SOLUTIONS: In a fog over ice cubes? The answer is clear

QUESTION: I am having a dinner party next week and would like to serve cocktails. Can you tell me how to make perfectly clear ice cubes instead of white or foggy cubes? Charissa, Portage la Prairie ANSWER: The trick is to . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

ASK THE INSPECTOR: Fortify your garage to keep squirrels out

QUESTION: A few years ago, you did a house inspection for me, and I think the one thing I forgot to ask was how to get squirrels out of my garage. I am sure you have probably done a column . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

TREE CARE: Tiny mite the culprit in curling apple tree leaves

This spring and summer have been unusual seasons for trees compared with recent years. In my last article I discussed aphid problems in ash trees. That issue is still up there on readers' minds. QUESTION: The leaves on my apple tree . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

Winnipeg and Manitoba are reno leaders

Canadian Renovation Leaders. Both Winnipeg and Manitoba have earned this title. Let's look at some of the supporting information. Winnipeg has the third-oldest housing stock in Canada and the oldest in Western Canada. On one hand, this means that builders here . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

SOLD & OFFERED: Aug. 18-12

North End Address: 376 Seymour Street Asking Price: $199, 900 Sold Price: $206, 000 Taxes: $2, 308.88 Square Footage: 1, 237 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 1 Lot Size: 45 x 100 Listing Agent: Rachel Gendron, Royal LePage Top Producers, 781 2485 Selling Agent: Neil Atanacio, Royal LePage Alliance, 885-5500 River Park South Address: . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

Have it all by ditching the hall

The Molise maximizes space by losing passageway

Turns out The Molise -- one of Sterling Homes' most popular new home plans -- is an expanded version of another popular plan. "It's actually a spinoff from The Montego, a similar but smaller plan, " said Qualico Homes' single family . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

Pristine, practical postwar home

Character dwelling offers surprisingly modern layout

There are different terms used to describe the state of a home's interior, such as "'controlled chaos" or (in extreme cases) "a tornado blew through it." Then, there are more complimentary terms such as "you could (literally) eat off the floors, . . .

Posted: 2012-08-18

Gardens of delight

Check out smaller offerings at Assiniboine Park

With summer in full bloom in Assinboine Park, it is quite often top of mind to visit the English Garden and the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden at Assiniboine Park or perhaps the Shirley Richardson Butterfly Garden in the Assiniboine Park . . .

Posted: 2012-08-11

SOLUTIONS: Use clear paint to seal metal curtain rods

QUESTION: My mom and dad have one of the new curved shower-curtain rods. They love it for the extra space it gives them in the shower but it has a metal finish and black keeps rubbing off of it on . . .

Posted: 2012-08-11

CONNIE OLIVER: Organization will make your biffy spiffy

Bathrooms are notorious for having insufficient storage. Even large bathrooms can feel cluttered if the right storage solutions aren't utilized. Smaller bathrooms are especially difficult to keep orderly so today we'll look at some decorative and useful storage solutions. The Kohler . . .

Posted: 2012-08-11