Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Prevent unsightly drips with parchment paper. Make or buy your frosting. Reinforce your cake before frosting. Contain crumbs with a crumb coat. Frost your cake. Stack your cake. Use fondant to give your cake a smooth, finished look. Write on or monogram the cake. Create borders and designs.

Answer: When frosting your cake, even experts lose drips here and there. To keep these drips from making it to the main stage, professionals tear four square of parchment paper and then place the corners of these under the cake. When finished icing, pull the corners of your frosting drop cloth free to remove unsightly drips. As aforementioned, you might want to avoid buttercream, cream cheese frosting, or any frosting that might spoil easily if the venue cannot ensure temperature control. Fondant and marzipan are excellent options, though you should inform the bride and groom whenever you use nut products, like marzipan, as this is a common allergy. A simple vanilla buttercream frosting recipe could be made by beating together in a mixing bowl:Softened butter (½ cup)Confectioners' sugar (4½ cups)Vanilla extract (1½ teaspoons)2% milk (5 to 6 tablespoons) The base of your cake should be supported by a clean cakeboard that is cut to fit the size of your cake. Glue your cakeboards into place underneath each level of your tiered cake by spreading a thing layer of your frosting between cake and cakeboard. A crumb coat is the first layer of icing that you apply to a cake to lock in any crumbs that might ruin the finished design. Take your offset spatula or frosting tool and glob a reasonable amount of frosting to the top of the tier you are applying the coat to. Then smooth it down to a thin layer, applying more frosting as necessary.  You should always apply icing when the cake is cool. Otherwise, the heat form the cake may cause melting. To test your frosting for consistency, scoop some up with a spoon/spatula and hold it upside down. If it stays on the utensil without sliding or falling, it is the correct consistency. Refrigerate your crumb coat for 20 - 30 minutes to firm up the crumb coat and prepare it for the actual outer layer of frosting. Your external layer doesn't need to be thick and pillowy, but it should be even and smooth. Begin at the top and using small applications of frosting, smooth your frosting over your crumb coat evenly. Allow your frosting to rest and firm up after you have finishing by putting it in a refrigerator for about 20 - 30 minutes. Now that your cakeboards are in place and your frosting application completed, you can move on to stacking your cake. If you are using a cake stand, all the easier - simply put each tier in place on the stand and your cake is stacked. If using supports, you'll need to:  Cut clean wooden dowels to the same length for your supports. Arrange your dowels in each layer of your cake excluding the top layer. Leave an inch between the border of each cakeboard and your supports. Stack one layer atop the next. Consider running a long, thin, sharpened dowel through the center of each tier to stabilize your cake. Fondant is a sugar based paste that can be compared to play dough in consistency. Due to its pliability, its uniform texture, and its ability to be dyed any color, fondant is frequently used by cake masters to finish cakes or fashion decorative shapes, like flowers, figures, and ruffles. You can mix your own fondant, though it may be easier for you to buy a pre-made batch. Then you can drape it over your cake or shape it into designs. If you're new to using a pastry bag, you should practice writing your message several times on a scrap piece of paper or a plate first. You might also simulate the contour of a cake by practicing writing with your pastry bag on a piece of fruit, like an apple. Once you're comfortable, distribute your message across the surface of your cake.  A fine tip on your pastry bag is ideal for writing messages. You might plot out your message or the letter of your monogram with toothpicks first. Then you can trace the holes left by the toothpicks with your icing. This can be difficult for beginners, but using your pastry bag you can create borders, pearls, or flowers out of the frosting. You may even want to try a Cornelli pattern, which is where a very thin layer of frosting is applied to the surface of the frosting in squiggly lines that thread throughout the exterior without touching or crossing any lines. You might try:  Making roses with icing Making other frosting flowers Decorating with fondant


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Remove food sources. Skip the mothballs, ammonia, and noise machines. Put up a squirrel nesting box on your property.

