Magazine Review - July 2012 Better Homes and Gardens

If you've been following my blog...

{and it would make me so happy if you would be a follower!}

You already know that I'm taking

an e-course from Holly Becker of decor8

called "Blogging Your Way 2.0".

It's been so much fun that I almost forget it's a class!

To fulfill this week's homework assignment,

I'm going to review the 

July 2012 issue of Better Homes & Gardens magazine!

{a.k.a. BHG}

I've been a subscriber to this magazine for many years,

as well as one of its sister magazines,

American Patchwork & Quilting.

For some reason, this particular issue of BHG

rises above many other editions
and other magazine titles, in my eyes.
As I flipped through the magazine the first time,

I found myself dog-earing this page and that page,

making plans to come back and try lots of ideas.

This entire issue was devoted

to bargains and low-cost style, and
I feel as if they were directing all of the features
at people who are just like me!

{BARGAIN?  Yes, please!}

When I sit down to read a magazine,
I think it's as relaxing and energizing
as a spa treatment.
This issue made me feel like I'd just spent a whole week at a resort!


{I've never actually had a spa treatment, but I'm pretty sure I'd enjoy that, too.}

Here are some of my favorite pages from this issue,
beginning with the decorating and entertaining ideas...

{There are too many dog-eared pages to list in this post!}

I'm crazy over this beautiful and simple table setting,
in a variation on red, white and blue
for a summer get-together!

It would be so pretty on a picnic table,
set up for a nice evening with some friends and family.

{Or on my own Better Homes & Gardens deck furniture!}

Here's an article featuring a bench that came from the

clearance section of Walmart.
  The owners painted the legs and added new upholstery.

{I can truly visualize myself doing this!}

The fashion feature shows lots of items that are
from some stores I've actually shopped in...
each one is so stylish and colorful!

{So cute, huh?}

And then there's the food...


Wouldn't a Peach Pie Milkshake
make the perfect summer dessert?

I tore out the page with a recipe for
Fresh Corn Salad
the very first time I read through this issue.


{Here it is on my refrigerator, held in place with my Zakka Style magnets.}

As I gathered the ingredients to test this recipe,
I got the inspiration for my first LIVING COLOR post.

I didn't have every ingredient on hand, but there was nothing 
in the recipe that was too exotic.


{I should have had a cucumber and some sweet peppers on hand, 
but I was caught off-guard this time.  I'll add them in next time. 
Also, my basil isn't ready for harvesting yet, so I just used some dried herbs.}


I chopped a red onion, halved some cherry tomatoes,
mixed up the tangy-sweet dressing, and blanched some sweet corn...

And a few minutes later, I enjoyed a fresh and
fabulous good-for-you side dish!


{As I mentioned before...everything tastes extra good in my Mom's Pyrex bowls! }

I think I'll take a batch of this salad to our family reunion this weekend!


If you haven't already subscribed, 
hurry to pick up a copy of this month's BHG magazine!
I bet there's something in it for you, too!