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While today we associate Independence Day with patriotic picnics, sparklers, and a spectacular fireworks show, it hasn’t always been celebrated with sparklers and fireworks. In the early years of Better Homes & Gardens, we focused on the patriotism of gardening and reassured our readers during the food shortage that resulted from World War II. In later decades, we switched focus to the more celebratory aspects of the holiday: The 1950s and 1970s were all about entertaining a crowd, and in 1990 we debuted our American flag-theme red, white, and blue dessert inspirations....

Chardonnay Creamsicle PItcher Cocktail Making this recipe as a pitcher cocktail? Batch all ingredients together, except for the seltzer, and chill down in the fridge up to a day in advance. When you’re ready to serve, pour the mixture over ice in a punch bowl or pitcher and add the seltzer and garnishes. Prepare Vanilla-Thyme Syrup. In a pitcher or punch bowl, combine one 750-ml bottle Chardonnay, 1 3/4 cups vodka or citrus vodka, 3 1/2 cups freshly squeezed orange or clementine juice, 3/4 cup Vanilla-Thyme Syrup, and 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice....

Before-and-After Farmhouse Kitchen Makeover Get more details on this project!

4 egg whites 2 tablespoon sugar 1 teaspoon water ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 ½ cup granulated sugar ½ cup warm water (105ºF) ½ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon vanilla Double-Boiler Marshmallow Frosting 1 ½ cup sugar ⅓ cup cold water 2 egg whites ¼ teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon vanilla *Tip: Instant-read thermometers have a small indentation on one side of the metal probe. This indentation must be submerged in the egg white mixture when checking the temperature....

2 egg whites ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar ½ cup sugar Prepare the Meringue Pie Shell up to 1 month ahead; store meringue in a covered container in the freezer. To serve, add the filling and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

¼ teaspoon finely shredded orange peel ¼ cup diced orange sections ½ of a fresh medium jalapeño chile pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion ½ cup fresh raspberries Tip: For easy cleanup, line your slow cooker with a disposable slow cooker liner. Add ingredients as directed in recipe. Once your dish is finished cooking, spoon the food out of your slow cooker and simply dispose of the liner....

2 medium-size sweet potatoes ¼ cup dried figs, packed 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 1 ½ teaspoon packed brown sugar ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

The starting point was simple: lightening walls and most of the trim with Benjamin Moore’s White Dove paint and contrasting it with high-gloss black. The treatment provided a crisp, blank slate and accentuated the woodwork. In the entry, for example, glossy black brought a mahogany banister back to life. “It disappeared before,” she says. The subdued color and grass-cloth finish of the console mellow the high-contrast entry, which also gets touches of whimsy from claw-foot stools and a peacock print....

While this popular option is sure to transform the look of any kitchen, it’s important to consider both its benefits and its drawbacks before your spend big dollars on boxes of tile. Glass-Tile Pros • Offers a custom look Available in an endless array of attention-grabbing colors and transparencies, glass tiles are a perfect option for making a bold design statement in an otherwise utilitarian space. The look is truly customizable: You can choose the size and color of the tile, and you can pick a pattern used for installation....