Posts

When to Water Your Garden by Season The time of year and precipitation (or lack of it) impact the amount of water you may need to supply. Plants grow less quickly, if at all, during the cooler months, so they don’t require as much moisture to support their stems and leaves. But even cold-hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials, which are dormant in winter, still need hydration. Most areas of the country do experience some drought, so your job is to ease your plants through those dry spells....

White Elephant Rules White elephant is a gift exchange, so each person must bring one wrapped present to the Christmas party. Once everyone is assembled, have each person draw a number. The person with number “one” chooses a present to unwrap. The person with number “two” has a choice: They may choose a new, wrapped present, or they may take the unwrapped present from the first person. If they take the present from the first person, that person chooses another present to unwrap....

Best Kitchen Gadget Cyber Monday Deals Under $50 Gravity Electric Electric Salt and Pepper Grinders Mueller Ultra-Stick Multi-Purpose Hand Blender This hand blender has tons of uses, so you’ll really get your money’s worth. The non-slip, ergonomic handle makes it easy to grip, and the blender is made with durable stainless steel that will last for a long time. There are three attachment options (blender, milk frother, and egg whisk) that are detachable and dishwasher-safe, making it super simple to clean....

On the flip side, intentionally dying your hair gray or silver is another, “super hip, contemporary trend,” according to Fleming, and also extremely popular, as seen on both social media and celebs of all ages. Regardless of which way you’re going gray, there are a few important things to keep in mind. If you’re transitioning to natural gray, be patient, particularly if you’ve always colored your hair in the past, advises Fleming....

1. Kitchen The Problem: Bulky appliances, lunch boxes, coupons, and cookbooks quickly cover up wide-open counter space. The Solution: Start by purging your kitchen of items you no longer use. If you can’t remember the last time you plugged in the quesadilla maker or opened a cookbook, it’s time to go. If there are countertop items you use only a few times a year, give them a permanent home in the basement or at the back of the pantry....

This simple act of prepping your ingredients prior to cooking is vital to making sure you have enough of all the ingredients needed to prepare the recipe. This way, you won’t need to step away from your dish and risk overcooking your fish while you chop up the remainder of your onions. The simple, yet effective method may seem time-consuming initially, but will end up saving you a lot of time in the long-run....

The good news is that with a wide spectrum of formats, personalities, and topics, podcasts are making brushing up on history topics easier and more entertaining than ever, often revealing new facts and prompting new ways of thinking along the way. Whether you’re a novice looking to learn, an aficionado ready to take your knowledge to the next level, or just someone who appreciates an interesting (or, in some cases, very strange) story, read on for a playlist of picks designed to catch up, complement and contextualize your history command, and browse more podcasts for your listening pleasure....

Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O2). It’s a natural disinfectant that bubbles when it comes into contact with an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is found in most cells, including blood cells and some bacteria. Since catalase is not found on the surface of human skin, hydrogen peroxide only bubbles on broken skin. Those bubbles are a reaction that releases oxygen gas. Hydrogen peroxide has a shelf life of approximately six months after opening and should be stored in a cool, dark place....

Another thing we love about pesto is that you can make it yourself (and even tailor your homemade version so it matches your dietary preferences). Or, if you’re tight on time, you can use a jar of the store-bought stuff that tastes just as good. A third option, which will likely come in handy during the winter months when fresh basil may be trickier to come by, is to make a big batch of pesto and stick it in your freezer for later use....

14 Fun Christmas Gift Exchange Games Try one of these fun and unique gift exchange ideas this year to break the norm. Almost every holiday party I’ve been to in the past ten years has had a very similar gift exchange along with other Christmas party games. Everyone brings a wrapped gift and gets a number. The first person chooses a gift and unwraps it, the second person can steal that gift or choose another, and so on....

1 thawed sheet of frozen puff pastry (from a 17.3-ounce box)1 beaten egg½ teaspoon paprika¼ teaspoon kosher salt1¼ cups finely grated Manchego cheese (about 5 ounces) 12 cinnamon sticks6 pieces star anise1 tablespoon whole allspice berries1 tablespoon whole cloves6 spice bags Divide the cinnamon, star anise, allspice, and cloves among the bags. Keep at room temperature for up to six months. Hardback journalSet of alphabet stampsStamp padRubber bandLarge binder clipAcid-free paperRulerPencilAdhesive, such as Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive...

However, even if you spend hours poring over Pinterest or consider yourself an amateur interior designer, knowing what will be in next year can be tricky. To help you transition your home for the new year,we spoke to two design experts to get their take on the furniture trends that will last through 2023. Spoiler alert: It includes ‘70s-inspired styles, curved silhouettes, and bold jewel tones, to name a few....

While each product in this list falls under the anti-aging umbrella, the creams, moisturizers, and serums vary in the specific signs of aging—like fine lines and wrinkles, dullness, dark circles, sun damage, uneven texture, and poor elasticity—they more aggressively target. If you have particularly sensitive skin, the best practice is to read ingredient lists carefully so you can avoid common skin irritants in beauty products, like added fragrances and dyes....

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Valentines Minute to Win It Games If you hadn’t guessed it already, I love minute to win it games. Why? Because they’re typically inexpensive, easy enough that all ages can play but fun for both kids and adults, and they’re short and sweet. My son’s school has three parties a year – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and end of the year....

With graduation just around the corner, I can’t wait to try out plenty of these games for graduation party this year! Definitely some of the most fun grad party games and graduation party activities I’ve ever seen! If I’m being honest, I don’t remember a thing about my own high school graduation party and we didn’t have a college graduation party because we were getting ready to move across the country....

The key to blending healthy smoothies that taste great is hitting a balance of naturally sweet ingredients, like fruits, with other vitamin-packed options. These might include spirulina, spinach, beets, and a variety of vegetables that are revered for their nutrition profile but perhaps not their flavors in a beverage. This collection of healthy breakfast smoothies features green smoothies, fruit smoothies, and a variety of other ingredient mixtures that whir up into a delicious drink you can enjoy on the go....

The fall season is really the perfect time of year for a party. The weather is typically ideal for having people indoors or out, there’s plenty of football on TV to keep people entertained, and who doesn’t love any food made with pumpkin. With so many reasons to throw a party, now all you need to do is throw one. And I have some great ideas to share! To help you out, I put together some of my favorite fall party themes and with each included a couple of games, food ideas, and even decorations other than just hay bales and mini pumpkins!...

After tackling five other closets around her home (take a peek inside the closet she designed for her husband), Gibson knew exactly what kind of storage her home lacked. Rather than buy five cheap pairs of jeans that will clutter the drawers, Gibson invests in a single quality pair that will last for years. “I ask myself a lot of questions prior to purchasing something. If I’m spending money on clothing, it needs to be something I’ll love for years to come....

And not only does repotting root-bound plants freshen up your greenery, but it’s also an opportunity to update your decor with a stylish container. These tips will help you repot all your houseplants successfully. How to Tell If Your Houseplant Needs Repotting Not sure when it’s time to repot? Plants give you several clues when they’re getting too cramped (a problem that’s often referred to as pot-bound or root-bound). Roots starting to poke out of the pot’s drainage holes is a sure sign....

“Generally, in-home services don’t require a tip in the same way the service industry does,” says Chaz Wyland, former handyman and carpenter. “That said, it does happen—and I’ll tell you through first-hand experience, it’s much appreciated,” adds Wyland. While it’s not always the norm to tip for these services, there are a few situations where it would be a good idea to tip a service provider for work in your home....