Posts

Can You Eat Decorative Gourds? The simplest answer to whether or not you can eat gourds is technically yes; decorative gourds aren’t poisonous or toxic. However, you probably don’t want to eat gourds, especially when there are much tastier options available. The decorative gourds you see on display have hard, tough skins, and also don’t have very much flesh on the inside. So if you were to try cooking a gourd, it wouldn’t be very easy to prepare, and also wouldn’t taste great....

Related Video

Also known as a mouse melon, the Mexican sour gherkin, or by its Spanish name, sandiita (little watermelon), a cucamelon is the fruit of the Melothria scabra vine and is about the size of a grape. But despite the name, they’re not actually a hybrid of watermelons and cucumbers. They do have a semi-hard rind with markings like a watermelon, but the entire thing is edible so you can pop them in your mouth for a burst of cucumber flavor with a sour twist (think a cucumber and lime mashup)....

Related Video

*DIY Everything Bagel Seasoning In a bowl combine 1/4 cup white and/or black sesame seed, 1/4 cup poppy seed, 2 Tbsp. dried minced garlic, and 2 Tbsp. dried minced onion. If desired, add 1 1/2 to 2 tsp. kosher salt. Store in an airtight container up to 6 months. Related Video

To help break down everything you need to know before replacing your driveway, we tapped Micetich and Courtney Harmon, president of The Driveway Company, for all the tips and must-have knowledge you need to get the job done with peace of mind. The Most Common Driveway Materials Choosing the best material for your driveway requires consideration of both where you live and your driveway goals. These are the most common driveway materials but, remember, they all come with their own set of pros and cons....

Related Video

Although they might seem big, bulky, and unfamiliar to launder, washing and drying pillows is simpler than it seems. Use our guide to learn how to wash pillows, how to keep them clean, and when to replace them. These tips will help make sure your pillows are washed, dried, and fluffed to perfection. How to Wash Pillows Before washing pillows, remove any covers or pillowcases, and check the manufacturer’s instructions for washing....

However, dishwashers don’t last forever. They require routine cleaning, break down on occasion, and need repairs from time to time. Experts say that to extend your dishwasher’s lifespan, there are a few small tweaks that can make all the difference. But watch out for signs of clanking and draining that could indicate the need for a replacement. How Long Do Dishwashers Last? According to Consumer Reports, the average life of a dishwasher is about 10 years....

Stripping Fresh Herbs Thoroughly rinse fresh herbs under cool water. Blot dry with paper towels or use a salad spinner. Remove tiny leaves from herbs such as thyme by holding onto the stem with one hand and stripping the leaves into a bowl using the other hand. Snipping Fresh Herbs To cut larger clean and dry fresh herbs, place leaves in a measuring cup or bowl and snip them with kitchen scissors, using short, quick strokes....

How to Slice Zucchini Into Coins Probably the most common way to cut zucchini, zucchini coins are crosswise slices of zucchini. Use a knife to cut the two ends off the zucchini, then make cuts across the zucchini to slice coins. You can also use a mandoline ($46, Crate & Barrel) by cutting off one end of the zucchini, then dragging it across the mandoline. Cut off one end of the zucchini, then drag it across the mandoline....

How to Etch a Pumpkin Supplies Needed Real or faux pumpkinPrinted pumpkin stencilScissorsStraight pinsWashable markerWood carving gouge or rotary toolCrafts knifeBattery-operated tea light Step-by-Step Directions With a few supplies and these how-to instructions, you can create your own fall pumpkin decoration. Customize your etched Halloween pumpkin with one of our free printable stencils. Step 1: Prep the Pumpkin If you’d like to place a candle inside the pumpkin, you’ll need to cut a hole in the bottom (not the top!...

Installing either system involves cutting a hole in the venting using templates provided by the manufacturer. You’ll need about two hours to mark the template, cut holes, and install the humidifier. Before you begin, make sure to shut off the furnace. Related Video

Supplies Needed Two-way garden hose connector (1/2" faucet hose fitting)Irrigation timerPressure regulatorMainline drip irrigation hose (1/2" poly drip irrigation tubing)Plant containersTape measureTapePVC pipe cutting saw, or a PVC cutting tool (for cutting the poly tubing)Poly tubing end capHammerIrrigation micro tubing (1/4" vinyl micro tubing)Drip irrigation hole punchDrip line connectorsDrip hose goof plugs (to patch holes that are mispunched)Potting soilPlantsIrrigation drippers with spikes, one for each pot Step-by-Step Instructions You can opt to pick up the list of supplies from the hardware store or use a pre-assembled drip irrigation kit ($42, The Home Depot)....

How to Make a Milkshake with Ice Cream If you’re planning to use ice cream as the base for your milkshake, the steps couldn’t be simpler. Just combine ice cream with milk in a blender (the less milk you add, the thicker the shake will be), and blend until smooth. For a one-serving milkshake, plan to use about one cup of ice cream with a quarter cup of milk. If you want the shake to be a little easier to sip through a straw, adding extra milk will help thin it out....

Step-by-Step Alfredo Sauce from Scratch It’s hard to believe that just four ingredients (plus salt and pepper) can result in such a wonderful cream sauce. 1. Gather the Ingredients We’ll walk you through how to make Alfredo sauce as explained in the Better Homes & Gardens New Cook Book 17th Edition. ButterGarlic, mincedWhipping cream (or heavy cream)Salt and freshly ground black pepper Freshly grated Parmesan cheese You can use pre-shredded Parmesan cheese in this Alfredo sauce recipe, but it won’t have the pronounced, intense fresh flavor that you grate just before using....

Moonflower, devil’s trumpet, jimsonweed, and thorn apple are just a few of the many common names for this self-seeding annual. As the name “moonflower“ suggests, many varieties open at night. Long, white petals slowly unfurl as the evening comes. When morning arrives, the flowers curl up, reverting to their closed form. While the nocturnal blooms of moonflower are certainly breathtaking, the gray-green tropical-looking leaves are another attractive feature of this plant....

If you’ve made the switch to an artificial tree, it’s important to know how to store a Christmas tree once the big day is over. Follow these easy steps to ensure your tree stays in good shape year after year Step 1: Take the Trimmings Off the Tree While not as fun as decorating a Christmas tree, consider putting away decorations like unpacking after a trip: it’s something that has to get done....

“We’re a fickle society,” says Scott Sidler, founder and editor-in-chief of The Craftsman Blog and a licensed Florida contractor who has been restoring historic buildings for more than 20 years. “Painted brick might be cool today, but in 20 years, it’s like you’re peeling carpet off hardwood and going ‘Who did this?’” Drive down any suburban block, though, and you’ll likely notice that plenty of people have already bought into the painted brick look....

⅓ cup gochujang (Korean hot pepper paste) 3 tablespoon oyster sauce 2 tablespoon sweet rice wine (mirin) 2 tablespoon ketchup 2 tablespoon honey 3 cloves garlic, grated 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger 1 ½ teaspoon toasted sesame seeds Thinly bias-sliced green onions Related Video