. 54 Comfort Food Readers’ best pics.
Busy-day dinners
18 Live It don’t have to be boring. 68 Lots of Laughs
Christmas with An insect invasion couldn’t
a Colonial look. stop this creative family.
OPPOSITE PAGE: MERV WEBB; BACK COVER: BRITTON MURREY/UNBOUND PHOTOGRAPHY

22 Love It 70 Simply Fun

The holiday shines COUNTRY WOMAN TO GO The craft forecast calls
in silver and gold. Read Country Woman and for swirls of snow.
share recipes from anywhere.
26 Make It Go digital: countrywoman
magazine.com/digital
Craft something for
everyone on your list. ALSO:
COVER PHOTO 6 Let’s Chat
34 Keep It Photographer: Dan Roberts 8 Join In
Set a festive table with Set Stylist: Melissa Franco 10 Good Neighbors
vintage collectibles. Food Stylist: Josh Rink 67 Puzzles
69 Recipe Index

COUNTRY WOMAN (ISSN 0892-8525) (USPS 852-900), Vol. 51, No. 1, December/January 2021 © RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 2020. Published bimonthly by RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC, 1610 N. 2nd St., Suite 102, Milwaukee WI 53212-
3906. Periodicals Postage Paid at Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and additional mailing offices. Publications Mail Agreement No. 40065693, Canadian GST No. 865444285RT. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to COUNTRY WOMAN, PO BOX 5294,
HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Send undeliverable Canadian addresses to canada_upm_harlan@cpmx.ca. Questions about your subscription? Email customercare@countrywomanmagazine.com or visit countrywomanmagazine.com/customercare
or write to COUNTRY WOMAN CUSTOMER CARE, PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794. For address changes, include both old and new addresses. If the post office alerts us that your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligations
unless we receive a corrected address within one year. Subscription prices: In U.S.: $19.98 for one year, $29.98 for two years, $39.98 for three years. Canada: one year, $23.98 CDN plus GST or HST, where applicable; international subscriptions:
$25.98 per year, U.S. funds prepaid. Send new subscriptions to PO BOX 5294, HARLAN IA 51593-0794. Allow four to six weeks. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without permission. Country Woman is a registered
trademark of RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC. Consumer information: Country Woman may share information about you with third parties for the purpose of offering products and services that may interest you. If you would rather not receive
such offers via postal mail, please write to Country Woman Customer Mailing List, PO BOX 3120, HARLAN IA 51593-0186. You can also visit www.tmbi.com/preference-center to manage your preferences and opt out of receiving such offers via
email. Please see our Privacy Policy at www.tmbi.com/privacy-policy.
 DIY Gifting
I
have never really enjoyed
online shopping. I do love
poking around the packed
shelves of the many small
businesses in my community.
They stock items you can’t find
just anywhere, and the shop
owners who curate those
collections give great advice
on picking the perfect gift.
But I’m not doing as much
shopping this year, in trying to do
my part in staying home. I’ll still
pop into my favorite stores a time
or two to support small shops as best I can, given how they are
struggling right now. But many of those on my list will get boxes
in the mail in the coming weeks with homemade gifts tucked in
between layers of tissue. (No peeking, friends and family!)
If you’re doing the same, you’ll find inspiration in this issue.
For the snackers on your list, we’ve got lots of ideas for easy-to-
ship homemade goodies beginning on page 40. For you crafters,
there’s a collection of handmade suggestions for the cooks, pet
lovers, gardeners, writers, gamers, and those who just love a
little pampering—all starting on page 26. And on page 42, find
a helpful guide for getting it all sealed up safely in a box and to
the post office on time. So fire up the ovens (or your glue guns)
and start creating. We may not be able to see everyone in person
this year, but with a little creativity, they’ll certainly know they
are loved when that box arrives. Wishing you the merriest of
seasons, and a peaceful new year.
JENNIFER ZEIGLER
DEPUTY EDITOR
GIVE A GIFT
Delight friends this season—
:
For You and all year long—with the
gift of Country Woman
magazine. Right now, gift
subscriptions are just $10
each! To place your order,
visit countrywomanmagazine
.com/givetoday.
4 C O U N T RY WO M A N
Meet a Friend
JESSICA WAGNER
FERSAILLES, OHIO
CIRCLE OF FRIENDS
Tell us about yourself.
My family lives on a small farm in
Ohio. We raise sheep, a few chickens
and barn cats. I spend mornings as a
preschool teacher and work several
hours a week at our local library.
What are your hobbies?
I enjoy reading, gardening, cross-
stitching and kayaking.
What advice do you have for
other moms to find hobby time?
My children are older, and they are
able to join me in what I love to do.
My son is often by my side when
I garden, helping or playing in the
dirt. He loves to scour the pumpkin
vines looking for orange orbs. My
daughter is a creative soul and will
sit beside me to work on her own
projects while I do mine. I think
when a parent gives value to a
hobby, a child can’t help but respect
that. It may look different though—
one might respond by begging to
join in while another might want to
watch while doing their own thing.
Who inspires you the most?
I take inspiration from all over! My
mom has always inspired with her
beautiful perennials; my friends are
amazing at maintaining productive
vegetable gardens, and my great-
grandma made many embroidered
items that I now decorate with.
What makes you
TAG: PICSFIFE/SHUTTERSTOCK
a country woman?
The longer I live in the country, the
more I’m convinced this is the place
for me. I need open spaces and trees
to relax. I’ve realized how fortunate
we are to be living in a space where
social distancing is built into life.
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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L E T ’ S C H AT

Family Fair
I rbally bnjoybd rbading thb August/Sbptbmbbr issub. All thosb articlbs
about fairs promptbd mb to sharb somb of my mbmoribs.
For many ybars it has bbbn a family tradition to bntbr in our local
fair. In 2019 wb had four gbnbrations involvbd with bntribs in baking
and canning, flowbrs and vbgbtablbs, craft, photography, crochbt
and knitting, quilting, junior work and thb Rosbbud Baby Show. Sadly,
thbrb was no fair to bnjoy this ybar dub to COVID-19.
Last ybar thb lap quilt I bntbrbd won a first-prizb ribbon! Thb
pattbrn I usbd was thb “Wigglbs and Gigglbs” quilt fbaturbd in a
2009 Country Woman issub. I havb usbd this pattbrn many timbs
for childrbn’s quilts and adaptbd thb pattbrn for lap quilts for adults.
SHERRY HARNDEN FRASERVILLE, ONTARIO

Friendly Advice
Q: What are your tips for
this gift-giving season?
I, like most people, used to throw out the tissue
from gift bags, as it is usually all wrinkled—until
the day my best friend, Jeannie, told me it could
be ironed flat on a low setting. The paper looks new
again! This saves the time and money buying new
tissue papers and allows me to practice recycling.
BRENDA TOON SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN

All Grown Up Whenever I’m taking a gift to a party, I always

Thb photo on thb lbft ran in thb Dbcbmbbr/January write on the back of the card the gift I’m giving,
2019 issub. Lynn Martalock of Tomah, Wisconsin, has attach an address label and include a sales receipt.

taught hundrbds of kids to skatb—somb as young as
2 ybars old. And shb stays with thbm throughout thbir
skating carbbrs. Thb photo on thb right is thb samb
studbnt, ybars latbr. “Wb rbbnactbd it!” Lynn writbs.
QUILT: SHERRY HARNDEN; SKATERS, LEFT TO RIGHT: LAURIE BRAMAN/SPORTZ MEMORIES, KATIE VERVOREN
I then place the card inside the wrapped package
so it doesn’t get detached from the gift.
LINDA JOHNSON IVINS, UTAH
I listen to loved ones for gift ideas and jot them in a
special notebook. I also have a page marked “annual
gifts for others” with the year at the top of the page
to keep track of gifts given. The next page is marked
“Christmas,” followed by the year. Family members,
friends and organizations are listed here. I pencil in
gift ideas as I think of them. These lists are so helpful
as I shop and craft all year. When an occasion is
approaching, it is a nice surprise to check these pages
and learn I already have something. And because I
keep a list from year to year, I can check and see if I
have already given a particular gift.
CAROLYN PURDY HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA

What’s your best idea for keeping the mess to

a minimum while doing the holiday baking—
We enjoy hearing from readers. It’s easy! Just drop us especially with little ones helping? Visit us at
a note: feedback@countrywomanmagazine.com countrywomanmagazine.com/submit to share tips.

6 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 A love blessed
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 CountryWoman
Join In! Our Circle of Friends
volunteers provide
some of the creative
EDITORIAL
®

Executive Editor Kirsten Schrader

Associate Creative Director Christina Spalatin
Deputy Editor Jennifer Zeigler
Art Director Jessie Sharon
Natural Color ideas and heartfelt Editor Ellie Piper
Have you experimented with dyeing your own stories you see in Deputy Editor, Copy Desk Dulcie Shoener
fabrics with natural dyes? What tips do you have? every issue of Country Copy Editors Amy Rabideau Silvers,
Sara Strauss, Ann Walter
Do you have a project to show off? We want to hear Woman. Visit country Senior Editor, Digital Lori Vanover
womanmagazine Director, Editorial Operations
about them! .com/circleoffriends Kelly Madison-Liebe
to apply. Senior Rights Associate Jill Godsey
Collectors Editorial Business Assistant Megan Smith
Production Coordinator Jon Syverson
Wanted Amy Adams
Swansea, MA
Senior Manager, Publishing Technologies
Do you have a Dena Ahlers
Teresa Ambord Business Analysts John Piccirillo,
vintage record Anderson, CA Shannon Stroud; Jill Banks (junior)
player or radio? Holly Ambro Contributors
Washington State Samantha Bender, Sarah Bierstedt,
How about a Stephanie Sliwinski (crafts)
Sharon Blumberg
weakness for old Pflugerville, TX Executive Culinary Director Sarah Farmer
metal outdoor Tabitha Cooper Deputy Editor, Culinary James Schend
Columbia, TN Senior Food Editor Peggy Woodward, RDN
furniture? Food Editor Rashanda Cobbins
Brenda Davey
Antique garden Greenbrier, AR
Recipe Editor/Tester Alicia Rooker, RDN
Food Stylists
tools? Quilts? Sandy Dudzik Shannon Norris (senior), Josh Rink
If you delight in Streamwood, IL Associate Culinary Producers
Sandy Erdman Sarah Tramonte, Audrey Rompon
any of these items, Goodview, MN Prep Kitchen Manager Catherine Ward
tell us about it! Helen Fletcher
Culinary Assistants Sarah Fischer,
Maggie Knoebel, Mark Neufang
Shad Bay, NS
Danielle Glasgow Executive Director, Visual Production
Do a Good Deed Union Mills, IN Stephanie Marchese
Do you know someone who goes the extra mile for Marie Hilliard
Photographers Mark Derse, Dan Roberts
Senior Set Stylist Melissa Franco
her community? Share her story—along with some Newborn, GA
Market Producer/Set Stylist Stacey Genaw
pictures—and she could be featured in our Good Margie Lytle
Wasilla, AK BUSINESS
Neighbors column. Consider it a good deed done! Mellanie McCreary Executive VP, Sales & Marketing Lora Gier
Palmer, AK Eastern Advertising Director
Jennifer Milakovic-Nelson Pete Holfelder Jr.
Campton Hills, IL Midwest Advertising Director
Kim Krubeck Hinrichs
Stephanie Morgan Direct Response Advertising Jennifer Izzo
Ewing, KY jizzo@mediapeople.com
Hayley Moss Art Director Michael Castellano
Hull, IA Business Director Gisele Myer
Shelby Oppermann Director, Magazine & Book Production
Mechanicsville, MD Leslie Kogan
Production Manager Aracely Lopez
Wendy Quattlebaum
Huntington, WV
TRUSTED MEDIA BRANDS, INC.
Melody Richardson President & Chief Executive Officer
Middlesex, VT Bonnie Kintzer
Cathie Schoer Chief Content Officer Beth Tomkiw
Shepherd, MT Chief Administrative Officer Dean Durbin
Cheryl Stunkel Chief Marketing Officer C. Alec Casey
Tuscarora, MD Chief Digital Officer Vince Errico
Chief Technology Officer Nick Contardo
Jamie Taylor
Muskegon, MI Chief People Officer Jennifer Tyrrell
SVP, Marketing Ronak Patel
CRAFTER: COURTESY OF JENNIFER SLAUGHTER

Jessica Wagner SVP, General Counsel Mark Sirota

Versailles, OH VP, Associate General Counsel/
Wendy Walker Chief Privacy Officer Paul Gillow
Eustis, FL VP, Benefits & Compensation
Heather Schwartz
VP, Consumer Acquisition Heather Plant
VP, Operations Michael Garzone
VP, Consumer Marketing Planning Jim Woods
COUNTRY WOMAN’S
VP/General Manager, Website Products
Emily Christner
CIRCLE OF VP, Programmatic & Data Product Operations
FRIENDS Scott Mulqueen
VP, Digital Sales Cory Rotkel
Turn to page 69 for tips on submitting your stories. VP, Retention Linda Alexander
VP, Analytics Tom Argiriou
Deputy Editor, Content Strategy & Editorial
Management Nicole Doster
8 C O U N T RY WO M A N Director, Creative Development Mikal Gilliat
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GOOD NEIGHBORS

The Gift of a Day Off

Hundreds of Jewish volunteers step in on Christmas Day
to allow Christian friends time to celebrate.

