I was way off base when I guessed “egg-gathering basket.” Leslie Hindman, host of the TV show “Appraisal Fair,” held up this round cage contraption with folding sides and asked us to guess, “What the Heck Is It?” Salad spinner was the right choice, but who knew people were wasting their money on needless pieces…
A Scottish Architectural Gem: Careston Castle
For the first time in more than a century, Careston Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous estates, is on the market for $3,863,467 (2,900,000 pounds). This historic manor, which has elements dating from the 13th century, has been meticulously restored and maintained as a cherished family home for decades. Situated in the heart of the…
What Good Is Poetry? Shakespeare’s ‘Winter’ and the Hard Joys of the Season
The world bound up in the snow and ice of winter is as fascinating as it is forbidding. Hoary mountains, blinding blizzards, snowy deserts, solid waters, fluid fires of the aurora borealis, and air that stings to breathe all give the distinct impression that men ought not keep company with such inhospitable presences. But how…
A Taste of the Alps: How to Throw Your Own Fondue Party at Home
When the rural inhabitants of Swiss and French mountainous villages devised a warming winter dish incorporating their local cheese and white wine, little did they know it would become an international dinner party hit. It’s no wonder why this dish has crossed borders. During the cold and dark months, it’s universally appealing to hunker down…
Doctor Who Attended Funeral of Couple’s Late Son Cries Tears of Joy as Their Daughter Is Born
After a serendipitous encounter in the hospital between a doctor and the father of a newborn baby, the doctor was invited to hold the baby girl. He was moved to tears as two years prior, he had gone above and beyond his call of duty to help the couple’s son, who died just 36 hours…
Autistic Boy Never Spoke a Word or Showed Emotion—Until Parents Got a Cocker Spaniel Best Friend for Life
A 5-year-old boy from the UK who was born with autism never showed any emotion nor spoke a single word until his parents, by happenstance, found him a four-legged best friend for life. Parents Hayley and Karsten Kirby-Bulner, from Andover, Hampshire, never intended for Fern the cocker spaniel to be their son Leon’s dog; it…
2021: Your Year in Review
The year 2021 is coming to an end. Rather than mourn the passing of another calendar year, this is a great time to review the past 365 days and make plans for an even better 2022. If you have big aspirations for the future, the best time to start is today. This guide will help…
Minimize Paint Blistering With Proper Techniques
Dear James: My house has wood siding, which I painted last year. Most of it looks good, but it blistered in some spots and is getting worse. What is the best way to repair it? —Dwight R. Dear Dwight: Blistering can look very bad and generally will get much worse and more widespread over time….
Dreamy Meringue Cookies for Your Christmas Platter
These light, airy, and slightly chewy meringue cookies are like chocolatey clouds studded with mini chocolate chips. They’re flavored with a touch of almond extract and dusted with freeze-dried strawberry powder (easily made by whizzing up strawberries in a spice grinder) for a subtle tartness to counteract the sweetness. But they’re highly adaptable. If you’re…
Cornbread Gets Dressed Up for the Holidays
Cornbread gets a festive makeover in this recipe with the addition of fresh and dried cranberries. If you like your cornbread on the sweeter side, increase the honey to 1/2 cup. Cranberry Cornbread Active Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Serves 10 2 cups fine whole-grain cornmeal 3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour or white…
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