The 5 o'clock martini - the social drug of the 1950s - was meant to do more than smooth the rough edges of a stressful day or enliven a dull evening at home. Comprised of gin, dry vermouth and an olive, that cocktail was designed to help work up an appetite for a dinner of beef Stroganoff or Mrs. Paul's fish sticks.   COOL COCKTAILS - James Moreland of Bombay Sapphire Gin created the Ginger Grape, ... [full story]

Believe it or not, there was a time when a large segment of the population in the Northeast was more interested in the outcome of the Miss Rheingold contest than in who would be Miss America - or perhaps even president. And for those who weren't around in the '50s, '60s or early '70s, Rheingold was at one point New York state's No. 1 beer, for which the elect-Miss-Rheingold ad campaign that ran from 1940 ... [full story]

Q: Recently when a friend came for dinner she gave me an antique porcelain plate filled with cookies. She told me she bought the plate at an antiques mall and thought, along with the homemade cookies, it would make a nice little hostess gift. It is 8 inches in diameter, hand painted and in mint condition. Marked on the back are the words "George H. Bowman - Cleveland - Findley," and below two crossed daisies ... [full story]

Gardening is often thought of as a warm weather activity, but it doesn't have to be that way if you are looking to break through your cabin fever. From warm gulf coast regions or even warmer southwestern deserts all the way up to cold Minnesota, there are gardening jobs that can be done in the winter. For example, winter is a good time for doing dormant pruning. Besides keeping you warm on a cold day, ... [full story]

Decorating a home should be a fun and ongoing process, not a lifelong commitment to the same old look.   TABLE TOPPER - Change the look of your table anytime you want with GILA Window Film. CNS Photo courtesy of GILA Film Products.    PRESTO CHANGO - Turn a glass tray or picture frame into a coffee table or dining room centerpiece with GILA Window Film. Wrap a glass vase with film for added elegance. CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

  Unfinished cedar wood paneling is a beautiful addition to any closet. The nontoxic fragrance is said to be a natural insect repellent, helping to keep moths, roaches and silverfish away … [full story]

Q: We bought our house because we thought we'd love the open floor plan - our living/dining room is more than two stories high at one point - but it's been hard to figure out how to arrange the furniture. All this headroom is getting to be too much. What can you suggest that will break it up and make it less cavern-like? A: Aha! So it is possible to have too much of a ... [full story]

Rich, creamy and indulgent, butter has been a staple of haute cuisine. Asked once what her favorite ingredient was, cooking icon Julia Child declared, "Butter!"   TREND-SETTING SPREADS - Joe Kahn is owner of Seven on Prospect, a cosmopolitan grill in Peoria Heights, Ill. His restaurant uses coulis sauces and tapenade to add spice and avoid the fat that comes with butter-laden toppings. CNS Photo by John Henry    RED PEPPER COULIS - Red pepper coulis, foreground, and ... [full story]

If your family is anything like my family, there's been at least one showing of the movie "A Christmas Story" this season - the now-classic satirical tale that centers around a bespectacled boy named Ralphie and his longing for a Red Ryder Daisy air rifle BB gun, itself an icon of mid-century male childhood memory, and one coveted by today's collectors. But who was Red Ryder? He was a redheaded cowboy in a white hat, ... [full story]

Q: I found this unique vase in my dad's greenhouse and I think he got it at a yard sale. It is green and white and in perfect condition. Marked on the bottom are the letters "U P CO - 1800." Is it a planter and what can you tell me about the maker, vintage and value? A: You have a planter that was decorated with a forest green glaze with   PLANTER - This forest ... [full story]

Q: Back in the fall, I brought in many of my favorite houseplants and potted plants from the patio and they are looking horrible. Should I fertilize them now or wait until spring? If I wait much longer, I am not sure if any of them will be left. They are dropping leaves all over and the remaining leaves are turning yellow.  What else can I do? I spent a lot of money last spring ... [full story]

To flock or not to flock. Flock ... and bring the panache of antique flock back to the home.   FLOCKTO IT - Once only for aristocrats, Graham & Brown makes flocked wallpaper affordable for all. CNS Photo courtesy of Graham & Brown.    PIROUETTE - Soft horizontal fabric vanes attached to a single sheer backing allow for enhanced views to the outside and the beauty of fabric on the inside with Pirouette window shadings. CNS Photo courtesy ... [full story]

  Drywall finishing isn’t for everyone; it takes patience and practice to do it correctly. Following are general preparation techniques to a drywall taping project …  [full story]