Eight Couples Share Their Wedding Anniversary Traditions

Preparation As exciting and momentous as your wedding day is, the icing on the cake is that you can relive those special moments year after year on your anniversary. How you choose to mark the occasion is up to you and your spouse, and your anniversary celebration could be as extravagant as taking a trip to a sun-soaked island or as simple as enjoying a nice dinner at home. And how you honor the day can change with each passing year, or you can make a tradition and stick with it, doing the same thing on your wedding date....

March 10, 2022 · 6 min · 1070 words · Leslie Schultz

Gingerbread Castle Cake Recipe

Ingredients 1 box (15.25 oz) Betty Crocker™ Delights Super Moist™ Spice Cake Mix Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box 1 cup chocolate chips, melted 1/2 cup from 1 tub (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy Vanilla Frosting 4 round peppermint candies 4 peppermint candy sticks 1/2 cup small gumdrops 3 spearmint gumdrop leaves Betty Crocker™ candy sprinkles and holly decors, if desired Edible glitter, if desired...

March 10, 2022 · 2 min · 325 words · Zachary Campbell

Gluten Free Caramel Apple Crisp Recipe

Ingredients 1 box Immaculate Baking Co.™ Gluten Free Sugar Cookie Mix 1 cup gluten-free old-fashioned oats 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 3/4 cup butter, melted 1 tablespoon water 6 large apples, peeled, cut into 1-inch chunks (about 8 cups) 1/2 cup gluten-free caramel topping Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, stir together cookie mix, oats, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon of the cinnamon....

March 10, 2022 · 1 min · 137 words · Tammy Eychaner

How Often Does A White Gold Engagement Ring Need To Be Redipped

Preparation White gold is a classic, timeless metal, which is why so many brides favor it for their engagement rings, but they require some upkeep if you want to ensure your precious piece of jewelry doesn’t turn back to a yellow-gold color. The most important thing you can do for your white gold engagement ring? Get it redipped. To understand how often you really need to have this maintenance done, we chatted with Abby Sparks, CEO of Abby Sparks Jewelry, to ask her expert opinion on the matter....

March 10, 2022 · 2 min · 386 words · Roberta Young

How To Knit With Circular Needles

Preparation It’s time to add a new, versatile tool to your knitting arsenal: Circular needles. Different from straight needles, these iterations have either pointed or rounded tips and come attached to a length of smooth nylon or plastic cord. Since circular needles allow the weight of your work to rest in your lap (rather than on the needles), they put less strain on your hands, wrists, and shoulders. This is especially helpful when you’re working on heavyweight garments like sweaters, vests, and chunky-style cardigans....

March 10, 2022 · 4 min · 676 words · Willard Webb

How To Throw A Backyard Bridal Shower

Preparation Throwing a bridal shower in someone’s backyard is a fun, affordable way to celebrate, but these at-home events still require careful planning. If you’re thinking about showering the bride-to-be with a backyard party this spring or summer, here’s what you need to know first. RELATED: YOUR ULTIMATE BRIDAL SHOWER CHECKLIST FOR CELEBRATING THE BRIDE-TO-BE Your vision of an awesome bridal shower probably doesn’t include the guests sweating and fanning themselves....

March 10, 2022 · 3 min · 453 words · Robert Garza

Milk Chocolate Pecan Toffee Recipe

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 cups butter or margarine 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 2 tablespoons water 2 cups chopped pecans, lightly toasted 1 1/4 cups milk chocolate chips Preparation Line 17x12-inch half-sheet pan with foil; spray foil with cooking spray. In 3-quart heavy saucepan, heat sugar, butter, corn syrup and water to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium; cook about 10 minutes, stirring constantly, to 300°F on candy thermometer or until small amount of mixture dropped into cup of very cold water separates into hard, brittle threads....

March 10, 2022 · 1 min · 172 words · Susan Hilliard

Mongolian Beef And Noodles Recipe

Ingredients 12 oz flank steak 1/3 cup soy sauce 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar 1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 cup carrots, cut into matchsticks 3 green onions, cut into 1-inch long slices on the diagonal 1/2 cup Progresso™ beef flavored broth (from 32-oz carton) 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon water...

March 10, 2022 · 2 min · 285 words · Lucilla Bryant

Potatoes Rancheros Casserole Recipe

Ingredients 1/2 pound lean ground beef 1 box (4.7 oz) Betty Crocker™ au gratin potatoes 2 1/4 cups boiling water 2/3 cup milk 1 cup shredded taco-seasoned or Cheddar cheese (4 oz) 1 cup coarsely crushed tortilla chips Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Cook beef in 10-inch skillet over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until brown; drain. Stir together Potatoes, Sauce Mix, boiling water and milk in ungreased 2-quart casserole....

March 10, 2022 · 1 min · 120 words · Christopher Franklin

Spaghetti Pizza Recipe

Ingredients 1 lb uncooked spaghetti 2/3 cup milk 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (4 oz) 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4 oz) 1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ organic classic marinara pasta sauce 1 package (6 oz) pepperoni 1 cup Cheddar cheese (4 oz) 1 cup mozzarella cheese (4 oz) Preparation Heat oven to 400°F. Grease 15x10x1-inch pan. Cook spaghetti in large pot as directed on package....

