INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Stack your plates and put them in the microwave. Keep your microwave on its regular setting and heat them for 30 seconds per plate. Once they are finished, use an oven mitt to remove the plates since they will get hot. Preheat your oven to the lowest setting, usually around 150 to 200 °F (66 to 93 °C). Once the oven is hot, place your stacked plated inside and leave them there for a couple minutes. Use an oven mitt to take them out of the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Use a toaster oven that's large enough to fit your plates if you want to preserve energy. Plate warmers look like a large foldable heating pad that you can stack plates on. Plug the plate warmer in and turn it on. Wrap the entire plate in the warmer and then place another plate on top. Continue stacking the rest of your plates to heat them thoroughly for 5 minutes before you serve your food.  Plate warmers can be purchased online or in kitchen specialty stores. In a pinch, you can use a large heating pad meant for backs. These can be purchased at your local pharmacy.

SUMMARY: Microwave the plates to heat them quickly. Put the plates in the oven at its lowest setting if they are oven-safe. Purchase an electric plate warmer so you can still use your appliances.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Use coarse sandpaper moistened slightly with water. Rub this over the geode to sand out any rough patches. Keep sanding the geode until it's as smooth as you want. Be gentle at first and increase pressure as you sand. Some geodes are softer than others, and you want to avoid damage as much as possible. Small bits of stone may fly off your geode while you polish it. Before you start polishing, put on a pair of protective goggles to keep yourself safe. Use a heavier fabric like denim to add a commercial finishing polish to your geode. Rub down the geode gently until it's as shiny as you want. You can buy commercial finishing polish for gems online or at some hardware stores.

SUMMARY: Sand your geodes. Put on protective goggles. Polish your rocks.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Bringing your question up on a whim might not give you enough time to talk. Invite your parents to have a formal conversation. Your parents will see how serious this is for you, as well as how much you value their decision. If they say now isn't an ideal time, set up a scheduled conversation with them later on. You could say, for example, "Hey, Mom and Dad. I have a question for both of you. If you're not busy, can we talk tonight at around seven?" Look through your notes and pick one of your strongest talking points. Tell them how much you loved your first piercing and how you've thought about getting a second. Let them know how much your respect their authority, and ask them what their opinion is. A sample conversation could look like: "Mom and Dad, remember how I got my ears pierced last December? Well, I want to get my upper ear pierced, too. I think upper ear piercings look really stylish and are low-maintenance to take care of. The last thing I want to do is get pierced without your permission. What do you think?" Your parents, especially if they dislike piercings, might have a perspective opposite of your own. Don't launch into a yelling match. Instead, listen to them. Let them know what points of theirs you agree with, and show them that you understand their point. Bring up your own points in response with a level and empathetic head. If they say tongue piercings get infected easily, for example, you could say, "Thanks for thinking of my safety. I know that tongue piercings are harder to take care of, but I've taken care of my earrings for two years with no infection. Plus, I looked up proper tongue ring care for the first six months." Even after explaining your points, your parents still might feel wary about multiple piercings. Maybe they feel like piercings are expensive, or maybe they don't agree with where you want a piercing. Try to meet them in the middle and find a resolution that works for both sides.  If they're worried about the money, for example, offer to do chores around the house or babysit for the neighbors. Remember to keep your end of the bargain. If you forget, your parents may judge you as irresponsible. Even if you don't agree with your parents' decision, don't raise your voice or insult them. In most cases, your parents have your best interest in mind. If the conversation gets to heated, ask your parents if you can resume talking about it at another time. When you and your parents are upset, neither side is going to listen. Actions are just as important as words. Avoid rolling your eyes, scowling, or shaking your head at your parents.

SUMMARY: Ask your parents to talk, when the time is right. Explain to your parents what you want and why. Validate their argument. Make a compromise, if your parents are hesitant. Stay calm and respectful.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Making bright or deep red frosting can be difficult, but the color of the icing will deepen as time passes. It's best to prepare the frosting 24 to 72 hours before you'll need it so the color can set. This is especially important if you want pure red frosting made with only red food coloring, but the same trick can also apply to red variations if they aren't as deep in color as you'd like. When you need to create dark or bright shades of red, the amount of dye used can cause the icing to become bitter.  Taste-testing the icing as you work will allow you to monitor the change in flavor and prevent too much bitterness from developing. If the icing does become bitter, however, you can usually fix it by adding more flavoring. Stick with clear extracts, and use roughly 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) per 1 cup (250 ml) of icing.

SUMMARY:
Make the frosting early. Periodically taste the icing.