NPN February 2021

Even though it’s still winter, now is the time to think about monarchs! Monarchs in the western US are especially at risk of extinction, but our monarchs east of the Rockies could use some help too. The single best thing you can do to help the monarch population is to plant native milkweed! Just a … Read more

Reblooming February 2021

I chuckled when I read the first line of Sandi’s message. “It’s February.” Need we say more? It reminded me of a well-worn children’s book handed down to us from my husband’s Aunt Mary. In it a chatty family of field mice living in an old stone wall were busy gathering nuts and grain for … Read more

Presidents’ Points February 2021

It’s February. It’s the depth of winter with cold and snow surrounding us but we’re safe and warm in our homes. Though it doesn’t seem like it, spring is creeping closer. February is the shortest month of the year, so we’ll soon be looking backwards on this winter. To get through this time of cold … Read more

Beth’s Corner February 2021

  Tired of the cold and staying in the house? Plan a project!  Here are a few simple crafts you can do for Valentines’ Day and a quick Valentine dessert recipe to celebrate the occasion. You can also make a simple homemade soup for two to share with a spouse or a friend—just add a sandwich for … Read more

Button Tree

BUTTON TREE Floral or jewelry wire Small container Floral foam Decorative stones, optional Buttons Wire cutters Directions: Cut 15-20 pieces of wire into 25-inch lengths using wire cutters. Gather wires together and fold at middle point. Twist wires together at fold to create the tree base. Fill container with floral foam. Press tree base into … Read more

Door Heart

DOOR HEART Whittle down that fabric stash and make this ragged heart wreath. 12-inch heart shaped wire form 1 ½ yard fabric or six fat quarters in coordinating colors Scissors Directions: Cut fabric into 150 strips, each measuring 1 ½ x 8 inches Using 1 strip of fabric at a time, wrap around two rungs … Read more

Brownie Hearts

Brownie Hearts Prepare brownie mix per package directions and bake as directed. Cool, then cut out hearts using a cookie cutter or a knife.  Pipe on store-bought frosting or use “Writing Icing” to create chocolate “conversation hearts”.   (Betty Crocker is one of the companies that makes “Writing Icing”.) from Feb 2021 Woman’s Day

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli Cheddar Soup  This thick, cheesy broccoli cheddar soup is proof that soup doesn’t need to be made in big batches to be good. ¼ cup chopped onion ¼ cup butter, cubed ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper 1 ½ cups milk ¾ cup chicken broth 1 cup cooked, chopped fresh … Read more