“As our architecture and interiors have progressed to more modern forms, curves and comfort are becoming more of a trend in furnishings,” says Gillian Segal, an interior designer based in Vancouver, Canada. With European origins, bouclé derives from the French word meaning “curled” or “ringed.” It can refer to both yarn made from looped fibers or fabric woven with bouclé yarn. Although traditionally made from wool, bouclé can also be made from polyester, linen, cotton, silk, and other materials....

Luckily, I spotted morels soon after. This time, the mushrooms topped ricotta-slathered toast, which came complete with nature’s best condiment: a runny egg yolk. Perhaps I’ve been spoiled by a couple of creations that would have been delicious nonetheless, but what made the dishes truly memorable were the morels. Why Morels Are So Coveted Since they’re next to impossible to farm or raise (although its being done), morels are gathered in their native, wild habitat....

Editor’s Tip: Complete the Christmas mantel decor with a faux greenery garland and mini twinkle lights. Editor’s Tip: Make your own twine-wrapped trees. Simply wrap papier-mache cones with red and white baker’s twine. Editor’s Tip: Use wooden tags decorated with each person’s name to label similar stockings. Editor’s Tip: The objects used to decorate the Christmas mantel are carefully chosen for size, so they don’t interfere with the television screen....

A: Marguerite daisy B: ‘Rebel Rouser’ coleus C: ‘Versa Green Halo’ coleus D: ‘Compact Royal Jewels’ lobelia E: ‘Infinity White’ New Guinea impatiens F: ‘Glacier’ English ivy Buy It: ‘Butterfly’ Marguerite Daisy ($10, White Flower Farm) Buy It: ‘Lime Time’ Coleus ($38 for 4, The Home Depot) Buy It: ‘Versa Green Halo’ Coleus Seeds ($4, Seed Empire)

The popularity of 3D gelatin started growing in the early ’90s, thanks to creations by Lourdes Reyes Rosas in Mexico City. Jelly cake makers today combine multiple layers of gelatin using a large mold as the base. For example, after a clear gelatin layer is set for the canvas, colored gelatin (often flavored with fruit) can be injected into that already-set clear layer using a culinary syringe ($20). It’s then moved and spread to become flower petals, leaves, and more....

Even with familiar ways of celebrating—such as roasting a huge turkey or hosting a gathering of extended family and friends—it’s always a perfect time to start a few new Thanksgiving traditions. These family-friendly ideas are good for all ages and family sizes. So whether you’re cooking dinner for two or twenty, consider picking up one (or two) of these sweet ways to make Thanksgiving even more special. Personalize the Table Going all-out on table decorations will make each guest feel welcome and special....

Size: 5 feet tall Light: Bright, direct sunlight Water: From spring through fall, soil should be kept moist. During winter, allow the top two inches of soil to dry out before giving it another drink. Size: Up to 30 feet tall. Light: Bright, indirect light, but can tolerate low light. Water: While a monstera can tolerate semi-dry conditions, it should be watered enough so that the soil does not completely dry out....

1. Benary’s Giant Florist and grower Christina Matthews always plants rows of Benary’s Giant on her urban flower farm in Cincinnati, Ohio, for her business, The Flower Lady. “I call them star flowers,” she says, “because they’re so bright and cheerful.” One of her favorites is Benary’s Salmon Rose, “a peachy, blushy, pinky” shade she uses for her floral work for weddings. 2. Oklahoma Zinnias Another bold zinnia series Matthews loves to grow is Oklahoma ($5, Johnny’s Selected Seeds)....

1. National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C. Of all of the spring gathering, the Cherry Blossom Festival at the nation’s capital is one of the most beloved. For three fragrant and beautiful weeks, Washington D.C. welcomes upwards of 1.5 million visitors, all hoping to admire (and pose in front of) 3,000 perfectly pink trees. Of course, you’ll never be charged to stroll along the mall that stretches from the U.S. State House to the Lincoln Memorial, or for most of the other many events throughout the festival....

Plants for Creating the Bold Shade Garden Plan 1 Heritage river birch (Betula nigra ‘Cully’): Zones 4-9 5 Azalea (Rhododendron ‘Mandarin Lights’): Zones 4-8 4 Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis): Zones 4-9 20 Japanese painted fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’): Zones 5-8 36 Woodland phlox (Phlox divaricata): Zones 4-8 70 Siberian squill (Scilla siberica): Zones 3-8 If you aren’t able to find the exact cultivars listed above, substitute with others that have similar colors, shapes, and sizes....

Tips For a dryer stuffing, reduce broth to 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups.

⅓ cup canola oil 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar 2 tablespoon soy sauce 1 small fresh jalapeno chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped* 1 tablespoon sugar 1 tablespoon liquid from jar of pickled ginger 1 tablespoon finely chopped pickled ginger 1 tablespoon lime juice 2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil *Tip: Because chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible....