March 1981

EDITOR at large

That object in the picture is neither an igloo nor a moon base, although people who think it's funny-looking have described it in those terms. It's a house under construction just a few miles from our office in what otherwise is a typical middle-class suburban neighborhood.

Parenting Education: CAN IT TEACH YOU SOMETHING?

Many parenting education "graduates" answer that question with an emphatic "Yes!" Parenting courses come in such a wide range of formats and delve into such an amazing variety of subjects-- from diapering to drug abuse-- that you would be hard-pressed not to learn some new skills.

WIND ENERGY: Can It Cut Your Utility Bills?

If all the conditions were just right, a windmill in your backyard could be generating enough power to run every electrical appliance in your house, and perhaps heat and cool your home as well. You'd no longer worry about utility rate hikes-- in fact, you could become an energy seller yourself, feeding your excess electricity to the power company and receiving a credit.

THE NEWEST flower & vegetable varieties

Be adventuresome: Grow something you have never tried before. For ideas, check the various garden catalogs that feature many of the hybridizers' innovations. You'll find the range of choices is wider than ever. Here are some of the best ones we've tested in the last few years. We predict they'll be winners in your garden, too.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR BEDROOM LIVE BIGGER

Today, "bedroom" may be a misnomer because we expect a lot more from the room than sleeping space. In even the smallest bedroom, we want a spot for reading, hobbies, television, lounging, music, letter writing, or even enjoying a quiet meal for one or two.

Gardener's log

A robbery occurs on the average of every ten seconds in the United States. You may think you've taken adequate precautions by locking the front door before going out a side or rear entrance to work in the yard. But a daring thief can watch your movements and slip inside through the unlocked door when your back is turned.

On-the-wall table

Versatile work unit

House-buying handbook

Stylish organizer

TAXES: Could A Tax Pro Save You Money?

Will you do better itemizing or taking the standard deduction this year? Would income averaging help hold down your tax bill? How do you get credit for child care costs, energy improvements to your home, alimony payments, support of an aging parent?

Thrifty Fireplace Face-Lift

Cleanup helpers for car and bath

Neater, quieter spray painter

Air pump

Reroofing kit

Vacuum tool

Repair and marking tubing

TIPS TOOLS & TECHNIQUE

This feature is written by you. It's a wide-ranging collection of shop hints, installation tips, and repair shortcuts that you-- along with millions like you-- have picked up from your experience as a do-it-yourselfer. We pay $25 for each problem solver we publish. See the box below for submission details.

A SUBURBAN EARTH-SHELTERED HOUSE AT A SENSIBLE PRICE

A neighborhood tract development is probably the last place you'd have expected an earth-sheltered home to put down roots. But the fact is, earth-integrated homes are just as practical for city dwellers as they are for country folk. This jewel of a home in a Salina, Kansas, subdivision makes the point beautifully. There it sits on a corner lot, nestled among the split-levels, the ranches, and the story-and-a-halfs, looking as if it were destined to be there.

Raised-Bed Gardening FOR BIGGER YIELDS IN LESS SPACE

For centuries Asian and European gardeners have been producing vegetables in raised beds. Now, this system of growing vegetables intensively in raised beds or mounds is beginning to catch on with American gardeners. One of the advantages of the raised-bed system is that it allows you to grow more and better vegetables in less space.

HOW TO UNSCRAMBLE A PROBLEM KITCHEN

In an ideal world, each kitchen would be individually tailored to the family that uses it. But in the real world, many of us either inherit an inadequate kitchen when we buy a new house or outgrow the kitchen we designed many years ago. For whatever reason, if your present kitchen poses problems, it may be time for a remodeling.

CANADA'S BEST VACATION RESORTS

Last summer, we traveled throughout Canada in search of the best vacation resorts. Our weeks of leg-work paid off! We discovered outstanding resorts from the picturesque maritime provinces on the Atlantic to the incomparable Canadian Rockies and the Pacific Coast.

A Great Garage Conversion

Could you use more privacy and a larger master bedroom at your house? Maybe you can get them without adding on. This couple found all the extra space they needed in their garage. Here's how they turned it into the master bedroom they had always wanted, complete with an energy-saving solarium, a sunken sitting area, and a private bath.

Pet Care How-To

Grooming your pet doesn't have to be a chore. There are all sorts of tricks to make the job easier. Here are a few that can simplify your next pet-grooming session.

A Hardworking Headboard

Ever wish you had another closet in your bedroom? Here's how you can gain two closets and a handsome headboard to boot. This easy-to-build headboard is flanked by a pair of blind-covered triangular closets that offer ample room for clothes, shoes, and extra bedding.

A Custom-Fit Deck

How to Take Care off a Wig

Considering the high price of a wig or hairpiece, you want the one you buy to look good and last. Here are some maintenance techniques to use from the beginning:

How To Prepare Wool For Spinning

Want to rediscover the age-old art of preparing fine wool by hand? It's the first step in producing high-quality yarn for spinning. And preparing your wool is easy; just follow these five steps.

Rolling Window Screens

A Place for Everything

Building a new kitchen or remodeling an old one calls for detailed planning-- especially when it comes to storage. These homeowners ordered their storage units with considerable care, designating a specific spot for everything down to the last spice bottle.

How Traffic Laws Can Differ

Driving in a different state can be tricky because traffic laws aren't uniform across the country. Sometimes the variations are inconsequential, such as when to turn on headlights. But, some involve such vital issues as right-of-way. Below are some of the differences you should be alert to.

Best-Dressed Baths

Better Homes Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of stopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence. If not delighted, each company will happily refund your money.

The Man Next Door

One of those sudden March ice storms gave our local TV weatherman an excuse to unleash this traffic warning to drivers: "Beware the slides of March!"