Ask Martha
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- expandCooking and Baking Tips
- Why won't my popovers pop over?
- Do you have any tips for making royal icing?
- How do I adjust baking recipes for altitude?
- How can I keep pancakes from getting soggy while I make more?
- What is the best way to remove water from cooked spinach?
- When I cook scallops, they never brown nicely. What am I doing wrong?
- Is there a way to speed up the process of soaking and cooking dried beans?
- What's an oil's smoke point? Does it affect food's taste?
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- expandIngredient Information
- How do regular and Dutch-process cocoa powders differ?
- What are the differences among the types of flour in the baking aisle?
- How do cow, goat, and sheep milk yogurt differ?
- What is the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla beans?
- How do the grades of olive oil differ?
- What is white balsamic vinegar?
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- expandFood Presentation and Storage Ideas
- What is the best way to store a loaf of freshly baked bread?
- After decorating a cake, how do I transfer it to the plate I plan to present it on?
- I'd like to send cookies to my nephew serving in Iraq. What types are best, and how should I package them?
- I'd like to pickle watermelon rinds. How do I store the rinds until I have enough to pickle?
- What chocolate should I use to make chocolate-covered strawberries, and how should I store them?
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- expandKitchen Tools and Appliances
- I'm in the market for a rolling pin. What options are available in terms of style and material?
- How do I adapt recipes for my convection oven?
- We put our aluminum salad tongs in the dishwasher, and now they're dull and spot-covered. Can I restore the shine?
- Many recipes call for the use of a stand mixer. Can I get the same results with a hand mixer?
- Are nonstick baking mats or parchment paper interchangeable with greased cookie sheets?
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- expandCraft Materials and Techniques
- When I press flowers, they sometimes turn brown. What should I be doing differently?
- Unusual-looking eggs often appear in your magazine. Can they be decorated?
- Is there a way to preserve fall leaves for crafts projects?
- How can I decoupage a clipboard with photographs?
- What crafts can my kids do in the car without making a big mess?
- What is milk paint?
- Is there a way to prevent ribbon from fraying?
- How can I remove ink from a rubber stamp?
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- expandSewing and Fabric Crafts
- I don't sew, but would like to learn. What will I need to get started?
- My heirloom tablecloth is stained beyond repair. Can I reuse it somehow?
- My sewing scissors have become magnetized. How do I fix them?
- How should I store fabric?
- Is it possible to recycle or compost leftover pieces of fabric?
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- expandCollecting Tips
- What's the difference between the terms "vintage," "antique," and "collectible"?
- I have an extensive china collection. What's the best way to keep track of it?
- I inherited two 21-inch square linen cloths, each with a buttonhole in one corner. What were they used for?
- I broke a crystal vase that had been in my family for decades. How do I find a similar, if not exact, piece?
- I live in earthquake country. How can I best display my collection of glass bottles?
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- expandDIY Decorating Solutions
- How can I fix curling wallpaper seams?
- The walls of my living room are covered with wood paneliing. Can I paint it?
- I'd like to decorate my barn with holiday lights, but it's not wired for electricity. Can you recommend any options?
- How can I attach lauhala mats to a cement wall without using adhesive?
- How can I remove an applique from the bottom of my bathtub?
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- expandAccent and Detail Ideas
- How do I determine where to hang a mirror, and what hardware do I need?
- What are some tricks for long-lasting flower arrangements?
- Is there a rule about combining colors of wood in furniture?
- What is the correct way to hang the American flag?
- I'd like to hang an antique print in my bathroom. Is there a way to safeguard it against moisture damage?
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- expandEntertaining Etiquette
- Do you have any suggestions for encouraging people to R.S.V.P.?
- How do friends and family celebrate the birth of a second child?
- What is the correct way to lay out food on a buffet?
- I am English and serve cheese after dessert. Some of my American friends serve cheese first. Who is right?
- Is there a polite way to encourage guests to take off their shoes in my house?
- What's a fitting gift to thank hosts for a weekend visit?
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- expandDinner Party Ideas and Tips
- Is it necessary to assign seating? If so, how should I plan the seating arrangement?
