http://www.kentucky.com/150/index.xml News, sports, and entertainment from Kentucky.com en-us Copyright 2008 Kentucky.com Home and Garden 60 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:11:30 EDT http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss McClatchy Interactive's Workbench webmaster@kentucky.com http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552235.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552235.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:55 EDT
Becky and Jackie Gray like to step back and observe when first-time visitors enter the gourd warehouse behind their Front Porch Crafts salesroom in Horse Cave.

An astonished "Oh, my gosh!" or "How are you going to get rid of all these?" are typically heard.

With good reason.

It's not every day you encounter more than 30 large crates and hanging bags filled with dried gourds of all sorts: apple, banana, snake, Indonesian, African wine bottle, martin, egg . the inventory list goes on. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552231.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552231.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:55 EDT
GEORGETOWN . Georgetown College president William Crouch and his wife, Jan, live in a Greek Revival home built in 1859. But the home's interior is a mix of the era when the home was built and the personal style of its residents.

The Crouches moved into the president's house, part of Sunday's Scott County Arts Consortium home tour, 17 years ago. About half the furnishings belong to the Crouches, the other half to the college. For example, a secretary in the front parlor was purchased when the Crouches lived in North Carolina.

"We thought it was a very large piece of furniture. This spaciousness could be daunting when you start to plan," Jan Crouch said.

Chandeliers in the two parlors are exactly like two hanging in Ward Hall, a pre-Civil War house on Frankfort Road that's considered Kentucky's premier antebellum Greek Revival mansion. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552237.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552237.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:09 EDT
Cob and Natural Plasters. 10 a.m. Oct. 11. CobBale Art Studio, 485 Jackson Branch, Richmond. $40-$50. www.HomeGrownHideAways.org.

Blue Grass Hemerocallis Society Potluck Meeting. 1 p.m. Oct. 12. Scott County Cooperative Extension Service, 1130 Cincinnati Pike, Georgetown. (502) 857-8600.

2008 Decorators Showcase. Shady Side, 3284 Paris Pike, Lexington. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Through Oct. 12. Call (859) 277-9215 for details.

At the Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. Advance registration required unless noted. www.ca.uky.edu/Arboretum. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544814.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544814.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:14 EDT
An ad for an art class with the lofty title "Botanical Art in the French Court Tradition of the 18th Century" caught my eye.

With my 60th birthday just a month away, I think I wanted some miracle of rejuvenation to shake up the aging process at bit.

So, after a 55-year hiatus from creating expressive masterpieces at the 20th-century kindergarten finger-painting easel, I decided to try my hand with watercolor at the class at the Arboretum on Alumni Drive.

The idea fascinated and frightened me, and with reason . people have laughed at my feeble stick-figure illustration style for years. Yet the idea of experiencing plants from a new perspective tempted me, and the arboretum is a familiar sanctuary. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544813.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544813.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:50 EDT
Cooler temperatures mean it's almost time to use pansies and violas to add a breath of color to landscapes and containers. There is nothing quite like going to the garden center with brisk fall temperatures in the air and seeing all the vibrant colors. You'll probably notice enticing fragrances as well.

This year, keep your eyes open for trailing violas. They are called spreading, trailing and even cascading, but whatever the name, you will want some for baskets, mixed containers, window boxes and the landscape.

The Violina series made its debut a couple of years ago, and it has dazzled me ever since. New in this group will be Violina Aquamarine, Violina Orange and Violina Purple Blue, which is absolutely stunning. These violas are fragrant and have the ability to make incredible hanging baskets by themselves. You'll see them reaching about 6 inches tall with a spread of 14 inches.

The Rebelina series of violas also is making its debut this year. These violas resist stretching and produce scores of delightful small flowers. The special colors in this series include Rebelina Golden Yellow, Rebelina Blue and Yellow (my favorite), Rebelina Red and Yellow, and Rebelina Purple and Yellow. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544819.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544819.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:50 EDT
Just as plants turn brown and shut down, just as frost hits and the heating season starts, it's time to plant spring flowers.

"Huh?" says the new gardener.

But it's true. October is when we start planting spring bulbs . those onion-looking things that winter's dark magic will transform into next spring's heart-stirring crocuses, daffodils and tulips.

Here's what you need to know so your garden can be one of the ones that makes passersby smile in March and April. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544816.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544816.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:04 EDT
Rain Garden Workshops. www.bluegrassraingardenalliance.org.

. 9 a.m. Oct. 4. Community Council Winburn Neighborhood Center, 1169 Winburn Dr., Lexington. Free. (859) 266-1572.

. 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Midway Women's Club, 233 S. Gratz St., Midway. Free. (859) 846-9970.

At the Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. www.ca.uky.edu/Arboretum. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537797.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537797.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:28 EDT
Shady Side on Paris Pike has been spruced up with the latest wall treatments, floor coverings, kitchen appliances and furnishings, and it's ready to show off.

The Greek Revival house, built in 1792 and now owned by the Dudee family, is this year's Decorators' Showcase house. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass.

"This home, being 216 years old, is outstanding. It's such a wonderful historic home," showcase chairman Donna Borden said. "It's becoming harder to find willing owners and historic homes for decorators' showcases throughout the country. They're not making more historical homes."

After Jitander S. Dudee and his family moved out of their home a few weeks ago, more than 50 designers moved in with drills and sanders, hammers and nails, tile and grout, ladders and paint, and dust rags and window cleaner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537794.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537794.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:27 EDT
You start with freezer paper.

No, wait, you start with a strong emotional image in your head, then comes the freezer paper unrolled on a surface to capture the image writ large enough to cover a surface eventually big enough to be seen from across a convention center.

No, that's not entirely right yet. You start with a story. In this case, a horse's story.

And, says Lexington quilt artist Sheril Drummond, you are looking for what you will say through his eyes. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537806.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537806.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
MINNEAPOLIS . Six months after settling into her new home in northeast Minneapolis, Susan Snyder finally finished the move a couple of weekends ago.

No, she didn't just get around to unpacking the last box. She completed the task of making the place her own by having it blessed.

"The house feels complete now," she said. "It feels settled. It feels the way it's supposed to."

Home blessings are "the biggest shelter trend since feng shui," said Donna Henes, a shaman based in New York City who has been blessing homes for 35 years. "That was back in the days when eyebrows were raised (at the mention of a blessing). But times change. Now people are embracing alternate spiritualities." ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537802.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537802.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
It's a double whammy: Home energy costs are rising just when most of us can least afford it.

With budgets tightening, it's hard to lay out money up front for energy-saving home improvements, even if we know they're a wise investment. So we posed this question to Chris Kielich, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Energy:

If a homeowner had only $250 to spend on energy-saving measures, what would produce the biggest bang for the buck?

Here's what she suggested. (Note: Costs are approximate.) ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537801.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537801.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations By Debra Prinzing; photographs by William Wright.Clarkson Potter. 224 pp. $30.

Author Debra Prinzing states at the beginning of her photograph-filled book that "Today's shed is a small structure designed and built for one's personal enjoyment."

She believes that we all need a place of our own where we can pursue our passions or just get away from the pressures of our primary living quarters.

As a free-lance journalist and contributor to Cottage Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening, Prinzing has had ample opportunity to study some of the country's most engaging outdoor getaways. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537800.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537800.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
You don't do windows? Well, maybe you should start. With the price of energy skyrocketing and the days getting shorter, the more natural light you can bring indoors the better.

Need to know (if you're new to this): Some windows are easier to clean than others. If your house is of recent vintage, your windows probably tilt in for better access.

In older houses, windows might not work well . tough to open or so poorly maintained that repairs are needed before you can even begin to clean.

Find a buddy: Window-washing is one household chore that goes faster with a two-person team: one does inside, one does outside, then each points out streaks and missed spots. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537799.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537799.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Many people associate gardens with springtime, but some plants can be grown in fall, and it's the perfect time to plant bulbs for spring's daffodils and tulips. So go ahead and plant some winter squash . and while you're at it, get your children involved. Enhance this learning experience with them by checking out these great children's books about gardens.

For younger readers

Tops and Bottoms By Janet Stevens. Harcourt Children's Books, $17.

A clever hare makes a deal with a lazy bear. Rabbit will do all the planting and weeding in Bear's garden. All Bear has to do is share half the vegetables with him. Bear can take the tops or the bottoms. Bear eagerly agrees to accept the tops but finds Hare has tricked him; Hare takes the bottoms of root vegetables like carrots and radishes, leaving Bear with nothing but the grassy tops. Then Bear angrily demands all the bottoms for the next crop. What will the crafty Hare plant next? ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537798.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537798.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Home Builders Association of Lexington Grand Tour of Homes. Forty-three homes by 17 builders. Sept. 27, 28. Visit www.grandtourofhomes.com for addresses and details. (859) 273-5117.

2008 Decorators Showcase. Shady Side, 3284 Paris Pike, Lexington. $10 advance tickets; $15 at the door. Through Oct. 12. Call (859) 277-9215 for details.

Rain Garden Workshops. www.bluegrassraingardenalliance.org.

. 9 a.m. Sept. 27. Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service, 101 Lakeview Ct., Frankfort. (502) 695-9035. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/532110.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/532110.html Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:49 EDT
Downtown homes became visitor hot spots Sunday during the fifth annual Urban Life and Style Tour organized by the Lexington Downtown Development Authority.

The tour allowed Lexingtonians to take a look at some of downtown's newest condominiums, apartments and houses at 17 sites. This year's tour included furnished and occupied homes as well as some that had just been completed.

Herald-Leader Staff Report ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530205.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530205.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:51 EDT


With stock prices plummeting and spending on standby for cash-strapped families, today's consumer needs a really good reason to make that next purchase.

