May 1992

DON'T BE TOO QUICK TO SWAT OR SQUISH

Several years ago I became a member of the Xerces Society. Before you begin to think that I've joined some strange cult, let me explain that the Xerces Society is innocently dedicated to the preservation of invertebrate species (bugs, butterflies, and the like). The Society is named in memory of the Xerces butterfly, driven to extinction because of habitat destruction.

FABULOUS Facelift

How to use low-cost landscaping to turn a simple front-entry fix-up into something spectacular.

FUSSY EATERS What to do when your kids won't eat

Some children seem to turn their noses up at almost everything, not just lima beans and turnip greens. No matter what the meal, a hearty, "Come on, it's good for ya!" from Mom or Dad just doesn't seem to cut it.

THE NEW REPORT CARDS

Straight A's on your child's report card may bust your buttons, but some experts argue that letter grades and standardized test scores tell a sketchy story about how well our kids are doing at school.

Front yard flowers

Flowers are up front in today's landscape plans. No longer hidden away in backyard borders, annuals and perennials are getting the streetside exposure they deserve. Planted near entrances, driveways, and sidewalks, flowers roll out a welcome mat of beautiful blooms for everyone who passes by. For some bright ideas on how to add color to your front yard, read on.

SHOWCASE YOUR ROSES

EDIBLE ORNAMENTAL

FLOWERY FOUNDATION

LIVING WREATH

INSTANT WATER GARDEN

ALPINE IVY GERANIUM

GROWING GREAT GLADIOLI

Welcome WILDLIFE

Birds, beasts, and butterflies find safe haven at Pat and Jack Bowman's lush 3-acre, seaside garden.

HOW WE'RE HELPING THE KIDS

Since its creation by the editors of Better Homes and Gardens in late 1988, The Better Homes Foundation has raised well over $3 million from the magazine's readers to help homeless families, like those shown on these pages, throughout America.

America's Best affordable new Homes

Good news, America: New housing that's affordable is still being built-- all across the country. Entries in a recent design competition sponsored by Professional Builder & Remodeler magazine and the National Association of Home Builders offer convincing evidence. How do today's builders hold down costs on that dream home you've been coveting? We asked this year's winners to share their secrets.

A BACKYARD HAVEN IN THE WOODS

Weekends are made for outdoor gatherings, say Dick and Terri Bowman. From early spring to late fall, they keep the "home fires" burning in their backyard fire pit for frequent houseguests. Every Saturday morning, Dick gathers fallen branches in the woods surrounding their Minneapolis home and builds a fire that burns all weekend.

Something Underfoot

Don't be floored by the beauty of these rugs-- they're really quite easy to do. Strips of cotton crocheted in a circle, lengths of wool looped and sewn to a purchased fabric grid backing, and a splatter-painted canvas runner will catch those drips or tickle your toes all year long.

STREAMLINED SERENITY

One Room 3 Ways

Answer: Any way your heart desires. The good news is, a newer home's no-frills spaces offer a blank sheet on which you can "write" your own decorating statement. To prove our point, we packed a common suburban floor plan to its textured ceiling with ideas designed to give the ho-hum room three entirely different personalities-- and to add instant architecture to boot. Here's more happy news: Because the three styles are created with furniture rather than extensive remodeling, they're not only easy to accomplish, but you also can pack up your style and take it along if you move on.

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!

GETTING THE LEAD OUT OF YOUR WATER

Mention environmental disasters and most people think of oil spills and ozone holes. But one of the most serious environmental threats to your health and your family's may be lead contamination in your tap water.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

With each recipe, we give nutrition information. We list the calorie count of each serving and the amount, in grams, of fat, cholesterol, protein, carbohydrate, sodium, and fiber.

KIDS AND RETS

Children and pets belong together. Here's how to make it work in your family.

Major league cities

Baltimore's Inner Harbor, a thriving shopping and tourist center, helped revitalize the city's waterfront more than a decade ago. Today, the area serves up a pulsating mix of shops, museums, restaurants, entertainment, and crowds.

Shopping editor's choice

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

THE MAN NEXT DOOR

Dr. Bob Hannelly says most of us, unfortunately, don't become "well-rounded" people until after we're 40.