Category: HOME

Pretty in Pink

By Cathy Hobbs From Tribune News Service Fresh and fun, pastel or bold, pink is one of the most versatile and luxurious colors in the spectrum. Pink can be dressed up or dressed down. And its also gender-neutral, allowing for use in nearly any room of a home from social areas such as living rooms…


Treasures: World’s Fair Connection to Cup Is Unclear

By Helaine Fendelman and Joe Rosson From Tribune News Service Dear Helaine and Joe: This is a cup from the 1909 Seattle World’s Fair. Is it of any value? Thank you, L. A. Dear L. A.: This is a type of souvenir glassware that is known to collectors as either ruby flashed or ruby stained…


Minn. Garden With Ginkgo Forests and Rare Plants Offers ‘Series of Puzzles’

By Nancy Ngo From Star Tribune Roseville–As a child growing up in Minnesota’s North Woods, Chuck Levine spent his free time studying plant life. He foraged for and pressed plant leaves. Neighbors gave him flora to bring home and grow. His family nurtured his budding green thumb, too. “My mom would buy the plants, seed…


Emergency Preparedness: How to Form a Survival Group—and Why It’s Important

The mythologization of the Lone Ranger is just that: a myth. And yet, it persists in movies and novels because it’s something many people aspire to be—a rugged, self-reliant individual who overcomes the worst adversities with his or her talent stack of survival skills and vast knowledge of nearly everything. In reality, the Lone Ranger…


7 Essential Places to Clean When You’re in a Time Crunch Before Guests Arrive

The hours before a party or gathering always seem to fly by. It’s all too easy to spend time preparing food, setting the table and putting finishing touches on your decor, and put cleaning tasks off until the last minute. If guests are on their way and you have yet to plug in the vacuum…


How to Transform Any Room Into a Flexible Space for Multipurpose Living

As lifestyles shifted due to the coronavirus pandemic, our homes had to adapt to new activities and routines. Dining rooms and closets became home offices, kids’ bedrooms served as home-school spaces, and guest rooms were outfitted with workout equipment. These multipurpose rooms were born out of necessity, but even as we look toward a post-pandemic…


The Secrets to Squaring Anything

Are you trying to save money in these harsh financial times? Have you given up trying to find a contractor, and are you starting to do more projects on your own? If so, you’re in fine company, as my email inbox has exploded over the past months with requests for help. Lately, I’ve been in…


Rust 101: Give New Life to Ugly Metal

Rust is like a cancer in that it keeps growing, looks unsightly, and eats away at its host—in this case, metal—weakening and destroying it. You need to stop it ASAP. From outdoor furniture, mailboxes, and the tools you left out in the rain to jewelry, cast iron pots and pans, and parts of your car,…


Christmas Gift Ideas for Gardeners

Well, it is that time of year again when we shop for people that we think we know well — until it comes to getting them a gift that they will like. I understand and I am here to help you with the gardeners on your list. First, it is a good idea to go…


Dog’s Red Eye Needs Immediate Care

Q: My dog recently developed a red eye. What causes this? Should I try putting human eye drops in his eye? A: A red eye can result from any number of diseases, some of which threaten vision if not addressed quickly. So, when you see a red eye, take your pet to the veterinarian immediately….