And that's the whole idea behind the ever-growing selection of pink products out there. During the past few years, pink has come to symbolize the fight against breast cancer. And now shoppers can find everything from vacuums and mixers to candles and chimes sporting pink accents that let the buyer know a portion of the proceeds will go to programs to find a cure.

Can a new pink vacuum make sweeping up dust bunnies less of a chore? Maybe not, but knowing that its purchase also supports the fight against cancer certainly counts for something. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530204.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530204.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:00 EDT
Allium-Oop!

Ornamental alliums rise above their cousins, the savory onions, chives and garlics that we love to eat. In the spring, allium bulbs send up scapes crowned by unusual umbelliferous, globe-shaped lollipop mops composed of tiny individual star flowers. Some, like the giant magenta "Gladiator," bear 5-inch spheres atop 5-foot stalks, making them striking architectural garden accents; others, like the tiny pink Allium unifolium , create a more delicate, 6-inch-high naturalized groundcover.

Alliums need to be planted in fall, and they must have at least three weeks to establish roots before freezing temperatures set in. After overwintering, they'll send up greenery and flowers in the spring and early summer, then go dormant again when the heat is on. Plant them in a sunny spot, and check for good drainage, so the bulbs won't rot. More good news: Even though we enjoy their flavor, rodents, deer and other foraging animals do not, so these bulbs tend to survive and even multiply in perennial borders.

There is a vast supply of fall-planted bulbs at local garden shops now, but if you're looking for a particular unusual variety, or you just want to learn more about what's available, here are some on-line allium sources: White Flower Farm, www.whiteflowerfarm.com; Brent and Becky's Bulbs, brentandbeckysbulbs.com; and John Scheepers Flower Bulbs, johnscheepers.com ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530208.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530208.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:01 EDT
You probably think you know about garlic. We all do, especially when it comes to that pungent flavor in Italian tomato sauces, or spread with butter on crusty bread.

But Ted Jordan Meredith really knows his garlic stuff, and he shares it freely in The Complete Book of Garlic . The history, biology, cultivation, varieties, cookery and even therapeutic benefits of this popular plant are packed into one big volume that is entertaining, scientific and informative; plenty of color photos and diagrams help to sort out cultivars and concepts.

There is a lot to learn. After reading garlic's history, you'll probably want to locate Tien Shan, where garlic is now believed to have originated, on a satellite map; it's the remote mountain range bordering a host of central Asian countries with names ending in -stan that form the "garlic crescent." Or you can begin to appreciate the diversity in taste, shape and use for hardneck garlic cultivars beyond the standard commercial softneck types found at grocery stores.

Cooks will learn that there are actually two compounds that mix to form that familiar garlic aroma only after cell walls are crushed, and how to use that knowledge for maximizing flavor potential. Gardeners will learn how garlic, which actually grows from the cloves like those we love to eat, is to be planted in the fall so that roots are established before winter's freeze sends them into dormancy, and which after a period of vernalization, send up green vegetation and curled, flowering scapes in the spring. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530210.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530210.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. . Mar-a-Lago, built in the 1920s as the opulent Palm Beach, Fla., estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, became known as a social Mecca for her costume balls, teas, recitals and infamous square dances.

Most of us know it today as real estate mogul Donald Trump's private club, where celebrities hobnob with folks wealthy enough to pay the $150,000 entrance fee and $9,000 in annual dues.

Now it's also a furniture collection.

Lexington Home Brands, which launched Trump Home in 2007, has introduced Mar-a-Lago as the third collection inspired by one of The Donald's homes. The others are West Chester and Central Park. (Lexington Furniture Co., 3024 Blake James Drive, carries the West Chester and Central Park collections, but not Mar-a-Lago.) ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530211.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530211.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
No Bang! quiets the noisy business of drying tennis shoes in a clothes dryer.

The product uses straps and heat-resistant suction cups to adhere the shoes to the dryer's inner rim or the back side of the dryer door, so they're held in place during the cycle. It also can be used to protect delicate items such as plush toys from damage caused by tumbling.

No Bang! sells for $5.99 plus shipping and handling and can be ordered at www.unseenontv.com or 1-800-851-6030.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530212.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530212.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
Predictably, as soon as the first hint of a chill can be felt in the evening air, friends and colleagues start asking: What should I be doing in the yard now?

My short answer: Step away from the loppers.

I understand, the heat and humidity of summer have kept some of you trapped inside your air-conditioned homes for months. Now you're ready to put on a sweatshirt and impose order on overgrown trees, misshapen shrubs and raggedy perennials.

My advice: Don't do it. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522345.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522345.html Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00 EDT
Moving into retirement housing can mean downsizing and sharing your living space, and forfeiting your outdoor space.

Unless, that is, you are fortunate enough to live in a retirement community that values the therapeutic and recreational benefits of gardening.

Reva and Tom Brehm live in such a place: Richmond Place on Rio Dosa Drive in Lexington. The Brehms have easy access to flower beds from their first-floor apartment. Reva Brehm has nurtured a bank of black-eyed Susans, and the Brehms have seen all sorts of wildlife, even foxes, since they arrived more than 20 years ago. And they keep a hummingbird feeder outside their bay window.

Richmond Place residents enjoy the benefits of the gardens that were created years ago, when the staff began building raised beds in an empty yard just inside the property's far boundary, said Jacqueline Kennedy, marketing director at Richmond Place. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522346.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522346.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:22 EDT
MINNEAPOLIS . Appliance repairman Paul Flynn of Savage, Minn., was getting calls from customers suffering allergic reactions to their foul-smelling front-loading washing machines. During nearly every $150 service call, Flynn found mold and mildew inside the inner tub.

Flynn got to thinking about his experience cleaning metal lathes and kitchen grills in the Navy, and in 2002 he started working to perfect a granular, citrus-based product for washers. Since last year, Flynn has been selling SmellyWasher online, filling 75 to 100 orders a day for shipments worldwide. He's sold about 20,000 of the $16 bottles, enough to quit his job as a repairman.

But besides selling a product, Flynn educates consumers about solving the problem before it occurs at his Web site, www.SmellyWasher.com. "The whole reason this problem exists is the fault of the detergent manufacturers," Flynn said. "They tell us to use too much of their detergents."

Consumers who own front-loading washing machines should use only about one-quarter of the recommended amount of high-efficiency, or HE, low-sudsing detergent. Standard, non-HE detergents in front-loaders are too sudsy. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522348.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522348.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:22 EDT
Compared to paint, paper and paneling, the world of tiles might seem a bit more mysterious and exotic, yet it offers creative, eco-friendly and wonderfully touchable alternatives for covering walls and floors in a myriad of styles.

Wire-bound to lie flat and easy to hold in one hand, the Tile Bible contains a color picture gallery featuring more than 800 gorgeous tiles, with guidelines on just how to fit them into your decorating scheme.

Gathering and sorting all those samples must have been a challenge, but Morwenna Brett has done a remarkable bit of organization. First, an introduction of material types, including stone, clay, metal, ceramic and glass; each section carries background information and usage hints. Will your tiles get wet? Watch out for freezing weather and slippery surfaces. Will heavy wear be an issue? Go with color that permeates through the tile. The main directory is arranged by color.

You'll see the grandeur of ancient Rome reflected in a rainbow of mosaics, the traditional Victorian entrance-hall geometry of black and white patterns, and the soft terra cotta and Saltillo oranges so appropriate where inside meets out. In situ scenes, such as the novel sunken shower, tickle the imagination. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522349.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522349.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
Late-summer gardening tips from Ann McCulloh, curator of plant collections at the Cleveland Botanical Garden:

. Remove diseased leaves and stems to reduce the spread or recurrence of plant health problems.

. Keep the vegetable garden clear of spent plants and dying foliage.

. When possible, avoid watering plants from above. Many fungal diseases thrive on wet foliage. A better method is to lay a soaker hose at the base of the plants to soak the root zone slowly and conserve water. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/483952.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/483952.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:23 EDT
For Evan and Kimberly E. Brown, renovating their home became more than a pastime. It became an all-consuming, round-the-clock, coal-dust-in-your-face, never-a-moment's-rest passion.

Consider this: three years without a shower. Not them, their home. They kept a gym membership just for access to running water.

.We showered at the gym and lived in one room with construction going on all around it,. Kimberly Brown said.

For several weeks, a sign in the Browns' front yard had proclaimed that the house would be featured on HGTV. But broadcast plans have changed, and the house will be part of a segment of What You Get for the Money on a sister network, Fine Living. An air date has yet to be set. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/474979.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/474979.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:58 EDT
The 5th annual Urban Life and Style Tour will focus on .lived in spaces. in the downtown area.

.Last year, we had lots of condos that were finished but no one had moved in yet,. said Diane Bonfert, on the staff of the Downtown Development Authority that organizes the tour to promote downtown living.

A number of houses will be on this year's tour, which will have 20 sites total. Condos open for tour will be scattered throughout downtown including the Nunn Building, Kimball House, 500's on Main and Main & Rose.

The tour will be noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 21. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/471913.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/471913.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:17 EDT
Tomato-thon

By popular demand, The Arboretum will be holding its annual Tomato Festival on Aug. 9. At the free event, you'll be able to sample tomatoes from around the world, take a tour of the .demonstration vegetable garden and pick up some tips from Master Gardeners about tomato growth and care.

Also, you can learn how to save seeds with Roger Postley; and listen to Brook Elliott's lecture, .Heirloom Tomatoes: Why All the Fuss?.

UK College of Agriculture Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Rick Durham will be holding a preliminary blind taste test to determine whether your palate prefers hybrids or heirlooms. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/465578.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/465578.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:16 EDT
At The Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. www.ca.uky.edu/arboretum.

