Do the dishes better — and faster

Washing the dishes tends to be something we do on autopilot — we’ve all developed our preferred methods and habits. And yet, if a simple tweak or two to your usual strategy could save you time and labor, you’d . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

How to keep poinsettias healthy through the holidays and beyond

Forget Christmas trees and mistletoe. There’s one plant that rules the holiday season above all others: the Santa-red poinsettia. Before going further, though, let’s clear up the widespread misconception that its brightly colored points are flowers. Nope, they’re bracts . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

How to clean greasy kitchen cabinets without damaging the finish

Question: How do I clean greasy kitchen cabinets without harming them? Mine are wood veneer and are not painted. I always just wipe them with Murphy Oil Soap, but that doesn’t seem to cut through grease. Answer: Greasy residues are . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Call installer regarding heat pump concerns

Question: I had a new furnace and heat pump installed last spring, now that cold weather is here, the heat pump comes on regularly, but there is a lot of ice forming underneath it. This unit is installed a . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Nothing clears like a DEERE

Tractor upgrade promises to take a bite out of winter

There’s no doubt last year’s winter caused problems for many. With the larger than expected accumulation of snow and relentless winds, it seemed as though winter would never end. Here at Boss Ranch, the snow issues were compounded by . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Turkey tips to love those leftovers

Question: I have leftover turkey and I don’t want to waste it. Please tell me how to make homemade turkey stock like my grandma used to make. Thanks. Salome Answer: Great question! There are hundreds of variations for making homemade . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Growing green cities so people and nature can thrive

World horticultural exhibition presents innovative nature-based solutions

Growing a climate-resilient future hinges on finding nature-based solutions. With 68 percent of the world population projected to live in cities by 2050, sustainable innovations are needed to make cities greener and more livable so that people, communities, and . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Space and style converge in Bonavista

Two-storey offers room for a growing family

When prospective new home buyers see that the listed square footage of a two-storey home comes in at under 1, 700 sq. ft., they visualize a home that feels cramped inside. That’s not the case with Ventura Custom Homes’ new . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Luxurious and livable in Bridgwater Trails

Bright and beautiful bungalow features walk-out lower level

The difference between a good and great luxury home can be summed up in two words: its location. To be more precise, that difference in overall wow factor is derived directly from where a home is placed, says Glen Williams . . .

Posted: 2022-12-31

Contractors’ best friends

Remembering some canine and feline jobsite assistants that helped make every project feel great

One of the great joys of my life is meeting my clients’ pets. On the jobsite, it’s usually just me and my thoughts, pondering the impending tasks at hand. Fortunately for me, the homeowners often have a furry site . . .

Posted: 2022-12-24