| How to Remove Permanent Marker from Tile Posted: 04 Mar 2022 04:00 PM PST There are several methods you can try to remove permanent marker from tile. The first method uses a homemade, all-purpose solution to remove the stain from the tile. For textured tile, use toothpaste (or the all-purpose solution) to treat the stain. Then, use a toothbrush or a scrub brush to remove the stain from textured tile. If your tile is smooth, a dry erase marker may do the trick. Always remember to test each method on a small, hidden area before applying it to larger areas. [Edit]Making a Homemade Cleaning Solution - Combine the ingredients. Combine of white vinegar, ¼ cup (35 g) of washing soda, of liquid dish soap, and of hot tap water in a bucket. Use a large spoon or another mixing tool to mix the ingredients. Mix until well combined.[1]
- If this recipe produces too much solution, then half the recipe.
- Test on a small surface. Apply the product to a hidden spot. Let it set for three seconds. Then use a paper towel or rag to remove the product. Look for any kind of stains, discoloration, or residue left by the product. If there are any unwanted effects, then choose a different method.[2]
- Before using any type of solution or product on your tile floors, always test out the product on a small, inconspicuous spot first. This way, you can ensure that the product you are using does not produce any unwanted effects such as stains or discoloration.
- Pour the solution onto a rag or a cloth. Then, begin wiping the stain with the rag. Wipe the spot until the stain is removed. If the affected area is large, pour more solution onto the rag as needed.[3]
[Edit]Removing Marker from Textured Tile with Toothpaste - Use regular white toothpaste. Do not use gel toothpaste. If possible, choose a toothpaste product that contains baking soda Toothpaste is great for removing marks from tile that is textured.[4]
- Apply the toothpaste to the mark. Cover the affected area with the toothpaste. Let the toothpaste set for a minute or two. The longer the stain has been on the tile, the longer you will want to let the toothpaste set.[5]
- For example, if the marker has been on the tile for a 24-hour period, then let the toothpaste set for at least 5 minutes.
- Use a sponge to wipe off the toothpaste. After the toothpaste has set, begin wiping it off with a sponge. If your tile is textured, then you may want to use a toothbrush or a scrubbing brush to remove traces of the stain from smaller crevices in the tile.[6]
- Once the stain is removed, clean the affected area with soap and water to remove any residue.
[Edit]Using a Dry Erase Marker on Smooth Tile - Purchase a black dry erase marker. You can purchase dry erase markers from your local pharmacy, arts and crafts store, or discounted retailer. Make sure to purchase a black dry erase marker as opposed to a colored one.[7]
- Remember to test a small, hidden area first before using it on larger, affected areas.
- Trace the affected area with the marker. Instead of tracing the entire stain, start by tracing a small part of the stain first. This method works best on smooth tile. For textured tile, the toothpaste or all-purpose solution may be more effective.[8]
- Wipe off the marker with a paper towel. Or you may use a rag or cloth to wipe off the traced sections. If the stain isn't completely removed the first time, then re-trace the remaining spots with the dry erase marker. Wipe until the stain is removed.[9]
- Use warm water and soap to clean the affected area after the stain is removed.
[Edit]Trying Other Removal Methods - Use melamine foam for a quick option. Melamine foam, commonly known as a "Magic Eraser," can quickly and easily remove permanent marker from various surfaces. Wet the foam, then use it to scrub the stained area. Keep scrubbing until all the marker is removed.
- Try hairspray if that's what you have on hand. Surprisingly, hairspray can be an effective cleaning agent. Simply spray the stain with hairspray and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Then, use a damp rag to scrub the stain away.
- Use nail polish remover if all else fails. Be sure to test this product on an inconspicuous area first, as it can damage your tile. If you don't see any negative results, apply a little nail polish remover to the marker stain. Wipe the stain away using a damp rag.
- Never mix cleaning products together. If one method does not work, then wash and dry the affected area before trying a different method.
- Always try to treat stains as soon as possible—the longer a stain sets the harder it is to remove.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - White vinegar
- Washing soda
- Liquid dish soap
- White toothpaste
- Dry erase marker
- Paper towels or rag/cloth
- Toothbrush or scrub brush
- Melamine foam
- Hairspray
- Nail polish remover
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Beer Cheese Posted: 04 Mar 2022 08:00 AM PST Beer cheese is a popular dish for parties and potlucks. When making this dish, choose a flavorful beer of your preference. This will create more body in the cheese and impart some of its flavor, too. A mild garlic beer cheese will only take you about 20 minutes to prepare. A richer, bolder, creamier version of this recipe can be made in about 10 minutes. And should you be wanting for ideas about what to serve with your beer cheese, you can make the most of it with things like pretzel bread or dippable finger foods. [Edit]Ingredients [Edit]Mild Garlic Beer Cheese - 1 clove of garlic (peeled and halved)
- ¼ cup (59 ml) butter or margarine
- ¼ cup (59 ml) all-purpose flour
- 12 oz (355 ml) can or bottle regular or nonalcoholic beer
- 1½ lb (680 g) shredded mild cheddar cheese
- Green onion (chopped; optional)
Makes 16 servings. [Edit]Rich and Creamy Beer Cheese - 12 oz (355 ml) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1½ tbsp cornstarch
- 12 oz (355 ml) bottle of beer (preferably a brown ale)
- 5 oz (148 ml) evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp (5 ml) hot sauce
- Kosher salt (to taste)
Makes about 3 cups (710 ml). [Edit]Cooking Mild Garlic Beer Cheese - Rub garlic on your saucepan and then grease it. Take your peeled and halved garlic and rub it on the inside of your saucepan. Discard the garlic afterwards. Insert the butter into the pan and heat it over a low heat. Roll the melted butter in the pan to evenly distribute it.[1]
- Add flour and beer. Sprinkle your flour into the butter a little at time, stirring it in with a whisk as you do so. Continue to stir these ingredients while cooking them like this for about 2 minutes. Then stir in your beer.[2]
- Bring the mixture to a boil. At this point, you should increase the heat to your saucepan to medium-high. Heat the mixture until it boils, then reduce the heat so it stays at a steady boil. Stir it constantly throughout this process, and allow the mixture to boil for roughly 2 to 3 minutes.[3]
- When the mixture is thick and smooth, it's done. Depending on your stove top, it may take more or less time for the mixture to reach this consistency.[4]
- Pour your cheese into the mixture a little at a time. Reduce the saucepan's heat to low. Add your cheese to the mixture in ½ cup (118 ml) increments. While doing so, stir it with a wooden spoon or a similar kitchen utensil until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add cheese in this way until no more cheese remains. Continue stirring throughout the process with a utensil.[5]
- Serve your beer cheese. Pour your beer cheese from the saucepan into a serving container, a crockpot, or a fondue pot. If you use a serving container, eat your cheese quickly so it doesn't cool down too much or thicken excessively. Crockpots and fondue pots will keep your beer cheese warm throughout a party or event.[6]
- You may want to add some garnish to your beer cheese to improve its presentation or modify the recipe. Chopped onions and parsley flakes, for example, are an excellent addition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. In most cases, this recipe will keep for at least 5 to 7 days.
[Edit]Preparing Rich and Creamy Beer Cheese - Combine your cheese and cornstarch in a bowl.[7] In a medium sized mixing bowl, use your clean hands or a kitchen implement to toss your cheese and cornstarch together. Do so until the two are evenly mixed. The cornstarch will create a creamier, thicker, cheesier consistency.[8]
- When you've finished mixing these two ingredients, set the bowl off to the side to be used later.
- Mix the beer, milk, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend these ingredients together in your saucepan with a whisk while the pan is still cold. When thoroughly mixed, heat this over medium heat until the mixture is steaming lightly.
- While heating these ingredients, stir them frequently with your whisk. This will prevent the ingredients from getting scorched.[9]
- Stir in your cheese. Little by little, stir in your cheese. The mixture will thicken as you add cheese, so you should use a sturdy utensil like a wooden spoon to mix it. Continue stirring and adding cheese until no more cheese remains and the mixture is thick and lightly bubbling.[10]
- Add hot sauce and salt to the mixture, then enjoy. Use your wooden spoon to stir in and evenly distribute the hot sauce in the mixture. Taste it and add salt to taste. Now it is finished and should be served immediately.[11]
- You can keep your beer cheese hot and prevent it from thickening too much with a fondue pot or a crockpot.
[Edit]Making the Most of Your Beer Cheese - Enjoy your beer cheese with chips and pretzels. These classic dippers are perfect for scooping up and enjoying beer cheese. This combination, however, can sometimes be a little salty, so you might want to serve chips and pretzels with assorted vegetables, like carrot sticks and cucumbers.
- There are many different kinds of chip you can use for your beer cheese. Thicker chips, like pita chips, will be sturdier and allow for bigger bites of cheese.
- Drizzle your beer cheese on pretzel bread. Pretzel bread has a salty, brown outer crust but a tender texture. This texture pairs very well with beer cheese. Try drizzling the cheese over the tops of pretzel rolls or dipping pretzel rolls into the cheese.
- Pretzel bread can be bought at many bakeries. Even if it's not a normal menu item, you can frequently special order it.
- Dip finger food into the beer cheese. Cut a hearty bread, like a baguette or peasant bread, into cubes. Do this also for ham and cucumbers. Cut onions into strips. Arrange these on a tray and serve them with your beer cheese. Dip these cubed foods into the cheese and enjoy.
