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3 tablespoon cucumber, seeded and chopped 2 tablespoon light sour cream 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon snipped fresh flat-leaf parsley ¼ teaspoon snipped fresh mint ⅛ teaspoon sea salt

Commonly munched by rabbits and deer, protect bean plants with fencing if these garden invaders are a problem in your area. Few other pests and diseases threaten beans. Prevent disease in future years by planting beans in a different spot in the garden each year. This practice is called crop rotation and cuts down on disease proliferation. Green Bean Harvest Tips Harvest most green beans when pods are 6-8 inches long, before pods and seeds reach full size, 45-55 days after planting....

4 teaspoon finely shredded lemon peel 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper ½ teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon snipped fresh thyme 1 clove garlic, minced Strawberry-Sherry Vinaigrette 1 cup fresh strawberries, halved 3 tablespoon olive oil 2 tablespoon sherry vinegar or white balsamic vinegar 1 tablespoon honey ½ teaspoon dried basil, crushed ¼ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Shortcut: Instead of preparing Lemon-Pepper Rub, use 1 1/2 teaspoons purchased lemon-pepper seasoning....

Benefits of Butcher-Block Countertops Butcher-block countertops have a long history and for good reason. If maintained properly, wood is durable and develops a deep patina over time. Butcher block tends to show nicks and scratches for a shopworn look, but if you don’t like the wear and tear, you can lightly sand out flaws and re-oil the surface to restore it. If you want to use your countertop as a cutting surface, choose an unsealed, oil-finished product designed for food preparation....

¾ cup butter 3 eggs 2 cup all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ¾ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 2 cup sugar 2 teaspoon vanilla 1 ½ cup milk Creamy White Frosting 1 cup shortening 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 16 ounce package powdered sugar (about 4 cups) 3 tablespoon milk Chocolate Butter Frosting ¾ cup butter, softened 7 ½ cup powdered sugar ½ cup cocoa powder ⅓ cup milk 2 teaspoon vanilla Milk...

Earlier this month Hallmark announced an initiative to give away two million greeting cards to help customers brighten someone’s day. All two million cards were claimed in less than a week (which means more than 666,000 people signed up!). In an effort to keep spreading joy in these uncertain times, the company announced on Friday that they’d be expanding the program and giving away another two million cards. This time, the cards have been specifically designed for essential workers who deserve an extra word of thanks....

Holly fern is also a great container plant. Pair it with begonia, coleus (Plectranthus scutellarioides), and New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) for a color- and texture-rich planting that looks good from spring through the first frost. When planted in a container garden, holly fern is usually treated as an annual. Holly Fern Care Holly fern grows best in moist woodland soils in part shade to full shade. Water plants deeply and regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system....

Stylemakers are more than the people featured on the cover of each Stylemaker issue of Better Homes & Gardens. They fill the pages of the magazine. They sit on panels, lead demonstrations, and bring their enthusiasm as attendees at the annual Stylemaker event. They are always learning, meeting new people, and sharing their experiences. Above all, they’re authentic. Their personal style, the stories they tell, and the things they create spark genuine connections....

Floating shelves don’t have to be store-bought. You can make your own using MDF and your choice of pine or poplar wood. It may take some time, but the end result is well worth it. The following tutorial introduces you to DIY shelving and shows you how to build a floating shelf. See more simple weekend projects in this basement makeover.

Essentially, a gas fireplace insert consists of a firebox equipped with a steel or cast-iron surround, a log and burner set, and a decorative faceplate that fills the gap between the insert’s surround and the sides of a fireplace opening. Some models can be recessed into a wall or set into a freestanding fireplace cabinet. Gas fireplace inserts require piping for gas and electric wiring for switches and thermostats as well as proper firebox and flue placement....

We’re also sharing our must-know tips for caring for a live Christmas tree so it looks merry and bright from the day you bring it home until the day the ornaments go back to the basement. Once the holiday is over, be sure to recycle your real Christmas tree for a sustainable and earth-friendly holiday. Choose Your Location At Home “Before you head to the lot or store to pick out this year’s perfect tree, you must be certain of where you want to place the tree and the space available....