March 1992

EDITOR'S LETTER

At the risk of seeming to blow my own horn, I want to tell you about an award I received recently. The Caring Institute, a Washington, D.C.-based organization to promote caring and philanthropy, gave one of their annual caring awards (shown in the photo above) to Dr. Ellen Bassuk and me for our work with The Better Homes Foundation.

A ROLLING BARBECUE CART THAT FOLDS FLAT

Homegrown goodness

Colorful vegetables are winning rave reviews from both gardeners and gourmets. Bred for beauty and flavor, these vivid varieties are just too pretty to pass up. Best of all, they're a snap to grow. Read on and feast your eyes on a brilliant collection of our favorite homegrown vegetables.

GREATEST FLOWER SHOW ON EARTH

NEW GARDEN MAGAZINE

SPRING SPECTACLE

PRUNE APPLE TREES

KIDS WHO CARE Everybody wins when students volunteer to help out

From elementary to post-secondary, America's schools are discovering community service as a way to teach youngsters valuable lessons-- the kind that can't be taught inside a classroom. Whether they're planting trees or organizing a food drive for the homeless, student volunteers are learning firsthand about values and citizenship.

BOOSTING SELF-ESTEEM The right way to instill confidence in your kids

Self-esteem is not a gift you can bestow upon your children, despite what some people would have you believe. Instead, it's a trait that kids should work toward and develop for themselves. Put simply, selfesteem has to be earned.

Affordable STYLE

Like most good decorating projects, Roberta Brown Root's started with a vision. The dream? To transform the aluminum siding, fake flagstone, and dark paneling of a poorly remodeled Seattle home into a breezy lakeside cottage that recalled her Minnesota childhood. The reality? A budget, of course.

Yesterday's charm FOR TODAY'S FAMILY

SUPER SAVER'S GUIDE LIVING WELL FOR LESS

Save on credit card costs using the "Fair Deal List" of phone numbers for the best low-interest and no-fee bank cards. Updated quarterly. Send $4 to: Bankcard Holders of America, 560 Herndon Pkwy., Suite 120, Herndon, VA 22070; or call, 800/553-8025.

"HELPING HANDS" SAMPLER TO AID HOMELESS FAMILIES

We created this sampler kit as a way for you to join hands with us in helping homeless families get back on their feet.

COVER STORY The latest in blankets

To give your room a quick perkup, try tossing a rich, vibrant blanket across the bed. Its new patterns and bright colors will work doubly hard as the blanket gives your bedcover a rest.

2 WAYS TO STRETCH ... YOUR LIVING SPACE

A second-story addition and a basement redo show you how to gain space without buying a new home.

HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTEST

Get a real bang-- and big bucks-- from your next home fix-up project. You may win a top award, and your project may appear in our magazine!

FIELD-OF-FLOWERS AFGHAN

Capture the colors of exotic anemones in this easy-to-crochet afghan. A field of jewel-tone blooms pops from the background, giving three-dimensional texture to the afghan's cuddly warmth.

KIDS' SAFETY SEATS How to make the right choice for your family

All states now require that children be buckled into juvenile car-restraint systems from birth to 40 pounds, when they can wear conventional seat belts. The reason is compelling: An unrestrained 30-pound child sitting on your lap becomes the equivalent of a 900-pound object in a 30-mph crash. No parent could hold on to that much weight.

CRACKING THE MORTGAGE CODES

FRMs, ARMs, GPMs-- set out to shop for a mortgage and you'll soon find yourself faced with an alphabetic smorgasbord of options. What do all those letters mean, and which type of mortgage is best for you?

NUTRITION INFORMATION

With each recipe, we give important nutrition information. The calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrate, sodium, and fiber help keep tabs on what you eat.

FESTIVALS NORTH OF THE BORDER

Canadians know how to throw a party, and you're invited. Join cowpokes from around the world as they mosey into town at Calgary's Stampede each July. Or, jump into the fun at Quebec's winter carnival in February, when spirits soar as the temperature plunges.

STARTER PETS

You want a pet. But your home is too small, you're gone all day, or someone is allergic to animals. Maybe you don't have time to devote to a dog or cat.

ENVIRONMENTAL LABELS

Concern for the environment has spawned a whole new school of words and labels. Some are useful, others are created just for their marketing value. If the labels and jargon leave you confused, here are some definitions for the new terms.

Shopping editor's choice

Discover the ease and pleasure of shopping by mail. Order from the convenience of your own home with complete confidence.

HOW TO ORDER

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Liz Randall notes that it's the child who can't find a missing sock who knows exactly where you hid your favorite magazine until you have time to read it.