½ cup butter, softened 1 tablespoon snipped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley 2 teaspoon snipped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed 2 teaspoon snipped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper
How Much Does a Stick of Butter Weigh? The measurement markings on sticks of butter are very helpful, but not particularly useful if you find yourself following a recipe using the metric system instead of standard U.S. measurements (aka imperial measurements). Measuring butter (and almost all ingredients for that matter) is always most accurately done using a kitchen scale. If you already bake a lot, you probably know how many tablespoons are in a stick of butter (it’s 8 tablespoons)....
Besides having fewer weeds to deal with, growing in elevated beds can eliminate some bending and kneeling that can make gardening in regular planting beds feel like a major workout. Another bonus of raised garden beds: The soil in it warms faster in spring so that you can get planting a little sooner, and it also drains more quickly in wet weather. While you can buy plenty of raised bed kits, making your own out of a few wooden boards is not too difficult....
The Gospel of Matthew tells the story of the three kings (also known as the three wise men) Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar who traveled to Bethlehem to greet baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although the birth of Jesus is celebrated on Christmas Day, the three Kings didn’t actually reach him until twelve days later—which is why Three Kings Day is celebrated on the 12th day of Christmas....
But with very little time and effort, your car’s interior can look (almost!) brand new, thanks to a focused approach known as short-burst cleaning. If you find that your car frequently looks like a tornado hit it, making you feel frustrated and overwhelmed, this 10-minute car cleaning routine is for you. What Is Short-Burst Cleaning? Short-burst cleaning is the term for tasks or routines that can be done in a short, prescribed amount of time (usually 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or 10 minutes)....
Plus, everything you cook on the grill will be easier to flip and remove from the grates when the surface is clean—which means your best burger starts with a squeaky clean grill. Cleaning your grill is a quick task that will help keep your friends and family healthy and make your burgers and brats taste better. Whether you prefer cooking with charcoal or gas, these Test Kitchen-approved tips on the best way to clean a grill will help you achieve professional-level results at your backyard barbecue....
Before Getting Started Cleaning an air purifier is a two-part process that involves both the exterior of the machine and the filter. Start by cleaning the exterior with a soft cloth or sponge and mild soap and water to remove any dirt, dust, or debris collected on the unit, says Walter E. Bennett of Green Leaf Air. Next, consult the user manual before cleaning the inside of the air purifier. If you can’t find it, look for the serial number on the device and search for its user instructions online....
Before Getting Started Before cleaning an iron, make sure the device is unplugged and cool to the touch, and the water reservoir is empty. Check the manual of your device to determine what material your iron is made of (ceramic, stainless steel, non-stick, etc.) and any recommended care instructions. How to Clean an Iron Learn how to clean an iron, both inside and out, to rescue your appliance from burn marks, hard water stains, and clogged steam vents....
Umbrellas are made from different materials, including canvas and acrylic fabrics, which repel moisture, stains, and mildew to varying degrees. Some can stay outside for a while without looking dirty, but even the sturdiest fabrics need to be cleaned regularly. Here’s how to restore your outdoor umbrella just in time for the summer entertaining season. How to Clean an Outdoor Umbrella with Removable Fabric If the fabric on your outdoor umbrella is removable, follow the care instructions on the tags or the manufacturer’s website....
Next time your budding artist uses your clean walls as a canvas, don’t freak out. Instead, turn to these expert crayon remover tips. Our proven ways to clean crayon off a wall—including heat treatments and household cleaner applications—will help get your home back to normal in no time. How to Remove Crayon from Walls Method 1: T-Shirt and Iron The best way to clean crayon off walls is to fold an old T-shirt into a pad several layers thick and place it over the mark....
“It’s important to clean your brushes because you don’t want the shedded hair to get in the way of allowing the brush to perform at its highest level and serve its purpose,” says Shelly Aguirre, a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. Take a few minutes to clean your hairbrushes and reap the beauty benefits with this simple method. How to Clean Hair Out of a Hairbrush Cleaning lint and strands of hair out of a hairbrush is simple....
The term “organic modern” has seen a huge uptick in searches on Pinterest every year, and the aesthetic is poised to become even more popular. It hinges on the juxtaposition between rustic elements and contemporary touches, creating a refined blend of textures and a layered, unfussy look. Organic modernism works well in communal living spaces as well as private areas, like bedrooms and bathrooms, and it’s perfect for anyone who loves both the clean look of midcentury modern or contemporary designs and the warmth of farmhouse-style interiors....
Thanks to its versatility, you can eat this cruciferous vegetable as a healthy alternative to rice, pizza crust, and even as hummus. Here are our tips on how to cut your next head of cauliflower with ease. To start, make sure you’ve correctly washed your cauliflower and torn off the outer leaves with your hands. Next, you’ll need a large cutting board and a sharp chef’s knife ($100, Crate & Barrel)....
The quickest way to extend power outdoors is to install a receptacle back-to-back with one inside the house. You also can drill through the wall from a basement or crawlspace and attach a receptacle on the side of a house using an extension ring. You’ll want to position an outdoor receptacle at least 16 inches above the ground. An in-use cover increases protection from the weather. A simple wooden box built around it shields it from bumps by the lawn mower or kids at play....
How to Freeze Baked Cookies Homemade cookies will keep at room temperature up to three days. If you don’t think you’ll be able to make those sweets disappear in three days or less, it’s easy to freeze them. Most of your favorite cookies and bar cookies will freeze well, just hold off on the the frosting and decorating until you’re ready to serve them. Allow cookies to cool completely on a wire rack before placing in freezer-safe bags....
Test Kitchen Tip: If you don’t have a lot of space in your freezer, canning peaches is a great alternative. Selecting the Best Fruit for Freezing Peaches The first step to learning how to freeze peaches is to know how to choose the best fruit. When freezing peaches, always choose fruit at its peak of maturity. When ripe, peaches should be intensely fragrant and yield to light pressure at the stem end....
Here, we’ll present the basic steps involved in the project. For more specific instructions, be sure to read the directions packaged with your fan. Editor’s Tip: To keep your family comfortable and energy costs low, set your fan to spin counterclockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter. We all know how fans cool off rooms in the summer, but the clockwise motion in the winter makes cool air rise and redistributes warm air....
First consider your construction options: The beam can be a single piece of lumber, a built-up piece with or without spacers, or two pieces of lumber fastened to the sides of the posts. Local codes may help you narrow your options. Some localities consider a beam with spacers stronger than a single board, and others don’t. After code compliance your chief concern is how much the beam will show (and therefore how you want it to look) and the amount of space your plan allows for it....
