Grow them in clumps at the base of deciduous shrubs such as rose of Sharon or roses to add color as the shrubs begin to leaf out in spring. Or mix them with spring-blooming perennials such as bleeding heart, hellebore, or lungwort to add interest and texture to garden beds and borders. Spanish bluebells look right at home in woodland gardens, too—and they’re charming companions for ferns, columbines, and other shade-loving favorites....
½ cup sugar 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For easy cleanup: Line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner. Do not lift or transport the disposable liner with food inside.
1 cup water 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground ancho, pasilla, or cayenne chile pepper
½ cup plain low-fat yogurt ⅓ cup buttermilk 3 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese 3 tablespoon finely chopped red onion 3 tablespoon light mayonnaise dressing or salad dressing 2 tablespoon snipped fresh parsley 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar or lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
Which birds does suet attract? While many birds are attracted to this high-energy food source, certain birds are regular visitors to suet feeders. “Woodpeckers are most frequently seen feeding on suet; downy woodpeckers, hairy woodpeckers, red-bellied woodpeckers, northern flickers, and if you’re very lucky, pileated woodpeckers,” says Gwendolyn Causer, environmental educator with Audubon Vermont. “You’ll also attract insect-loving birds, such as black-capped chickadees, tufted titmice, white-breasted nuthatches, and Carolina wrens,” she adds....
Create a top-your-own watermelon station complete with fresh sliced melon, flavored salts, and citrus. We’ll show you how to incorporate watermelon into every aspect of your gathering. Try any of these simple watermelon recipes, pair them with fun watermelon decor, and you’ve got a sweet summer party! Salt Blend Bar The easiest start to a DIY watermelon bar is to set out watermelon slices with a selection of salt blends for guests to sprinkle on top....
“We’re seeing a lot of multi-use spaces now, and a room that’s currently acting as an office may be turned into a guest room or vice versa,” says Melissa Andersen, director of marketing for wallpaper retailer Hygge & West. “Temporary wallpaper allows you to create a design scheme that can easily be changed in the future.” If installing traditional wallpaper feels like an intimidating (and permanent) design decision, don’t fret!...
‘Brownie’ tulips are double-flowered, meaning they have lots more petals than regular blooms. It’d be easy to mistake these tulips for a type of peony because they’re so much fuller than traditional tulip varieties. That’s part of what makes them so impressive in the garden, but their sunset coloring will also stop you in your tracks. Buy It: 10 Tulip Brownie Bulbs ($12, Dutch Grown) As the blooms open, their colors keep on brightening, and if you stop to inspect a few flowers, you’ll see shades of gold, red, and even dark purple on the outer petals....
3 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 1 ½ cup unblanched almond meal 2 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon anise seeds 1 ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cut up ¼ cup ice water For Filling and Assembly: 1 ½ pound fresh dark sweet cherries, pitted (about 4 cups)* 1 ½ pound fresh tart red cherries, pitted (about 4 cups)* ¾ cup sugar, plus more for sprinkling ¼ cup cornstarch ¼ teaspoon anise seeds, crushed 1 large egg...
Everything you need to know about ornamental grasses. Alternative Uses The subtle, sweet smell and flavor of this grasslike plant has long been prized for making a soothing, sweet tea. The slightly bitter roots can also be used in cooking and have been known to be a substitute for spices such as cinnamon and ginger. Just be careful to use them in moderation as the rootstocks can have a stimulating effect and mild psychoactive properties....
2 pound orange-fleshed sweet potateos peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes 2 teaspoon kosher salt 3 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg Freshly ground pepper Fillling 2 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoon canola or other neutral oil 1 large yellow onion, about 12 oz/340 g, diced (2 cups) ¾ cup diced celery (100 g) ¾ cup peeled and diced carrot (105 g) Kosher salt 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 ½ cup homemade chicken or turkey stock or canned low-sodium chicken broth (360 ml) ½ cup whipping cream, half-and-half, or light cream (120 ml) 2 ½ cup shredded roast turkey or chicken (375 g) 2 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
** For more spiced flavor, increase cloves to 2 tsp. To Can Prepare as directed through Step 2. Pack beets into four hot, clean pint canning jars, leaving a 1/2-inch headspace. Pour hot vinegar mixture over beets, maintaining the 1/2-inch headspace. Wipe jar rims; adjust lids and bands. Process filled jars in a boiling-water canner 30 minutes (start timing when water returns to boiling). Remove jars from canner; cool on wire racks....
Garden Club of American/Royal Horticultural Society, Interchange FellowSoutheastern U.S. and Mid-Atlantic regional gardening expert Member of American Public Gardens Association and Perennial Plant Association Currently, she designs and maintains garden spaces in the mid-Atlantic region focusing on wildlife gardens, native plant communities, and small-space and urban gardening challenges. She considers herself very fortunate to have followed her passion and made it into a rewarding career where she continues to get to dig in the dirt....
Put It On Repeat The home that Ryan and Dabito revamped is filled with a collection of art and objects unified by repeating colors and materials. The theme in the sunroom centers on blues and yellows and natural wood finishes. The plush velvet sofa is a modern counterpoint to the vintage decor, and a prime napping spot. Wall Color Royal Navy (4011-4), Valspar Colored Accents Although the living room has white walls, it reads as colorful thanks to layers of accessories, including ceramics glazed in blues, striped pillows and throws from Peru, and art framed in yellow....
“Purchasing a robot vacuum that takes into consideration where, when and how you want it to clean helps ensure that it does its job while you’re out of the house,” says Brent Hild, director of product management at iRobot. “If your home is particularly cluttered—perhaps you have children or pets—you should consider a robot vacuum with object detection and avoidance. The software on these robots is trained to identify common hazards on the floor, such as shoes, socks, clothes, cords and even pet waste....
When shopping for the best toilets, Bill Strang of Toto recommends first understanding your home—particularly its plumbing, waste system, and bathroom layout. That will determine the size and orientation of your toilet. From there, consider your preferred design aesthetic, and look for features that will fit your lifestyle. “Dual flush systems, auto flush, and bidets can help save money on water and toilet paper,” Strang says. “Heated seats, automatic seats, and night lights can add comfort, accessibility, and safety....
