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See more of our favorite flowering trees and shrubs. The main type is the saucer magnolia. When Northerners hear the word magnolia, this is what probably comes to mind. Saucer magnolias typically bloom in early spring, with a few in late winter. Flowers open just before the foliage does, so naked stems can be completely covered in showy blooms. These trees also tend to have a pleasant scent. Saucer magnolias can grow to be quite large trees, upwards of 70 feet depending on the variety....

Slow Cooker Thaw one container of meat mixture as directed. Transfer to a 3 1/2- or 4-qt. slow cooker. Stir in 1 carton of the broth. Cover and cook on low 4 to 5 hours or high 2 to 2 1/2 hours or until heated through, stirring in 1 pkg. of the frozen wonton dumplings the last 30 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the green onions. If desired, top servings with wonton crisps....

3 cup powdered sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract 6 teaspoon milk Chocolate Powdered Sugar Icing 3 cup powdered sugar ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoon milk ½ teaspoon vanilla or almond extract Milk (optional) Stir-In: 2/3 cup shredded apple; 2/3 cup fresh blueberries; 1/2 cup flaked coconut; 1/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces; 1/4 cup snipped dried cherries or cranberries; 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts; 1/4 cup canned pumpkin; 1/4 cup mashed ripe banana; 1/4 cup applesauce; 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter...

Large Winter Container Garden Fill an empty spot in your garden during the colder months with this winter container display, or put two together to frame your front door. Step 1: Fill a pot with soil. Fill a large winter-safe pot to 3/4 full with potting soil (or use any left-over soil from your summer displays). Press the soil down slightly so that it stays in place and provides a sturdy base for the evergreen branches....

The best part? We made it ourselves by starting with an inexpensive faux evergreen wreath! So take a look at the steps below to make your own DIY Christmas wreath. Or, for more inspiration, check out our ideas for personalizing evergreen Christmas wreaths. How to Make a Classic Evergreen Wreath What You Need Evergreen wreathMagnolia leavesScissorsFloral wireHot glueBerriesBells Step-by-Step Directions Bring timeless style to your outdoor Christmas decorations with this easy wreath idea....

¼ cup unsalted butter ¼ cup packed brown sugar ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup whipping cream ½ teaspoon sea salt

Because the moonflower vine tends to bloom at night, you might be wondering why you should plant it at all if you can’t see the flowers open during the day. The answer is simple: It is magical when you grow it where you spend time outdoors in the evening, perhaps on your front porch or back patio. There, you’ll be able to enjoy the huge white flowers that almost seem to glow in dim lighting, as well as the sweet scent these beauties produce....

Varieties of Mountain Laurel ‘Elf’ Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia ‘Elf’ was the first dwarf mountain laurel introduced. It has large pink buds that open to nearly white flowers. It grows 3 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Plant in zones 5-9. ‘Minuet’ Mountain Laurel Kalmia latifolia ‘Minuet’ is an outstanding dwarf selection that bears light pink buds and pink flowers with a bold red band. It grows 3 feet tall and wide....

⅓ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Kalamata olive tapenade 1 tablespoon snipped fresh basil * The internal color of a burger is not a reliable doneness indicator. A beef, pork, or sausage patty cooked to 160°F is safe, regardless of color. To measure the doneness of a patty, insert an instant-read thermometer through the side of the patty to a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

Pretty Presentation Before slicing, peel the cucumber lengthwise, using a vegetable peeler to remove some strips of skin, for a striped effect.