2 cup sifted powdered sugar 4 teaspoon meringue powder ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar ¼ cup warm water 1 tablespoon warm water assorted paste or liquid food coloring (optional)

Learn how to plant and harvest your own juicy grapes here! Select a Planting Spot Grapes tolerate a variety of soil types. Well-drained soil provides the biggest harvest. Highly fertile soil is not essential; grapes grow in dry sandy soil as well as fertile black loam. Choose a site that receives at least 6 hours of bright sunlight a day. Beware of nearby trees or buildings that might cast shade....

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon salt ⅔ cup shortening Water

Show Your Colors Exterior Paint Colors

To carve: Start with a pumpkin you’ve hollowed out from the bottom. Tape the printed stencil to the surface of your pumpkin. Use a push pin to create pinpricks along the stencil lines, puncturing the paper and the pumpkin’s surface. To etch the mansion, use a gouging tool to remove the pumpkin’s surface skin in the stencil areas in dotted lines. (If you’d prefer a painted house, follow our tips above rather than etching....

Step 1: Make the Piecrust First, decide what type of piecrust you want to make—it depends at least in part on what you want the filling to be. For example, for most pumpkin and pecan pies, you’ll want to learn how to make a single-crust piecrust. But for most fruit pies, like apple and cherry, you’ll want to make a double-crust piecrust. Once you’ve chosen your recipe, follow these steps for success:...

How do steam cleaners work? “Steam’s teeny-tiny vapor molecules penetrate a surface’s pores to force out dirt, grease, and other stain-causing substances,” says Donna Smallin Kuper, author of Cleaning Plain and Simple. The steam’s extreme heat also slays bacteria, germs, mold, dust mites, and more using plain water. What can I steam clean? Steam cleaners can be safely used on many household surfaces, including sealed tile, hardwood floors, grout, sinks, tubs, countertops, carpets, mattresses, upholstery, showers, ovens, stove tops, grills, glass, and more....

Then: Pizza Swiss Steak “I’m pretty intrigued by this Pizza Swiss Steak,” Alexis says before getting started. “I’ve never made anything like it, and the recipe is really simple.” It calls for a 2-pound round steak, which is a large, affordable cut. “I think that’s kind of the idea behind this: making a whole meal for your family with this pretty massive piece of meat,” she ponders. You won’t find this kind of steak mentioned in many recipes today; most use a roast or brisket instead....

“Chinese Lantern” linen fabric from Lee Jofa and “Abigail” side chairs with draped backs from Hickory Chair establish the palette for the dinner’s design. Mercury glass hurricanes from The Mine and a formal arrangement of flowers in reds and pinks from Ariston Flowers march down the middle of the table. Alexa with designers, from left: Eddie Ross, Thom Filicia, Nick Olsen, Ashley Whittaker, and New York School of Interior Design President David Sprouls....

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....