It's spring. Who doesn't want a nice, lush inviting yard and garden to enjoy? Of course, we all do. However, for many, that's not what's happening when the blinds come off the window and you gaze outward.   UGLY YARD - If your yard is as ugly as this you can get help by calling the free Yard Smarts Hotline. CNS Photo courtesy of Briggs & Stratton.    SMELLY WASHER - Non-toxic and environmentally-friendly, Smelly Washer will do ... [full story]

  If you’re a homeowner, chances are you need a solution for storage, even if you have a garage. Here are some storage planning tips in choosing a storage shed [full story]

Q: We are moving into what we hope will eventually be our retirement home. So we're planning a few remodeling projects to make the house more comfortable. First on the list is the master bath: we're tall people (my husband is 6-foot-5 and I am 5-foot-11) and the fixtures we now have are   TALL ORDER INDEED - This master bath has been remodeled and resized, the better to fit the homeowners themselves. CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

Who among us hasn't reveled in the guilty pleasure of digging into a generous helping of macaroni and cheese? We're talking about the real, homemade kind where the pasta is bathed in a rich, custardy sauce loaded with robust cheddar and crowned with a crusty golden topping.   MAC APPLICATIONS - Cookbook authors and chefs keep trying to improve on the classic macaroni and cheese. CNS Photo by K.C. Alfred.    SAY CHEESE - A tasting panel sampled ... [full story]

In 1922, the comic strip "Fritzi Ritz," created by Larry Whittington, made its debut, starring a typically pretty and stylish Jazz Age flapper. But it only took a few years - after the strip was taken over by Ernie Bushmiller - for Fritzi's 8-year-old niece Nancy, whose most distinguishing feature was black hair that looked like it had been cut with pinking shears, to take over the starring role, establishing a supporting cast of characters ... [full story]

Q: I purchased this covered dish thinking it was made by Fenton Glass Co. It is decorated with birds and roses in relief, measures 7 inches in diameter, and is in mint condition. I wrote to Fenton inquiring about its history only to learn it was not made by them. They told me it is a hummingbird puff box and it was made by Phoenix and Consolidated Art Glass.   PUFF PIECE - The Consolidated Lamp ... [full story]

Q: I like to eat products made with honey. I have heard there are health benefits, yet I have also noticed that the bee colonies are disappearing from an unknown cause.   I was wondering if any items in the honey are harmful to my health. A: You are right that eating honey provides several health benefits. It has been found that people have improved exercise performance when they first consume honey. Honey contains antioxidants and ... [full story]

It just keeps coming and coming and you are sick of it. It's all that junk mail that arrives in your mailbox every day and those unwanted receipts that gather in your wallet. Then there are those financial records.   ZISZOR! - Get a grip on shredding paper with the new Ziszor! CNS Photo courtesy of Ziszor!     RAIN GAUGE - If you don't want to go outside in the dark to check on the rainfall, try the ... [full story]

  While the garage is a great place for storage, it often becomes cluttered. To avoid clutter, you can assemble this simple utility shelf from inexpensive two-by-fours and plywood.  [full story]

Q: I can't figure out how to arrange the furniture in my living room. The problem is, the front door is directly opposite the door to the kitchen, and nearly everyone just races straight through the room, dodging around chairs and tables and making conversation hard. Should I just give up and shove everything out of the way to one side of the living room? A: The best answer is yes. Family traffic is like ... [full story]

If ham is a must-have dish for your Easter brunch, but you are weary of the same old spiral cut, consider the homey ham ball. Judy Goodpasture of Lake Township, Ohio, makes tender meatballs from ground ham and pork and serves them in a rich brown-sugar sauce.   PRETTY IN PINK - Judy Goodpasture¹s grandchildren cheer when she bakes mini loaves of strawberry bread. CNS Photo by Stan Myers.    SWEET AND SALTY - Judy Goodpasture of Lake ... [full story]

This year, for the first time in the 100-year history of the Westminster Dog Show, a beagle was selected best in show, the only one of his breed ever to win the country's most prestigious canine competition. Definitely the fan favorite, there was a standing ovation when the lively (and noisy), tri-colored, 3-year-old Uno won over some of the more refined poodles, terriers, Weimaraners, Australian shepherds and Akitas in the running. This led many people ... [full story]

Q: I am 57 years old and the pig cookie jar in this photo has been in my family as long as I can remember. She is wearing a white dress with a blue collar, a blue flower above brown buttons, and there are blue flowers on her hat. She stands more than 11 inches tall and is in perfect condition. I couldn't find a manufacturer's mark.   COOKIE JAR - This Winnie cookie jar was ... [full story]