A Taste of Home: Bonita’s Kitchen

By Dillon Collins There’s nothing quite like a home-cooked meal, and few do it better than Bonita Hussey. “For me, it’s all about bringing out those recipes. I never really thought in a million years that my homemade bread recipe was going to turn into hundreds of recipes available online,” shares the Upper Island Cove…

12 Hacks for a Happy Kitchen

We’re not all blessed in the culinary department. If you’re feeling the furthest from Julia Child or Jeremy Charles when it comes to mealtime, you’re not alone. With these worries in mind, Downhome polled our staff, readers, and combed some of our favourite websites for some handy, need-to-know tips to make life easier in the…

Ask Marie Anything – Better Outside

There were no questions in the inbox this month, so I figured I’d share some thoughts on how we feel about our surroundings and, in turn, how our surroundings make us feel. I answered a similar question this time last year, and I’m thinking it’s a good time to revisit it. The question then was:…

Ask Marie: Outdoor Decorating

Q. Any tips on outdoor decorating? We recently moved into an older home that needs a little exterior TLC. We love to entertain, and I’d like the space to be inviting, colourful and cosy. Do you have any advice on how to increase the curb appeal of my house? Congratulations on your new (older) home….

So Long, Down to Earth

By Kim Thistle ‘Tis time for someone else to pick up the reins. I have run out of steam, and I’m embracing retirement with a vengeance. I will leave you with these pieces of wisdom from a lifetime of gardening: Grow your own garlic. It’s easy to grow and will keep the vampires at bay….

Down to Earth: Container Gardening

By Kim Thistle There are all sorts of reasons to grow in containers. You may live in an apartment or condo where your balcony is the only place you have for growing. A physical disability may also be a limitation. Age and arthritis can play a big factor. Toddlers and young children are more interested…

Strawberry Shortcakes

By Andrea Maunder The first mention of “shortcakes” is in an English cookbook from 1588, but we can thank our neighbours in the northeast US, for that glorious combination of sweet strawberries, fluffy whipped cream and tender biscuits we now know as Strawberry Shortcakes. The dessert became popular in the early 1900s as a way…

DIY Christmas Arrangement

Let’s make a Christmas arrangement using mostly foraged and recycled materials. I like the natural look, but I also like to reduce my consumption of things that will be thrown away at the end of the holidays. Here’s a step-by-step of the greens and branches that I cut on my property with a few photos…

The Great Pumpkin

Let’s be clear. I can count the number of pumpkins I have grown on less than one hand. Well, that might be exaggerated, but I am certainly not a pumpkin grower extraordinaire. The pumpkins I have grown are the small sugar variety, a delicious sweet fruit perfect for soups and breads. My grandchildren don’t live…

Carpenters: Good or Bad?

I often receive questions about bugs from readers. Bugs is a really large umbrella for creepy crawly things that most people find distasteful. I am a bit of a cheerleader for these creatures as most are beneficial and very interesting once you get to know them. A recent inquiry was about one of these little…