When we think about the holidays, the first thing that comes to mind might be the traditions we have with our families. Similarly, when we think about our childhood, it is likely that some of our most prominent memories are of the traditions we had as a family. There are many reasons why ...
Can I transplant a shrub this late in December? Yard and garden decisions are best made based on your local weather instead of the calendar. What are the overnight temperatures like? Are the daytime conditions mild or below freezing? Has wet weather kept soils soggy or is the soil in your ...
In 2011, the band Coldplay came out with a holiday song that has become a staple of the season, one that talks about challenges but also the ever-present hope that comes with seeing the Christmas lights that are mentioned in the song's title. The lyrics for the chorus highlight read: "Those ...
Is there a right way to perk up my houseplants? I got a few plants when I moved into my house a couple of years ago and they’ve been fine, but lately I noticed that even though they don’t look sick, they don’t look great like they used to either. It’s normal for houseplants to slow ...
Perhaps the most useful bit of wisdom I have come across during my work with children is to “insist on connecting.” Connectedness is the most effective prerequisite to be able to comfort, help, teach, redirect or discipline a child. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University ...
If you are like me, you may have postponed a few garden tasks because of our mild November weather. Some of the tasks I have neglected are included in the following list along with a couple of items you may not have considered yet. For the most part, December is a great month to enjoy the ...
Tis the season of spending. The National Retail Federation predicts 2025 will be the first $1 trillion holiday shopping season — up roughly 4% from an estimated $976 billion in 2024 — which means most people will be making a lot more purchases in the coming weeks. But while it may be ...
How do I know a poinsettia is a “good” one and how can I get it home without ruining it? Choose a plant with sturdy branches, dark green leaves and young flower buds that haven’t opened. The flower buds are the little green and yellow structures in the center of the colored bracts ...
What is the best way to prevent my taller boxwood shrubs from having their branches bent or broken by snow this winter? Any evergreen with soft or long, thin branches - think arborvitae, boxwood, laurel, yew or juniper - can be damaged when snow accumulates on the branches, but there are a ...
As far as Thanksgiving dinner goes, most of us already know what to expect. The essentials – turkey, some variety of casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie – will ultimately make the annual gathering a success. And let's be honest, if you can merely get them from the table to the ...
