Growing TOGETHER

Friendship, community, and the spirit of sharing a big part of gardening

The distinctive circular front door that welcomes visitors to Kenny and Rebecca Choy’s home imitates the shape of the full moon. The circular shape represents a moon gate and is repeated in the Choy’s backyard garden in the form of . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Give thanks and give credit

Acknowledging great service can brighten dark days

We cannot escape one immutable truth; all things will eventually falter. Once we expect and accept this aspect in our lives, we must also embrace the necessity to compile a list of customer service individuals upon which we can rely, . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

PAWS to praise our furry friends

Show your furmily the love this holiday season

’Twas the day before Christmas and all through my house, many creatures were stirring because I have three cats and a dog. Does that rhyme? No eh? No matter. What does matter is taking a day to express our gratitude and wish . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Wrap your hands around a toasty mug of hot chocolate

Question: Can you recommend a homemade hot chocolate powder recipe that I can keep on hand to portion out as gifts? Pat Answer: Holding onto a cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day brings a certain warmth to frosty . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Gord Mackintosh

Perogies are always better when made with love… and cheddar

Like many families at Christmas, our kitchen enlivens with clattering, chattering, and swinging elbows in a tight space to make shortbread and sugar cookies. To accompany our other Scottish faves like vinerterta and kubasa, we also host an annual production . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Bonavista two-storey doesn't miss a beat

Kensington’s design team hits high note with Highbrook

These days with construction costs of new homes having risen due to supply chain shortages brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic affordability is more important than ever for consumers. However, affordability comes with a caveat: to achieve it, a home must . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Bungalow-style condo in Linden Woods on the LEVEL

Location and layout perfect for empty-nesters

While a lack of listings has made it difficult for a wide cross section of would-be home buyers to find a suitable home, few demographics have been as hard hit as empty-nesters. Many are moving out of two-storey homes and looking . . .

Posted: 2021-12-24

Attic airflow critical to reduce condensation

Question: I just read an old article of yours on ridge cap vents. It was very informative and I hope you can help. I have continuous ridge vents on a low sloped roof. I think 4/12 maximum. This venting is . . .

Posted: 2021-12-18

High expectations from hydrangea introductions

The best flowering shrub for your yard just got better

With its long-lasting flower display, the hydrangea outshines pretty much any other hardy flowering shrub in the northern garden. It is about to get better — not only because of new and improved hydrangea introductions coming to garden centres sometime . . .

Posted: 2021-12-18

Lights, cameras, CHRISTMAS!

Check out this winter wonderland in Windsor Park

When it comes to putting up Christmas lights and decorations, I’m a bit of a Scrooge. OK, actually I’m a huge Scrooge with nothing up again this year — HUMBUG! However, that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate and applaud those who do, . . .

Posted: 2021-12-18