E
arly on Christmas
morning, about 20
volunteers will arrive
at Zuma’s Rescue Ranch in
Littleton, Colorado, to feed
the 35 horses and clean the
stalls. This is much like any
Boulder. At hospitals, animal
shelters and family services
organizations, they’re all there
to offer their Christian friends
a mitzvah—a good deed, in the
form of a day off.
The wildly popular program
phrase called tikkun olam, which
means to ‘repair the world,’ ” says
Beth. “I think that’s why we don’t
have to recruit that much. People
just want to volunteer.”
At 25 years old, the Christmas
Mitzvah Project has been growing
ALL PHOTOS: BRITTON MURREY/UNBOUND PHOTOGRAPHY

other day at the rescue’s barns,
except the Christmas volunteers
are there to give the rescue’s
regular volunteers the day
off to celebrate the holiday
with friends and family.
The 20 substitute volunteers
are part of JewishColorado’s
Christmas Mitzvah Project,
which places nearly 700
volunteers at 28 nonprofits
in and around Denver and
draws more volunteers than
the organization has places to
send them, says Beth Danilson,
who along with Susan Chayet,
manages the Christmas Mitzvah
Project. “In Judaism there’s a
“I’m blown away
every time.”
exponentially in the five years
since JewishColorado began
managing it—the project has
been going on so long, Beth says
no one really remembers how it
got started. “I’m blown away
every time because we open the
registrations and four hours later
we have 200 volunteers.”
Many of them are families,
parents who want to teach their
children the principle of tikkun

10 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
Volunteers in Colorado have
shown up each Christmas Day
for 25 years to share good deeds
with others in their community.

olam, though most sites don’t

allow volunteers younger than
16. At hospitals, volunteers serve
meals, run coffee carts and offer
a craft station for patients and
their visitors. At sites like Zuma’s
and other animal shelters, they’ll
provide basic care for the animal
residents. Some jobs require
a little advanced training.
To create more opportunities
for younger volunteers, Beth
and Susan established family
sites in schools and synagogues,
where kids can work with their
parents and grandparents on
activities like packing boxes
for food pantries and making
fleece blankets to send to those
experiencing homelessness.
This year, the project will look
a little different because of the
pandemic, Beth says. The group
has lowered its volunteer goal
to 500, given social distancing
requirements at each site, and
they plan to transform their
family sites into “Christmas
Mitzvah at Home” kits that
families can work on in their
own houses on that day. But there
will still be plenty of mitzvahs to
share with others.
Beth puts it this way, quoting a
common saying in her community:
“The world may be imperfect, but
we have not only the opportunity,
but really the obligation, to help
make it better, more whole.” For
those able to put their work aside
to celebrate a holiday, it is.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 11

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 Welcome Home
Your guide to all things fresh, feel-good and country

DOOR DECOR

Anything but Cookie-Cutter

Festive and familiar shapes come together
into an eye-catching holiday wreath.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 13

W E LCO M E H O M E

LO O K W H AT YO U M A D E !

Farmhouse Fab
For less than $200 in materials, she got her dream table.

“I’ve always wanted a farmhouse

table,” says Patty Price of Lebanon,
Pennsylvania. She researched and
looked in stores, but everything she
found was too expensive for her
budget. So she asked her husband
if they could make one. Using
$200 worth of materials, he
built the table that Patty painted
and distressed. “We couldn’t be
happier with the result,” she says.

Here’s how to make our cookie cutter wreath.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED DIRECTIONS

Cookie cutters, various sizes 1 Arrange cookie cutters in
Scrapbook paper circular form, making sure
Ribbon each cutter touches another
Scissors or craft knife at some surface.
Super glue 2 Trace cutters onto back
Hot glue gun of scrapbook paper. Cut out
shapes with scissors or knife.
Adhere paper to cookie cutters
with super glue.
3 Hot-glue cookie cutters
together at their touch points.
4 Hot-glue an empty cookie
cutter at top and loop ribbon
through to hang wreath.

14 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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W E LCO M E H O M E | ST I TC H E D TO G E T H E R

Finishing Touch
Crochet your tree a cozy faux fur wrap.
Make this
tree skirt!
C
rochet pattern designer
Toni Lipsey set out to Get the free pattern
at tlycblog.com.
make something “fabulous
and festive” for her tree last year,
and she hit the mark with her faux
fur tree skirt. You can get the free
pattern from her blog at tlycblog.
com/solstice-tree-skirt-free-
crochet-pattern/.
Toni is the designer and teacher
behind TL Yarn Crafts in Columbus,
Ohio. Through her approachable,
printable patterns and cheery
video tutorials, she strives to
make crochet accessible to makers
of every skill level. Toni learned to
crochet as a teen but honed her
skills after graduating college. She
was bitten by the entrepreneur
bug in 2013 and began TL Yarn
Crafts as a finished product business.
Designing quickly became the focus
and she was able to quit her day
job in 2017. Follow her journey on
Instagram @tlyarncrafts and find
her other patterns and maker gifts
at tlyarncrafts.com.

SKIRT: TONI LIPSEY; TONI: MEGAN LEIGH BARNARD

16 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 The Thomas Kinkade Artistic
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EACH KIT IN THE COLLECTION CONTAINS:
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W E LCO M E H O M E | L I V E I T

Holiday from History

After renovating a Cape Cod, a New Hampshire
homeowner decorates with a nod to the past.

18 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 T
he 1850s Cape Cod
home in Gilmanton,
New Hampshire,
had been stripped of
its character when
Sandy Beliveau and her husband,
Frank, went to look at it six years
ago. They walked away, only to
turn back later. “We realized the
potential and knew we could
restore the charm,” Sandy says.
With an affinity for a Colonial
Williamsburg design aesthetic,
they jumped in, replacing beams,
chair railings, hardware and
paint, and using reproduction
stencils for the walls.
Within a year, the house was
ready to reveal, which the couple
did when they hosted 150 people
there for their youngest daughter’s
outdoor wedding.
Sandy continues to open
her doors to friends and family,
especially during the Christmas
season, when she decorates the
house with 13 trees adorned
with dried fruits, flowers and
herbs; armloads of greenery
and a collection of antiques.
“The use of nature’s bounty
offers peace and serenity to
this time of year,” Sandy says.
See more on Sandy’s Instagram
@NewEnglandCountryCape.
PHOTOS BY J.S. O’CONNOR PHOTOGRAPHY

Sandy Beliveau’s classic New England Cape Cod-style home serves as the perfect
canvas for her old-fashioned Christmas decorations.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 19

W E LCO M E H O M E | L I V E I T

1 CREATING AN “AHA!” 2
Sandy believes in creating spaces
within rooms to capture what
she calls an “aha!” moment. Her
kitchen is home to her collection
oD Charles Dickens’ books. She
tucks Dresh cranberries Dor color
into Mason jars and displays them
above the cupboards. The tree is
decorated with gingerbread men
and stars Sandy begins baking in
October, eucalyptus leaves and
pine cone garlands.
2 A CORNUCOPIA OF FRUIT
Natural elements are prominent
in the living room, where Sandy
adorns the mantel with pears,
pomegranates, oranges, lemons,
apples and limes. Doorways get
swagged with greens, artemisia,
more Druits and a Dew antique
musical instruments.

20 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 3
3 A TRIO OF TREES
“My goal is to create a magical holiday moment
in every corner of my home,” Sandy says. That
holds true on her sun porch as well, with its
whimsical bicycle motif and the cozy wicker
furnishings. During the holiday season the
porch is filled with three trees decorated with
more cranberries as well as crabapples and
milkweed pods. In the first years she spent in
her house, Sandy tried to use only real greens
and fruits, but she found it challenging to keep
them fresh throughout the season. Now she
uses a mix of faux and real, growing all the dried
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
herbs in her garden, and drying the apple and
orange slices she uses on trees and in garlands.
4 WALL ART
The stencils on the walls of the master
bedroom—and throughout the rest of the
house—are reproductions of originals by
Moses Eaton, a well-known New Hampshire
stencil artist during the first half of the 19th
century. Sandy took six months to pick the
color schemes during the home’s renovation,
with a goal that each room would transition
seamlessly to the next.
C O U N T RY WO M A N 21
W E LCO M E H O M E | LO V E I T

GET THE LOOK! Find this ornament and pine

wreath and garland in silver and gold, as well as
the mercury glass ornaments on the opposite
page at potterybarn.com.
22 C O U N T RY WO M A N
 Silver and gold trim brings sparkle and style
to holiday decorating.

S mlver and gold decoratmons have been mn

fashmon for decades—Burl Ives sang a
trmbute to them as Sam the Snowman
mn the 1964 classmc Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer—but the color scheme has seen
a resurgence mn stores and on home decor
blogs mn recent years. Heather Luckhurst,
the Ottawa, Canada, desmgner behmnd one
of those blogs, settingforfour.com, says
thms ms because the colors create a look that
ms “mnvmtmng, tmmeless and classmc. A smlver and
gold holmday color palette fits wmth all desmgn
styles—modern, tradmtmonal, boho, vmntage,
French country and farmhouse.”
To replmcate the trend, Heather suggests
startmng wmth equal amounts of gold and smlver
accents mn a collectmon of matte, shmny and
glmttery finmshes to keep thmngs balanced,
although she loves mmxmng solmd, strmped and
geometrmc patterns among the colors. “For
a desmgner holmday look, mmx the shape and
type of your smlver and gold decor usmng
Chrmstmas ornaments, rmbbon, holmday
sprays and stems,” she says.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 23

W E LCO M E H O M E | LO V E I T

This color scheme is especially striking on

the Christmas tree. Heather accomplishes
the look by starting with enough silver and
gold ornaments to decorate the tree, and
then layering in some white ornaments

HEADER ARTWORK: OLGA LEBEDEVA/SHUTTERSTOCK; TREE: PINK_COTTON_CANDY/GETTY IMAGES; TINSEL BALLS: TERRI DAWALD; SILVER BALL: KAMENETSKIY KONSTANTIN/SHUTTERSTOCK; CAROL: MARIO CELLA
“to make the silver and gold pop.”
And because metallics offer a more
neutral palette than traditional red and
green, it’s easy to tweak the look from year
to year. “Add a few ornaments in an accent
color such as blue, green or pink,” Heather
says. “For example, if you select a blue accent
color, start with one shade of blue—such as
navy blue—and each year add some midtone
and light blue ornaments to create a
gorgeous, layered look.”
She suggests looking for boxed sets of
ornaments in different finishes and shades
LAM
of one color to make it easy. V I N TA G E G
It’s a plan so simple, you’ll have plenty of
time to sit back and enjoy the twinkling glow NANCIE BILLINGSLEY has been obsessed with vintage
reflecting back into the room. Christmas decorations ever since she bought an old
Victorian home in Traverse City, Michigan. She later
sold the house but packed up most of the decorations
to move to a smaller abode. “I once had nine trees. But
I brought all of it with me anyway!” says Nancie. “One
of my favorite trees is my 1950s aluminum one.”
Nancie’s not alone. The midcentury metal trees have
jumped in popularity in the past 15 years and continue
to be sought by collectors.