Answer: You can help make your attic less inviting by removing easily accessible food sources from the exterior of your home and your yard. Keep your trash cans secured, avoid keeping any pet food accessible outside, and pick up any fruit or nuts that have fallen from trees in your yard. Contrary to what many think, these methods won’t get rid of animals living in your attic or keep them away, especially raccoons and mice. Additionally, mothballs are carcinogens that can cause a potentially harmful environment for humans when not handled properly. It may be impossible to eliminate squirrels from your property, especially if you live in a wooded area or value your trees, but you can provide a comfy alternative to your attic in hopes that they choose the nest that’s easier to reach.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Notice if a boyfriend or girlfriend is constantly putting someone else down. Catch them in a lie.

Answer: They may be saying awful things about that person, but pay attention to the fact that they are still talking about them 24/7. They are trying to fool you into believing the person is undesirable, thus throwing the suspicion off them. Casually ask a boyfriend or girlfriend where they were such and such day, and let them answer. Remember their answer, and ask again a few days later. If they are lying constantly, then they will have a hard time keeping up. They may start to get angry with these simple questions, another big hint.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Be proud of your strengths Don't try to be perfect. Spend time with positive people. Practice good self-care. Seek outside help.

Answer:
. When you feel good about your natural abilities, your personality and your other strengths, negative comments have less power to hurt you. You can take criticisms with a grain of salt and use them to improve. You can see right through empty insults. Building confidence is the best way to develop a thicker skin.  Do you know your strengths? Try making a list of everything you admire about yourself. Having a firm grasp on what you're good at will bolster you when you're feeling down. Get good at what you do. Spend time practicing, learning and always working to get better. That way you'll have a core knowledge that you're good at what you do. A criticism or insult won't have as much power to bring you down. If perfection is your ideal, every little comment can floor you. It's OK to have things you need to work on. There is no way to be excellent at everything you try, every time. It's not that you have to lower your standards for yourself. Just realize that trying your best is what counts, not perfection.  Being a perfectionist may seem like a good thing, but perfectionists tend to have thinner skin than those who allow themselves to fail sometimes. Perfectionists are also highly critical of themselves. Low self-esteem is often brought on by self-criticism, so be compassionate towards yourself. To let go of perfectionist tendencies, challenge yourself to learn something new. Try a new skill, sport, language, or anything else that interests you. Starting from scratch is humbling. It will help you realize that perfection is impossible. It's the journey that counts. Maybe you're surrounded by people who are critical of you. It can be difficult to see yourself clearly when others are holding you to impossible standards. The solution is not to try to change, but to spend time with people who accept you for who you are.  Pay attention to how you feel after hanging out with certain people. Do you feel refreshed and happy? Or do you feel worse about yourself? When you're with people who accept you for you are, you don't have to worry about being too sensitive. After building trust, you'll learn that your true friends will love you even when you feel insecure. Self-confidence is hard to come by when you aren't taking good care of yourself. Having a good self-care routine will help you feel healthier both mentally and physically. Your state of mind will improve, and you'll be less likely to worry about petty comments thrown your way.  Eat healthy and exercise. You've heard it a million times, but it helps. Make sure you're eating a well-rounded diet and exercising at least 30 minutes each day. Get plenty of sleep. Being tired heightens emotions, leaving you more prone to taking things the wrong way. Include meditation or yoga in you daily routine. These activities can help you to be more accepting of yourself. If you can't seem to shake the feeling that people are out to get you, it may be time to talk with a therapist. Depression, anxiety, and other afflictions can make it feel all but impossible to handle negativity. Make an appointment with a counselor to discuss your situation and get help.  Talk therapy can be very effective when it comes to building self confidence and a thicker skin. You may also come to accept that it's OK to be sensitive. If chronic depression or another disorder is troubling you, medication can also help. You'll need to make an appointment with a psychiatrist to discuss the best options for your situation.