1 cup packed brown sugar ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder ½ cup butter ½ cup milk, half-and-half, or light cream 2 teaspoon vanilla, instant coffee crystals, or instant espresso coffee powder To Store: Transfer sauce to an airtight container; cover. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. To reheat, microwave on 100 percent power (high) until warm, stirring every 15 seconds.

Choosing a Tree Start your fruit tree planter project in early spring while the trees are still dormant. Bare-root trees work exceptionally well, although potted nursery stock can be used, too. Shop a mail-order company with a good reputation, or use a high-quality nursery. Shop between late January and March for the best selection of bare-root trees.Look for trees that are vigorous, whose wood looks good, and trees that aren’t desiccated, scuffed, bruised, or split....

How to Prep Chicken Wings for Cooking Cooking chicken wings is easy, but before they hit the heat, you’ll need to do a little prep work. Removing the wing tips and cutting the wings in half makes them infinitely easier to eat. Here’s how to do it: Using kitchen scissors ($55, Williams Sonoma) or a sharp knife, carefully cut off the tip of each chicken wing. Discard the tips. Spread the remaining wing portions open....

Where Do Hardiness Zones Come From? The concept of hardiness zones has a nearly 100-year history. Researchers at Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University came up with the first map of climate-based zones in the United States in 1927. It had eight zones to help people judge whether particular trees and shrubs would survive the winter in their region. This first black-and-white map was updated at least four more times over the next few decades to include 10 color-coded zones based on more current temperature data at the time....

There are several reasons a door may stick in the doorframe, including loose hardware, a sagging frame, or seized hinges. Humidity is another common cause of sticking doors: The high level of moisture in the air can seep into wood, resulting in a swollen door that does not open or close properly. No matter the cause, learn how to fix a sticking door by following our detailed directions below....

How to Freeze Strawberries The most common way to freeze strawberries is by flash-freezing them whole and unsweetened (aka dry pack method). There are also ways to freeze strawberries with sugar that we’ll get to later. Step 1: Wash and Dry Strawberries Before you freeze strawberries, wash them thoroughly by placing them in a colander and gently rinsing under cool water before removing the stems. If you remove the stems before washing, more water can get in and affect the texture and flavor—no one likes a watery strawberry!...

Steps for Growing Cilantro Indoors from Seed Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) is a fast-growing, cool-season annual herb that can go from seed to harvest in about three weeks. It usually sets seeds (which are known as coriander) in about a month and a half. Plan to sow new seeds every 2 or 3 weeks to keep up your supply of fresh leaves. Step 1: Use a Container with Drainage Holes Like most herbs, cilantro doesn’t like “wet feet” (in other words, if their roots stay too wet, the plant will rot)....

Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are tender perennials and will grow year-round in USDA Zones 8-11, but you can enjoy them in the spring and summer in any climate. Whether you grow them outdoors or inside, there are a few tips to follow to help your daisies thrive. Make sure you keep water off the leaves (too much wetness makes them more vulnerable to disease), don’t let them get too hot, and cut the flower stems off at the base when the blooms fade....

Garden and Landscape Edging Ideas Types of Edging Brick: Brick is set as soldiers (standing upright and on edge), sailors (flat along the edge), or at an angle. Set brick in a concrete footing for increased stability. Poured concrete: You can color poured concrete during mixing to match or contrast the paving material. You can also give it texture. Plastic and steel: Flexible plastic edging will conform to almost any curve....

Start with a quick survey of your windows—including in the basement and garage and second-story windows that would be easy to reach from the ground. Next, make a list of the windows, noting their type—such as double-hung or casement—and the kind of lock each has. You’ll probably need to replace or at least augment the locks on most of them. Keep fire safety in mind as you consider new locks and fastening devices....

“A lot of the trends we’ve seen this past year are rooted in nostalgia because it’s comforting during these unprecedented times,” says Tiffany Olson, trend expert for the online resale marketplace Mercari. “1970s trends in particular feature cozy and warm elements that people want to bring into their homes.” Over the past year, Mercari has seen huge spikes in demand for many quintessential elements of ’70s design. Searches for rattan and wicker on the site have nearly tripled, while decor featuring macramé, crochet, and fringe details has also surged, Olson says....

Before beginning any home renovations, be sure to check local building code requirements to ensure maximum safety and compliance. 1. Zero-Threshold Showers Eliminate barriers and get a sleek look by switching to a shower that lacks the lip or edge of a traditional shower floor basin. “Zero-threshold showers are a huge advantage if you’re building your ‘forever’ home or remodeling a primary bathroom to enjoy indefinitely,” says Jamie Gold, a wellness design consultant....

Aida Cloth Aida is the most popular cross-stitch fabric. The threads are woven in groups and are separated by tiny holes. This creates a pattern of squares across the fabric surface that a beginning cross-stitcher can easily follow. Basting Basting stitches are long, loose stitches that can be easily removed. For example, you can find the center of a cross-stitch chart by basting intersecting lines across the fabric. Or you may need to baste layers of fabric together to secure them before sewing them by machine....

Test Kitchen Tip: Soak wooden skewers in enough water to cover for at least 1 hour before using. Test Kitchen Tip: Boil the potatoes for just a few minutes prior to threading on the skewers with the sausage, corn, and seafood to ensure all portions of this summer grilled shrimp recipe cook at the same rate. Test Kitchen Tip: Double the kabob portion size per person and serve with a cooked whole grain to push this grilled shrimp recipe into dinner territory....

Editor’s Tip: Help keep your cat pumpkin carving fresh by rubbing a little petroleum jelly around the carved areas. Editor’s Tip: To carve this Halloween cat pumpkin, flip the pumpkin on its side and cut it vertically instead.

Indulge in a quick and clever breakfast for dinner with our hearty frittata recipe. It’s packed with homey potatoes, salty bacon, and fresh kale. It’s held together by an egg mixture that adds protein and gives the healthy 5-ingredient recipe a comfort food quality. A taco-stuffed panini is the perfect infusion of flavor to complement your weeknight dinners. OK, the panini is not actually stuffed with a taco, but all the flavors are there!...

Editor’s Tip: Soaking the wooden plank in water before indirect grilling helps avoid unwanted flames. See our awesome tip for easily cutting corn on the cob. We did the calorie counting and meal planning for you! Get two FREE weeks of healthy meal plans right here!