Blog Posts by Country Living

Ellen Silverman

Preserving, or preparing foods to keep without spoiling, has been employed for centuries. One popular method is pickling with refrigeration: Fresh produce is covered with a mix of vinegar, herbs, and spices, then packaged and refrigerated. Another often-used method is canning, which hermetically seals food in a glass jar for pantry storage for up to a year. Though canning may seem daunting, it can be quite enjoyable, provided proper care is taken. Find out how to perfect this age-old skill with our simple tips.

EQUIPMENT
There are only a few necessities for canning. The USDA recommends using tempered-glass jars free of cracks, nicks, or other defects that have a two-piece vacuum cap consisting of a flat, rubber-lined metal lid and a metal screw band. (Note: The flat metal lid is not reusable.) You will also need a boiling-water canner or a large pot that is at least 2 inches taller than the largest jar you plan on processing and is outfitted with a rack and lid. Use a jar lifter or

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Jack Thompson

For much of the year, South Pittsburg, Tenn., is a quiet, close-knit community of just 3,300 people. But come the last weekend in April, a crowd of more than 40,000 descends upon the town. The big draw? The National Cornbread Festival, a weekend-long celebration complete with live music, a midway, farm animals, and the famous National Cornbread Cook-off, where 10 finalists compete for the top prize: $5,000 and a Brown FiveStar Range.

Jenny Flake of Gilbert, Ariz., won the 2007 Cook-off with Chicken Taco Cornbread wedges with Ranchero Cilantro Drizzle. Get her recipe for this delicious dish here.

For more information about the festival, call (423) 837-0022; nationalcornbread.com


Chicken Taco Cornbread Wedges
with Ranchero Cilantro Drizzle
Jenny Flake -- Gilbert, AZ

Dressing
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup salsa verde
1 cup tightly packed cilantro leaves

Filling
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper
1 tablespoon

Read More »from Prize-Winning Cornbread Wedges with Ranchero Cilantro Drizzle

When it comes to houses, they rarely make them like they used to. Which is a good reason to turn to architectural salvage shops when a room is begging for some character-building trim, a hand-carved mantel, a pedestal sink, or an Old World chandelier. Use our guide to start your search: You'll uncover period hardware and plumbing fixtures, mercury-glass knobs, factory shelving, lustrous reclaimed flooring, and much, much more.

View and print out the guide here!


Related Links
In Search of Shaker Antiques
The Vintage Barn Antiques Show
Advice on Opening an Antiques Shop
Decorating Your Home with Collections
Limited Time Offer - Order Country Living & Save up to 81%

Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

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Question: I live in a mobile home built around 1970, so there are about three layers of wallpaper in the bathroom. Once I got to the actual base, I realized that it wasn't paneling like the rest of the home. I'm not even really sure what it is -- it has a really grainy texture, almost like plywood. And now I have no idea what to do with it! All I know is that I don't want wallpaper. Please help!

-- Jennifer M.



Answer:
Dear Jennifer,
It sounds like the best solution to the grainy, plywood-textured walls in your bathroom is to cover them up, which is what the previous homeowners tried to do -- by wallpapering over them.

You'd be surprised at the number of good options that are on the market today for paneling. It's not the faux wood paneling of yesterday -- today, manufacturers can simulate almost anything using the latest technology. For example, if you prefer a tiled look, check out Georgia-Pacific's Lionite tileboard. These 4' x 8' boards have a baked-on, water-resistant Read More »from Bathroom wall treatments

James Merrell

Each year Americans use more than three million tons of synthetic fertilizer and 70 million pounds of pesticides in the quest for the perfect lawn. These chemicals may make your lawn look good initially, but they come with a hefty price. Paul Tukey, author of The Organic Lawn Care Manual and founder of safelawns.org, wants to educate homeowners about the importance of going organic. "It's a matter of health and the environment," he says. While it can take a few years for the transition, the results are well worth the wait. Healthy organic soil soaks up nutrients and water like a sponge, making the grass growing in it less vulnerable to drought and disease--and less dependent on you.

Here are some ways that you can grow your own perfect, organic lawn:

1. The Way to Water
Water infrequently but deeply and in the early morning hours. Paul recommends letting the sprinkler run until the soil is moist six to seven inches down. Test a patch with a shovel. By giving your lawn a good soak

Read More »from Grow an Organic Lawn

This year at the 2008 Country Living Fair, our panel of expert judges will be tasting your favorite apple pie recipes and awarding $250 cash to the best one! Find out how you can enter and learn more about the rules at the Country Living Fair web site.



Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

Take your breakfast to the next level with these fun tips & tricks.


SYRUP
When it comes to pancakes and waffles, the classic syrup staple is maple -- not only for its taste, but also its compatibility with so many other flavors, such as home-brewed fruit and berry syrups. If you're not a maple fan, try cane syrup, honey, or a quality prepared all-fruit syrup. Or, try honey on your next stack. It's a satisfyingly sweet alternative to traditional maple.



CUSTOM TOPPINGS & MIXERS:
It's easy to flavor pancake and waffle batters with the tastes you love.

Additions to consider include crumbled crispy bacon, dried fruit, shredded coconut, chocolate, peanut butter, and instant espresso powder. And when your favorite fruit or berry is out of season, frozen versions do just as well when thawed and thoroughly drained (watery fruit will thin batter).

Stir mashed banana, chopped nuts, peanut butter, pumpkin puree, grated apples, and the like into the batter so whatever you add flavors every

Read More »from Delicious Pancake and Waffle Add-Ins

BEFORE
Faux paneling and carpeting glued to the stairs and oak floors prompted homeowners to find an artistic solution to this stairwell makeover.

POTENTIAL
The homeowners knew paint would be an easy fix for the walls and ceilings. They were equally confident that the original oak floors could be refinished (despite being covered with an adhesive) and the stairs restored with new treads and risers.

PURPOSE
The stairwell would become a gallery for a large collection of paint-by-number paintings, adding color and visual interest to this high traffic area of the house.



1. PAINT Behr Porch Paint in three colors was used for the stairs; the darkest color on the treads, where it gets the most wear. On the walls, Benjamin Moore's Aura Paint provided a rich, saturated hue.







2. TOOLS Paintings were aligned and squared with a level and pencil. By using 3/4-inch brads to tack corners, holes become inconspicuous if paintings are ever reframed.




3. LIGHTING This spun-acrylic light fixture was

Read More »from Updating an old stairwell