INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Since ants love to feast on small food particles, don't let dishes and other dirty utensils sit in your sink for an extended period of time. After washing dishes, wipe down the sink with a paper towel to be sure that you have removed any sweet residues from the sink surface. Consider pouring a small amount of bleach or vinegar down the sink drain to help clear away any remaining food particles that could attract ants. Bleach, much like vinegar, erases ant's pheromone trails and can help reduce the number of ants you find crawling around. Wipe down surfaces such as countertops, refrigerator tops, cabinets, and other areas to help keep ants at bay. Kitchen floors are perfect areas for ants to find small particles of food to take back to their colony. Be sure to sweep and mop your floor regularly (if not every night) with warm water and bleach to keep ants from crawling around underneath your feet. It doesn't take much food bits or spill residues to attract ants and bring their friends along with them. Along with sweeping and mopping, vacuum any areas where food is eaten. This could mean living rooms, dining rooms, or basements. You want to pick up any small particles of food that could entice ants to come into your house and feast. Any sitting food or dripping juices in your garbage will immediately attract ants into your house. Be sure to take your garbage out everyday, and use strong, durable bags that are less likely to puncture and spill waste. Ants will search your house for food wherever they can find it, so it's really important to keep food products stored and sealed tightly. Consider keeping sticky foods such as honey, molasses, and syrups in the refrigerator. Consider keeping baking goods (sugar, flour, etc.) and cereals in airtight containers or bags. Check around your house for any foundational wood pieces, shingles, or frames that might be starting to decay. Decaying wood is where a lot of ants like to nest and enter through, into homes. If you find any areas of decay, consider replacing those materials to better your chances of keeping ants out of your home.

SUMMARY: Keep your sink clean. Wipe down surfaces with bleach. Clean your kitchen floor. Vacuum areas where food is consumed. Remove your trash regularly. Store food in sealed containers. Replace decaying wood.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Select a water-resistant masonry paint made specifically for porous surfaces. A water-resistant paint will provide a moisture barrier for your stone basement, and the alkali resistant coating will offer increased durability. Select a paint color that complements your basement's decor. Masonry paint is available in several colors at home improvement and paint stores. With the lid on, vigorously shake the paint container to mix the contents. For best coverage and moisture protection, apply 2 to 3 coats of masonry paint to stone walls. Use a wide nylon/polyester brush to apply the masonry paint. The brush should be between 2 and 3 inches (5 and 7.6 cm). Avoid rollers when painting stone basement walls because the roller won't provide coverage in the uneven surfaces of the stone. The rugged stone surface also could damage a roller cover. Cut in a 2- to 3-inch (5- to 7.6-cm) border around the top, bottom and sides of the stone walls. Start by applying masonry paint in 1 corner and continue along the edge of the wall. Paint the masonry paint onto the stone walls in 4-foot by 2-foot (1.2-m by .6-m) sections. As you apply the paint, overlap into the previously applied and cut in areas for consistent coverage. Allow the paint to dry for a minimum of 4 hours in between coats of paint. Evaluate the coverage after the second coat of paint. Check the small crevices in the stones to ensure even coverage. The walls may need a third coat of paint, or spot applications in the stone wall's nooks and crannies may be necessary.

SUMMARY: Choose a wall paint. Mix the masonry paint. Pour the masonry paint into a paint tray. Apply the paint. Allow the paint to dry completely.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: It's easier to determine the grain pattern when the steak is raw and unseasoned. Inspect the meat before you cook it to easily find the grain, which is the direction the fat and muscle fibers run through the meat. For a tri tip, there will be 2 different grain patterns due to the shape of the steak. The grain pattern on the smaller side of the steak will run vertically, while the grain pattern on the larger side of the steak will run diagonally. It's important that you don't skip this step! Allowing the meat to rest ensures that the juices will be absorbed back into the steak, rather than spilling out over your cutting board. Use a sharp knife and a sturdy cutting board. Your 2 pieces will be different sizes, but it's important to make the cut at the seam or curved portion so that you can carve each of the 2 pieces against the grain. Angle your knife slightly to cut the meat on the bias. Make sure you are cutting against the grain, which means you'll be cutting each of the 2 pieces differently due to the orientation of the grain. Cutting the meat against the grain makes it easier to chew.

SUMMARY: Find the grain before you season and cook the steak. Let the steak rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking. Cut the meat into 2 pieces along the seam or curved portion. Slice the meat against the grain into 12 inch (1.3cm) pieces.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Split 1 English muffin in half and spread 1 teaspoon of butter over each half of the muffin. Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the English muffin halves with the butter side down. Toast the muffin halves for 3 to 4 minutes, so they become golden and a little crisp. Remove the toasted muffin halves to a sheet of aluminum foil so the buttered sides are facing up. If you want both sides to become crispy, just flip them over and let them toast another minute. Turn the heat up to medium-high and add the last 1 teaspoon of butter to the skillet. Place 1 slice of Canadian bacon to the skillet and fry it for one or two minutes. Use tongs to flip it over several times, so the edges crisp up. Place the Canadian bacon on top of one of the toasted English muffin halves. Watch the Canadian bacon carefully as it cooks, since it could quickly burn. Set a large metal egg ring, small clean can, or large metal biscuit cutter into the skillet and spray it with cooking spray. Crack one egg into the circular container and sprinkle a little salt and pepper over it. Cook the egg for about 3 minutes, so the egg sets. For a simple egg ring, just wash out a small tuna can that's empty. You can just unmold the cooked egg by turning the can over. Use a spatula to lift the cooked egg onto the Canadian bacon that's on your English muffin. Unwrap a slice of American cheese and lay it on top of the egg. Quickly put the other English muffin half on top of the cheese and wrap the aluminum foil over the sandwich. This will seal in the heat and help to melt the cheese. You can eat the sandwich immediately or place the wrapped sandwich into an airtight container. You can freeze the breakfast sandwich or store it in the refrigerator for up to a day.

SUMMARY:
Toast the English muffin. Heat the Canadian bacon. Saute the egg. Assemble the sandwich.