- Carrot sticks and whole pieces of broccoli also work well as dippers for beer cheese. Experiment with various veggies to find which best suit your tastes.[12]
- Finished.
[Edit]Warnings - Use caution whenever your stove top is hot. Failing to do so could result in injuries, like burns, or damage, like heat warping on your counter.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Mild Garlic Beer Cheese - Fondue pot (or similar serving container)
- Saucepan (at least 3 quarts (2.8 L) large)
- Whisk (or fork)
- Wooden soon (or similar utensil)
[Edit]Rich and Creamy Beer Cheese - Mixing bowl (medium size)
- Saucepan (medium size)
- Whisk (or fork)
- Wooden spoon (or similar utensil)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Create a Vegetable Garden Posted: 04 Mar 2022 12:00 AM PST Creating a vegetable garden is a fun and rewarding experience. Grow delicious vegetables your family likes to eat. Find the best place in your yard to plant vegetables and with a little time and care, your dinner table will overflow with healthy, ripe vegetables. [Edit]Planning the Garden - Decide what to grow. What vegetables do you like to eat? Think about which vegetables you'd like to eat each season that also grow in your climate. Then plan your vegetable garden accordingly. Most vegetables grow well in a variety of different climates, but it's a good idea to learn what grows best in your region's garden zone before deciding what to plant.[1]
- Choose vegetables that can be harvested at different times. This way, you'll have produce all summer instead of all at once.
- Some plants don't grow well in certain regions. Find out if the vegetables you want to grow require a cold snap to get started, or if they'll wither and die when the temperature gets too hot. You might have to be selective about what you grow if you live in a climate with very short summers or an area that doesn't get much water.
- Choose plants with similar growing and soil conditions to make it easier to care for your vegetable garden.
- Select a garden area. Vegetables need strong, full sunlight, so choose the sunniest part of your yard to create your vegetable garden. Avoid areas that are shaded by your house or a tree during part of the day. Choose a spot with good drainage and rich soil.
- You determine if an area has good drainage by checking it after a heavy rain. If a puddle forms, that area is probably not suitable for a vegetable garden. If the water seeps into the soil quickly, it should be fine.
- Choose a flat area without roots and rocks. This will be much easier to till the soil to prepare the garden for planting.
- If your soil doesn't have good drainage, you can create a raised bed which allows plants to grow above ground level.
- Some vegetables grow well in large pots, too. If you don't have a yard, peppers, okra, tomatoes and potatoes can all be grown in pots on a patio or fire escape.
- Design the garden. Now it's time to figure out how much space the garden should take up, and where to place vegetable plants. Different vegetable plants require different amounts of space. Figure out how much space you will need for the plants.
- You need to know how much space to leave between the seeds or seedlings you plant, as well as how much space the mature plants will take up. Squash, zucchini and pumpkins take up a lot of space and produce a lot of fruit, while potatoes, carrots and lettuces stay relatively contained.[2]
- Planting vegetables in rows helps you keep track of which plants are which.
- Factor in extra space between the rows to allow you to walk into the garden to weed, fertilize, and water it, as well as to harvest ripe vegetables.
[Edit]Getting Ready to Plant - Buy seeds and supplies. Choose whether to start your garden from seeds or sprouted seedlings. Purchase from a catalog or nursery. You will also need to determine which garden tools to buy. Gardening can be done by hand with simple tools, but a very large garden may require a tilling machine to loosen the soil.[3] Here's what you'll need:
- Seeds or seedlings. Nurseries have good selections of seeds and seedlings and staff who can help you decide which varieties to buy.
- Fertilizer. A good natural fertilizer will boost your vegetable plants. Work bone meal, blood meal or fertilizer into the soil. Compost works well.
- Mulch and topsoil. Vegetable plants need to be protected from wind and heavy rain when first planted. Use mulch or simply a fine layer of topsoil. You could cover the soil with loose hay to protect sprouting plants.
- Pest deterrents. It's a good idea to also purchase products that combat disease and pests.
- Use a soil tiller or hoe to loosen the dirt and prepare your plot.[4] Doing this will loosen the dirt, allowing you to add fertilizer and dig holes for the vegetable plants. For a small garden, simply use a hoe, but for large gardens more than 10 square feet, you may want to buy or rent a soil tiller.
- A shovel, a spade, and a garden rake. Use these essential gardening tools to dig holes and to move plants and soil.
- A ruler or measuring tape. Vegetable plants need to be planted at different depths, so it's useful to measure the holes you make with a ruler.
- A hose with an adjustable watering feature. The ability to change the water pressure comes in handy.
- Fencing supplies. Rabbits, squirrels, deer and other animals like to nibble on vegetables, so you may want to construct a fence around your garden.
- Get the soil ready. Mark the corners of the garden area with rocks. Clear the area within the borders free of roots, rocks, sticks, weeds, and other large debris. Use the soil tiller, hoe or rake to break up the soil into small pieces, working it to a depth of about , depending on how deep your vegetables need to be planted.
- If you have weeds you know will take over your garden, you can place pieces of cardboard on top of them with a layer of compost on top. This will smother the weeds and leave a fresh slate for your garden.[5]
- Work fertilizer into the soil with a garden rake. Be sure to distribute it evenly.
- Be sure to take the time to remove large rocks buried in the dirt. They'll get in the way of your plants' roots, and it's worth taking the time to clear the area.
- If you're concerned about the quality of the dirt in your yard, buy a soil testing kit to find out how many nutrients and organic matter it contains, as well as its pH level. All of these factors affect the nutrition and growth rate of your vegetables. After you've tested the soil, you can add whatever it might be missing.
[Edit]Growing the Vegetables - Dig holes and plant the seeds or seedlings.[6] Use the spade to dig holes to the depths required by the various vegetables you're planting. Put a little fertilizer into each hole, then drop the seeds into the holes or gently place the seedlings into them. Cover the holes with topsoil and a layer of mulch, if required.
- Water the garden. For the first few weeks, while the vegetables take root, you need to keep the topsoil moist. Use the misting function on your garden hose to lightly spray the garden every day.
- Check the soil often. If it seems to be dry, mist it again.
- Avoid watering the garden at night. If water sits all night without getting absorbed or evaporating, it could cause fungus to grow.[7]
- Weed the garden. As the vegetables take and begin to sprout, take notice of non-vegetable plants that may also be taking advantage of the fertilizer and water you're providing. Grasp the weeds close to the roots and gently pull them out, then throw them away in an area away from the garden so their seeds don't spread.[8] Be careful not to pull up newly sprouted vegetables.
- Keep critters away. Before the vegetable plants begin to bear fruit, you might want to put up a fence to keep out the rabbits and squirrels. A short chicken wire fence usually does the trick. If you have deer, however, you might need to build something larger.
- Care for the vegetables according to their needs. Give the vegetable plants the amount of water, pruning, and fertilizer they require. Continue weeding the garden frequently as the vegetables grow throughout the summer. When it's time to harvest vegetables, pick only the ripest ones first and allow the others more time to grow.
- Keep the garden clean and neat to make it look good and to help your plants grow.
- For better plant growth and weed control mulch the entire area.[9]
- Avoid using too much of chemical fertilizers as it may reduce the soil's fertility.
- For more security, add a fence.
- You can use cow manure as well for fertilizing.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make Water Candles Posted: 03 Mar 2022 04:00 PM PST Water candles look impressive and are surprisingly easy to make. The combination of water with a few decorations creates a pretty, shimmering light. The trick behind these candles is creating a floating wick out of thin plastic, and adding one secret ingredient to the water. [Edit]Decorating the Jar - Find a pretty glass container to use for your candle. It can be as simple as a mason jar or a tall, cylindrical candle holder (hurricane). For something more unique, you could try a small fishbowl or even a wine glass! For better results, use a tall, narrow vase. This will allow you to fill it with more decorations and have a thicker oil layer, which will increase the burning time.[1]
- Keep it simple with glass marbles. They are often labeled as "vase filler" and come in round or half-dome shapes. You can find these in the floral section of an arts and crafts store. How much vase filler you add is up to you, but don't fill the bottom of your jar more than a third of the way. If you overfill the jar, you won't have room to add the water and the oil.
- Create an elegant jar by filling it with flowers. Cut the blooms off of real flowers, or pull them off of fake ones. Fill your jar about two-thirds of the way with these flowers, or until you have about of space at the top. For a more elegant candle, fill the jar a quarter of the way with clear, glass marbles first, then add the flowers.[2]
- Fresh flowers should last up to 1 week in the jar.
- Use thinly-sliced citrus fruit for a colorful jar. Cut an orange, lemon, and grapefruit into thin slices, then fill the jar two-thirds of the way with them. Make sure that the flat parts of the slices are pressed up against the walls of the jar so that they are visible.[3]
- You don't have to use all 3 types of citrus fruit. You can use just 1 or 2 types of citrus fruit.
- For more color and fragrance, add some herbs, such as rosemary sprigs, star anise, cloves, or cinnamon sticks.
- Fresh herbs and fruit slices will last up to 1 week in the water.[4]
- Tint the water with food coloring for a unique effect. Food coloring is potent, so you'll have to be extra careful in your measurements. Fill a large jar with water, then stir in 1 drop of food coloring. Adjust the amount of water and food coloring until you get the shade you want. Save the colored water for later.
