Lifestyles category, Page 165
Creative spaces are often works in progress
How do you create a space conducive to creative thinking? A number of recent books explore the working environments of creative people in search of hints and inspiration. “They’re not highly produced spaces. They are spaces that reflect the real lives of people,” says Ted Vadakan, co-author with Angie Myung...
Travel tip: Use common sense to avoid the ‘ugly American’ label
Want to blend in with the locals while traveling abroad? Here are a few tips for avoiding the dreaded “ugly American” stereotype: • Leave the athletic wear, sneakers, fanny packs, white socks and sandals at home. • Learn a few essential phrases in the language of the country you’re visiting....
Brandywine Conservancy preserving legacy of Penguin CourtVideo
Penguin Court, the former family home of the late Tribune-Review publisher, Richard M. Scaife, is now a preserve of Brandywine Conservancy. Located off Route 30 in Laughlintown, the more than 1,000 acres of forest, meadow and open space, including Thomas Road Farm, represent one of Scaife’s bequests. Staff now care...
Thomas Edison and Henry Ford: The original American road-trippers
Author Jeff Guinn of Fort Worth, Texas, has written acclaimed biographies about some really bad dudes: Charles Manson, Jim Jones and Clyde Barrow. And, oh yeah, the guys at the O.K. Corral. To be fair, Guinn is also the author of “The Autobiography of Santa Claus,” which launched his career...
Husband will only get off the couch for his guy friends
Dear Carolyn: Before we married, my husband and I enjoyed doing fun stuff together. Now, he just wants to watch TV or play video games. When he does leave the couch, it’s to play poker or basketball with his guy friends. He NEVER helps me around the house unless I’ve...
Living with Children: Couple turned down by adoption agency
Question: A Christian (but very liberal) adoption agency recently turned down our application because they disapprove of our parenting approach, which is your parenting approach. We told them we subscribe to your philosophy and do things like sending the kids to bed early due to whining and tantrums. They said...
Easy chicken parmesan is a perfect weeknight dinner
Chicken Parmesan is a family favorite. It’s a classic dish that takes pan fried chicken breasts then tops them with tomato sauce and smothers them in cheese before baking. What comes out is deliciously golden brown and bubbly — what’s not to love? This chicken Parmesan recipe — with its...
What’s the difference between shrimp and prawn?
Shrimp might be the darling of coastal kitchens but they can be found on menus just about anywhere. Whether it’s shrimp tacos, shrimp scampi or shrimp cocktail, Americans love these delicious little crustaceans every year. But are we always sure what we’re eating? Come to think of it, maybe our...
Spittlebugs are common finds in the spring garden
Have you ever come across what looks like a blob of spit clinging to a plant in your garden? If so, then you’ve had the “pleasure” of meeting a spittlebug. While finding the white, bubbly blobs of spittlebugs clinging to the stems of your precious plants is pretty disgusting, there...
Taste Test: We settle the beef over who has the best chicken sandwichVideo
There’s big-time beef happening. And it’s all over chicken, ironically enough. The debut of Popeye’s new fried chicken sandwich was met not just with hearty enthusiasm by American consumers. It also kicked off what will surely be known one day as The Great Chicken Sandwich Wars of 2019. It all...
Out & About: Real men wear pink for ACS breast cancer awareness
In case you didn’t get the memo (which actually has been out for quite a while now) — pink isn’t just for girls any more. On Aug. 22, a whole passel of pink-clad gentlemen gathered in The Westmoreland Museum of American Art in Greensburg for the launch of the American...
Dunkin’ prepping for pups on sweet ‘National Dog Day’
In recognition of National Dog Day — Aug. 26 — Dunkin’ franchisees in Western Pennsylvania will give dogs a free custom bandana with a purchase. That’s if they bring along their owners at store drive-throughs. Also on Monday, Dunkin’ will provide five regional animal shelters with donations of cash, bandanas...