SILVER MEMORIES
WE RECENTLY REMODELED
our back porch, so last year was
the first Christmas season with
this new space. I was drawn to
silver, perhaps because my late
mom’s favorite Christmas song
was “Silver Bells.” Although we
lost her almost 28 years ago, last
year was the first time I could hear
the song without crying. While I
was growing up, we always had
real trees with the stringy silver
icicles that got all over everything
but were so pretty reflecting the
lights. And oh-so-fun for kids to get
to put on the tree! This year, to kind
of commemorate that, but without
the mess, I used an idea I saw on
Pinterest. I snipped silver garland
into small sections and placed them
in clear ornaments I found at the
craft store. I also added glittered
pine cones and attached a cute
little bow. At night, it captured the
effect I was going for just perfectly.
TERRI DAWALD CARTHAGE, MISSOURI

24 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
`What’s a Christmas
tree without tinsel and
pretty SILVER and
GOLD decorations?
You can’t really call
it a Christmas tree,
now can you?a
SAM THE SNOWMAN
RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
We had “poor man’s silver”
on our Christmas tree when I was
a child. We saved the strips of
metal that were twirled onto keys
to open cans of Spam and pulled
the strips out carefully to make long
curly ornaments to hang on our
trees. We were always warned to
handle them carefully, since they
were so sharp, but they were quite
pretty hanging on the tree.
MARY BAKKEN
NEW RICHLAND, MINNESOTA
HANDMADE HOLIDAY
CHRISTMAS OF 1968 was my first as a married
woman. Silver and gold were certainly in style,
as you can see by the outfit I am wearing, a gift
from my new husband, Mario. I liked different
types of ornaments but only had a small budget
to work with in our first apartment in Brighton,
Massachusetts. I took three round gold balls
and put them together with pipe cleaners to
form a ball cluster—yes they were different!
The long tube-style ornaments were made
of thin velvet ribbon, stuck into Styrofoam
ball ornaments in a crisscross pattern with
pins for another effect. It all worked out and
it was very different for very little money. I still
have a few of these left, 52 years later, and use
them on my tree each year to remind me of my
first married Christmas.
CAROL CELLA DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA
C O U N T RY WO M A N 25
W E LCO M E H O M E | M A K E I T

Handmade gifts will

please everyone on
your list this year, all
easily created while
safely staying in.

COOK
FOR THE

WOOD-
BURNED
SPOONS
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Wooden spoons
Hand-held wood-burning tool

DIRECTIONS
1 Lightly draw out designs on
wooden utensils with a pencil.
2 Carefully use wood-burning
tool to burn designs into wood.
3 Cool spoon completely and
erase pencil marks.

26 C O U N T RY WO M A N
 FOR THE PET OWNER

DOG PAW BALM

WHAT YOU’LL NEED bowl for about 1 minute or until
2 Tbsp. beeswax there is just a small amount of
2 Tbsp. shea butter unmelted wax. Use toothpick
2 Tbsp. coconut oil to stir until completely melted.
2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 Add lavender oil and stir with
20 drops lavender essential oil the toothpick.
Toothpick 3 Pour mixture into Mason jar.
4 oz. Mason jar with lid Allow to cool and solidify.
Small glass bowl 4 To decorate jar lid, cut a circle
Card stock of card stock to fit jar lid.
Electronic cutting machine 5 Import paw print template into
or pencil and craft knife cutting machine and cut circle in
Glue stick coordinating color or trace with
a pencil and cut with knife.
DIRECTIONS 6 Adhere circles to each other
1 Microwave beeswax, shea butter using glue stick. Glue circle to
and coconut and olive oils in glass jar lid and fit metal ring over it.
Screw lid onto jar.
AT E
PL
M
TE

Gift It
Place the balm in a
doggie dish and add
some treats and toys.

T ie It
Together
Package the spoons
with a favorite recipe
card, an oven mitt and
a pretty tea towel.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 27

W E LCO M E H O M E | M A K E I T
DENER
FOR THE G AR
GARDEN APRON
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
2/3 yd. 44-in.-wide outdoor-
weight printed fcbric
½ yd. 60-in.-wide duck fcbric
in contrcsting color
3 yd. 1-in.-wide
cotton webbing
Coordincting threcd
Extrc-wide, double-fold
bics tcpe
4-in. Velcro
Sewing mcchine
Hecvy-duty sewing mcchine
needle, size 90/14
Iron
DIRECTIONS
1 Prewash both fabrics. Cut 5
pieces—1 front main floral and
1 contrasting back: 24x14-in.;
1 contrasting pocket: 24x9-in.;
1 pocket main floral: 28x7-in.;
and 1 flap pocket floral: 7x6-in.
2 Cut two 8-in. pieces of cotton
webbing for tool loops.
3 Make pocket flap by folding
fabric in half, right sides together
with 6-in. sides meeting. Stitch
two 3½-in. sides with a 3/8-in. seam
allowance. Turn right side out,
poke out corners and press.
Baste across open raw edge
with a ¼-in. seam allowance.
Topstitch remaining sides ¼-in.
from edge. Center loop side of
Velcro on underside of flap
¼-in. from bottom edge. Stitch
around all 4 sides of Velcro.
4 Baste pocket flap, Velcro side
down, to top edge of contrasting
28 C O U N T RY WO M A N
pocket fabric
½ in. from right
side edge.
5 Topstitch bias
tape to top edge
of both of the
pocket pieces.
6 Attach hook side
of Velcro to front of
floral pocket piece
1½ in. from side edge
and ¾ in. from top
edge. Stitch around
all 4 sides of Velcro.
7 Layer contrasting
pocket piece over floral
main piece, matching
bottom edge and sides.
Baste around sides and
bottom of pocket piece.
8 Mark bottom edge of
contrasting pocket piece
starting from the left at
6, 12 and 18 in. Mark
bottom edge of floral pocket
piece starting from the left at
6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 21 and 22 in.
9 Layer floral pocket piece
on top of coordinating pocket the 13-in. mark to the 14-in. mark
piece, lining up bottom and side and the 21-in. mark to the 22-in.
edges. Match up 6-in. marks, the mark along bottom edge. Pin
14-in. mark to the 12-in. mark, in place and baste across the
and the 22-in. mark to the 18-in. bottom of the pockets using
mark. Pin in place and stitch a ¼-in. seam allowance.
vertically from bottom to top 11 Place contrasting fabric back
edge of the pocket at these on top of apron front, covering
3 places, as well as the side pockets. Pin around all 4 sides,
edges of the pockets. leaving a 6-in. opening at the
10 To make pleated pockets, top. Stitch with short stitch
bring 7-in. mark to 6-in. mark, length and a 3/8-in. seam
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 FIND IT!
Don’t want to maki
thi apron yoursilf?
Buy a finishid
oni from Purpli
Pincushion. $45
purplepin
cushion.shop

Add a Surprise
Tuck gardening tools such as
gloves and shears—and a few
seed packets—into the pockets.

allowance, being careful not
to catch pocket flap in stitching.
Clip corners. Turn apron right
side out through opening at the
top. Carefully poke out corners.
Press all seams. Topstitch all
4 edges of apron.
12 To reinforce pocket dividers,
stitch a second time over the
original pocket stitch lines from
bottom edge and extending to
top edge of apron.
13 Mark center of one 8-in.
piece of webbing. Turn under
raw edges of webbing and
stitch down on each end. Place
webbing on apron front 1½ in.
from top right edge, lining up
ends of webbing with side edge
of apron and nearest pocket
divider stitch line. Stitch ends
in place. Stitch marked center
of webbing to the center of the
area between the ends. Repeat
steps on left side of apron.
14 Hem both ends of remaining
length of webbing by turning
under ½ in. and then another
½ in. Stitch to secure. Find
center of length of webbing and
line it up with center of apron’s
top edge. Pin in place. Stitch
close to both edges of webbing.
Reinforce at side edges of apron
with an “X in a square” pattern.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 29

W E LCO M E H O M E | M A K E I T

FOR THE FRIEND WHO ALWAYS SENDS A NOTE

STATIONERY SET
WHAT YOU’LL NEED DIRECTIONS
Envelopes 1 Line envelopes with scrapbook glitter glue for flames. Stamp
Scrapbook paper paper by cutting paper ½-in. “Happy Birthday” below design.
Double-sided craft tape smaller than width of envelope. 3 For thank-you cards, stamp
Stock cards or folded paper Slide paper in envelope and trim “Thank You” on cards. Cut and
Washi tape around flap. Secure with double- adhere washi tape pieces in a
Glitter glue sided craft tape. decorative pattern, as desired.
Craft knife or scissors 2 For birthday cards, cut lengths 4 Stamp or decorate envelope
Decorative stamps of washi tape for candles and with gel pens in a pattern
Stamp pads arrange on cards. Add dots of corresponding to card.
Gel pens

Box It Up
Nestle this stationery set
with some colorful gel
pens in a decorative box.

30 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 Complete the Set
Add a deck of cards and
a set of dice for the ultimate
game package.

AMER
FOR THE G

FAMILY GUESSING GAME

WHAT YOU’LL NEED Scissors 3 Cut scrapbook paper to
Crgft wood strips Alphgbet stgmps fit backside of wooden game
Smgll hinges Stgmp pgd pieces. Adhere to pieces using
Two 10x13-in. wood bogrds double-sided tape.
Scrgpbook pgper DIRECTIONS 4 Cut out 1 set of photos and
Double-sided tgpe 1 Cut wood strips into 30 game pin onto game pieces on 1 board.
3 sets of lgmingted photos piece sizes for wood board base. Repeat with another set of photos
of friends gnd fgmily 2 Screw hinges onto base of and other board. Cut third set of
30 push pins game pieces. Lay pieces on photos and set aside.
Muslin bgg wood bases, spacing evenly 5 Using stamp set, stamp “Game
Sgw into multiple rows. Screw Time” on muslin bag. Place third
Screwdriver pieces onto bases. set of photos in bag.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 31

W E LCO M E H O M E | M A K E I T

RIEND
FOR THE F

BATH BOMBS
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
Flower petals
2 cups baking soda
1 cup citric acid
1 cup cornstarch
1 Tbsp. almond oil
1 tsp. lavender essential oil
8 drops food coloring
Rubbing alcohol
Cookie sheet
Large and small bowl
Whisk
Spray bottle
Small tart or cupcake tins,
or other solid molds

DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 200˚F. Dry
petals by baking on cookie sheet
for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
Break up dry petals slightly.
2 In a large bowl, combine
baking soda, citric acid and
cornstarch. In a small bowl,
combine almond and lavender
oils. Slowly add oils to dry
ingredients while whisking
quickly. Whisk in food coloring.
Spray mixture with rubbing
alcohol 5-10 times and
continue mixing until the
mixture resembles wet
sand. Add flower
petals and stir
to combine.
3 Pack spoonfuls of
mixture tightly into
molds. If mold is not
covered, mist the
exposed side with
1 spray of rubbing alcohol.
4 Allow to dry for 15 minutes
and remove molds. Continue
Make a Day of It
Give a full afternoon of
drying overnight. Store in an pampering by adding a
airtight container, so humidity few hydrogel masks and
does not activate bath bombs. some soothing lotion.

