After a wet Washington winter, there are plenty of tasks to do to keep things in order around your home. A little routine maintenance will protect your investment and prevent more serious issues down the line. Here are some basic “chores” for your spring to-do list: Once you have tackled these mostly easy tasks, your […]
how-tos
Classic Comfort in Scalloped Potatoes
One of the most warming, comforting and filling foods on a cold, blustery day is a bubbling, aromatic dish of scalloped potatoes fresh from the oven. An old-fashioned comfort food that everyone enjoys, a casserole of scalloped potatoes is inexpensive and uncomplicated to make. The recipe here uses a basic white sauce poured over sliced […]
Ready for Spring? Time to Tune Up Garden Equipment
With spring officially here, winter-weary homeowners are eager to spend time outside in their yards. The Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), an international trade association representing more than 100 power equipment, engine and utility vehicle manufacturers and suppliers, reminds homeowners to keep safety in mind. “You want your outdoor power equipment to be ready when […]
The Wine Cabinet — Choosing the Right Sparkling Wine
As the Christmas and New Year holidays approached, I started scanning the shelves of local stores for Champagne and sparkling wines. My goal is to decide which of the many available options are great choices for dinners we plan with family and friends. Readers may remember that Champagne comes from the Champagne region of France, […]
Spring into Easter with Reinvented Family Recipes
Vegetable casseroles and carrot cake have been Easter menu mainstays for decades, but with the majority of millennials now hosting holiday family gatherings, retro dishes are getting a flavorful facelift with new ingredients and flavor twists. Chef Kevan Vetter of the McCormick Kitchens offers these tips to put a new spin on Easter favorites: Elevate […]
Buying a Home with Plans to Remodel? 3 Important Tips for the Best Results
Recently I met with a great couple who bought an older home. It has lots of potential — and lots of room for improvement. The couple has a significant amount of money budgeted. But after walking through the home to discuss all the things they want to accomplish — plus the things that need taking […]
How to Hire the Best Professionals for Your Project
The winter holidays often have a way of highlighting the need for a remodel. Cramped kitchens with failing appliances, bathrooms with leaky taps and no storage for guests’ toiletry bags, front entries with no room for guests’ cast-off shoes — the list goes on and on. With spring and summer just around the corner, many […]
Tales From the Coop
This is not Chickenology 101 nor a “how-to” but a “why to” article. All the technical and educational information about raising chickens can be found anywhere. However, the sources seem to lack the back story about the experience of raising chickens. I have always loved birds and held a secret desire to someday raise chickens. […]
How to Select Plants for Purchase
From fall into spring is a great time to purchase and add plants to our landscapes. It’s also a great time to plant up some containers. But how do you choose good, strong, healthy plants? Plant Selection The first step is deciding what you’d want to plant and if you have time to take care […]

You must be logged in to post a comment.