Q: We thought we were moving to the peace and quiet of the countryside six years ago, but now another subdivision has crowded right up against our property and it has gotten really noisy with kids, cars and swimming pool parties. We planted two rows of evergreens along the fence, but they will take several years to grow. Any suggestions on how to control noise in the meantime? A: The modern world can be uncomfortably ... [full story]

I have no doubt that right after Alexander Graham Bell uttered those first words into the telephone, "Mr. Watson - come here - I want to see you," he followed up with, "Do you know if I can freeze Egg Beaters?" To which Mr. Watson - if he were really worth his salt - would have replied, "But of course."   KEEP COOKING - For best results, when the recipe calls for a Bundt pan, don't ... [full story]

Before Jackie Robinson famously broke the color barrier by signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, black baseball had a long and interesting history, culminating in the glory days of the Negro Leagues in the 1930s and 1940s, a history that's intriguing to collectors of Black Americana. Throughout the 19th century, baseball was a popular sport with black Americans, and by the 1860s notable amateur teams such as the Colored Union Club in Brooklyn and ... [full story]

Q: Enclosed is a photo of an electric table lamp with a leaded glass shade that belonged to my great-aunt. The finish on the base is the original, but somewhat worn off. Marked on the bottom are the letters "B & H" which I assume stands for Bradley and Hubbard. There are four sockets for light bulbs each with a pull chain. The overall height of the lamp is 26 inches and the shade is ... [full story]

This year the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is Feb. 15 to Feb. 18. It is an annual four-day period when bird-watchers create a snapshot of the birds' locations across the continent. Anyone can be a bird-watcher for those four days. A "backyard" can be anywhere you happen to be - a schoolyard, a local park, the balcony of a high-rise apartment, or a wildlife refuge.  It does help if you have mastered the basics ... [full story]

Relax and let the power of water transform you. With the latest series of bathroom faucets and fittings from Dornbracht, the Elemental Spa is the essence of ultimate luxury.   LET IT FLOW - Water becomes the star of the show with Dornbracht's new Elemental Spa series, including this freestanding NOTA Tub Filler. CNS Photo courtesy of Dornbracht.    DON'T GET BURNED - Sunbeam's new Hot Iron Storage Case provides a practical solution for storing a hot iron. ... [full story]

  Installing a new floor means you’ll have to deal with the old one. In some cases, it’s simple. Careful removal work is essential to the quality of the flooring installation.  [full story]

Q: Where we live, everyone has traditional houses with antiques, crystal chandeliers and oriental rugs. I'm not brave enough to be really different. Besides, I grew up with and still love traditional rooms. But lately I find myself wanting a new look. Any suggestions? A: You can have your traditional and update it, too, if you're brave enough to experiment with a few new ideas about colors and patterns in wallpapers, fabrics and paint.   ENERGY ... [full story]

After a seven-year sojourn in California, Sean and Amanda Fitts have returned to the Midwest to spread the word about vegan eating with recipes for everything from pasta sauce to Reuben sandwiches to peanut butter zigzag ice cream.   VEGAN LIFESTYLE - Sean and Amanda Fitts of Peoria, Ill., use sweet Italian vegan sausage combined with canned tomatoes, vegan sour cream and spices to make a robust sauce with penne pasta. In the background at left ... [full story]

For a show that ran a scant three years, and was predictable, lighthearted, escapist entertainment, "Gilligan's Island" made a disproportionately deep impression on the American psyche, both in its initial run and in reruns. It's surprising how many people remember its catchphrases, can do an imitation of Thurston Howell III, or can belt out "The Ballad of Gilligan's Island." The show debuted on CBS in September 1964 and played its theme song for the last ... [full story]

Q: I have enclosed a photo of a doll that was given to me when I was about 5 years old. "Allied Dolls - AE - 3651" is marked on the back of the doll's neck. She stands about 30 inches tall and she is wearing the original dress. Since I never really played with her, she is in excellent condition. Although I have researched the Allied Doll Co. on the Internet, I have not ... [full story]

One of the significant pages you will read in your garden catalogs is the cold hardiness map. As important as it is to know your cold hardiness rating when ordering from that catalog, it may be as essential to ignore the rating on the map when you look at other catalogs. There are several maps being used in catalogs, and they are not based on the same data.  Alfred Rehder published the first cold hardiness ... [full story]

Q: One reason we bought this big Victorian house (1889 Queen Anne) was the wraparound porch. I grew up with a porch like this, where everything happened in summer, and on rainy days we kids would ride our bikes outside. That was a long time ago, so I think I need an update. There must be new things happening. A: In our determination to totally control our environment, we're finding ways to make summer last ... [full story]