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Start Small “I recommend starting small,” Jackson says. “You’re going to learn a lot as you go.” Plan a mural in a spot behind or above a dresser or shelf, a corner or small hallway, or any other minor area you want a jolt of pattern or color. “That way, if you mess up, so what? It’s a lot easier painting over 10 square feet than 100.” Design Your Mural Geometry 101: “You can re-create about 90 percent of my murals with circles and lines,” Jackson says....

¾ cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch ¼ cup lime juice ¼ cup pineapple juice concentrate ⅓ cup water 5 reserved egg yolks ½ cup butter, cut up

1 can black beans (15-ounce) ¾ cup cooked fresh or frozen whole kernel corn 1 small orange or green sweet pepper chopped (optional) 2 tablespoon dressing *Tip: A deli-roasted chicken offers a good choice to use for cooked shredded chicken.

small fresh strawberries white grape juice or water Cranberry Mimosas: Prepare as above, except substitute cranberry juice concentrate for the orange juice concentrate and apple juice concentrate for the limeade concentrate. Use whole cranberries in Strawberry Ice Cubes.

Full of life and young plants, this potted garden is designed to provide extended pleasure. After a couple of years, the colorful houseplants will be ready to grow on as singles in individual pots or grouped in a larger planter. Prechilled bulbs, widely available from mail-order nurseries and local garden centers in late winter and early spring, readily move outdoors and into the garden after their blooms fade. Toss a handful of fertilizer into their planting holes, and they’ll likely flower again the following spring....

Matcha Salt: Sift 1 teaspoon culinary matcha powder into a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon kosher salt. Sprinkle over latkes just before serving.

¾ cup butter, softened 8 cup powdered sugar ⅓ cup milk 2 teaspoon vanilla Milk Food coloring, if desired **Test Kitchen Tip: If preparing for a wedding, shower, or birthday party, divide frosting and tint into colors that coordinate with the party’s colors. Frost some of the cupcakes in each color.

½ 8 ounce package cream cheese ⅓ cup butter ¼ cup vanilla ice cream or whipping cream 2 teaspoon vanilla 5 ½ cup powdered sugar

To Store Place poppers between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week.

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup shortening 4 tablespoon cold water

2 cup Oatmeal Pancake Mix 1 cup water 1 egg

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening or lard ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening or lard ¼ cup ice water Cinnamon Whipped Cream 1 cup heavy cream 2 tablespoon powdered sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon Dash ground nutmeg

1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (about 4 cups) 3 tablespoon milk White Cake ⅔ cup butter 4 egg whites 2 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla ¾ cup milk *Tip: Be sure to use gel food coloring. Liquid food coloring will thin the batter and won’t get the color as dark....

1 Seckel or Forelle pear

1. Calming Colors Following a year filled with so much uncertainty and unknown, it’s no coincidence that muted, soothing colors are expected to be on the rise in 2021. As we spend more time working, teaching, and cooking at home, homeowners are seeking out shades that are peaceful and calming for both the mind and the eyes. Look for soft blue and muted green paint colors to trend in the new year....