A good gardener can start tomato seedlings in old yogurt tins — or anything else that will hold some soil mix. But most commonly gardeners buy plastic containers designed for starting seeds: each unit or “6-pack” has six little compartments that hold a few tablespoons of soil and has holes in the bottom for drainage. […]

ROANOKE, W.Va. The sky faded toward cobalt over the rolling horizon and its bare hardwood forest, the faux street lamps in the foreground lighting the outdoor walkway and swimming pool. One man lingered in the adjoining Jacuzzi despite the 30-degree chill that blew mist off the heated water. The moon gradually cast a narrow, shimmering […]

Last week, I shared how deployments affect a military family’s concept of time. We organize years into periods of sea duty or moves, and these become our point-of-references. For instance, it wasn’t “the year 2000,” but rather, “the year of your first deployment.” It’s a bit of an occupational hazard, if only because banks, insurance […]

This nan pizza is a fun way to eat the flavors of India in America’s favorite food. The popular chicken tikka masala is widely believed to have been created in England for the British palate and is actually the national dish. But it is so tasty that restaurant diners have demanded that the dish is […]

It’s a quiet but cozy workspace, designed to promote focus and creativity while providing an alternative to a traditional desk or office. It’s also a bright pink cubby covered in comfy cushions. The pink seating is the brainchild of Karen Bala, Jen Taylor and Michelle Bristol of Dyer Brown, an architectural firm. It was one […]

A well-pruned apple tree in full bloom or loaded with fruit is a feast for the eyes. Now is a good time to work on your trees — though you can prune in any month without damaging your tree. Farmers of yesteryear pruned their fruit trees in March, probably because there was no planting and […]

Long before there were smartphone apps and online countdown clocks, military wives the world over have been coming up with clever ways to mark time. It’s a (married-to-it) occupational hazard, if you will, a prism through which military spouses view the calendar. Ask most military spouses when they sold their house or got their dog, […]

NEW YORK For a change, a few celebrities are chasing a trend rather than setting one — times two and three. We’re talking about the mini boom in Hollywood of expected twins, with the recent arrival of triplets for Pharrell Williams and his wife, Helen Lasichanh, thrown in as a happy bonus. Beyonce and Jay […]

I am a morning person (by choice, not nature, but that’s a story for another time) and breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Strong coffee and a hearty morning meal make me feel like I’m on vacation, luxuriating in hashed-brown-and-bacon heaven, without a health or calorie care in the world. Breakfast menus at […]

Basements can be cold and dark, and often get much less decorating attention than the rest of the house. But you can gain new, useful and stylish living space by upgrading that subterranean space. Step one is addressing any risk of flooding or water leakage. Bring in a professional to assess the risk and recommend […]