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Colorful Combinations Because of the popularity of pollinator plants, availability has surged, and many varieties of bee balm are readily available. Typically the bloom’s colors fall between warm reds and cool lavenders. They begin unfolding in early summer, and many varieties continue to bloom well into the fall. To encourage constant blooms, deadhead old blossoms. Bee Balm Care Must-Knows One of the most important things to know about bee balms is that they are vigorous plants....

The meaning of the “pink” moniker is two-fold: The flowers are often pink (though they come in other colors, too), and the edges of the petals have a fringed look, as if someone trimmed them with pinking shears. The blossoms of some varieties, like Dianthus superbus, feature a very long, exaggerated fringe, like streamers flying off each petal. Before you start planting, be aware that some varieties of dianthus aren’t safe for pets....

Colorful Combinations Fiber optic grass retains its verdant green color all season long. It adds soft texture to containers and garden borders and requires little maintenance as long as it remains moist. On the tips of its leaves, fiber optic grass develops small seeds and flowers. These tiny flowers are cone-shaped and begin white or silver, eventually turning tan or brown. The plants bloom year-round in warm climates. It is a delicate perennial and grown as an annual in colder climates....

One of the best ways to use heliotrope is in containers. This way, the plants can be moved around so their sweet fragrance can be enjoyed often. Heliotrope is also great to plant in groups to maximize its fragrance, as it can be subtle at times. All parts of heliotrope plants are toxic to humans and animals. Where to Plant Heliotrope Plant heliotrope in organically rich, well-draining soil or potting mix in a garden bed or containers....

How Fruits and Vegetables Become Contaminated Although most consumers understand that meat needs to be properly handled to prevent food-borne illnesses, some do not realize that fruits and vegetables may also cause illness if not handled and stored properly. In fact, contaminated fruits and vegetables can be the culprit in large outbreaks of food-borne illness (an issue the FDA is working to resolve). Some of the ways that fruits and vegetables can become contaminated include:...

How to Safely Reheat Leftovers First, cool and refrigerate your leftovers to 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below within two hours to prevent bacterial growth. The safe temperature for reheating leftovers is 165 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s a good idea to keep a food thermometer handy to make sure you destroy any harmful bacteria. You can heat leftovers to this safe temperature using whatever appliance you want: stovetop, microwave, oven, toaster oven, or air fryer....

Removing old windows and installing new ones as a DIY project will only work when the new one is the same size and shape as the old one and the existing one is square. To determine if your window opening is square, measure diagonally one way (from the upper left corner to the lower right corner) and then the other (from the upper right corner to the lower left corner)....

If your patio concrete is just stained or uneven in color, follow the same prepping process as you would for resurfacing concrete. Clean the concrete with a power washer and concrete cleaners for really tough stains. Then, you have the option to stain the concrete or use concrete paint to paint over stains for like-new decorative concrete options. The process below is recommended for flat surfaces only. Using the compound on stamped concrete patios will cover up textures, colors, and seams....

But first, it’s important to note the distinctions between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cleaning is the removal of dirt, germs, and impurities in a process that “does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.” Sanitizing, on the other hand, actually brings down the number of germs on your household surfaces to a level that is deemed safe by public health requirements or standards, which further lowers the chance of spreading infection....

How to Steam Eggs Here’s how to steam hard-boiled eggs (and how long to steam them, depending on how many you’re making) any time you want deviled eggs, eggs to add to salads, for a snack, or for egg salad sandwiches: Place 1 inch of water in a 4-quart Dutch oven or deep skillet. Add a steamer basket ($23, OXO). Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Carefully add 6 large eggs using a slotted spoon....

To create a bed from recycled materials, check your local thrift store (or the back of your closet) and gather old jeans or denim shirts. This is a great way to use denim clothing that might never be worn again—clothing with rips, holes, or stains—and, since you’ll be cutting the fabric into smaller strips, you can cut around the holes or stains. How to Make a Pet Bed Supplies Needed Thrifted denim jeans¾-yard cotton batting1-yard chambray fabric24x24-inch pillow formScissorsCutting matRotary cutterSewing machineStraightedgeIron and ironing board...

Needless to say, when Allform reached out with an offer to test a sofa, I happily agreed. Allform’s sofas are totally customizable, so you’re able to choose the size and the upholstery material, as well as add-ons like ottomans and matching pillows to get the look you want. You can create just about any configuration, including a four-seat sofa with a double chaise, an eight-seat U-shape sectional, or a humble single-seat armchair, all with a number of fabric choices....

So what is Microban? Is Microban safe? Microban safely gives products the ability to fight the growth of microbes such as bacteria, mold, and mildew. While some materials, such as copper, naturally kill microbes, others use additives like Microban to fight against bacteria (which can double on your home’s surfaces every 4 to 20 minutes). This makes surfaces “easier to clean and last longer; you can even wash some items less,” says Brian Aylward, Senior Director of Global Textiles Business at Microban....

3 ounce cream cheese, softened 2 tablespoon butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 ½ cup powdered sugar Milk To Make Ahead Prepare rolls as directed through Step 5, except do not let rise after shaping. Cover loosely with oiled waxed paper, then with plastic wrap. Chill 2 to 24 hours. Before baking, let chilled rolls stand, covered, at room temperature 30 minutes. Uncover and bake as directed.

½ bunch fresh thyme (about 10 sprigs) 3 bay leaves 30 black peppercorns 1 cup kosher salt 1 cup sugar 1 18-20 pound natural, unenhanced fresh or frozen turkey, thawed (See note*, below) Braised Turkey Legs with Pan Gravy - 1 day ahead ½ bunch fresh thyme (about 10 sprigs) Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper 2 teaspoon rice oil or cooking oil 2 large onions, quartered 5 stalks celery, cut in thirds 3 carrots, halved crosswise ½ cup Chardonnay or dry white wine 6 cup turkey or chicken stock or reduced-sodium chicken broth 2 bay leaves 20 black peppercorns 2 cup water...

¼ cup butter, softened 1 cup powdered sugar ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tablespoon kirsch (cherry brandy) or frozen cherry juice blend concentrate, thawed 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup softened butter ¼ cup finely snipped fresh cilantro 2 fresh jalepeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon chili powder

3 lemons ½ cup sugar 1 tablespoon cornstarch 3 egg yolks, lightly beaten ¼ cup butter, cut up