March 10, 2022 · 1 min · 145 words · Julie Shofner

Staghorn Ferns 101

Preparation Staghorn ferns are called Platyceriums. They are Old World tropics native to Africa, northern Australia, and Southeast Asia. Platycerium Andinum: This large gorgeous fern looks great in a hanging basket but can also be hung against a wall because all the leaves are on one side. Platycerium Elephantotis: The fronds look like elephant ears. Platycerium Coronarium: This crown-like fern sits on top of a slatted square mount and drapes over....

March 10, 2022 · 3 min · 537 words · Joanne Looney

Suburban Life In Yokohama Japan

After cold winters in Japan, the Japanese look forward to every sign of spring. We have a special fascination toward sakura as they only bloom for several days in a year and we’re lucky if they even last one week. Spring weather is very unpredictable so strong wind or rain could shorten the time of flower viewing. It would be very meaningful for us to see sakura blooming as it’s usually hit or miss when visiting Japan in the spring....

March 10, 2022 · 6 min · 1271 words · Edgar Litzenberg

What To Do If Your Plant Grows Mold

Preparation Most plant lovers know how to manage yellowing or wilted leaves—usually the answer is more (or less) water. But what happens when you’re dealing with a more complicated potted houseplant issue, like mold growth? “Plants growing mold on their leaves or soil are likely sending out a signal for help that they’re getting too much water and/or not enough sun,” explains Katie Dubow, plant expert and owner of Garden Media Group....

March 10, 2022 · 3 min · 584 words · Cammie Addison

When Is The Right Time To Choose Your Wedding Cake Design

Preparation Cake tasting is arguably every couple’s favorite part of the wedding planning process. But how many cakes can you taste before having to buckle down and make some decisions? We talked with Kimberly Bailey, owner of The Butter End Cakery, to learn when couples should select their wedding cake flavor and design, and how to ensure they go about making the right choice. The first step to selecting a wedding cake is determining the overall feel or theme of your wedding day so that the cake design goes with the aesthetic you’re going for....

March 10, 2022 · 3 min · 433 words · Charles Stowe

White Chocolate Thumbprints Recipe

Ingredients 6 oz white chocolate baking bars, chopped 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup currant or red raspberry jelly 4 oz white chocolate baking bars 1/2 teaspoon shortening Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Spray cookie sheets with cooking spray. Melt 6 oz white chocolate as directed on package....

March 10, 2022 · 2 min · 241 words · Ray Monigold

7 Elements Of Your Wedding That Your Future Mother In Law Really Deserves Some Say In

Preparation Of the awkward situations you might face as a bride, it’s among the stickiest: Your fiancé’s Mom reaches out and asks if she could join you to pick out your dress, oversee centerpieces, or otherwise assist on a task you’d rather handle yourself. While you’re in potentially dicey ticking-off-your-future-MIL territory, there’s no need to panic, swears lifestyle and etiquette expert Elaine Swann. (And you don’t have to go along with a scenario that makes you uncomfortable, either....

March 9, 2022 · 5 min · 963 words · Steven Kirkwood

Amish Friendship Bread Recipe

Ingredients 1 package active dry yeast 1/4 cup very warm water 1 cup warm cultured buttermilk 1 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 2 cups granulated sugar 2 cups cultured buttermilk 1 cup (1 bag) Starter 3 eggs 1 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup cultured buttermilk 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt...

March 9, 2022 · 3 min · 444 words · William Moseley

Asparagus On The Grill Recipe

Ingredients 1 1/2 lb fresh asparagus spears 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil Salt and pepper to taste Preparation Heat gas or charcoal grill. Brush asparagus with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on grill or in grill basket (grill “wok”). Place on grill over medium heat. Cover grill; cook 5 minutes. Turn asparagus or shake basket to turn asparagus; cook 3 to 4 minutes longer or until lightly browned and crisp-tender....

March 9, 2022 · 1 min · 80 words · Donna Daigle

Backyard Livestock 101 A Guide To The Most Common Animals For Urban Farming

Preparation Our way of life may have changed from homesteads and ranches in many parts of the Midwest to fast-paced urban centers of activity, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t embrace a quieter side of life. Efforts to reintroduce a more eco-friendly mindset to urbanized areas has opened the doors to some new regulations for allowing small farms and livestock within city limits. People can raise their own chickens and grow their own crops if they have the necessary permits and the proper setup for the care and maintenance of these animals....

March 9, 2022 · 6 min · 1095 words · Jean Pickron

Bacon Buttermilk Waffles Recipe

Ingredients 3 eggs 1 1/2 cups Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted 1 1/2 cups buttermilk 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon sugar 1/4 teaspoon salt 8 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled (1/2 cup) Maple or blueberry syrup, if desired Preparation Heat waffle iron. (Waffle irons without a nonstick coating may need to be brushed with vegetable oil or sprayed with cooking spray before batter for each waffle is added....

March 9, 2022 · 1 min · 149 words · Karen Goodson