Martha Stewart Living - July / August 2013

I just noticed so many magazines just did a double month issue over the summer but then again the editors need a holiday as well... I put the most useful and fun things from the issue for your viewing.

Well isn't Martha just the smarter but less frivolous version of Marie Antoinette? I mean they're both privileged women who love pastoral pursuits as leisure and got sent to prison.  
I bet those two would have tons to talk about over lunch.

This month we are invited to see her beehive. 
I must say I have never tried honey straight off the hive. 
If it is anything like fresh eggs then I am missing out.

Not going to lie - I have wanted one myself.  

Fortnum and Mason have a beehive on their roof just a mile away so it gave me ideas but I can barely handle my lavender pots.

Childhood summer memories were filled with popsicles - 

those E numbers were sooo good weren't they folks?

But these are some healthy but yummy alternatives.

How clever to use coconut water instead - hydrating with potassium!

Remember those sunburns when you were a kid because 

Slip slap slop wasn't invented yet?

I am always telling people not to forget the ears and bottom of feet!

So is Martha.  Nothing worse than sunburned feet.

I love how these friendship bracelets never went out of fashion but 

I forgot how to make them.

Here is a reminder.

A lovely project for you or the kids or even together to do?

Gardening editorials are usually not so useful as I don't have a patch of grass but this feature could be useful for those with only a courtyard or to put inside the house.

One of the plants I will always insist on having is lavender because the bees just adore it.  
Anyone see the Vanishing of the Bees?
If not, you can click on the link.
It's about the importance of bees and their hidden role in our lives besides honey and bee stings.

I put this in just because.
Not the best I have seen from Martha's team but I suppose a good way to deconstruct a bouquet and disperse them throughout the house instead of the living room hoarding all the flora.

I always love finding new flavour combos that work and this one was interesting - good idea and talking point for a dinner party.  
Pistachio ice cream with olive oil with sea salt.



But for those inclined to make ice cream from scratch or have something to do with the kids while they are bored at home.  
These look amazing!
There are a lot of recipes here and they were all so good I put them all here.  You just have to like at least one of them!

I don't have a pet as much as I would like one because I am not yet ready for responsibility.

Before I was very much in the dog camp but my freighbor 

( that's half neighbor half friend ) had a beautiful Bengal cat.  

 Unfortunately, he passed away a month ago while crossing a road and got hit by a speeding car.  

I never thought I would shed a tear over a cat but Leo was special.  That cat made me change my mind about felines and now I love them.  So I looked at this feature about cats with special interest.

RIP Leo...

If I was ready for a cat it would be a tie between the Persian and the British Shorthair.

PS for all you cat lovers out there - have you seen

 Sad Cat Diaries?  It is HILARIOUS!!

A little health tip from Martha.

By the way, the UK has such a problem with Vitamin D deficiency that apparently the National Health Service is pondering whether or not to keep advising people to stay out of the sun!

A simple BBQ tip.

I am a simple girl and I adore hydrangeas. 

I saw some hydrangeas that had both colors from the same bush which I would love to recreate and now I know how.

I love tomatoes as a side dish and a main dish. 

I was so obsessed with them that for most of my twenties I had bruschetta for breakfast.

The way this is presented is a work of art and 

would make a great lunch.

This is one of my favorites salads ever.

I thought this was a great gardening feature that was easy on the eye but also very informative for budding green thumbs out there.

Want a dinner or lunch that is a genuine team effort?
These might be great for the family to make together and that way the chef of the house doesn't have to alter the recipe who doesn't like a certain ingredient.

This makes a lovely accompaniment.

This is to dip the roll in.

Well I know this review is a little late but I hope you all got a relevant tip that you might be able to use.
Have a lovely weekend x