COUNTRY PORCH
July 2005 Newsletter

Greetings from The Porch!

We love July! It’s the very essence of summer with brightly colored sail boats skimming across the lake, porches decked out in patriotic colors and the aroma of summer barbecue. All over our town the merriment of children and sprinklers can be heard while roses bloom profusely and neighbors chat about their gardens.

It’s the month of summer celebration, of setting a pretty table, hanging new window curtains or shower curtains, of finding just the right treasure for your country, farmhouse or primitive home, of replacing worn dishtowels, of dining al fresco in the French style, of baking patriotic cookies with the kids.

The one fact that I would cry from every housetop is this:
the Good Life is waiting for us – here and now.
-B. F Skinner

Each day has 24 golden hours . . . we invite you to disconnect for awhile and begin to dream. We have many, many NEW patterns to browse and we’ve added new features to our, now monthly, newsletter. Look for our New 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! 

Cabbage Rose Decorating Theme Cabbage Rose

Recipe for a Celebration Table
4 parts Cabbage Rose napkins
4 parts White Floral napkin rings
2 parts Scroll Candle Holders
1 part country style curtains

Mix gently and enjoy the sweet fragrance of summer!  Old-fashioned English roses in hues of rose, mauve and pink are nestled in leaves of antique sage on an ecru background. 

Quilted placemats, table runners and baskets have the added detail of pretty scalloped edges as do the dishtowels, table cloths, half aprons, baskets, curtain panels, shower curtains, swags, valances and tiers.  All by Park Designs.
 
Hydrangea
In flower folklore, Hydrangea means “thank you for understanding.” Hydrangea lovers will adore this beautiful floral from Park Designs in hues of periwinkle and lavender with touches of sage and moss on an antique beige background.

This collection from artist Annie LaPoint further emphasizes this feminine pattern with coordinating scalloped ceramics and ruffled chair pads. We adore Dragonfly, Teapot or Rose Filigree pewter napkin rings to add that little bit of sparkle. 		Hydrangea Decorating Theme
Floral Garden Decorating Theme Floral Garden
Set a summer table under the stars!  Meandering wild roses in hues of dark mauve and raspberry are nestled in sage leaves on a soft white background. Luxuriously quilted placemats and table runners are softly scalloped as are dishtowels, half aprons, table cloths, baskets, curtain panels, shower curtains, swags, valances and tiers.
 
Ribbon Bouquet
Sweet nosegays of miniature roses in hues of mauve with sage leaves are tied prettily with flowing blue ribbon on an ecru background to make up this charming pattern. Dishtowels, half aprons, table cloths, baskets, curtain panels, shower curtains, swags, valances and tiers are softly scalloped. Pretty!

Set a celebration table, add a little sparkle with Rose Filigree or Teapot napkin rings (antique brass or pewter) then tie on a pretty, scalloped half apron and invite your friends to tea! 		Ribbon Bouquet Decorating Theme
Provence Decorating Theme Provence
Dine al fresco with the sunny colors from the South of France and its traditional French floral print on your choice of backgrounds in rich reds, French blues or bold mustard yellows.  To complete this sunny French country look cover a table in our charming Provence round cloth and add a touch of whimsy with French Hen napkin rings in your choice of antique brass, iron or pewter. Can’t you just smell the lavender fields?

For more French Country decorating ideas drape a table with Charlotte or Rosetta quilt, and then visit our lamps and lampshades collection for that special French country accent.
 
Fruit Cocktail
Everything but the kitchen sink has been mixed into this vintage pattern! Utterly charming . . . imagine sweet bouquets of flowers in periwinkle, country red and mauve with apples of gold and sprigs of luscious red cherries on a crisp white background. Add happy yellow ricrac for a border and crown it all with a cherry on top.  The whole thing just makes you want to smile.

This pattern is fast becoming one of our favorites and we absolutely adore the new ceramic ware! 		Fruit Cocktail Decorating Theme


July
Quilt of the Month
Red Rose Garden Quilt
Everything’s coming up roses!  Sprays of antique roses twine into a classic toile pattern and are bordered in ravishing red roses and white gingham.  Victorian Heart thought of everything to create a gorgeous bed and it’s all right here. . . no more shopping all over town and in everybody else’s town.  How fun is that! 		Red Rose Garden Quilt
 
Rose Garden Quilt Rose Garden
Pamper yourself in this lovely rose garden of patchwork in pink, lilac and sage on an ecru background and embroidered prettily with ribbon art and beads. For sweet dreams add these lovely pillow shams, ribbon art pillows, and quilted throws.

Rose Garden is a luxury oversized quilt from C & F and is featured with Sage Leaves bedding accessories and Chantelle hooked rug.
 

Meanwhile back at The Porch, while the sun shines and visitors play we continue to be busy.  However, we are never TOO busy to eat and have a little fun.  One of our newest patterns Coq Au Vin is actually a traditional French recipe.

Coq au Vin
Translation:  Chicken Stew
Country Porch Style
Ingredients
  • 1 (3 lb, or 1.5 kg) chicken, cut up
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 1 carrot, chopped
  • 3 tbsp flour (wheat, rice)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 lb (200 g) small mushrooms (optional)
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp basil, chopped and fresh
Directions
Mix flour, salt and pepper. Coat chicken, onion and carrot in flour mixture and set aside. Sauté mushrooms, set aside.  Brown the chicken pieces a few at a time, set aside.

Brown onions and carrots.  Put chicken into large casserole on medium-high heat along with onions, carrots and mushrooms.

Combine wine, garlic, and basil; pour over chicken. Cover the casserole, cook until chicken is ready (1-1.5 hours), stirring occasionally. Serves 4-6.

Bon Appetite!

July
Candle Club

Now we know why we think of food, it’s the candles!  We have sooo many yummy candles for celebrating summer.  How about Blueberry, or Tart Cherry, we like Vanilla Pound and Sugar Cookie, then there are Butter Pinwheels and Raspberry, don’t forget Pistachio and Butter Cream . . . we give up.  You choose!

Our cake candles burn 90-92 hours.


It was so good to visit with you and we thank you for your business!  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!
From our house to yours, have a happy summer!

If summer falls on the 4th of July we all get together and have a barbecue.
-Old North Idaho Saying-
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Copyright © 2005 The Country Porch, LLC