. Children's Garden Time: .Veggies and Herbs. 9 a.m. July 19. For all ages. $1.

. Monthly Hike: What's e_SDHpBlooming? 9 a.m. July 19. $1.

. From Garden to Kitchen. July 21 through 25. 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration requested. $40 ($35 for friends). ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/452895.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/452895.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:41 EDT
Blue Grass Hemerocallis Society Show and Sale. 1-5 p.m. July 5. The Mall at Lexington Green. Free. (859) 608-9071.

Bluegrass Beekeepers .Association meeting. 7 p.m. July 8. Fayette County Cooperative .Extension Service, 1140 Red Mile Pl. (859) 527-3535.

Electronics Recycling. 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 7-12. Electronic items may be dropped off for recycling at the Versailles Road .Government Campus, 1306 Versailles Rd. Acceptable items: televisions (no console units); audiovisual .equipment such as turntables, VCRs and DVD .players; radios; cell phones; microwaves; computer components such as printers, monitors and CPUs. In addition, residents may drop off fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and the compact bulbs) and mercury thermostats. For residential e-waste only; only three of the same type of e-waste components will be .accepted per household. Call LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255.

Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair Horticulture Contest. July 9-13. Sponsored by Fayette County Master Gardeners Associations. Masterson Station Park. Entry rules: One entry per person in each class. $1 per entry. Open to all amateur .growers; not limited to Fayette County residents. Entries accepted 5 to 7 p.m. July 9 and 10 a.m. to noon July 10. Entries will remain on display until July 13. No items will be returned. Items will be discarded, or edible products will be donated to God's Pantry. All entries must be grown by the exhibitors. Flowers must be grown for at least three weeks in display container. First-, second- and third place ribbons in each category. $3, $2, $1 premiums for each class. For more information contact the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service at (859) 257-5582, Jamie Dockery at Jamie.Dockery@uky.edu or go to www.lionsclubbluegrassfair.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/426832.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/426832.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:38 EDT
Chris Newman looked for two years for an ideal place for an .urban infill project. Then he .discovered Kenwick, an older area that includes bungalows and Craftsman-style houses with a new neighborhood energy.

Newman wanted a project close to the center of the city that would .bolster a transitioning area..

That described the second block of Owsley Avenue, and the second block of other streets in Kenwick, whereas the first block off .Richmond Road has .pretty much come around,. he said.

Generally, the second and third blocks contain a mixture of houses, some in good repair, others .candidates for fixing up. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420201.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420201.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
As summer approaches, it's a great time to bring home big Boston ferns in baskets to hang between porch columns or in a planter to place on a corner pedestal. Right now is the perfect time to find a wealth of these huge, healthy plants at local garden shops.

Ferns have been around in various forms for more than 300 million years. With an understated elegance, these natives return year after year in the wild, dressing the Earth in green petticoats with a ruffle of delicate arching forms and lacy fronds.


Most like a shady spot where they can hold rich, woodsy earth under their roots, but others seek out rock crevices and a bit of sun.

In Harlan County near Pine Mountain in southeastern Kentucky, ferns begin to send up their fiddlehead crosiers in late April, after the first spring wildflowers have gone by and the leaves of trees overhead have come out to shelter the forest floor. The slightly acidic soil there is perfect for many ferns. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420202.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420202.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
FORT WORTH, Texas . Give your next picnic a dash of .panache with dining essentials that are anything but basic.

From contemporary flatware and melamine dishware to stylish wine totes, we've spotted everything you'll need to ensure that you and your loved ones have a fabulous day outdoors.

Picnic in a bag

For a true dining experience, Table in a Bag features a collapsible hardwood table that unrolls in seconds. Stow it in its red cotton bag for easy transport. $39.95, Crate and Barrel. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420204.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420204.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
Native Ferns, Moss and GrassesFrom Emerald Carpet to Amber Wave: Serene and Sensuous Plants for the Garden By William CullinaHoughton Mifflin Company272 pp. $40

This strikingly beautiful compendium makes a good case for why these overlooked plants could and should be a part of more gardens.

Horticulturist William Cullina's witty and personal writing style is extremely readable. Native Ferns, Moss and Grasses is the final book in Cullina's native plant trilogy, which also includes Wildflowers and Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines .

Cullina begins with the basics. He defines native plants, clearly explains the concept of plant hardiness zones, including a map projected for 2075, and discusses the importance of ecological cultivation. But the encyclopedic chapters on ferns, mosses, and grasses, sedges, and rushes form the heart of the book. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413958.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413958.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
For 18 years, the Garden Conservancy has been dedicated to .preserving America's exceptional gardens.. In the 18 years since it was founded, members across the country have worked to conserve gardens that might otherwise have been lost.

Ongoing preservation projects, like those at the Alcatraz Garden in San Francisco, and Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, are just two examples of many that can be glimpsed in the photo slide show at www.gardenconservancy.org.

The conservancy also organizes .open days. throughout the season, in which regional private gardens open their gates to the public for a peek at what's ordinarily hidden from view.

There is a self-guided tour of five gardens in and around Louisville scheduled for June 14. Included this year are Running Water Farm, which is a 35-acre garden of outdoor rooms, including an Elizabethan-style viewing mound with a spiral walkway and a sunken garden graced by a wisteria-covered pergola. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413960.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413960.html Sat, 24 May 2008 08:47 EDT
Paint Style: The New Approachto Decorative Paint Finishes By Lesley Riva.Benjamin Moore Paints. 176 pp. $26.95.



Stri., ragging, color washing, spatter, faux finishes, stamping, stencils and murals: Who knew there were so many techniques for applying paint to walls?

Benjamin Moore Paints has a .professional connection, and it shows in the luxurious use of color and the clear presentation of tools and processes used to produce each special effect. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413961.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413961.html Fri, 23 May 2008 19:42 EDT
We saw a vintage folding patio chair in a tag sale recently. Its woven web design and aluminum frame took us back to our youth, when we sat in the back yard watching the fireflies blink in the inky darkness of summer nights. But today, patio furniture is less about nostalgia and more about luxury and comfort.

From teak to powder-coated metals to all-weather wicker, this stuff is meant to last. And no longer do modernists have to go without, as more manufacturers are offering contemporary designs. Here are a few choices.

The Robinwood Deluxe Collection

Philippe Starck has joined forces with David Sutherland in creating a Robin Hood-inspired collection of outdoor furniture. With names such as Marian, Tuck and Sherwood, the teak-and-polished-aluminum designs are a far cry from anything you'd likely find at Nottingham Castle. Instead, the 31-piece RobinWood Deluxe Collection features what you'd expect from a collaboration between design titans: well-crafted pieces with an unexpected sense of irreverence. To see more, go to www.sutherlandfurniture.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373769.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373769.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:41 EDT
The blooming jonquils and forsythia, the singing birds and the warm sunshine are considered by many to be signs of spring. But most Lexingtonians know that the opening of the outdoor Farmers Market marks the official transition of seasons.

The market starts out small with only a few vendors, but as the growing season gets underway, the produce choices expand. And often it's more like a gourmet market instead of a farmers market. The selection can include fresh produce, baked goods, plants, meats and eggs, soap, imported olive oil, dried herbs, honey, cheese and floral bouquets. And often you'll find live music and radio broadcasts.

At the season opener Saturday, Chef Josh Moore of Good Foods Market and Cafe will be preparing a dish from produce available at the market.

Throughout the season, cooks can find awesome ingredients to prepare meals for the family or entertaining. And at its peak in mid summer, the crowd is often so thick on Saturdays it can be difficult to maneuver between the shoppers, the dogs and the baby strollers. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373768.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373768.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:29 EDT
Since 1999, Reforest the Bluegrass, an ecological restoration effort jointly sponsored by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Water Quality, Urban Forestry and Parks . Recreation programs, has been encouraging volunteers to dig in and replant riparian zone buffers around waterways, using native tree species.

This year, you can help plant some of the 5,000 seedlings needed at Jacobson Park. Lunch and a T-shirt are provided. The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m April 19th. Pre-register by calling LexCall at 311, or (859) 425-2255. For more information call (859) 425-2820, or e-mail jsaylor@lfucg.com. The Web site is www.lfucg.com/streets/08reforest.asp.



Springhouse gardens seminars ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373772.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373772.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:35 EDT
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide By Barbara Pleasant. Deborah L. MartinStorey Publishing 319 pp $29.95

Good, rich compost is worth its weight in gold to experienced gardeners. Its value lies in improving soil structure and invigorating its complex of nutrients and micro-organisms. It supports gardens that produce bountiful harvests, while at the same time recycles left-over organic material instead of sending it unused to landfills. The Complete Compost Gardening Guide is a treasure map to discovering that this often overlooked resource is within your reach.

Pleasant and Martin don't just cover the basics with information on setting up compost bins and establishing a good C/N, or carbon-to-nitrogen, ratio; they have created fun, new ideas for integrating composting into the gardening process, like using .Banner Batches', .Honey Holes' and .Layered Craters'.

With a sense of humor, sound facts, and a conversational style, topics from vermiculture to selecting plants as .Perfect Matches. for various composting methods are presented. There are wide-ranging discussions about not only composting, but many aspects of gardening. Almost every page contains a helpful idea, be it tool selection, worm reproduction, relative values of odd raw materials for compost, or seed-saving. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373771.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373771.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:11 EDT
Question: I want a healthy and efficient method to cook meals for my family. I don't like microwave ovens for most foods. How efficient are the new residential steam ovens and do they bake as well as a regular oven? . Jan T.

