We broke out all of the fall decorations this weekend, and I realized that I have a lot of fun candy corn decorations! And I realized that I made this fun candy corn treat like six years ago and totally forgotten about it! I updated this post to make it easier to make this for a crowd rather than using the pudding Snack Packs I originally used – now it’s good for making for a party easily!...
Once the domain of grandmothers, canning is making a comeback. Sales of home canning products have risen as the popularity of local, seasonal eating has grown. “It’s a craft we’ve gotten away from, but home food preservation is the way we’ve fed ourselves since we’ve been upright,” says Sherri Brooks Vinton, author of Put ’em Up! A Comprehensive Home Preserving Guide for the Creative Cook ($20, amazon.com). What to Can When deciding what to can, think about your favorite seasonal foods....
When we lived in Virginia, one of my favorite tapas restaurants had the most amazing bacon wrapped dates. I still to this day, even though we moved over four years ago, crave those dates. These aren’t those dates, but they’re still equally as delicious – just a little different. Those ones were breaded and deep fried, and I hope to recreate them at some point. These are bacon wrapped stuffed dates and the perfect appetizer for pretty much any party....
Have your own social dilemma for Michelle to solve? Tell us about it at modernmanners@realsimple.com. Uninvited Guests CAROL: A friend told me she had no plans for her birthday, so I invited her over. The next day, she said her son and other friends would be joining her. She added more people the next day. The day of our get-together, she texted that she was adding four more. I told her I’d had a busy week and I wasn’t up for that many people....
Towels That Are No Longer Absorbent Are you washing your towels the right way? If not, you could end up with dull, dingy, and non-absorbant linens after a while. The most likely culprit here is excess fabric softener. It can coat terry cloth with a waxy, water-resistant film that ruins the very mission of towels. To dissolve the buildup and restore the fluff, wash the towels the next few times with 1/4 cup white vinegar added to the rinse cycle, and skip the softener in the future....
5 years of editorial experience producing digital contentBachelor of Arts in Journalism with a minor in Graphic DesignHas contributed to a variety of brands at Dotdash Meredith, including BHG.com, Better Homes & Gardens, Storage, Do It Yourself, I Did It, Secrets of Getting Organized, Color Made Easy, 100 Ideas Flea, and Midwest Living Emily began working at Dotdash Meredith in 2015 when she was selected for the Dotdash Meredith (previously Meredith Corporation) Apprenticeship program as part of her college education at Drake University....
Welcome Warmly Even when it leans laidback, Southern hospitality is always in fashion. It starts before you even enter a home, with what’s known as curb appeal—an inviting exterior look that says “Oh, hey, come on in”. In Southern Casual style this could translate into cheerful flowering planters flanking the front steps or a brightly-painted front door (see more on color below). A porch is a perfect spot for passing the time, with somewhere to sit and sip a cool drink or a fun seating option like a swing....
One common misunderstanding about Pinot is the idea that it’s inaccessible. Sure, the grapes are finicky (high maintenance and hard to grow, etc.), but that doesn’t mean Burgundy or bust. Pinot Noir grapes grow all over the world and produce highly worthwhile bottles of wine, each with its own unique flavor profile. “While common aromas and flavors associated with Pinot Noir are cherries, raspberries, and strawberries, the taste of Pinot can vary significantly from region to region, which is what makes the process of trying each one so fun,” says Jonathan Cristaldi, a sommelier and Vivino contributor....
Factor (also known as Factor75 and Factor_) is a meal delivery service that has a strong emphasis on health and wellness, offering a rotating menu of fresh single-serving meals designed by registered dietitians and prepared by culinary experts. Factor meals are for people with active lifestyles, who follow specific diets, and who want perfectly portioned premade meals for one readily available on busy days. And because they require zero cooking skills, the ready-to-eat meals are also a godsend for those who don’t like to cook or would rather spend that extra time on things like achieving your fitness goals or organizing your home....
When it comes to maxi dresses, you can get away with some picks you’ve been wearing during the lazy-hazy-crazy days of summer, but we’d suggest a few tweaks to get in on the fall trend. Think autumnal colors like yellows and oranges as well as cool prints like stripes, animal prints, polka dots, plaid, and yes, florals too—just be sure to choose something in a dark color. Fall Maxi Dress Outlet Deals Deerose Floral Chiffon Maxi Wrap Dress, $24 (was $36) Aphratti ¾-Sleeve Faux Wrap Maxi Dress with Pockets, $29 with coupon (was $35) Shibever Floral Printed V-Neck Maxi Dress, $19 (was $26) Uimlk Bohemian Square Neck Ruffle Maxi Dress, $37 (was $43) Zattcas Off-the-Shoulder Ruffle Maxi Dress, $30 (was $38) Celmia Side Split Maxi Dress with Pockets, $38 with coupon (was $44) Amoretu Casual Off-Shoulder Maxi Dress, $38 (was $49) Yoxua Casual Long-Sleeve Empire Waist Maxi Dress, $18 with coupon (was $26) Saukole Off-the-Shoulder Long-Sleeve Swing Maxi Dress, $38 (was $50) Halcyeen Cold Shoulder Split Maxi Dress, $26 with coupon (was $28)...
