Lifestyles category, Page 141
Herbs offer fresh taste from windowsill planters
Bright afternoon sun streams in the dining room window, backlighting a tall ‘Genovese’ basil plant. The herb is flanked by rosemary, thyme, tarragon, parsley and dill. The dill has bitten the dust, but the others are doing well on the windowsill. They will never grow with the vigor of outdoor...
Phipps’ annual orchid, bonsai show is ‘Out of This World’
It’s “all systems go” as Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens prepares for takeoff to a new galaxy of gardens that are truly “Out of This World” in its annual Orchid and Tropical Bonsai Show opening Jan. 18. Phipps’ “Guardians of the Galaxy” (the show’s designers) include Jordyn Melino, associate director...
Latrobe chamber offers group tour of Ireland
A journey of discovery from Westmoreland County to the Emerald Isle is less than a year away, in the first-ever foreign travel package offered by the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce. There is no limit to the number of chamber and community members who can sign on for...
To make a grain bowl great, start by seasoning farro
The promise of a grain bowl — with vegetables arranged atop it as artfully as a wedding bouquet — is one of a bright, beautiful future. But carelessly made, it can end up a slog of chewy, underseasoned filler. Better than tossing cooked and chilled plain grains with a dressing...
Jam or jelly? Marmalade or preserves? All are good but in different ways
Is there any breakfast more simply satisfying than toast with jam? Or wait, was that jelly? Or was it preserves? Maybe marmalade? Fruit spreads are all deliciously similar, but they do have definite distinctions. Whether you smother your fresh baguette with preserves from the farmers market or smear your peanut...
The perfect baked potato begins with Russets
A fluffy baked potato is a glorious thing, but too often you slice into the potato and it is shiny and waxy, not light and creamy in texture. Baking a potato is the easiest thing in the world, right? Then why are so many potatoes lacking in texture and flavor?...
Snoop Dogg teams up with Dunkin’ on new plant-based sandwich
After helping Dunkin’ launch its Beyond Sausage Sandwich last November by working the counter of a store and surprising customers, Snoop Dogg and the doughnut company are now promoting a new twist on the sandwich. Introduced on Monday, the Beyond D-O-Double G Sandwich features a Beyond Breakfast Sausage patty with...
What’s Brewing? Collaboration beers with bands, bakeries and charities
The excitement continues with beer collaborations across the country and right here in Pennsylvania. Whether a brewery works with a band to invigorate its fan base, a local bakery to rouse your sweet tooth or a charity that is in desperate need of help, one thing is for certain —...
Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau releases destination guide
If you’ve got some free time and enjoy exploring the Westmoreland, Fayette and Somerset counties region, the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau is releasing a free, 72-page brochure packed full of ideas for everything from winter fun to dining, hiking to history. The bureau’s 2020 Destination Guide serves to promote the...
Company changes the game with square-tipped knives
A British cutlery company has gotten the point. Well, to be more accurate, it’s gotten rid of the point. British silversmith company Viners has responded to a new law passed in May 2019 by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 was designed to address violent...
And the new Fiesta color is … Butterscotch
Fans of Fiesta dinnerware will have an orangey-yellow color to add to their palette this year. In what has become an annual rite of early January, the Homer Laughlin China Co. announced its newest Fiesta color — Butterscotch — Tuesday morning from the Atlanta Market, formerly the Atlanta International Gift...
Out & About: Good mix of ingredients make for a tasty Art on Tap
Was it a coincidence or masterful planning? The Jan. 10 Art on Tap happy hour at The Westmoreland Museum of American Art featured a “to die for” cream of mushroom soup from Elegant Catering, the featured organization was Empty Bowl and the Heavenly Biscuits provided the music. Knowing the museum...
Easy ways to brighten rooms in winter
When home designer and builder Marnie Oursler talks with clients about building their dream homes along the Delaware coast, their No. 1 request is having bright spaces with lots of natural light. But at this time of year, it can feel like that brightness and light is in short supply...
Out & About: Pop fiction writers meet with Seton Hill MFA students
For most of their tenure, students in the Seton Hill University Writing Popular Fiction MFA program work remotely from home. Twice yearly, they gather at the Greensburg campus for face-to-face meetings and workshops with faculty members and guest writers. Each residency includes a talk and reception with successful pop fiction...
Out & About: Community music recital showcases young talent
If you’re looking to hear good music by some up-and-coming performers but don’t want to spend a lot of money, consider attending a recital by students who study through the Seton Hill University Community Music Program. The price is right for all pocketbooks — it’s free. And the set list...
Remember When: Jan. 13
100 years ago Borough official prevents wreck Tarentum Council President A.B. Davidson discovered a broken rail on a railroad bridge crossing Bull Creek near Ross Street. Trains, including a passenger train, were halted until repairs could be made. 75 years ago Santora dies in the Pacific Seaman First Class Anthony...
Punxsutawney Phil headed to Wigle Whiskey before Groundhog Day
Wigle Whiskey will be hosting a Pennsylvania icon when the award-winning Pittsburgh distillery welcomes Punxsutawney Phil. Phil and the Groundhog Club will be at the distillery’s Strip District location on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. The groundhog will be on hand to help celebrate the release of the newest...
Travel tip: Punxsutawney weather center plans Snow Day fun
No need to wait until Groundhog Day to visit Punxsutawney — there’s plenty of fun to be had Jan. 18 at the Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center, where these annual Snow Day activities are scheduled for 1-3 p.m.: • Snow relay races • Snowball fight and other snowball games • Make-your-own-snow...
Spice up the tuna with these tasty stuffed avocados
Tuna stuffed avocados are an easy yet impressive meal that definitely need a spot in your lunch/dinner menu rotation. No fatty mayonnaise here! Just tasty tuna, creamy avocado and loads of fresh and delicious extras. This is one of those great recipes that is super customizable. Don’t like cilantro? Leave...
9 essential gadgets worth the real estate in your kitchen
I love a shiny new kitchen object as much as the next cook, and at times my kitchen has resembled a kitchen specialty store. But if you have a small kitchen, counter space and cabinet storage are at a premium. Here are some of my all-time favorite gadgets to make...
Living with Children: Commonsense vs. nonsense
This is the last (for a while, anyway) of three columns in which I take on the absurd notion that punishing children for bad behavior is bad parenting. (The previous are on my website at johnrosemond.com.) There is common sense and there is nonsense and the absurd notion in question...
Learn how to grow alpine strawberries
If you’d like to try something new in your fruit and vegetable garden this year, how about growing alpine strawberries? These little jewels are so much sweeter and more flavorful than large-fruited strawberry species. Plus, they’re easy to grow and require less space. Alpine strawberries (Fragaria vesca) are small in...
San Francisco’s Beefeater doorman retires after 43 years
Another bit of old, quirky San Francisco will be no more when Tom Sweeney finally hangs up his white pressed collar and signature Beefeater jacket this weekend after more than four decades of opening doors at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel downtown. Sweeney has taken the luggage of movie stars...
Pittsburgh Reptile Show at Cheswick’s Harmar House lets visitors get up close
There aren’t many places you can go to pet a snake, but here you can touch hundreds. The Pittsburgh Reptile Show and Sale is held every month at the Harmar House in Cheswick. It brings together thousands of reptiles — from snakes to lizards to frogs — all in one...
What’s new for 2020? Let us offer you these 20 lifestyle trends
Out with the old, in with the new — they’re words to live by if you want to stay abreast of the latest lifestyle trends. Who wants to look or live like 2019 now that it’s 2020? New year, new decade, new you. It’s time to give your chunky dad...
