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Take advantage of the first mild days to get a head start on spring cleaning. This is the season to refresh your home and give it a major once-over. It’s a time to catch up on the tough tasks … more

By BARBARA WINFIELD | 4/2/24

Nothing beats those first sprouts from a seed you’ve planted yourself...

Seeding the soul

This past winter was a rough(ish) one; now that spring is on its way, it’s time to see some green growth. And that means taking matters into your own hands by starting seeds and planting … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 4/2/24

Make sure you have enough food and drinks to thank your helpers after the move. File link: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0

Moving tips

Springtime is a popular season to move to a new home. Buying or renting a new place comes with its share of anxieties and problems. And then moving day arrives, and everything increases … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 4/2/24

Our Country Home Spring 2024

3/29/24

Jumping worms

Earthworms, although not native to North America, are integral to the biodiversity of our soil. Plus, nothing beats the satisfaction of digging up a few nightcrawlers to serve as a tasty snack on the … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 3/29/24

Similar to scallions but sweeter, spring onions are a staple this time of year.

The greening of spring

What and where is spring? I can easily describe winter, fall and summer, but for decades I couldn’t conjure up specific memories of the spring of my 1960s childhood. During that season, the … more

By JUDE WATERSTON | 3/29/24

The beautiful barn sits on 42 acres of beautiful meadows, woods and streams. A 10-foot-deep, spring-fed pond sprawls across nearly an acre.

Bluestone Barn is a vintage-barn lover’s dream

CALLICOON, NY — Living upstate as we do, we’re surrounded by barns of all shapes and sizes. The Bluestone Barn is a magnificent renovation of a c.1948 dairy barn into a three-bedroom … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 3/29/24

Our Country Home - Fall 2023

10/26/23

The gorgeous Craftsman house at 143 Pond Dr., Matamoras, PA..

A Matamoras Craftsman that will win your heart

MATAMORAS, PA — Pull up to 143 Pond Dr. and experience a true dose of Americana, from its traditional Craftsman lines to its relaxing backyard oasis—elevated to an elegant scale. The … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 8/16/23

Squirting goop into the holes. Ominous lighting totally intentional.

Fixing the plaster disaster

When I was a child, the wall in the upstairs hall had a mysterious bulge. It was maybe five feet up, way over my head, and was the most tempting thing ever. What was in there? … more

By ANNEMARIE SCHUETZ | 8/10/23

Moss may look pretty, but it’s not good for a roof...File link: creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

Keeping safe and dry this summer

This year, May and June started out cool and dry—actually too dry at times, bordering on a drought. Once the warm weather did arrive, it brought with it a good deal of rain. With all the … more

By BARBARA WINFIELD | 8/10/23

Red wine sangria is the perfect accompaniment to a hot-weather meal.

Chill

Years ago, I traveled on two occasions to the lushly beautiful island of Jamaica. Each time, at restaurants I visited, I was more often than not brought a bowl of steaming hot broth as a prelude to … more

By JUDE WATERSTON | 8/10/23

Garden while it’s hot

Just where has the growing season gone? This summer has been a challenge, starting out very dry and becoming a deluge. But for those gardeners who love to putter, there’s still lots to do and … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 8/10/23

A homesteading couple. Wes and Amy Gillingham pose in their kitchen with the Finnish masonry stove in the background.

A homestead is where the heart is

LIVINGSTON MANOR, NY — Amy and Wes Gillingham, stewards of Wild Roots Farm, reside in a hand-hewn, solar-powered Swedish-style log home, built lovingly over a period of years on Wes’s … more

By TED WADDELL | 8/10/23

A hot and rainy summer

Dear readers, One of my favorite country artists is Randy Travis, and a line from one of his songs is resonating with me lately: “As long as old men sit and talk about the weather … more

By JANE ANDERSON | 8/10/23

Fire pits are a great and easy way to relax with friends for the evening.

Easy outdoor living

As the summer months unfold, warm weather creates a unique chance to expand our living space to include the outdoors. Regardless of the size of your home, a thoughtfully decorated outdoor space, … more

By Barbara Winfield | 7/10/23

Local farmers' markets

The warm weather brings an abundance of opportunities to buy fresh produce. Luckily, our area has a bounty of farmers’ markets. Of course, it’s fun to grow some of your own stuff, … more

Complied by Jane Anderson | 7/10/23

Sauté of Swiss chard and ramps with herbs

Springfever

I returned to Sullivan County in late April, after spending half a year in Oaxaca, Mexico. There, the produce is abundant year-round, and only occasionally does a vendor tell me that some fruit or … more

By Jude Waterston | 7/10/23

Mosquitoes are the bane of our existence up here, but there are ways to keep down their populations. Link to license at creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0.

Bug off!

We love spending time outdoors and opening the windows and doors of our home to let in the summer breezes and sunshine. But oftentimes, unwanted critters find their way indoors, and it can be … more

By Jane Anderson | 7/10/23

Bob Hoffman’s Victory Garden in Beach Lake, PA, employs fencing to keep out deer and rabbits.

Dang! What ate my plants?

REGION — If you’re a novice or expert gardener, you’ll probably encounter critters in your garden. The culprits eating your plants or vegetables are most likely deer, rabbits … more

By Sharon Peduto | 7/10/23

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Currently viewing stories posted within the past 2 years.
For all older stories, please use our advanced search.