Summer is a season of relaxation when school is not in session, vacation season is in full swing and people everywhere are getting outside and soaking up the summer sun. It’s hard to imagine how that can get any better. But it can for people thinking of installing a pool in their backyard. Pools def...

As the seasons change, it’s time to freshen up food and beverage offerings so they align more closely with seasonal vibes. Light, fresh and fizzy cocktails seem tailor-made for warm evenings. Some cocktails get their effervescence from sparkling wines – as Bellini or mimosa devotees can attest. This...

Before the age of disposable paper napkins and tissues, there were handkerchiefs. Every woman’s purse and man’s jacket pocket carried one. Men also carried them in the back pockets of their khakis, jeans or overalls. Not only were they a necessary part of your wardrobe, but they were stylish as well...

For some people, tomatoes are the pinnacle of summer gardening. Who doesn’t love fresh from the vine juicy tomatoes? Tomatoes can be easy to grow with some inexpensive equipment and a little know-how about this crop. First, when choosing a tomato variety, recognize there is a distinction between det...

People naturally think burgers and hot dogs when they envision grilled foods. But there is so much more that can be cooked over an open fire, including desserts and even pizza. Grilling lends a distinctive smoky taste to both the crust and the toppings. Grilled pizzas start with a basic dough that c...

While you don’t need a lot of experience or land to successfully raise a backyard chicken flock, you do need one key ingredient. “You’ve got to really love the process,” emphasized Lori Clark, a Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H youth development agent in Stafford County who cares for 12 egg-laying...

If attracting more deer, turkey and quail – or even just watching a healthier variety of wildlife – is on your radar this season, now’s the time to get started. Autumn isn’t just harvest season; it’s a golden window to enhance your land’s habitat so it supports the wildlife you love for years to com...

There are few things as refreshing on a hot summer day as a slice of watermelon. At over 90% water, watermelons are a tasty way to keep hydrated with an added bonus of vitamins and minerals. If you’d like to try your hand at growing your own watermelon, you’ll need a location with rich, well-drainin...

There are a couple of famous Mulberry Streets. There’s Mulberry Street in New York City, famous for its historical significance as the heart of Little Italy and its connection to Italian-American culture. There’s a Mulberry Street that’s known as the inspiration for Dr. Seuss’s first book, “And To T...