The festive season is here – why not make Christmas extra special this year by bringing a little extra yuletide joy to your home? Interior designer Benji Lewis offers effortlessly elegant but chic ideas to bring that wonderful warm, festive atmosphere to your Christmas table setting. “Christmas can ...

What would the holidays be without delicious foods to share with loved ones? In fact, crafting elaborate meals and baking goodies is par for the course once the weather begins to cool and decorations turn up on businesses and homes. Many people have tried-and-true recipes they rely on each year, but...

Coins. Stamps. Prints of the artwork of Jackson Pollock. Collections range from the vague to the extremely niche in subject matter. However, most don’t think of Christmas ornaments when they think of collecting – they’re just a static, consistent part of the holiday season. I would posit that it’s a...

Cranberries are good for you all year long, but they seem to stand out more for our winter holiday meals. Try out this tasty treat for your Christmas celebrations. Cranberry Cointreau Christmas Cake Makes 16 servings Ingredients: 2 ½ cups all-purpose unbleached flour, plus more for flouring the pan ...

Before you go out on the ice, make sure you know how thick it is and the related weight it can carry. Thick ice in one area of a pond or lake does not guarantee the same thickness in another location of the waterbody. Winter is one of the greatest seasons to enjoy the outdoors but to do so safely, y...

The mention of mistletoe evokes images of a seasonal kissing ball adorned with its leaves and berries or of someone sneaking a kiss beneath a sprig of mistletoe hanging in a doorway. You probably don’t think about where mistletoe comes from or what part it plays in the ecosystems where it grows in t...

Agriculture can be a risky business. Equipment, chemicals, livestock and infrastructure such as grain bins or manure pits are just a few of the dangers that farmers interact with on a daily basis. Other, perhaps less obvious dangers include slippery surfaces, ropes and cords that can cause trips and...

When I think about my house or my childhood home, the kitchen is always the first room that comes to mind. It is the hub of the home – a place where you gather to cook, eat and share your lives as a family. I realized something this past week about my kitchen. My sink is exactly the same as my mom a...

When the snow comes down heavy and hard, it’s time for farmers to start thinking about barn  roof  safety. Image courtesy of Cornell University Extension Heavy snow can put barn roofs at risk, but snow removal must be performed carefully. Removing snow without the proper approach can cause more dama...

Snow flurries and winter storms can be unpredictable and the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI) encourages home and business owners to prepare in advance before bad weather hits. “Outdoor power equipment like snow throwers can make quick work of a big job,” said OPEI President and CEO Kris Kis...

Having a cold is not fun. A stuffy nose, sniffles, sore throat and other symptoms make having a cold a generally unpleasant experience. According to data collected by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, the average consumer shops for over-the-counter medicine 26 times a year, with peak vis...

Never in a million years would I have imagined I would be standing there. But there I was, in the middle of the little butcher’s shop amidst the machines – the buzzing and clacking of saws and knifework, friendly banter of conversation and the litany of earthy and gamey smells filling the air. My ex...

Though retailers may begin playing holiday tunes shortly after Halloween, for many people, no date on the calendar marks the beginning of the holiday season better than the day they pick up their Christmas tree. There are many different ways to acquire a Christmas tree. Some people prefer artificial...

No matter how far in denial one might be, winter is here – and there is nothing quite as jolting as a strong draft. This is the weather for snuggling by a fire or space heater, not worrying about being blasted with an unwanted current of icy winter wind. There are a lot of different options dependin...

Before hopping on an all-terrain vehicle this autumn, take a moment to prioritize safety over fun. “People want to get out and explore nature and experience the outdoors,” said Scott DeNoon, senior farm product and underwriting manager for Virginia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Co. and member of the ...