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If you have yet to make a batch of homemade pesto, prepare to be amazed. Not only is the simple sauce easy to throw together, but it’s incredibly versatile. You can customize it with whichever ingredients you like to fit everyone’s preferences. Plus, if you start to think of pesto as a way to make use of the bits of herbs, cheese, and nuts you have around, then making pesto from scratch stops feeling like a special occasion food, and instead, one that helps you use things up when the fridge begins to look like it needs some attention....

How Often to Water Hydrangeas All hydrangeas love water. Their name comes from the Greek “hydra” meaning “water” and “angeon” meaning “vessel.” But how much water do hydrangeas need? You’ll know the answer once you look at the leaves. Hydrangea leaves droop when the plant is too dry, telling you they need water. The leaves also go limp in midday heat, so wait until evening to see whether they recover before you water them....

How to Make Punch This basic recipe will allow for 1 gallon of punch, which is enough for sixteen 8-ounce servings. Step 1: Make the Punch Base and Chill In a large pitcher or bowl combine 4 cups water and one 12-oz. can frozen juice concentrate from the options below. Add 1 cup sugar; stir until dissolved. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap; chill at least 4 hours. Here are some juice concentrate options you could choose from to mix with the water and sugar:...

Step 1: Decorate for Easter The first step: Get your house ready by hanging pastel balloons outside and an Easter decoration on your door to welcome your guests. You don’t have to go overboard. One of our favorite Easter decorating ideas is this festive printable sign—it’s cute and costs under $5 to assemble. If you plan on serving snacks, decorate a few tables with pastel-color tablecloths and streamers, and if your egg hunt is in the morning, once all the eggs have been found, gather the crowd for brunch....

However, MDF can be difficult to paint, especially if you approach it like any other painting project. This material can have a smooth, ready-to-paint face, but the edges are typically rough and porous, which can lead to an uneven finish. Some manufactured pieces of MDF can also have a thin protective layer that prevents paint from adhering properly. Use this detailed guide to learn how to prepare and paint MDF for a high-quality finish....

The flowers of the alstroemeria plant are so interesting and diverse that they are often likened to orchid flowers. You can always find an alstroemeria to meet your design needs, thanks to the wide variety of color combinations available. The center three petals on these beautiful blooms feature streaks and speckles that are almost reminiscent of whiskers. Some flowers come in multicolor blooms with brushstrokes of color. Where to Plant Alstroemeria Alstroemeria plants are easy to grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 6–10....

Bellflowers are among the most popular blue flowers, a rare hue in the plant world. While blue is the most common color, you can also find them in purple, white, and pink. These cheery little bells will grace your garden for weeks, generally starting in late spring and continuing through summer. Where to Plant Bellflower Because this is such a diverse group of plants, it’s always best to research and read labels on specific varieties before planting them in your garden....

1. Mind the Gap A top contributor to squeaky AC sounds is gaps at the sides of a window unit. “Almost every manufacturer will provide a slider to fill the gap, which doesn’t always do its job. Foam insulation on the sides is much better at silencing noise and helps keep cool air inside,” says Mark Snell, owner and founder of Polestar Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning in Kansas. Rattling and clicking can also come from the vibration of a window unit against the window frame....

Sarah Fishburne, director of trend and design at The Home Depot, advises sticking with the basics. “Some of the most successful projects for beginners are the simplest, such as painting, landscaping, and installing blinds,” she says. “Limiting the scope of your projects at the beginning will help build confidence and knowledge before you take on more complex DIY projects.” It might be tempting to get out the sledgehammer and demo those kitchen cabinets on your own but, unless you know what you’re doing, even prep work can damage your bottom line if you wind up making a costly mistake....

A few free printables make it easy to decorate on a budget, and our expert outdoor party planning tips and gorgeous display ideas will help you put together a show-stopping tropical look, no matter where you live. So grab your best gal pals, mix up an umbrella drink, and don your best DIY lei. Here’s how to throw the ultimate luau party. Tropical Tastings A showstopping fruit tray will be the center of attention on the buffet table—and it’s seriously so easy to assemble!...

To get started, pick up a gallon of whitewash stain and two quarts of gray paint. The stain will be the floor’s core color; the paint adds texture and depth. Check out our easy-to-follow steps below to see how it’s done. This weekend project is worth the effort—and when you see the dramatic results, we’re confident you’ll agree.

2 tablespoon olive oil 2 ½ cup coarsely chopped red sweet peppers 4 cloves garlic, chopped 4 cup coarsely chopped fresh tomatoes 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar ¾ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

* To bake squash in oven, preheat oven to 350 degree F. Omit water. Place squash halves, cut sides down, in a shallow baking pan. Bake for 75 to 80 minutes or until tender. Continue as directed in Step 2. Test Kitchen Tip: Use a fork to remove the shredded pulp of cooked squash. The cooked squash can be cooled first; otherwise protect your hands with oven mitts.

1 ¼ cup flour ½ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup lard 3 tablespoon water

How to Make Homemade Dumplings 4 Ways Boiled dough-wrapped dumplings are the most classic style served in China. They’re a staple at many Lunar New Year celebrations and are believed to represent good luck. First, we’ll explain how to make dumplings that way; then we’ll move on to steamed pot sticker-style dumplings, how to make soup dumplings, and modern air-fryer dumplings. How to Make Dumpling Dough and Dough-Wrapped Dumplings Here’s the general process for making homemade dumplings....

2 ounce room temperature Mexican grating cheese (such as Anejo enchilado), cut up 1 fresh jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and cut into quarters 2 cloves garlic, peeled 2 4.5 ounce can diced green chile peppers, drained ¼ cup pine nuts or slivered almonds ¼ cup lightly packed fresh parsley ¼ cup lightly packed fresh cilantro leaves 2 tablespoon olive oil

Her first book, The Sleep-Deprived Teen: Why Our Teenagers Are So Tired, and How Parents and Schools Can Help Them Thrive, is getting published in June 2022. In addition to being a published author, Lisa’s work can be seen in The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Atlantic, TIME, and Better Homes & Gardens. Lisa worked toward a master’s degree from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley majoring in Rhetoric and Mass Communications....