Christmas can't come too early this year

Signs of Christmas started early on our street this year, white and blue twinkle lights along roof tops and lampposts, evergreen wreaths on door fronts, inflatable Santas and front-yard Nativity scenes heralding the yuletide season well before American Thanksgiving. In another . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Keys to creativity

Transforming an old piano keeps musician playing

Hurray, great news, we are now one Saturday closer to Spring! That pretty much tells you how I feel about winter. Here’s some more good news, this from the feedback department. My quest to make good use of all the wonderful old . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

You'll need a side of mayo to remove that Christmas tree sap

Question: While putting up the Christmas tree my pants, shirt and hands became layered with tree sap. What can I do? Thanks for your help! Conrad Answer: Smear your hands, shirt and pants with mayonnaise. The tree sap will come right off. . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Keep basement dry to keep bugs away

Question: I found a couple of your articles in old issues of the Free Press regarding sow bugs, and I was hoping for some further advice. I own a duplex, and my tenants live in the main floor and basement. . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Social worker uses gardening to help youth heal from trauma

MINNEAPOLIS — The decades may have helped the wound to close over, but you can still feel the hurt under his words. Gardener and social worker Kenny Turck was in grade school when his big sister committed suicide at 21. An . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Some like it warm

Warding off the cold always a challenge in Manitoba

For a three month period starting in late August 2018 my daily routine consisted of driving to-and-from the Grand Marais area in an effort to complete a 300 square-foot addition to a four-season cottage before winter set in. It only took . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Staying home for the holidays

Comfort and joy ideas guaranteed to inspire you

This December, the ghost of Christmases past will loom large in our collective consciousness. Is it really Christmas when you can’t celebrate like it’s 2019? You better believe it is. If you find yourself lowering your expectations these days or are . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Superior design

Seamless blend of function and fashion in Oak Bluff West

When new home builders get the opportunity to build a home on an oversized lot they can hardly contain their excitement. With no space constraints to deal with, they have the freedom to unleash their creativity and design a home with . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Craftsmanship abounds

Solid Linden Ridge two-storey loaded with features

On occasion, you come across a home with a design that’s so intricate you can’t believe what you’re seeing. According to Glen Williams of The Glen Williams Team, a stately two-storey home at 64 Tangle Ridge Cres. in Linden Ridge is . . .

Posted: 2020-12-05

Sharpen your knife skills and avoid injury

With all of the cooking, baking and food preparation that takes place during the holidays kitchen knife mishaps can occur. People tend to do a lot more cooking around the holidays, and all of that chopping and carving in the kitchen . . .

Posted: 2020-11-28