May 2010

A month of blooming

WHO'S THE FAIREST? Why should spring flowers get all the admiring looks? Adorn yourself with blossoms that'll last all year long. The best part? No wilting.

BETWEEN FRIENDS

May is a month of celebrations, both official and the ones we make for ourselves. In my part of the country, children still mark May 1 by leaving small baskets of goodies at friends' doorsteps, ringing the bell, and scampering away unseen (a tradition that took us quite by surprise our first year in the Midwest!).

ARRANGE YOUR DECK, SEND E-FLOWERS, AND MORE!

WIN a Honda Insight

win these!

decorate your desktop

Things to do this month...

Take a stroll through the tulips-- or perhaps the azaleas-- during special events May 7, National Public Gardens Day. Become a member of your local public garden and receive a free or renewed subscription to Better Homes and Gardens magazine.

must-see movies for summer

INDISPENSABLE: SUN HATS

Qa: What's a quick way to clean off my grill?

Blogged...

PUCKER UP

Good reads

Roll tape!

Good deed

PERFECT PAIRS

$4 cloth napkins

Motion pictures

Give your digital images some new moves with multitasking photo frames. They scan old photos, offer on-the-spot printing, and more.

Mom time

A lease on light

JAYME ARMOUR LEFFLER MAY HAVE TRADED IN HOME OWNERSHIP FOR A RENTAL, BUT THAT DIDN'T DAMPEN HER SENSE OF STYLE.

Deck stains

Pretty colors aren't just for walls. Treat your deck with a solid stain that's tough and beautiful.

Desk jobs

Three home offices with smart storage and full-time good looks prove it: You can work a work spot into just about any room.

No place like home

AN EMPTY-NESTER COUPLE FINDS JUST THE RIGHT SETTING FOR THEIR NEW LIFE: AN OLD FARMHOUSE THAT DRAWS THEIR KIDS BACK.

Age-defying beauty

Colorful collectibles and classic styling give this new kitchen vintage comfort.

Happy campers

Even in their tight-fit bungalow, this family has plenty of room to roam, rejuvenate, and imagine.

Best new product awards

This year's most convenient, innovative, and appealing consumer products-- according to you!

Time to give

WEDDINGS, GRADUATIONS, MOTHER'S DAY, FATHER'S DAY... FINDING THE RIGHT GIFT FOR THE VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE FEELS GREAT. THIS YEAR, CHECK OFF GIFT-HUNTING-- WE'VE DONE IT FOR YOU.

Quick-clean routine

Rethink daylong cleaning efforts and try these smart, efficient strategies. In just minutes each day, your home can look almost spotless-- and you'll appreciate the sense of order you've created.

Holding court

A bloom-filled entry courtyard makes every trip across the threshold a happy homecoming.

Easy Container Gardening

DRESS UP YOUR PATIO, ENTRY, OR GARDEN WITH DAZZLING POTS. THEY'RE A SNAP WITH THESE SIMPLE GUIDELINES.

The wood shed

This shed is no wallflower-- it's a gardener's "playhouse" and the main attraction of the yard.

Some like it hot

Looking for summerlong color for pots, borders, and bouquets? Easy-growing zinnias are some of the most versatile of all annual blooms.

Strawberry delight

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

Fresh fruit

Planting tools

8-10 pounds

Garden smarts

Fruit of the room

A day at the garden May 7

Fragrant hosta

Happy zinnias

Qa: Last year, my garden mums grew really leggy. How do I keep them compact, like when you buy them?

Bring it on

Coral riff

Carrots

Better tool

TIME-SAVER

IN A PINCH

Site-seeing

Meet the mixer

TRIED THIS?

Better finds

Anti-sunburn foods

Comforting!

Know your snack bars

Duffel duty

Soak up some me time

Seeing sun spots

SPRING INTO ACTION

Trying eyes

Make peace with the eye-roll, a tween girl's rite of passage that can feel oh so wrong.

ALL OGRE IT

High Impact

Ma Belle

SAFE RIDES

Compose yourself

A Bowl Full of Fun

I did it!