Think of beer and you may think of Irish pubs or Germany’s Oktoberfest. But a National Geographic book called the “Atlas of Beer” surveys beer across six continents, from banana beer in Tanzania to beer aged in wine barrels in Argentina. “We like to seek out and drink the local beer or just see how […]

To be honest, I have not felt much like writing. Ever since I read the news about 10-year-old Marissa Kennedy, who was allegedly beaten to death by her mother and stepfather, Julio and Sharon Carrillo, in Stockton Springs, I have felt gutted and flat. Just writing that sentence — “beaten to death by her mother” […]

The dead of winter is much more tolerable when you a make a mood-lifting dinner like this one. And with St. Patrick’s Day approaching, Irish dishes seem like the right thing to do. (I don’t believe I have a drop of Irish blood in me, but that doesn’t stop me from getting caught up in […]

A flower planter or hanging basket bought ready-made at a nursery: lush with showy, vibrant blooms, providing an instant splash for your porch, stoop or deck. Your DIY flower container: sparse-looking for weeks, with one plant that dies, and scraggly stems, small blooms or yellowing leaves as the season goes on. Still, many gardeners keep […]