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Sure, there are a few rules. Some precious objects are off-limits, and there’s no kicking balls inside the house. (“There’s a big backyard for that.”) Occasionally things get broken. (“They’re only things.”) But Vern and his husband, Craig Koch, prove that a kid- and pet-friendly house doesn’t have to mean barren tabletops and upholstery that can be hosed down. The home they’ve created is filled with fine art, antiques, and artifacts collected from around the world....

With its rich wood tones, including the kitchen’s butcher-block countertops, and a generous front porch, a 1,600-square-foot home near Hickory, North Carolina, provided the perfect canvas for Jessica’s DIY upgrades. To strip away some of the ’80s aesthetic, she removed wallpaper, refaced the dark wood cabinetry, covered dated flooring with luxury vinyl tile, and sprayed a rock wall white. Shiplap, open shelves, architectural salvage, and white furnishings contribute cozy texture and a bright feel to her home, which she’s lived in for three years....

For over three decades, Doug oversaw the production of garden and outdoor living content for Better Homes and Gardens, Special Interest Publications, BHG.com, and Books. At one point, his group was producing 25 gardening publications per year in addition to the monthly magazine and books.Doug has won a wide range of horticultural awards including the B.Y. Morrison Communication award from the American Horticultural Society.E-commerce websites were in their infancy when Doug helped launch Garden....

3 tablespoon ground annatto 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano or oregano, crushed 1 teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground cumin ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground allspice Chiltomate Sauce 1 14.5 ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained 1 tablespoon cider vinegar ½ teaspoon bottled habanero chili sauce ¼ teaspoon salt Cebollas Encurtidas 1 red onion, cut into 1/2-inch slices ¼ cup grapefruit juice 2 tablespoon orange juice 2 tablespoon lime juice 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt 1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano, crushed 1 clove garlic, minced ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper...

2 15 ounce jars salsa verde ¾ cup loosely packed cilantro leaves 2 cloves garlic, peeled and halved 4 green onions, cut up ½ teaspoon ground cumin

2 tablespoon red wine vinegar 4 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon snipped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano, crushed ½ teaspoon Dijon-style mustard ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper ⅛ teaspoon salt

2 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon salt ⅔ cup shortening 8 tablespoon cold water

3 tablespoon ground cinnamon 6 star anise or 2 teaspoons anise seeds 1 ½ teaspoon fennel seeds 1 ½ teaspoon whole Szechwan pepper or whole black pepper ¾ teaspoon ground cloves

⅓ cup butter 3 cup powdered sugar 2 tablespoon milk 1 teaspoon vanilla Milk (optional) Yellow food coloring (optional)

Create a lovely aroma in your garden with these fragrant plants! Gardenia Care Must-Knows One of the most common reasons gardenias fail in a garden is because they need acidic soil. When grown as a potted plant, you will need to use acidic-based fertilizers and also keep in mind that water affects the soil’s acidity. Gardenias prefer well-drained, organically rich soil. Be sure to give your gardenia plants plenty of water; they may require up to 1 inch per week....