Patchwork Cookies To achieve this fancy cookie look, divide the dough into two or three portions and add food coloring to portions as desired. Roll out each portion as directed. Use small cookie cutters—think 1 to 1½-inch—to cut out shapes from each color and replace with cutout shapes of another color. For example, if you leave a portion of your dough uncolored and color another portion red, put red cutouts in the uncolored dough and uncolored cutouts in the red dough....

The shutters are also customizable. We chose a whitewash for our finish, but feel free to stain them darker to match the hues of your kitchen. We chose iron hardware, but gold, copper, or brass would also look chic. What You Need 1x4s, cut to desired length1x3, cut to desired lengthSandpaperDrillScrewsWood pastePutty knifeStainStain brushDoor hinges (4)Door handles (2)Measuring tapePencil Before You Begin: Cut Wood to Size Cut 1x4s to length....

How to Make Marshmallow Fondant If you’re new to making fondant, we think this is best place to start. Test Kitchen Tip: If you want to know how to make fondant without marshmallows, try our classic fondant recipe. Another option is our shortcut fondant recipe. Here’s how to make marshmallow fondant, step-by-step: Test Kitchen Tip: Clear vanilla extract such as this LorAnn Clear Vanilla ($9, Walmart) can be found online or in the cake-decorating department of hobby and crafts stores....

How to Cook Roast Beef Before we get into the roasting times and tools needed when learning how to cook roast beef in the oven, it’s important to choose a tender cut that will benefit from this slow and dry form of cooking. Step 1: Choose Your Roast There are many cuts of beef that work well for roasting—most have the word “roast” right in their name. When purchasing, look for meat that has good color and appears moist but not wet....

To cut back on my spending without giving up my candle habit, I decided to try making my own at home from natural wax and essential oils—and I was amazed at how easy it was. While I’ll likely still purchase a few of my favorite seasonal candles, I’ll be swapping in the DIY version frequently because the process was so easy. All you need is a candle-making kit (the entire kit was cheaper than the large 3-wick candles I normally buy), your favorite essential oils, and a pretty heat-resistant jar to pour the candle into....

Then read on to discover even more taco-inspired recipes. Because if you liked tacos before this how to make homemade tacos guide popped onto your screen, you’re going to love (and crave) them even more once you master how to make the best tacos. How to Make Homemade Tacos In Mexico, tacos are a snack food, often sold by street vendors from taco carts either midmorning or in the evening....

How to Choose the Perfect Avocado to Make Guacamole Before we explain the process to make guacamole, we can’t overlook the most important detail: the avocado. A ripe avocado has a buttery texture inside and a faintly nutty flavor. When shopping for an avocado, look for one that: Yields to gentle palm pressure but isn’t too mushy. (If your market only has firm avocados, ripen a few at home.)Has no blemishes....

Running your home’s air-conditioner on full blast for long periods can quickly cause your energy bill to skyrocket. And with many of us working remotely, we’re home during the peak mid-day heat more than ever. So use these tips for the most effective ways to cool a house and lower cooling costs to beat the heat and keep your budget in check this summer. 10 Ways to Keep Your House Cool and Lower AC Costs 1....

Buy It: Anchor Hocking Casserole Dish ($6, Walmart) Buy It: Our Table Ramekins Set ($10, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Lodge Enamel Dutch Oven ($100, Target)

Buy It: Cuisinart Waffle Maker ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Wilton Loaf Pan ($9, Target) Buy It: Lodge Cast Iron Skillet ($25, Walmart)

Whether you’re drawn to calming neutrals or want to go bold with color and pattern, these modern bedroom ideas will help you create the cozy retreat of your dreams. Put a modern spin on cabin style by creating a contemporary rustic retreat, or use contrasting colors for a touch of sophisticated drama. We’ve gathered our favorite modern bedroom ideas to help inspire your own space. Modern Rustic Bedroom Warm wood tones, soft textures, and clean lines give this bedroom a modern rustic flair....

Buy It: Lodge Enameled Cast Iron 5.5-Quart Dutch Oven ($50, Walmart) Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Slow Cooker ($42, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: When shopping for corn look for corn with golden to brown silks and healthy green husks. Once you’ve got the kernels off, keep the cobs to add to soups and sauces for a bit of sweetness. Buy It: Weber Jumbo Joe Premium Charcoal Grill ($80, Walmart) Buy It: Jacent Butcher’s Kitchen Twine ($3, Walmart) Buy It: NuWave Brio 7....

Name: Ilex verticillata Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist, acidic soil Size: To 12 feet tall Zones: 3–9 Buy It: Southern Gentleman Winterberry ($20, The Home Depot) Name: Pyracantha coccinea Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil Size: Up to 10 feet tall Zones: 6–9 Name: Ilex crenata Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 10 feet tall Zones: 6–8 Buy It: Holly Sky Pencil Shrub ($94, The Home Depot) Name: Edgeworthia chrysantha Growing Conditions: Part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 6 feet tall Zones: 7–10 Name: Hamamelis virginiana Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 20 feet tall Zones: 3–8 Name: Daphne odora Growing Conditions: Part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 4 feet tall Zones: 7–9 Buy It: Variegated Pink Winter Daphne (Wilson Bros Gardens) Name: Camellia japonica Growing Conditions: Part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 12 feet Zones: 7–9 Buy It: Snow Flurry Camellia ($77, Lots of Plants) Name: Cornus sericea Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: Up to 9 feet tall Zones: 3–7 Buy It: Red Twig Dogwood Shrub ($37, The Home Depot) Name: Corylusavellana ‘Contorta’ Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well drained soil Size: Up to 10 feet tall Zones: 4–8 Buy It: Harry Lauder’s Walking Stick ($146, Buck Jones Nursery) Name: Ilex x meserveae Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well drained soil Size: Up to 15 feet tall Zones: 4–7 Buy It: Castle Spire Blue Holly Shrub ($37, The Home Depot) Name: Ilex glabra Growing conditions: Full sun to part shade Size: Up to 8 feet tall Zones: 4–9 Buy It: Holly Inkberry Shamrock Shrub ($38, The Home Depot) Name: Chamaecyparis pisifera Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 70 feet high Zones: 4–8 Buy It: Gold Mop False Cypress Shrub ($15, The Home Depot) Name: Thuja occidentalis Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade in well-drained soil Size: Up to 7 feet Zones: 3–7 Name: Symphoricarpos albus Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and well-drained soil Size: To 6 feet tall Zones: 3–7

Buy It: Nordic Ware Spring Form Pan ($13, Target) Buy It: Reese Hearts Of Palm ($6, Target)

“It was easy to assemble and it fit right into our picnic table,” one five-star reviewer wrote of the umbrella. They confirmed that the crank is easy to use and that the umbrella even tilts on its own once it’s fully opened. “I highly recommend this umbrella,” they added. Of course, a blossoming garden helps to add color to your patio and give you the chance to grow your own produce at home....

Modern Farmhouse Makeover Create a modern farmhouse look by layering salvaged items and industrial elements over a whitewashed palette. This primary bedroom pulls it off by pairing a sliding barn door and weathered bench with sleeker furnishings, like a midcentury modern pendant light. A few pops of orange and blue wake up the room. Timeworn Elegance An eye-catching wicker pendant lights up this relaxing farmhouse bedroom, but the real focal point is the DIY headboard....

Test Kitchen Tip: Love mangoes? Substitute the blushing island fruit for raspberries. Buy It: Ninja Professional Blender ($100, Target) Test Kitchen Tip: This ice pop recipe is easy to make with almost any fruit you have on hand. Try our pineapple-blueberry and mango-raspberry variations to discover your favorite.