Buy It: Reynolds Kitchens Unbleached Parchment Paper ($12, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton Nonstick 3-Tier Cooling Rack ($25, Walmart) Test Kitchen Tip: Decorate with something that gives a nod to the flavors inside. Think crushed almonds for almond-cherry, chopped peanut butter-filled candy-coated pieces for peanut, or chocolate sprinkles for cocoa overload. Test Kitchen Tip: Freeze for 20 to 30 minutes or until dough is firm enough to handle. Use waxed paper to help shape the roll without any mess....

Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 10 inches tall Buy It: Thyme Plant ($13, The Home Depot) This spreading perennial isn’t prone to invasiveness. Still, it can get a little exuberant when grown in optimal conditions with lots of moisture. Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 12 inches tall Buy It: Sweet Woodruff Seeds ($8, Etsy) Name: Leptinella squalida ‘Platt’s Black’ Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: 6 inches tall Buy It: Brass Buttons ($16, Walmart) Growing Conditions: Full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: 8 inches tall Buy It: Purple Chablis Dead Nettle ($28, The Home Depot) Just beware, this perennial can quickly get out of hand so it’s best grown where it can be controlled, such as in a bed bordered on all sides by concrete or other hardscaping....

Below are 40 essential ingredients—organized by pantry, fridge, and freezer—that put in major overtime, along with 20 easy recipes you can make with them. If you spot an ingredient you’re lacking (or that the grocery store is sold out of), don’t sweat it. You can either omit it, or find a substitute in one of our guides. Pantry Staples Brown rice, quinoa, farro, and/or barleyLentilsPastaPolentaPotatoes, sweet potatoesOnions and garlicCanned beansCanned brothBread crumbsRed or white wineJarred marinara sauceCanned tomatoesNuts and nut butterBalsamic vinegarNutritional yeastOlive oilSalt, pepper, and spices...

To Buy: $9, amazon.com. To Buy: $100, aerogarden.com. To Buy: $299, gardeners.com. To Buy: $30, hirts.com. To Buy: $24, amazon.com. To Buy: $19, walmart.com. To Buy: $15, amazon.com. To Buy: $16, amazon.com. To Buy: $12, amazon.com. To Buy: $10, amazon.com. To Buy: $65, patagonia.com. To Buy: $8, amazon.com. To Buy: $18, shopterrain.com. To Buy: $34, shopterrain.com. To Buy: $18, thesill.com. To Buy: $60, thesill.com. To Buy: $18, aerogarden.com. To Buy: $18, aerogarden....

1. Showcase Stockings on a Staircase A staircase railing provides an opportunity to deck the halls in tons of holiday cheer. Whether you opt for an ornament-adorned garland that illuminates the entryway with the soft glow of twinkle lights or festive satin bows to dress up banisters, your staircase is the perfect place to go all out for Christmas. It’s also a lovely spot to hang Christmas stockings if you don’t have a mantel....

This post contains affiliates links. If you purchase via these links, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I also received a couple of the items on this list complimentary to try out. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. Gifts for Tween Boys I asked my email subscribers who the hardest people to shop for were and one of the answers I got over and over again were tween boys (ages 9-12)....

Have you ever noticed that all three of the major summer holidays are patriotic ones? Not sure how that happened but during the summer we see a lot of red, white, and blue! And a lot of backyard barbecues, outdoor bashes, and parties designed to beat the heat! These patriotic party games, party hacks, and party planning tips will help you throw the best summer party ever! I’ve put together some tips, tricks, hacks, and of course 4th of July party games (that are more active than this 4th of July bingo game) to make throwing a bash for any of the big three “summer” events easier....

1. Mums Were First Grown in China Chrysanthemums have been around for a long time; they were originally cultivated in China, and were first recorded in writing in the 15th century BC (over 3,000 years ago). It was believed to have medicinal properties as an herb; for example, the boiled roots were used as a cure for headaches. It’s also one of the four noble plants in Chinese culture, along with plum blossoms, orchids, and bamboo....

But lately, I’ve been thinking about my reliance on coffee after it was pointed out to me that I turn into a dragon if required to go without (trust me, you don’t want to be the person on that camping trip who left the beans behind) and thought it might be good to cut down for a bit. The problem was that I still wanted something warm and comforting as I went about my morning....

