Preliminary steps to get your project underway

The MHBA’s Ask a Renovator booth is a signature feature of this weekend’s 2025 Winnipeg Renovation Show taking place at the RBC Convention Centre from Jan. 10-12. The MHBA Ask a Renovator booth is staffed by professional Manitoba Home Builders’ . . .

Posted: 2025-01-11

Use pillowcase to clean ceiling fan blades

Question: Please give me an easy solution for cleaning the dreaded ceiling fan blades in my home. T.J., MitchellAnswer: Clean your ceiling fan in less than 30 seconds. Dampen a pillowcase. Leaving the ceiling fan blades in place; slide one . . .

Posted: 2016-02-27

Specimen plants that stand out from the crowd

Fill empty spaces in your garden with something weird and wonderful

The unusual or unexpected attracts interest or attention in the garden. As much as any of us recognize the value of simplifying a colour palette, limiting the number of species and cultivars, and emphasizing plant groupings in specific blocks of . . .

Posted: 2022-06-18

Snowpocalypse plagues Mustard manor

The dogs are running free and the white stuff is piling up

I have a very ironic beginning to today’s column. I wasn’t actually going to start with this, but now, because of what just happened, I am. With climate change, and the possibility that there could be winters with deeper snow coming . . .

Posted: 2022-02-12

Pink-stained bathtub definitely not the bomb

QUESTION: We have an original cast iron tub. This summer it was refinished and was beautiful and sparkling white until yesterday, when I used a pink bath bomb. During the short soak (20 minutes) it stained the tub a deep, . . .

Posted: 2014-10-04

SOLUTIONS: Use caution when removing stuck battery

QUESTION: Have you any suggestions regarding how to deal with a battery stuck in the shaft of a metal flashlight? The battery must have leaked and become glued to the metal. Also, I need to take you to the garden where . . .

Posted: 2012-06-16

Don't shoot: scare woodpecker away with plastic owl

Question: A banging sound woke me up at 5 a.m. every day this week; I now realize that a woodpecker is pecking my satellite dish. What can I do to stop him? I can’t sleep (the words BB gun come . . .

Posted: 2016-04-09

Tried-and-true perennials

Prairie blooms have unique needs, preferences

I've often heard novice gardeners say, "I'm going to plant a bunch of perennials and they will just grow every year."By definition, a perennial is a plant that will grow back for three or more years. However, this doesn't mean . . .

Posted: 2012-03-12

A hot pink bedroom? Umm...

Young woman has workable idea, but needs some guidance

I receive many e-mails from kids, particularly girls around 10 years old. They've watched my shows and know that I believe in their innate ability to choose great colours and designs. Our rooms are or should be an extension of . . .

Posted: 2008-02-10

Check value before chucking heirlooms

You never know what old stuff might be worth

I am regularly approached by people asking me what to do with keepsakes, furniture, old letters, family photos and movies — you name it — usually passed along by parents and grandparents. I try to be as helpful as possible. Too . . .

Posted: 2020-01-04