Martha Stewart Living May 2020

AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER, my mom has always done sweet little things to let me and my brother know how much she loves us. Of course, she told us so (and still does). But she showed it just as often. There were the big displays—the handcrafted dollhouse she found and had painted comes to mind. (It was better than anything Barbie could have dreamed up.) And the small, steady daily acts, which in many ways are even more imprinted on my memory. In grade school, it wasn’t uncommon to see her writing scrawled on the inner edge of my brown-bag lunch (or on a paper napkin tucked inside), wishing me a good day and signed “xoxo, Mom.” There were also all the warm suppers that she had ready…

ON THE ROAD JOY RIDES On these breathtaking bike trails, going the distance is a delight. Gear up for the 51-mile Grand Rounds Scenic Byway, in Minneapolis (right). It hugs the Mississippi River downtown and winds through Minnehaha Park, where you’ll want to brake for a view of the rushing 53-foot waterfall. Here, three more exhilarating routes to enjoy on two wheels. WEST GLACIER, MONT. The majestic 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, which bisects Glacier National Park, is open solely to cyclists this month. Rent an e-bike, and cross the Continental Divide at a cloud-scraping 6,646 feet ($100 per day, glacierguides.com). PROVIDENCE, R.I. Head south on the East Bay Bike Path along the shoreline of Narragansett Bay. Mile nine brings the city of Warren—and award-winning bisques and chowders at Blount Clam Shack & Market. SEATTLE Pack a swimsuit for the…

I have collaborated with my friend and colleague Kevin Sharkey on so many projects over the past 20 years. But none has been more pleasant or rewarding than our partnership growing and arranging flowers. Kevin loves plants and gardens as much as I do, and is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to identifying and combining all kinds of flowers and foliage. Each January, we sit down together and make lists of seeds to grow for bouquets that I’ll have throughout my homes all summer. (And we do the same later in July, choosing spring and summer bulbs to plant in autumn.) I’m lucky to grow enough varieties that I rarely have to supplement my supply with flowers from other sources. And though I love to see what Kevin will create when…

RECIPE REMIX Bread Winner If French toast and an almond croissant had a baby, they’d name it bostock. And it’s easier to make than either of those treats: Even junior chefs can mix up the creamy frangipane topping in advance; in the morning, simply spread it on brioche slices with strawberry jam and rhubarb and pop them in the oven. They’ll emerge crisp on the outside and custardy on the inside, and breakfast-in-bed glory will be yours. Strawberry-Rhubarb Bostock Preheat oven to 375°. Stir together ½ cup fine almond flour, 1 tablespoon un-bleached all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, ¼ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, 2 tablespoons room-temperature unsalted butter, 1 large egg yolk, and ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. (At this point, frangipane can be refrigerated in an airtight container up…

IF YOU’VE ATTEMPTED any painting project, you can imagine what an undertaking it is to tackle an entire house. But doing it every 7 to 10 years is well worth the effort and investment. “It helps protect the underlying materials from degradation,” says Farrow & Ball brand ambassador Patrick O’Donnell. And if and when you decide to move, it can increase your home’s sale price by 2 to 5 percent, points out Chicago real-estate agent Tabitha Murphy. To make the process as smooth as a stroke of semigloss, first, time it right. The ideal weather conditions are 77 degrees with 50 percent relative humidity, says Benjamin Moore field development manager Mike Mundwiller, so aim for early summer or early fall. Then, pick a palette. To help you step outside the…

1 Grow native plants. “It’s the number-one thing you can do at home to attract birds,” says John Rowden, PhD, senior director of bird-friendly communities at the National Audubon Society. They provide nectar, fruit, seeds, and insects to eat, as well as habitats. Plus, they’ve adapted to their locales, so they flourish sans pesticides or chemical fertilizers. (To find varieties for your area, plug your zip code into the native-plant database at audubon.org.) Come spring, welcome birds with a bath for grooming and sipping, and replace the water every few days. If you also set out feeders, clean them at least once a month to prevent disease. 2 Keep cats indoors. They kill an estimated 2.4 billion birds a year in the U.S., per a study by the Smithsonian Conservation Biology…