32 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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W E LCO M E H O M E | K E E P I T
Decorated Dining
Set a table full of retro charm with the addition of a few highly collectible,
vintage Christmas tableware pieces. BY JOE KENZ AND SANDY GARRISON
1 Table Runner
Printed holiday-themed tablecloths really caught
on beginning in the 1960s, although there can be
earlier examples. This circa 1970 table runner is
linen or cotton and was manufactured by Leacock
Quality Hand Prints. An oval measuring 22 inches
by 47 inches, it features a colorful Victorian village
scene complete with sleighs, sleds and shoppers.
Worth: $25 to $45
2 Place Card Holders
The use of place card holders has its origins in
elaborate old-world parties where guests were
seated by rank. Nowadays, place card holders still
show who sits where, but their presence is often
more utilitarian and decorative, rather than
hierarchical. This set is missing two pieces, which
would lower its value. It does present in the original
box, which offers a point in its favor. Circa 1950,
34 C O U N T RY WO M A N
these place card holders were manufactured
in Japan by Commodore.
Worth: $15 to $40, depending on condition
and completeness
3 Sugar and Creamer Set
This Holt-Howard Holly Berry sugar and creamer
set is part of a circa 1960 series that also included
eggnog cups, salt and pepper shakers, a coffeepot
and many other pieces designed to set a festive
table. All feature a white or green background,
topped with two-tone green leaves and bright
red berries. Founded in 1949, Holt-Howard was
the brainchild of three college friends. While
Christmas items were the first things they
produced, Holt-Howard’s most iconic line
is probably its Pixieware, which can fetch
hundreds of dollars at auction today.
Worth: $12 to $25
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM

3 of publisher, editor and managing editor:
4 Candle
While candlelight lends a
bright glow to holiday events,
the candles produced by the
Gurley Novelty Co. were actually
marketed as wax figurines rather
than for lighting. Designed by
Franklin Gurley, they were
manufactured beginning in the
late 1930s using excess paraffin
produced in the oil refinery
4 0
process. This circa 1950 Santa
is just one of many choices
the company offered for
various holidays.
Worth: $10 to $25
5 Salt and Pepper
Shakers
These circa 1950 novelty Santa
shakers are marked HH for Holt-
Howard and are a strong example
of the company’s winsome
midcentury designs that are
sought by collectors.
Worth: $15 and up; a set in
mint condition could bring $50
5 92.25%
Joe Kenz, a certified personal
property appraiser, and Sandy
Garrison co-own Rhubarb
Reign, an antiques and design
business. Together they
bring more than 40 years of
experience to their work. The
SANDY GARRISON
authors wish to thank Cristeen
Causey of Plymouth, Indiana,
and the Marshall County Historical
Society in Indiana for access to
their collections.
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP,
MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION
(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)
1. Publication Title: Country Woman
2. Publication #852-900
3. Filing Date: 9/30/20
4. Issue Frequency: Bi-monthly
5. No. of Issues published annually: Six
6. Annual Subscription Price: $19.98
7. Complete mailing address of known office
of publication: 1610 N. 2nd Street, Suite 102,
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI 53212-3906
Contact Person: Jim Woods
8. Complete mailing address of headquarters
or general business office of publisher:
1610 N. 2nd Street, Suite 102,
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI 53212-3906
9. Full names and complete mailing addresses
Lora Gier, 111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2210,
Chicago, Cook County, IL 60601-4601
Kirsten Schrader, 1610 N. 2nd Street, Suite 102,
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI 53212-3906
Jennifer Zeigler, 1610 N. 2nd Street, Suite 102,
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI 53212-3906
10. Owner: RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC
1610 N. 2nd Street, Suite 102,
Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI 53212-3906
11. Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security
holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total
bonds, mortgages or other securities: WRC Media Inc.,
750 Third Avenue, New York, New York County, NY 10017
12. Not applicable
13. Publication title:
Country Woman
14. Issue date for circulation data below:
August/September 2020
15. Extent and nature of circulation:
Average no. copies No. copies of single
each issue during issue published
preceding 12 months nearest to filing date
a. Total no. copies (net press run)
465,789 448,024
b. Paid circulation
1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions
326,313 313,074
2. Mailed in-county paid subscriptions
0
3. Paid distribution outside the mails, including sales
through dealers and carriers, street vendors,
counter sales and other paid distribution outside
the USPS
32,007
4. Paid distribution by other classes of
31,826
mail through the USPS
0 0
c. Total paid distribution (sum of 15b1, 2, 3 and 4)
358,320 344,900
d. Free or nominal rate distribution
1. Outside-county copies
30,119 34,649
2. In-county copies
0 0
3. Copies mailed at other classes
through the USPS
0 0
4. Distribution outside the mail
0 0
e. Total free or nominal rate distribution
(sum of 15d1, 2, 3 and 4)
30,119 34,649
f. Total distribution (sum of 15c and 15e)
388,439 379,549
g. Copies not distributed
77,350 68,475
h. Total (sum of 15f and 15g)
465,789 448,024
i. Percent paid (15c divided by 15f times 100)
16. Electronic Copy Circulation
90.87%
a. Paid Electronic Copies
27,253 26,800
b. Total Paid Print Copies (Line15c) + Paid Electronic
Copies (Line 16a)
385,573 371,700
c. Total Print Distribution (Line15f) + Paid Electronic
Copies (Line 16a)
415,692 406,349
d. Percent paid (Both Print & Electronic Copies)
(16b divided by 16c times 100)
92.75% 91.47%
17. This statement of ownership will be printed in the
December/January 2021 issue of this publication.
18. I certify that all information furnished on this form is true
and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes
false or misleading information on this form or who
omits material or information requested on the form
may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines
and imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including
civil penalties).
Signature: Jim Woods, Vice President,
Planning, Consumer Marketing
 N O R TH A M ER I CA’S

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 Let’s Eat
Food, family, friends & kitchen comforts

G AT H E R I N G P L A C E

The Cookies
of My Life
Decades spent making—and
nibbling—gingerbread, chocolate
chip and sugar cookies surely
have been sweet.
BY MARY C. FAIRLEY
LUCEDALE, MISSISSIPPI

C O U N T RY WO M A N 37
L E T ’ S E AT | G AT H E R I N G P L A C E
Mary Fairley’s best cookie memories are now made with her grandchildren. Grace is always a willing helper.
I
f you were to navigate the dots on my life’s
timeline, those dots could easily be cookies.
In her sunny kitchen, my apron-clad
grandmother made sugar cookies when I was a
child. Mom Mom had a ceramic bowl for mixing and
a floured wooden board for rolling out the dough. A
knife was her cookie cutter. She always admonished
my sister, Edie, and me not to eat the raw
concoction, but we never heeded
her advice. She used the red-and-
white checkered Better Homes
and Gardens New Cook Book for
No matter how
her formula. Later, I owned the
same tome, but no matter how
hard I try, my
hard I try, my sugar cookies sugar cookies
never taste like Mom Mom’s.
I earned my Girl Scout cooking never taste like
badge by learning how to make
chocolate chip cookies with my
Mom Mom’s.
mother using the instructions on
the package of Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet
Chocolate Morsels. Mother had Pyrex nesting
bowls, and we used the yellow one for blending.
We added chopped pecans we had harvested, and
as the cookies baked, the nuts toasted.
Years later, when I became a wife, my cookies
were too crisp. Edie suggested reducing the
38 C O U N T RY WO M A N
package’s recommended baking time, since the
cookies continued to bake out of the oven on
their cookie sheets. Edie was right! The results
yielded a cookie that was chewy and delicious.
During the busy years while we managed jobs
and raised our young children, we were blessed
with packaged cookie dough. By preschool, our
kids had learned our new method. “Buy some
cookie dough at the store. It’s
all rolled up,” they’d say. As far
as baked goods were concerned
they’d tell you to “Just buy them
MARY AND GRACE: BUDDY FAIRLEY; GRANDCHILDREN (4): MARY FAIRLEY
at Delchamps,” our local grocery
store chain along the Gulf Coast
at the time.
When a hurricane was forecast,
the lab manager at George
Regional Hospital in Lucedale,
Mississippi, where I worked as
a medical technologist, called
us in to work so we would be on site when disaster
struck. Our appetites rose as the barometric
pressure dropped, and pecan sandies were the
official cookie of storms. When the wind began
to gust, I filled my grocery cart with crumbly
pecan shortbread.
The slower summers brought sugar cookies
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
spread with a mixture made of limeade, powdered Decorated Christmas
sugar and cream cheese, and topped with fresh Cutout Cookies
blueberries, kiwi, raspberries and strawberries. Rich, buttery cookies like these
A friend, who has since passed away, favored these, never last long at a /arty. I use
and so today I think of him whenever I make fruit seasonal cutters to celebrate
tarts for baby and bridal showers. the holidays.
When the baby of our family, Caleb, graduated LYNN BURGESS ROLLA, MO
from high school, I made loaded-up pretzel cookies.
With added coconut and candy-coated chocolates, PREP: 15 MIN. + CHILLING
they were the perfect blend of salty and sweet for the BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING
kids celebrating their accomplishments that year. MAKES: ABOUT 6 DOZEN
The best cookie memories, though, are made (21/2-IN. COOKIES)
at Christmas, with my grandchildren, Aubrynn,
Addy, Grace and Cayne. We roll sugar cookies 3/4 cup butter, softened
in the shapes of angels, bells, reindeer, stars 1 cup sugar
and Santas. For Cayne, we make homemade 2 large eggs,
gingerbread men. Red and green colored room temperature
sugar, multicolored sprinkles and icing adorn 1 tsp. vanilla extract
the cookies—and every surface of my kitchen. 23/4 cups all-purpose flour
Three-year-old Emma is the newest pastry chef, 1 tsp. baking powder
at least until 1-year-old Cadence is ready to join her. 1/2 tsp. salt
We’ve made heart-shaped Valentine cookies. Emma Tinted frostings, colored
has proven to be a hands-on baker—as in red icing, sugars, edible glitter and
all over her hands. nonpareils
Cayne recently asked me when I was going to
heaven. He must think me ancient. Whenever the 1. In a large mixing bowl, cream
time comes, I surely hope there are cookies there. butter and sugar until light and
fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix
RY N N well. Combine the flour, baking
B
AU powder and salt; gradually add
to creamed mixture and mix
well. Chill until firm, 1 hour.
2. On a lightly floured surface,
ADD

roll out dough to 1/4-in thickness.

Cut out with cookie cutters.
Y

Using a floured spatula, transfer

cookies to greased baking sheets.
Bake at 375° until lightly
browned, 8-10 minutes. Cool
completely on wire racks.
3. Decorate cookies with frosting
and colored sugars.
TEST KITCHEN TIPS Chilling the
E
YN

dough is important because it

CA

allows butter and other fats to

MA

solidify, making them full-bodied

EM

and chewy. Find decorating

tips at tasteofhome.com/
decorating-tips.
The sprinkles 1 SERVING 47 cal., 2g fat (1g sat.
fly when the fat), 11mg chol., 43mg sod., 6g
grandchildren
come to bake carb. (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g pro.
Christmas cookies
with Granny Mary.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 39

L E T ’ S E AT | M A D E W I T H LO V E

SHIPPING
STARS
Spending the holidays with friends and family
might look a little different this year, so cook up
some love and send it through the mail instead.