But it works both ways: If exercise can improve what you’ve got, lack of exercise can contribute to a mental health downturn. In fact, just 10 days without fitness can cause our brains to start losing cognitive function, says Dr. Nadelman. Then there’s this particularly unhelpful catch-22: When mood is low (or stress is high), motivation to move is often low too—yet if you don’t move, your mood could suffer even more....

Often, we are unaware of how these experiences impact our lives on even the smallest levels. One of the stories I like to share that underscores just how deeply our childhood influences our adult behaviors involves one of my friends and her dear husband, who has an affinity for using a lot of dish soap when he washes the dishes. To protect their identity, even though there is no shame in any of our childhood stories—we did not choose our caregivers—let’s call this wonderful couple Mary and Brian....

How Long Mums Last Even though mums are available for purchase well before fall actually begins, these plants prefer cooler temperatures. If you set out your mums when the temperature is still warm, the flowers will fade in a couple of weeks. Waiting to buy your mums until temperatures are cooler will help them last longer so you can enjoy their beautiful blooms for up to eight weeks before frost....

Pros: Pine is low-cost, and it takes paint well, so it’s great for kids’ furniture. (The same holds true for birch and poplar.) Pine develops a nice, rustic patina from age and use, and it resists shrinking and swelling. Cons: Pine is a softwood, so it’s prone to scratches and dents. Pros: It’s easily shaped, and it polishes well. Unstained, it has a rich, beautiful color. Cons: Cherry wood is expensive....

With the release of the Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I thought it would be fun to share some of the best Hunger Games party ideas out there! These encompass all of the books before the prequel but now I need to come up with some fun ideas to go with the newest addition to the collection! Hunger Games Food There are so many ways that you can incorporate the books into your food since well the books are about food and hunger and all that....

Aphids Aphids are soft, pear-shaped insects with long antennae that destroy plants by using their piercing mouthparts to feed on the plant’s sap. Aphids produce a sugary liquid waste called “honeydew,” which causes a fungus called sooty mold to grow on the honeydew deposits, turning leaves and branches black. It’s at this point that most aphid infestations are noticed. Aphids live in colonies on the undersides of leaves. They are under 1/4-inch long when mature, and they are often nearly invisible to the naked eye....

Use the following guide to learn about some of the most popular types of pools. Each option comes with its own pros, cons, and special considerations that should factor into your decision. 1. Above-Ground Pools Generally the most economical option, above-ground pools sit on the surface of your yard, sometimes with a deck or patio surrounding them. Most above-ground pools are constructed with aluminum, resin, or steel sidings and vinyl liners....

RELATED: 25 Great Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now Get Organized With The Home Edit If Tidying Up with Marie Kondo sparked a major organizational overhaul in your home when it launched back in January 2019, the Home Edit’s Netflix show will inspire you to refresh those efforts. Watch as the organizing duo tidies up the homes of both celebs (hello, Reese Witherspoon’s closet!) and everyday families. This is the motivation you need to tackle that pantry makeover....

Luckily it’s easy to celebrate your grad with those not able to be with you in person with our fun virtual grad party ideas. So fire up the webcam, invite all your extended family members and long-distance friends, and create a party your graduate will remember forever. Our Best Virtual Graduation Ideas 1. Host a Video Call Scheduling a Google Hangouts meeting or sending a Zoom invitation (we recommend setting a meeting password to make your meeting more secure) is a simple and free way to gather everyone in one place....

Growing Conditions: Part to full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall or more, depending on variety Buy It: Hosta Mixture ($13, Breck’s) Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 1 foot tall Growing Conditions: Shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet tall, depending on variety Zones: 2-10, depending on variety Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet or more Buy It: Northwind Switchgrass ($8, Walmart) Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall Buy It: ‘Blue Ice’ Bluestar ($24, The Home Depot) Growing Conditions: Full to part shade and average soil; can tolerate drought Buy It: Lilafee Fairy Wings ($23, Breck’s) Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 3 feet tall...

There are some people that remember everything and other people, like me, who don’t. These printable Christmas trivia questions are great for both kinds of people with easy questions, medium difficulty questions, and more challenging ones! They’re a great option to play in-person at a classroom party, office party, or typical Christmas party. They’re also a perfect option if you’re looking for virtual Christmas games – just ask on the call and see who can come up with the right answers!...