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“Gas hedge trimmers were once the go-to for professionals or anyone doing a lot of hedge trimming,” says Harry Granville, founder of the Gardening Squad, a landscape design and garden maintenance company. “Nowadays, cordless battery-powered trimmers can be just as effective and save you the hassle of heavy maintenance and dealing with fuel. Not to mention, they’re lighter than gas-powered options and start effortlessly in cold weather.” Other important aspects to consider when shopping for a hedge trimmer are the weight of the tool and the blade length....

“Window insulation kits function by creating an air barrier between the interior living space and the window,” says Elias Benson of the Building Construction Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. “This air barrier works well as insulation because it prevents cold air from entering while allowing sunlight in.” With so many variables, choosing the best window insulation kit can be overwhelming the first time. But once you know what to look for, the job is a cinch....

That’s why a diverse collection of nectar-rich plants is key for rolling out the welcome mat for these busy little pollinators. Here’s what you need to know about selecting the best annuals, perennials, vines, and shrubs, plus a few other tips for attracting hummingbirds. Best Plants for Hummingbirds Look for varieties that have tubular, scentless, brightly colored (often red, orange, or blue) flowers to grow, so it’s easy for the birds to hover and sip nectar....

Bleached vs. Unbleached Flour Bleached and unbleached flour are both milled flour; the difference is just how they’re produced. All milled flour will bleach, or turn white, on its own when allowed to stand exposed to air (unbleached flour). Because this takes time, bleaching agents such as chlorine dioxide and benzoyl peroxide are added to the flour. The resulting bleached flour is more white in color and has a slightly softer texture....

Marla Cilley, a cleaning and organizing specialist from North Carolina, started the FlyLady mentoring group more than twenty years ago (the name FlyLady was inspired by her love of fly-fishing). Her aim was to offer a practical approach to organizing that prevents homeowners from feeling overwhelmed. Is this cleaning method right for you? Keep reading to find out. What Is the FlyLady Technique? The FlyLady system breaks down household cleaning and organizing projects into focused 15-minute increments....

And since social distancing measures may prohibit your traditional Memorial Day activities like remembrance parades or placing flags at gravesites, this year is the perfect time to learn about the origins of the holiday from home. Take some time to learn about the history of Memorial Day and reflect on the sacrifices made by military members. When Is Memorial Day? Memorial Day 2021 is Monday, May 31. From 1868 to 1970, Memorial Day was celebrated on May 30 (regardless of what day of the week it fell on), but since 1971, the holiday has been celebrated on the last Monday of May....

In a survey by Thumbtack, an online home management platform where you can find local service providers, an overwhelming 90% of homeowners said they plan to complete at least one home improvement task over the next year. “According to our data, seasonal lighting installations are up 46% year over year already, and fireplace and chimney repairs and cleanings are up 186% over the past three months alone,” says David Steckel, home expert at Thumbtack....

Ahead of the big game, Instacart trends expert Laurentia Romaniuk predicted the top-scoring snacks according to data from last year’s game-day spreads. Traditional snacks like wings and popcorn obviously made the list, but Romaniuk says Instacart’s also “seeing a stronger desire for incorporating big, bold flavors—like vinegar and dill pickle—into the mix.” So even if it’s just you and your significant other at your gathering this year, here are some of the top snacks (and maybe a few new ideas) to plan on adding to your spread as you watch the game....

Once known mainly for circulating dance trends and cleaning hacks, TikTok is now the origin of many uber-popular recipes and food celebrities. From Joanne Lee Molinaro (AKA @TheKoreanVegan) to Eitan Bernath (@eitan) to As Cooked on TikTok: Fan Favorites and Recipe Exclusives From More Than 40 TikTok Creators! A Cookbook, it’s clear that food is huge on TikTok. The Top TikTok Food Trends for 2022 So with that in mind, thanks to data from U....

Paint colors pictured: Buzz-In P300-6, BehrLemon Twist 3006-2B, ValsparCitrus Punch PPG1212-5, PPGCheerful SW 6903, Sherwin-Williams Paint colors pictured: Lemonade Slush BHG605, GliddenHomey Cream 3007-6B, ValsparHoney Moth 350E-2, BehrStraw A22-3, Ace HardwareCornmeal B12-2, Olympic Paint colors pictured: Sawdust A15-3, OlympicMorning Sunlight 360A-2, BehrGoldenrod GLY04, GliddenFulfilled 15b2, True ValueHello Yellow! BHG611, Glidden Paint colors pictured: Sunbeam 328, Benjamin MooreHoney Tone 360C-3, BehrMaple Taffy 3004-3C, ValsparEgg Yolk A14-5, OlympicDandy Lion BHG614, Glidden...

The attractive shelf by Millieroo is a smart addition to any room in your house or apartment that needs more storage. Its shelves are made of bamboo with durable stainless-steel tubes for legs. Anti-slip feet make it a safe option for any surface, whether you want to use it on a kitchen or bathroom counter or at a desk. There are three shelves—two long ones and a shorter one on top—and a row of four small metal hooks from which you can hang scissors, pot holders, craft supplies, and more....

Also known as candle tunneling, this occurs when the wick burns straight down the center, instead of creating a melty pool of wax across the entire surface. This typically happens when you don’t let a candle burn long enough the first time you use it. It can also be an indication that your candle wick isn’t large enough for the container. Either way, it’s nearly impossible to reverse once it starts....

Skillful etching makes this dachshund’s jaw and neck look extra delicate and realistic. Try gouging away the pumpkin’s surface in long, sweeping motions, scraping in parallel tracks to mimic jaw lines and skin wrinkles. To carve: Hollow out your pumpkin from the bottom (not the top), and tape your printed pattern to the pumpkin’s surface. With a pin tool, create closely spaced pinpricks along the dachshund pumpkin pattern stencil lines, piercing through the paper into the pumpkin’s skin....

This simple DIY menorah uses concrete and copper to create a modern holiday decoration. You pick what dye to use in your own personalized marbled menorah. We used white and blue, traditional Hanukkah colors, but a mix of gray and silver would create a faux-marble look for an affordable price. The individual candle bases allow you to customize how much space your menorah occupies. Set them close together on windowsills, in a straight line on mantelpieces or side tables, or across your Hanukkah dinner table as a centerpiece....

Click here for a list of 17 fragrant roses. Give your roses 1 to 2 inches of water each week – in single watering session – from early spring through fall. Increase the frequency to every three or four days in hot and dry weather. Porous soils will also benefit from additional deep soakings. Soak the soil to a 16- to 18-inch depth; light sprinkling does more harm than not watering at all, because the roots will not grow deep enough to support the plant....

2 ounce cream cheese, softened 1 tablespoon butter, softened ¾ cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoon milk

2 cup soy sauce 1 cup water ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 tablespoon dark molasses 1 teaspoon salt 5 pound meaty pork ribs Barbecue Sauce ⅓ cup water 1 14 ounce bottle ketchup 1 12 ounce bottle chili sauce ½ cup packed light brown sugar 1 teaspoon dry mustard