Answer: Steam ovens have been used for many years by professional bakeries and restaurants because of the quality of the cooked foods and the dramatically reduced cooking time. Professional ovens, steam or conventional, often do not have the necessary safety features required for use in homes. Nearly everyone has used a small countertop steamer for vegetables and rice. The foods cook fast without losing as many of the natural flavors and nutrients as other cooking methods. With more natural flavors, less salt and other seasonings are needed which further enhances the health benefits.

Within the past several years, steam oven models have become available for home use. They are typically about the size of a microwave oven and are available as countertop or built-in models. The built-in models look similar to a conventional wall oven. Most models have a small water reservoir so they do not require a water line connection. The efficiency and energy savings from using a steam oven results from the greatly reduced cooking time as compared to using a conventional oven. Roasting a large chicken in a steam oven takes about 20 minutes as compared to two hours in a conventional oven. The overall heating element wattage in a steam oven is also less than for the elements in a conventional oven. There are additional energy savings because the entire meal (meat, vegetables, and potatoes) can be made in the steam oven without the need for using separate pots on the stovetop. Stovetop cooking is particularly energy inefficient because much of the heat never gets to the food. Instead, it escapes around the sides of the pot into the room air.

Since steam cooking at home is relatively new, most people don't know how to cook with it. Most of the new steam ovens have a menu of foods from which you select. The oven determines the proper cooking time and settings. Some of them, such as Miele's models, have hundreds of food items stored in memory, and combinations can be selected. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360157.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360157.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:42 EDT
Right now, your deck or patio might look grungy from winter leaf and debris stains, mildew and aging.

Give it a good cleaning with a solution of 1.3 cup of powdered laundry detergent to one gallon of hot water. Scrub vigorously with a stiff nylon brush or bristle broom and thoroughly rinse with fresh water. Add one quart of liquid chlorine bleach to the solution if mildew is present.

If your deck or patio still looks dingy, consider using a deck cleaning or brightening product to restore the appearance of the natural wood. Use a concrete cleaner to remove oxidation on concrete and restore the appearance of your patio. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

Finish the job by repairing damaged decking, securing fasteners and applying a fresh coat of deck finish. Although not necessary, a concrete sealer can improve the appearance of your patio and protect it from freeze-and-thaw damage if you live in a cold climate. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360159.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360159.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:42 EDT
Who said nursery design had to be color-by-numbers?

Designers are putting a fresh spin on traditional baby furnishings for a generation of parents who favor contemporary d.cor. Americans spent about $1.2 billion on .infant furniture in 2006, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

.People want to apply the same aesthetic to the baby's room that they have done in the rest of the house,. says Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio, which has launched a line of baby furniture, rugs and clothing at Target. .I also think that more and more parents want to surround their kids with great design right from the start..

The trend is spurred in part by celebrity moms whose offsprings' cool digs make the pages of magazines. And it helps that new parents are willing to surf the Internet for stylish design. Retailers expect a further bump in the next few years, when millions of Generation Y women reach peak child-bearing age and more Baby Boomers become grandparents. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346887.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346887.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:21 EDT To celebrate, there will be a $1,000 drawing. Admission, which is $2, can be used as credit in the snack area and, yes, bean soup is on the menu. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
See www.bigblueantiques.com or call (859) 255-7309.

Earth Hour 2008
8 p.m. March 29. That's when Earth Hour, as ­designated by the World Wildlife Fund, begins. As that time crosses the globe, businesses and individuals are asked to turn off lights as a message to heed the need to reduce global ­warming. In the United States, Chicago's 110-floor Sears Tower will go dark, as will the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
See the global statistics and join the movement by ­going to www.earthhour.org.
What will you do with your hour?

Introducing eXtension
There's a new way to access information from the ­Cooperative Extension ­Service. On Feb. 21, an interactive Web site, ­eXtension.org (pronounced e-extension), was launched in Washington, D.C. The site, a collaborative ­workspace supported by a partnership of more than 70 land-grant universities nationwide, is designed to instantly connect you with a wealth of extension information.
I found some timely information on the care of Easter lilies. You'll find topics ranging from horticulture and entomology to horses and ­financial security, with answers and educational information available with the click of your mouse; further questions are answered by experts via e-mail.
So, go eXplore!

St. Patrick's Day
and shamrocks
Monday is St. Patrick's Day, and people already are starting to get their green on. Shamrocks, aka trifolium or clover, ­usually appear as three-lobed leaflets chosen to signify the Holy Trinity or as their lucky four-leafed cousins. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture ­maintains the National Plant ­Germplasm Repository for clover, safeguarding the genetic diversity of more than 200 species.
Norman Taylor, who began the collection in 1953, has traveled the world searching for unique species. Kentucky rare native running buffalo clover is being preserved at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate. See www.uky.edu/Ag/Agronomy/Department/CloverGC and www.henryclay.org/flora.htm for more information.

New organic greens
The first day of spring this year is Thursday. That is a sure signal to home gardeners that it's time to get going with cool-weather greens planted under row covers. Organic Gardening magazine has tested 70 new varieties in gardens across the country. Recommendations for greens mixed with other colors include brightly ribbed Orange Chiffon chard and heat-­tolerant Danyelle red oak-leaf lettuce, both from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds (www.
kitchengardenseeds.com), and Purple Peacock broccoli/kale, with green florets on purple stalks from Wild Garden Seed (www.wild
gardenseed.com). Find Organic Gardening online at www.organicgardening.com.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346889.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346889.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:49 EDT
Nan Starkweather always had admired .gerbera daisies but not their price. A glamorous, big-headed, vibrantly colored cutting flower, the daisy can sell for $8 to $10 a stem.

She could grow these, she thought. (But they're really hard.)

She could grow them from seed, in fact, she thought. (Have faith.)

She's a master gardener, for Pete's sake, she thought. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346893.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346893.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:52 EDT
Where do you store your lawn mower, your gardening implements and other tools? If the answer is the garage or the basement, odds are your gear is hard to get to or tough to find when you need it.

An outdoor storage shed might be just the ticket . if you have the room.

What you need to know: Does your town have zoning rules about sheds? The information generally is available from municipal building departments. Even if there are no rules, consider your neighbors. No need to .create ill will with a shed that blocks sunlight to the garden next door.

Shabby isn't chic: If the shed looks shabby, it will make your yard look that way, too. If you're not willing to pay a bit more for quality, you might as well keep your equipment where it is. Typically, the difference between attractive and ugly is only a few hundred dollars. A shed is an investment in your property, so you don't want to create a stumbling block to a sale in the future. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340295.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340295.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:19 EST
TLC's Clean Sweep expert Peter Walsh has the answer — but don't expect him to mince words in the new book, "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?" ($25, Free Press).

The organizational consultant, satellite radio host and regular on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" asks readers to take a long, hard look at their messy kitchens and emotions to get their homes and lives in order.

In this follow-up to his best-seller, "It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff" ($14, Free Press), Walsh contends that a cluttered home can lead to, essentially, cluttered thighs.

Walsh splits time between Los Angeles and his native Australia, often crisscrossing continents to help people get their homes and lives in order. Recently, he sat down to discuss several topics: the food-clutter connection, a two-month project involving more than 3,000 pairs of shoes, and being in Oprah's Network of Friends.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340255.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340255.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:55 EST
If you never read a word of the text in his new book, the color photos alone will leave you wanting more from your garden. The seasonal projects are plentiful: Spring suggests salad sprouts and armfuls of daffodils; in ­summer, try tying up a clever hyacinth bean vine trellis or lighting the night with a twilight planter; autumn means apple-tasting and gourd garlands; and winter is an opportunity for a wildlife garden party.

The book has more than 50 projects, and many of them are child-friendly. Smith's easygoing, first-person narrative style creates the down-home mood of an annual journal, yet the ­instructions are clear, ­detailed and well organized.

He writes, “I grow plants for food and for pleasure. One nourishes my body, the other my soul. I need both to feel complete.” This book is about bringing those two reasons together, thoughtfully and with grace.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/333273.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/333273.html Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:21 EST
They're inelegant blobs of drywall mud that have been turned into colorful, jewel-bedecked works of art.

They're flowers that have been given names like Cadillac , Lexus , Kelp , Aztec and Sasha .

These pieces of .wall jewelry... flower sculptures decorated with crystals and pieces of antique jewelry . are the creations of Lexington mother-daughter duo Susan Westrom and Grace Becknell, and they have begun to get attention from area art lovers.

Four flowers created by Westrom and Becknell are on display at the Arboretum and the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts as part of the annual Glories of the Garden exhibit. More than 100 art items inspired by nature, including quilts, hooked rugs, photographs and paintings by various artists, will be on display through March 21. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/489836.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/489836.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:26 EDT
She and husband Gerry lived in the Beaumont subdivision, and they had just finished breakfast at a downtown restaurant last May.She was nine months along, and she thought a walk might help encourage the birth. Gerry said he wanted to show her a nearby house that they couldn't afford.

The house under construction on Old Georgetown Street was mostly just a shell. But some of the University of Kentucky students who helped design and build it were working there that morning.

"We begged for them to let us come in, and they must have taken pity because I was so fat," Kathy said. "Within two hours we bought it."

The Swans are UK education professors. The $575,000 price tag meant "calling in inheritances" and selling furniture.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552231.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552231.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:55 EDT
GEORGETOWN . Georgetown College president William Crouch and his wife, Jan, live in a Greek Revival home built in 1859. But the home's interior is a mix of the era when the home was built and the personal style of its residents.

The Crouches moved into the president's house, part of Sunday's Scott County Arts Consortium home tour, 17 years ago. About half the furnishings belong to the Crouches, the other half to the college. For example, a secretary in the front parlor was purchased when the Crouches lived in North Carolina.

