Buy It: OXO Handheld Mandoline ($18, Target)

Test Kitchen Tip: For sheen, brush the loaves with an egg wash before baking. Buy It: 6 Cup Popover Pan ($15, Bed Bath and Beyond) Test Kitchen Tip: Use a mandoline slicer ($50, Williams Sonoma) to make even slices of potato.

Artichokes Low in calories and sodium, artichokes are packed with vitamin C, folate, and fiber. For beginners, artichokes from the jar or can (that we use in artichoke dip!) are available for convenience. If you’re up for a little adventure, try cooking the fresh variety of this antioxidant-rich food, which takes a little practice to snip and trim. A recent study found artichoke extract had a very high ability (79.7%!) to scavenge free radicals....

For shoppers who enjoy sweet scents, try this sugar cookie candle or this gingerbread one that starts at only $5. Or if you’re looking for gifts, this votive candle will fit nicely into a stocking. You’ll also find ones that smell like a Christmas tree, which is especially useful if you have a fake tree but still want your home to have that fresh pine scent. Whether you prefer the scent of pine and balsam or you’re more of a cinnamon person, you can shop all kinds of holiday smells below....

Buy It: Tamicon Tamarind Concentrate Paste ($7, Walmart) Buy It: Kagoshima Ceremonial Grade Organic Matcha ($19, Walmart)

Chili or mac and cheese? We say, why choose one when you can enjoy two meals in one marvelous mash-up with this set-and-forget pantry recipe? A full 8 ounces of cheddar (conveniently, the amount in one of those vacuum-packed bricks that’s all set for shredding) offers the luxurious texture you love in mac and cheese while chili powder, beans, beef, and canned tomatoes crank up the spice. Vegan-friendly, quick pantry dinners do exist … and can be something even meat-eaters will crave....

These laundry mudroom design ideas will help you make the most of this heavily used space. With ideas for decorating, hidden storage, and open shelving, you can create an organized combination laundry room, mudroom, or entryway, even if it’s the most bustling room in the house.

Test Kitchen Tip: If you don’t have the time or inclination to make your own pastry dough for these tiny quiches, substitute refrigerated piecrust dough.

Start with Shiplap It’s no secret shiplap has become a huge design trend over the past decade, making its way from home shows to Pinterest boards. With its clean lines and wide planks, shiplap makes the perfect backdrop in this modern farmhouse. A plaster fireplace soars to the vaulted ceiling and stands out among neutral furnishings. Modern Eclectic Sliding barn doors are a sure sign of farmhouse style. These salvaged beauties were refinished and stained caramel for a warm contrast to the stone and concrete elements in this modern farmhouse living room....

Test Kitchen Tip: Bake this pie the day before you plan to serve as it’s best once it has chilled overnight. Test Kitchen Tip: When making (or buying!) dried bread cubes for your stuffing, double up and make them for this recipe as well.

Test Garden Tip: Winecup develops a thick taproot so it can be hard to transplant. Plant it where you want it to remain. Light: Full sun Size: To 1 foot tall and 3 feet wide Zones: 4-8 Buy It: Winecup Flower Seeds (from $3, Etsy) Test Garden Tip: Space plants about 12 inches apart and, in a few years, you’ll have a thick, easy-care alternative to lawn grass. Light: Full sun Size: To 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide Zones: 3-9 Test Garden Tip: For best effect, plant ‘Angelina’ in large masses or drifts where its color will take center stage....

Buy It: OXO Potato Masher ($16 Target) Buy It: Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Paste ($37, Williams Sonoma) Buy It: Wilton Decorating Bags with Tips ($12, Walmart) Buy It: Beech Wood Rolling Pin ($9, Target) Buy It: Hamilton Beach Deep Fryer ($45, Walmart) Buy It: Wilton Mini Muffin Pan ($15, Bed Bath & Beyond)

Name: Aruncus dioicus Growing Conditions: Sun or shade and well-drained soil Size: To 5 feet tall Zones: 4-8 Name: Fragaria vesca Growing Conditions: Part-shade and moist, well-drained soil Size: To 6 inches tall Zones: 4-9 Name: Lupinus latifolius Growing Conditions: Full sun and well-drained soil Size: To 2 feet tall Zones: 6-10 Name: Camassia leichtlinii Growing Conditions: Full sun to part shade and moist soil Size: To 40 inches tall Zones: 5-9 Note: Blanket flowers are short-lived but reseed to continue for many years....

Recycle pillowcases into bright flags showing natural icons, such as a plant, bird, or butterfly, then get creative with freehand drawing and lettering. Slide a length of clothesline rope through the hem of each flag and display it on a fence or porch.

Test Kitchen Tip: Want to make this easy potato dish vegetarian? Simply substitute the pancetta for an equal amount of chopped artichoke hearts. Buy It: Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Cook and Carry Slow Cooker ($50, Target) Buy It: OXO Handheld Mandoline ($19, Target)

Editor’s Tip: If you don’t live near acorn-dropping oak trees, use unshelled mixed nuts to decorate the basket. Editor’s Tip: Insert flowers at the last minute since ripening fruit speeds flower maturity.