Plants for Creating the Annual Garden for Full Sun 16 Sweet alyssum (Lobelaria maritima ‘Pastel Carpet’) 16 Globe amaranth (Gomphrena globosa ‘Bicolor Rose’) 16 Sage (Salvia splendens ‘Blue Wonder’) 16 Dwarf marigold (Tagetes patula ‘Jane’ or ‘Lemondrop’) 16 Vinca (Catharanthus roseus ‘Cooler Deep Orchid’ Periwinkle) 16 Snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus ‘Orlando Deep Bronze’) 16 Petunia (Petunia x hybrida ‘Double Madness Lavender’) 4 Morning glory (Ipomoea tricolor ‘Heavenly Blue’) If you aren’t able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes....

First as newlyweds, later as new parents, the couple often skied by a rustic home right on the slopes. “‘Wouldn’t it be great to live here?’ I’d say. He’d tell me, ‘You’re dreaming,’” Kristin says. “But one day that dream came true.” After buying the house, though, Kristin and Mike did want one more thing: a design team that could open up the space to accommodate gatherings of family and friends and add a layer of sophistication to the woodsy interiors....

Honoring the land was indeed architect Ken Pursley’s almost-sacred mission. The home’s footprint steps confidently along on a steep ridgeline, always just one room deep to usher lake and mountain views into every space. “Nothing blocks the sightlines,” he says. Those sightlines unfurl as unhurriedly as sweet Southern molasses, pouring across a floor plan that amplifies the drama of the steep site. The perspective changes with each step, from the bird’s-eye view framed by reclaimed timbers in the platform-like entry, down three stairs to a soaring great room, and descending even farther to a cantilevered deck nearly hidden among the leaves....

The Miracle-Gro Small Composter produces ready-to-use compost in just four to six weeks, unlike DIY cold compost bins that can take up to one year to decompose waste. It’s equipped with an internal aeration system, mixing bars to speed up decomposition, and a tight seal that keeps pests from slipping into your precious pile. It also traps heat and moisture to ensure proper decomposition, and you only have to spin the tumbler about once a week to mix the material....

Stepping into McLaughlin’s house is like stepping into one of his dress designs: instantly comfortable, immediately inspired. There’s never a dull moment at this place, a Manhattan brownstone dressed with the same flair, color, and style seen in the family’s fashion line. Even the front door wears the bold, playful color that has made J.McLaughlin a fashion mainstay since Kevin and his brother Jay started the business 38 years ago....

Popular Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors See more ideas for wood cabinets.

¼ cup sugar ¼ cup crunchy peanut butter 2 tablespoon water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil Asian chili sauce (Sriracha sauce)

Tips To level up your piecrust, sprinkle rolled out pastry with fresh herbs, such as sage or thyme leaves, and gently roll over the herbs with a rolling pin to press them into the pastry.

Salad Toting Place salad in a bowl with a tight-fitting lid. Always pack your lunch in a cooler or insulated container, if possible. Keep food cold by including freezer packs, a sealed bag with ice, or a frozen beverage. Once you arrive at your destination, store food in a cool place. If possible, keep it in a refrigerator. If there is no refrigerator available, store the lunch out of the sun and away from heat like a heating vent or in a hot car....

Fireflies are predators of many garden pests and essential pollinators, so it’s crucial to find out if their numbers are growing or shrinking. That’s why Mass Audubon, a nonprofit that protects over 38,000 acres of land in Massachusetts, asks people to spend 10 minutes per week counting firefly flashes. Even if you don’t see any, that will still provide valuable information to scientists. If you want to participate in the project, keep an eye out for fireflies before they usually come out in your area....

What Are VOCs and Are They Harmful? VOC is an acronym that stands for volatile organic compounds. The Environmental Protection Agency describes them as “organic chemical compounds whose composition makes it possible for them to evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions.” Essentially, this means that VOCs are the invisible chemicals we smell when bringing paint products, building supplies, and even new furniture into our homes. The evaporation process is referred to as “off-gassing,” and it can last well after the new paint smell is gone—potentially several years....