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One often overlooked trick I’ve developed is to create an apartment move-in checklist, even if your new place isn’t your first apartment. The last thing you want after an exhausting move is to realize that you forgot to buy something essential. This happened to me many times; I once went to take a shower only to realize I forgot to buy a shower curtain. Another time, I lived in the dark for one too many evenings because I forgot to buy a lamp to compensate for a lack of overhead lighting....

Spiced Applesauce Prepare as directed, except add 5 inches stick cinnamon and 3/4 tsp. apple pie spice in Step 1. Simmer as directed. Discard stick cinnamon. Substitute 1/3 cup packed brown sugar for the granulated sugar. Stir in enough additional brown sugar to taste (2 to 3 tbsp). Freeze or can as directed. Very Berry Applesauce Prepare as directed, except replace 1/2 lb. (2 cups) of the apples with 1/2 lb....

Spice it up: Replace the salt and onion powder with 1 to 2 tablespoons of Taco Seasoning, Prairie Seasoning, Pacific Seasoning, Everyday Seasoning, Citrus Seasoning, or Fajita Seasoning. If using Italian or Greek Seasoning, add 1 teaspoon kosher salt. (Seasoning recipes listed on page XX). Rosemary-Smoked Black Pepper Omit onion powder. Add 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary and 1/2 teaspoon smoked black pepper.

Hot Peppers Care Must-Knows Hot peppers grow best in summer heat. Although these plants are perennial in Mexico and parts of South and Central America where they originate, hot peppers are usually grown as summer annuals in the United States. They are sensitive to low temperatures, so if you live in an area with cold spring weather, start hot pepper seeds indoors about eight weeks before the last expected frost in your area and transfer outdoors when soil temperatures reach 65 degrees F....

How to Combine the Wet Mixture and Dry Ingredients Once you’ve got the baking recipe and ingredients gathered, measure the dry ingredients and wet ingredients into separate mixing bowls ($24, Bed Bath & Beyond). From there, follow these steps for mixing wet and dry ingredients: Step 1: Stir Together Dry Ingredients Stir the dry ingredients (flour, leavening, salt, spices) together. Then use a spatula or wooden spoon ($3, Target) to gently push the dry ingredients against the sides of the bowl to make a well (pictured above)....

There are several ways to aerate your lawn with a variety of soil aeration tools such as aerator shoes and gas-powered machines, but with whichever method you choose, your soil will be perforated with small holes to penetrate the roots. Why Aerate Your Lawn? Over time, soil tends to compact and become hard due to foot traffic, mowing, clay soil, or poor drainage. This prevents water, oxygen, and nutrients from reaching the hungry roots....

You will also find a variety of colors, as well as tumbled and beveled bricks, that offer different styles. Concrete pavers, though not the same thing as brick, come in similar shapes and sizes and are installed in much the same way, so you may wish to consider them. Tips for Planning a Brick Path or Patio Many people make brick patios too small because they underestimate how much space they’ll need for furniture....

Terra-cotta strawberry planters are good for more than just planting pockets of herbs. Create a rustic garden fountain with just a few plumbing parts, a pump, and some terra-cotta. Because strawberry jars are handmade and somewhat unique, buy the strawberry jar first, then fit the other terra-cotta elements to it. Supplies Required Step-by-Step Instructions Once you have all the necessary parts, you’ll just need to drill a few holes and glue the pieces together....

There are many parts to care for in robot vacuums. Luckily, maintenance is easy and all you really need is a good routine to stay on top of it. Most robot vacuums come with a handy cleaning tool that is part blade, part comb, and part brush. Pair that with a microfiber cloth and you’re ready to work. Read on for how to clean a robot vacuum and all its various parts, how often, and which items might need replacing....

The good news is that there are a number of methods for cleaning the messes left behind from Yuletide greenery. But there also are some common pitfalls to avoid, as well as oddball tricks that can help take the frustration out of this seasonal chore. Ahead, we’ve rounded up 12 tips that make cleaning sap and needles a cinch. How to Remove Sap 1. Use Oils to Remove Sap from Skin There are many ways to remove sap from just about any surface it gets on, but the critical thing to consider is what will be safe for the item in question....

With the right tools and techniques, however, learning how to clean suede shoes isn’t difficult. You can find a variety of suede cleaning products at footwear stores and major retailers, but simple household items often provide the best way to clean suede shoes. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process below, as well as offer tips for removing common stains on suede footwear. These cleaning strategies make it easy to restore the soft, spotless appearance of your suede shoes and boots....

Before you can begin building a paver patio set in sand, be sure to take your site measurements with you when you’re ready to order the paving. Your dealer will help you convert those measurements to gravel, sand, and paving quantities. Remember to buy extra pavers to cover breakage and mistakes, and to store in case a paver or two needs replacing in the future. Take your site measurements when you’re ready to order the paving....

So what is flash freezing? In the food industry—or on fast-paced cooking TV shows—this term means freezing foods at extremely low temperatures with circulating air. (It’s also sometimes called “blast freezing.”) This quick-chill method keeps ice crystals small, which prevents moisture loss in the food when it thaws. For the home cook, however, the definition is different: Flash freezing refers to the practice of freezing individual pieces of food, usually spread out on a baking sheet to keep them from fusing together, then packing them in airtight containers for longer storage....

Walls framed with steel are built in place, one piece at a time. The primary fastener is a sheet metal screw; the primary tools are a drill/driver and metal snips. To frame a wall with metal studs, expect to spend about 2 to 3 hours for a 12-foot wall. You’ll need to plan the wall location and measure the height of the wall in several spots before you begin. Fastening Metal Framing Metal framing requires a variety of specific screws....

We did our research and found the absolute best roach killers available to buy to keep your home free from these nasty creepy-crawlies. We also spoke to Judy Black, VP of Quality Assurance and Technical Services at top pest control services company, Orkin, LLC, about what factors to consider when looking for the best roach killer. “The best strategy for the control of household cockroaches is to use baits,” Black tells BHG....

1. Keep your disposal smelling fresh Few things are quite as offputting as a smelly garbage disposal. To remedy that, use one of our favorite kitchen sink cleaning hacks: lemon ice cubes. To make them, simply fill an ice cube tray with lemon wedges, rock salt, and water. Once frozen, pop the cubes down the drain and run your garbage disposal until the ice is gone. Rock salt scrubs the blades while ice helps knock off any gunk and grime....