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More Small Repairs You Can Make Yourself What You Need: Patching plasterPutty knife or chiselBroad knifeDusting brushLatex bonding agentNailSpongeSanding paperWhite-pigmented shellac How to Patch a Hole in the Wall Step 1: Apply Bonding Agent Remove loose material with a putty knife or chisel. Dust the area with a dusting brush. Dampen the edges of the plaster with a commercial latex bonding agent; mix and apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions....

Tips for Saving Perennial Seeds You can plant most perennial seeds in the garden starting in fall. Start them in a protected spot in loose, well-drained soil. Water them well after planting, and give them a light covering of mulch. They’ll wait out the winter and sprout in spring. Or, you can store the seeds and start them indoors in late winter or very early spring. Don’t expect them to bloom their first year because the plants will use all their energy to grow roots and leaves; most will bloom the second year....

If your chili looks a little or a lot thinner than you’d like, these tips for how to thicken chili will help you bolster your bowls so they are hearty enough to satisfy. We tapped our Test Kitchen pros for several ideas about how to make chili thicker (aka sturdy enough stand up to copious toppings and dunkers). And since we’re often searching for ideas for how to make a thicker chili after it’s already thin, they also offer tricks to prevent this culinary challenge before it happens....

Building codes are understandably fussy when it comes to anything that concerns fire, so before you choose tile and purchase materials, check with your building code officials. For example, you may have to keep combustible materials, such as the mantel shelf, a specified distance from the firebox. Local codes may also require an inspection of your fireplace to make sure the damper and chimney are in good working condition. If they’re not, the addition of a new metal insert may satisfy building code requirements....

Prepping the Walls Wipe down the walls with a sponge and bucket of warm water. Let the walls dry thoroughly then sand away imperfections. Fill in uneven areas with drywall compound using a large putty knife. Let dry for 24 hours, then sand it smooth. Wipe the dust off walls with a damp sponge. Apply primer with a brush or roller to the walls to help the wallpaper stick. Use the large putty knife as a paint shield when working along trim....

All it takes is a few simple gift wrapping ideas to make your presents the prettiest ones under the tree. Plus, you can grab our free printable gift tags and package topper ideas for your wrapped Christmas gifts. So if you’re ready to up your gift wrapping game with the best way to wrap gifts, grab a roll of wrapping paper and get started. We’ll show you how to wrap a gift like a pro in just five easy steps....

½ cup fat-free mayonnaise ¼ cup finely chopped red onion ¼ teaspoon finely shredded lime peel 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 clove garlic, minced Tip: To warm tortillas, preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap tortillas tightly in foil. Bake about 10 minutes or until heated through.

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ cup cold butter ¼ cup finely chopped coconut, toasted 2 tablespoon finely chopped macadamia nuts 2 egg yolks 1 tablespoon ice water Sweetened Whipped Cream ¾ cup whipping cream 4 teaspoon powdered sugar For filling: * Persian limes are more commonly available.

Tips Shred cheese. Place in a storage container; cover and chill up to 24 hours.

¾ cup dry orzo ⅓ cup chopped seeded cucumber 2 tablespoon thinly sliced green onion 3 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 cup shredded baby spinach leves ½ cup halved grape tomatoes ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (1 ounce) 2 tablespoon snipped fresh oregano salt and pepper

2 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup warm water (110°F to 115°F) 1 tablespoon sugar 1 pkg. active dry yeast 2 eggs 3 tablespoon butter, melted 1 teaspoon salt 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional) Medjool Date-Sweetened Barbecue Sauce 6 medium roma tomatoes 1 medium onion, cut into thin wedges 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, halved and seeded* 4 cloves garlic 2 tablespoon olive oil 1 cup water 1 6 ounce can tomato paste ⅓ cup cider vinegar 2 pitted whole Medjool dates ½ teaspoon dry mustard ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon sea salt...

In addition to her magazine journalism career, Luann has been an editor across Meredith Corporation at Renovation Style, Country Home, and Special Interest Media. Luann attended Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she gained a bachelor of arts degree in English and exercise physiology. Later, she decided to further her education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, where she obtained a master’s degree in journalism and photo journalism.