November 1982

EDITOR at large

Nothing beats a sudden, scary stay in the hospital to sharpen your awareness of all the things you should give thanks for. My personal store of blessings is so abundant this year that the turkey will be cold before I'm halfway through the list.

Gifts for the Home

Chances are the best seat in the house will be the one under your tree if you gift your home with one of these attractive and comfortable chairs.

The Discipline Problem In Our Schools: What's Happening?

In poll after poll, parents have consistently ranked discipline as their number one education concern. Yet many observers say the "discipline problem" is grossly exaggerated. To find out what's really happening, we contacted school officials throughout the U.S. The consensus: While classrooms may have been in chaos a decade ago, there's a new no-nonsense mood today. School officials, determined to stay on the right track, are following through with some effective new discipline programs. Here's a report.

CHRISTMAS MAKE-AHEADS

Exclusively Designed Stitch-and-Stuff Dolls, Stockings, and Ornaments

Solar Greenhouses GROW YOUR OWN FOOD PRODUCE YOUR OWN HEAT

Which monthly bills take the biggest bite out of your paycheck? Think a minute-- and chances are your answer will be: the mortgage payment, the utility bill, and the cash register tab at the grocery store. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do about your mortgage payment, but you can find ways to cope with rising energy and food costs. The three families whose houses are shown here have come up with one of the most practical solutions: a greenhouse addition that uses free energy from the sun to produce both food and heat.

Gardener's log

"Eden is that old-fashioned House We dwell in every day, Without suspecting our abode Until we drive away."

SIZING UP New-Car Features

Every new car has a lot of features and characteristics you probably overlook when you're taking the cursory test drive. But the cream of these little comfort and convenience features could be key to your choosing a particular model. And, certain bad features could steer you away from other models.

UNCONVENTIONAL HEATER

SAUCE MAKER

WALLPAPERING MACHINE

FOOLPROOF REFRIGERATOR

SOLAR WALL HEATER

Tips On Using Salt Substitutes

What can you do if you like the flavor of salt in your favorite foods, but you need to reduce the salt in your diet? One answer is to use a salt substitute. It can add zest to meats, vegetables, eggs, and other foods while reducing the amount of sodium.

KEROSENE HEATERS BOON OR BANE?

The concept of zone-heating a house-- using small heaters to supplement the central system-- has gained a foothold in this country in recent years. But it's not a new idea. The Japanese, who pay premium prices for heating, have used zone heating for many years.

Tips, Tools, and TECHNIQUES

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 on page 95 for submission details.

Museum Reproductions TO DRESS UP YOUR TABLE

You don't have to collect expensive antique tableware to enjoy designs from America's past. For a fraction of the cost, you can grace your table with these museum reproductions and adaptations that are new copies from museum favorites.

ENERGY SAVER'S DECORATING

Can eye appeal and energy efficiency go hand in hand? You bet! And we've compiled a potpourri of attractive, energy-saving settings to prove our point. On these six pages, you'll find a variety of adaptable, energy-wise decorating ideas. Whether you live in a home that takes advantage of the sun or in something more conventional, these window, wall, and floor treatments will help you warm up your home-- beautifully!

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A PINT-SIZE KITCHEN

Remember when the most popular houses were the ones with the biggest kitchens? That was just a few years ago when building costs and utility bills were at least tolerable. But for today's kitchens, the challenge that confronts us is to do more with less. On the following pages, you'll see how two gifted designers met the best by creating a pair of tiny but wonderfully workable kitchens.

A CENTURY-OLD HOUSE MADE NEW AGAIN

Housing bargains still abound in older neighborhoods where dedicated homeowners are blending today's comforts with yesterday's charms.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT IRA PLAN

You still have time to take your 1982 deduction on the big tax shelter bonanza that everyone who works for a living is entitled to: the Individual Retirement Account (IRA), which allows a married couple to save up to $4,000 annually without paying tax on the amount (see "IRA Basics" on this page).

Antiques & COLLECTIBLES

Although most of the earliest examples of American pine furniture now are housed in museums or large private collections, many latter-day pine pieces are still available to the average collector. The simple lines and sparse decoration of these rustic furnishings attest to their original owners' down-to-earth way of life.

Family Skiing Vacation Guide

There's no healthier, more inspiring family winter sport than skiing-- cross-country or downhill. That's because skiing allows you to experience the natural splendors of winter while enjoying exhilarating exercise.

How to Order Material From the Magazine

HOLIDAY FUN Delightful Ornaments, Dolls and Stockings you can sew, stuff and decorate as you wish. Kits include preprinted muslin fabric and complete instructions for decorating and finishing your twelve 3"-5" Ornaments, two 14"-long Stockings or two 14"-tall Dolls.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR PET A BETTER WATCHDOG

The family dog often is charged with supplying a certain amount of protection along with companionship. Practically any pooch can provide some security if given simple training and encouragement. ...

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping 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

My friend at the office says November used to be one of his favorite months-- until he looked at the calendar and noticed that this year November has five Mondays.