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Katherine started out at HowStuffWorks.com as the corporate librarian. She's since edited and written her way through a series of books, a newspaper column, Express magazine and the Web site. A southerner for real, Katherine has a deep and abiding love of sweet tea and can rock an accent on command. Her life's soundtrack would absolutely include Bessie Smith, Dolly Parton, Louis Prima, the Pressure Boys, Santigold and the Beastie Boys. Katherine currently resides out in the country with her hunky ex-rugby playing husband and their scarily intelligent Jack Russell/Beagle, the S-grrrl. She prefers freestyle to scripted, hand-beaded over bedazzled and figures the mobster lobsters from Vegas could probably crush onion head. You can find Katherine on Twitter at @HowtoStuffHSW and on Facebook at the official How-to Stuff page.
Most Recent: Katherine Neer Postings
If you’re lucky enough to have your own garden, then you know the full joy of planting, tending to, picking and then preparing the fresh fruits (or veggies) of your labor. Sadly, I’ve not got anything resembling a green thumb. But I can (happily!) rely on the kindness of gardening friends, farmer’s markets and pick-your-own places for just-picked goodness. And, loving to cook and bake, I know some pretty tasty ways to put all this good stuff to use. Mouth-watering apple pie info after the jump …
I’m one of those fortunate people who are surrounded by creative (think imaginative, artistic, inspired and inspiring) people in both my work and personal life. They’re all amazing — some are talented artists, some are impeccable storytellers, some are gifted craftsmen (and women), some make robots and some simply have incredibly creative minds; they seem to approach everything in life with creativity. And then there are a few people I know who aren’t so creative … yet. You see, I think anyone can be creative — it’s just a matter of finding your inspirational niche.
How to Make a Pair of Earrings in 5 Minutes (or Less)
by Katherine Neer | August 23, 2011
The perfect shoes: check. Best jeans ever: check. Fabulous new top: check. And just in time to go out tonight. But wait, what about the accessories? You’ve scoured your stuff and nothing’s quite right. All isn’t lost. Find out how to make a pair of earrings in 5 minutes flat … after the jump.
How to Keep Kids (and Everyone Else) Happy on a Road Trip
by Katherine Neer | August 5, 2011
Are we there yet? When are we going to stop? It seems like we’ve been in the car for 30 hours already. I need to go to the bathroom. I’m hungry. I’m thirsty. I think I’m carsick. Why do we have to go to [insert destination here]? Are we going to have fun when we get there? — If you’re going on a road trip, you’re likely to hear at least a few of these … and just wait until the kids chime in.
There’s a certain cereal that — well, for more than 75 years — has claimed it is THE breakfast of champions. Since I don’t know that I’ve ever eaten that particular kind of cereal, I can’t really comment on its claim. But what I can comment on is what I think is the BRUNCH of champions. More after the jump.
Summertime is grill time for many of us. Who doesn’t love coming home from the local farmers’ market with a bag full of fresh, savory goodies ready for the grill — eggplant, peppers, corn, mushrooms, steak, bratwurst, chops. You’re set for a flavorful lunch or dinner that you can make and eat al fresco. But what about dessert? Does that require heading inside to bake something in the oven? Nope … more after the jump.
If you’ve read “How to Spruce Up a Green Space,” “How to Make a Difference in Four Hours” or “How to Discover Your Impact,” then you know Jessika and I are pretty keen on volunteerism. And you also know what Jessika did to celebrate Discovery’s Discover Your Impact Day. Although I would have loved to join Jessika in ATL at the park cleanup, I needed to opt for something I could do from my desk. Find out what that was after the jump.
As you know, Father’s Day is just around the corner, which means it’s time to find something spectacular to say thanks for being such a great dad and to show how much you care. Sure a TON of Father’s Day buying guides abound — but do you really need to buy something? Remember when you were little and you made gifts for Father’s Day? Sometimes something homemade is simply the best way to say, “I love you!”
Let’s face it, as a useful guide, the MyPyramid food guidance system was a little iffy. Finally, the food gurus at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) have launched something we can all sink our teeth into — and wrap our heads around.
More on this eye-catching icon after the jump …
It’s getting hot outside — so the title of this post might have you thinking I’m talking about how to beat summer heat. Nope. I’m talking about the intense burning sensation biting into a chile pepper brings.
Recent Postings by Category
BrainStuff
- Thank You and Best Wishes to Marshall Brain
- Contest – Design a $300 house and win $25,000
- How the Philtrum works – the place under your nose where your face comes together
The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
- Golden Fields of Canola
- The Park That Never Sleeps: Central Park
- Draw a Pretty Picture With Your Bike and Your Phone
Keep Asking
- Why can a 5 foot 8 inch man dunk a basketball on a 10 foot rim while some people of taller stature can’t?
- What happens to our sun once it runs out of fuel?
- How do we know the age of the universe?
Stuff Mom Never Told You
- Who invented the Christmas card?
- How the Kinsey Report Fueled Whiskey Sales
- How to Get Your Wedding Announcement into The New York Times
Stuff to Blow Your Mind
- Blow Your Mind: Nebula in a Box
- Blow Your Mind: Three Minutes Till Impact
- Touching the Void: Psychedelics and Death
Stuff You Should Know
- Stuff You Should Know at SXSW
- The Southern Death Cult, the Maya and Georgia
- Deformed Baby Spider Brains
The Stuff of Genius
CarStuff
- Listener Mail: What’s the world’s largest engine?
- Listener Mail: What makes a “classic car” classic?
- Was Chrysler’s “It’s Halftime in America” Super Bowl commercial a little too political?
How-to Stuff
- How to Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor
- How to Travel the World in 4 Days
- How to Smell Like Someone at HowStuffWorks
PopStuff
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 68: Astrology: What’s PopStuff’s Sign?
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 67: Collecting: PopStuff’s Cabinet of Curiosities
- PopStuff Show Notes: Episode 66: Tracy and Holly’s Running Playlists
Stuff They Don't Want You To Know
- Good News from the Oldest Mayan Calendar
- One Year Later: Colony Collapse Disorder
- Who Killed Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Stuff to Change the World
- Who will own the Arctic?
- Obesity: The New Global Crisis
- Bill Gates Makes For A Pretty Decent Cartoon
Stuff You Missed in History Class
- Butch Cassidy: Should we read between the lines?
- Are we rooting for D.B. Cooper?
- Party Time: A Look at Unconventional Politics
