The Big Dipper is comprised of seven of the sky's brightest stars, and is found either high or low in the northern sky, depending on the season. It also rotates around the North Star, which is why it's important when you're trying to find your direction in the Northern Hemisphere. As long as you're located no lower than about 39 degrees north latitude (the latitude of Washington, DC), the constellation is always above the horizon. (You can see the Big Dipper at a lower latitude if you're on the ocean.) Four of the stars form the Big Dipper's bowl, while the other three form a handle. The phrase "spring up and fall down" can help you figure out where to look in the sky for the Big Dipper based on the seasons. In the spring and summer, it's located high in the sky. On fall and winter nights, you'll find it lower in the sky, closer to the horizon. Regardless of the season, the two stars that form the outer edge of the Big Dipper's bowl always point toward the North Star. If you draw an imaginary line from the pointer stars across the sky to the next brightest star, you'll find the North Star. If you're having trouble finding the North Star, stretch your arm out completely and spread your fingers. The distance between the top pointer star and the North Star should be about the same distance as your thumb is from your middle finger. Unlike the stars in the Big Dipper constellation, the North Star is always located at fixed point in the sky, which leaves it never more than 1 degree from true north. That means when you've identified the North Star in the sky, you know that you're facing north. From that position, the opposite direction would be south, while east would be to your right and west would be to the left. Using the North Star to find your direction works best on a clear night. If the sky is hazy or there are clouds, you may not be able to easily identify the Big Dipper. If you're in an area where mountains, trees, or other objects are blocking the night sky, you may not be able to use the North Star to find your direction either.

Summary: Identify the Big Dipper. Use the pointer stars to find the North Star. Locate north.

In order to add colored sugar to baked cookies, the sugar needs something to adhere to. Icing is the perfect choice. Bake and cool the cookies as directed by the recipe. Ice the very cool cookies with your favorite icing and top with your choice of colored sugar.

Summary: Top icing with colored sugar. Finished.

You'll only need to add a couple inches (three or four centimeters) of water to a saucepan. Put it on the stove and set the heat to low. Heat it slowly until it starts to simmer. Use a glass or stainless steel bowl, and place it into the saucepan so that it sits within the pot but doesn't touch the simmering water. There should be at least an inch of space between the bottom of the bowl and the top of the water. Indirectly heating the milk in the glass or stainless steel bowl will ensure a slower, more even boil. Keep the heat on low so the water in the saucepan continues to simmer. Carefully pour the milk into the glass or stainless steel bowl. Stir frequently, and heat it until you see tiny bubbles around the edge of the bowl and steam rising from the milk. When the milk boils, turn the heat off and either use it or cool it according to your recipe.

Summary: Bring a small amount of water to a simmer. Place a heatproof bowl over the simmering water. Add the milk to the heatproof bowl.

This powdery substance is actually food-grade, and it's used to kill anything that crawls. It's made out of ground-up fossilized material, and the sharp edges of each individual grain puncture insects' exoskeletons and cause them to die without causing any harm to humans or pets. Sprinkle the substance in your cabinets, along baseboards, and anywhere else you'd like before you go to bed. In the morning, vacuum up the powder (and along with it, the silverfish). Wear a mask when you're sprinkling the powder, since it can irritate your lungs. This is another natural substance that kills both silverfish and their eggs. Sprinkle it along baseboards, under the bathtub, and in other areas where you see silverfish signs. Be careful not to inhale boric acid when you apply it, since it's toxic to the lungs. Avoid using it where your household pets might get into it, too. This chemical kills silverfish when you spray it along baseboards and into cracks, as well as other places where silverfish lurk. Do not apply this in your kitchen cabinets or near food sources, and don't apply it where children and pets hang out, since it's toxic. Silverfish are repelled by the smell of cedar, so you can keep them away by sprinkling it around areas where they live. Since cedar shavings can make a bit of a mess, use them in outdoor areas, basements, and other places where you don't mind having wood shavings lying around. Vacuum them up and replace them every week or so. Silverfish don't like the smell of spices, so making up little sachets of cloves, cinnamon, and other strong-smelling spices and placing them in your kitchen cabinets is a great, safe way to keep them away from your food. Both of these scents are also effective in repelling silverfish, and they're completely nontoxic to humans, of course. Get some lemon or lavender essential oil from a health food store. Dilute with water and shake the solution up in a spray bottle and spray liberally in all areas where you don't want silverfish. These sprays are great for closets, drawers, and other bedroom areas.
Summary: Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in cabinets and other dark areas. Try boric acid. Buy a chemical spray containing liquid pyrethrin. Sprinkle cedar shavings where they live. Use spice sachets in your kitchen cabinets. Use a citrus or lavender spray.