Wild blue lupine is quite similar to the more gaudy hybrid lupines, with distinctive palmate leaves that are attractive in the garden even when the plant is not blooming. Spiky blue flower racemes 4 to 10 inches tall appear in late spring or early summer on plants up to 2 feet tall. Rather than the piercingly bright candy colors of the hybrid lupines, L. perennis plants generally have more subdued color—generally blue or purple, but occasionally white or pink....

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors are invaluable when it comes to detecting actual fire or gas leaks, but most leave something to be desired when it comes to everyday performance. There’s the periodic high-pitched chirping that tells you the nine-volt battery is about to die, and the blaring alarm that signals not plumes of real smoke, but a bit of steam that’s wafted off your stir-fry. These false alarms are super annoying, and they force you to drop everything you’re doing to wave a hand towel in front of the unit just to silence it....

The Junk Drawer(s) Organizing the junk drawer is fast. First, take all the contents out, and then throw away anything that you don’t need. Of the objects left, pick out the ones that aren’t kitchen-related and return them to their proper places throughout the house. Everything that remains either has a more likely place within your kitchen—if so, put it there now—or deserves to stay in the drawer. Arrange the true junk drawer items so they’re not a jumbled mess....

Both Pella and Andersen windows also are usually worth it in terms of cost. While local, smaller window companies can often cut deals and might provide excellent service, they don’t always get the best ratings. On the flip side, Pella and Andersen windows reviews tend to be relatively positive. As of 2021, the window and door companies that had more than $1 billion in sales were: Andersen Windows & Doors Cornerstone Building Brands Jeld-Wen Marvin Windows and Doors Masonite Pella Corp....

Fast Facts Scientific Name: Dryocopus pileatusCommon Name: Pileated WoodpeckerLifespan: 12-13 yearsSize: 16-19 inchesWeight: 9-12 ouncesWingspan: 26-30 inchesConservation Status: Least concern Pileated Woodpecker Identification These woodpeckers are easily identified by size, but birders should note other field marks and features to avoid confusing them with crows or ravens. The straight, stout, grayish-black bill is a good clue and immediately helps identify this bird as a woodpecker. Males are solid black though the underparts may appear dark gray....

What Plants Are Sold This Way? Not all types of plants can handle being shipped without soil. However, for those that can, such as roses, fruit trees, and shrubs and several perennials, including hostas and daylilies, it is a safe, lightweight way to ship plants inexpensively. Perennials and roses may also be sold as bare roots on the shelves of some of your local retailers. Big box home improvement centers and mass merchant retailers will often sell these plants as bagged or boxed with bare roots....

Finding a versatile comforter that works in all seasons is a challenge. A blanket that remains cool in the summer may not keep you warm and toasty in the winter. Pottery Barn’s HydroCool Down-Alternative Duvet Insert offers the best of both worlds. It’s supposed to deliver luxurious comfort and the perfect amount of warmth. It has moisture-wicking fibers that draw away excess heat, which is ideal for hot sleepers. I put this duvet insert to the test to see if it delivers on these promises....

Birdhouse Predators Many different predators will target birdhouses for an easy meal. The most common culprits include: Cats Snakes Raccoons Squirrels Mice Rats Opossums Bears Chipmunks In addition to these common birdhouse predators, larger birds will also often threaten other nesting birds. Jays, grackles, crows, starlings, magpies, and other large birds are partially avivorous and will happily take advantage of eggs and chicks as an easy food source if they can get into birdhouses or nests....

In cooler climates, they’re often grown as houseplants. When grown in the garden, plant them in the early spring or late fall. These plants are extremely slow-growing, gaining only a few inches annually, and may only produce one new frond each year. Its feather-like foliage grows out in a symmetrical ring. Generally, they grow larger when planted in the ground versus when they’re in containers. After several years, they may reach 2 to 3 feet....

But natural gas is highly combustible. This means it can produce a lot of heat when you burn small amounts, but it also means that a natural gas leak can pose a serious risk of fire and explosion since it spreads quickly and goes up in flames easily. If you have a gas leak in the house, any electrical spark or fire source can ignite the gas—with results that can be devastating....

I’m a Little Teapot Freeze Dance This game is played almost the same as the traditional party game of Freeze Dance, but with a little twist. Instead of random music, play the I’m a Little Teapot song. As the song plays, kids will do the teapot dance that corresponds with the lyrics. At random points in the song, stop the music. When the music stops, players must freeze in the middle of whatever teapot motion they are doing....

Finding a vacuum that’ll actually do its job—suck up all the dirt, crumbs, and pesky pet hair—is trickier than it sounds. But knowing what brands to look for can make your shopping much easier. We researched the top vacuum brands, evaluating their quality, available features, warranty details, and overall value, to help find a small appliance you’ll rely on for your toughest cleaning tasks. Our favorites include names known for affordability and variety, such as Hoover and Bissell, and more design- and tech-oriented options, like Dyson and iRobot....

“A dedicated wine fridge is great for someone who loves hosting and has guests that drink a lot of chilled wine and Champagne," says Jessica Randhawa, owner and head chef of The Forked Spoon, a website filled with numerous recipes. “Storing large amounts of wine and Champagne bottles can take up a lot of space in the main kitchen refrigerator. But more importantly, the temperature in a kitchen refrigerator is too cold for most wines....

We’ve spent hours searching for the best coat hooks available online, evaluating ease of installation, capacity, and versatility. Our top pick, the Rejuvenation Wallowa Double Hook, has a 35-pound weight capacity, is easy to mount, and comes in four finish options. Read on for the best coat hooks to buy. The sleek, understated design is actually two knobs in one. And at 7 inches long, the Wallowa won’t look like an afterthought on your wall—even if you only mount one....

We researched the best sites that offer real and artificial Christmas trees, considering delivery time, quality, and overall aesthetic. Our list includes pre-lit options from Balsam Hill, traditional fir styles from Home Depot, and trees suitable for family-sized homes from Lowe’s. Here are the best places to purchase your next artificial Christmas tree. The website’s overall design is user-friendly, with options to compare different species, shapes, colors, and lighting styles of trees....

Different game types—such as strategy, trivia, and cooperative—work better with different groups, but one seems to trump all the others. “Generally, luck and chance-based games work great because they’re fast-paced,” toy expert Amanda Gummer of The Genius of Play says. We spent hours researching the best board games for every college student, considering the game type, portability, and duration of each. We rounded up all of our favorite picks, including a deception card game from Stellar Factory, a trivia-based game from Buffalo Games, and a strategy game from Bicycle....