40 C O U N T RY WO M A N

Coffee Shop Fudge
Thisnsmooth,ncreamynvudgenhasnn
annirresistiblencrunchnvromnpecans.nn
Thencovveenandncinnamonnblendnn
nicelyntonprovidensubtlenvlavor.n
BETH OSBORNE SKINNER BRISTOL, TN
PREP: 15 MIN. + CHILLING
MAKES: 2 LBS.
1 cup chopped pecans
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened
condensed milk
2 Tbsp. strong brewed coffee,
room temperature
FIND IT!
Color twist wool 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
ribbon $12 1/8 tsp. salt
knotandbow.com
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Box It Up
Package fudge for mailing
in a tin lined with decorative
parchment and ribbon.
1. Life af 8-if. square paf with
fmil afd butter the fmil; set aside.
Place pecafs if a micrmwave-safe
pie plate. Micrmwave, ufcmvered,
mf high fmr 3 mifutes, stirrifg after
each mifute; set aside.
2. If a 2-qt. micrmwave-safe
bmwl, cmmbife the chmcmlate chips,
milk, cmffee, ciffammf afd salt.
Micrmwave, ufcmvered, mf high fmr
1 mifute. Stir uftil smmmth. Stir if
vafilla afd pecafs. Immediately
spread iftm the prepared paf.
3. Cmver afd refrigerate uftil firm,
abmut 2 hmurs. Remmve frmm paf;
cut iftm 1-if. squares. Cmver afd
stmre at rmmm temperature
(70°-80°).
1 PIECE 77 cal., 4g fat (2g sat. fat),
3mg chol., 16mg sod., 10g carb.
(9g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g pro.
C O U N T RY WO M A N 41
L E T ’ S E AT | M A D E W I T H LO V E
Ornament Popcorn Balls
These gooey-sweet treats are great
for dressing up the tree a little more
than with the classic popcorn string.
And they’re yummier and fun for the
family, too.
DEIRDRE COX KANSAS CITY, MO
TAKES: 30 MIN. • MAKES: 1 DOZEN
10 cups popped popcorn
1 pkg. (10 oz.) large
marshmallows
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/4 tsp. salt
Optional: Candy canes, black
pearl sprinkles, orange licorice
pastels, white Smarties
It ’s in the Bag
Wrap the snowmen in
cellophane bags and tie
with a ribbon for gifting.
42 C O U N T RY WO M A N
1. Place popcorn in a large bowl.
In a large saucepan, combine
marshmallows, butter and salt.
Cook and stir over medium-low
heat until melted. Pour over
popcorn; mix well. Cool slightly.
2. With greased hands, shape
mixture into 12 popcorn balls,
about 3/4 cup each. Place on waxed
paper. Decorate as desired; let
stand until set.
1 POPCORN BALL 162 cal., 8g fat (3g
sat. fat), 10mg chol., 184mg sod., 23g
carb. (13g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g pro.
TIPS TO
SHIP
1
Not everything is shippable.
To make sure your box stays on
the nice list, check out Publication
52 on usps.com. Treats like candy,
cookies and other baked goods are
fine, as long as they are sealed in
sturdy, airtight packaging.
2
Pick a box to fit the contents.
Boxes that are too big can allow
the contents to shift around during
the shipping process. Too small, and
the contents may cause the box to
bulge and break along the way. Fill
all the space—especially corners—
with bubble wrap or crumpled
paper to absorb any bumps as it
makes its way to friends and family.
3 If you reuse boxes, cover
any logos or old labels. If
you need a new box, you can get
free ones at your post office. Letter
carriers even deliver them to your
door, if you order online. Click
“Mail & Ship” at usps.com to order.
4 Mark addresses inside
and out. Before sealing the
box, place a card inside the package
that also contains the delivery and
return addresses, in case the mailing
label becomes damaged.
5 Save a trip. Your letter carrier
will pick up packages from
your door in a touchless process.
Calculate postage and print mailing
labels directly from the post office’s
website, attach them to your
package and schedule a pickup.
6 Get it there by Christmas.
Domestic Priority mail deadline:
Dec. 19
Military APO/FPO/DPO Priority mail
deadlines: Dec. 9 (ZIP 093); Dec. 11
(all others)
International Priority mail deadlines:
Nov. 30 (African, Central and South
American addresses); Dec. 7
(all others)
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM

Make It Pretty
Fill boxes and tins lined with
tissue paper and secure
them with some ribbon.
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
Creamy Caramels
I discovered this recipe in a local
newspaper years ago and have been
making these soft buttery caramels
ever since for Christmas, picnics and
charity auctions. They’re so much
better than store-bought versions.
MARCIE WOLFE WILLIAMCBURG, VA
PREP: 10 MIN.
COOK: 30 MIN. + COOLING
MAKES: 21/2 LBC.
1 tsp. plus 1 cup butter, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened
condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1. Life af 8-if. square paf with
foil; grease the foil with 1 tsp.
butter afd set aside.
2. If a large heavy saucepaf,
combife sugar, corf syrup afd
remaififg butter; brifg to a boil
over medium heat, stirrifg
cofstaftly. Boil slowly for
4 mifutes without stirrifg.
3. Remove from the heat; stir if
milk. Reduce heat to medium-low
afd cook uftil a cafdy thermometer
reads 238° (soft-ball stage), stirrifg
cofstaftly. Remove from the heat;
stir if vafilla.
4. Pour ifto prepared paf (do fot
scrape saucepaf). Cool. Usifg foil,
lift cafdy out of paf. Discard foil;
cut cafdy ifto 1-if. squares. Wrap
ifdividually if waxed paper; twist
efds to secure.
TEST KITCHEN TIP Use dark corn
syrup for a more robust taste, as it
may contain molasses, caramel color
and flavoring.
1 PIECE 72 cal., 3g fat (2g sat. fat),
10mg chol., 45mg sod., 10g carb.
(8g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g pro.
C O U N T RY WO M A N 43
L E T ’ S E AT | M A D E W I T H LO V E

Rosemary
Wheat Crackers
These crispy rosem.ry-scented
cr.ckers will delivht .ll your sn.ckers.
B.ke up . b.tch of s.vory .nd don’t
forvet . sprinklinv of kosher s.lt.
NANCY MUELLER
MENOMONEE FALLS, WI

PREP: 20 MIN.
BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING
MAKES: 4 DOZEN

11/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup 2% milk
11/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided

1. In a small bowl, combine the

flours, sugar, salt and rosemary.
Gradually add oil, tossing with
a fork to combine. Add milk; toss
with a fork until mixture forms
a ball. Turn onto a lightly floured
surface; knead 8-10 times.
2. Divide dough into 3 equal
portions. On a greased baking
sheet, roll out 1 portion into
a 9x 8-in. rectangle, about
1/16-in. thick. Sprinkle with
1/2 tsp. kosher salt. Using rolling
pin, gently press salt into dough.
Prick holes in dough with a fork.
Score dough into 16 pieces. Repeat
with remaining dough.
3. Bake at 400° until edges are
lightly browned, 9-11 minutes.
Immediately cut along the scored
lines. Cool completely on baking
sheets. Store in an airtight
container.
1 CRACKER 30 cal., 1g fat (0 sat. fat),
0 chol., 85mg sod., 4g carb. (0 sugars,
0 fiber), 1g pro.

T ie It
Together
Pair crackers with a
premium cheese and
a jar of homemade jam.

44 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 Gift It
Add a jar of honey in
a decorative wooden
box and give the gift
of an easy breakfast.
Great Granola 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Not just for breakfast, this mix with 1/4 cup chopped pecans
nuts and dried fruit makes a crunchy 1/4 cup sesame seeds
homemade topping for yogurt or 1/4 cup sunflower kernels
for eating by the handful—and a 1/3 cup honey
delicious gift for friends far and near. 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
JOHNNA JOHNSON SCOTTSDALE, AZ 1/4 cup maple syrup
2 Tbsp. toasted wheat germ
PREP: 25 MIN. 2 Tbsp. canola oil
BAKE: 25 MIN. + COOLING 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
MAKES: 7 CUPS 1 tsp. vanilla extract
7 oz. mixed dried fruit
2 cups old-fashioned oats (about 11/3 cups)
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup salted pumpkin 1. In a sarge bows, combune the furst
seeds or pepitas 7 ungreduents; set asude.
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
2. In a smass saucepan, combune the
honey, brown sugar, mapse syrup,
wheat germ, ous and cunnamon.
Cook and stur over meduum heat
untus smooth, 4-5 munutes. Remove
from heat; stur un vanussa. Pour over
oat muxture and toss to coat.
3. Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-un.
bakung pan. Bake at 350° untus
gosden brown, sturrung occasuonassy,
22-27 munutes. Coos compsetesy on
a wure rack. Stur un drued fruut. Store
un an aurtught contauner.
1/2 CUP 290 cal., 14g fat (2g sat. fat),
0 chol., 49mg sod., 38g carb. (25g
sugars, 4g fiber), 6g pro.
C O U N T RY WO M A N 45
L E T ’ S E AT | M A D E W I T H LO V E
Orange Gumdrops
I get nothing but rave reviews when
I make these gumdrops and usually
have to prepare three batches. The
refreshing orange flavor is a nice
change from the usual chocolate
holiday candies.
BECKY BURCH MARCELINE, MO
PREP: 10 MIN.
COOK: 10 MIN. + STANDING
MAKES: ABOUT 6 DOZEN
1 tsp. plus 1 Tbsp. butter,
softened, divided
1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
3/4 cup water
1 pkg. (13/4 oz.) powdered
fruit pectin
1/2 tsp. baking soda
11/2 tsp. orange extract
1 tsp. grated orange zest
4 drops yellow food coloring
1 drop red food coloring
Additional sugar, optional
Fill It Up
Use a decorative jar for the
gumdrops to add a pop of
color in the recipient’s
pantry—if they last that long.
46 C O U N T RY WO M A N
1. Line the bottom and sides of a
9x5-in. loaf pan with foil. Grease
foil with v tsp. butter; set aside.
2. Grease the bottom and sides
of a large heavy saucepan with
remaining butter; add sugar and
corn syrup. Cook and stir over
medium heat until mixture comes
to a boil, about 9 minutes. Cook
over medium-high heat until a
candy thermometer reads 280°
(soft-crack stage), stirring
occasionally.
3. Meanwhile, in another large
saucepan, combine water, pectin
and baking soda (mixture will
foam slightly). Cook and stir over
high heat until mixture boils,
about 2 minutes. Remove from
heat; set aside.
4. When corn syrup mixture
reaches 280° (soft-crack stage),
remove from heat. Return pectin
mixture to medium-high heat; cook
until mixture begins to simmer.
Carefully and slowly ladle corn
syrup mixture in a very thin
stream into pectin mixture,
stirring constantly. Cook and
stir v minute longer.
5. Remove from heat; stir in extract,
zest and food coloring. Transfer to
prepared pan. Let stand until firm,
about 2 hours. Cut into squares. If
desired, roll in additional sugar.
NOTE Test your candy thermometer
before each use by bringing water to
a boil; the thermometer should read
212°. Adjust the recipe temperature
up or down based on the test. Both
the corn syrup mixture and pectin
mixtures are hot. Use caution when
pouring the corn syrup mixture into
the pectin mixture to avoid splatters.
1 PIECE 30 cal., 0 fat (0 sat. fat),
1mg chol., 16mg sod., 7g carb.
(6g sugars, 0 fiber), 0 pro.
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 Lakeside
Memories
Wall Clock
Hand-crafted clock
shaped like a fishing boat
features James Meger
imagery on the clock face
•
Hand-painted sculptural
fishing poles, lures and
bobbers plus two fish on
the end of the lines
•
Precision timepiece
with accurate quartz
movement

Only from
The Bradford Exchange.
Order today!
Make the limited-edition Lakeside
Memories Wall Clock yours in three
installments of $33.33, totaling
$99.99* , backed by our unconditional,
365-day satisfaction guarantee. Send
no money now. Return the Reservation
Application today!
*For information on sales tax you may owe to
your state, go to bradfordexchange.com/use-tax
Almost
©James Meger © 2019 BGE 01-29896-001-RI
1½ Feet www.bradfordexchange.com/lakeside
High! RESERVATION APPLICATION SEND NO MONEY NOW

9345 Milwaukee Avenue · Niles, IL 60714-1393

YES. Please reserve the Lakeside Memories Wall Clock for me
as described in this announcement.
Limit: one per customer. Please Respond Promptly
Mrs. Mr. Ms.
Name (Please Print Clearly)

Shown smaller than actual height
of about 16¾" H x 7¼" W.
Requires 1 “AA” battery
(not included).
Address
City State Zip
Email (optional)
01-29896-001-R79101
*Plus a total of $14.99 shipping and service, plus sales tax;
see bradfordexchange.com. Limited-edition presentation restricted to 295 crafting days. Please allow 4-8
weeks after initial payment for shipment. Subject to product availability and order acceptance.
L E T ’ S E AT | C E L E B R AT E

