What Is a Persimmon? Some varieties of persimmons look just like small tomatoes, but they’re actually a type of berry. They grow on trees and, depending on the variety, can range in color from light orange to dark reddish-orange. Persimmons are in season from mid fall to early winter, usually appearing in grocery stores in October and sticking around until at least December or January. Popular Types of Persimmons Though there are more than 100 persimmon varieties, you’ll usually see two types in stores; hachiya and fuyu....

How Much Does a Stick of Butter Weigh? The measurement markings on sticks of butter are very helpful, but not particularly useful if you find yourself following a recipe using the metric system instead of standard U.S. measurements (aka imperial measurements). Measuring butter (and almost all ingredients for that matter) is always most accurately done using a kitchen scale. If you already bake a lot, you probably know how many tablespoons are in a stick of butter (it’s 8 tablespoons)....

Listen to Your Body Every body has different needs. “Some people need to shower once or twice a day after working up a sweat, while others who aren’t as active, may only need to shower several times a week,” says Michele Green, MD, New York City–based cosmetic dermatologist. “While the importance of personal hygiene can’t be understated, everyone’s skin is different. Depending on the season, your skin, and your preferences, the frequency of your showers may vary throughout the year....

The Best Hydrangeas for Full Sun While several species of hydrangeas thrive in shade, panicle hydrangeas (Hydrangea paniculata) are the best for growing in full sun. These summer-blooming shrubs produce large clusters of white flowers for several weeks. The showy blooms fade to shades of pink or red before drying to beige. In many areas, the blooms dry on the plant in the fall and continue looking good through most of the winter....

Before Getting Started Stoves, especially those with gas stove top burner heads, and other inner working stove parts are intricate and vary greatly from model to model and brand to brand. You’ll want to be well informed on how to clean the stove burners on your specific appliance so you do not damage the burner and cause it to malfunction or become a hazard. Your owner’s manual will be a helpful reference....

Deck posts must be plumb, so they must start with square ends. Check the bottom of each post with a speed square and cut it if necessary. Dip cut ends in a preservative before setting them in the anchors and let the preservative soak in overnight. To make the job go quickly, do everything in stages—first, square all the deck posts and set them in the anchors with a temporary brace....

Growing bonsai remains a specialized niche, but learning the art of bonsai is more accessible than ever. We’ve gathered tips for growing an indoor bonsai tree, including advice from the head curator of the celebrated bonsai collection at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Here is the best advice for how to care for a bonsai tree indoors—and actually keep it alive! What Is a Bonsai Tree? The word “bonsai” translates to “grown in a tray or container” and it refers to any type of tree that is forced to remain miniature....

“There is nothing that makes a space feel more magical than lighting,” says Jung Lee, event architect and founder of Fête. “String lights are among my top choices for bringing instant fantasy to your space.” Feeling motivated to string up your own? It’s a great weekend project that doesn’t take too much time but still offers quite a bit of impact. Ahead, we’re explaining how to hang outdoor string lights in a few different ways, then offering up some patio string light ideas for your own space....

Seed balls make it easier to plant seeds, especially if you’re sowing small seeds that are difficult to see and handle. Coating seeds with clay also protects them from being washed away by rain or eaten by birds. Use one finished seed ball per small container, or use the balls to plant clusters of annual flowers in a garden. Related Video

Here’s how to make your favorite Starbucks holiday drinks at home. Red cup optional. Pumpkin Spice Latte The key to flavored lattes is the syrup, which can be purchased online in various sizes. Though Starbucks doesn’t sell its pumpkin spice syrup commercially, a similar syrup can be purchased from Torani, which is used by coffee shops across America. If you want to make your own, Starbucks at Home provides the following recipe: 1 cup water, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 6 Tbsp pumpkin purée, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice should be simmered for about 4 minutes until everything is well combined....

The key is to organize everything inside your small closet while keeping the most frequently used items visible and within reach. With smart storage solutions and a little creativity, you’ll find that your dream closet can be a reality. These ideas show you how to organize a small closet to better support your daily routine. 1. Use a Combination of Drawers and Dividers If you’re wondering how to organize a small closet with lots of clothes, one of the most effective methods is to utilize multiple space-saving methods....

How to Sauté Onions Heat oil or butter over medium-high heat until hot in a large skillet or pan. Use about 1 Tbsp. fat per small to medium onion (you can use just about any fat). If you want to sauté onions without oil, use a nonstick pan, and add a small amount of water or vegetable broth to help keep onions from sticking. Add chopped or sliced onions and cook for 5 to 7 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon or heatproof spatula....

How to Store Whole Carrots Trim off the carrot greens, and either discard them or save them for something else, like pesto. If you leave the greens on the carrots, they will draw moisture and cause the roots to rot more quickly. Avoid washing whole, unpeeled carrots until right before you plan to eat or cook with them; by keeping them dry, they will stay good for a longer period of time....

Taking temperatures isn’t rocket science, but there are a few things you should know to get the most accurate reading possible. Get a baseline temperature for the whole family. A true fever is a reading of 100.4 or higher, but we all have a slightly different baseline temperature. Sure, 98.6 may be average, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only normal temperature reading. Genetics, time of day, physical activity, and even food and beverage can impact a temperature....

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On This Episode The wealth gap between young married couples and their single counterparts has more than doubled since 2010. It’s expensive being single, and inflation is making it even harder to manage rising costs on a single income. This week, Stefanie interviews writer Anne Helen Petersen about the rising costs of being single in America. Meet Our Caller “Dawn” is a 32-year-old Iowa-based listener working in the legal field. Between her own desires alongside pressure from her parents and outside voices, Dawn has her sights set on buying a house....

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An important note: It’s easier to carve pumpkins skillfully if you have a variety of tools, especially when you’re cutting small sections. Experiment with different instruments, like woodcutting knives, apple corers, and clay-sculpting tools to achieve different effects. After carving, illuminate these pumpkin houses with tea lights for a warm, homey glow. To carve: Hollow out three pumpkins – one medium, one tall, and one short and round. (Hint: Hollow them out from the bottom to keep your pumpkin houses’ roofs intact!...

With our turkey recipe mash-ups, DIY wine pairings, and adorable Friendsgiving desserts, this homemade friends’ dinner menu is guaranteed to be a memory-maker that will make everyone feel grateful. Related Video