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Buy It: Arrow Tile in Blue ($10 each or $50 for 8, Chasing Paper) The collection of new peel-and-stick tiles replicate the look of pricey patterned cement tiles with self-adhesive vinyl designs that don’t require grout or mortar. Finished with a laminate coating to ward off stains, scratches, and fading, the water-resistant tiles are designed to stand up well in high-traffic areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and mudrooms. To apply, simply peel off the adhesive backing and press onto the surface like a sticker....

The curious corkscrew rush loves wet or boggy conditions. It makes a fascinating architectural accent in planters, beds, and moist borders. It’s technically leafless, with green cylindrical stems that are pointed at the tip. Plant rush alongside streams and ponds, though it will tolerate dryer conditions elsewhere. It’s excellent in container gardens. This broad-leafed water plant thrives at the edges of a pond, and produces an abundance of lavender-blue flower spikes through the summer....

Tips If desired, add a splash of raspberry-flavor liqueur or raspberry-flavor vodka to individual servings of slush.

These plants don’t mind a little cool weather, so you can get them in the ground a couple of weeks before your area’s last expected frost date. Plant potatoes in a spot that sees full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun) and has moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. If you don’t want to dig holes, one classic way to grow them is to loosen the soil, place them on the prepared spot, then cover them with a few inches of soil....

** To toast nuts, preheat oven to 350°F. Spread nuts in a shallow baking pan. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until light brown, watching carefully and stirring once or twice.

Xeriscape-friendly companions for prickly pear cactus include Agastache, Agave, big bluestem, gaillardia, and purple coneflower. Low-water gardens include all kinds of flowering plants. Check with your local extension service to learn more about low-water plants for your region. Prickly Pear Care Must-Knows Prickly pear grows best in full sun and well-drained soil. Clay soil or slow-draining soil is problematic in cool regions where prickly pear will suffer in moist soil during the winter months....

Aspics can host numerous ingredients, but most contain veggies and meat. While creating the tomato aspic, the chef says the smell is reminiscent of the classic tomato cocktail. Once the mixture is ready, she prepares it in a circular ring mold. “I think this shape is so fun,” she says. “It feels so fun and retro to me.” The original directions did not specify how long to chill the retro aspic, but the chef found hers to be ready after a few hours in the fridge....

¼ cup butter, softened 1 teaspoon vanilla ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon 2 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon milk or apple cider

1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup cold butter ¼ cup ice cold water ¼ cup sour cream 2 teaspoon lemon juice