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Like the other Azores Islands, Faial is a volcanic island, which helps create ideal conditions for growing hydrangeas. The last eruption on Faial lasted for 13 months from 1957 to 1958, temporarily displacing thousands of residents. It also added about 1.5 miles of land to the coast and created extremely fertile, acidic soil across the island. Bigleaf hydrangeas can change color depending on the acidity of the soil they’re grown in, and the bluest blooms need acidic soil (with a pH of 5....

1 cup chicken or beef broth ½ cup sweet rice wine (mirin) ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce 3 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon fish sauce ½ teaspoon ground black pepper

In a household germ study from NSF International, an independent testing group, the knife block ranked No. 7 on the list of germiest items in the kitchen, just after the refrigerator meat compartment. “Naturally, if you put a wet or dirty knife into a storage block, microbes may grow,” explains Lisa Yakas, a microbiologist and consumer product safety expert at NSF International. “Dark, moist environments breed germs. The key is washing and thoroughly drying your knife before you store it....

¾ cup butter, softened 1 cup granulated sugar ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 cup all-purpose flour

When used properly, a lazy Susan can be a game-changer in getting and keeping a home organized. Reaching for something on a deep or high shelf suddenly becomes effortless. Plus, a lazy Susan lets you do a quick scan to find what you need or know when it’s time to replenish an item. The key is to use the correct size turntable for the area, as well as ensure that you’re storing the right items....

Chances are you or someone you’re close to has this diagnosis and wants to take steps to lower cholesterol. There are many beneficial medications for this, and the research that’s looked at people taking these medications long-term is good. But even if you are taking statins, adopting healthier diet habits is still worthwhile. Or perhaps your cholesterol levels are within normal guidelines and you want to keep them there. In both scenarios, you can adopt simple ways to maintain healthy cholesterol levels, or shift toward healthier numbers, with what you eat....

The good news is that most U.S. adults want to see that shift happen. Data from the Pew Research Center from 2019 shows that most U.S. adults prioritize developing alternative energy sources for the country such as solar or wind power (77%) rather than increasing U.S. exploration and production of fossil fuels (22%). Although many support a significant transition in how we generate power in the U.S., we still have a long way to go to reach clean energy goals....

Make your own hypertufa trough. The grouping of troughs above contains mostly shade lovers. The center front trough is planted with a miniature fir; to the left is a miniature hosta. Second row, left to right: dwarf meadow rue (Thalictrum kiusianum) mixed with miniature hostas; holly-fern woodsia (Woodsia polystichoides) with Hosta ‘Blue Mouse Ears’ and rockfoil (Saxifraga veitchiana); and two troughs with bulbous fern, miniature hostas, and rockfoil. Back row against wall, left to right: miniature forget-me-not and Japanese painted fern; more rockfoil, Saxifraga paniculata’ Silver Velvet’, and self-seeded violets....

Nonstick cooking spray for baking 7 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened 1 ½ cup granulated sugar 1 ¾ cup cake flour 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 5 egg whites ¾ cup milk 3 tablespoon canola oil 1 teaspoon almond extract 2 tablespoon red edible glitter For the Buttercream: 5 egg whites 1 cup granulated sugar Pinch salt 1 pound unsalted butter, cut up and slightly softened To assemble: Powdered sugar 6 Meringue Trees (optional) Meringue Trees...

Wood siding is a veneer or protective covering that is attached to the exterior of the house. The wood is held in place primarily by nails, screws, or in some cases, construction adhesives. Water does penetrate wood so it is important that a moisture barrier is installed between the siding and the structure. Wood siding will deteriorate if not properly maintained, particularly at joints, knot holes, or points of damage....

How to Prepare Butternut Squash Before you start cooking, you’ve got to prep your squash. Follow these tips to get butternut squash ready for the oven or microwave. How to Peel Butternut Squash How to Cut Butternut Squash If you’re serving cubed or sliced squash, cutting it up first will make it much easier to work with. To begin cutting your squash, lay it on its side. Using a large, sharp chef’s knife ($100, Crate & Barrel), trim the top and bottom to remove the stem....

Chicken Broth Substitute If you don’t have canned or homemade chicken broth on hand, bouillon cubes ($1, Target) or bouillon granules ($4, Target) make the easiest chicken broth replacement. In general, here’s the formula: 1 chicken bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules + 1 cup hot water = 1 cup chicken broth substitute Be sure to check the package directions; some bouillon cubes, such as those found in international grocery markets or health food stores, might require different measurements....

1. Watermelon Sorbet Watermelon sorbet might be the most refreshing dessert you’ll taste this summer. Use juicy watermelon slices and fresh raspberries to give the sorbet its stunning color and deliciously fruity flavor. Then pull this chilled dessert out of your freezer on the hottest summer days. But the fun doesn’t stop there—if you want to put your watermelon rind to good use, hollow out one half of the fruit, then serve scoops of sorbet inside....