"We thought it was a very large piece of furniture. This spaciousness could be daunting when you start to plan," Jan Crouch said.

Chandeliers in the two parlors are exactly like two hanging in Ward Hall, a pre-Civil War house on Frankfort Road that's considered Kentucky's premier antebellum Greek Revival mansion. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552237.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/552237.html Sat, 11 Oct 2008 09:09 EDT
Cob and Natural Plasters. 10 a.m. Oct. 11. CobBale Art Studio, 485 Jackson Branch, Richmond. $40-$50. www.HomeGrownHideAways.org.

Blue Grass Hemerocallis Society Potluck Meeting. 1 p.m. Oct. 12. Scott County Cooperative Extension Service, 1130 Cincinnati Pike, Georgetown. (502) 857-8600.

2008 Decorators Showcase. Shady Side, 3284 Paris Pike, Lexington. $10 advance, $15 at the door. Through Oct. 12. Call (859) 277-9215 for details.

At the Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. Advance registration required unless noted. www.ca.uky.edu/Arboretum. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544814.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544814.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 12:14 EDT
An ad for an art class with the lofty title "Botanical Art in the French Court Tradition of the 18th Century" caught my eye.

With my 60th birthday just a month away, I think I wanted some miracle of rejuvenation to shake up the aging process at bit.

So, after a 55-year hiatus from creating expressive masterpieces at the 20th-century kindergarten finger-painting easel, I decided to try my hand with watercolor at the class at the Arboretum on Alumni Drive.

The idea fascinated and frightened me, and with reason . people have laughed at my feeble stick-figure illustration style for years. Yet the idea of experiencing plants from a new perspective tempted me, and the arboretum is a familiar sanctuary. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544813.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544813.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:50 EDT
Cooler temperatures mean it's almost time to use pansies and violas to add a breath of color to landscapes and containers. There is nothing quite like going to the garden center with brisk fall temperatures in the air and seeing all the vibrant colors. You'll probably notice enticing fragrances as well.

This year, keep your eyes open for trailing violas. They are called spreading, trailing and even cascading, but whatever the name, you will want some for baskets, mixed containers, window boxes and the landscape.

The Violina series made its debut a couple of years ago, and it has dazzled me ever since. New in this group will be Violina Aquamarine, Violina Orange and Violina Purple Blue, which is absolutely stunning. These violas are fragrant and have the ability to make incredible hanging baskets by themselves. You'll see them reaching about 6 inches tall with a spread of 14 inches.

The Rebelina series of violas also is making its debut this year. These violas resist stretching and produce scores of delightful small flowers. The special colors in this series include Rebelina Golden Yellow, Rebelina Blue and Yellow (my favorite), Rebelina Red and Yellow, and Rebelina Purple and Yellow. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544819.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544819.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:50 EDT
Just as plants turn brown and shut down, just as frost hits and the heating season starts, it's time to plant spring flowers.

"Huh?" says the new gardener.

But it's true. October is when we start planting spring bulbs . those onion-looking things that winter's dark magic will transform into next spring's heart-stirring crocuses, daffodils and tulips.

Here's what you need to know so your garden can be one of the ones that makes passersby smile in March and April. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544816.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/544816.html Sat, 04 Oct 2008 08:04 EDT
Rain Garden Workshops. www.bluegrassraingardenalliance.org.

. 9 a.m. Oct. 4. Community Council Winburn Neighborhood Center, 1169 Winburn Dr., Lexington. Free. (859) 266-1572.

. 1 p.m. Oct. 5. Midway Women's Club, 233 S. Gratz St., Midway. Free. (859) 846-9970.

At the Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. www.ca.uky.edu/Arboretum. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537797.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537797.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:28 EDT
Shady Side on Paris Pike has been spruced up with the latest wall treatments, floor coverings, kitchen appliances and furnishings, and it's ready to show off.

The Greek Revival house, built in 1792 and now owned by the Dudee family, is this year's Decorators' Showcase house. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass.

"This home, being 216 years old, is outstanding. It's such a wonderful historic home," showcase chairman Donna Borden said. "It's becoming harder to find willing owners and historic homes for decorators' showcases throughout the country. They're not making more historical homes."

After Jitander S. Dudee and his family moved out of their home a few weeks ago, more than 50 designers moved in with drills and sanders, hammers and nails, tile and grout, ladders and paint, and dust rags and window cleaner. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537794.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537794.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 09:27 EDT
You start with freezer paper.

No, wait, you start with a strong emotional image in your head, then comes the freezer paper unrolled on a surface to capture the image writ large enough to cover a surface eventually big enough to be seen from across a convention center.

No, that's not entirely right yet. You start with a story. In this case, a horse's story.

And, says Lexington quilt artist Sheril Drummond, you are looking for what you will say through his eyes. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537806.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537806.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
MINNEAPOLIS . Six months after settling into her new home in northeast Minneapolis, Susan Snyder finally finished the move a couple of weekends ago.

No, she didn't just get around to unpacking the last box. She completed the task of making the place her own by having it blessed.

"The house feels complete now," she said. "It feels settled. It feels the way it's supposed to."

Home blessings are "the biggest shelter trend since feng shui," said Donna Henes, a shaman based in New York City who has been blessing homes for 35 years. "That was back in the days when eyebrows were raised (at the mention of a blessing). But times change. Now people are embracing alternate spiritualities." ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537802.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537802.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
It's a double whammy: Home energy costs are rising just when most of us can least afford it.

With budgets tightening, it's hard to lay out money up front for energy-saving home improvements, even if we know they're a wise investment. So we posed this question to Chris Kielich, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Department of Energy:

If a homeowner had only $250 to spend on energy-saving measures, what would produce the biggest bang for the buck?

Here's what she suggested. (Note: Costs are approximate.) ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537801.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537801.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Stylish Sheds and Elegant Hideaways: Big Ideas for Small Backyard Destinations By Debra Prinzing; photographs by William Wright.Clarkson Potter. 224 pp. $30.

Author Debra Prinzing states at the beginning of her photograph-filled book that "Today's shed is a small structure designed and built for one's personal enjoyment."

She believes that we all need a place of our own where we can pursue our passions or just get away from the pressures of our primary living quarters.

As a free-lance journalist and contributor to Cottage Living, Better Homes and Gardens and Fine Gardening, Prinzing has had ample opportunity to study some of the country's most engaging outdoor getaways. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537800.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537800.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
You don't do windows? Well, maybe you should start. With the price of energy skyrocketing and the days getting shorter, the more natural light you can bring indoors the better.

Need to know (if you're new to this): Some windows are easier to clean than others. If your house is of recent vintage, your windows probably tilt in for better access.

In older houses, windows might not work well . tough to open or so poorly maintained that repairs are needed before you can even begin to clean.

Find a buddy: Window-washing is one household chore that goes faster with a two-person team: one does inside, one does outside, then each points out streaks and missed spots. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537799.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537799.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Many people associate gardens with springtime, but some plants can be grown in fall, and it's the perfect time to plant bulbs for spring's daffodils and tulips. So go ahead and plant some winter squash . and while you're at it, get your children involved. Enhance this learning experience with them by checking out these great children's books about gardens.

For younger readers

Tops and Bottoms By Janet Stevens. Harcourt Children's Books, $17.

A clever hare makes a deal with a lazy bear. Rabbit will do all the planting and weeding in Bear's garden. All Bear has to do is share half the vegetables with him. Bear can take the tops or the bottoms. Bear eagerly agrees to accept the tops but finds Hare has tricked him; Hare takes the bottoms of root vegetables like carrots and radishes, leaving Bear with nothing but the grassy tops. Then Bear angrily demands all the bottoms for the next crop. What will the crafty Hare plant next? ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537798.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/537798.html Sat, 27 Sep 2008 01:56 EDT
Home Builders Association of Lexington Grand Tour of Homes. Forty-three homes by 17 builders. Sept. 27, 28. Visit www.grandtourofhomes.com for addresses and details. (859) 273-5117.

2008 Decorators Showcase. Shady Side, 3284 Paris Pike, Lexington. $10 advance tickets; $15 at the door. Through Oct. 12. Call (859) 277-9215 for details.

Rain Garden Workshops. www.bluegrassraingardenalliance.org.

. 9 a.m. Sept. 27. Franklin County Cooperative Extension Service, 101 Lakeview Ct., Frankfort. (502) 695-9035. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/532110.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/532110.html Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:49 EDT
Downtown homes became visitor hot spots Sunday during the fifth annual Urban Life and Style Tour organized by the Lexington Downtown Development Authority.

The tour allowed Lexingtonians to take a look at some of downtown's newest condominiums, apartments and houses at 17 sites. This year's tour included furnished and occupied homes as well as some that had just been completed.

Herald-Leader Staff Report ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530205.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530205.html Sun, 21 Sep 2008 08:51 EDT


With stock prices plummeting and spending on standby for cash-strapped families, today's consumer needs a really good reason to make that next purchase.

And that's the whole idea behind the ever-growing selection of pink products out there. During the past few years, pink has come to symbolize the fight against breast cancer. And now shoppers can find everything from vacuums and mixers to candles and chimes sporting pink accents that let the buyer know a portion of the proceeds will go to programs to find a cure.

Can a new pink vacuum make sweeping up dust bunnies less of a chore? Maybe not, but knowing that its purchase also supports the fight against cancer certainly counts for something. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530204.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530204.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:00 EDT
Allium-Oop!

