The Country Porch April 2004 Newsletter

COUNTRY PORCH
April Newsletter

Greetings from the Porch!
While the birds are busy setting up housekeeping, fragrant yellow daffodils are blooming prettily along our front walk. Spirits are lifted and we're busy sweeping out winter's dust and fluffing up our nest.

Its time to think about changing the look of your nest too! Time to spring clean by throwing out those forlorn dish towels, putting up some new valances, trying out a new table setting or changing that dated shower curtain. And if you're really ready for a change, check out our pretty new collection of country quilts from Patch Magic (all 83 of them)!

Take a minute to browse and begin that creative process. You’ll find many new patterns; check out our All-Time Favorites, Quilt of the Month, Candle Club, Decorating Hints and Seasonal Recipes. Oh, and don’t forget to bookmark so you can find your way back home.

C’mon In!

All-Time Favorites

Sailin’
Weigh anchor and hoist the sail, its time to go Sailin’ with this nautical theme of tiny little ships sailin’ along. Do you recall the color of the ocean with its soft gray-blue waves and foamy white surf? Great look for lake cabins too. Compliment your table setting with our antique brass napkin rings.

Thyme
Thyme to relax! This pretty pattern of moss green and sand plaid with wine threads all on a background of cream can be paired up with most any decorating theme. Take thyme to put it in the kitchen, the family room, laundry, office, bath or bedroom.

We just put together a Thyme display using these delightful lampshades; Vintage Rose, York Mini-check Khaki or Sage and added some garden charm to our table settings with grape pewter napkin rings, brass hammered cuff or antique brass napkin rings. It’s darling!

Flower
Pick a bouquet of pretty yellow flowers to match this fresh country blue and white plaid pattern. Embroidered yellow daisies with white centers and threads of soft yellow and spring green complete the cottage flower garden look. Put your garden seeds in a matching country basket or add a touch of the outdoor with our dragonfly pewter napkin rings.

Tutti Fruitti
Summer afternoons in Grandma’s kitchen . . . our vintage-pattern dish cloths are just right for wrapping up a batch of warm Spinach and Artichokes in Puff Pastry or lining an old-fashioned picnic basket. Of course, they are just right for drying dishes too! Pair’em up with our Tutti Fruitti wood napkin rings, a country basket or Tutti Fruitti wood salt and pepper shakers.

April
Quilt of the Month
Butterfly Quilt
This beautiful Butterfly quilt is hand appliquéd with cheerful pink pastel spring flowers and dimensional butterflies in hues of purple. The light blue center block is bordered by pastel square blocks in various prints. Cute as a bug... yes, there are ladybugs too. Beautifully finished with a zigzag border and sage and pink floral backing.

What a show stopper this quilt is when we hang it outside in front of The Country Porch. The throw size quilt looks nice as a wall hanging or draped in a chair.

Meanwhile back at The Porch, we continue to be busy. However, we are never TOO busy to eat! What a perfect gift this makes wrapped warm in our one of our Country Cupboard dish towels.

Country Porch
Spinach and Artichokes in Puff Pastry
1 (10 oz) pkg. frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained
1 (14 oz) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
½ C mayonnaise
½ C parmesan cheese
2-3 T Spinach and Onion Dip Mix seasoning
1 (17.3 oz) pkg. frozen puff pastry, thawed to room temperature

Stir together the first 5 ingredients. Unfold pastry, and place on a lightly floured surface. Spread with ¼ of the spinach mixture, leaving a ½" border. Roll up pastry, jelly roll fashion, pressing to seal seam. Wrap in plastic wrap. Repeat process with remaining pastry. Freeze 30 minutes; cut into 1/2" slices. Bake at 400 degrees, for 20 minutes.

Bon Appetite!

April
Candle Club
One of the most fragrant and cutest of all our candles are our Scent-a-Bun candles . . . makes your kitchen smell just like a bakery! Place on a plate, along with a fork . . . these fat-free temptations will make your home smell just like fresh baked cinnamon rolls. Also available in Butter Cream flavor.

NEW! Decorating Ideas from The Porch
Country Mason Jar Lamps

Make this darling country lamp! All that is needed is our jar adapter kit, a canning jar, lampshade and some treasures for your jar. Try wooden sewing spools, scraps from your most favorite quilt, potpourri or scented rose hips.

It was so good to visit with you and we thank you for your business! Since one quarter of you are repeat customers, we’ve come to know you by name. Our creative energy is in overdrive and we’re all on a mission . . . to bring you the very BEST of everything that we and the shop have to offer.

New and exciting patterns are arriving daily, so visit often, anytime. We’re always OPEN on-line. Or call us at our toll free number @ 1-866-664-9182 and chat; we’d love to hear how you transformed your home with decorating themes from The Country Porch!

Happy Spring and best wishes from our house to yours!

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