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August brings the dog days of summer, when there's almost nothing better than an icy cold glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade...unless it's a quick trip through the sprinkler! Whether you're spending these days harvesting your sun-warmed tomatoes or dreaming the days away in a shady hammock, we're glad you're here for another edition of Feather Your Nest.
Around here, it's county fair season and it couldn't come at a better time! While we love the ferris wheel and funnel cakes as much as the next gal, we really look forward to strolling through the aisles of homegrown vegetables, jewel-like jars of preserves, blue-ribbon pies and intricate, handmade quilts. Our love for these beauties inspires so many of our selections for the Gooseberry Patch collection...our very favorite of this season is the flea market yo-yo throw. With over 1000 yo-yo's in calico & feedsack prints, it looks just like the ones we remember at Grandma's house. |
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Want to preserve your own berry bounty? We've included a recipe for freezer jam that couldn't be easier...it's from our cookbook, Summer in the Country and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do.
You'll also find a recipe that's perfect for enjoying all those tomatoes on the vine. Vickie's gazpacho dip tastes like the chunkiest, freshest salsa and is another summertime favorite...you'll find the simple recipe below. Perfect for toting to potlucks or summertime get-togethers, it's from our must-have cookbook,
101 Easy Entertaining Recipes!
P.S. Don't let Toasted Marshmallow Day pass you by on August 30th...be sure to enjoy some
sticky-sweet s'mores! Whether you're enjoying the great outdoors or just hanging out in the backyard, we've got everything you need to enjoy these warm days in our special camping collection, handpicked just for you!
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All the sweet projects shown here are included, along with complete instructions and patterns so you'll be stitching up fun in no time. You'll also find tiny felt baby shoes, a comfy sleeping mat, a ruffly skirt, a dotty doll quilt and much more. Whether creating for your kids, grandkids or giving some handmade goodness to a new mom, this little book is bursting with
inspiration & ideas.
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Berry Best Freezer Jam
From our cookbook, Summer in the Country, this
recipe uses a combination of blueberries &
raspberries. Use 6 cups of your favorite berries
to invent your own flavors!
4 c. blueberries, crushed
2 c. raspberries, crushed
5 c. sugar
2 T. lemon juice
3/4 c. water
1-3/4 oz. pkg. powdered pectin
7 1/2-pint freezer-safe plastic containers & lids, sterilized
Combine blueberries and raspberries in a large bowl. Stir in sugar and lemon juice. Let stand for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, bring water and pectin to a boil. Boil for one minute, stirring constantly. Add to fruit mixture; stir for 3 minutes. Ladle into freezer containers; cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes. Cover and let stand overnight at room temperature before freezing. May be frozen up to one year. Store in refrigerator up to 3 weeks after opening. Makes 7 containers.
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.
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Vickie's Gazpacho Dip
From our cookbook, 101 Easy Entertaining Recipes, this zesty dip tastes extra yummy with lime-flavored tortilla chips!
3 tomatoes, diced
3 avocados, pitted and diced
4 green onions, thinly sliced
4-oz. can diced green chiles
3 T. olive oil
1-1/2 T. cider vinegar
1 t. garlic salt
1 t. salt
1/4 t. pepper
tortilla chips
Combine tomatoes, avocados, onions and chiles in a large bowl; set aside. Combine all remaining ingredients except tortilla chips; drizzle over tomato mixture and toss gently. Cover and chill. Serve with chips. Makes about 6 cups.
Click here for a printable version of this recipe.
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We love the look of handmade yo-yo's like the ones on our throw, these sweet little trees and this pair of playful treat jars...check out their little buttons! We've also made our own and have used them to dress up anything from a gift tag to a jar of preserves to a handmade card...they're just so sweet. Want to whip some up? It couldn't be easier!
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Start with a fabric circle that is twice as wide as you'd like your finished yo-yo to be. On the wrong side of your fabric, trace around a drinking glass or a bowl with a pencil (A) and then cut out your circle. Fold under about a 1/4 inch all around the edge (B) and press with an iron if you'd like. Using strong thread or embroidery floss, stitch a running stitch all around your circle (C), staying close to the folded edge.
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Make sure you have a little left over at the end (D) so you have a tail to pull. After you've stitched all around, gently pull your thread or floss (E) until the edges meet in the middle. Take your time and shape the gathers as you go. Knot and trim your thread...squash it flat and that's it!
Once you get the hang of it, you'll be whipping these out in a jiffy...
what will you create today?
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Send us your question and you might see our answers in a future
Feather Your Nest...here's one from Patricia in Fox Chapel, PA.
Years ago, I remember seeing a black & white photo of Vickie as a little girl in a book or catalog...I can't remember which. Where was it taken and what was the occasion?
 What a great memory! This is the picture you mean, I believe.
It was snapped next to my dad's garden and there wasn't really a special occasion, unless you count that magical moment when Ohio corn gets big enough and sweet enough to pick! My dad's garden was his pride & joy and he loved spending time planting, watering and tending the many veggies. In fact, one of the first signs of summer for our family was when Dad brought home the brown paper bags of seeds from Bradley's, a local greenhouse.
His rows of radishes, potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and more were always perfectly straight and there was never a weed in sight. He even had a special straw hat that he donned every morning before heading out. These days, it hangs over my own potting bench, but try as I might, my rows are never as straight as his. Thanks for bringing back some sweet memories of summertime in the garden! What are your favorite memories of the season? Drop us a note...we'd love to hear from you.
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| Even on the hottest day of the summer, we can still look forward to cooler breezes!
September promises ripe & juicy apples, a nip in the air and the first hint of red on the leaves...we can't wait! Thanks for reading Feather Your Nest...
see you next month!
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