【推荐1】Communication is important in all families. Families with healthy communication form strong connections with one another.     1    .

Actually talk.

    2     For instance, in addition to answering “Fine” when your parents ask how school went, try adding an anecdote (轶事) about the day. This will help when you need to talk about the big things.

Ask them about their day.

This one can help you with the first point.     3    . If they’re stay-home parents, ask them about how the day at home went. Such small talk won’t be small to them. It’ll be a big deal, and they’ll appreciate it.

Do the small things.

When we say small things, we mean things like helping clear the dinner table, helping put away groceries, and not leaving personal belongings around the house. Those are little things, all of them.     4    , which can make things between you and your parents better.

Do the big things.

What we mean here is the basic stuff you hear from adults all the time — show up for school, or be respectful to teachers.     5    . That will be okay, because — based on tips 1-2 — you’ll be able to communicate about those things, clear up misunderstandings, and do better next time.

Tell them you love them

If you say that and hug them, well — you win.

【推荐3】When you are looking for something fun to do, it can be tough to find interesting hobbies that can offer a challenge and interest at the same time. You might think that there are no interesting hobbies.     1    . With a little originality and effort, finding fun hobbies is easy even for those on tight budgets.

If you are looking for an interesting hobby that is a little more low-cost, consider trying something like playing mini-golf or a particular board game.     2    . In fact, there are many board game kits that are available to try out. This might be a great alternative to buying expensive equipment.

Another thing to consider is trying out crafts. There are literally thousands of things you can do as a creator. There are also many fun hobbies that can teach you new skills or help you relieve stress.     3    .

You can also take up a game of chess or another board game.     4    . You can either play chess yourself or find someone who is willing to teach you the rules of a particular game.

Finally, consider taking up volunteer work.     5    . It can help you gain a new skill set and can also give you a chance to help someone else. This is another great hobby to pursue if you enjoy being around people and helping to solve their problems. As you get involved in this hobby, you will likely find yourself volunteering in a number of different places.

【推荐1】Most of us are familiar with carrots.     1     They are a cool-season crop that can tolerate low temperatures. 

    2     Firstly we should ensure that the soil used for deep-rooted types is free of stones. Mix the soil with organic matter, especially during the fall season before sowing. 

Then we should choose a variety of carrots after the soil is prepared.     3    The early ones are usually small, slender and are eaten while they are young; the main crop types are larger and are eaten fresh or stored. 

Early types should be sown in spring as soon as the soil is workable. They may also be sown under covers, though the covers should be removed after a few weeks.     4    Carrot seeds can be sown about 1/2 inch deep. Early carrots should be thinned to 3 inches apart; main crop carrots should be thinned to 1.5 inches. 

Weeds should be removed regularly once the carrots have germinated. Watering is needed every two to three weeks. Watch out for pests and diseases.     5     Protect against carrot rust flies by surrounding the patch of young carrots with a protective barrier 2 to 3 feet high. Use either fine netting or plastic as barriers. 

Early carrots can be harvested about seven to nine weeks after sowing and main crop carrots should be harvested after ten to eleven weeks.

【推荐2】How to Start Gardening

If you are feeling the itch(渴望) to get a green thumb and start gardening, we cannot blame you.    1    So, let’s get you on the way to starting your own gardening that is right for you!

The first step is to come up with an idea of what you want to grow. If you are going to grow a crop, make sure it is something you will eat. You also need to make sure your area has the right climate, and that you are planting at the right time. Most plants will require planting in spring, but sometime planting in the fall,so make sure you know the life cycle of a plant and when you should plant it.    2    

After you have chosen what you want to grow, picture your garden or even draw up a plan. Look at what will go where depending on how much sun it needs.     3    Think about walls and fences and how they will impact the suns’ placement in your garden. You should also think about access for watering, picking and nurturing your plants.

Testing your soil is necessary.     4    A majority of crops in your garden will need neutral pH 7 soil. If the soil is not nutritious enough, consider fertilizer on a more regular basis. Always find out what kind of soil the plant needs first and then supply the correct soil to the correct plant.

    5    You should always make sure that you choose the right seeds before you start planting. It is wise to learn which plants will grow best when directly seeded in the garden and which plants are better as transplanted plants. Then it is time to get planting.

【推荐3】Indoor plants might look as if they just sit around not doing much, but in many ways they are the unsung heroes of the home.     1    , but studies have shown that they can promote people’s wellbeing by improving their mood (心情), reducing stress and helping their memory. What’s more, indoor plants are easy to look after and are not very expensive.

What are indoor plants?

Indoor plants, also known as houseplants or pot plants, are plants that like to grow indoors. Many of these species (物种) are not ideally suited to growing outside in the UK, especially in the winter.     2    .

Why are indoor plants good for you?

Will Spoelstra, who works at the Royal Botanic Gardens, says, “    3    . I find during the winter months, plants around the house can really lift your mood.” Several studies have backed this up and found that indoor plants can improve creativity, focus and memory. There is also research showing that pot plants can clean the air around them by removing harmful gases, such as carbon dioxide. They also remove some harmful chemicals from paints or cooking.     4    .

Which plants can you grow?

Aloe vera, peace lilies and spider plants are some of the species that are easy to grow indoors. You can buy plants from supermarkets, garden centres or online. Younger plants are often cheaper than fully grown ones, and you get to care for them as they mature — which is part of the joy of owning plants. “    5    ,” Spoelstra says. “It can bring a new interest and focus into people’s lives and help to make the link between home and nature.”