Blog Posts by Country Living

From a reading nook to antiques, these simple decorating ideas will turn your child's space into one of the cutest, most unique rooms in the house! You can even steal these ideas for your bedroom, too.

Plus: Kid-friendly meals you can make in a snap



1. Boys' Room

Boys will be boys, climbing on a birch-post bed, in this beach house's kids room.

2. Quirky Details

The bed is dressed in a vintage popcorn chenille blanket and a striped quilt from Garnet Hill - a vintage sign for children's aspirin and a cute duck lamp complete the look.

Related: Tour a quirky, colorful home

3. White Bedroom

White-washed beams keep this bedroom cool and fresh in a desert home. Glittery letters strung above a bed can spell out a child's name or other words, like "Dream."

Related: Three designers offer their tips on decorating with white

4. Bright Antiques

Putty-colored walls and white woodwork prove a reliable foundation for more child-typical brights and

Move your kids away from the television and into the kitchen with some fun snacks you two can make together.

Plus: Make a meal the whole family will enjoy

1. Avocado and Ham Sandwiches

Try avocado instead of Swiss in this classic recipe. Or, if your kid prefers the basics, stick with cheese.

Recipe: Avocado and Ham Sandwiches

Recipes for America's Favorite Sandwiches

2. Corn Sticks

Cornbread takes an unexpected shape in sticks designed for dipping - a fun gesture kids love.

Recipe: Classic Corn Sticks

3. Pizza

Have your kids help make this divine Italian classic by adding their favorite toppings.

Recipe: Margherita Pizza

4. Goldfish Crackers

Try this yummy homemade version of the classic cheesy snacks.

Recipe: Cheddar Goldfish Crackers with Peanut Butter Spread

Try these simple snack recipes

5. Ice Cream Sandwiches

Your kids can customize their own irresistible ice cream sandwiches. Bake or buy a batch

Our very own Country Vet, Dr. Robert Sharp, takes on some of the most common questions about cats and dogs. From thunderstorms to shedding, this advice is the cat's meow.


1. Cats are natural climbers. To prevent them from jumping on kitchen counters, either lay a strip of clear vinyl overlay knobby-side up on your counter, or give them a squirt of water and a few scolding words.

2. To prevent your kitty from chewing on wires, put away all of their favorite electrical cords, or coat them in foal, bubble wrap, or a pungently flavored spray. Most cats outgrow this troublesome behavior by their second birthday.

3. Declawing a cat is safe, but because it leaves them without a powerful defense tool, they should be kept indoors afterward.

Related: One woman loves having farm animals as pets.

4. Cats can sleep for up to 18 hours a day, but if yours seems extremely lethargic, she could be anemic, feverish, or weakened by an illness, all of which would make them less playful.

5. Trying to

From Rhett and Scarlett to Tony and Maria, these iconic couples laid the foundation for what it really means to fall in love. In case you need a reminder, watch one of these heartwarming old Hollywood moment.

Plus: What's a movie without some dinner and dessert?

Carve a love message on a virtual tree with our new App!

1. Casablanca

The salacious plot set our pulse racing: Two long-lost lovers reunite during World War II in Morocco. Fate, the quintessential romantic force, strings them together when Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) walks into Rick Blaine's (Humphrey Bogart) bar. The rest is history.

Watch a clip of Humphrey Bogart's famous line.

2. Gone with the Wind

The passion between Rhett (Clark Gable) and Scarlett (Vivien Leigh) practically melts the screen. With stellar lines like, "You should be kissed and often and by someone who knows how," it's hard not to give a damn about this film.

Watch a clip of Rhett Butler's advice on kissing.

3. An Affair

These rose-infused beauty items smell as sweet as a Valentine's Day bouquet, and they won't wilt in a week. Also, treat yourself with a beautiful Victorian pendant.

Cap off your romantic evening with dinner, dessert and a movie.

1. FACIAL MASK
A spa treatment in a jar, this formula by Neal's Yard Remedies relies on antioxidant-rich rose extract.

Price: $46; us.nyrorganic.com

2. WITCH HAZEL
Thayers' refreshing, alcohol-free toner soothes skin with a blend of rose and aloe vera.

Price: $7.99; drugstore.com

3. CLEANSING GRAINS
Just add water to this mix of petals and mineral-packed granules for an exfoliating alternative to soap.

Price: $25; isasrestoratives.com


4. ROSE WATER
Not only does this all-natural tonic balance out skin's pH, it can also be used to flavor herbal tea!

Price: $16; caswellmassey.com

5. BODY LOTION
This luxurious cream absorbs fast, leaving behind a slight shimmer and a romantic rose-garden aroma.

Price: $36; loccitane.com

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Cut down on meat and stock up on vegetables with these dishes. From sandwiches to salads, there's a host of meatless options to sample.

Avocado, Cheddar, and Sprouts Pockets with Tangy Lime Mayo

It's easy to make a distinctive sandwich for an outdoor party when using pita breads. Here, sprouts, red onion, avocado, cheddar cheese, and a lime mayonnaise combine to make a healthy meal.

Recipe: Avocado, Cheddar, and Sprouts Pockets with Tangy Lime Mayo

Chipotle-Vegetable Chili

Smoky chipotle peppers and oven-roasted eggplant, zucchini, and red bell peppers give our vegetarian chili its robust, palate-pleasing flavor.

Recipe: Chipotle-Vegetable Chili

Get Warming Soup Recipes Here

Agave-Sweetened Carrot Muffins

Whole wheat flour and shredded carrots make this muffin as healthy as it is delicious.

Recipe: Agave-Sweetened Carrot Muffins

Broiled Tomatoes with Farro Salad

The natural nuttiness of farro (whole emmer wheat)

What's a romantic holiday without some gooey rich chocolate? These 10 decadent dishes will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Plus: Cook one of these delicious dinners for your honey, or send a virtual love message with our new App!

1. Chocolate Peanut Cheesecake

Ready in a mere 22 minutes, this pressure-cooked cheesecake is a decadent treat made rich with peanut butter, bittersweet chocolate, and cream. Making this smooth-as-silk cheesecake topped with toasted peanuts and crunchy crumbled chocolate wafer cookies is easier than pie.

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Cheesecake

More Easy Cheesecake Recipes

2. Cocoa-Gingerbread Brownies

With a few standard baking ingredients - flour, salt, semisweet chocolate morsels, baking soda, butter, and sugar - these luscious Cocoa-Gingerbread Brownies are whipped up and ready for dessert in no time. The fresh and powdered ginger add spicy but soothing warmth, while the rich chocolate satisfies the sweet tooth.

Recipe: Cocoa-Gingerbread

Save money and trips to the market with these tips and tricks from Rebecca DiLiberto's Penny Saving Household Helper. You'll be surprised how simple it is to keep food at its best.

1. Line the bottom of your refrigerator's crisper drawer with paper towels. They'll absorb the excess moisture that causes vegetables to rot.

Related: Easy ways to organize your kitchen today!

3. A bay leaf slipped into a container of flour, pasta, or rice will help repel bugs.

4. Stop cheese from drying out by spreading butter or margarine on the cut sides to seal in moisture. This is most effective with hard cheeses sealed in wax.

Plus: Browse our favorite cheese recipes and learn how cheese is made!

5. When radishes, celery, or carrots have lost their crunch,