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Preparation A wedding’s cocktail hour is traditionally just what its name implies: An hour between the ceremony and reception during which guests can enjoy beer, wine, signature drinks, and light appetizers. But many wedding guests will tell you that cocktail hour is one of their favorite parts of the day, which is why some couples choose to extend theirs beyond the tradition 60 minute allotment. For other brides and grooms, especially those who are trying to be mindful of budget or who do not intend to serve alcohol at the wedding, a shorter cocktail hour is more appealing....

Preparation Humans needs a few basic necessities in order to live, and one of the most crucial components is water. “Water is essential for cellular homeostasis and life. Without water, humans can survive for just a few days,” says Naudia Jones RD, CDN and founder of Brooklyn Nutrition Practice LLC. The beverage does more than just keep you hydrated—it decreases the risk for acute and chronic diseases, promotes a healthy digestive system, healthy eating habits and removal of toxic waste material from the body....

Preparation There’s no denying that mixed metals are trending in the jewelry world, and for good reason. When you love the look of multiple metals, why should you have to choose? From ring stacks and earrings to necklaces and bracelets, it’s more common than ever to find pretty pieces fabricated from multiple different materials. And now the trend is making its way to the wedding world, but in a somewhat different way....

Preparation It’s easy to recognize the seed stitch in knitting: the textured fabric is covered in small nubs arranged in a checkerboard order. These purled bumps draw comparisons to seeds in a field, which is the look that gives this stitch its name. Similar to its cousin the moss stitch, seed stitch is made dense with a tight weave, so it lies flat and won’t roll or curl at the edges....

Preparation Nothing ruins a day outdoors like a run-in with poison ivy. “Poison ivy is a member of the Toxicodendron genus of plants in the Anacardaceae family that includes poison oak and poison sumac,” explains gardening expert Melinda Myers. “All parts of poison ivy contain an oil resin called urushiol that causes skin rashes.” Found throughout most of the United States, it’s not uncommon for poison ivy plants to pop up in residential backyards and gardens—especially if you live in a rural area....

This salad is tossed in a homemade Salad Dressing. Try our other homemade dressings like the classic homemade Ranch Dressing or our Greek Salad dressing. BEST KALE SALAD- You are not going to regret making this hearty salad recipe! The kale combined with the romaine, feta cheese, bacon, craisins, pecans, and tangerines gives you such a big and flavor-packed salad! This is such a healthy salad and you can have it ready in no time, making it a great party salad!...

Ingredients 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (8 oz) 1 1/2 cups milk 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz) 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (4 oz) 4 oz Kraft™ Velveeta™ cheese product, cubed (from 8-oz package) 1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 can (14.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained 1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles...

Preparation If you expect Lady Gaga’s wedding to be over-the-top, you’ll be wrong, says the singer. “We are not planning anything that is worth writing about,” she recently told Ryan Seacrest of her upcoming wedding to Chicago Fire actor Taylor Kinney, describing the big day as “family-style.” It certainly sounds like a family effort! Gaga says all the women in her family are involved. “I think if I wouldn’t let my mom do this with all of us and my family-I think if I would of denied the women of my life the planning of the wedding they would probably kill me,” she joked....

Ingredients 1 box (15.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ Yellow Cake Mix 1 cup water 3 eggs 1/2 peanut butter cups 1/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup chocolate-flavor syrup 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter 2 to 3 tablespoons milk 1 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoons chocolate-flavor syrup 20 Reese’s peanut butter cups miniatures, unwrapped, cut in half Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Grease two 8x4-inch loaf pans with shortening; sprinkle with flour....

Ingredients 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box 1 jar (16 oz) hot fudge topping 1 box (5.1 oz) Jell-O™ vanilla-flavor instant pudding & pie filling mix 2 1/2 cups cold milk 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons caramel sauce 1 container (8 oz) Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed 25 Rolo® chewy caramels in milk chocolate, unwrapped, cut in half (about 1 cup)...

