August 2010

BETWEEN FRIENDS

For most of my life, I've dreamed of having a house by the water. So far, I've never managed to make it a reality. The closest we've ever come was a small house we lived in a few years back, with a sliver of water view. When-- and only when-- the leaves were fully off the trees, I could go to the back deck, place a lounge chair just so, and catch a distant glimpse of the Raccoon River turning a bend.

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Things to do this month...

PETAL ON When your late-summer blooms fade, save the seeds to plant this fall. Perennial sunflowers, black-eyed Susans, and coneflowers are among the easiest flowers from which to collect seeds. For tips on harvesting seeds, visit BHG.com/seedsaving.

Qa How do I soothe a sunburn--fast?

Good reads

Whether your feet are planted in the sand near the ocean or you're dipping your toes at the neighborhood pool, it's that time of year-- lose yourself in a beach read.

SUMMEROLOGY.BLOGSPOT.COM

SIP INTO SOMETHING COMFORTABLE

NOTE-IT

$5.50 glasses

Instant classic

Old-school cool is back (along with no-wait, hold-in-your-hands photos), thanks to a new breed of point-and-print cameras.

Flat out fun

Here's an easy party: You provide the flatbreads and toppers, guests build their own dinner. Stylemaker Annette Joseph shows how to set a casual scene and keep your cool.

Great wide open

WALLS CAME DOWN AND FAMILY TIME WENT UP WHEN THIS CALIFORNIA CLAN REMODELED ITS '50S RANCH.

Market greens

It's the end of summer, and late-season veggies inspire delicious dinners. Why not let them inspire your home, too?

Seeing the light

A sunroom begs the question: Is it an indoor or outdoor space? Designer Elaine Griffin shows how to make the two worlds jell (and let summer linger).

3 space-smart, splashy baths

Tight-fit spaces can have storage and look great. Space-saving built-ins, room-expanding mirrors, and eyecatching accessories can make a little seem like a lot.

Store room

Want to find storage space you never knew you had? Take a peek in your garage. Those walls are just waiting to show you what they can do.

GONE FISHIN'

In the tiny town of St. Joseph, Louisiana, lies an enormous lake where generations have celebrated summertime. Here's the story of four couples who fell for Lake Bruin-- and reinvented an abandoned fishing camp as a retreat for their families.

Tradition's Charm

A COTTAGE GARDEN'S OLD-FASHIONED MIX OF VEGETABLES, HERBS, AND BOISTEROUS BLOOMS CREATES TIMELESS APPEAL.

The lush life

A porch becomes a sensual delight with the sweet scents, splendid vistas, and endless bouquets of a cutting garden.

Qa Coping with shade

How do you grow plants in shade? That's one of the most common questions we get from readers. Here, we shed some light on the topic.

Sprinkling in style

Hot chocolate

4 ways to attract hummingbirds

THIS MONTH IN THE GARDEN

2,000 miles

HOME PRAIRIE COMPANION

Sun readers

Qa Why are my tomatoes cracking and splitting open?

FRESH-PICKED squash

COOK'S TIP

Let lemon-infused steam do the work of cleaning your microwave

FIVE-ALARM FLAVOR!

MEET THE MIXER

When I don't lave syrup on landl melt jam in the microwave i and use.it as a topper for waffles 01 pancakes...

Site-seeing

TRIED THIS?

Road rules

Building the anticipation for a trip is half the fun! Get the whole family involved in pre-vacation preparation, and you'll get the absolute most from it-- before, during, and after.

Pop-Up Quiz

CAFETERIA CONFIDENTIAL

A Better Bubble

S'mores-gasbord

Family Food Album

Rescue me

Songs of the Summer

FARMER FOR A DAY

PAY IT FORWARD

Heart eats

Over easy does it

Lonely Hearts Club

SEND THE BLUES AWAY

Bone-loss medication

Quick Tip

DOG TAGS 2.0

Chip thrills

Our Favorite Flavor

I did it!