Ornamental alliums rise above their cousins, the savory onions, chives and garlics that we love to eat. In the spring, allium bulbs send up scapes crowned by unusual umbelliferous, globe-shaped lollipop mops composed of tiny individual star flowers. Some, like the giant magenta "Gladiator," bear 5-inch spheres atop 5-foot stalks, making them striking architectural garden accents; others, like the tiny pink Allium unifolium , create a more delicate, 6-inch-high naturalized groundcover.

Alliums need to be planted in fall, and they must have at least three weeks to establish roots before freezing temperatures set in. After overwintering, they'll send up greenery and flowers in the spring and early summer, then go dormant again when the heat is on. Plant them in a sunny spot, and check for good drainage, so the bulbs won't rot. More good news: Even though we enjoy their flavor, rodents, deer and other foraging animals do not, so these bulbs tend to survive and even multiply in perennial borders.

There is a vast supply of fall-planted bulbs at local garden shops now, but if you're looking for a particular unusual variety, or you just want to learn more about what's available, here are some on-line allium sources: White Flower Farm, www.whiteflowerfarm.com; Brent and Becky's Bulbs, brentandbeckysbulbs.com; and John Scheepers Flower Bulbs, johnscheepers.com ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530208.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530208.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 08:01 EDT
You probably think you know about garlic. We all do, especially when it comes to that pungent flavor in Italian tomato sauces, or spread with butter on crusty bread.

But Ted Jordan Meredith really knows his garlic stuff, and he shares it freely in The Complete Book of Garlic . The history, biology, cultivation, varieties, cookery and even therapeutic benefits of this popular plant are packed into one big volume that is entertaining, scientific and informative; plenty of color photos and diagrams help to sort out cultivars and concepts.

There is a lot to learn. After reading garlic's history, you'll probably want to locate Tien Shan, where garlic is now believed to have originated, on a satellite map; it's the remote mountain range bordering a host of central Asian countries with names ending in -stan that form the "garlic crescent." Or you can begin to appreciate the diversity in taste, shape and use for hardneck garlic cultivars beyond the standard commercial softneck types found at grocery stores.

Cooks will learn that there are actually two compounds that mix to form that familiar garlic aroma only after cell walls are crushed, and how to use that knowledge for maximizing flavor potential. Gardeners will learn how garlic, which actually grows from the cloves like those we love to eat, is to be planted in the fall so that roots are established before winter's freeze sends them into dormancy, and which after a period of vernalization, send up green vegetation and curled, flowering scapes in the spring. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530210.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530210.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. . Mar-a-Lago, built in the 1920s as the opulent Palm Beach, Fla., estate of Marjorie Merriweather Post, became known as a social Mecca for her costume balls, teas, recitals and infamous square dances.

Most of us know it today as real estate mogul Donald Trump's private club, where celebrities hobnob with folks wealthy enough to pay the $150,000 entrance fee and $9,000 in annual dues.

Now it's also a furniture collection.

Lexington Home Brands, which launched Trump Home in 2007, has introduced Mar-a-Lago as the third collection inspired by one of The Donald's homes. The others are West Chester and Central Park. (Lexington Furniture Co., 3024 Blake James Drive, carries the West Chester and Central Park collections, but not Mar-a-Lago.) ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530211.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530211.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
No Bang! quiets the noisy business of drying tennis shoes in a clothes dryer.

The product uses straps and heat-resistant suction cups to adhere the shoes to the dryer's inner rim or the back side of the dryer door, so they're held in place during the cycle. It also can be used to protect delicate items such as plush toys from damage caused by tumbling.

No Bang! sells for $5.99 plus shipping and handling and can be ordered at www.unseenontv.com or 1-800-851-6030.

]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530212.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/530212.html Sat, 20 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
Predictably, as soon as the first hint of a chill can be felt in the evening air, friends and colleagues start asking: What should I be doing in the yard now?

My short answer: Step away from the loppers.

I understand, the heat and humidity of summer have kept some of you trapped inside your air-conditioned homes for months. Now you're ready to put on a sweatshirt and impose order on overgrown trees, misshapen shrubs and raggedy perennials.

My advice: Don't do it. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522345.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522345.html Tue, 16 Sep 2008 09:00 EDT
Moving into retirement housing can mean downsizing and sharing your living space, and forfeiting your outdoor space.

Unless, that is, you are fortunate enough to live in a retirement community that values the therapeutic and recreational benefits of gardening.

Reva and Tom Brehm live in such a place: Richmond Place on Rio Dosa Drive in Lexington. The Brehms have easy access to flower beds from their first-floor apartment. Reva Brehm has nurtured a bank of black-eyed Susans, and the Brehms have seen all sorts of wildlife, even foxes, since they arrived more than 20 years ago. And they keep a hummingbird feeder outside their bay window.

Richmond Place residents enjoy the benefits of the gardens that were created years ago, when the staff began building raised beds in an empty yard just inside the property's far boundary, said Jacqueline Kennedy, marketing director at Richmond Place. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522346.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522346.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:22 EDT
MINNEAPOLIS . Appliance repairman Paul Flynn of Savage, Minn., was getting calls from customers suffering allergic reactions to their foul-smelling front-loading washing machines. During nearly every $150 service call, Flynn found mold and mildew inside the inner tub.

Flynn got to thinking about his experience cleaning metal lathes and kitchen grills in the Navy, and in 2002 he started working to perfect a granular, citrus-based product for washers. Since last year, Flynn has been selling SmellyWasher online, filling 75 to 100 orders a day for shipments worldwide. He's sold about 20,000 of the $16 bottles, enough to quit his job as a repairman.

But besides selling a product, Flynn educates consumers about solving the problem before it occurs at his Web site, www.SmellyWasher.com. "The whole reason this problem exists is the fault of the detergent manufacturers," Flynn said. "They tell us to use too much of their detergents."

Consumers who own front-loading washing machines should use only about one-quarter of the recommended amount of high-efficiency, or HE, low-sudsing detergent. Standard, non-HE detergents in front-loaders are too sudsy. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522348.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522348.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 09:22 EDT
Compared to paint, paper and paneling, the world of tiles might seem a bit more mysterious and exotic, yet it offers creative, eco-friendly and wonderfully touchable alternatives for covering walls and floors in a myriad of styles.

Wire-bound to lie flat and easy to hold in one hand, the Tile Bible contains a color picture gallery featuring more than 800 gorgeous tiles, with guidelines on just how to fit them into your decorating scheme.

Gathering and sorting all those samples must have been a challenge, but Morwenna Brett has done a remarkable bit of organization. First, an introduction of material types, including stone, clay, metal, ceramic and glass; each section carries background information and usage hints. Will your tiles get wet? Watch out for freezing weather and slippery surfaces. Will heavy wear be an issue? Go with color that permeates through the tile. The main directory is arranged by color.

You'll see the grandeur of ancient Rome reflected in a rainbow of mosaics, the traditional Victorian entrance-hall geometry of black and white patterns, and the soft terra cotta and Saltillo oranges so appropriate where inside meets out. In situ scenes, such as the novel sunken shower, tickle the imagination. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522349.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/522349.html Sat, 13 Sep 2008 01:51 EDT
Late-summer gardening tips from Ann McCulloh, curator of plant collections at the Cleveland Botanical Garden:

. Remove diseased leaves and stems to reduce the spread or recurrence of plant health problems.

. Keep the vegetable garden clear of spent plants and dying foliage.

. When possible, avoid watering plants from above. Many fungal diseases thrive on wet foliage. A better method is to lay a soaker hose at the base of the plants to soak the root zone slowly and conserve water. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/483952.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/483952.html Sat, 09 Aug 2008 06:23 EDT
For Evan and Kimberly E. Brown, renovating their home became more than a pastime. It became an all-consuming, round-the-clock, coal-dust-in-your-face, never-a-moment's-rest passion.

Consider this: three years without a shower. Not them, their home. They kept a gym membership just for access to running water.

.We showered at the gym and lived in one room with construction going on all around it,. Kimberly Brown said.

For several weeks, a sign in the Browns' front yard had proclaimed that the house would be featured on HGTV. But broadcast plans have changed, and the house will be part of a segment of What You Get for the Money on a sister network, Fine Living. An air date has yet to be set. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/474979.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/474979.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:58 EDT
The 5th annual Urban Life and Style Tour will focus on .lived in spaces. in the downtown area.

.Last year, we had lots of condos that were finished but no one had moved in yet,. said Diane Bonfert, on the staff of the Downtown Development Authority that organizes the tour to promote downtown living.

A number of houses will be on this year's tour, which will have 20 sites total. Condos open for tour will be scattered throughout downtown including the Nunn Building, Kimball House, 500's on Main and Main & Rose.

The tour will be noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 21. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/471913.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/471913.html Sat, 26 Jul 2008 08:17 EDT
Tomato-thon

By popular demand, The Arboretum will be holding its annual Tomato Festival on Aug. 9. At the free event, you'll be able to sample tomatoes from around the world, take a tour of the .demonstration vegetable garden and pick up some tips from Master Gardeners about tomato growth and care.

Also, you can learn how to save seeds with Roger Postley; and listen to Brook Elliott's lecture, .Heirloom Tomatoes: Why All the Fuss?.

UK College of Agriculture Extension Consumer Horticulture Specialist Rick Durham will be holding a preliminary blind taste test to determine whether your palate prefers hybrids or heirlooms. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/465578.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/465578.html Sat, 19 Jul 2008 08:16 EDT
At The Arboretum. 500 Alumni Dr. (859) 257-9339. www.ca.uky.edu/arboretum.

. Children's Garden Time: .Veggies and Herbs. 9 a.m. July 19. For all ages. $1.

. Monthly Hike: What's e_SDHpBlooming? 9 a.m. July 19. $1.

