February 1997

Between friends

Romantic Bed Canopies

Surround yourself with lush color and lively pattern in a bed that's draped from head to toe in beautiful linens. Swing-arm rods, colorful sheets, architectural elements, and simple tension rods create canopies that are just right for dreaming. Here, a trio of prints combine to form, this ruffled header.

Winter whites

white breathes crisp, cool brightness into winter-weary rooms

Ideas that make Scents

Fragrant handmade treats for your sweethearts... or yourself.

Whatever Happened to Dick and Jane? ...

The Debate Between Whole Language and Phonics

Nostalgic Reading

PURE WATER

Don't Get Zapped

Look for the Energy Star

Better Homes and Gardens Diamond Jubilee Rose

To celebrate the 75th birthday of Better Homes and Gardens magazine, we've had this stunning rose grown exclusively for our readers.

Perfect Pairs

Get Comfortable

Our Picks for 1997

Here is our annual compendium of what's new and what's tried and true. We've selected some old garden favorites that prove their superiority year after year in the BH&G Test Garden. And we've listed some worthy new entries on the gardening scene-- plants and flowers we know and grow.

The new family room ... ...

Our "baby" has grown up. The family room, first named on our pages in 1944, began as little more than a family hobby area in the basement. Now it's the very core of family life at home, serving so many different functions that it no longer fits neatly within four walls.

Hot spots

Color, light, and pattern warm a family home

NIGHT LIGHTS ...

It's called the "magic hour," the time when sunlight softens and evening shadows fall. You can extend the enchantment in your own home by following our simple step-by-step guide to decorating with light. Begin by thinking of light the way artists do, as an important element that allows you to create a mood and enhance colors and textures.

Nutrition information

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

In a Jam? Try Fruitful Tricks

Heedful of our health and figures, many of us are determined to cut down on fat and calories but not on flavor. Mission impossible? An answer to our prayers is waiting in the wings-- jamming our cupboards in the guise of jellies, jams, and preserves. ...

Kid-Size Kitchen Gear

Hey kids and parents! If our BH&G Kids feature puts you in the mood to cook, here's just the right gear to get you started.

The Shopper's Mart

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

the man next door

Personnel manager Erin Mueller reports that many of the letters she receives with unsolicited résumés are so poorly written that they wouldn't warrant consideration "even if they contained a death threat."