Posts

The good news is that most U.S. adults want to see that shift happen. Data from the Pew Research Center from 2019 shows that most U.S. adults prioritize developing alternative energy sources for the country such as solar or wind power (77%) rather than increasing U.S. exploration and production of fossil fuels (22%). Although many support a significant transition in how we generate power in the U.S., we still have a long way to go to reach clean energy goals....

Make your own hypertufa trough. The grouping of troughs above contains mostly shade lovers. The center front trough is planted with a miniature fir; to the left is a miniature hosta. Second row, left to right: dwarf meadow rue (Thalictrum kiusianum) mixed with miniature hostas; holly-fern woodsia (Woodsia polystichoides) with Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ and rockfoil (Saxifraga veitchiana); and two troughs with bulbous fern, miniature hostas, and rockfoil. Back row against wall, left to right: miniature forget-me-not and Japanese painted fern; more rockfoil, Saxifraga paniculata’ Silver Velvet’, and self-seeded violets....

Nonstick cooking spray for baking 7 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 1 ½ cup granulated sugar 1 ¾ cup cake flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 5 egg whites ¾ cup milk 3 tablespoon canola oil 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoon red edible glitter For the Buttercream: 5 egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar Pinch salt 1 pound unsalted butter, cut up and slightly softened To assemble: Powdered sugar 6 Meringue Trees (optional) Meringue Trees...

Wood siding is a veneer or protective covering that is attached to the exterior of the house. The wood is held in place primarily by nails, screws, or in some cases, construction adhesives. Water does penetrate wood so it is important that a moisture barrier is installed between the siding and the structure. Wood siding will deteriorate if not properly maintained, particularly at joints, knot holes, or points of damage....

How to Prepare Butternut Squash Before you start cooking, you’ve got to prep your squash. Follow these tips to get butternut squash ready for the oven or microwave. How to Peel Butternut Squash How to Cut Butternut Squash If you’re serving cubed or sliced squash, cutting it up first will make it much easier to work with. To begin cutting your squash, lay it on its side. Using a large, sharp chef’s knife ($100, Crate & Barrel), trim the top and bottom to remove the stem....

Chicken Broth Substitute If you don’t have canned or homemade chicken broth on hand, bouillon cubes ($1, Target) or bouillon granules ($4, Target) make the easiest chicken broth replacement. In general, here’s the formula: 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules + 1 cup hot water = 1 cup chicken broth substitute Be sure to check the package directions; some bouillon cubes, such as those found in international grocery markets or health food stores, might require different measurements....

1. Watermelon Sorbet Watermelon sorbet might be the most refreshing dessert you’ll taste this summer. Use juicy watermelon slices and fresh raspberries to give the sorbet its stunning color and deliciously fruity flavor. Then pull this chilled dessert out of your freezer on the hottest summer days. But the fun doesn’t stop there—if you want to put your watermelon rind to good use, hollow out one half of the fruit, then serve scoops of sorbet inside....

Lemon-Poppy Seed Zucchini Muffins Brighten a basic zucchini bread batter with the addition of lemon zest and golden raisins. Then make your muffins taste more like dessert with the addition of a powdered sugar glaze. If you love lemon flavor, substitute fresh lemon juice (you needed a lemon to get the zest anyway, so why not use more of the fruit?) for the milk in the glaze for heightened citrus flavor....

This color change is gradual, so you’ll likely see some yellow, some pink, and a few multicolored flowers all at the same time as the plant continues blooming from early summer through late fall. Even the unopened buds have the same color as a glass of lemonade streaked with deep pink. Luckily, the ‘Peach Lemonade’ rose doesn’t need special care or conditions to grow in your garden. These roses are recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9 and grow best in an area with full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day) and well-drained soil....

As a professional organizer, one of the first things that I like to distinguish with my clients is a list of exactly what they want to keep under the kitchen sink. That’s when we discover that the extra bottle of toilet bowl cleaner really doesn’t belong in this space since there’s no restroom nearby. Once you’ve determined the items you want to store, the organizing process will be easier. Use the following tips to learn how to organize the cabinet below your kitchen sink....

Fringed Tulip Varieties Tulipa Angelique Double-flowered tulips stand out because their blooms are packed with petals. Some have so many petals that they are referred to as peony-flowered tulips for their resemblance to those flowers. Bloom time depends on type; some bloom in early spring and others bloom late. Regardless of when they show off their flowers, the blossoms last a long time because the flowers have so much substance.Double tulips’ large, heavy blooms can be a drawback: Rains and strong winds easily damage the flowers, so plant them in a protected location....

Varieties of Coleus Crimson Ruffles Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Crimson Ruffles’) has deep purple leaves with magenta veins. The frilly leaf margins are green. A greater proportion of green color develops on the leaves in shade. It grows 18 inches tall. Dipt in Wine Coleus (Solenostemon ‘Dipt in Wine’) sports maroon leaves with red or chartreuse veins and a green leaf margin. The base and center of the leaf often develop with chartreuse coloration....

When to Prune Roses Plan to give your roses a good pruning at least once a year. For once-blooming rose varieties, wait until early summer to prune them, just after they’ve bloomed. They can be shaped up a little more in late summer, but beyond that, pruning healthy stems (also called canes) will reduce the number of blooms you get next year. For most other types of roses, the best time to prune them is in late winter or spring, right after your last frost date....

Seeds from Heirloom vs. Hybrid Tomatoes Not all tomatoes have seeds that will grow into plants that look (or taste) like their parent. Modern hybrids, such as ‘Big Boy’ and ‘Celebrity,’ are created from two unique parent plants. The seeds that a hybrid tomato plant produces will not result in another ‘Celebrity’ tomato plant, for example. Instead, the seed will likely yield a small, inferior fruit on a rangy plant. Avoid disappointment and don’t save seed from hybrid tomatoes....

How to Keep Store-Bought Bread Fresh You can leave store-bought bread in the plastic it came in. Consume in 3 to 5 days for guaranteed freshness, but it can last up to a week as long as there’s no mold present. Bread lovers might also benefit from storing bread (purchased or homemade) in a bread box, which is ventilated to keep the bread fresh without building up unwanted moisture. Storing Homemade Bread Homemade bread including yeast breads and quick breads like banana bread should be completely cooled on a wire rack as soon as they’re done baking....

1. Choose a low-traffic storage spot. You don’t want to jostle past your fine china every time you reach for a cereal bowl. Choose a storage spot that’s out of the way to reduce the risk of damaging the pieces during your daily routine. A separate storage cabinet or hutch is ideal, but if you don’t have one, a spare shelf in your linen closet or a plastic bin in the basement can work fine....

What Is a Kitchen Mandoline, and What Is a Mandoline Used For? Mandoline slicers (which you might also see spelled “mandolin” outside of the U.S.) are kitchen tools designed to finely slice or grate foods. Kitchen mandolines can quickly, cleanly, and uniformly cut firm fruits and vegetables into thin, bite-size strips (julienne), slices, and beyond, and they can even slice firm cheeses. Most mandoline slicers can be adjusted to cut as thin as paper or up to ½-inch thick, and some models come with an interchangeable blade with a cross-hatch pattern to cut fry-like shapes or waffle patterns....