EGGNOG
CHEESECAKE

Second Act
Whip up a homemade eggnog (or pick up a quart or two), and then
turn the leftovers into sweet treats flavored for the season.
48 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
Eggnog Cheesecake
I bake good use of extra eggnog by
creating this luscious cheesecake.
A bit of rub extract adds a lovely
rich flavor.
KRISTEN GRULA HAZELTON, PA

PREP: 15 MIN.
BAKE: 45 MIN. + CHILLING
MAKES: 16 SERVINGS

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
FILLING
3 pkg. (8 oz. each) cream
cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
2 large eggs, room temperature,
lightly beaten
3/4 cup eggnog
1/2 tsp. rum extract
Dash ground nutmeg
Whipped cream and additional
ground nutmeg, optional

1. Place a greasem 9-in. springform

pan on a mouble thickness of
heavy-muty foil (about 18 in.
square). Securely wrap foil
arounm pan.
2. In a small bowl, combine the
cracker crumbs, sugar anm butter.
Press onto the bottom of pan. Place
on a baking sheet. Bake at 325° for
10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
3. In a large bowl, beat the cream
cheese, sugar anm flour until
smooth. Amm eggs; beat on low
speem until combinem. Gramually
stir in the eggnog, extract anm
nutmeg. Pour into crust.
4. Place the springform pan in
a larger baking pan; amm 1 in. hot
water to larger pan.
5. Bake at 325° until center is just
set anm top appears mull, 45-50
minutes. Remove springform pan
from water bath. Cool on a wire
rack for 10 minutes. Loosen simes
from pan with a knife; cool 1 hour
longer. Refrigerate overnight,
covering when completely coolem.
If mesirem, top with whippem cream,
then sprinkle with nutmeg.
1 SLICE 275 cal., 19g fat (11g sat. fat),
79mg chol., 195mg sod., 24g carb.
(18g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g pro.
Old-Fashioned Eggnog
Celebrating the holidays with eggnog
is a tradition. I toast the season with a
sbooth and creaby concoction that
keeps fabily and friends cobing back
for bore.
PAT WAYMIRE YELLOW SPRINGS, OH
PREP: 40 MIN. + CHILLING
MAKES: 16 SERVINGS (ABOUT 3 QT.)
12 large eggs
11/2 cups sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 qt. whole milk, divided
2 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 cups heavy whipping cream
Whipped cream, additional
nutmeg and cinnamon sticks,
optional
OLD-FASHIONED
EGGNOG
1. In a heavy saucepan, whisk
together eggs, sugar anm salt.
Gramually amm 1 qt. milk. Cook
anm stir over low heat until a
thermometer reams 160°, about
25 minutes. Pour into a large bowl;
stir in vanilla, nutmeg anm the
remaining milk. Place bowl in an
ice-water bath; stir frequently until
cool. If mixture separates, process
in a blenmer until smooth. Cover
anm refrigerate at least 3 hours.
2. To serve, beat cream in a bowl
until soft peaks form; whisk gently
into coolem mixture. Pour into a
chillem 5-qt. punch bowl. If mesirem,
top with mollops of whippem cream,
sprinkle with nutmeg anm serve
with cinnamon sticks.
3/4 CUP 308 cal., 18g fat (10g sat. fat),
186mg chol., 188mg sod., 26g carb.
(26g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g pro.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 49

L E T ’ S E AT | C E L E B R AT E

Eggnog Mini Loaves

The seasonal flavors of eggnog, rum
and nutmeg shine through in these
moist, golden loaves. Tender slices
go great with a cup of coffee.
BEVERLY ELMORE SPOKANE, MI

PREP: 15 MIN.
BAKE: 30 MIN. + COOLING
MAKES: 3 LOAVES

21/4 cups all-purpose flour

21/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup eggnog
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. rum extract

1. In a large bowl, combine

the flour, baking powder, salt,
cinnamon and nutmeg. In another
bowl, beat the eggs, eggnog, sugar,
butter and extracts; stir into dry
ingredients just until moistened.
2. Pour into 3 greased 53/4x3x2-in.
loaf pans. Bake at 350° until a
toothpick inserted in the center
comes out clean, 30-35 minutes.
Cool for 10 minutes before removing
from pans to wire racks.
TEST KITCHEN TIPS That’s the spirit!
Rum, brandy or whiskey could be
swapped for the rum extract if you
don’t have it in your pantry. Or pay
homage to another holiday cocktail,
the Tom and Jerry, by adding a bit
more spice to your batter. Try 1/8 tsp.
each of cloves and allspice. To make
removal a breeze, line the mini loaf
pans with parchment. Draping the
parchment a couple of inches over
the sides forms a sling you can use
EGGNOG to pop the loaves right out. To score
MINI LOAVES
a rustic yet chic presentation, tie
with pretty string for easy gifting!
1 SLICE 158 cal., 6g fat (4g sat. fat),
43mg chol., 189mg sod., 22g carb.
(10g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g pro.

50 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM

Apricot Eggnog Bars
One year I thought it would be fun
to have a caroling party and serve
several beverages, including eggnog,
which no one touched. Since I did not
want to toss out a half gallon of it, I
looked for a recipe to use it up. I took
a little from several recipes I found
and came up with this delightful treat.
BARBARA LENTO HOUSTON, PA
PREP: 10 MIN. • BAKE 60 MIN. + CHILLING
MAKES: 1 DOZEN
11/2 cups crushed gingersnap
cookies (about 30 cookies)
3/4 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup butter, melted
9 oz. white baking
chocolate, divided
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots
1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream
cheese, softened
2 tsp. apricot brandy, optional
2 cups eggnog
1 large egg, room temperature,
lightly beaten
1. In a small bowl, combfne the
crushed cookfe crumbs, almonds
and butter. Press on the bottom of
an ungreased 11x7-fn. bakfng dfsh.
Bake at 350° untfl golden brown,
8-10 mfnutes. Cool on a wfre rack.
2. Chop 8 oz. whfte chocolate. In
a small saucepan, melt chopped
chocolate; cool. Sprfnkle aprfcots
over cooled crust.
3. In a large bowl, beat cream
cheese untfl smooth. Beat fn the
APRICOT
EGGNOG BARS
melted chocolate and, ff desfred,
brandy. Gradually beat fn eggnog.
Add egg; beat on low speed just
untfl combfned. Pour over crust.
4. Place bakfng dfsh fn a larger
bakfng pan; add 1 fn. boflfng
water to the larger pan. Bake,
uncovered, at 350° untfl center
fs just set (mfxture wfll jfggle),
55-60 mfnutes.
5. Remove bakfng dfsh from water
bath; cool on a wfre rack. Cover
and refrfgerate untfl ffrm, about
2 hours. Chop and melt remafnfng
chocolate; drfzzle over top. Cut
fnto bars. Refrfgerate leftovers.
1 BAR 446 cal., 30g fat (16g sat. fat),
88mg chol., 281mg sod., 38g carb.
(23g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g pro.
C O U N T RY WO M A N 51
L E T ’ S E AT | C E L E B R AT E

Irish Creme Drink
We top off holiday celebrations
with this creamy beverage. With
sweetened condensed milk and
ice cream, it’s like a liquid dessert)
FRED SCHNEIDER STURGEON BAY, WI
TAKES: 10 MIN.
MAKES: 10 SERVINGS
31/2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
3/4 cup vodka
1/2 cup eggnog
1/3 cup sweetened condensed milk
1 Tbsp. chocolate syrup
1 tsp. instant coffee granules
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. almond extract
Grated chocolate and
additional chocolate syrup
1. In a sarge bows, combine the
first 8 ingredients; beat untis
smooth. Set aside.
2. Psace grated chocosate and
additionas chocosate syrup in
separate shassow bowss. Hosd
each gsass upside down and dip
rim in chocosate syrup, then dip
in grated chocosate. Pour drink
mixture into prepared gsasses.
Serve immediatesy.
NOTE This recipe was tested with
commerciassy prepared eggnog.
Mested ice cream shousd not be
stored in the refrigerator, so
discard any seftover mixture.
1/2 CUP 218 cal., 8g fat (5g sat. fat),
35mg chol., 70mg sod., 25g carb.
(21g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g pro.

IRISH CREME
DRINK

52 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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L E T ’ S E AT | CO M F O RT F O O D

SRY-RUB GRILLES
PORK CHOPS OVER
CANNELLINI GREENS

FAST WITH
These quick dinners are perfect for busy days,
but fresh flavors keep them special enough
to dazzle last-minute guests.
54 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
Dry-Rub
Grilled Pork Chops
over Cannellini Greens
My family was not a huge fan of pork
until I tried this relipe. Feel free to
inlorporate your favorite herbs into
the dry rub. You lan use the rub on
boneless skinless lhilken breast or
other meats, too.
MICHAEL CIRLINCIONE GTOCKTON, NJ

PREP: 20 MIN.
COOK: 20 MIN. + GTANDING
MAKES: 4 GERVINGG

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 can (15 oz.) cannellini
beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup water-packed artichoke
hearts, drained and chopped
3/4 cup pitted Greek
olives, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
or chicken broth
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. smoked paprika
1/4 tsp. pepper
4 bone-in pork loin
chops (8 oz. each)
2 tsp. Greek seasoning or
seasoning of your choice
5 oz. fresh baby spinach
(about 6 cups)
1. In g lgrge skillet, hegt oil over
medium-high hegt. Add onion; cook
gnd stir until tender, 4-5 minutes.
Add ggrlic; cook 1 minute longer.
Stir in begns, grtichokes, olives,
white wine, broth, sglt, pgprikg
gnd pepper. Bring to g boil; reduce
hegt. Simmer until liquid is glmost
evgporgted, 12-15 minutes.
2. Megnwhile, sprinkle chops with
Greek segsoning. Grill chops over
medium hegt until g thermometer
regds 145°, 6-8 minutes on egch
side. Let stgnd for 5 minutes
before serving.
3. Stir fresh spingch into the begn
mixture; cook gnd stir until wilted,
2-3 minutes. Serve with pork.
1 SERVING 530 cal., 29g fat (8g sat.
fat), 111mg chol., 1345mg sod., 22g
carb. (1g sugars, 6g fiber), 42g pro.
Souvlaki Pita Pockets
This is a favorite at our house on
busy days. A quilk trip to the market
for a very few ingredients results in
gourmet-tasting Greek sandwilhes
we enjoy often. A simple Greek salad
on the side is a nile addition.
BECKY A. DREES PITTGFIELD, MA
PREP: 20 MIN. + MARINATING
GRILL: 10 MIN. • MAKES: 6 GERVINGG
4 medium lemons, divided
4 Tbsp. olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken
breasts, cut into 1-in. pieces
12 pita pocket halves
1 carton (8 oz.) refrigerated
tzatziki sauce
Optional toppings: Chopped
tomatoes, sliced cucumber
and sliced red onion
SOUVLAKI
PITA POCKETS
1. Cut 3 lemons crosswise in
hglf; squeeze juice from lemons.
Trgnsfer to g lgrge bowl or shgllow
dish. Whisk in oil, ggrlic, oreggno,
sglt gnd pepper. Add chicken;
turn to cogt. Refrigergte 1 hour.
2. Drgin chicken, discgrding
mgringde. Thinly slice the
remgining lemon. On 6 metgl
or sogked wooden skewers,
glterngtely thregd chicken gnd
lemon slices. Grill kgbobs, covered,
over medium hegt or broil 4 in.
from hegt until chicken is no
longer pink, turning occgsionglly.
Remove chicken from skewers;
discgrd lemon slices. Serve chicken
in pitg pockets with tzgtziki sguce
gnd toppings of your choice.
2 FILLED PITA HALVES 369 cal., 8g fat
(2g sat. fat), 90mg chol., 462mg sod.,
34g carb. (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 37g
pro. Diabetic exchanges: 5 lean meat,
2 starch, 1 fat.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 55

