A sleigh ride straight to the holiday spirit

Courtesy of Santa's fleet (surely)...

Some people do a simply magnificent job of decorating their homes for Christmas. I’m not one of them... or haven’t been of late, but that has all changed, in a very big way. You see, last weekend, I bought Santa’s actual sleigh, . . .

Posted: 2019-12-14

Save money by gardening on the cheap

HOW can you save money gardening this year? Well, all it takes is a little thought and ingenuity and you can save a bundle. In Britain last year, a survey of 1, 000 people found that 26 per cent were saving as . . .

Posted: 2011-02-26

Winnipeg’s sweet spot is still 3b

Canada’s plant hardiness zone maps get an update

In late 2023, when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a new version of its plant hardiness zones map for the first time in a decade, the map showed an increase of approximately 1.39 degrees Celsius warmer than . . .

Posted: 2025-08-16

Considering a DIY project?

Know your limits before tackling a home renovation

WHEN you see before and after photographs of a successful DIY renovation it really inspires you to consider making changes in your own home. The question becomes: Can I do it myself? It's good to learn from those who came before . . .

Posted: 2010-08-14

Nurture that indoor garden

Holiday gift plants can charm year-round

Hostess gifts during the holiday season quite often include a beautifully presented plant ranging from the exotic, such as anthurium, orchid, hibiscus or bromeliads, to the more traditional, including amaryllis, Christmas cactus, paper whites and, of course, poinsettia in its . . .

Posted: 2012-01-14

Storm clouds form on homebuilding horizon

Manitoba’s new home construction numbers for May have mirrored the hot weather we’ve been enjoying. A number of recent articles and news stories have highlighted the strong growth in housing starts here last month. May was a tremendously strong month for . . .

Posted: 2017-06-21

Carefully inspect fireplace and chimney prior to first fire of the season

Question: We moved into an old home and we are excited to use the wood-burning fireplace. What do we need to do before we use it, so that we don't burn down the house? Any tips? Peter, LoretteAnswer: Before lighting . . .

Posted: 2015-11-07

Optimize your home office

Create a task-driven environment with proper lighting and colours

These days, millions of people have the luxury of working from home. It’s convenient and comfortable — and the commute is unbeatable. But telecommuting comes with its own host of challenges. If you’re dealing with distractions and a lack of . . .

Posted: 2019-04-20

Reflections on water

Convenience of modern amenities is easy to take for granted

Two things you can pretty much take for granted in developed countries around the world these days are sewer and water. You don’t realize what a precious convenience and extravagance they are until you’ve lived in a home without them. . . .

Posted: 2016-10-01

Upgrade windows for energy efficiency

UPGRADING windows is an investment that improves street appeal and makes a home more energy efficient.Retrofitting with Energy Star-rated windows will improve the comfort of your home, but there are a few items to consider when choosing them.When looking for . . .

Posted: 2012-06-02