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“Our porch and many other porches around town were seeing this sort of influx of generosity. After our miscarriage, our porch was overflowing,” she said. “You could look at our porch every day and see what was going on.” Lichtman’s experience is a key example of how the queer community operates. We take care of each other. We use food as a tangible way to show our care. Alley Frey, a friend of Lichtman’s in Portland, and their partner, Jodie Cavalier, were some of the muscle behind porch gifts all over the city at the beginning of the pandemic....

SUNNY&TED, named after Williams’s children, went to market with the mugs she created two years later in November 2020. Since then, the online shop has grown to include products like ornaments, plates, partyware, pillows, and more. “The inspiration just came from wanting something whimsical and beautiful and classic that represents the Black community,” Williams says. “So our mug has curly hair, eyelashes, and I went through Pantone colors to pick the three shades of brown....

It’s important that use the building paper that is recommended for your area. Many builders use standard 15-pound roofing felt. Felt labeled “ASTM 15” meets specific standards and is the norm in many areas. Felt or building paper must be applied to walls properly to be effective. Install pieces in the correct order and make cuts carefully, so any moisture can travel downward at all points without slipping under the wrap....

I’m not a professional florist, so I asked Buettner and Debra Prinzing, the producer behind Slow Flowers, an online directory of suppliers of local and domestic blooms, for help on how to create a beautiful arrangement. Because it’s Valentine’s Day, I’m featuring roses in my arrangement; they come in my favorite color (pink) and symbolize love, so they’re perfect for the holiday. But, be aware that not all roses are the same....

Best Foods for Broiling If you haven’t yet tried many broiling recipes, here are some examples to spark your imagination. Meats: Generally, meats less than 1½ inches thick, such as steaks and pork chops, are good candidates for broiling. Also, because broiling is a dry-heat method of cooking, you’ll want to use tender beef cuts or steaks, including ribeye, tenderloin, top loin, top sirloin, tri-tip (bottom sirloin), flank, porterhouse, rib, and T-bone....

Editor’s Tip: For a more refined look, or to add color, fill the gabion with stainless steel garden globes instead of rocks. You can find globe sets with various sphere sizes online or at nurseries. The globes last for years and can be used for future projects.

Next, attach the stretcher to the large side panels. Place the stretcher between the panels and align the top of the stretcher rails with the top of the side panels. Make sure the hardware you installed earlier is facing inward. Once aligned, screw from the outside of the side panels into the top stretcher board. Be sure to drill into the stretcher board itself, not just the rails. Lift the entire unit up to the wall....

Starting Herb Seeds Indoors Some herbs, such as basil, chives, parsley, and dill, grow easily from seed. Other varieties that are easy to start include angelica, borage, chamomile, chervil, cilantro, coriander, fennel, lemon balm, marjoram, sage, stevia, thyme, and winter savory. If you start your herbs from seeds, follow the planting instructions on the packet. The basics are the same, whether you start the seeds indoors to get a jump on the growing season, or plant them directly in the ground....

5 No-Fail Tips for Choosing Front Door Colors for Brick Houses With so many colors to choose from, deciding on a single shade for your front door can be intimidating. Follow these simple steps for choosing the perfect color. 1. Stick to Livable Neutrals While paint color selection is always an opportunity for creative expression, it’s often best to stick to a livable neutral palette that will stand the test of time....

The Best Hydrangeas for Full Sun While several species of hydrangeas thrive in shade, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are the best for growing in full sun. These summer-blooming shrubs produce large clusters of white flowers for several weeks. The showy blooms fade to shades of pink or red before drying to beige. In many areas, the blooms dry on the plant in the fall and continue looking good through most of the winter....

How to Remove Stains from Granite: Make a paste of baking soda and water. Gently scrub the spot with the paste and a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly. Several applications might be necessary to remove stains from granite countertops. How to Seal Granite: Seal granite countertops with an appropriate sealer formulated for stone. This will help prevent stains and make it easier to keep clean. How to Remove Stains from Laminate Countertops: For greasy buildup, try cleaning kitchen countertops with natural cleaning ingredients such as vinegar and water....

Plan to wash your patio furniture and cushions before storing them away for the season, or more frequently as stains happen. Depending on where they’re stored, you might also want to clean outdoor cushions and pillows before using them for the first time each year. Follow the steps below for the best way to clean outdoor cushions, including how to remove common stains like mildew from outdoor fabrics. How to Clean Patio Cushions and Pillows Some patio cushions and outdoor pillows feature removable covers that you can simply toss in the washing machine....

How to Sauté or Pan-Fry Chicken Breast Learning how to cook chicken breast on the stove is as easy as two simple steps. In a large skillet heat olive oil and butter or margarine over medium heat. Add chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink, turning once. How to Boil Chicken Breast Place two whole chicken breasts in a large skillet and add enough water to cover....

How to Know When It’s Time to Cut Down a Tree A dead or dying tree is most easy to spot during a time of year when it normally would have leaves on it. A lot of leafless limbs in summer is an obvious sign your tree is unhealthy to the point where it can’t be saved; dead trees will have no leaves at all. If it’s winter, you can lightly scratch a branch or snap a twig off to see if there’s any green tissue....

Choose a piece of solid wood furniture that’s the right size and style for your room. Then select two colors of latex paint: one for the top coat and another for the base, which will peek through from underneath. Once the paint is dry, you’ll use sandpaper to distress the surface to your liking. Follow the steps below to learn how to paint wood furniture with a gorgeous distressed finish....

Luckily, there are a few simple methods for locating wall studs without a stud finder. These practical tips and tricks require minimal tools, can be accomplished by any level of DIYer, and are sure to get your home projects back on track. What Is a Wall Stud? Wall studs are the vertical frame members that stretch between the floor and ceiling to make up the internal structure of a wall....

How to Freeze Apples As with all fresh produce, thoroughly wash apples in cool tap water to rid them of any pesticides or bacteria. From there, follow these simple steps for freezing apple slices. Step 1: Peel Apples To peel, use a vegetable peeler ($11, Target) or paring knife; start at the stem end and circle around to the blossom end. Step 2: Quarter Apples Cut the apple into four pieces through the stem and blossom ends....

A well-designed basement bar provides plenty of storage and a functional prep surface to mix drinks. But it’s also an opportunity to make a style statement, have fun with color, and display unique glassware and decorative items you’ve collected over the years. Our collection of basement bar ideas is filled with unique designs, smart storage solutions, and bold color choices to take happy hour up a notch. 1. Double Up on Storage If you’re working with a small space, get creative with vertical storage....

Buy It: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 ($129, Target) Buy It: Farberware Digital Pressure Cooker ($53, Walmart) Buy It: Instant Pot Steamer Basket ($25, Bed Bath & Beyond) Buy It: Ball Mason Jars ($12, Walmart)

Buy It: Emile Henry Modern Classics 9x13 Baking Dish ($90, Crate & Barrel) Buy It: Mike’s Hot Honey ($9, Target) Buy It: Lodge 12-inch Cast Iron Skillet ($40, Crate & Barrel) Test Kitchen Tip: Select peaches that have healthy golden-yellow skin without tinges of green. The ripe fruit should yield slightly to gentle pressure.