. From Garden to Kitchen. July 21 through 25. 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration requested. $40 ($35 for friends). ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/452895.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/452895.html Sat, 05 Jul 2008 09:41 EDT
Blue Grass Hemerocallis Society Show and Sale. 1-5 p.m. July 5. The Mall at Lexington Green. Free. (859) 608-9071.

Bluegrass Beekeepers .Association meeting. 7 p.m. July 8. Fayette County Cooperative .Extension Service, 1140 Red Mile Pl. (859) 527-3535.

Electronics Recycling. 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. July 7-12. Electronic items may be dropped off for recycling at the Versailles Road .Government Campus, 1306 Versailles Rd. Acceptable items: televisions (no console units); audiovisual .equipment such as turntables, VCRs and DVD .players; radios; cell phones; microwaves; computer components such as printers, monitors and CPUs. In addition, residents may drop off fluorescent light bulbs (tubes and the compact bulbs) and mercury thermostats. For residential e-waste only; only three of the same type of e-waste components will be .accepted per household. Call LexCall at 311 or (859) 425-2255.

Lexington Lions Club Bluegrass Fair Horticulture Contest. July 9-13. Sponsored by Fayette County Master Gardeners Associations. Masterson Station Park. Entry rules: One entry per person in each class. $1 per entry. Open to all amateur .growers; not limited to Fayette County residents. Entries accepted 5 to 7 p.m. July 9 and 10 a.m. to noon July 10. Entries will remain on display until July 13. No items will be returned. Items will be discarded, or edible products will be donated to God's Pantry. All entries must be grown by the exhibitors. Flowers must be grown for at least three weeks in display container. First-, second- and third place ribbons in each category. $3, $2, $1 premiums for each class. For more information contact the Fayette County Cooperative Extension Service at (859) 257-5582, Jamie Dockery at Jamie.Dockery@uky.edu or go to www.lionsclubbluegrassfair.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/426832.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/426832.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:38 EDT
Chris Newman looked for two years for an ideal place for an .urban infill project. Then he .discovered Kenwick, an older area that includes bungalows and Craftsman-style houses with a new neighborhood energy.

Newman wanted a project close to the center of the city that would .bolster a transitioning area..

That described the second block of Owsley Avenue, and the second block of other streets in Kenwick, whereas the first block off .Richmond Road has .pretty much come around,. he said.

Generally, the second and third blocks contain a mixture of houses, some in good repair, others .candidates for fixing up. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420201.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420201.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
As summer approaches, it's a great time to bring home big Boston ferns in baskets to hang between porch columns or in a planter to place on a corner pedestal. Right now is the perfect time to find a wealth of these huge, healthy plants at local garden shops.

Ferns have been around in various forms for more than 300 million years. With an understated elegance, these natives return year after year in the wild, dressing the Earth in green petticoats with a ruffle of delicate arching forms and lacy fronds.


Most like a shady spot where they can hold rich, woodsy earth under their roots, but others seek out rock crevices and a bit of sun.

In Harlan County near Pine Mountain in southeastern Kentucky, ferns begin to send up their fiddlehead crosiers in late April, after the first spring wildflowers have gone by and the leaves of trees overhead have come out to shelter the forest floor. The slightly acidic soil there is perfect for many ferns. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420202.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420202.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
FORT WORTH, Texas . Give your next picnic a dash of .panache with dining essentials that are anything but basic.

From contemporary flatware and melamine dishware to stylish wine totes, we've spotted everything you'll need to ensure that you and your loved ones have a fabulous day outdoors.

Picnic in a bag

For a true dining experience, Table in a Bag features a collapsible hardwood table that unrolls in seconds. Stow it in its red cotton bag for easy transport. $39.95, Crate and Barrel. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420204.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/420204.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
Native Ferns, Moss and GrassesFrom Emerald Carpet to Amber Wave: Serene and Sensuous Plants for the Garden By William CullinaHoughton Mifflin Company272 pp. $40

This strikingly beautiful compendium makes a good case for why these overlooked plants could and should be a part of more gardens.

Horticulturist William Cullina's witty and personal writing style is extremely readable. Native Ferns, Moss and Grasses is the final book in Cullina's native plant trilogy, which also includes Wildflowers and Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines .

Cullina begins with the basics. He defines native plants, clearly explains the concept of plant hardiness zones, including a map projected for 2075, and discusses the importance of ecological cultivation. But the encyclopedic chapters on ferns, mosses, and grasses, sedges, and rushes form the heart of the book. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413958.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413958.html Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:57 EDT
For 18 years, the Garden Conservancy has been dedicated to .preserving America's exceptional gardens.. In the 18 years since it was founded, members across the country have worked to conserve gardens that might otherwise have been lost.

Ongoing preservation projects, like those at the Alcatraz Garden in San Francisco, and Yew Dell Gardens in Crestwood, are just two examples of many that can be glimpsed in the photo slide show at www.gardenconservancy.org.

The conservancy also organizes .open days. throughout the season, in which regional private gardens open their gates to the public for a peek at what's ordinarily hidden from view.

There is a self-guided tour of five gardens in and around Louisville scheduled for June 14. Included this year are Running Water Farm, which is a 35-acre garden of outdoor rooms, including an Elizabethan-style viewing mound with a spiral walkway and a sunken garden graced by a wisteria-covered pergola. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413960.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413960.html Sat, 24 May 2008 08:47 EDT
Paint Style: The New Approachto Decorative Paint Finishes By Lesley Riva.Benjamin Moore Paints. 176 pp. $26.95.



Stri., ragging, color washing, spatter, faux finishes, stamping, stencils and murals: Who knew there were so many techniques for applying paint to walls?

Benjamin Moore Paints has a .professional connection, and it shows in the luxurious use of color and the clear presentation of tools and processes used to produce each special effect. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413961.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/413961.html Fri, 23 May 2008 19:42 EDT
We saw a vintage folding patio chair in a tag sale recently. Its woven web design and aluminum frame took us back to our youth, when we sat in the back yard watching the fireflies blink in the inky darkness of summer nights. But today, patio furniture is less about nostalgia and more about luxury and comfort.

From teak to powder-coated metals to all-weather wicker, this stuff is meant to last. And no longer do modernists have to go without, as more manufacturers are offering contemporary designs. Here are a few choices.

The Robinwood Deluxe Collection

Philippe Starck has joined forces with David Sutherland in creating a Robin Hood-inspired collection of outdoor furniture. With names such as Marian, Tuck and Sherwood, the teak-and-polished-aluminum designs are a far cry from anything you'd likely find at Nottingham Castle. Instead, the 31-piece RobinWood Deluxe Collection features what you'd expect from a collaboration between design titans: well-crafted pieces with an unexpected sense of irreverence. To see more, go to www.sutherlandfurniture.com. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373769.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373769.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:41 EDT
The blooming jonquils and forsythia, the singing birds and the warm sunshine are considered by many to be signs of spring. But most Lexingtonians know that the opening of the outdoor Farmers Market marks the official transition of seasons.

The market starts out small with only a few vendors, but as the growing season gets underway, the produce choices expand. And often it's more like a gourmet market instead of a farmers market. The selection can include fresh produce, baked goods, plants, meats and eggs, soap, imported olive oil, dried herbs, honey, cheese and floral bouquets. And often you'll find live music and radio broadcasts.

At the season opener Saturday, Chef Josh Moore of Good Foods Market and Cafe will be preparing a dish from produce available at the market.

Throughout the season, cooks can find awesome ingredients to prepare meals for the family or entertaining. And at its peak in mid summer, the crowd is often so thick on Saturdays it can be difficult to maneuver between the shoppers, the dogs and the baby strollers. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373768.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373768.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:29 EDT
Since 1999, Reforest the Bluegrass, an ecological restoration effort jointly sponsored by Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government's Water Quality, Urban Forestry and Parks . Recreation programs, has been encouraging volunteers to dig in and replant riparian zone buffers around waterways, using native tree species.

This year, you can help plant some of the 5,000 seedlings needed at Jacobson Park. Lunch and a T-shirt are provided. The event is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m April 19th. Pre-register by calling LexCall at 311, or (859) 425-2255. For more information call (859) 425-2820, or e-mail jsaylor@lfucg.com. The Web site is www.lfucg.com/streets/08reforest.asp.



Springhouse gardens seminars ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373772.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373772.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 08:35 EDT
The Complete Compost Gardening Guide By Barbara Pleasant. Deborah L. MartinStorey Publishing 319 pp $29.95

Good, rich compost is worth its weight in gold to experienced gardeners. Its value lies in improving soil structure and invigorating its complex of nutrients and micro-organisms. It supports gardens that produce bountiful harvests, while at the same time recycles left-over organic material instead of sending it unused to landfills. The Complete Compost Gardening Guide is a treasure map to discovering that this often overlooked resource is within your reach.

Pleasant and Martin don't just cover the basics with information on setting up compost bins and establishing a good C/N, or carbon-to-nitrogen, ratio; they have created fun, new ideas for integrating composting into the gardening process, like using .Banner Batches', .Honey Holes' and .Layered Craters'.

With a sense of humor, sound facts, and a conversational style, topics from vermiculture to selecting plants as .Perfect Matches. for various composting methods are presented. There are wide-ranging discussions about not only composting, but many aspects of gardening. Almost every page contains a helpful idea, be it tool selection, worm reproduction, relative values of odd raw materials for compost, or seed-saving. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373771.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/373771.html Sat, 12 Apr 2008 09:11 EDT
Question: I want a healthy and efficient method to cook meals for my family. I don't like microwave ovens for most foods. How efficient are the new residential steam ovens and do they bake as well as a regular oven? . Jan T.

