Next, dust the frames of the chairs and tables with a dry paintbrush. Sponge down surfaces with the same solution used to clean the cushions and umbrella (wring the sponge well before going over wicker pieces). Rinse, and pat dry. Take care of any rust, mold or flaking paint now (for instructions, go to http://www.marthastewart.com/article/freshening-up-outdoor-furniture).
After all items have dried thoroughly, wrap cushions, umbrella and furniture in canvas or cotton - old sheets are ideal - and store them in the garage or shed. If you don't have space indoors, outfit the frames with furniture covers made from a heavy, waterproof material such as PVC-coated vinyl (available at home-improvement stores) and keep them outside - preferably in a sheltered area. In spring, your furniture will be ready for use after just a light cleaning.
Dear Martha: What is kombucha?
A: Kombucha is a fermented drink often found at health-food or grocery stores. It is made by steeping a gelatinous, funguslike disk - actually a colony of yeast and bacteria - in black or green tea sweetened with sugar. Despite its appearance, the beverage has enjoyed great popularity recently. And the quirky glob is what drives demand - it feeds on sugar, producing a live culture that is thought to teem with good-for-you properties. The history, like the drink, is a bit cloudy, but its millennia-old roots are probably Asian; cha is Japanese for "tea."
Some do credit kombucha with stimulating digestion and liver function, strengthening the immune system, and preventing cancer, but there's little scientific evidence that it provides these benefits. In fact, because it has been associated with some food-safety issues - mostly related to home-brewing mishaps that resulted in contamination - doctors generally recommend that people with weakened immune systems stay away from kombucha.
