Plant banana shrub near a home foundation where its evergreen leaves will provide color and interest year-round and its banana-scented, cream-colored flowers will be enjoyed. It is also a great plant for a mixed shrub border where it will grow alongside other shrubs, such a firebush, bay laurel, bottlebrush, and holly. Employ a mixed shrub border as a living screen. Banana shrub along with other easy-to-grow shrubs will not only mask views, but the shrubs are welcome wildlife habitats, providing food and nesting space....

3 ½ cup water 1 cup yellow cornmeal ¼ cup milk 2 tablespoon purchased dried tomato tapenade or basil pesto ½ teaspoon salt

Highlights Nearly a decade of experience as a garden writer and presenter* Contributor to national garden magazines, including the American Horticultural Society’s The American Gardener and Mother Earth News* Contributor to niche horticultural publications like the Arnold Arboretum’s Arnoldia and the newsletter of the Heritage Rose Foundation* Former professional gardener

Editor for Family Handyman magazine and websiteFreelance writer covering home design, parenting, and travel topicsContributed to Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, Runner’s World, Family Circle, Taste of Home, Do It Yourself, Midwest Living, and many othersCollaborated with brands such as 3M, Better Crocker, Panera, Lowe’s, Target, and many more

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon salt ¾ cup shortening 8 tablespoon cold water

1 ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon salt ¼ cup shortening ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening ¼ cup cold water

How to Care For Bloodroot Bloodroot grows best in shade or part shade and moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil. It is a common wildflower in deciduous woodlands where it thrives in the bright spring light and then grows well in the summer shade produced by foliage overhead. Loose, moist soil that is brimming with nutrients is also key to good bloodroot growth. Improve soil structure and fertility by incorporating a 2-inch-thick layer of compost in the garden bed before planting....

1 ripe avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and mashed (about 1 cup) ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup sour cream 3 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice 3 tablespoon snipped fresh dill ¼ cup milk ½ teaspoon garlic salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper Garlicky Focaccia Croutons 3 cup 1/2-inch cubes garlic foccacia 2 tablespoon olive oil Show Off Before serving, halve, seed, and peel 2 avocados. Cut each half into 4 to 6 wedges and place on top of salad....

3 ¾ cup all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/2-inch pieces ¾ cup cold water

16 eggs

Can You Put a Skillet in the Oven? According to Kristin Billingsley, Senior Director of Product Management at Meyer Corp. (makers of brands such as Anolon, Circulon, and KitchenAid), most cookware is oven safe, but to what maximum temperature depends on many factors. “What material is the cookware made of? What is the coating on the pan? What is the handle material? What is the lid material? All of the components play a factor in determining if a pan is oven safe and to what temperature or if a pan is broiler safe,” says Billingsley....

Creamy White Frosting In a large mixing bowl beat 1 cup shortening, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract with an electric mixer on medium speed for 30 seconds. Slowly add in about 2 cups of powdered sugar, beating well. Add 2 tablespoons of milk. Gradually beat in another 2 cups powdered sugar and 1-3 tablespoons more milk to reach spreading consistency. To Store Place undecorated cookies in an airtight container; cover....