Plant gathering and preservation for identification has its foundations in history and early botanical plant hunting. Plants in modern gardens have their origins from all over the world, as botanists journeyed to distant lands. As the West was discovered, Lewis and Clark collected … read more

A constricted waterfront lot. Complicated drain field regulations. Dreams of an elegant yet budget-conscious home. Hardly a job for the average architect. What the owners of this construction conundrum at the mouth of Fletcher Bay needed was a puzzle master, and they found … read more

There are new servers in town — at least on one very special day. Ever dreamt of giving an order to a cop and not getting a ticket? For that one day, only guests at a local restaurant can do just that — … read more

Model Tested: 2014 Ford Fiesta SE Hatchback  Engine: 1.0-liter I-3 Turbo Ecoboost, 123 horsepower 125 lb-ft torque  Transmission: 5-speed manual transmission front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 32/City—45/Highway—37/Combined Base Price: $16,080 As Tested: $18,585  Performance: Surprisingly peppy performance from such a small engine Smooth 5-speed manual … read more

When Donna McKeever stumbled upon a rug-braiding class about two decades ago, she fell in love with this nearly lost art. Not only did she find her creative outlet, she wanted to inspire others to pursue it as well. “It’s a very simple … read more

I hope you’ve had many opportunities to get out into some of our wilderness areas to experience nature untouched by human hands. Did you marvel, as I have, at the overwhelming beauty of these natural landscapes? Nature is a very gifted designer and … read more

Countertops are the workhorse of both the kitchen and the bathroom. They perform a myriad of tasks including food preparation, writing surface for bill paying and homework, buffet serving space, supporting small appliances, facilitating daily hygiene routines and more. They are subjected to … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Dodge Challenger SXT Plus Engine: 3.6-liter Pentastar aluminum V-6, 305 horsepower 268 lb-ft torque Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission rear-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—30/Highway—23/Combined Base Price: $29,995 As Tested: $33,275 Performance: V-8 performance from a V-6 Pales compared to V-8 Challengers, but … read more

Most of us love a great room. It’s a latter-day architectural concept that suits a casual lifestyle and allows everyone to talk to the cook and help out with dinner. Perfect for the casual living of the 21st century. Here are some easy … read more