Consider making your Thanksgiving feast a brunch
by Charlene Marcum; Photos by Frank Caramanica Agonizing over the exhaustion of spending a week preparing a Thanksgiving dinner that is eaten in 30 minutes? Join the movement away from the traditional Thanksgiving table this holiday season and serve a decadent brunch...
Watercolor painting: It’s not just for children any more
by Leslie Milby Photos courtesy of Hillary Parker When most people think of watercolor, it may be hard for them to shake the notion of the kiddie version where it seemed like all you made was colored water flow across your page in a puddle — not a method of making a...
Decoy fans can run afowl at festival
by Leslie Milby As the honking becomes louder and more frequent in the Eastern Shore fields and treelines outside, we know three things: The geese are migrating, many ladies are getting ready to become “hunting widows,” and decoys are about to come out of hibernation....
Purple power packs punch
by Sean Clougherty According the Garden Media Group’s annual Garden Trends Report, purple foods and plants are going to be on the rise on your plates and in your landscape. Purple cauliflower, potatoes, berries and corn are projected to be favorites amongst discerning...
Stock food supply with staying power
by Leslie Milby Storage crops are great for “squirreling” away food for winter. Many fall harvested veggies — such as beets, squash, turnips and pumpkins, as well as apples, pears and other fruits — fit into this category as they will last a few months when stored...
It’s time to prepare your home, hearth for winter
by Charlene Marcum As the colors of fall blow away with the incoming winter wind, it is time to prepare our homes, lawn and vehicles for winter. A few preventative steps will yield a bounty of benefits and a big reduction in winter woes. Winterizing Your House • Clean...
Mighty Monarchs
Fall is when princely butterflies migrate to Mexico If there ever was a fair weathered friend, it is the Monarch Butterfly. You might have noticed a lot of them out and about in mid-to late-September or so and as the weather gets cooler, but after that,...
Mid-Century Classic design writes itself a comeback
The term “modern” is often confused with mid century design. A more accurate term for current design would be contemporary. What is referred to now as mid century classic is actually based on a design movement at the beginning of the 20th century....
Before you bring those potted plants indoors …
October weather can waver from late-season warm breezes to blustery blasts. But as temperatures uctuate, crucial daylight plants depend on is irrevocably waning, and winter, waiting in the wings, prepares to make its decisive entrance, when it freezes...
Pumpkin Peanut Butter Treats (pumpkins)
Ingredients • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour • 2 eggs • 1 1/4 c canned pumpkin • quarter-cup peanut butter • half-teaspoon cinnamon • quarter-cup water Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use a silicone muffin pan or grease and our a metal muffin pan....
Don’t forget the treat!
Marbled Pumpkin & Carob Dog Treats (bats and ghosts) Ingredients • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon of canned 100-percent pure pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie mix) • 2 large eggs • 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey • 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil...
Dog days of Halloween
Every fall, millions of people are faced with the daunting task of what to be for Halloween. Even more difficult is just how many times your 7-year-old will change his mind before settling on someone — or something — to be. Chewbacca? Spiderman? Pirate? An...
Live and let lavender
When Charles and Debbie Brohawn started Smokey Cat Lavender Farm at their home in Federalsburg, they named it after their grey cat. Not long afterward, "the cat walked off," Debbie said. The venture is really Debbie's, although Charles gave up his workshop...
‘Boo’-yeah!
Halloween decorators go all out on fun, fright Halloween is second only to Christmas in popularity and spending. The National Retail Federation estimates nearly $7 billion dollars was spent in 2016 in domestic sales with nearly 157 million Americans...
Home maintenance projects to tackle this fall
Fall is the perfect time to complete those pesky home maintenance projects left on your to-do list. If you've been putting off these chores, you're not alone, but it could cost you. In fact, a national survey from Erie Insurance shows many Americans are...
Simply gourd-geous!
Gourds are a staple in the fall, whether they’re used in recipes or as decorations. Pumpkin carving, roasted squash and more—come fall, the cornucopia is full of them. But what many people don’t realize is that when dried out, gourds can be used as an art...
Will your succulents survive the cold?
Succulents are easy-keepers in the summer, needing little attention but providing a unique look for the garden. With winter approaching, it will soon be time to think about what moves to make for the succulents for survival. Having the right plant for the...
Native attraction
Fall a good time for habitat-boosting plants Even if your summer garden wore you out this year, don't trade in your garden gloves for mittens quite yet. Fall is a great time to extend your planting, and native plants are terrific for taking you (and the...
Make your own potpourri from summer flowers
As summer cools into fall it is a perfect time to make your own potpourri from the flowers outside your window. Collecting the muted colors of yellow, purple, fuchsia and pink will make a beautiful potpourri that you can use up until the winter...
Five fabulous deck fix-ups
Are you tired of having a deck you’re no longer proud to show off ? You’re not alone. According to the 2017 U.S. Houzz Landscape Trends Study, one of the top reasons motivating homeowners to tackle outdoor projects like deck upgrades is their open-air...
Know how to find a bouquet for practically any event
Birthdays, wedding, congratulations and condolences bring to mind flowers from the local nursery or an online provider. What about those everyday events that are not as spectacular but still make an impression? Visiting a friend for lunch, meeting a group...