Answer: Steam ovens have been used for many years by professional bakeries and restaurants because of the quality of the cooked foods and the dramatically reduced cooking time. Professional ovens, steam or conventional, often do not have the necessary safety features required for use in homes. Nearly everyone has used a small countertop steamer for vegetables and rice. The foods cook fast without losing as many of the natural flavors and nutrients as other cooking methods. With more natural flavors, less salt and other seasonings are needed which further enhances the health benefits.

Within the past several years, steam oven models have become available for home use. They are typically about the size of a microwave oven and are available as countertop or built-in models. The built-in models look similar to a conventional wall oven. Most models have a small water reservoir so they do not require a water line connection. The efficiency and energy savings from using a steam oven results from the greatly reduced cooking time as compared to using a conventional oven. Roasting a large chicken in a steam oven takes about 20 minutes as compared to two hours in a conventional oven. The overall heating element wattage in a steam oven is also less than for the elements in a conventional oven. There are additional energy savings because the entire meal (meat, vegetables, and potatoes) can be made in the steam oven without the need for using separate pots on the stovetop. Stovetop cooking is particularly energy inefficient because much of the heat never gets to the food. Instead, it escapes around the sides of the pot into the room air.

Since steam cooking at home is relatively new, most people don't know how to cook with it. Most of the new steam ovens have a menu of foods from which you select. The oven determines the proper cooking time and settings. Some of them, such as Miele's models, have hundreds of food items stored in memory, and combinations can be selected. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360157.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360157.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:42 EDT
Right now, your deck or patio might look grungy from winter leaf and debris stains, mildew and aging.

Give it a good cleaning with a solution of 1.3 cup of powdered laundry detergent to one gallon of hot water. Scrub vigorously with a stiff nylon brush or bristle broom and thoroughly rinse with fresh water. Add one quart of liquid chlorine bleach to the solution if mildew is present.

If your deck or patio still looks dingy, consider using a deck cleaning or brightening product to restore the appearance of the natural wood. Use a concrete cleaner to remove oxidation on concrete and restore the appearance of your patio. Wear eye protection and rubber gloves.

Finish the job by repairing damaged decking, securing fasteners and applying a fresh coat of deck finish. Although not necessary, a concrete sealer can improve the appearance of your patio and protect it from freeze-and-thaw damage if you live in a cold climate. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360159.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/360159.html Fri, 28 Mar 2008 19:42 EDT
Who said nursery design had to be color-by-numbers?

Designers are putting a fresh spin on traditional baby furnishings for a generation of parents who favor contemporary d.cor. Americans spent about $1.2 billion on .infant furniture in 2006, according to the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.

.People want to apply the same aesthetic to the baby's room that they have done in the rest of the house,. says Christiane Lemieux of DwellStudio, which has launched a line of baby furniture, rugs and clothing at Target. .I also think that more and more parents want to surround their kids with great design right from the start..

The trend is spurred in part by celebrity moms whose offsprings' cool digs make the pages of magazines. And it helps that new parents are willing to surf the Internet for stylish design. Retailers expect a further bump in the next few years, when millions of Generation Y women reach peak child-bearing age and more Baby Boomers become grandparents. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346887.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346887.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 21:21 EDT To celebrate, there will be a $1,000 drawing. Admission, which is $2, can be used as credit in the snack area and, yes, bean soup is on the menu. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
See www.bigblueantiques.com or call (859) 255-7309.

Earth Hour 2008
8 p.m. March 29. That's when Earth Hour, as ­designated by the World Wildlife Fund, begins. As that time crosses the globe, businesses and individuals are asked to turn off lights as a message to heed the need to reduce global ­warming. In the United States, Chicago's 110-floor Sears Tower will go dark, as will the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
See the global statistics and join the movement by ­going to www.earthhour.org.
What will you do with your hour?

Introducing eXtension
There's a new way to access information from the ­Cooperative Extension ­Service. On Feb. 21, an interactive Web site, ­eXtension.org (pronounced e-extension), was launched in Washington, D.C. The site, a collaborative ­workspace supported by a partnership of more than 70 land-grant universities nationwide, is designed to instantly connect you with a wealth of extension information.
I found some timely information on the care of Easter lilies. You'll find topics ranging from horticulture and entomology to horses and ­financial security, with answers and educational information available with the click of your mouse; further questions are answered by experts via e-mail.
So, go eXplore!

St. Patrick's Day
and shamrocks
Monday is St. Patrick's Day, and people already are starting to get their green on. Shamrocks, aka trifolium or clover, ­usually appear as three-lobed leaflets chosen to signify the Holy Trinity or as their lucky four-leafed cousins. The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture ­maintains the National Plant ­Germplasm Repository for clover, safeguarding the genetic diversity of more than 200 species.
Norman Taylor, who began the collection in 1953, has traveled the world searching for unique species. Kentucky rare native running buffalo clover is being preserved at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate. See www.uky.edu/Ag/Agronomy/Department/CloverGC and www.henryclay.org/flora.htm for more information.

New organic greens
The first day of spring this year is Thursday. That is a sure signal to home gardeners that it's time to get going with cool-weather greens planted under row covers. Organic Gardening magazine has tested 70 new varieties in gardens across the country. Recommendations for greens mixed with other colors include brightly ribbed Orange Chiffon chard and heat-­tolerant Danyelle red oak-leaf lettuce, both from John Scheepers Kitchen Garden Seeds (www.
kitchengardenseeds.com), and Purple Peacock broccoli/kale, with green florets on purple stalks from Wild Garden Seed (www.wild
gardenseed.com). Find Organic Gardening online at www.organicgardening.com.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346889.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346889.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:49 EDT
Nan Starkweather always had admired .gerbera daisies but not their price. A glamorous, big-headed, vibrantly colored cutting flower, the daisy can sell for $8 to $10 a stem.

She could grow these, she thought. (But they're really hard.)

She could grow them from seed, in fact, she thought. (Have faith.)

She's a master gardener, for Pete's sake, she thought. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346893.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/346893.html Sat, 15 Mar 2008 08:52 EDT
Where do you store your lawn mower, your gardening implements and other tools? If the answer is the garage or the basement, odds are your gear is hard to get to or tough to find when you need it.

An outdoor storage shed might be just the ticket . if you have the room.

What you need to know: Does your town have zoning rules about sheds? The information generally is available from municipal building departments. Even if there are no rules, consider your neighbors. No need to .create ill will with a shed that blocks sunlight to the garden next door.

Shabby isn't chic: If the shed looks shabby, it will make your yard look that way, too. If you're not willing to pay a bit more for quality, you might as well keep your equipment where it is. Typically, the difference between attractive and ugly is only a few hundred dollars. A shed is an investment in your property, so you don't want to create a stumbling block to a sale in the future. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340295.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340295.html Sat, 08 Mar 2008 09:19 EST
TLC's Clean Sweep expert Peter Walsh has the answer — but don't expect him to mince words in the new book, "Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?" ($25, Free Press).

The organizational consultant, satellite radio host and regular on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" asks readers to take a long, hard look at their messy kitchens and emotions to get their homes and lives in order.

In this follow-up to his best-seller, "It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff" ($14, Free Press), Walsh contends that a cluttered home can lead to, essentially, cluttered thighs.

Walsh splits time between Los Angeles and his native Australia, often crisscrossing continents to help people get their homes and lives in order. Recently, he sat down to discuss several topics: the food-clutter connection, a two-month project involving more than 3,000 pairs of shoes, and being in Oprah's Network of Friends.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340255.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/340255.html Fri, 07 Mar 2008 20:55 EST
If you never read a word of the text in his new book, the color photos alone will leave you wanting more from your garden. The seasonal projects are plentiful: Spring suggests salad sprouts and armfuls of daffodils; in ­summer, try tying up a clever hyacinth bean vine trellis or lighting the night with a twilight planter; autumn means apple-tasting and gourd garlands; and winter is an opportunity for a wildlife garden party.

The book has more than 50 projects, and many of them are child-friendly. Smith's easygoing, first-person narrative style creates the down-home mood of an annual journal, yet the ­instructions are clear, ­detailed and well organized.

He writes, “I grow plants for food and for pleasure. One nourishes my body, the other my soul. I need both to feel complete.” This book is about bringing those two reasons together, thoughtfully and with grace.]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/333273.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/333273.html Sat, 01 Mar 2008 07:21 EST
They're inelegant blobs of drywall mud that have been turned into colorful, jewel-bedecked works of art.

They're flowers that have been given names like Cadillac , Lexus , Kelp , Aztec and Sasha .

These pieces of .wall jewelry... flower sculptures decorated with crystals and pieces of antique jewelry . are the creations of Lexington mother-daughter duo Susan Westrom and Grace Becknell, and they have begun to get attention from area art lovers.

Four flowers created by Westrom and Becknell are on display at the Arboretum and the University of Kentucky Singletary Center for the Arts as part of the annual Glories of the Garden exhibit. More than 100 art items inspired by nature, including quilts, hooked rugs, photographs and paintings by various artists, will be on display through March 21. ]]> http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/489836.html http://www.kentucky.com/150/story/489836.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:26 EDT
She and husband Gerry lived in the Beaumont subdivision, and they had just finished breakfast at a downtown restaurant last May.She was nine months along, and she thought a walk might help encourage the birth. Gerry said he wanted to show her a nearby house that they couldn't afford.

The house under construction on Old Georgetown Street was mostly just a shell. But some of the University of Kentucky students who helped design and build it were working there that morning.

"We begged for them to let us come in, and they must have taken pity because I was so fat," Kathy said. "Within two hours we bought it."

The Swans are UK education professors. The $575,000 price tag meant "calling in inheritances" and selling furniture.]]>