April 2010

A month of me time

Lisa Quinn, author of the new book, Life's Too Short (below), says we all could use a timeout. This month, she shares her tips about how to create "me time" and what to do when you have it.

BETWEEN FRIENDS

Living in a cold-weather climate, I've taught myself to consider the first day of April as the real start of spring, regardless of what the calendar says. While there may be a cold snap or two in waiting, the moment April arrives, I start packing up the winter clothes, pulling out patio furniture, and eyeing the yard for the possibilities of spring plantings.

Store more, store safe

Make our healthy chocolate dessert!

Preserve Memories Forever

Let decorating experts guide you

Grow your best veggie garden ever

Things to do this month...

IN BLOOM You know spring is in the air when the cherry blossoms make their first appearance. Bring that feeling home by forcing flowering branches to bloom indoors. Try lilacs, forsythia, crabapple, or quince from your yard or buy branches from a florist.

EVERYTHING EASTER

Make the most of the spring holiday with these newly hatched tips.

Blogged...

$10 PICK OF THE MONTH bamboo cheese board

Stride right

These walking buddies create personal fitness programs and keep tabs on your progress. The gadgets easily slip into a pocket or clip onto an armband.

First blush

In one moment, spring is back-- and that's reason to celebrate. Perk up your party with these seasonal touches.

Reality check

Serious doesn't cut it for this color-happy mom. Her home is a place to embrace real life (messes and all!).

Hyacinth purple

Hyacinth purple is the new darling of trend watchers. We say its friendly, refreshing tones have always made it a great choice for interiors.

Media circus

Giant screens, hi-def movies, and video games that get your groove on-- staying home is more fun than ever. Here's how to keep all that gear from taking over your living room.

Little house near the big woods

AN ADDITION MAKES THIS ONCE-SMALL HOUSE A BETTER FIT FOR A GROWING FAMILY.

Open pantry

Don't have a true pantry? Create well-ordered kitchen storage in found pockets of space.

Easy, Colorful Coleus

Bolt of genius

Can an old cottage learn new tricks? A design pro shares her secrets for unifying an odd layout with color, fabrics, and clutter-concealing furniture.

Living history

There's nothing stuffy about this century-old kitchen. It now handles modern-day cooking and entertaining with ease.

Winning entry

This small addition succeeds on several fronts: It's a welcoming entrance, a stylish mudroom, and a spot to enjoy garden views.

Spring fix-ups with Danny Lipford

Save energy now

MAXIMIZE YOUR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY Tax credits and new products make this a great time for improving your home's energy efficiency. Here are five things you should know about upgrading for energy savings.

A Lilac That Reblooms

Corner on privacy

Streetside properties aren't known for seclusion, and this one was no exception-- until some creative construction brought the privacy the owners craved.

Grow your best veggie garden ever

Strategies from our experts and handy tips from readers show you how to grow more, with less work and expense, than you thought possible.

Unlikely pairs

In this garden, plants look their best when they have little in common.

Q: a Lavender

Advice about this romantic favorite from the Better Homes and Gardens experts.

Tall Grass

Beautiful bouquets

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

10-14 days

Packing pearls

Garden smarts

5 things to remember when you plan a tree

Our 20 favorite garden picks for 2010

1 AFRICAN DAISY Give this trendy Osteospermum, 'Serenity Purple', top, a try in your spring and fall container plantings. Ball Horticultural Co.; simplybeautifulgardens.com

TIME SAVER

NEW WAYS WITH... honey

COOK'S TIP

Better tool

LEFTOVERS

Better finds

IN A PINCH

TRIED THIS?

84% of BHG readers create recipes based on ingredients they have on hand

Site-seeing

Meet the mixer

Kitchen wisdom

It's so basic: A healthy kitchen starts with safe food. Here's what you can do to protect yourself and your family.

Must-have tools for any kitchen

Nearly half of all food-borne illness cases could be prevented if everyone washed their hands when handling food. Thoroughly scrub hands, wrists, fingernails, and between fingers in warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds.

How long can I save leftovers?

Do I need to steer clear of Bisphenol-A in food containers?

What Should I do if I see mold on my food?

20% That's now much your short-term memory improves after you commune with nature

SAFELY STASH YOUR HEALTH RECORDS

Tea, totally

NIGHTTIME'S NOT THE RIGHT TIME

Green Party

Repurpose household trash into treasure. These easy eco-friendly projects are perfect for parents and kids of all ages.

Bottle Service

WALK THE TALK

GET COOKING

Game on

MILEY'S SONG

Sweet Spot

I did it!