- Create an underwater scene with sand, plastic fish, and shells. Fill the bottom quarter of your jar with light-colored sand. Add 1 to 2 plastic fish. Make the scene more aquarium-like with a pretty shell and an aquarium plant. When the time comes to fill your jar with water, use blue-tinted water.[5]
- For an elegant scene, use sand, 1 to 2 shells, and a small aquarium plant or sprig of rosemary.
- Fill the jar with other items that match your décor. Make sure that the items are water-safe and heavy enough so that they don't float. If you are using a combination of different items, make sure that they look nice together. If you are going to be using the jars for an event, make sure that they match the decorations that you will be using. Don't fill the jar more than two-thirds of the way.
[Edit]Creating the Wick - Crumble the wax off of a birthday candle. You can use a brand-new birthday candle or a spent one. If you decide to use a brand-new birthday candle, cut the wick in half after you crumble the wax off to make it shorter. The length of the wick won't affect how long the candle will burn; the amount of oil you use will. If the wick is too long, it will just burn and fall into the water.
- For some reason, waxed wicks and cotton wicks don't seem to work very well for this type of candle. Stick with birthday candle wicks.[6]
- If you are able to find floating wicks online or in a store, you can use those instead and skip this section. They are floating metal disks with wicks inside of them.
- Soak the wick in oil for 2 minutes. Fill a small dish with cooking oil or lamp oil, then place the wick into the oil. Leave the wick there for 2 minutes before pulling it out and wiping the excess oil off with a paper towel. This will saturate the wick and help it burn more effectively.[7]
- Great types of cooking oil to use include: canola, olive, and sunflower.
- You should use the same type of oil later on when you go to assemble your candle.
- Cut a circle out of clear plastic that fits inside your jar. You can get this plastic from anywhere, such as a plastic bottle, cup, packaging, etc. The plastic needs to be thin and clear, otherwise it will become visible once you add it to the oil. The circle doesn't need to be perfect, but it needs to be small enough to fit inside your jar.[8]
- If you are using a plastic bottle, cut the circle from the domed part. This will create a shallow cup and help it float better.
- Poke a hole in the middle of the circle, then cut a slit. Place the circle on top of a piece of craft foam, cardboard, or a piece of wood. Use a skewer, awl, or pair of manicure scissors to poke a hole in the middle of the circle. Next, use a craft blade or manicure scissors to make a small slit coming off of the hole.[9] You can also make a small X over the hole instead.[10]
- The hole must be centered, otherwise the wick may not stand upright.[11]
- Insert the wick into the hole, then slide it into the slit. The bottom of the wick should be sticking out of the bottom of the plastic circle.[12] If you cut an X into the plastic, it may already be stable enough. If it isn't, slide the wick into one of the slits making up the X.
- If you cut the circle from a plastic bottle, the shorter end should be sticking out of the domed part of the circle; the longer end should be sticking out of the cupped part.
[Edit]Assembling the Candle - Pour water into the jar, leaving of space at the top. This will give you enough room for the oil. If you add too much water, the oil layer will be too thin, which will decrease the candle's burning time as well as increase the chances of spills. You will also run the risk of the wick touching the water and extinguishing.[13]
- Pour in the oil until it's deep. Canola oil, olive oil, and sunflower oil are all great choices. You can even use lamp oil from the craft store. How much oil you use will depend on the size of your jar. The wider your jar is, the more oil you will need to use. Don't worry if the oil mixes into the water at first; it will float to the top.[14]
- Most jars will require 2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 milliliters) of oil.[15] About 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of oil will burn for up to 2 hours.[16]
- Lamp oil is more expensive, but it comes in many different colors, which can be helpful, especially if you tinted the water.
- Set the wick on top of the oil. Make sure that the longer part of the wick is sticking out of the oil, and the shorter part is in the oil. If the bottom of the wick is touching the water, add a little bit more oil. This way, you won't risk the wick accidentally soaking up water and extinguishing the flame.
[Edit]Using the Candle - Set the candle down onto a heat-safe surface. A metal tray, candle charger, or anything with a rim would be ideal. This way, if the candle accidentally gets knocked over, the burning oil will be contained. If you don't have any of these on hand, set the candle down someplace where it won't get bumped.
- Make sure that there are no open windows or vents near the candle.
- Light the wick. You can do this with a lighter, match, or stick lighter. Make sure that you only light the wick, otherwise the oil layer may also ignite. How long the candle lasts depends on how much oil you use. Typically, these types of candles can burn for up to 3 hours.[17]
- Reduce smoke by trimming the wick to
- Handle the candle with care while it burns. Avoid moving the candle around once you light it, or you risk spilling the hot oil. Never leave a burning candle unattended. All it takes is a few seconds to blow it out.
- Extinguish the candle before leaving the room or adding more oil. You should blow the candle out whenever you leave the room. If the oil level starts to get too thin and the wick is touching the water, extinguish the candle, add more oil, then relight it.
- Maintain the water and oil levels. The water will evaporate over time, even if you are not using the candle. Each time you use the candle, check the water and oil levels first. Make sure that the oil layer is at least away from the decorations. If the oil is too close to them, add more water. If the oil level is too thin, then add more oil.
- Decorate the outside of the jar instead of the inside. Draw designs on it with puffy paint or dimensional fabric paint.
- The water will eventually start to look murky. How long this takes depends on how much sunlight it receives. When this happens, discard the water and clean the jar.
- For best results, use a clear oil. If you tinted your water, you can use a lamp oil that matches the color.
- Add some herbs or essential oils to your water to make it smell nice.[18]
[Edit]Warnings - Do not touch the hot oil, and avoid moving the jar while it's lit.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Glass jar or candle holder
- Decorations
- Thin, clear plastic
- Birthday candle
- Skewer, awl, or manicure scissors
- Craft blade or manicure scissors
- Water
- Cooking oil or lamp oil
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Plan a Romantic Treasure Hunt Posted: 03 Mar 2022 08:00 AM PST If you're looking for something fun and different to do for a date night or special occasion, why not plan a romantic treasure hunt for your partner? They'll enjoy deciphering the clues and following the trail as their anticipation grows. The whole thing takes a little effort to pull off, but it's definitely worth it and the two of you will make memories to last a lifetime. Here, we've gathered some great ideas that will take you from the initial planning stages to the moment your partner sets off on their journey. [Edit]Choose the location of the final treasure first. - The easiest way to plan your treasure hunt is to work backward. Pick a place that has meaning for you as a couple. Your treasure hunt might end at your favorite restaurant, where you had your first date, or where you had your first kiss.[1]
- Pick a final spot where you can set up everything you need to. Make sure you get permission if you're going to set up in a business, such as a restaurant or café.
- You might plan your treasure hunt based on where your partner is naturally headed. For example, if you're going to start the hunt with your partner at their workplace, you might have the final stop be at home—that way they can follow your path home from work.
[Edit]Map out your route. - Choose 4-8 stops for a hunt that lasts 1-2 hours. Make a list of places you want to include as stops. If they're scattered throughout your city, use a trip-planning app, such as Google Maps, to easily find a logical route.[2]
- For example, if you're choosing stops that are significant to your relationship, you might include the place where you first met or had your first date, your favorite café or restaurant, and the place where you had your first kiss.
- You don't have to create a long route if you don't want to. You can have a short treasure hunt inside your own home—no map necessary.
[Edit]Choose small gifts to plant at each stop. - A small gift at each stop makes your partner feel special. Your traditional romantic gifts, such as candy and flowers, work great for this. You might also use the gifts themselves as clues leading up to the final treasure.[3]
- For example, if your final treasure is a ski trip, you might include gloves at one stop, a hat at the next, then a scarf, and so on.
- Try things that have special meaning to your partner as well. For example, if your partner collects acrylic pins, you might get a special pin and include it with the clue card at each stop.
[Edit]Design the cards to write your clues on. - Use thick cardstock or construction paper in bright colors that stand out. If you have a theme in mind, you can cut your clues into a shape that fits your theme. You might even draw a picture or design on each one—this is your chance to let your creative juices flow![4]
- For example, if you're doing the treasure hunt for Valentine's Day, you might cut red paper into a heart shape. You could also use different pastel colors to mimic candy hearts.
- You could also type the clues into text boxes and print them out, then cut around the words. If you go this route, you can also find graphics online to copy and use (which is great if you're not much of an artist yourself).
[Edit]Introduce the idea of the hunt in the first clue. - Tell your partner what's going on and get them excited. Make the first clue easier than the rest to get your partner off and running fairly quickly and feeling confident about their ability to find and decipher the next clue. Here are some examples you can adapt and personalize:
- "Get ready for an adventure that can't be beat! To find the next clue, you'll have to turn up the heat." (The second clue is hidden next to or inside the thermostat.)
- "Follow the clues for a special surprise. The next one is hidden where the laundry dries." (Clue is in the dryer or on the clothesline outside.)
- "To discover your gift requires a little work—head to where you practice your clean and jerk." (Next clue is at your partner's gym.)
[Edit]Write riddle clues if your partner likes to solve puzzles. - Words with double meanings make riddles easier. You can also write riddles based on the characteristics of something near the clue or the place where the clue is located. Here are some ideas to get you going:[5]
- "You open me up and my heart bubbles over." (The clue is near a bottle of champagne or bubble bath.)
