The gift of presence

Presents of yesteryear are often forgotten, but family memories live on

We moved from Killarney to St. James back in the fall of 1957, when I was but a tender lad of nine. I was not happy to leave my beautiful little town of Killarney, where all my friends lived, to reside . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

No-fuss holiday table presentation

Casual place settings create laid-back feel

A freshly starched and pressed white tablecloth used to be a requisite part of any major dining occasion, especially a family-filled holiday meal. Chill, the pros say. It’s OK to be more laid-back about the whole holiday table thing. Today, there are . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

Rona team values building good dynamic

A good rapport with suppliers can pay off as a contractor

Within most of my reno columns, the stages of a renovation are typically described briefly, in hopes I can efficiently paint a picture of the project for you. To keep things from getting too wordy, usually an individual, company or supplier . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

Preventing gutters, downspouts from icing up helps avoid winter damage

Frozen gutters and downspouts may seem like an inevitable winter-weather concern, but those heavy icicles hanging from your rooftop after a heavy snow or cold snap need not be a foregone conclusion. You can take steps to prevent them — and . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

Twist on traditional perfect for any family

Large or small, families will adore the space and privacy Ellington offers

Thinking about traditional two-storey homes typically brings visions of homes with layouts that offer three bedrooms, a living room, kitchen and dining room. You know, standard stuff. The Ellington — Broadview Homes’ 2, 236 sq. ft., two-storey show home at 35 Skyline . . .

Posted: 2018-12-22

Go-To Gifts for People on Your Naughty List

Because let’s face it, sometimes you have a person on your list who is just naturally naughty. So much so, you don’t even really want to buy them a gift. But you do, and because you are on the Nice . . .

Posted: 2018-12-18

Keeping it green this holiday season

Unique gift ideas for nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts

Searching for the perfect gift for that special someone who loves to garden? Here are some unique and affordable gift ideas that are sure to satisfy nature lovers, green thumbs, DIY enthusiasts and budding gardeners. Tools of the trade Plants need water, . . .

Posted: 2018-12-15

Make the most of your china cabinet's contents

It’s time for a jailbreak. It’s time for the vintage china dishes, silver serving pieces and old glassware to bust out of our china cabinets, where they’ve been held in solitary confinement far too long, and finally take their rightful . . .

Posted: 2018-12-15

Navigating your way through window shopping

There's a lot to knowabout your home's glass and its sound-dampening capabilities...

When I have insomnia, I hear every car and conversation that passes outside my house. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that when I hear every car and conversation outside my house, I get insomnia. Either way, . . .

Posted: 2018-12-15

Look to Mexico for garden inspiration

Monasteries were among first to design and plant courtyards

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, Mexico — Step off the dusty cobblestone streets and peek behind nondescript, weather-worn, faded, even grimy brick facades and encounter the startlingly beautiful courtyard gardens of this central Mexican colonial town. These oases of beauty and calm . . .

Posted: 2018-12-15