L E T ’ S E AT | CO M F O RT F O O D
CRUNCHY CHILI
CILANTRO LIME
ROASTED SHRIMP
Crunchy Chili Cilantro
Lime Roasted Shrimp
Easy! quick and family friendly! This
shrimp recipe is dairy free and comes
together in less than 30 minutes. The
secret is in the bright! flavor-packed
sauce. Serve over greens! cauliflower
rice or store-bought slaw.
JULIE PETERSON CROFTON, MD
TAKES: 30 MIN. • MAKES: 8 SERVINGS
2 lbs. uncooked shrimp (26-30
per lb.), peeled and deveined
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. ground ancho chili pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 medium lime
1 cup crushed tortilla chips
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 medium ripe avocado,
peeled and cubed
1. Preheat oven to 425°. Place the
first 7 ingredients in a greased
15x10x1-in. pan. zinely grate zest
from lime. Cut lime crosswise in
half; squeeze juice. Add zest and
juice to shrimp mixture and toss
to coat.
2. In a small bowl, combine crushed
chips, cilantro and oil; sprinkle
56 C O U N T RY WO M A N
over shrimp mixture. Bake until
shrimp turn pink, 12-15 minutes.
Top with tomatoes and avocado. If
desired, serve with additional lime
wedges and cilantro.
1 SERVING 230 cal., 13g fat (2g sat.
fat), 138mg chol., 315mg sod., 10g
carb. (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 20g pro.
Diabetic exchanges: 3 lean meat,
1½ fat, ½ starch.
Mushroom & Bacon
Spaghetti Squash Bowl
I love spaghetti squash but get tired
of having it with a tomato-based red
sauce. This light cream sauce! along
with fresh sage and crispy bacon! will
make you and your family excited
about spaghetti squash again.
EMILY MONTGOMERY
MONTGOMERY, AL
PREP: 15 MIN. • COOK: 20 MIN.
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS
1 medium spaghetti
squash (about 4 lbs.)
12 oz. bacon strips, cut
into 3/4 in. pieces
1/2 lb. sliced baby portobello
mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
flakes, optional
1/2 cup dry white wine
or chicken broth
MUSHROOM &
BACON SPAGHETTI
SQUASH BOWL
3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
21/2 cups 2% milk
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh sage
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1. Cut squash in half lengthwise;
discard seeds. Place squash cut side
down on a microwave-safe plate.
Microwave, uncovered, on high
until tender, 15-18 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet,
cook bacon over medium heat until
crisp, stirring occasionally. Remove
with a slotted spoon; drain on paper
towels. Discard drippings, reserving
2 Tbsp. in pan. Add mushrooms
to drippings; cook and stir over
medium-high heat until tender,
6-8 minutes. Add garlic, salt and,
if desired, red pepper flakes; cook
1 minute longer.
3. Stir in wine. Bring to a boil; cook
until liquid is almost evaporated,
4-5 minutes. Stir in flour until
blended; gradually whisk in milk.
Bring to a boil, stirring constantly;
cook until thickened, 2-3 minutes.
Remove from heat; stir in sage.
4. When squash is cool enough
to handle, use a fork to separate
strands. Serve with mushroom
sauce and reserved bacon; sprinkle
with Parmesan cheese and, if
desired, chopped fresh sage.
1 SERVING 494 cal., 25g fat (10g sat.
fat), 53mg chol., 1085mg sod., 47g
carb. (9g sugars, 8g fiber), 23g pro.
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
Mango Chicken Thighs
with Basil-Coconut Sauce
This recipe brings the restaurant
to my home kitchen. And it’s easy,
too! The meal comes together
quickly, filling the kitchen with
wonderful aromas. If there are
any leftovers, a reheat the next
day is just as good!
KATHI JONES-DELMONTE
ROCHESTER, NY
PREP: 20 MIN. • COOK: 30 MIN.
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS
4 boneless skinless chicken
thighs (about 1 lb.)
1/2 tsp. salt
DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 Tbsp. olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger
1 can (13.66 oz.) coconut milk
1 medium mango, peeled
and chopped
4 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh
basil, divided
1/4 cup miso paste
2 tsp. Sriracha chili sauce
2 cups cooked jasmine rice
2 medium limes, quartered
Sprinkle chicken with salt and
pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil
over medium heat. Brown chicken
on both sides. Add garlic and ginger;
cook 1 minute longer. Stir in the
coconut milk, mango, green onions,
1/4 cup basil, miso paste and chili
sauce. Cook and stir until sauce is
slightly reduced and a thermometer
inserted in chicken reads 170°,
about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with
remaining 1/4 cup basil. Serve with
rice and limes.
1 SERVING 552 cal., 28g fat (18g sat.
fat), 76mg chol., 1209mg sod., 46g
carb. (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 28g pro.
MANGO CHICKEN
THIGHS WITH BASIL-
COCONUT SAUCE
C O U N T RY WO M A N 57
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 Share a Smile
Simple joys and sweet memories from your home

O N TH E FA R M

Blooming Spirit
The poinsettia business is changing, but
the joy of nurturing Christmas’ favorite
flower stays true for these two sisters.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY MERV WEBB HAJJISONBUJG, VIJGINIA

DECEMBEJ I JANUAJY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 59

S H A R E A S M I L E | O N T H E FA R M
Joy Showalter, her son Jase, and the rest of the Evergrowin’ crew care
for the tiny poinsettias until they’re ready for customers.
C
old winds have blown
into much of the country,
and that is true of the
central Shenandoah Valley too.
But step inside a plastic-covered
greenhouse there and the world
still blooms in red and white.
Sisters Joy Showalter and
Melanie Strite have planned this
display for nearly a year; they
order 12,700 rooted poinsettia
cuttings each January from a
New Jersey greenhouse. The
cuttings arrive at the sisters’
Evergrowin’ Greenhouses in
Bridgewater, Virginia, in July,
where their husbands and staff
help raise full-grown plants by
the Christmas season.
Joy and Melanie’s parents,
Steve and Stella Showalter, began
the nursery in 1976. “It’s been
growing ever since,” Joy says.
Steve and Stella passed the
business to their daughters,
but the two still show up for
duty. “It’s great to have Mom
and Dad working for us now,”
says Joy, “especially with all of
their knowledge. But they also
like going home at 5 and not
having to worry about anything!”
60 C O U N T RY WO M A N
Both daughters have fond
memories of growing up in the
nursery. Melanie remembers
helping to carry plants out to
customers’ cars, and the thrill
of receiving a few tips for her
efforts. Now the sisters are
repeating the cycle with their
own young children, happy to
have a wonderful environment
in which to teach the value of
responsibility and hard work.
There’s a lot of work to share.
When the cuttings arrive in July,
10 employees replant them in just
six hours. Then they are watched
over for the next five months.
The perfect poinsettia plant
doesn’t just grow without care,
the sisters say. They note three
challenges to creating a display
like theirs: plants that grow too
fast, those that grow too slow,
and bugs. For those growing too
slowly, staff add more fertilizer
and turn up the heat in the
greenhouse. If they’re growing
too fast, they get sprayed with a
chemical to slow them down.
They’ll wind up with 8,000
pots—some with up to four plants
in them—that are then sold to
customers. About 40% go to
churches and another 40% to
wholesalers. The rest go directly
to shoppers at the nursery.
The industry has changed
since Steve and Stella got into it.
Joy and Melanie have seen that
millennials are not as inclined
buy poinsettias as their parents
are. And a decline in church
attendance has impacted that
share of sales.
In response to these trends,
some smaller growers have gone
out of business, and in response
to that, others, like Evergrowin’,
have actually increased the
number of poinsettias they
nurture annually. Steve and Stella
chose their business name well.
But other things don’t change.
Red poinsettias are still the big
seller. Second in popularity is
“Jingle Bells,” a speckled red
and white variety. And by season’s
end, Joy and Melanie are ready to
celebrate with their own families,
knowing their poinsettias convey
a Christmas message to others.
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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40% *11673256 *
$
630 11673256
Item Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased.
Non-medical. While Compare to 61675 shown *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items
Supplies Snap-on Blue-Point LIMIT 3 or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card,

In-Store Only Last KRBC10TBPES Use Online & In-Store open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, power
stations, safes, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, welders, Admiral,
$830 Use Online & In-Store *11678520 *
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Diamondback, Drummond, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx,
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ITEM 57593 64720, 56429

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299
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YOUR CHOICE
3 Gallon, 100 PSI Oil-Free
Air Compressors
$ 99
2
OF COLOR
$
39999 $ 99
19
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4
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$
300
$
2999
$
3999
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72% Save
$
5499 Pancake
ITEM 60637/61615 shown

64% Green Blue Save Hot Dog

Compare to Compare to ITEM 63066/62314 shown ITEM 56719 59% ITEM 69269/97080 shown
Blue Hawk BG8X10-Y Palram
$10.98 Use Online & In-Store 741353 Use Online & In-Store Compare to
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3
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17499 $
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ITEM 61899/63095/63096/63097/63098 shown
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ITEM 64723 *11706291
11706291
* HDFDOLLY *11714435
11714435
* ITEM 62859 *11718194
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64189/63922 shown LIMIT 4 - Exp. 12/24/20* $21.29 LIMIT 4 - Exp. 12/24/20* 63055/62860 shown LIMIT 1 - Exp. 12/24/20* 62281/61637 shown 11723559 LIMIT 3 - Exp. 12/24/20*

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S H A R E A S M I L E | F R O M T H E H E A RT

Chocolate-Covered
Cherry Christmases
Sweet memories recall a special grandma.
BY HARLETTA CARTHEL GRUVER, TEXAS

62 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
 G
randma Maggie didn’t fit
the mold of a traditional
midcentury grandmother.
She wore pantsuits to places
women only wore dresses, she
was a rattlesnake hunter whose
weapon was a machete she
carried in her little blue Falcon,
and she spread bluebonnet seeds
along the highways. Besides being
a self-taught artist and poet, she
was also a talented warbler—not
to be confused with a whistler.
Calling Maggie’s performance
whistling would be like calling
the Mona Lisa a picture. With
trills and phrasing, her warbling
was like that of a finely tuned
instrument played by a master.
With a grandmother like this,
it was natural that Christmas at
Maggie Capps’ house would be
as interesting as she was. Maggie Capps was known for her nonconformist ways, and
granddaughter Harletta (top right) loved her for them.
Each year in early December,
Maggie, even in her 70s, would
drive to the rolling hills outside what looked like lime green Jell-O would be. At first, the expected
her tiny town to select a Christmas with chopped pears on the bottom. gift was given to our family to
tree from the cedars that grew As I scooped a big spoonful of the be shared. But as we aged, we
there. After a lengthy search for concoction onto my plate I asked each received the same box of
a worthy candidate, she’d chop it if the fruit was pears. chocolate-covered cherries—
down with her ax and drag the “Oh no,” Maggie said. “It’s Queen Anne cordials. Each had a
thing back to her car. Arriving cooked turnips.” maraschino cherry in the middle
home, she’d wrangle the cedar out Even though she was a widow surrounded by creamy white
of her trunk, through her kitchen of modest means, my brother and candy and dipped in chocolate.
door and into her living room. I always looked forward to her They were possibly the sweetest
Maggie’s cedars weren’t shaped gifts to us. We each would have a confections ever made. As Maggie
like the pointed conifers at the little stack of five to seven, every reasoned, “They are so good, you
tree lots. They were more like
CANDY: COURTESY OF WORLD’S FINEST CHOCOLATE; MAGGIE: FAMILY PHOTOS

bushes that spread their branches
halfway across her living room.
It looked as though the tree had
been planted in the room and had
grown to gigantic proportions,
like a magical beanstalk. The tree
was simply decorated with blue
lights—and only blue lights.
Christmas dinner at Grandma
Maggie’s was not the highlight of
the evening. Since she preferred
outdoor activities to those in the
kitchen, culinary skills were not
her forte. But I was surprised one
Christmas to see a beautiful bowl
sitting on the table filled with
one with a handwritten number
indicating the order in which we
were to open them, building up
to our final and best gift.
With limited funds, she had
to use care and insight in her
selection, and it was surprising
how she found perfect ones we
had not even known we might
have wanted—like giving a tomboy
like me a metallic blue powder
box that played “Around the
World” when its lid was opened.
I still cherish it today.
One of our numbered presents
was never a surprise, other than
not knowing what number it
just have to have your own box!”
Many Christmases have come
and gone since those with my
Grandma Maggie. But not a one
has passed that my heart does not
return to those precious times in
Maggie’s living room with her
bushy cedar wrapped in shining
blue bulbs and our little stacks of
numbered presents.
I am now the grandmother.
And while I can’t match the many
talents of my Grandma Maggie,
I hope my grandchildren will
have memories of Christmases
that are as sweet as those
chocolate-covered cherries.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 63