Stubby yet slightly long; waxy yet firm; small-ish yet large enough to be sliced before cooking, fingerling potatoes come in many shapes and colors. They can be yellow, red, pink, a bluish, and deep purple. Purple and blue fingerlings tend to have a trace of sweetness. Cool varieties abound. They include Russian Banana, the Swedish Peanut, the Purple Peruvian, and many others. At big-box grocery stores, fingerlings are commonly sold as generic fingerlings and not broken into funky sub-types....
Disney’s newest animated film hits theaters last November, and I for one absolutely loved following along with 16-year-old Moana as she sailed out to sea in hopes of saving her people. I love that Disney is showcasing another strong young woman, one that’s labeled as athletic, nimble, compassionate, and incredibly smart. When I have a daughter some day, those are the qualities that I want her to have, so I’m excited to see Disney bring us a role model I can cheer for....
I’ve included affiliate links in this post for your reference but only to things I recommend. Date Night Cards My husband and I have found that the more time we spend actually together doing things, the more we enjoy each other’s company. Go figure right? So instead of getting him another pair of shoes or a wallet this Christmas, I created the gift I thought he actually wanted, a year full of date night ideas in a the form of a deck of date night cards....
The new collection, dubbed Gap Home, is the first of its kind and available exclusively at Walmart. With nautical-inspired pieces in shades of white, grey, red, blue, and yellow, the line includes tableware (think dish sets and mugs); bath items (towels, bath mats, shower curtains, and accessories); home decor (like throw pillows and curtains); and—what we’re most excited about—bedding. From sheets to quilts to bedspreads, Gap Home is loaded with airy pieces made out of percale, a lightweight fabric known for staying cool throughout the night....
Creeping thyme between pavers adds a wonderful scent when its leaves are stepped on. Irregularly spaced and sized flagstones boost the garden’s carefree nature. A large urn offers visual relief from the densely planted yard. A California lilac (Ceanothus) beside the path adds a lovely fragrance and color. Gray river rock provides interest as filler between the irregularly placed flagstone pavers on the path from the front door around the side of the house....
Best Wisteria to Grow The name to look for on plant tags is Wisteria frutescens, commonly called American wisteria. This species is native to the southeastern U.S., and it’s hardy in Zones 5-9, meaning it’ll grow in most areas of the country. American wisteria vines can reach dazzling heights of up to 30 feet. They act like a combination of a shrub and a vine, growing thick, woody stems over time that can wind around fences and, if given a trellis, scramble up the sides of a house....
So now that you know how to spot a dragon fruit, let’s dive into dragon fruit benefits in terms of flavor and nutrition, how to cut a dragon fruit, and the most important part: how to eat dragon fruit. Ahead, is our complete guide to what is dragon fruit good for. You’ll learn something new whether you’ve eaten dozens or zero before. What is Dragon Fruit, Exactly? Also known as pitaya or strawberry pear, dragon fruit is an oval-shaped, vibrantly-colored tropical fruit that grows on a family of cacti called Hylocereus....
When Hostas Bloom Hostas bloom for about three weeks, usually somewhere between May and September, depending on the variety. Each plant sends up several long stalks, called scapes, with flower buds along its length. Each flower only lasts a day when it opens. When to Cut Hosta Flowers If you want to enjoy the hosta flowers in a bouquet, cut each scape when only two flowers on it are open; the rest will gradually emerge over two weeks inside your home....
Create a Holiday Planning Binder Use it to stay on track over the holidays. Place lists for gifts, cards, invitations, menus, grocery shopping, and to-dos. Include a countdown calendar to help you plan when you will get everything finished. Spread the workload over a number of weeks to avoid last-minute stress. Organize Gifts About a month before the holidays, write a list of gift recipients, ideas for what they’d like, where you’ll buy these items, and the estimated cost per gift....
During the Christmas season, there’s not much more iconic than chocolate covered cherries. It’s the only time I ever see them sold in the stores, and while they’re not the most delicious thing, they’re definitely a tradition. And they make a great Christmas bingo prize! After having some for the first time this holiday season last week, I thought it would be fun to make a cookie that reminded me of the delicious chocolate cherry flavor....
