Home and Garden
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Ouch! Why nettles sting, and how you can put them to good useJul 16, 2018 6:00 am - Have you ever encountered stinging nettles in the woods? If yes, then you'll feel my pain. If not, take heed. When battling invasive plants in my woods with a weed whack...
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Japanese painted ferns pair nicely next to hostasJul 15, 2018 7:00 am - Homeowners often mistakenly believe it is impossible to have colorful gardens in shady areas in their landscapes. They may believe ground covers planted in rings around ...
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Collectors make a beeline for porcelain platesJul 15, 2018 6:01 am - Q. I have enclosed a photo of a porcelain plate that my mother-in-law gave me before she passed away. There are four plates, each about 8 inches in diameter and decorate...
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Water magnolia trees that are under more stressJul 15, 2018 6:00 am - This is the time of year to check for magnolia scale, an insect about the size of a pencil eraser. Typically found on the underside of magnolia branches, the scale is re...
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Berry picking is a fun family activityJul 15, 2018 6:00 am - Q. Is there a list of farms where you can pick your own strawberries locally? A. Strawberry pie, strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam, strawberries and rhubarb, strawber...
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Some precautions to take when buying a homeJul 14, 2018 7:00 am - Q. I am going to buy my first home for all cash with money from a recent inheritance. Anything special I should watch out for? A. All cash means a prompt, trouble-free s...
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Six bathroom trends to consider — and two trends to avoidJul 14, 2018 6:00 am - The best part of renovating a bathroom? Picking out the colors, finishes, patterns and shapes of everything from the flooring to the drawer pulls. Adding to the exciteme...
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Front porches and entries that say 'welcome'Jul 14, 2018 6:00 am - Interior designer Joan Craig sees many clients who give the decorating of their living room or kitchen a lot of thought. Yet while “people have become much more attuned ...
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Homeownership is not for those who are unable to save moneyJul 14, 2018 6:00 am - The homeownership rate has been increasing recently following more than 10 years of decline. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the rate peaked in the first quarter of...
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Constable: Summer sweet corn is here, but do you eat it correctly?Jul 12, 2018 5:33 am - Since the beginning of July, drivers have slowly cruised by this Carol Stream parking lot, searching for summer. This time they stop. "It's the first day, so a lot of pe...