¼ cup whipping cream (not ultrapasteurized) ¼ cup dairy sour cream

The other week, my mom and I were craving ice cream from our favorite local spot, so we took an early Mother’s Day drive together for a late-night treat. After enjoying our ice cream inside my car where it was warmer than sitting outside, I made a rookie mistake: I decided not to toss my chocolate-sauce-laced cup before driving home. Unbeknownst to either of us, the cup spilled onto my car’s cloth seat while I was driving....

Over 40 years experience as a professional horticulturist30 years experience as a garden writer and editorContributed to more than a dozen gardening books18+ years Associate/Contributing Editor for “The American Gardener” magazineContributed articles to major national gardening magazinesFormer associate professor of horticulture at Northern Virginia Community CollegeFormer manager, Green Springs Gardens and Horticulture Center in Alexandria, VirginiaFormer Extension Agent, Montgomery County, MarylandFormer Peace Corps Volunteer, St.Lucia, West Indies

1 pound small yellow, red and/or Chioggia beets 1 acorn squash, about 1 1/4 pounds, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch slices Salt and pepper to taste 1 tablespoon olive oil ⅓ cup maple syrup 3 cup mixed greens Vinaigrette 1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard ¼ cup fresh lemon juice ¼ cup maple syrup ⅓ cup olive oil ⅓ cup fresh pomegranate seeds

1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (4-1/4 cups) 3 tablespoon meringue powder ½ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup warm water 1 teaspoon vanilla To Store: Layer cookies between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store at room temperature for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months. **Tip: Meringue powder is a mixture of pasteurized dried egg whites, sugar, and edible gums. Look for it in the baking aisle of your supermarket or at a specialty food store....

Cherry Scones: Prepare as above, except omit the currants or raisins. In a small bowl pour enough boiling water over 1/2 cup snipped dried tart cherries to cover. Let stand for 5 minutes; drain well. Stir drained cherries and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract in with the egg mixture.

For those unfamiliar with the brand that has (rightfully) dubbed itself “America’s Favorite Sponge,” Scrub Daddy made its debut as a contestant on Shark Tank in 2012. After getting the recognition of inventor Lori Greiner, the company was brought to major retailers and has been a national favorite ever since. The standard Scrub Daddy is a porous, colorful sponge with a smiling face cut into it, and the basic line (which includes the original Scrub Daddy) features sponges in a range of colors....

This perennial’s leaves are held close to the ground in what’s called a basal rosette. From this grouping of foliage, the long flower stems develop. This makes sea lavender easy to tuck in among other perennials because the foliage remains mostly hidden, allowing the flowers to stand out. Sea Lavender Care Must-Knows As the common name implies, the plant is native to coastal areas and is tolerant of salty conditions....

Heavy pans are often called for in our recipes because they heat foods evenly and gently. Copper-bottom, cast iron, enameled cast iron, anodized aluminum, and clad aluminum are all good choices for heavy-bottom pans. Range Top Cookware Checklist Cookware commonly used to prepare recipes includes: Double boiler: Two pans that work together; one fits on top of the other. Water in the bottom pan simmers gently to cook the contents in the top pan....

The 6 Best Valentine’s Day Wine Pairings for Your Favorite Candies We asked Cohen and David Choi, the proprietor of Magna Carta Cellars and Angel Falls Wines in Napa Valley, California, to select the best wine for Valentine’s Day to pick up and partner with popular candies and confections. Try one or sample your way through them all to see which candy and wine pairing you love most. (Psst…if you don’t finish the bottle, consider transferring it to this wine preserver that can keep the juice tasting fresh for up to one week!...

To Store: Arrange sopapilla cheesecake bars in a single layer in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours or freeze for up to 3 months.