INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you have pine trees nearby, gather four or five dozen round pinecones. Long pinecones can be used, but they don't fit the wreath shape as well. Look for ones that are not broken and are not totally covered in sap. For a quicker solution, go to the hobby store and buy some pine cones which are used for crafts. For pinecones from outdoors, baking them in the oven at 200 (93) for about 20 minutes kills any bugs they may house and crystallizes the pine tar for a shiny look. Buy a circular foam wreath form from the craft store or your local big-box store. Use brown or copper metallic craft paint or spray paint to cover the entire surface of the foam. This keeps the white of the foam from showing through. If you don't mind seeing the foam, or you want to spray paint the entire wreath after assembly, you don't have to paint it now. Be sure to lay down newspaper and spray paint outside to avoid getting paint on anything in your house. Sort through the pinecones and look for any that still have small stems attached to the bottom. Break or cut the stems off of the pinecones so that the bottom of the pinecone is mostly flat. This makes it easier to glue them to the wreath form. Plug in your hot glue gun and insert a stick of glue. Give the gun a few minutes to warm up. Be sure to set the gun on a covered surface so you don't get drops of glue on anything. The exact shape of the bottom of each cone will determine how much glue you need to use. If the bottom is dipped in, place a ring of glue around the dip rather than filling the dip. If the bottom of the pinecone is slightly pointy, you may need to cut it a bit so that it becomes flat. Lay the form flat on the table and glue a ring of pinecones onto it. Then glue some more pinecones more toward the inside of the wreath form, and another ring toward the outside of the form. Place them tightly together and fill any bare spots with extra pinecones. As you go, make sure that each pinecone stays attached. You may need to add more glue or hold the pinecone in place for 5-10 seconds to make sure it sticks. If you finish three rows of pinecones but the wreath still seems a little sparse, start gluing more pinecones on top of the first layer. Do this sparingly, only filling in the spots that seem to need more pinecones. Use whatever extras you want to make the wreath all your own. Spray it with white or silver spray paint to give it a shiny, festive look. Add bunches of fake cranberries, sprigs of holly, or pieces of evergreen. Wrap a ribbon in a spiral around the wreath or tie a big bow and glue it to the top. Use some white paint to put little dots all over the tips of the pinecones to imitate snowfall. Gather a small assortment of fake flowers and sprinkle them around the wreath. The bright colors of the flowers will provide contrast with the brown of the pinecones.

SUMMARY: Select short, round pinecones. Paint the foam form with brown metallic paint. Remove all of the stems from the pinecones. Place a dot of hot glue on the bottom of the pinecone. Attach the pinecones around the foam wreath form. Add another layer of pinecones. Decorate the wreath.

INPUT ARTICLE: Article: In order to take your casual flirty friendship to the next level, you will need to ask her out on a date at some point. Ask her out in a way that is casual and low-pressure to increase her chances of saying yes and reduce any awkwardness if she says no. Try something like: "I have a spare movie ticket to [that movie she wants to go to] on Friday night. Are you busy?" "I don't know if you have any interest in going, but I usually go to the state fair to be slightly less bored than I'd be at home. You want to be my partner for the day?" "So that big football game is coming up. Do you want to help me celebrate school spirit by cheering for the other team?" While you can ask her out in a way that is casual, you may also want to plan a date that will really wow her. Think about what you already know about her to plan something she would enjoy. Or, you can just ask her what she would like to do. She may appreciate your consideration of her desires as you plan your first date. Showing that you have her comfort and enjoyment at the top of your list will make it more likely that she will want to go on more dates with you. Watch for little ways that you can ensure that she is having a great time all through the date. For example, if she seems cold sitting outside at a cafe, ask if she wants to head inside to warm up. Or, if the waiter forgot to bring her a drink refill, get the waiter's attention and ask (politely) about it or just go to the bar and get it for her yourself. After you have had a few dates, let her know how much you enjoy spending time with her. She might feel the same way about you, but you will have to speak up at some point if you want to be sure. Try saying something like, "I always have such an amazing time when we go out. You're really fun to be around." Or, be more specific and say something like, "You have the most beautiful smile. It always brightens my day." Getting a girl to fall in love with you takes time and energy. Even if your first date was amazing, you can't expect her to be in love with you already. Keep taking her out on amazing dates and enjoy the process of getting to know each other. The relationship will have a better chance of thriving if you let things happen rather than trying to make her fall in love with you right away.

SUMMARY:
Ask her out on a date. Plan a special date with her preferences in mind. Be an attentive date. Let her know how she makes you feel. Keep dating her and getting to know her.