What's the differencebetween olive oils?

QUESTION: I noticed a number of different uses for olive oil on your website. Which is the best olive oil to buy? What is the difference between virgin, extra-virgin oil, etc.?— JoshuaAnswer: Extra-virgin olive oil (the best of the best) . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Too much work to make resolutions

Unless I resolve to get these projects done, I might as well not even try

New Year’s resolutions? I’ve got way too many projects waiting here at home to waste my time thinking up resolutions.Unless the resolution is to get all those projects done before 2017 ends — and that’s just setting myself up for . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Talk about an ice breaker

Frozen pipes can pose a real problem -- but there is a solution

When the temperatures dip below -25 C and the winds begin to howl, installation deficiencies within the exterior walls of your house can quickly reveal themselves in nasty and unpleasant ways: a soft yet frigid breeze blowing from a light . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Full of life and light

Two-storey home stylish and functional

It’s something that all homebuilders strive for — to design homes that are not only stylish and functional, but that also stand out from the crowd.One look at The Malone III — a 1, 596 sq. ft., two-storey design found . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Upgraded abode 'speaks for itself'

Rare bird in a beloved neighbourhood

It’s something you don’t necessarily expect to discover in one of the city’s most mature, sought-after neighbourhoods.Yet, there it is: a next-to-new home sitting smack dab in the middle of north River Heights, an area dotted with homes that date . . .

Posted: 2016-12-31

Overtaxing housing will land you on naughty list

Holiday cheers and sneers

Tonight, all across Canada Santa will be delivering presents to those who have been good all year or at least nice down the home stretch when it counted the most. Those who have been naughty may find a lump of . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Raise a glass to these backyard beverages

Imbibers have plenty of locally produced drink options

Can I interest you in a glass of artisanal rosé-style wine made with the sweet-tart flavours of Prairie-grown haskap berries, or would you prefer mulled or chilled white honey mead brewed by an estate winery in Killarney?Or perhaps you would . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Finally, time to do a job of my own

When a window of opportunity opens, I have to take advantage

My fellow contractors will agree — it’s next to impossible to set aside adequate time to start, let alone complete, renovations at our own homes, because most our time is spent completing renovations for hire elsewhere.This has been the running . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Hang seasonal wreaths to store

Question: I own several Christmas wreaths, which I pile into plastic totes in my basement when I put them away. Every year I waste hours fluffing up each wreath before hanging them. Do you have any idea of how I . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24

Flowers fit for a president

Tips for a beautiful Christmas home by a former White House floral designer

During the six holiday seasons florist Laura Dowling devoted to staging magical White House displays, it never looked a lot like Christmas in her own home. There just wasn’t time. Her Old Town Alexandria, Va., house would usually get only . . .

Posted: 2016-12-24