Ingredients 1 can (6.5 oz) lump crabmeat, drained 1 jar (6.5 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, well drained, finely chopped (about 1 cup) 1/4 cup chive-and-onion cream cheese spread (from 8-oz container) 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or salad dressing 2 tablespoons chopped red onion 1/2 teaspoon seafood seasoning 2 packages (2.1 oz each) frozen mini phyllo dough shells (30 shells) 30 tiny shrimp (from 4-oz can), rinsed, patted dry Fresh parsley sprigs...

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb beef stew meat 2 medium carrots, sliced (1 cup) 1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup) 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms 1/2 cup uncooked pearl barley 5 1/4 cups Progresso™ beef flavored broth (from two 32-oz cartons) 2 dried bay leaves 1 cup frozen baby sweet peas Preparation Spray 4- to 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Mix all ingredients except peas in cooker. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 9 hours....

Ingredients 1 (2-inch) cinnamon stick 2 small apples, peeled, sliced 1/3 cup sweetened dried cranberries 1/2 cup golden raisins 1/2 cup halved dried apricots 1 (8-oz.) can pineapple tidbits in unsweetened juice, undrained 1/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup orange juice 1 (21-oz.) can peach pie filling Preparation Place cinnamon stick in 1 1/2 to 2 1/2-quart slow cooker. Layer with apples, cranberries, raisins, apricots and pineapple with liquid. Sprinkle with sugar....

Ingredients 1 cup packed brown sugar 3/4 cup shortening 1/4 cup molasses 1 egg 2 1/4 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons granulated sugar Preparation Heat oven to 325°F. In large bowl, beat brown sugar, shortening, molasses and egg with electric mixer on medium speed, or mix with spoon. Stir in remaining ingredients except granulated sugar....

Preparation Not long ago, you could find olive, canola, and maybe safflower oil at the grocery store. These days, cooking oils often take up an entire aisle. Once-exotic varieties, like coconut and walnut oils, line the shelves of most markets. How do you navigate your way around all these bottles? First, you should pay attention to function and select an oil appropriate for the cooking you’re doing, whether you’re pan-frying or finishing raw vegetables....

One of the most important things for any visitors to Japan is to stay connected. Traveling in a foreign country without the ability to contact friends and family in an emergency could be an uneasy feeling. We’ve used various solutions to stay connected over the years during our travel to Japan, and we hope this quick guide will help you make your decision. Why Get Wifi While Traveling in Japan?...

Ingredients 1 box (10 oz) frozen white & wild rice (with green beans) 6 large tomatoes 2 cups diced cooked turkey 1/2 cup sliced celery 1/2 medium red or green bell pepper, chopped 1/4 cup chopped green onions (4 medium) 1/4 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper Preparation Cook rice as directed on box. Refrigerate 10 minutes to cool. Meanwhile, cut thin slices from tops of tomatoes....

Preparation When you’re throwing an at-home wedding, one detail that’s often overlooked until pretty late in the wedding-planning process is obtaining the necessary permits. Because every county and municipality has different requirements, you’ll want to get onto this task as soon as possible so you can get a clear understanding of what your wedding’s requirements will be. This could have implications for your end time, whether you can have a band play at your wedding, and so forth....

Looking to get away from the lights and sounds of city life in Japan? We recommend taking a relaxing trip to Yamanashi Prefecture and take in the beautiful sceneries and enjoy its many offerings. Yamanashi prefecture is known in Japan for its famed onsen (hot spring) area, including Yumura Onsen, Shimobe Onsen (aka Takeda Shingen’s hidden hot springs), and Isawa Onsen. Our family’s favorite is Isawa Onsen as its easily accessible by car or train from the Tokyo area....

Preparation One year ago, Oscar-nominated actor Benedict Cumberbatch married theater and opera director Sophie Hunter in an intimate wedding on Britain’s Isle of Wight. Though the under-the-radar couples planned a private affair to match, we do know a few things about how the big day went down. To celebrate their one-year anniversary, we’re recalling our favorite moments from their wedding. Talk about traditional. The couple made headlines when they casually announced their engagement in the paper-specifically the U....