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I know many people who love organizing. (Hello to our home editor Amy Panos!) They almost fetishize the concept of tackling a junk drawer or positioning every item in a pantry to be available at a glance. I myself like things to be tidy but will never be the first one to jump on an organizing leader’s bandwagon. I could tell, however, something different was going on with Marie. That winter in an Instagram post that showed a shelf in my house filled with books, vases, and collectibles, I joked that I wouldn’t allow my knickknacks to be Kondo’d....

2 tablespoon bacon grease or olive oil 1 ½ cup yellow cornmeal ½ cup all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar 2 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 cup well-shaken buttermilk 2 large eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted The bread may be cubed and stored in an airtight container 1 day before assembling dressing. The Corn Bread recipe can be made ahead and frozen....

Baking sodaworks best on proteins, grease, and animal messes, and because it’s only slightly abrasive, it can scour surfaces without fear of scratching. It’s also a natural deodorizer and less expensive than commercial scrubbing powders. Distilled white vinegar works on alkaline substances by dissolving scale, inhibiting mold, and cutting soap scum. A mild acid, it’s terrific for removing stains from coffee, rust, and tea. It’s typically sold at a 5% concentration, but it’s more effective at higher concentrations, so pay attention to the fine print....

This plant grows best in full shade but will grow in full sun or part sun as long as the soil is consistently moist. Sandy or gravelly soil promotes rapid growth, so incorporate sand or gravel into a traditional potting mix to prepare the container. The more fertile and humus-rich the soil, the more slowly horsetail grows. Dive into water gardening! Controlling Horsetail Horsetail is one of the oldest plants on earth....

Bradford Pear Tree History and Issues Bradford pear was introduced in the mid-1960s and soon became the most popular cultivar of callery pear (Pyrus calleryana). In fact, it’s so popular that the two terms are pretty much used interchangeably by the public. It was a favorite of landscapers and municipal planners alike. The trees were covered in white flowers in spring and you could look forward to pretty fall foliage as well....

According to a recent survey by Mattress Advisor, the average person changes their sheets about every 24 days. But that’s not the best schedule for optimal hygiene and freshness. How often you should wash your sheets depends on a few factors, but some general rules work for most people. Read on to learn exactly how often to wash your sheets and how to preserve their freshness if you decide to bend the rules a bit....

With the release of the fourth season of their Netflix show, Dream Home Makeover, on December 9, Better Homes & Gardens caught up with Syd and Shea to discuss what they’re most excited for viewers to see in the new season, how they get that Studio McGee look, and more. Packing Drama (the Visual Kind) into Season Four of Dream Home Makeover “I think we have a really fun variety of projects that we’re showcasing this season, from one of our team members’ homes to an old pioneer home and even our Airstream,” Shea says....

What to Look For in the Best Cookie Sheets Are the cookie sheets in your cupboard up to par? (Hint: They should have these three key characteristics.) If not, it’s time to go shopping and ensure your new ones do. Stick with Light: Use cookie sheets that are a light to medium color. (Don’t go too dark—dark-color pans absorb more heat and can cause your cookies to overbake.) Don’t worry about shiny and nonstick surfaces; they won’t affect your results....

Depending on if you live in a rainy area or your porch lacks shade, you’ll need to choose between water-resistant and waterproof fabrics for your pillows and cushions. Knowing the different kinds of outdoor fabrics will help you to stay within your budget, and prevent your pillows from fading in the sunlight or being ruined by rain. This quick guide will help you choose the best outdoor fabrics for your porch or patio....

Types of Plant Grow Lights LED and fluorescent bulbs both produce full-spectrum light that plants need to grow. There are many plant light kits on the market that include LED or fluorescent bulbs, but an LED system ($46, The Home Depot) offers several advantages that make them the better choice. For starters, although LED bulbs cost more than fluorescents at purchase time, they use half the electricity fluorescents require and last five times longer than the average fluorescent bulb....

Copper sinks, because they are used so regularly, develop a patina quickly, but also very likely experience spotting and stripping of the patina. Neither of those changes to the color of the copper sink is cause for alarm; changes to the patina do not indicate that the sink is damaged. It’s simply the nature of copper. How Often to Clean a Copper Sink When it comes to the frequency with which to clean a copper sink, there is good news and bad news....

But because they are so ubiquitous, Apple Watches get worn constantly and the band gets dirty over time. Dust, sweat, lotion, food, and dirt can affect the way your watch band looks and dull or discolor the material. Regular cleaning at least once every two weeks will help maintain its fresh-out-of-the-box appearance. How to Clean an Apple Watch Band Apple Watch bands come in various materials, including leather, wood, silicone, and stainless steel....

How to Cook Fresh Spinach Before you start cooking spinach, you’ll want to work with about 1 pound of spinach at a time (it should equal about 12 cups torn). It may seem like a lot, but it cooks down to a much smaller volume. Thoroughly wash and drain spinach. Remove stems and tear leaves into pieces, as desired. If you’re using baby spinach, the stems generally do not need to be removed, as they’re more tender....

Black Peppercorns You’re likely familiar with this one. Black peppercorns start as green peppercorns before getting cooked and dried into the wrinkled little fruits you know. There are several varieties, but Tellicherry and Lampong are the most common. Kampot peppercorns ($12, The Spice House) from Cambodia are also an up-and-coming variety according to Alex Wilkens, operations manager at The Spice House. Use black peppercorn to season steaks, gravies, or to top any dish that could use a punch of spice....

The process begins mid to late summer as Gloria strolls through her garden in search of viable candidates. “You should cut the blooms as soon as they feel papery and less supple than they were earlier in the season,” she says. The papery stage typically occurs at least six weeks after the flowers open, although sunlight can hasten maturity. Follow along with Gloria’s process for a no-fail way to dry hydrangeas....

Note: If the wall must run parallel to the joists, see detailed instructions below. Lay the top plate on the floor next to the bottom plate. Mark identical spots on each board at 16-inch intervals. Hold the studs in place one at a time and nail them into place through the top plate. (If any of the studs are warped, turn them so that the imperfect end is at the bottom....

Ripe avocados are a nutritional powerhouse loaded with heart-healthy monosaturated fats and vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A, D, E, and magnesium. To reap the benefits avocados have to offer while at their peak ripeness, use these tips when freezing avocados. How to Freeze Avocados in Halves or Quarters Before you start, ensure you’re washing your hands for 20 seconds, as the USDA recommends. Editor’s tip: If you have a vacuum sealer ($60, Sur La Table), this would be a great way to seal those avocados before freezing....

Buy It: Crock-Pot Slow Cooker ($40, Target)