Good Housekeeping March 2021

SPRING TREND Bloom-Free Bouquets For an eye-catching and budget-friendly centerpiece, think beyond seasonal flowers, says photographer Alyssa Rosenheck, author of The New Southern Style. She scatters clusters of Israeli ruscus (shown here) around the house — the hearty stems can last up to two months with water changes. But any traditional bouquet filler, such as eucalyptus or ferns, can do the trick. Group several bunches together in a large container on the dining room table or put a sprig or two in a bud vase for a welcoming touch in a powder room or a home office.…

LEMON-MINT SLUSHIE In blender, puree 1½ cups cold lemonade (homemade or store-bought), ¼ cup mint and 2 cups ice cubes until ice is crushed and mixture is combined. Serve immediately. For a cocktail, add 2 Tbsp (1 oz) gin along with lemonade. GREEN PEA COUSCOUS Cook ¾ cup couscous per pkg. directions. Using vegetable peeler, remove 3 strips zest from 1 orange and thinly slice. Fluff couscous, then toss with zest, 1 cup frozen peas (thawed), ¾ cup each mint and parsley leaves, 1 Tbsp olive oil, ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. MINT & WALNUT PESTO Dunk ¾ cup each parsley and mint in boiling water 3 sec.; rinse in cold water and squeeze dry. In blender, chop 2 Tbsp walnuts and 1 small clove garlic with 3…

BOOK OF THE MONTH FEEL-GOOD READ The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan Fans of historical fiction and complicated relationships, grab a snack and crack open Ryan’s latest novel. Two years into World War II, British pantries are feeling the rationing strain. The BBC’s Kitchen Front radio program (based on the real broadcast of the same name) helps home cooks make the most of available ingredients. When it launches a three-course cooking contest to find a female cohost among its listeners, the real drama begins. One young widow needs to win so she can keep a roof over her family’s heads. A young kitchen maid dreams of finding freedom. A trained chef with a scandalous secret wants to prove she’s good enough to be head chef, and a lady of the…

TOOL LIBRARIES If missing gear “throws a wrench into” your DIY project, visit a tool library to borrow equipment you’ll need for just a short time. Inquire at your branch or localtools.org to find one near you. FREE CLASSES Go back to school without paying tuition by taking courses on topics from gardening to cooking to career help. Many are free or low-cost. Visit your branch’s website to see what’s on offer. INSTRUMENT RENTALS Take a new hobby for a test-drive by checking out an instrument. Libraries in Ann Arbor, MI, and Sacramento, CA (MusicLandria, musiclandria.com), are among those that lend instruments.…

CHOOSE THE RIGHT GARMENT. Pick a fabric that will hold the dye well through repeated washes. Seymour recommends 100% cotton, as natural dyes are most common and are intended to work best on natural fibers. If you do want to use a synthetic garment, look for dye formulated for synthetics. GATHER YOUR SUPPLIES. You’ll need disposable gloves to keep your hands clean; rubber bands or string to tie off segments; squirt bottles with pointed tips; and a plastic bag in which to place your dyed garment and assorted colors of dye. Cover your work surface and prepare the dye according to package instructions. RINSE THE FABRIC. Seymour recommends first washing the clothes you intend to use to ensure that they’re totally clean. You want them damp but not sopping when…

LISTEN CLOSELY Many of us go into conversations with an agenda or steer the chat toward what we want to hear. Instead, ask connecting questions like “How?” and “What?” and wait for the answers. SIT WITH SILENCE Especially when having a tough talk, give your partner time to process and respond, even if that means it’s uncomfortably quiet for a few moments. GIVE AND TAKE A healthy relationship is one that’s mutually supportive. If yours feels uneven, ask your pal if you can share your struggles, or model that behavior if you’d rather not mention it outright. Offer them your support too.…