Double-Duty Holiday Decor

Get more from your decor with these festive pieces you can leave out all autumn.

Lighting
Create a moody, mysterious, and chilling October atmosphere throughout your home with candles or soft lantern lighting. After Halloween, repurpose them to create a soft, cozy, and calm vibe when entertaining friends and family over Thanksgiving.

Bedding
Wrap yourself in the textures and colors of fall with soft blankets and pillows in seasonal reds, oranges, and yellows to enjoy throughout the cozy, cooler months.

Nature
Gather pumpkins, dried corn husks, apples, and other seasonal produce to make fun displays that carry you through the autumn months. Add dark foliage and gnarly vines to enhance spooky Halloween themes, then refresh your arrangements with natural accents like acorns and birch branches for November.

Keep Your Home Comfy, Cozy, and Cost-Efficient

As winter approaches and temperatures change, it's important to take steps to prepare your home for the season. These useful tips can help prevent costly repairs, improve your home's energy efficiency, and keep your family comfortable this winter.

Check your roof. Use binoculars to look for missing or damaged shingles, or hire a professional to conduct an inspection. Complete necessary repairs before colder weather arrives.

Clean gutters. Remove twigs, leaves, and other debris to help prevent clogs, leaks, and water damage.

Seal drafts. Inspect windows and doors for gaps, then apply weatherstripping or caulk where needed. Consider adding insulated curtains for extra protection.

Add insulation. Properly insulating your attic, walls, and lower level can help keep your home comfortable and lower your energy bills.

Service your HVAC. Schedule an annual inspection to help prevent mechanical problems when temperatures begin to drop.

Stock up on essentials. If your area is prone to weather-related power outages, maintain an emergency supply of canned food, flashlights, batteries, bottled water, blankets, and first-aid supplies. You may want to consider purchasing a generator or another backup power source.

When the Washer Needs Washing

Your washing machine works hard to keep clothes, towels, and bedding fresh. But over time, detergent residue, hard water minerals, moisture, and fabric softener buildup can leave the machine less than clean. Here's how to keep your washer running smoothly.

Check the filter. If your washer has a filter, regularly remove debris that can affect performance.

Run a cleaning cycle. Use the self-clean setting or run an empty hot-water cycle with a manufacturer-approved cleaner.

Wipe it down. Sanitize the drum, detergent dispensers, door, and rubber seals where residue and mildew hide.

Let it breathe. Leave the lid open or the door slightly ajar after use until dry, then close it — especially if children or pets are present.

Recipe: Tomato-Basil Lentil Pasta Soup

Ingredients
1 (8 oz.) pkg. organic red lentil pasta
7 cups vegetable broth
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, undrained
½ (12 oz.) pkg. frozen peas and carrots
½ medium onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. dried oregano
10 fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
Shredded Mozzarella for garnish
Additional basil for garnish

Directions
Combine pasta, broth, tomatoes, peas and carrots, onion, garlic, oil, and oregano in a large pot.

Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in basil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with Mozzarella and additional basil.

Serves 4