- "Go here if you want to spice things up outside the bedroom." (The clue is near the spice rack in the kitchen, or at your partner's favorite spice store.)
- "I greet you every day without saying a word." (The clue is under the welcome mat.)
[Edit]Use rhyming clues that point directly to the next spot. - You don't want your partner to waste time trying to figure out a riddle. To make it easier to find rhymes, stick to simple words with common endings that have a lot of options.[6] Here are some examples you can adapt to fit your hunt:
- "You've tracked me this far—man, you're good! To find the next clue, search under the hood." (The next clue is under the hood of the car.)
- "From the very first date, you revved me up. Before you get the next clue, you'll have to track down our pup." (The next clue is attached to your dog's collar.)
- "There's no denying you've captured my heart. Look for the next clue behind our favorite art." (The next clue is behind a favorite painting or other piece of art.)
[Edit]Add special clues that talk about your relationship. - Amp up the romance with clues that talk about your feelings for your partner. You could even write the clues so that, when read together, they form an entire poem about your relationship. Great for an anniversary gift! Here are some ideas to get you going:[7]
- "This was a night I'll never forget! Go to the place where our lips first met." (The place where you had your first kiss.)
- "You know I like to keep it light. Go to where we had our last tickle fight."
- "Love so fine even turtles say 'wow'—go to the spot where we exchanged vows." (The place where you got married.)
[Edit]Get friends and family involved if you want. - Having people give out some of the clues makes the hunt more personal. Tell the person where they need to be and what they need to do. If they need to say anything specific to your partner, give them a written script.[8]
- This works especially well if your ultimate treasure is a marriage proposal—you can include people who supported you as a couple.
- If you want to have a clue at a specific business, talk to the manager and get their permission. They'll usually be more than happy to help and might even throw in a little treat, such as a free cup of coffee at the café where you had your first date.
[Edit]Hide the clues at each stop along the route. - Make the clue fairly easy to find at each stop. Your partner should be able to show up at the location or find the object referenced and instantly know that they're on the right track. If your clue is outside, put it in a plastic bag to keep it from getting wet.[9]
- If you have small gifts at each stop as well, tape the clue to the gift itself so your partner gets both of them at the same time.
[Edit]Do a practice run from start to finish. - Fix any problems so your treasure hunt will go off without a hitch. You might be tempted to skip a practice run, but you never know what you might've overlooked. Put yourself in the mindset of your partner and pretend you don't know where you're going next.[10]
- You might have a friend who wasn't around for the planning run through it with you. That way, you'll know if your clues are too confusing or difficult.
- Bring extra paper and other materials with you in case you need to change a clue on the fly.
[Edit]Set up your partner to find the first clue. - Hand the first clue to your partner to make sure they get it. Even if you have the first clue hidden somewhere, you still might need to give them a nudge in the right direction to make sure they find it. You also want to know when they get started so you can get in position at the final destination.[11]
- If your partner is starting the hunt apart from you, such as at work, have a friend deliver the first clue to them instead.
[Edit]Go to the end of the route to wait for your partner. - Set up the final treasure so that you're waiting when they arrive. If the final treasure is you, get dressed and in the position you want them to find you in. Make all the finishing touches you need to, then relax and wait.[12]
- You might have your partner text you periodically along the route to let you know where they are, especially if you have a little work to do to set up the final reveal.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Wear a Bodysuit Posted: 03 Mar 2022 12:00 AM PST If you're looking for comfort, style, and convenience in one piece of clothing, a bodysuit may be perfect for you! They're universally flattering and layer easily, making them perfect for any weather. To style a bodysuit, layer it with a sweater or jacket, and then dress it up or down with bottoms. Add some accessories to complete the look before heading out. [Edit]Choosing a Bodysuit - Pick a bodysuit that flatters your favorite feature. With so many options and styles, the bodysuit can truly be universally flattering. To find a bodysuit that looks great on you, consider what part of your body you want to highlight.[1]
- For example, if you're proud of your toned arms, opt for a sleeveless or halter-neck bodysuit.
- Start with a T-shirt style bodysuit if you're warming up to the trend. Go with something easy, comfortable, and familiar to see if bodysuits are your thing. T-shirt style bodysuits are perfect for layering with casual outfits because they look polished and seamless, and they won't come untucked. Opt for a capped sleeve for a more feminine look.
- For example, you could style a simple outfit with a white short-sleeved bodysuit and a pair of belted boyfriend jeans, complete with a pair of suede ankle boots.
- Wear a bodysuit with a deep V-neck for a more daring look. This will make your outfit look a little sexier and dressed-up. You could also go for a V neckline with a laced-up detail for added interest to an otherwise simple and sleek piece.
- For example, you could wear a black lace-up bodysuit with a camel-colored suede skirt and some tall black boots.
- Go for a backless or sheer-backed bodysuit for a sexier option. Bodysuits with mesh or lace panels give your outfit a daring, night-out feel. You can wear these as lingerie or as a part of your daytime outfit for a bit of edge.[2]
- For example, you could pair a black sheer-backed bodysuit with a plaid miniskirt, black tights, and black leather ankle boots.
- Look for a bodysuit made of very stretchy material if you're tall. Finding a bodysuit that fits comfortably can sometimes be difficult for taller people, just like trying to find a 1-piece swimsuit. Since there are no straps to adjust on a bodysuit, you don't have as many options for fit.[3] Look for materials with high percentages of rayon, nylon, or spandex for the most stretch.[4]
- For example, look for a bodysuit made of rayon. This fabric is extra stretchy and works as a cheaper imitation for silk, linen, or cotton.[5]
- Layer a button-down over your bodysuit for a professional look. Pair a crisp long-sleeved button-down dress shirt in a solid color or a pattern and with a solid, neutral-colored bodysuit, such as black, white, or gray. Unbutton a few of the top buttons and leave the shirt loose to make the look more casual.[6]
- Pair this look with some trousers or dress pants for work, or with jeans for wearing around your home.
[Edit]Layering with Tops and Jackets - Wear a sweater over a turtleneck bodysuit for a comfy look. Bodysuits are perfect for pairing with sweaters because they're thin and won't bunch up. This look is comfy, relaxed, and still stylish, and it's a perfect staple for a collegiate or young professional's wardrobe.[7]
- For an autumnal outfit, you could wear a white turtleneck bodysuit beneath a chunky-knit mustard sweater with a pair of medium-wash jeans. Add a pair of olive or black ankle boots.
- Wear a blazer over your bodysuit to make it more work-appropriate. Since bodysuits already look crisp and seamless, all you need to do is add a blazer for work. You could go for a simple, classic option, such as classic black or a masculine grey tweed. You could also mix things up and add a pop of color with a red or forest green blazer.
- For example, you could pair a black and white striped bodysuit with a classic black blazer and some burgundy tailored trousers. Finish the look with a pair of black heels.
- For a funkier, colorful outfit, you could pair a white turtleneck bodysuit with a red blazer, some fitted dark-wash jeans, and a pair of black riding boots.
- Throw on a denim jacket for a casual daytime look. Adding a denim jacket over a bodysuit is the perfect way to keep your outfit casual but still cute. Whether light wash, dark wash, or medium wash, a denim jacket is perfect for running errands or going to casual events like sports games.
- For an easy outfit, wear a short-sleeved, black and white-striped bodysuit with some high-waisted fitted black pants and a light-wash denim jacket. Add a pair of white slip-ons or sneakers to complete the outfit.
- Wear a lightweight duster jacket over your bodysuit on a night out. To add some style and a little extra warmth, layer a lightweight duster jacket over your bodysuit and a skirt or pair of pants. The length and movement of the duster jacket will add some sexiness and mysteriousness to your look.[8]
- For example, wear a black bodysuit with sheer panels along with some fitted black jeans and a long, black duster jacket for a cool, monochromatic night-out look.
[Edit]Pairing with Bottoms - Wear a bodysuit with some high-waisted jeans for effortless style. This simple, iconic combination is easy to wear and universally flattering. The high waist will both define your silhouette and hide any skin showing from the bodysuit's thigh-cut sides. You can pair virtually any bodysuit with some comfortable, distressed high-waisted denim.
- For an easy outfit, pair a gray long-sleeved, lace-up bodysuit with some distressed medium-wash, high-waisted skinny jeans. Add a black belt with a silver buckle and some chunky black ankle boots to complete the look.
- To make it more appropriate for a night out, keep the shoes and belt, but swap out the medium-wash jeans for a pair of fitted, high-waisted black jeans and try a bodysuit with a deeper V. Add some statement jewelry, and you're ready to go!
- Pair a white bodysuit with some track pants for running errands. This look is perfect for wearing around the house, going out to run errands, or meeting a friend for coffee. Choose a simple white bodysuit, whether a turtleneck, T-shirt, or tank top style, to make the track pants feel a little more put-together.[9] This way, you can avoid the bagginess of a T-shirt and go for the seamless, polished look of a bodysuit instead.[10]
- For example, you could wear a white T-shirt style bodysuit with a pair of red snap-up track pants. Add a pair of sneakers and a denim jacket to stay warm on cooler days.[11]
- Put together culottes and a bodysuit for an interesting silhouette. The snug, fitted top will contrast nicely with the wide, loose pants. Choose some culottes in a flattering mid-calf length, which will create the illusion of longer legs.[12]
- For example, you could wear a black lace-up bodysuit with a pair of structured, camel-colored culottes and some heeled black sandals for a nice mix of casual and dressy.
