In light of the recent fuss over the merchandising of two dolls that just happened to be named Marvelous Malia and Sweet Sasha — much to the displeasure of the first lady — and February being Black History month, it seems like a good moment to look back at the extensive and rich history of African-American dolls. The earliest American black dolls — and certainly those played with by slave children — were handmade and ... [full story]

Q: The antique pitcher and matching tumblers have been in my family since around 1900. The glass is a dark purple and the scrolled pattern is embellished with gold. My mother told me the set was given to her grandmother for her wedding; it is in perfect condition.   The glass water set, created by McKee and Brothers, would probably be worth $800 to $900.  Anything you can tell me about my set will be greatly appreciated. ... [full story]

Q: I am planning to give the vase seen in this photo to my granddaughter. It was a wedding gift to my parents in 1920, stands approximately 7 inches tall, and is in excellent condition. Marked on the bottom are five castles and the words "Zsolnay - Pecs."   UNUSUAL VASE - This vase was made by Zsolnay Pottery of Pecs, Hungary, and is worth between $800 to $1,200. CNS Photo.    ROSEVILLE POTTERY MARK - The numbers ... [full story]

Q: I have some questions regarding my mortarless stone wall. All of the wall stones are the same size. For the 6-inch layer of rock (gravel) underneath the bottom stones, is it OK to use rock that is the size of a half-dollar, or is that too large?   How do you smooth out the layer of gravel before placing the first layer of stones on it? Do you put a layer of small rocks, or ... [full story]

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]