Get rid of those pesky bugs
Summer (and early fall) means barbecues, hikes and some all-around fun in the sun, but the season also invites a host of pesky pests ready to crash your summertime soirees. Summer also brings about prime breeding time for some of the most annoying bugs, such as ants, mosquitoes, ticks and...
Chipmunks look cute but can be destructive inside and out
Anyone plagued by chipmunks would agree that the cute cartoonish Alvin, Simon and Theodore made great TV, but the real-life versions undermine walkways and threaten to chew your wiring. While these rodents seem playful and often are a source of visual enjoyment, their presence can be quite dangerous. Their burrowing...
Why’s the daylily looking so brown?
Question: This is a photo of our daylily. The flowers are beautiful, but the leaves are striped with brown. Do you know what’s wrong with it and what we can do to keep it from happening in the future? Answer: Daylilies (Hemerocallis species) are popular perennials for sunny areas of...
Think it’s the end of garden-fresh veggies? Not by a long shot
Many gardeners stand over their plots proudly at this time of the year, basking in the glory of what they accomplished with a spring planting. They are satisfied with their gardens and sometimes even look forward to frost as a way to get a break. Then there are the rest...
Swim and dine with man’s best friend and Youngwood Dog Club
As the dog days of summer wind down, dog owners whose pups enjoy a little pool time can bring their furry friends to Youngwood Dog Club’s “Doggy Swim Day.” The second annual event will be held at noon Sept. 7 at Youngwood Park & Pool, says Rodney Little, club president....
Out & About: Models strut their stuff in Y thrift shop fashionsVideo
A fashion show isn’t usually an audience-participation event — unless your emcee happens to be Latasha Wilson-Batch. The YWCA Westmoreland County chose the executive director of the Best of the Batch Foundation (and spouse of former Steeler Charlie Batch) to narrate its annual Girls in Pearls: Walk the Red Carpet...
How to pick the right pork for summer grilling
It’s no coincidence that nearly everyone I know enjoys food from the grill. The smoky flavor, the golden browned bits and the ease of cleanup make grilling the summertime impetus for gathering friends to table. We put steaks, seafood, vegetables, pizza and even watermelon and heads of lettuce on the...
7 reasons you should eat more cherries
When you eat cherries, you can enjoy so much more than just their delicious sweet taste. Yes, they’re the perfect quick snack — just rinse and go — but those little cherries are loaded with big health benefits, too. Here are seven good reasons to start snacking on this superfood...
Top Picks From the Wine Cellar: Try these 4 Loire Valley reds
Late summer’s sunny, hot days and lingering, warm evenings call out for refreshing libations. Crisp white wines make a good choice, but don’t overlook the delicious, fruity refreshment available from well-balanced reds served slightly chilled. Consider Loire Valley red wines. They come primarily from cabernet franc grapes (referred to as...
Pumpkin spice nudging summer off the calendarVideo
The calendar reads August, temperatures are still climbing into the 80s and sweater weather is months away. But pumpkin spice fans don’t have to wait for fall to enjoy their favorite autumn-tinged sweets and treats. Dunkin’, 7-Eleven and Starbucks are among the coffee purveyors rolling out the pumpkin — and...
Master gardeners host monarch migration celebration
Children ages 5 to 12 are invited to learn about the fascinating world of monarch butterflies as Westmoreland County Master Gardeners host a “Monarch Migration Celebration.” The free event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 7 at Penn State Extension’s Donohoe Center, 214 Donohoe Road, Hempfield....
Out & About: Jeannette gallery goes a little batty with new show
Things got a little batty Aug. 17 at You Are Here art gallery in Jeannette. That was the plan, though. It was the opening reception for “Bat Country,” a group exhibition of works taking inspiration from the oft-feared creatures of the night. Running through Sept. 28, “Bat Country” features works...
Out & About: Every car has a story at Mt. Pleasant Cruise Night
At a car cruise, usually the guys are the car enthusiasts and the gals are there to be companionable. Not so for at least one couple at the 33rd annual Mt. Pleasant Cruise Night, held Aug. 16 in Frick Park. “I’m the gearhead and he’s the chef,” said Marianne Caruso...