- To make the look perfect for the office, just switch out the lace-up bodysuit for a classic black V-neck bodysuit and add a fitted cardigan or a loose menswear-style blazer.
- Wear your bodysuit with a pair of shorts in the summer. The bodysuit and denim short combination is a wardrobe essential for hot weather. The lightness and close fit of the bodysuit will help you stay cool and still look polished.
- For a daytime look, wear a white bodysuit with a pair of high-waisted denim shorts and some leather sandals.
- Pair a bodysuit with dress trousers for a work-ready look. With its clean, tailored appearance, the bodysuit is a professional wardrobe essential. You won't have to worry about your shirt coming untucked and looking sloppy. Add some pumps and a simple, chic belt to pull the outfit together.[13]
- Layer a button-down shirt or a sweater over the bodysuit for a cooler-weather variation of this outfit.
[Edit]Adding Accessories - Add a simple belt to pull the outfit together. Belts complement bodysuits perfectly, since they keep everything flat and tucked and won't bunch up the material. Go for simple leather belts that give a clean, professional touch to your outfit in neutral colors like brown or black. Metal buckles can also add a touch of interest.
- For example, you could use a black belt to transition between 2 form-fitting pieces, such as a white long sleeved bodysuit and a pair of fitted black pants. In this case, opt for a belt with a silver buckle.
- Pair a choker with a deep V-neck bodysuit. Try going monochromatic and matching the choker with the color of the bodysuit. This will streamline everything and make the outfit look even more cohesive.
- For example, you could wear a black velvet choker with a deep V-neck black bodysuit for a night out. Add a pair of cuffed boyfriend jeans and some black chunky heeled sandals for a chic, effortless outfit.
- Add a wide-brimmed felt hat for instant Parisian style. The tailored, fitted silhouette of the bodysuit looks even better with the addition of a hat. Choose one with a wide, round brim in a neutral color like black, navy, cream, or camel.[14]
- For a stylish, European look, pair a black off-the-shoulder bodysuit with some gray plaid trousers, black heels, and a black wide-brimmed hat.
- Wear a silk neck scarf with your V-neck bodysuit for a little extra flair. A silk neck scarf is an easy way to add interest and a pop of color to your outfit, and a V-neck bodysuit is the perfect top to showcase the scarf. Opt for a simple, neutral bodysuit in 1 solid color, and then add a brightly patterned silk scarf, tied in a petite side knot.[15]
- For example, you could wear a navy V-neck bodysuit with some dressy medium-wash jeans and riding boots. For a pop of color, tie on a neck scarf with a floral pattern in red, yellow, and navy.
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Decorate a Cake with Strawberries Posted: 02 Mar 2022 04:00 PM PST Some of the best cake decorations are the simplest ones, and you can't get any simpler (or tastier) than strawberries. They work great with just about any cake, including sponge cake, mousse cake, or cheesecake. The most traditional design uses strawberries and white buttercream, but you can also use strawberry or chocolate frosting. [Edit]Frosting the Cake - Allow the cake to cool completely if you just baked it. Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 to 15 minutes first, then take it out of the pan. Allow it to finish cooling on a wire rack. How long this takes depends on the thickness of the cake as well as the temperature in the kitchen. It can take 20 to 60 minutes.
- If you wish to slice the cake so that you can fill it, do so after you remove it from the pan. A sliced cake will cool a lot faster!
- Spread frosting onto the first layer if you're making a layered cake. Scoop your desired amount buttercream frosting onto the first layer, then spread it around with a cake decorating spatula. Make the frosting layer between. thick.
- If you bought a pre-baked sponge cake, slice it in half or into thirds first.
- Add your desired fillings, then set the second layer on top. Jam and sliced strawberries work especially well for this, but you can also try other fillings, such as custard, a mixture of different berries, or mousse.
- Spread the filling as close to the edges of the cake as possible.
- For a richer cake, apply buttercream to the underside of the second layer, then sandwich sliced strawberries between the 2 layers.
- Press down on the second layer hard enough so that it sticks to the filling, but not so hard that the filling oozes out.
- Apply the frosting to the top and sides of the cake. Scoop a thick layer of frosting on top of the cake, then smooth it out with a cake decorating spatula. Next, scoop more frosting onto the sides of the cake, and smooth them out as well.
- Run a cake decorating comb around the sides of the cake to give it more texture. The comb looks like a rectangle with teeth cut into 1 side.
- Refrigerate the cake to set the frosting. While the frosting is setting, get started on preparing the strawberries. By the time you are done washing, hulling, and slicing the strawberries, the frosting will be ready.
- There is no specific amount of time that the frosting should set. You just want it to be firm enough so that it can hold the strawberries.
[Edit]Creating a Simple Design - Wash and hull the strawberries, then cut them into thin, vertical slices. Choose nice, cone-shaped strawberries, and rinse them with cool water. Pat them dry with a towel, then cut off the leafy green parts. Slice the strawberries vertically, from pointy tip to flat bottom with a sharp knife.
- Make the slices about thick.
- Save the nicest strawberry for the center! Rinse and dry it, then cut the leafy green part off.
- Make a ring of strawberries on top of the cake with the points facing out. Set the strawberries down side-by-side on top of the cake. You can place them so that the point touch the edges of the cake, or you can place them closer to the middle of the cake.
- If you leave space between the strawberries and the edge of the cake, you'll be able to pipe buttercream scallops.
- Make another ring of strawberries inside the first one, overlapping it. How much you overlap the strawberries by depends what sort of design you want. The more you overlap the strawberries by, the more the ends will stick out. The less you overlap them by, the flatter the design will be.
- If you overlap the strawberries by more than halfway, the points will stick up and create a rose-like design in the end.
- Make sure that the ends of the strawberries are pointing towards the edges of the cake too.
- Make more overlapping strawberry rings until you reach the center. Leave enough room for a whole strawberry in the middle. For a more unique design, overlap each ring of strawberries more and more the closer you get to the center. This will make it look more like a rose.
- Place a final strawberry in the center of the cake. Insert the strawberry with the point sticking up for a rosebud design. Alternatively, cut the strawberry into a rose first, then set it into the middle.
- Heat 1 cup (325 g) of preserves, then pour it over the strawberries. Measure 1 cup (325 g) of preserves into a small saucepan, then set it on the stove. Heat them over medium heat for a few minutes until they are smooth and liquidy, then pour them over the strawberries.
- The heated preserves will make the strawberries look glossy and help them stay fresh longer.
- Raspberry, strawberry, or apricot preserves will all work great for this. If you have any heated preserves left, discard them or use them in another recipe.
- If you left space between the strawberries and the edges of the cake, pipe buttercream scallops around the cake. Do this after you pour the preserves.
[Edit]Cutting Strawberry Roses - Wash a large, cone-shaped strawberry, then cut the leaves off. Choose a large strawberry with straight sides that taper into a point; it should look like a cone when viewed from all sides. Rinse the strawberry, pat it dry, then slice the green leaves off.[1]
- Don't use warped, blob-shaped strawberries. They won't make very good roses.
- Don't hull the strawberry by driving a straw through it. You need the point intact.
- Make a cut into the side of strawberry, from the base. Set the strawberry on a flat surface with the cut side facing down. Use a sharp knife to slice straight down into the side of the strawberry, stopping from the base.[2]
- The width of the cut will vary from strawberry to strawberry. It will happen naturally based on the way it's curving.
- Start the cut about a third to half of the way up the side of the strawberry.
- Make the cut horizontal and parallel to the cutting board.
- Cut 3 to 4 more slices around the base to complete the first row. How many you end up fitting depends on the circumference of your strawberry, but you should be able to fit at least 3 or 4 more. Try to start and finish all of the cuts at the same level as the first one.[3]
- The cuts should be close enough so that they are almost touching. Don't leave large gaps between them.
- Because of the strawberry's curved shape, these horizontal cuts will look like semicircles. When you peel them away later, they'll look like petals.
- This completes your first row of petals.
- Make a second row of petals, staggering them between the first set. Start this row about 3/4 to 2/3 from the base of the strawberry. Position each petal between the 2 petals that are below it, sort of like bricks on a wall.[4]
- Do not cut into the petals from the first row or you'll ruin them.
- How many petals you fit will depend on the size of your strawberry. You should be able to fit 3 to 4 petals, however.
- If you have enough room above the second row, you could make a third row of petals. You'll probably only be able to fit 2 or 3 petals, however.
- Slice straight down into the top of the strawberry, stopping at the petals. This will create the center bud of your rose. The cut can go horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, but try to place it within 2 petals, rather than the spaces between the petals.[5]
- Just like the previous rows, don't cut into the petals below it.
- Pry the bud and petals apart. Set your knife between the 2 petals at the top of your strawberry and wiggle it to pry them apart. Repeat this motion for the other petals that you made. Start at the top of the strawberry and finish at the base.[6]
- This completes 1 strawberry rose. Use this process to make as many as you want.
- If you're making multiple strawberry roses, consider making them in different sizes. This will make the arrangement look more realistic.
- Use a dab of buttercream to stick the rose to your cake. If the cake will be sitting out for a few hours, heat up some jam in the microwave, then pour it over the rose first, before you place it on the cake. This melted-jam coating will help the strawberry stay fresh longer.
