BETW EEN FRIENDS
a
ccording to an old adage, the
best things in life are free.
That can be argued, I
suppose, but midsummer has
a way of convincing me that
it just might be true. On any
weekend in most any
hometown, you can spread out a blanket in a park
and hear live music for no more than the cost of
the lemonade you pack in the cooler. There are art
fairs and state fairs, sweet corn feasts and farmers’
markets, fireworks and outdoor flicks. July
calendars overflow with things to do—and that’s
not even counting the incomparable pleasure of a
slow, cool evening with friends on your own back
porch. No ticket required. No better bargain.
And
Better Homes and Gardens
readers love a
bargain. You know better than most how to get the
most for the money you spend on and around your
home. The homes in this issue are a case in point:
Georgia homeowner Linn Gresham’s clever use of
modest materials to dress up her storybook
cottage,
page 66.
Massachusetts mom Jill Shah’s
playful, low-cost party decorations and smart tips
on Internet shopping,
page 31.
Santa Barbara
landscape designer Margie Grace’s penny-
pinching patio solution,
page 86.
Throughout the
issue, look for our “We Love a Bargain” icon to
point you to great ideas and strategies—including
33 very smart, fresh ways to bag a deal,
page 58.
(We’d love to hear how they work for you!)
Fresh deals certainly are in season now at
farmer’s market stands—and in your own garden.
Saving Summer, page 142,
brings you simple,
get-started recipes for home canning that take
advantage of in-season prices and bounty.
Step-by-step directions from the
Better Homes
and Gardens
-
Test Kitchen show you exactly how
to do it for safe (and delicious) results.
Here’s wishing you a wonderful July 4th with
the best free thing of all—a happy day with the
people you love.
Gayle Goodson Butler,
Editor in Chief
Share Your Life in Photos
Every month,
Better Homes and Gardens
brings you beautiful photographs of homes, gardens, and
the people who enjoy them. Now it's your turn. Share your photos of special moments at home by
participating in our
Home: It's Where Life Happens
photo contest. Send a favorite youVe already taken,
or capture summer fun and celebrations. Your photo could be in next February's issue and win the
$
5,000
prize. See
page
76
more information and
page
139
for a summary of complete rules.
LETTERS & COMMENTS [email protected] WRITE 1716 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309-3023
1 0
JULY
2010
BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS
MAKEUP: MARY-KATE GAYLES
