This Redneck's Favorite Magazine

The first time I read this magazine I was amazed. The initial thing I noticed was NO ADVERTISEMENTS!!! That in itself was a miracle to me. It seems like everywhere you look you are inundated with ads for one thing or another. As I began to read the magazine it quickly became my favorite.

Inside the cover is usually letters from other readers. In most magazines I usually skip over the "you're so wonderful" letters or the "I must disagree...." notes but in Country Woman they often contain helpful hints or creative ideas.

Each bi-monthly issue gives a tour of someone's "country kitchen". It gives details of the materials used, decorations etc. and even where to buy the items. It also gives a layout of the room in case you want to duplicate it at home.

There are often small features throughout on "country women" and their every day lives and hobbies. The editor, Ann Kaiser, always is shown getting "down and dirty" with subscribers. She might be harvesting corn, picking pumpkins, harvesting lily bulbs, shearing sheep, you never know what you might find her doing.

There are always craft ideas, craft contests, patterns and displays of beautiful pictures of quilts sent in by readers. It gives detailed instructions of the craft projects so that you can do them at home if you are interested.

You can find "brag pages" full of adorable little country kids, "From the Mouths of Sprouts" features all of the cute little things that kids say.

There is an entire section called "Country Home Cooking". You won't find anything too fancy or exotic there, just good down home dishes that you can actually imagine putting on your table for your family. This is the only magazine that I have subscribed to that I actually have tried the recipes. They always have a contest of some kind going on such as brownies, ham, cookies etc. etc. and the winner will be featured in the magazine as well (along with her yummy recipe!).

I love the country decorating section and although the homes are often bigger and fancier than mine, they feature things that are actually "doable" and not too far out of my budget. There is also a page on "centsible decorating solutions" for those like me who must decorate on a tight budget.

There is also always an in-depth cover feature. They show you inside the life of a specific "country woman". She may be a farmer, crafter, decorator, etc.

The magazine also contains one or two short fiction stories, a nostalgic section with old pictures and history, "My Most Embarrassing Moment" and gardening questions and answers. In the back there is a "Readers are Wondering" section where you can answer another readers questions, find a pen pal or ask questions yourself.

I always take the time to sit down and read this magazine cover to cover when I receive it. It is something I get excited about when I see it in the mailbox.

If you are a woman living in the country or simply country at heart this is a terrific magazine to try.