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pulled chicken bbq sandwich pulled chicken bbq sandwich pulled chicken bbq sandwich pulled chicken bbq sandwich The height of summer normally means neighborhood block parties, Fourth of July picnics, and potlucks galore, but with social distancing guidelines still in place in many states, gathering with family and friends will likely look a little different this year. Experts advise that parties should be held outside and guests who are not in each other’s “bubbles”—meaning immediate family members or those you live with—should stay six feet apart....

three different types of breakfast bowls on pale blue linen tablecloth Credit: Chris Simpson three different types of breakfast bowls on pale blue linen tablecloth Credit: Chris Simpson three different types of breakfast bowls on pale blue linen tablecloth Credit: Chris Simpson three different types of breakfast bowls on pale blue linen tablecloth Credit: Chris Simpson Here’s a quick and easy way to warm up in the morning: Use leftover cooked grains like brown rice, quinoa, and bulgur wheat (or cook a big batch on the weekend) as the base for a delicious breakfast....

` Net Worth Logo View Series Five Steps to Take Now to Catch Up on Retirement Savings How to Start a Retirement Fund at Any Life Stage How to Maximize Your Retirement Accounts Three Things You Need to Know If You’re Considering Early Retirement For as important as certain home improvement projects may be, figuring out how to finance them isn’t always easy. “There can be more expenses in a home renovation than the materials needed to complete your project,” says Sharon Fletcher, a financial advisor at Northwestern Mutual....

wrapped gift with blue bow Credit: David Chow wrapped gift with blue bow Credit: David Chow wrapped gift with blue bow Credit: David Chow wrapped gift with blue bow Credit: David Chow The most wonderful time of the year can also be the most frazzling—even in non-pandemic times. To help you enjoy this month to the fullest, we asked experts for scientifically proven ways to stay healthy (eat your prebiotics) and happy (let go of perfection!...

wasp types with names Credit: Corinne Mucha wasp types with names Credit: Corinne Mucha wasp types with names Credit: Corinne Mucha wasp types with names Credit: Corinne Mucha On This Page Types of Wasps Home Prevention Garden Prevention Removal While warm weather opens up a variety of exciting opportunities—beach days, outdoor gardening, and barbecues—it also brings one unwanted thing with it: wasps. “Summer is peak activity time for stinging insects and as families head outdoors in droves to enjoy the warm weather, they should also be aware and on guard to protect against encounters with hornets, wasps and other summer stingers,” says Jim Fredericks, Ph....

Silicone bakeware is a powerhouse tool when it comes to making cookies, brownies, muffins, and even small loaves of quick breads. From a basic silicone baking mat to more detailed silicone bakeware molds, these nonstick items certainly come in handy. After all, there’s nothing worse than when cookies or cakes stick to the pan, leaving you with a crumbly mess. However, they do need to be cleaned and cared for properly in order to offer you years of service....

makeup lips beauty Credit: gilaxia/Getty makeup lips beauty Credit: gilaxia/Getty makeup lips beauty Credit: gilaxia/Getty makeup lips beauty Credit: gilaxia/Getty Painting on a rich colored lipstick is an ingenuous way to round-out any look. While putting on a tinted pout is almost always a good idea, be sure to remember the golden rule of getting ready: clothes first, then lipstick. But if your favorite lip-smacking hue ends up on your collar, not to worry—you can easily remove the stain with this method from Martha Stewart’s Homekeeping Handbook....

woman cutting turkey on christmas Credit: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt woman cutting turkey on christmas Credit: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt woman cutting turkey on christmas Credit: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt woman cutting turkey on christmas Credit: Getty / Klaus Vedfelt Though it’s difficult to predict the exact social distancing guidelines different states will have in place at the end of the year, most of the country can expect a holiday season that feels very different from those past....

upcycle-fabric-scraps-0522 Credit: oxygen / Getty Images upcycle-fabric-scraps-0522 Credit: oxygen / Getty Images upcycle-fabric-scraps-0522 Credit: oxygen / Getty Images upcycle-fabric-scraps-0522 Credit: oxygen / Getty Images Cleaning out your overflowing scrap pile of small leftovers from sewing projects, ripped denim, and stained T-shirts doesn’t have to mean filling a trash bag: Even delicate fabrics, awkwardly-shaped pieces, and your former favorite jeans can serve as a base for something new. Upcycling your scraps keeps them out of the waste stream—the EPA reported that in 2018, 11....