- How do I preserve wine left over from an opened bottle?
- On special occasions, I serve meals on my antique dishes. How should I clean and care for them?
- Where can I find a "silence cloth" to place under the tablecloth at dinner parties and holiday meals?
- I'm hosting my first Thanksgiving. How do I create a festive look when all I have is basic white china?
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- expandPlanning a Garden
- How do I get the best selection of plants for my garden?
- What gardening references do you consider essential?
- What can I plant in my garden that will attract birds, bees, and butterflies?
- In my garden, what should I cut back and what should I leave for the birds over the winter?
- I'd like to learn more about organic gardening. Where should I start?
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- expandTips on Growing Edible Plants
- I want to start a vegetable garden from seed. How should I do it?
- Is it risky to plant vegetables where foxgloves once grew? I understand the perennial is toxic.
- Why does the lettuce I'm growing taste bitter?
- What climate does a hardy kiwi plant require? Is the fruit as tasty as those in the market?
- I've heard that you shouldn't harvest rhubarb after the Fourth of July. Is this true? If so, why?
- How can I preserve the herbs from my garden when summer ends?
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- expandPlant Problems and Solutions
- How do I keep birds from nesting in my hanging plants?
- How do I get rid of the tiny gnats that fly around my houseplants?
- Sometimes my magnolia buds freeze before they can open. Can I prevent this?
- My hydrangea won't bloom. Why?
- The buds on my Christmas cactus fall off before opening. What causes this, and how do I remedy it?
- My bonsai is dying. It's on my windowsill, where it receives plenty of light. What can I do?
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- expandLawn Care Tips
- Last summer my lawn looked tired and brown. What can I do about its appearance this year?
- I've relocated my flower bed and now need to remove a long strip of grass. What's the best way to do this?
- How do I eradicate poison ivy from my yard once and for all?
- I'd like to get rid of flies and mosquitoes in my yard without using chemicals. Any ideas?
- How do I repair damage that occurred to my lawn over the winter?
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- expandCreating a Healthy Home
- Where can I recycle No. 5 plastic? My town doesn't include it in its program.
- Bedbugs are everywhere these days! How can I keep them out of my home?
- How can I get rid of black ants without using harsh insecticides?
- Is it necessary to have a humidifier? How can I clean it properly?
- How should I dispose of my old computer?
- Do energy-saving light bulbs provide any real savings?
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- expandCare for Towels and Linens
- How can I prevent my towels from pilling in the washer and dryer?
- How can I tell the difference between the ends and sides of a fitted sheet?
- Is there an easy way to remove wrinkles from sheets?
- My white pillowcases have turned yellowish. Why did this happen? What can I do?
- When I line-dry my laundry, the towels end up stiff. Are there any tricks to keeping them soft?
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- expandKeeping Everything Clean
- What's the best way to disinfect a sponge?
- How can I remove the deposits inside my teakettle and coffeemaker?
- What's the best way to keep bath toys clean?
- How do I remove odor from my cutting board?
- What is the best method for cleaning chocolate stains?
- How do I remove sunscreen's white residue from our leather sofa?
- I have carbon-steel cutlery that has turned very dark. How do I restore its shine?
- What is the best way to clean an outdoor shower?
- My aluminum and steel pots dry with spots and never look clean. What should I do differently?
- Is there an easy way to remove dried latex paint from my wood floor?
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- expandSolutions for New Pet Owners
- Where should I start my search for a pet breeder? What qualities should I seek?
- My husband is allergic to dogs. Are there any breeds that are hypoallergenic?
- I live in an apartment and would like to have birds as pets. What breeds do you suggest?
- How can I get my new parakeet to talk?
- I have four cats and would like to introduce a puppy into my fluffy family. What is the best way to do so?
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- expandPetkeeping Questions and Answers
- Which upholstery holds up best in a household with a cat or dog?
- I'd like to keep my small dog with me on a domestic flight. Any advice?
- How do I protect my dog from kennel cough?
- Where is it okay for me to take my dog?
- When are winter clothes or shoes necessary for dogs?
- How can I protect doors and other wood from pet scratches?
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