Welcome to springtime! The official first day of spring is March 20, but in my mind, there are two signs the season has changed. One, the first daffodil has poked its head up. Two, I have an urge to open my doors to let the sun in and the old air out. With the desire […]
diy tips
Posted inHome
Tile Basics — Selecting the Right Tile for You and Your Project
Tile, in all its many forms and installation options, is a great way to put your personal stamp on a residential project. To ensure your tile installation is done properly and provides the aesthetic return on investment you are looking for, it important to understand the basics of this beautiful, versatile material. Know how a […]
Posted inAt Home
Benefits of Laughing Your Way through Life
Like clockwork, people are composing their lists of resolutions around the New Year, and at the same time they’re ending that year with some of the same problems, frustrations or worries of past years. They want to take a brighter outlook and ride those resolutions to a higher quality of life — but inevitably, familiar […]
Posted inGarden
Art is for the Birds
At the end of March, birds hunt for suitable nesting sites to raise their brood. It is the time of year to clean out the birdhouses and make them livable, or erect new ones for the next bird couple. Until humans decided to provide homes for fowls, cavity-nesting birds mainly depended on the pileated woodpecker […]
Posted inAt Home
Add Beauty to Your Home with the Japanese Art of Kokedama
Editor’s note: This excerpt is adapted from the newly released book, “Hanging Kokedama: Creating Potless Plants for the Home” by Coraleigh Parker. A variant of bonsai, kokedama is the Japanese art of creating potless plants using a unique soil mixture, moss and string. There is something intrinsically inviting and soothing about the form of kokedama, […]
Posted inAt Home
Easy and Fast Recipes Using a Pressure Cooker
The once-lowly and maligned pressure cooker is making a comeback. This relic of our grandparents’ kitchen is not only improved and safer than ever before, but it saves time, creates more flavor and conserves energy. Cookbook author and cooking teacher Laura Pazzaglia wasn’t thinking of all this when she tried pressure cooking for the first […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Take It Up a Notch Out Back — Adding Appeal to your Patio or Deck
Summer means time spent gardening and relaxing with friends. And just like the kitchen in winter, the patio or deck tends to be the gathering spot when the weather turns warm. Get the most from this space with a bit of preseason planning and decorating. Select functional and beautiful furnishings to create a special spot […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Marnie Rae’s Soft Cocktails
There are many reasons why people choose a nonalcoholic beverage at a restaurant, bar or party. Marnie Clark thinks it is a shame that the choice of nonalcoholic cocktails is limited to Shirley Temples; “virgin” daiquiris, margaritas and mojitos; iced tea and soft drinks. So, after searching unsuccessfully for special, nonalcoholic cocktails or celebratory beverages […]
Posted inAt Home
Five Myths about Solar Panels, Debunked
Home solar panels can drastically cut or even eliminate electricity bills, reduce a home’s carbon footprint, increase resale value, and may even help a home sell faster. The cost of rooftop solar systems has fallen dramatically in recent years, and most homeowners have the option of buying the system, leasing it on reasonable payment terms […]