Like a lot of families, we have particular sayings and phrases that pepper our everyday speech. Some are exclusive to our family; others are shared by our community or region. Growing up, we used them freely, not realizing those outside our family unit might not understand them. Even today, we use s...

Summer means baseball and softball, and it also means the height of grilling season. This year, the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” brand, funded by the beef checkoff, is stepping up to the plate as a proud partner of the Little League® World Series – a perfect pairing of beef and America’s favorite...

It’s beginning to feel like the peak of our summer season has arrived in the Finger Lakes. The signs for me are when I finally seemed to have a grasp on my pollen allergy and can breathe again, those fields of wheat have turned a golden color and are now being harvested and the farmers market is a b...

If you don’t already grow purple coneflowers in your garden, you’ve most likely seen this purplish-pink, daisy-like flower adding a pop of color in someone else’s yard. They’re a great choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-grow, native perennial. Coneflowers are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 – 9...

Houses typically feature various areas that are traditionally designed for storage, such as garages, basements and attics. However, with some renovation, these spaces can be transformed into livable areas. Homeowners who would like to convert attics into livable spaces need to take certain things in...

No two children are the same, but many youngsters share a number of similarities. Few young children enjoy going to bed on time, and many can’t resist a good trampoline. Kids also have a reputation for being picky eaters, which can be challenging for parents tasked with picking and preparing school ...

What makes good soil and what does “good” mean? Most of us would likely answer that good soil is full of readily available nutrients for our vegetables and flowers to uptake and robustly grow. There is, of course, more to good soil than nutrients. Otherwise, why would we bother to grow plants in soi...

Everyone knows that horses don’t thrive on their own – they flourish because of a devoted network of people who give them expert care, steady support and daily attention. Behind every polished performance, healthy stride or peaceful trail ride is a team of caretakers, including fellow equestrians, w...

It’s the height of summer, and the weather is hot, hot, hot! That doesn’t mean work in the garden is done, though. Instead, venture outdoors in the early morning or late in the afternoon. Avoid working in the sun during the hottest part of the day. If you’ve been putting off addressing a shady chall...