May 1986

EDITOR'S LETTER

Looking over this month's issue leads me to a rather embarrassing admission as the editor of Better Homes and Gardens: my wife and I have never built an addition to any of the houses we've owned. Sure, we've fixed up our houses, but only in the ways we could do ourselves, for relatively little money.

FAMILY NETWORK

Good ideas have a way of generating other good ideas and that's what's happened with Family Network-- our column for letters from readers contributing their solutions for home and family problems. Judging by the many letters we've received, the column is a good idea. And it has now generated another good idea.

HIGH-IMPACT TABLEWARE

What's Next? DINNER ON A STICK?

HOLLYWOOD ON TOUR

Instant Architecture

SECRETS OF A GARBAGE BIN

THE SHAPE OF CHAIRS TO COME

UPDATED DOORS FOR THE PATIO

Grow a River of Bloom

THE SCIENCE CRISIS IN OUR SCHOOLS

Children are born with a profound curiosity, and, if properly nurtured, it makes science studies easier and more enjoyable than almost any other subject.

QUICK STITCH

EMBROIDER A BASKET OF SPRING FLOWERS! EASY-TO-DO LONG-STITCH

TWO-PHASE REMODELING

Planning a major remodeling in two stages spreads the cost over time and reduces the disruption of day-to-day life.

TLC For Your VCR

Millions of people have bought new videocassette recorders in the past year. If you were one, take note: Without regular care, your VCR could wind up as a repair statistic.

1986 HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTEST

Accept the challenge! We're searching for outstanding examples of improvements-- remodeling, renovating, and small projects-- that make a home look and live better.

POWER TOOLS GO CORDLESS

Anyone who's ever tried to untangle a 50-foot extension cord, looked high and low for a three-prong plug adapter, or come up a foot or two short when running a power line to a job can imagine the potential of cordless power tools. But just how well do these new tools work? We tried them out.

A PLUM OF A PLANTER

Put your herb or vegetable garden anywhere when you make this planter that floats about on its own casters. Designed for small spaces, the compact, stepped arrangement of the boxes gives all plants full exposure to the sun. Make it of durable rough-sawn cedar.

IS YOUR HOME DANGEROUS FOR YOUR PET?

The answer probably is "yes." Here's how to find out for sure.

HELPING YOUR TEEN Find Direction In Life

Look past your teenager's calculated indifference and dime-store swagger and often you'll find a confused and even frightened teenager.

THE NEW LANGUAGE OF INVESTING

Are your neighbors bragging about their investments in "zeros"? Has your broker told you to buy a "Ginnie Mae fund"? Should your portfolio be littered with "junk bonds"?

The Slick, New Laminates

Ever since the 1950s, plastic laminate has covered the countertops in most of America's kitchens. Now, a new version of the old standby brings exciting new design possibilities to your home.

GARDENER'S LOG TIPS FROM OUR TEST GARDEN

The Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden is in its second season! Our garden may be larger than yours (it measures 40X60 feet), but together, we can all learn how to improve gardening techniques.

HOW TO GET The BEST NEW CAR DEAL

What Every Woman AND Man Needs to Know

How to STOP SPORTS INJURIES Before they STOP YOU

Rejoice, all ye winter-weary athletes! The outdoor sporting season is almost upon us. No more sweeping snow off tennis courts or straddling mudholes on soggy softball diamonds.

7 Common Gaps That Could Spell Disaster

Whether you're covered by a group or an individual health policy, or both, you may not have the right insurance. At best, that could be costing you money. At worst, you may be risking thousands or more should disaster hit. Check these common gaps.

LAND THE BIG ONE

CASTING REEL AND ROD

WOOD REPAIR

MINI PROCESSOR

CROPS IN POTS

OUR DIARY TELLS YOU HOW TO GROW BUMPER CROPS WITH LESS WORK AND LESS SPACE

MAKE A SPLASH WITH WATER PLANTS

Elegant aquatics like water lilies and papyrus are easier to grow than you might think. You can enjoy these low-maintenance beauties in pots or tubs on your deck or patio.

Add-On Charm MASTER SUITE PLUS HOME GYM

A roomy addition makes our 1920s bungalow right for the '80s. Gear, Inc., helped us build in some country magic.

LANDSCAPING WITH HERBS

"Herbs are wonderful!" exclaims Connie Sutherland. "You come out in the morning and everything smells so marvelous." This Cape Cod gardener has gradually landscaped her entire yard with herbs of all kinds.

RETURN TO ROMANCE

Romantic furnishings and accents soften an essentially contemporary, New England home.

DESTINATION U.S.A. 20 THRIFTY FAMILY VACATIONS

Send your spirits-- not your expenses-- soaring with our 20 terrific ideas for thrifty family vacations. Savor the shore or sail out to sea, bicycle byways, discover the past, fish for the big ones, relish city excitement, explore mountain country.

INTO THE OUTDOORS

WHEN A VACATION JUST NATURALLY MEANS AN ADVENTURE

How To Order... Special Gardening Offers, Cookware, and Kits Featured This Month in Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens Family Shopping Service has selected the products shown below to help you re-create in your own home the ideas shown on our editorial pages. You save time because we've done the shopping for you. And you can be completely confident the gardening products, cookware, books, patterns, kits, and plans presented on this page are of the highest quality and meet our strict standards of excellence.

SHARED SPACE SLEEK AND SIMPLE KIDS' ROOM

Siblings who share a bedroom deserve sensitive room design. Separate storage for belongings, a measure of private turf, some distance to temper the togetherness: this is the stuff that harmony is made of.

VEST-POCKET LIBRARY

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

Ever notice how the same kids who expect a ride to a friend's house three blocks away are willing to walk five miles every weekend in a shopping mall?