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Once thought of a plant that would bring bad luck upon any house that takes the blossoms through its doors, the modern shrub is now considered less evil and more a culinary and horticultural delight. Its bad reputation originates from its wickedly sharp thorns that can grow to almost four inches long. Before the invention of antibiotics, the thorns would break under the skin of people who had bad encounters with the shrub and lead to often life-threatening infections....

Anyone who falls or stops the command before time is up is out. A new command is called out for the next 30 seconds. Animal imitations are good prompts for this game, such as bounce while flapping your wings or bounce while swinging your elephant’s trunk. 

Domestic vs. Imported Hardwoods Domestic hardwood is defined as a wood hailing from North America (U.S. and Canada), while imported hardwoods are those that come from anywhere else in the world. Domestics include familiar favorites such as birch, cherry, pine, hickory, red and white oak, and maple. Domestic hardwoods are all certainly tough and durable woods, but nowhere near as hard as lumber that comes from South America. Flooring labeled Brazilian hardwood often comes from forests in Brazil, but the term is used somewhat generically, and the products you buy often originate in other Central or South American nations....

Brightech is a California-based lighting company that specializes in techy lamps and outdoor string lights. The Ambience Pro Solar 1W Globe Waterproof LED Outdoor String Lights are a soft, globe-type light that’s best for a small outdoor area. We put the solar string lights to the test at our Colorado home to see if they could warm up the atmosphere during cool nights on our deck. Setup: Placing the solar panel is key This Brightech set doesn’t require much setup....

Bromeliads have splashy flower displays, but they only flower once during their lifespan under the right conditions. Once the bloom fades, cut the flower stalk at its base. After flowering, the plant usually produces pups or baby offshoots of new plants. Many types of bromeliads are famous for their beautiful foliage; they have multicolored leaves in red, green, purple, orange, and yellow, some including bands, stripes, spots, and other features....

Pros House Additions Are All Your Creation You may have an old house that was initially created by a builder and subsequently changed over the years by other homeowners. When you install new floors, paint the walls, or remodel a bathroom, you are only adding your unique touch to this pastiche. But a home addition is space that you can legitimately claim as your own creation. Building an addition is like designing a whole new house without the expense of a whole new house....

If your current mattress isn’t giving you a good night’s sleep, a mattress topper can provide some much-needed cushioning and support. Available in a wide variety of materials, thicknesses, and densities, there is a seemingly endless selection of mattress toppers to choose from. The Casper Mattress Topper is one of the pricier options on the market. I slept on it every night for several weeks to see how well it stacks up to the competition....

Water Filter Basics Changing a refrigerator water filter is a quick and easy job. The best part about most of the refrigerator water filters used today is that once you unscrew the filter, it shuts off the water supply automatically. This means you don’t need to worry about finding a shutoff valve to turn off the water supply to the fridge. Unless you know the brand and the precise model of your refrigerator, it is often easier to just take the filter to the local hardware or home improvement store to find a suitable replacement filter....

If your finger is anywhere near the pulse of the interior design industry, you know temporary wallpaper is having a moment. Unlike traditional wallpaper, it can be attached and taken back down as often as you’d like without the need to soak or scrape off the material—you won’t have to repaint either. As someone who wants to change their home decor often but never feels inclined to paint, I knew the trend was for me as soon as I caught wind of it....

With some planning and creative smarts, you can host an outdoor party any time of year (weather permitting) without making common mistakes. Follow our tips for budget-conscious themes, furnishings, and decorations. Luau Farm-to-table Outdoor movie party Backyard glamping Shark party Game night, including board games, cards, video, or computer games Costume party: The sky’s the limit on this one. Choose your favorite film or genre, TV show, game, book, or era....

Chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii) is not a very commonly grown landscape tree, which is a pity because it makes a beautiful shade tree. It can be grown in a wide climate range and in tough locations. In the wild, it grows on dry bluffs and limestone outcrops as well as ridge tops and rocky, south-facing slopes. When young, the tree has a pyramidal shape that becomes broader and more rounded as the tree matures....

The following three items are the most common issues with home office chairs, and all can be remedied by knowing how to select the best chair for you. The chair’s material is also an important factor that can make a difference. While cutting open the chair certainly isn’t an option; you can usually tell the better quality seats from the way the cushion feels when you are sitting on it and get up again....

Understanding Fixed-Price Proposals A fixed-price proposal is one in which the contractor views the situation, assesses the amount of work and materials that are required, then quotes a single flat-rate price to complete the work. This type of proposal is also called a bid-style proposal or all-inclusive pricing proposal. The fixed-price proposal is almost always what is used with smaller projects. The occasional one-off repair or small remodel projects, such as water heater installation, dishwasher repair, or even floor installation, is simple enough that it is quite easy for a contractor to predict his own costs and quote you a flat bid for the work....

Living walls add permanence and establish boundaries within a landscape. They offer privacy and screen undesirable views such as your neighbor’s side-yard junk pile. While the term conjures images of the magnificent living tapestries that adorn public walls and buildings, vertical gardens include smaller residential versions, vine-covered trellises, borders of shrubs or closely planted trees, and walls decorated with traditional and repurposed containers. Climbing in Popularity There’s no denying that vertical gardens are growing in popularity, for several good reasons....

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Why Deciduous Trees, Shrubs, and Vines Lose Leaves Deciduous trees shed their leaves in fall to get ready for the cold winter to follow. As a bonus (for humans), the process yields the wonderful fall colors that we so admire. But how, exactly, do the deciduous trees, shrubs, and vines shed their leaves? These plants take an active part in the shedding process, rather than just waiting for a good wind to come along....

Added designer Chrissy Hunter, “Candy colored walls feel less serene and make it a little harder—for me—to fully relax.” Hunter instead gravitates toward either softer shades or rich dark colors. So if grays and blues don’t appeal to you, feel free to try a hunter green or a deep navy. These shades pair wonderfully with white or neutral bedding and other calm accents. How luxe! Designer Danielle Chiprut is also not a fan of incorporating yellows, oranges, or reds on bedroom walls....