uses for an old doll cradle Published: Mon, Feb 13, 2012 Dear Sara: When I was little, my mom was the carpenter in our family. A lot of our gifts were handmade, because my family didn't have much money. I received a wooden doll cradle for Christmas when I was 5 or 6, which I played with a lot. It's maybe 2 feet long with high sides and is made out of plywood, so it's... Read More

Everday Cheapskate: Self-Cleaning Oven Cleans Other Stuff, Too Published: Tue, Feb 8, 2011 Leaving the broiler pan and racks in my oven during the "self-clean" cycle gave me an unintended consequence: Everything turned out clean and beautiful. Now I'm wondering why I didn't take that as a signal to give other durable yet grungy items the same treatment. Today's first tipster sure got me thinking...... Read More

Substitute sour cream Updated: Mon, Mar 22, 2010 DEAR SARA: I'm looking for the best heavy-cream substitute for a tomato cream sauce. (It is for Chicken Tikka Masala.) I am really just not a fan of the price and fat content of heavy cream. Plus, I don't think I would ever end up using a whole pint before it would go bad. I've thought about just using plain milk,... Read More

Four ways to reuse an old shower curtain Published: Wed, Oct 28, 2009 It's easy to keep or toss some items. You might have an idea for ways to reuse something and, if you don't, out it goes. But it can be tough to decide what to do with some items, such as vinyl shower curtains or liners. They're cheap to replace, so many people opt to throw them away and replace with a new liner. But... Read More

Top 10 gardening trends for 2009 Updated: Fri, Apr 17, 2009 Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to “grow-it-yourself.” From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn “back to the future” to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good. “It’s a resurgence of gardening... Read More

Bill Geer
Gardening Q&A Updated: Thu, Aug 9, 2001 Q: How do I enter my vegetables in the county fair? A: The first thing you need to do is find out when your county has scheduled its free fair. The Oklahoma County Free Fair is Aug. 16-18. Entries will be accepted from 1 to 8 p.m. Aug. 16 in the Kitchens of America Building at the State Fair Park. Most... Read More

Project of the Week
Grow your confidence with 'Garden Primer' Updated: Thu, Mar 29, 2001 It's no mystery to gardeners why their hobby is America's most popular pastime. From mowing the lawn every weekend to growing prize-winning vegetables to caring for a favorite houseplant, there's something satisfying about planning, planting and pampering growing things. For beginners, however, getting started... Read More

Slaying shocks neighborhood Updated: Sun, Mar 4, 2001 From the outside, there was no way to tell that anything was wrong. The house squatted on its lot as it always had, its red-brick facade sprawling nearly to the curb. A Jaguar XJ6 sedan waited outside, parked beneath an attached canopy squarely in the center of a half-moon driveway. Dr. Hamilton 911 call:... Read More

Gardening Q&A Updated: Thu, Jan 25, 2001 Q: What houseplants do well on a trellis? A: Houseplants can do more than just green up a small area. By growing a climbing houseplant on a trellis, you can create a room divider with life. This sure beats another painted wall. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a houseplant that can survive with minimal care and... Read More

Gardening grows on you: Houseplants enjoy new popularity Updated: Thu, Jan 11, 2001 Houseplants are hot again. Not that their popularity ever died, but it did wilt for a couple of decades. With gardening as one of the most popular hobbies, it makes sense that people who enjoy growing plants would want to extend that pleasure year-round. They're bringing the outdoors in, using palms, ferns and... Read More

Loretta's Back Yard
Consider living tree for holiday Updated: Thu, Dec 7, 2000 It's the first week in December, and the hustle and bustle has begun. The garden will be put on hold. If any plants may need to be mulched later when really cold days arrive, have the mulch on hand. Many gardeners will use a living tree for that special Christmas tree. When you plant a tree, you plant a memory. To... Read More

Gardening Q&A Updated: Thu, Nov 9, 2000 Q: Are there any new Web sites available for gardeners? A: Take a look at neaflora Web site. This gardening database has more than 38,000 entries and was developed with the input of garden enthusiasts, horticulturists and master gardeners. It was rated "hottest pick" by USA Today. As with any garden, this... Read More

House plants provide decorative elements Updated: Sat, Sep 23, 2000 Plants have a way of warming up an interior. They give the place a finished look, a welcome feeling and an atmosphere of unity. With the variety of interior foliage available, plants are also a versatile tool for decorating. As a room divider, plants fill the gap with finesse. One well-used idea for dividing a... Read More

Plants add warmth and life to rooms Updated: Thu, Sep 14, 2000 Plants have a way of warming up an interior. They give the place a finished look, a welcome feeling and an atmosphere of unity. With the variety of interior foliage available, plants are also a versatile tool for decorating. As a room divider, plants fill the gap with finesse. One well-used idea for dividing a... Read More

Ground Rules
Quash squash bugs early with insecticide Updated: Fri, Jun 9, 2000 Squash bugs will be emerging soon and need to be treated while still young. Large adult squash bugs are practically impossible to control with any insecticide, so controlling them while they are young is critical. Thiodan is one of the best materials for squash bug control in home gardens, but it is also one of... Read More