Baking powder is on the short list of essential kitchen pantry ingredients, especially for avid home bakers. If that description fits you and your culinary habits, chances are you use baking powder so frequently that you have to replace it long before the expiration date on the package matches the date on your calendar. If you only bake occasionally, you may be discouraged when your cake falls flat. You might even blame your lack of skills for the failure to rise, rather than a fairly common kitchen mishap....

Martha making dog food homemade next to her chow chow dog Credit: Courtesy of the Martha Blog Martha making dog food homemade next to her chow chow dog Credit: Courtesy of the Martha Blog Martha making dog food homemade next to her chow chow dog Credit: Courtesy of the Martha Blog Martha making dog food homemade next to her chow chow dog Credit: Courtesy of the Martha Blog Although Martha leads a busier than average life, she always makes time for her many pets....

meal prep containers Credit: Courtesy of Macy's meal prep containers Credit: Courtesy of Macy's meal prep containers Credit: Courtesy of Macy’s meal prep containers Credit: Courtesy of Macy’s Meal prepping is a smart strategy for busy home cooks and it’s more popular than ever. The idea is to prep ahead, to make big batches of proteins, grains, and vegetables when you have time, most often at the weekend, then use them in different meals throughout the week....

0406_msl_redwine_l.jpg Red wine has a way of winding up in the wrong place. Here are some ways to ensure that it doesn’t stay there for long. On delicate fabrics: Soak the spot with denatured alcohol. Flush with white vinegar to remove residual stain. On sturdy fabrics: Coat stain with salt; let stand for five minutes. Stretch stained area over a bowl; secure with a rubber band. Place in sink; carefully pour boiling water over stain from a height of at least a foot....

beach wedding invitations wooden accents Credit: Amanda Wei Photo Wouldn’t it be great if wedding planning were an exact science? When it comes to predicting how many guests will attend a wedding, it’s nearly impossible to accurately estimate what percentage of the overall guest list will affirmatively respond to your invite. Although many wedding planners will quote somewhere in the range of 60-75 percent attendance, there are many factors at play that can easily influence that range....

The jewel-like fresh berries that ripen on shrubs in midsummer and arrive in glistening waves of red, white, and black (if you are lucky) at farmers’ markets for a few giddy weeks are currants. Despite their juicy allure and mouthwatering colors, currants are not sweet. Instead, they are tart, making them ideal for jams and jellies, sauces, syrups, and sodas. Here, learn the differences between different types of currants and how to use them in the kitchen....

welcome basket Credit: KT Merry Welcome bags are one of the most thoughtful ways to thank your wedding guests for joining you on your special day, but they can also eat up a big chunk of your big-day budget. Is it possible to surprise guests with an in-room treat without breaking the bank? According to our expert wedding planner Shannon Leahy, the answer is yes. Here, she provides her best tips for creating the most beautiful, useful wedding bags on a budget....

aerielle dyan wedding kiss Credit: Katie Mick Photography While the history of different wedding traditions range from the obscure (who decided the couple should save the top tier of their cake?) to the downright creepy (was the best man really responsible for kidnapping the bride?), the end-of-ceremony kiss is one that’s managed to retain its importance for generations. But the origins of the practice may not be entirely romantic; kissing has an historical element based in ancient Rome that’s more transactional....

A Mother Helping Her Daughter with Her Wedding Jewelry Credit: Rebecca Yale Photography After much deliberation, you finally picked a color for your bridesmaids’ dresses. You’re all excited about the fact that they’re going to wear something that’s beautiful and complements your wedding’s overall color palette. But right after you’ve finalized their attire, your mom or future mother-in-law calls to let you know that she found her dress, and it just so happens to be the exact shade color as the one you chose for your ‘maids....

Handbags 1. Big Bag: J.Crew, All-day tote, Item F5237, $178, jcrew.com 2. Small Bag: GAP, Crossbody saddle bag, #520699, $39.95, gap.com | Credit: Lucy Schaeffer Few things sting more than splurging on a designer handbag only to scratch it in its first wear out of the box. Don’t panic. We asked Chris Moore, owner of Artbag, one of the country’s top handbag repair shops, to tell us how to keep our investment pieces, and everyday satchels, totes, and crossbodies, looking good for years to come....

teeth-cleaning dog toys teeth-cleaning dog toys teeth-cleaning dog toys teeth-cleaning dog toys Whether you’re a dog or human, a visit to the dentist is never a fun time. Brushing your pup’s teeth as often as possible is essential to preventing dental disease, but toys can also do a lot to help. “Really, what is important is the physical removal of that soft plaque layer off the surface of the tooth before it hardens into calculus,” says Dr....