- Raspberry preserves will work great for this, but you can also use strawberry or apricot. Alternatively, use red or pink piping gel.
- For best flavor, match the buttercream to the one that you used on your cake. For example, if you used vanilla buttercream to frost the cake, use vanilla buttercream to adhere the strawberry.
[Edit]Creating Other Designs - Pipe vines onto a frosted cake, then add sliced strawberries to them. Frost your cake first using white buttercream. Pipe curlicue vines with green frosting onto cake. Slice mini strawberries in half, and add them to the vines so that they look like they're growing.[7]
- Leave the greens on the mini strawberries. Alternatively, cut them off and pipe your own greens with green frosting.
- Slice more strawberries in half, then arrange them around the bottom edge of the cake.
- Alternatively pipe the vines onto parchment paper with melted chocolate first. Let the chocolate harden, then peel it off and set it on the cake.
- Fill the top of a cake with strawberries, then pipe scallops onto the edge. Cut the green parts off of the strawberries first, then arrange the strawberries on the cake with the points facing up. Use enough strawberries to cover the entire surface of the cake. Pipe buttercream scallops around the edge of the cake.[8]
- Heat 1 cup (325 g) of strawberry, raspberry, or apricot preserves, then pour it over the strawberries for a glossy look.
- This design works for cakes of any shape: square, rectangle, or round.
- For a nicer presentation, choose strawberries that are roughly the same shape and size.
- Cut a V-shaped notch into the top of a strawberry, then cut it into slices. Make 2 cuts to either side of the green stem. This will not only remove the stem, but also create a V-shaped notch. Next, set the strawberry pointy-side-up on a cutting board, then cut it into thin slices. When you peel them apart, you'll get hearts![9]
- Make the slices about wide.
- Arrange the hearts in whatever pattern you want on the cake. For example, you could scatter them randomly, or make a beautiful arc.
- Place 2 hearts together with the points touching to create a butterfly!
- Arrange whole strawberries around the top edge of the cake. Just be sure to rinse the strawberries well first, and to cut the green stems off. For something fancier, pipe large stars all around the top edge of the cake first, then set the strawberries on top.
- Place the strawberries as close together or as far apart as you'd like.
- If you're piping the stars, make them wider than the strawberries.
- Alternatively, slice the strawberries in half, then place them cut-side-down onto the frosting. Make the points face into the cake.
- Place sliced strawberries around the bottom side edges of the cake. Rinse the strawberries first, then cut the green parts off. Cut them into halves or into thick slices. Press the strawberries into the sides of a frosted cake, with the flat edges facing down and the pointy ends facing up.
- If you sliced the strawberries in half, press the cut side into the frosting so that the outside of the strawberry is visible.
- Use strawberries that are all the same shape and size for a more processional touch.
- The cake will be more colorful if you place the strawberries side-by-side, but you can leave up to gaps between each berry.
- Combine strawberries with other berries for a more colorful look. Arrange sliced strawberries in overlapping rings on top of the cake. Leave a cup-sized gap in the middle, then fill the gap with blueberries.[10]
- Blackberries or raspberries will also work for this.
- You can use other berries with other designs. For example, you could replace some of those strawberries with blackberries in the vined design!
- Create a scaled design by overlapping the strawberries sideways. Chop the green parts off of cone-shaped strawberries off, then cut them into thick slices. Arrange the strawberries in a ring on top of the cake, with the points overlapping the flat ends.
- Create a more colorful design by adding more rings of strawberries within the first ring.
- If you're adding more rings, consider alternating the directions the strawberries point in: clockwise and counterclockwise.
- Make a chocolate dipped strawberry cake for a decadent treat. Frost the cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. Dip strawberries into melted chocolate, then chill them in the freezer on a parchment-lined baking sheet for a few minutes. Pipe large buttercream rosettes around the top edge of the cake, then set the strawberries into them.[11]
- Alternatively, frost the cake with strawberry buttercream, then pour ganache over it. Pipe buttercream stars on top, then add the chocolate dipped strawberries.[12]
- For a richer treat, frost the entire cake with ganache. Place the dipped strawberries on top, then add some chocolate curls.[13]
- Milk, dark, and white chocolate are all great choices. You could even dip the strawberries in 2 colors of chocolate, or drizzle melted chocolate on top.
- Leave the green leaves on the strawberries; they will look nicer.
- For best results, use cone-shaped strawberries that are all the same size. Discard the sides, or place them on the cake with the cut side facing up.
- Instead of leaving the green parts on, chop them off, then pipe edible greens using green frosting.
- If you're slicing blob-shaped strawberries, slice across the thin side rather than the wide side. This will give you triangular slices.
- You can make the cake a few days ahead of time. Wrap each layer separately in plastic wrap then store it in the freezer until you're ready to decorate the cake.[14]
- Store the frosted cake in the fridge for up to 3 days. It will taste better the day you decorated it, however.[15]
- You can keep a frosted cake at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours, but after that, it should go into the fridge. If you leave it out on the counter for too long, the frosting may melt and spoil.[16]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Cake
- Buttercream frosting
- Cake decorating spatula
- Strawberries
- Paring knife or small, sharp knife
- Cutting board
[Edit]References |
| How to Enjoy Spring Posted: 02 Mar 2022 08:00 AM PST As winter bids farewell and the days start warming and brightening, it's possible to start feeling your mood improve, as you're less weighed down by the cold and dreary days of winter. Tolstoy wrote "Spring is the time of plans and projects,"[1] and indeed it is the time to renew your goals, refresh your home, and to unearth your garden from its wintry layers. As the ever-growing days beckon you to spend more time outside, you'll easily find many ways to keep you outside of the house enjoying the fresh spring days. [Edit]Starting Fresh - Start planning. The beginning of spring is the best time to plan how you'll enjoy the rest of spring. Whether it's gardening, spring cleaning, learning something new, having a makeover, organizing renovations, or another activity suited to a season of renewal, planning for it will help you to make the most of the spring months.
- Spring is the ideal time to set the pace for the coming warm months, including any transitions or transformations you're hoping to make.
- If you want to take a summer vacation, start planning for it now if you haven't already started.
- Spring clean. This age-old tradition of clearing away the cobwebs of winter will give your house a fresh beginning for the warmer months ahead and make the house and surrounds more inviting and enjoyable for you and your family and friends.
 - Spring is a great time to do thorough cleaning because many of us have pent-up energy to expend after being cooped up for the winter. Spring cleaning isn't as mundane as routine cleaning because it's about making space, clearing out things, and even redesigning your home.
- Check that you have all the cleaning supplies you'll need. Look closely at brooms, brushes, mops, and sponges to see if they're still in good condition or whether its time to replace them.
- Have all your cleaning solutions ready. If you're making your own cleaning solutions, check out wikiHow's suggestions under Home cleaning preparations.
- Wait for the first few warm days of spring and get started. Clear the trash and clutter, sweep down cobwebs, dust everything, and donate or dispose of anything you don't need in the house anymore.
- Don't forget the garage, car, any out-buildings, and garden sheds.
- Clean out your computer files and emails. No time like springtime to get rid of your digital mess too! The less cluttered your digital life, the more time you have to enjoy the days of spring.
- For more ideas, read How to spring clean.
- Consider redecoration or renovation; perhaps even a move. This is a good time to sit back and assess the strengths and weaknesses of your current living space and to reach a decision about whether or not it could be improved through a change in decoration styles or additions through decorations.
- Redecoration doesn't have to mean the entire house. Perhaps sprucing up your bedroom or your living area will be enough of a new direction for you and/or the family this year.
- Renovations can take time to plan and get consent for. The earlier you start thinking about them, the better
- If you find your house is too small or big, or that it's not meeting your needs and you don't want to renovate, Spring is usually a good time to place your house on the market and to find a new one.
- If you're not sure whether it's better to move or renovate, read How to decide whether to move or renovate to help you make the decision.
- Rejuvenate your energy levels. As well as spring cleaning the house, car, and garden, consider spring cleaning your health as well.
 - Winter is a time of eating more than during the rest of the year and if you've slipped into eating habits that aren't as healthy as they could be, Spring is the time to mend your ways and to begin eating healthy, fresh foods again. Improve your nutrition intake and feel your energy levels soar again.
- Spring is a wonderful time to make dietary changes because there are so many delicious baby or young vegetables, salad vegetables and fresh fruits available. Make the most of these foods while they're fresh, as they taste best when young and will enthuse your taste buds to want more!
- Eat seasonally and locally. Put your body and appetite on the same seasonal schedule as your local environment -- and help out your local farmers at the same time.[2]
- Consider detoxing your body. Some people enjoy going on fasts as part of a detox but you should always run going on a fast by your doctor first, just to be sure it's safe for you.
- Improve your sleeping schedule. If you've been getting into poor sleeping habits over winter, spring is a good time to fix your sleep schedule to restore your energy. Read How to sleep better for more ideas.
- Have a massage, or book yourself into a day spa for a full day of pampering.
- Consider getting a makeover. It could be as little as a new hairstyle or as big as a whole wardrobe change but spring is a perfect time to consider personal appearance changes.
 - Over the winter your hair has been hidden under hats and scarves, and spring might reveal a hairstyle you're just not happy with. Talk to your hairdresser about options that will bring you up-to-date and feeling good about how you're looking again.