S H A R E A S M I L E | S AY H E L LO
Stitched with Love
A handmade plaid vest became a symbol
of caring for two new friends.
BY ALLISON WILSON LEE BELLE ISLE, FLORIDA
B
efore I even received my grades after
completing the fall semester of my junior
year of college, I embarked on a project to
create a suitable Christmas gift for the man who
was, at the time, the most special person in my life.
Brian and I had met the summer before through
an eight-week inner-city service program, feeding
the homeless, preparing meals at a shelter and
interacting with neighborhood children. We’d grown
close during that season of intense volunteer work.
During the semester that followed, Brian and I grew
closer still—even though we lived states apart and
attended different universities.
When cold weather prompted me to put away my
flip-flops and pull out my coat, I began to consider
what kind of Christmas present I would give Brian.
The gift would need to be special, memorable and
reflective of the depth of our friendship.
Clearly (to me), that meant handmade—not
just any ol’ item I could pluck from store shelves.
I didn’t knit, crochet or quilt. At the time, I didn’t
cook much and believed I didn’t enjoy it. But I could
do some basic sewing. Better yet, my mother sewed
(and still does) with tremendous expertise and
owned a working sewing machine. She would have
time during break to help me whip something up.
I had cut, pieced and sewn that garment
out of love, and he received it the same way.
64 C O U N T RY WO M A N
Allison and
Brian (wearing
his new vest)
in 1995
I decided on a vest for Brian, but I can’t recall
why. Perhaps it was the most masculine item I could
envision sewing for him that wouldn’t require exact
measurements. So I picked out some rough gray and
tan plaid with an almost burlap texture, and some
brown wooden buttons. Under Mama’s direction,
I chose a pattern, and we got to work.
Brian came to visit me at my family’s home just
before Christmas and we exchanged presents. He
appeared to be as delighted by the vest as I’d hoped.
Truthfully, I think he simply felt honored that I’d
created something for him with my own two hands.
I had cut, pieced and sewn that garment out of love,
and he received it the same way.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ALLISON WILSON LEE; RIBBON: GOODWEEN123/SHUTTERSTOCK
We met up again just a few days after Christmas
at a student conference, where we connected with
some of the friends we’d made during that summer
of service. Brian wore the vest almost every day
of the weeklong conference. I have pictures from
more than 20 years ago that show him wearing the
vest atop a maroon pullover, with a long-sleeved
dark green T-shirt, and over a cream-colored shirt
with buttons that matched those on his vest.
Brian wore that vest in the same spirit I had
made it, and doing so—frequently, with gratitude
and joy—was his gift of love to me. Q
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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SHARE A SMILE | SCRAPBOOK

Magic in 2

the Air
Find the spirit of the season
3

in icy fun and twinkling lights.

1 Snow Much Fun!
Cousins Raelyn Carr and Laicey Lewis enjoy
building snowmen together at Raelyn’s
grandparents’ house.
LYNN CARR
COOL RIDGE, WEST VIRGINIA
2 Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Lights
Our son, Jacob, was in awe of the lights when
he saw them on his first Christmas tree in 2018.
He is still fascinated with them today.
MELISSA YOCUM
NORTHUMBERLAND, PENNSYLVANIA
3 Cold Play
Ice skating is something our family has done for
generations. I was so excited to get 4-year-old
Kendall out on the icy pond.
KRISTI ANDERSON
HARTFORD, SOUTH DAKOTA

Visit countrywomanmagazine.com/submit
to share a family snapshot. If we publish it,
you’ll get a free year of Country Woman.

66 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
SHARE A SMILE | PUZZLES

Holiday Treats
BY KELLY WHITT
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14
ACROSS
15 16 17 1. School
transportation
18 19 20 21
4. ___ and gown DOWN
22 23 24 25 7. Sweet, often 1. Pen brand
chocolaty, 2. Card game
26 27 28
holiday treat 3. Sawing wood
29 30 31 32 33 34 12. “No room at 4. It might be chocolate
the ___” 5. Lincoln, to friends
35 36 37
13. Movie network 6. United States ___
38 39 40 41 42 14. Ordinary Service
15. Left out for Santa 7. Rage
43 44 45
17. Oscar de la ___ 8. Employ
46 47 48 49 50 51 18. ___ Van Winkle 9. Obtuse person
19. Make an effort 10. Everglades resident
52 53 54 21. Temporary bed 11. Make happy
55 56 57
22. Pirouette 16. Relatives
24. Spaghetti sauce 20. ___ coaster
brand 22. Type of shed
25. The Way We ___ 23. Wooden hanger
SUDOKU 26. Rooster’s mate 24. ___ riches (2 wds.)
Challenge yourself with our sudoku puzzle. Fill in all 27. ___ Mae loans 25. Like a used towel
the empty scuares so that the numbers 1 through 9 29. Christmas drink 27. Former French coin
appear once in each row, column and 3-by-3 box. 31. Hanukkah pancakes 28. British actor
35. See 45 Down McKellen
8 2 7 3 37. Actress Longoria 30. Common cat activity
38. Room illumination 32. Salvation Army’s
41. Driveway material collection devices
5 1 8 42. Plant’s support 33. Dec. 24
43. College in Stillwater, 34. Yosemite ___
4 6 Oklahoma 36. Martial arts for
44. “___ Ever Cross meditation (2 wds.)
4 1 6 Your Mind” (2 wds.) 38. Common sense
45. Scribble 39. Yoga pose
7 4 46. Ernest and Julio ___ 40. A Disney princess
48. Eggy braided bread 42. Latin name for
52. “... bombs bursting the Sun
4 5 3
___” (2 wds.) 44. Finding ___ (2016)
53. Nomad from 45. With 35 Across,
2 1 central Asia author of Pride k
54. Previously and Prejudice
3 5 6 55. ___ canes 47. Cover
56. From Wisconsin 49. Shack
5 9 3 4 (suffix) 50. “How ___ you?”
57. Create with fabric 51. Cut down

Answerskforkcrosswordkandksudokukonkpagek69.

DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 67

S H A R E A S M I L E | LOT S O F L A U G H S

Insect Interruption
A bevy of bugs bite into mlans for a crafty morning.
BY KAREN TRONCALE TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA

O
ne crisp, cool winter
morning, when my kids
were young, I bundled
them up so we could gather pine
cones in the Oregon woods. My
family was excited about our first
Christmas in our new home, and
I thought a nature craft would be
the perfect project.
“Mommy, what will we do with
the pine cones?” asked 4-year-old
Jennifer. I pointed to the bottle of
glue and the red and green glitter
on the kitchen counter. “Ooh, I
love glitter!” Jennifer said.
We picked up our baskets and
headed outdoors. The cold, fresh
air smelled like rain. Dark clouds
gathered in the distance.
“We’d better hurry,” I said. We
hiked to the back of the pasture.
At the edge of the woods, pine
trees had dropped cones all over
the ground.
“Don’t they smell good?” I held
one to my nose. The kids did the
same. “Oh, Ben, don’t taste it!”
I grabbed the pine cone from his
2-year-old hand and dropped it I put a glass pie plate full of bugs of all shapes and sizes. Who
in his basket. “Put them in here.” pine cones in the microwave knew pine cones were home to
Back inside with full baskets, and turned it on. so many types of insects?
we shed our jackets and spread Jennifer stared up at the I yanked the pie plate out of
sheets of newspaper across the microwave window. the microwave and ran to the
kitchen table. “Mommy, what’s happening?” back door to set it outside—and
“Can I use the glitter first?” I turned and looked. Dozens of I tossed the rest of the pine cones
asked Jennifer. insects were scuttling across the out there, too. I vacuumed all the
“First we have to kill the bugs,” window. Panicking, I turned it off insects out of the microwave.
I said. and opened the door. “Mommy,” said Jennifer, her
“Bugs?” It was something out of a little face crumpling. “Does this
“Yes. The pine cones might monster movie. When the pine mean I can’t use the glitter?”
have bugs hiding out in them. cones got hot, hundreds, maybe “Of course not,” I said, opening
Some people put them in the thousands, of bugs crawled out a cupboard and pulling out some
TRICIA ROZELLE

oven for a while to kill them. of them, attempting to escape the green and red construction paper.
But we’ll do it quicker by putting heat. The sides, top and bottom of “We’ll just make glitter-covered
them in the microwave.” the microwave were covered with paper chains instead.”

68 C O U N T RY WO M A N COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
Contributor Guidelines
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RECIPE INDEX
Apricot Eggnog Bars.................................................51
Coffee Shop Fudge ...................................................41
Creamy Caramels .......................................................43
Crunchy Chili Cilantro
licensees worldwide use of the Lime Roasted Shrimp .........................................56
material without time limitation, Decorated Christmas Cutout Cookies.............39
including the right to use your Dry-Rub Grilled Pork Chops
name and city/state/province in over Cannellini Greens .......................................55
connection with any such use. Eggnog Cheesecake ..................................................49
We reserve the right to modify, Eggnog Mini Loaves ..................................................50
reproduce and distribute your Great Granola...............................................................45
material in any medium (now Irish Creme Drink .......................................................52
or hereafter existing) and in Mango Chicken Thighs
any manner or appropriate with Basil-Coconut Sauce.................................57
place, including but not limited Mushroom & Bacon
to magazines, promotional Spaghetti Squash Bowl ......................................56
merchandise, and marketing Old-Fashioned Eggnog ............................................49
and other related materials. Orange Gumdrops ....................................................46
Ornament Popcorn Balls ........................................42
7. By submitting material to us,
Rosemary Wheat Crackers....................................44
you represent and warrant that
Souvlaki Pita Pockets................................................55
you have full authority to grant
the rights set forth above and
that your material will not, in whole CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS from page 67
or in part, infringe the intellectual
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DECEMBER I JANUARY 2021 C O U N T RY WO M A N 69

S H A R E A S M I L E | S I M P LY F U N
Chance of Snow
Arrange swirls of paper to make a pretty winter ornament.
Q uilling involves rolling paper strips into
pretty designs like this snowflake. Using
a quilling needle tool, wrap 16-in.-long paper
strips to make six 1½-in. circles. Glue ends in place.
Pinch 1 side of the circles to make a teardrop. Use
needle tool and wrap another strip into a 1-in. circle.
Glue the teardops around the circle, pointed sides out.
Using a quilling looper tool (it looks a bit like a comb),
wrap a strip around top prong and glue down. Wrap
around next prong and up and over top prong. Wrap
around third prong and up and over top prong. Repeat
70 C O U N T RY WO M A N
to end of strip and glue end. Slide off tool and pinch 1
end. Repeat to make 6 small, tight teardrops. Glue these
into place between the larger teardrops, pointed side in.
Fold a paper strip in half and roll each end outward into
a circle to form a Y-shape scroll. Repeat for 6 total Y’s.
Cut at folds and glue to outer sides of larger teardrops.
Create 6 marquise shapes by rolling 6 scrolls and
pinching the outer edges on 2 opposite sides. Glue
between the Y scroll loops. Spray entire piece with
adhesive. Sprinkle glitter all over. Repeat on other
side. Dry completely. Tie ribbon in a loop to hang.
COUNTRYWOMANMAGAZINE.COM
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 In this giving season,
volunteers offer a helping hand
at a horse rescue.
Read their story, page 10.

One of the hundreds

of JewishColorado
volunteers who show
up at Denver-area
nonprofits—including
a horse rescue—to
offer staff time
off to celebrate
Christmas Day.