4 slice bacon 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme 1 ½ teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

¾ cup butter 3 eggs 2 ½ cup all-purpose flour 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 ¾ cup sugar 1 ½ teaspoon vanilla 1 ¼ 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

Pickled Papaya Relish In a large bowl combine 2 cups grated fresh green papaya with 2 Tbsp. salt. Let stand for 1 hour. Drain papaya, discarding liquid, and rinse thoroughly. Place papaya in center of a large piece of cheesecloth and squeeze to drain as much liquid as possible. In a clean bowl combine papaya, 1/4 cup sliced carrot, 1/2 cup red pepper strips, 2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh ginger, and 1 sliced fresh jalapeno pepper....

3 medium tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and chopped (1 1/2 cups) 1 fresh serrano chile peppers, seeded and finely chopped (tip, page xx) ⅓ cup water 1 teaspoon packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¼ cup salad oil Salt Freshly ground black pepper

The most common types of hose nozzles are the pistol grip, dial, wand, and traditional nozzles. Each type of hose nozzle has different features and works best for different tasks. “The handheld spray gun [pistol grip] is a great general tool for washing your car and your dog, and cleaning the windows and siding on your house,” says Ron Greening, director of marketing and sales at Dramm. “A watering wand is a specialized tool for watering plants....

Whether you’re setting up camp, finalizing your backyard patio, or looking for ways to bring the outside into your own home, there are tons of different hammock options to fit your exact needs. Hammocks come in different sizes, materials, and weight capacities to fit different purposes. The best hammock for you depends on where you will place it. Outdoor hammocks must be able to stand up to the elements, says Joe Demin, CEO of Yellow Leaf Hammocks....

“The process of making tea should be beautiful, a moment for mindfulness and self-care, and using a tea infuser can add depth to the experience of preparing your pot or cup,” says Steve Schwartz, founder, CEO, and master tea blender of Art of Tea. To find the best tea infusers, we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind each style’s capacity, material, and care. We also consulted Schwartz for additional insight....

When it comes to choosing the best coffee table for your space, it’s easy to focus on the stylish appearance and forget to look further. When you do this, you’re missing out on a coffee table that not only fits in your space both in terms of size and design, but also one that functions effectively in it. “Coffee tables should be beautiful and functional,” Interior designer Ruthie Jackson says of choosing the right one for your living room....

“When it comes to choosing a wreath, it needs to stay consistent within the design of the home so that it flows,” says Suzy Kloner, founder of Suzy Kloner Design. “Especially as a wreath is often hung on the front door, it’s essentially an introduction to the space and sets the overall tone.” To find the best Christmas wreaths we researched a variety of picks, keeping in mind dimensions, material, weight, lighting, and whether or not it was outdoor-safe....

One of the best Prime Early Access rug deals we’ve been eyeing is the Safavieh Dallas Shag Collection area rug, which is up to 80% off, depending on the size you purchase. This fluffy statement piece features a thick, 1.5-inch carpet pile to make your room extra cozy, and it comes in 14 different colors to choose from. To add a trendy statement piece to your flooring, shop the Ashler Home Deco Faux Fur rug....

You can save on models that expertly tidy hard floors, or pick up dirt from carpets without affecting the textiles. You can control some of these vacuums from an app. Or use some of these machines to tidy hard-to-reach places in which dust, dirt, and other mites accumulate over time. Deals this good won’t last long, and inventory’s already dropping across major retailers. Keep scrolling for the best early Cyber Monday deals....

We asked Brian Walsh, associate director of Concept Interiors, about what to look for when shopping for the best flooring for basements. “The best basement flooring should be waterproof or at least moisture-resistant,” Walsh says. He also advises that the material of the flooring—as long as it’s appropriate for basement use (you can’t use solid wood in a basement as fluctuating moisture levels could cause the flooring to buckle or split)—doesn’t matter as much as the prep work....

“Most smart thermostats are able to recognize when people are home or away, switching to an energy-saving mode when the house is empty and maintaining a comfortable climate when people are home,” says Audrey Monell, president of Forrest Anderson Plumbing and Air Conditioning. Moreover, a well-programmed smart thermostat can help extend the lifespan of your rather expensive HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system. “With an optimized HVAC unit, homeowners are also able to reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient,” says Monell....

Know What Tools to Use Before beginning electrical work gather a basic set of tools designed for wiring. If you try to strip wires using a knife instead of a stripper, you probably will nick the copper and weaken the wire. Twisting wires together using a pair of household slip-joint pliers is difficult, and the loose connection might come apart. Lineman’s pliers help you join wires to make professional-quality connections easily....

Bulbs That Bloom in Early Spring Provide pollinators with flowers as soon as possible by planting these bulbs that are some of the first to flower in spring. Growing Conditions: Full sun, part sun, or shade and well-drained soil Size: Up to 10 inches tall Zones: 3-9 Growing Conditions: Full sun and moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Zones: 3-7 Buy It: Winter Aconite Bulbs, ($12 for 25 bulbs, Dutch Grown) Growing Conditions: Full sun or part sun and well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Zones: 3-8 Growing Conditions: Full sun or part sun and well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Zones: 2-8 Growing Conditions: Full sun or part sun and well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Zones: 3-8 Growing Conditions: Part shade or full shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: Up to 10 inches tall Zones: 5-9 Growing Conditions: Full sun or part sun and well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 inches tall Zones: 5-9...

Determining the best patio lighting ideas for your space can help you transform your backyard into an outright destination. Good patio lighting can create an outdoor space that inspires conversation, elevates summer meals alfresco, and even create the staycation you’ve been dreaming about—just steps from your back door. 1. Create Ambience with Globe String Lights For a budget-friendly way to add both artificial light and ambience to your patio, turn to globe string lights....

Starbucks is also debuting their first fall nondairy beverage, a twist on last year’s Apple Crisp Macchiato. Starting August 30, nondairy drinkers can order the Apple Crisp Oatmilk Macchiato, which is made with creamy oatmilk and Starbucks blonde espresso. The drinks will all be available as soon as stores open on August 30, along with an array of pumpkin bakery items. You’ll be able to order a pumpkin cream cheese muffin, pumpkin scone, or pumpkin loaf to go with your PSL all fall long....

How to Peel and Seed Tomatoes Whether you’ve picked fresh tomatoes from the garden or bought them, start by giving tomatoes a thorough wash to remove any dirt or contaminants. Then follow our easy way to peel tomatoes. Step 1: Prep the Tomatoes Make a shallow “X” on the bottom (aka blossom end) of each tomato using a sharp paring knife ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond). Step 2: Blanch Tomatoes Working in batches, immerse tomatoes in boiling water 1 to 2 minutes or until the skins begin to split open....

Spring Landscape Maintenance Spring Lawn Care Use a spring fertilizer for lawns once snow has melted.Repair dead patches.If crabgrass is problematic, treat with a preemergent herbicide around the time forsythia blooms in your area.Revive weak lawns by dethatching and aerating. Spring Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcover Maintenance Remove winter trunk protection and old mulch, and remulch at the base of trees and shrubs. Prune and clean up dead, broken, or diseased branches....