- Check through your closet. Are your spring clothes in good condition and still wearable or are they looking decidedly old or perhaps even "last season" if you're very fashion-conscious? If you're ready to change your wardrobe, spring is the perfect time to do it.[3]
- Use a short break or a weekend to clear out the closet entirely and to only put back the things you really love wearing. Everything else can go to charity or the rag bag (or pet's bed) and then you have an excuse to do some shopping for a few new items that will blend in well with the clothes you've kept.
- Now is an excellent time to discard outdated makeup. Makeup wasn't made to last, so throw out anything that's old, caked up, or obviously in bad condition.
- Read the fashion magazines and websites to find out what's in season. You don't have to buy everything; just purchase a few items that will give your current clothing a spring fashion edge.
- Smile and take time to notice the changes around you. Listen to the birds sing and nest, look out for animals with their young, and watch the plant life around you emerge, shoot up, and finally start to blossom. The world around you is starting fresh; so can you.
- Every week brings subtle changes until suddenly it seems as if spring is in full bloom around you. Set yourself a goal of noticing all the little changes that get spring to this point.
[Edit]Getting Outdoors - Work on your lawn and garden. The garden will need some tender loving care after winter to encourage new healthy growth.
- Plants differ in what they need at this time of year, so know which plants in your garden need a spring pruning or tidy-up; some may need dividing and now might be a good time to take cuttings.
- Have a good look around the garden to see what jobs need doing and to check whether new mulch and compost layers are needed and whether there are weeds to be removed.
- Plant flowers. The local gardening center will start to get deliveries of lovely new annuals and perennials in bloom that you can plant straight in the ground, or you can wander in and check out the available flower seeds. Sunflower seeds are a great beginner's flower if you're stuck for ideas.
- Think about planting flowers in local community planting events -- a great way to meet others and beautify your local environment.
- Don't forget about your lawn. It may never be as beautiful as your flowers, but it can use some love after a harsh winter as well. Fertilize, reseed, and/or aerate to prepare it for the hot sunshine of July.
- Prepare the vegetable patch. Now is the time to start thinking about your summer harvest. Which vegetables grow well in your area and are great spring or summer crops? Do some reading up of gardening books or ask a green-thumbed neighbor if you need advice.
- If your compost has become a big sluggish, give it a good stir and start afresh.
- If you are unable or prefer not to maintain a garden yourself, get someone to do the work for you. Just looking at a tidy and happy veggie patch will make you feel good.
- If you don't have a garden, you might be able to join a community garden or a start a yard share. Spring is a great time to get involved in shared gardening and you'll meet lots of new friends.
- Enjoy animals enjoying Spring. You aren't the only one emerging from a long wintry slumber. Signs of life abound outdoors, so soak it in.
- Build a birdhouse and/or birdfeeder. Bring those cardinals and blue jays in for a closer look. Or just go to the local pond and feed the ducks your stale bread. Keep an eye out for ducklings.
- If you'd rather go to the birds than bring them to you, go birdwatching. Even a beat-up old pair of binoculars will help. Or just take a nature walk and see what you come across.
- Take your dog on long walks. All winter, you've probably been walking Sparky only long enough for him to do his business. Go further, and see what he discovers. (But watch he doesn't find a skunk!)
- If you really want to maximize your springtime animal viewing, visit the zoo.[4] You're still outdoors, still exercising, and you'll see a wide variety of animals responding to Spring. You'll probably spot some exotic baby animals.
- Capture the Spring scenery. Sadly, it will be Winter again before you know it, so give yourself some happy reminders of this time of year.
- Take your camera when you go walking.[5] Look for signs of Spring emerging everywhere and take photos that you can use for collages, decorations, and photo projects; or, you can just share the marvels of Spring through your photos with people online.
- Try painting or drawing "en plein air" (the French expression for 'paint outdoors'). You'll be surprised at how much brighter your colors are in the spring sunshine and how many beautiful things there are to paint or sketch nearby. When sketching birds or animals from life, don't expect them to hold a pose - be more of an Impressionist. A painting isn't a photo - capturing the right "feel" is more important than accuracy.
- Get active. Yes, you're doing yardwork and taking walks, but make the most of this time of year -- not too cold, not too hot, just right for an active Goldilocks like you.
- Dust off the bicycle and start seeing your neighborhood again from two wheels. Gather some friends and spend the day biking. If you want to explore, bring a phone with a GPS installed in it. You can discover some secret places, and get back home on time!
- Take the kids down to the local park or reserve with some balls, rackets, kites, and a picnic basket. Spend an hour or more letting them charge about playing games and finish up with a lunch or dinner meal on a rug.
- Enjoy springtime sports like golf or, perhaps the most Spring-y sport, baseball. Watch them, sure, but play them too. Heck, go down to your favorite ball team's Spring Training and really feel the warmth of the season!
- Check out the festivals in your area. There are many festivals and other community events held during springtime, including perhaps cherry blossom or tulip festivals. Find out what's happening in your local area or even where you're prepared to travel to and enjoy the festivities on offer.
- Bring the outdoors indoors (and vice versa). You've spent the Winter looking out the window, dreaming of the chance to head back outside without having to pull on layer after layer of clothes. Get out there whenever you can, and when you can't, bring a little of Spring into your home.
 - Open the windows.[6] It sounds so simple, but we've become so used to climate conditioning that the simple pleasure of a springtime breeze lofting up your drapes and brushing your face is often lost. Take advantage of this time of year when you can give both the furnace and the A/C a rest.
- Bring flowers into the house. Spring flowers will bring joy into the house with their bright colors and lovely fragrances. Aim to have new, fresh flowers in the house every week during Spring. Read How to arrange flowers, How to make homemade flower food for cut flowers, and How to stop cut flowers turning smelly for more ideas.
- Do indoor tasks outside.[7] Spare the dryer and hang your laundry on the line. Wipe off that old picnic table and have dinner al fresco. Read a novel or even balance the checkbook on a blanket instead of the couch. Feel the sun on your face, smell the blooming flowers, see the world colorizing like it's the Wizard of Oz, and hear the birds sing. Spring is here and now, and so are you.
- Wear sunscreen if you burn easily.
- Bringing along a friend or a family member can give you some great company if you're heading outdoors or doing an activity.
- Wear appropriate clothing depending on the current weather. Spring remains changeable, so it's a good idea to always carry a jacket when heading outdoors, just in case the breeze picks up or it decides to rain or snow unexpectedly.
- Look for a new job. If you're not happy where you are now, consider looking for a new job and ring in the changes with spring. After all, if you're trying to enjoy spring, work is a large part of your day.
- Renew your New Year's resolutions. Do you remember them? Spring is a time of renewal and you're probably more likely to meet some of those resolutions now that you're able to actually get out the door to exercise and get about more than during winter! Give them another try – you could even rename them "spring resolutions" if you'd like.
- Play hopscotch with your family or friends.
[Edit]Warnings - Don't sit around too long wondering what to do with spring; before you know it, it'll be summer and the long, lazy days aren't as inspiring for transforming yourself and your surrounds as the spring weather is!
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| How to Grow Duckweed Posted: 02 Mar 2022 12:00 AM PST Duckweed is an aquatic plant that is commonly found in lakes, forming what seems to be a green blanket over the water. Easily grown, it is a natural food for many animals and keeps mosquitoes from breeding on the water. If you would like to grow some for a science project, animal feed, or for fun, you can grow it indoors or outside in a pond. [Edit]Growing Duckweed Indoors - Buy some duckweed at a pet store or harvest it from a pond. You might be able to buy some duckweed from pet stores in your area. Otherwise, you can take it from a pond it's growing in. Fill your container with some water from the pond. Then scoop some duckweed from the pond with your hand and place the duckweed into your container.[1]
- Place the lid on the container to prevent splashing while you bring the duckweed home.
- Between 50-100 duckweed pods will be enough as they will grow and multiply quickly.
- Disinfect the duckweed with potassium permanganate. You'll need potassium permanganate to disinfect the duckweed. Mix one teaspoon of this chemical in of water. Place the duckweed into the permanganate solution for 30 seconds or so.[2]
- Potassium permanganate can be bought at your local pharmacy.
- Disinfecting the duckweed will make sure that it is free of pests and bacteria.
- Place the duckweed in a plastic tray with of depth. This will help you create a suitable environment for the duckweed to thrive in. Fill the tray with freshwater and add the duckweed to it. Use freshwater from a pond for best results but you can also use tap water.[3]
- You need to use freshwater as duckweeds are freshwater plants. This is why they only grow in ponds and not at sea. Salt water will kill the duckweed.
- Position the tray so it receives 10 hours of sunlight daily. The best place to put the tray is right next to a window that receives at least 10 hours of sunlight each day. Like many plants, duckweed will thrive in direct sunlight. If you see duckweed in a pond, notice how the pond is almost completely without any shade and receiving plenty of sunlight.
- If you can't put duckweed near a window that receives 10 hours of sunlight, you can also use fluorescent light bulbs to help them grow. For best results, place the light bulbs above the tray. The duckweed won't grow under these light bulbs as well as it would with direct sunlight.
- Change the water in the tray after 1 week. Check the tray a couple of times a day and remove damaged duckweed from the tray. Replace the water in the tray with more freshwater.[4]
- It will take 10 days or so for the duckweed to multiply.
