1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (about 4 cups) 3 tablespoon milk Royal Icing 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 **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....
Ham Glazes Spiced Pepper Glaze: a. 1. In a small bowl stir together 3/4 cup red jalapeno pepper jelly and 1 1/2 teaspoons five spice powder. Cranberry-BBQ Glaze: a. 2. In a small bowl stir together 1/2 cup jellied cranberry sauce, 1/2 cup bottled barbecue sauce, and 2 tablespoons honey. Orange-Bourbon Glaze: a. 3. In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup orange marmalade or peach preserves, 1/2 cup stone ground mustard, and 2 tablespoons bourbon....
Joro spiders are not harmful. Joros are causing alarm because of their size, their numbers, and the fact that they are a non-native species. Also, they look like Halloween decorations come to life. But don’t worry; they’re not harmful to people, says Richard Hoebeke, associate curator of the arthropod collection at the University of Georgia’s Museum of Natural History and researcher in the university’s entomology department. All spiders have venom to subdue and digest their prey, but the Joro’s venom isn’t particularly toxic, unless you’re allergic to spiders....
Summer Snowflake Care Summer snowflake grows well in fertile, loose soil that has regular moisture and is well-drained. It takes either full sun or part shade, but blooms best if it gets at least 6 hours of bright sunlight a day. Tolerant of a variety of soils, summer snowflake will adapt to dry soil and clay soil in most cases. Plant summer snowflake in fall in drifts of 15 to 20 or more bulbs set 4 to 6 inches deep and 4 to 6 inches apart....
3 cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon cream of tartar ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ⅓ cup butter 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese 1 cup milk ½ cup mashed cooked sweet potato 4 slices bacon 1 1/4-inch thick fully cooked ham slice (about 5 oz.), cut into 4 equal pieces 1 cup strong coffee ¼ cup peach preserves 4 eggs, scrambled Fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley leaves
With deals on compact air fryers, smart humidifiers, candles, throw blankets, and Echo Shows—all less than $50—these discounts are a bargain shopper’s dream. The sales won’t last long, however, so be sure to start shopping now. “This pan is superb,” one shopper said. “I like the way the whole pan heats up evenly and as was stated, eggs, cheese, ham and sausage just slide off.” One shopper said, “This mat provides enough cushion to really help with lower back pain and foot and knee fatigue without being too thick that you sink into it....
“When it comes to installing freestanding bathtubs, there are two major details that need to be addressed: weight of the tub and the precise stubbing for the rough plumbing,” says Chris Conoan of CJC Construction. “Most tubs come with instructions that need to be meticulously followed. Center drain freestanding tubs receive a blind plumbing connection when the tub is dropped in place, so that alignment needs to be just about perfect....
“Wood stain acts as a sealer for your deck, helping to keep out both moisture and pests, such as termites, which can lead to damage like mold, mildew, and wood rot,” says Michael Clarke, founder of Pulled, a digital platform that helps homeowners find and hire service providers for home projects. The winter can be an especially brutal time for your deck—snow and rain sinks deep into the wood and freezes, causing the planks to split....
“Gas hedge trimmers were once the go-to for professionals or anyone doing a lot of hedge trimming,” says Harry Granville, founder of the Gardening Squad, a landscape design and garden maintenance company. “Nowadays, cordless battery-powered trimmers can be just as effective and save you the hassle of heavy maintenance and dealing with fuel. Not to mention, they’re lighter than gas-powered options and start effortlessly in cold weather.” Other important aspects to consider when shopping for a hedge trimmer are the weight of the tool and the blade length....
“Window insulation kits function by creating an air barrier between the interior living space and the window,” says Elias Benson of the Building Construction Technology Department at the New England Institute of Technology. “This air barrier works well as insulation because it prevents cold air from entering while allowing sunlight in.” With so many variables, choosing the best window insulation kit can be overwhelming the first time. But once you know what to look for, the job is a cinch....
That’s why a diverse collection of nectar-rich plants is key for rolling out the welcome mat for these busy little pollinators. Here’s what you need to know about selecting the best annuals, perennials, vines, and shrubs, plus a few other tips for attracting hummingbirds. Best Plants for Hummingbirds Look for varieties that have tubular, scentless, brightly colored (often red, orange, or blue) flowers to grow, so it’s easy for the birds to hover and sip nectar....
Bleached vs. Unbleached Flour Bleached and unbleached flour are both milled flour; the difference is just how they’re produced. All milled flour will bleach, or turn white, on its own when allowed to stand exposed to air (unbleached flour). Because this takes time, bleaching agents such as chlorine dioxide and benzoyl peroxide are added to the flour. The resulting bleached flour is more white in color and has a slightly softer texture....
