One of my favorite pictures of my daughter and me shows us on an early spring day sitting in the backyard with freshly cut sprigs of bright pink azalea tucked in our hair. She is smiling so big not only because at 4 years old, every beautiful thing you wear makes you feel like a [...]
Everyone has one — that “catch-all” drawer, typically in the kitchen or office, that holds everything from scissors, tape and glue, to pipe cleaners, bottlecaps, a needle and thread and other scraps for half-finished craft projects. Sometimes that drawer spills over into another drawer, or to a whole cupboard, corner or even a whole room. [...]
The days of kitschy garden objects so popular in suburbia are over. Pink flamingos have left their perch and gnomes have wandered back to their fantasy lands. Gardens today are taking on a more upscale, personal feel, as people incorporate unique items that will set their spaces apart, creating backyard oases that are as welcoming [...]
Before we buy our groceries, we know it’s a good idea to read nutrition labels. They tell us what ingredients are included to help us decide what type of fuel we want to put in our bodies to keep us running better and longer. What does this have to do with light bulbs? Well, if [...]
If your family is like mine, we come and go with handfuls of items that get dropped right inside the door. It doesn’t take long for our inviting entryway to become a cluttered storage area. Those school projects, shoes, keys, mail, sunglasses, coats, purses, sports gear (you get the idea) can pile up fast. But [...]
It may be the most dreaded household chore in the world—cleaning out the refrigerator. In fact, some professional house cleaners state upfront that their service does NOT include the fridge. Why? Because somehow, in the rush of life, this major appliance that works around the clock for us ends up getting neglected in the worst [...]
Setting up a yard or garage sale is hard work, but if it’s done right it can pay off twofold: you can have a clutter-free house and make some fast cash. Susan Barringer of Lynchburg knows how to do it right. That’s because she’s been going to yard sales every weekend since she was a child. [...]
When the cold winds blow and fall gives way to winter, those backyard barbecues will have to wait until next year—or will they? As outdoor living spaces evolve and new products and services become available, extending your time outdoors is more feasible than ever before, even in the winter months. Gather the family around a [...]
Whether you’ve just inherited a lovely wardrobe that’s been in your family for decades or you just bought a brand-new coffee table you had custom made for your living room, knowing how to properly care for hardwood furniture is a must. Merely reading the labels on those quick, spray-and-wipe polish cans won’t tell you everything [...]
You’ve worked hard all summer to get your yard the way you like it. You’ve watered, fertilized and pruned. Your trees are healthy and happy—and now it’s time to start afresh. “Whoa,” you say, “I’ve spent all summer at this! Don’t throw in something new!” While planting new trees may be far from your mind [...]