- Use a net to transfer the multiplied duckweed to your desired location. If transferring the duckweed to a pond in your garden, make sure that the pond is receiving plenty of sunlight. If you're moving the duckweed to an aquarium, make sure that the aquarium lid has a light source attached to it.[5]
- Duckweed requires no further care or maintenance once it's in your pond or aquarium.
- You can get a suitable net in your local garden store.
[Edit]Growing Duckweed Outside - Test to see if your pond's pH level is between 6.0 and 7.5. Duckweed grows best at between these 2 numbers. To find out the pH of the water in your pond, dip some litmus paper into the pond. Depending on how acidic or basic the water is, the paper will turn a color between red (highly acidic) and blue (very basic). If the paper is between a dark yellow and lime green in color, the pond water is suitable to use for your duckweed.[6]
- Buy some litmus paper at your local pharmacy.
- If the pH of your pond is too acidic, use baking soda at a rate of 1 teaspoon for every of water. Do this until the pH reaches the 6.0 to 7.5 range.[7]
- Create a pond if you don't have one. The best place to dig your pond is an area that isn't low in elevation, has no muddy soil, and doesn't flood from excessive rain. Create steep slopes around the pond. The pond should be at least deep.[8]
- Don't place the pond too close to trees or to other things that might cast a shadow over it. Duckweed needs plenty of sunlight to be able to grow.
- Using a waterproof plastic tarp or a pond liner, cover the pond's bottom surface area. Make sure there is at least a few feet extra of tarp extending around the ditch.
- Cover the tarp with soil. Raise an edge/water-run-off barrier around it. Try adding some stones around the edges.
- Fill your pond with freshwater if you built a pond. Duckweed will also grow in tap water once the pH is suitable. Fill your pond until the water reaches from the top of the pond. This will prevent flooding.[9]
- You might be able to buy large tanks of freshwater from your local garden store. If not, you can use tap water.
- Add a dechlorinator to your pond. You can buy a dechlorinating agent at your local pet store. Read the packaging to find out how much water the agent is designed to treat. Unscrew the lid of the agent and pour the desired amount into your pond. This will remove chlorine from your pond.[10]
- Duckweed grows best in dechlorinated ponds.
- Buy duckweed from a pet shop or harvest it from a pond. It's unlikely but you should check to see if your local pet store sells duckweed before you head to the local pond. If the pet stores don't have duckweed, find a pond with duckweed in it. Fill a container with fresh water from the pond and scoop the duckweed into the container.[11]
- 50-100 duckweed pods will be enough.
- You can also use plastic drinking bottles to collect the duckweed. Just make sure you've properly washed the bottle out beforehand.
- Disinfect the duckweed with potassium permanganate. You can buy this chemical from your local pharmacy. Mix one teaspoon of potassium permanganate in of water. Add the duckweed to this mixture and let it sit for 30 seconds. When the 30 seconds are up, remove the duckweed from the mixture and add it back to your container of freshwater.[12]
- Add the duckweed to your pond. Take the containers to the pond and place the duckweed into your pond. After 10 days or so, you should be able to notice the duckweed multiplying.[13]
- If you're putting other plants in your pond, pick plants that don't require plenty of sunlight. The duckweed will block most of the light from entering the pool.
- Duckweed requires no further care or maintenance once it's in your pond or aquarium.
- Duckweed likes still water, so there's no need for a fancy aeration system.[14]
- Some fish enjoy eating duckweed, and it can be a great nutrition source for ducks and chickens. It can also be used in freshwater aquariums to absorb nitrates.
- If you already have an established pond, you can add a pound or so of duckweed to it. This is a treat for fish or other animals that will eat it!
[Edit]Warnings - In most places, duckweed is viewed as a weed, good for a private pond. Do not release it into any sewer, lake, or river.
- Some cities do not allow people to have natural ponds over a certain size in a certain location. Check with your local regulations.
- In aquariums, especially if it's warm (over ), it will grow very quickly![15]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Growing Duckweed Indoors - Duckweed
- Containers for transporting the duckweed
- Potassium permanganate
- A plastic tray with of depth
- Direct sunlight or fluorescent bulbs
- Freshwater
- A net
[Edit]Growing Duckweed Outside - Litmus paper
- Freshwater or tap water
- A dechlorinating agent
- A Shovel
- Plastic tarp
- Potassium permanganate
- Duckweed
- Dechlorinated water
- Containers
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| How to Measure a TV Posted: 01 Mar 2022 04:00 PM PST As technology continues to improve, TVs continue to get bigger and better. If you've recently upgraded to a sleek new model, you may be wondering how best to measure it for display. Luckily, measuring a TV is incredibly simple, and only takes a few seconds in most cases. Stretch a tape measure from corner to corner to double-check the screen measurement given by the manufacturer. If you're trying to fit your TV for a cabinet, stand, or spot on the wall, it will also help to find its actual width, height, and depth to make sure it will fit comfortably. [Edit]Finding Your TV's Dimensions - Measure the screen from corner to corner to confirm the advertised size. Regardless of whether you're measuring a flat screen TV or another model type, start with the end of your tape measure at the top left corner of the screen and extend it to the bottom right corner. Measuring the screen diagonally will give you the standard screen dimension that manufacturers use to advertise the size of their TVs.[1]
- Some common sizes for TVs based on the diagonal dimensions of the screen include , , , . , and .[2]
- You can also find TVs with screens as big as or larger.
- Run your tape measure horizontally from side to side to find the width. This time, measure from the far left edge of the TV to the far right edge, including the bezel on both ends. The number you get will be the overall width, which should be a few inches less than the screen size.
- A TV listed as , for example, will in reality only be wide.
- Your TV's width is its most crucial measurement—it will come into play whether you opt to mount it on the wall or set it up on a cabinet or stand.
- Measure from top to bottom to get the height. Now, stretch your tape measure from the upper edge of the TV to the lower edge on the same side. Doing so will give you the overall height. Most newer TVs have a height that's around 56% of the total width.
- A TV with a screen that's wide will have a height of around .
- Generally speaking, height doesn't matter as much as width. However, the vertical dimension could end up making a difference when you're deciding where to place your TV.
- Find the depth of the TV by measuring from front to back. This may be a little tricky if the backside of the TV is tapered. In this case, it can help to hold another long, flat object (such as a ruler) against the rear edge and measure the distance between the screen and the reference object. If that's not an option, you may also be able to get away with simply eyeballing it.
- You may need to consider the depth of your TV in order to guarantee that it will fit an existing cabinet or stand.
- TVs are continually being redesigned to take up less space. These days, many flat screen models are less than deep with a stand attached, and as thin as without.[3]
[Edit]Making Sure Your TV Fits Your Display Space - Measure your intended display space. If you haven't already, find the exact height and width of the area where you want your TV to go. You'll also need to note the depth of cabinets, stands, or entertainment centers to determine whether they're big enough to hold your TV.[4]
- For maximum accuracy, round off your measurements to the nearest .
- Jot the dimensions of your display space on a piece of paper and keep them with you when you're shopping around for your new TV.
- Allow for an extra of room in your display space. Make sure the stand or section of wall you'll be using is at least half a hand's width larger than your TV on all sides. That way, you can ensure that it fits comfortably and avoid any unpleasant surprises when it comes time to set it up.
- You may be able to squeeze a TV into an entertainment center with a opening, but it will probably be too cramped to look good. A better choice would be a or model, which will provide a little breathing room on either side.
- You'll need to know your TV's width and height if you intend to mount it on the wall. If you want to place it on a stand or in an enclosed cabinet, and you'll also need to factor in its depth.
- Pick out a TV big enough to see clearly from where you'll be sitting. A screen may sound impressive, but it could be a little underwhelming if you're watching from the opposite side of the room. When it comes to arriving at a reliable size estimate, a good rule of thumb is to multiply the distance between your seating area and TV in inches by 0.84.[5]
- If you're going to be sitting about away from your TV, for instance, a will provide optimum visibility.
- Another option is to use an online viewing calculator to get a better idea of what size screen would look best in your display space, or how far away you should sit from a screen of a certain size to get the best view.[6]
- Understand your TV's aspect ratio to enjoy the best picture. The term "aspect ratio" refers to the relation between the width and height of a TV's display image. Newer widescreen TVs normally have an aspect ratio of 16:9. This means that the picture has a height of for every of width.[7]
- Standard TVs squeeze the picture into a square image with an overall smaller area, while widescreen TVs take advantage of their added width to display the full image in its proper dimensions.[8]
- A standard (4:3) TV and a widescreen TV could have the same diagonal screen measurement, but the picture would look quite different for each.
- Multiply standard screen sizes by 1.22 to get the same aspect ratio on a widescreen TV. If you're thinking about upgrading to a widescreen TV but you'd prefer to continue watching in a 4:3 format, multiply the diagonal screen measurement of the old TV by 1.22. The resulting number will tell you how big your new TV would have to be to produce the same size 4:3 image.
- If you currently have a standard TV, you'll need a widescreen TV with a screen that's at least least to make sure your picture doesn't get smaller.
- If you're not sure you can afford a TV of a particular size, take a look at other styles in the same size. A plasma TV will usually be more affordable than a LED flat screen, while a standard LED TV may cost considerably less than a 4K smart TV.
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