Like gardening in general, school gardening has become hugely popular during the pandemic, with families and teachers saying its hands-on lessons can be applied to many subjects.
Home and Hearth
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CASA GRANDE -- During the long, hot months of summer, few desserts hit the spot like ice cream. And when I was recently given a jar of pure maple syrup harvested from my sister and brother-in-law’s backyard trees in Maine, I knew right away what I wanted to make with it: maple syrup ice cream.
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On the Italian island of Sardinia, we were smitten with a richly flavored pasta with ground pork and wild fennel. It came loaded with a host of spices and herbs, including parsley, black pepper, fennel seed, paprika, red pepper flakes, onion and salt.
Showering has come a long way since the days of the old bucket of water. Today, you’ll find a downpour of options when it comes to shower heads. Styles and prices range from the basic fixed Chatfield Single-Handle 3-Spray Shower to a Hinson Rainfall Shower System to the Graff Ametis Shower S…
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This time of year, everyone asks me how they can become a better griller. It all comes down to the following 10 tips, the most important of which is knowing the difference between direct and indirect cooking.
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To the uninitiated, the Italian pairing of melon and prosciutto may sound odd. But anyone who tries it learns the sweet fruit combines with salty richness into a deceptively simple whole greater than the sum of its parts.
The monsoon season’s combination of heat, rain, wind and dust storms can quickly make backyard swimming pools and spas turn green and murky.
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Socializing and outdoor entertaining carry an extra kick this summer as pandemic restrictions ease. What better time to freshen up your al fresco tabletop and entertaining gear?
Boys & Girls Clubs truck raffle
My laptop rests on a desk my father made. It might be made of oak. It’s very sturdy in any case.
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CASA GRANDE -- We all grew up eating bowls of creamy oatmeal, usually prepared as a porridge. Oats are one of the oldest grains, and oatmeal one of the oldest warm cereals.
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The best beef dishes start with the right technique. For weeknight cooking, that usually means skipping the low and slow roast and sticking with thin cuts that do well with a good, quick sear.
A few years ago, a video showing two teenage boys trying to figure out how to use a rotary phone went viral. On the flip side, many older adults can’t figure out how to use a smartphone, let alone tablets, computers, and other smart devices.
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Eons ago, the first humans learned to drop seeds into the ground to grow plants for food, for beauty and for fiber. We’ve come a long way developing what plants we grow and how we grow them. And throughout all this time, weeds have tagged along.
So, a thunderstorm is a-brewin’ and you’re watching the season finale of your favorite TV show. The plot is getting to a pivotal moment when BOOM a crack of thunder and your TV goes out. Ugh! You didn’t DVR this episode and it won’t be available for live streaming until next season. Or … you…
I’ll bet that in some corner of your toolshed or garage, an old hoe is leaning against a wall. A hoe that hasn’t seen use in a long, long time, having been replaced by, perhaps, a gasoline- or electric-powered tiller, chemical weed killers, or mulches.
DEAR DOCTOR: Could you please address erythromelalgia? I’m told I have this condition, and from everything I’ve read, the prognosis isn’t very uplifting. I’ve had mild symptoms for as long as five years, but now, at age 71, it’s become much worse. Any information is greatly appreciated.
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Critters often gather at the small pond out front.
When most of us think of household items that use a lot of energy, we generally think about the big boys: the air conditioning unit, refrigerator, washer, dryer or dishwasher.
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CASA GRANDE — The creamy, rich dessert known as crème brûlée has been around for centuries, since at least the 1700s, so when we ran across an internet recipe that claimed to simplify the sweet, decadent treat, we had to try it.
Many people move to Arizona from rainy, gray, dismal climates to enjoy the blue skies, mild winter temperatures, and extended outdoor living. Then they get settled and experience their first summer. And boy, aren’t they surprised! Not only is it hot, but shade is also at a premium.
CASA GRANDE — With dreams of attending an American high school, Pimachanok and Minh are hoping to find homes in Casa Grande for the 2021-22 school year.
CASA GRANDE — The Rx Abuse Leadership Initiative has donated $2,000 and 5,000 safe disposal kits to Casa Grande Alliance, a news release from RALI said.
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CASA GRANDE — An area resident and musician has started a new tamale business.
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CASA GRANDE — Brussels sprouts are among the more versatile vegetables. They can be steamed, boiled, microwaved, baked, roasted, served in a salad, eaten as a snack or a side dish or in a variety of different ways.
CASA GRANDE — Arizona’s early childhood agency, First Things First, recognizes that while every child develops at their own pace, developmental and sensory screenings are a way parents can learn about their child’s development.
What is a backyard oasis to you? Is it one or all of these?
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CASA GRANDE — Every table at the CookEJar had salt and pepper shakers. No longer stored away, as a pandemic caution.
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CASA GRANDE -- We make a lot of homemade pizza in our house. It’s one of our favorite meals to make as the dough is easy and pizza is easily customizable to suit just about any taste.
Arizona’s extreme heat and blast-furnace sun can wear down outdoor surfaces. In addition to our low humidity (except during monsoon season), and quickly fluctuating temperatures, outdoor furniture, and other surfaces take a beating and without proper care, they show it.
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CASA GRANDE -- Few things are as comforting as a nice, cheesy baked pasta dish. Pasta is always easy, versatile and delicious.
One of the amenities that have a tendency to be overlooked when Arizona homeowners upgrade their patios is installing a misting system.
QUEEN CREEK — A 12-year-old from Queen Creek along with two adults from Phoenix and Mesa have been named winners of the 2021 Bashas’ doughnut flavor competition.
I started out as an assistant in a mom-and-pop textile mill. It’s been some years now. I worked my way to second in charge.
When your air conditioning system kicks on too often or one room is hotter than the others, it may be time to get a home energy audit.
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CASA GRANDE -- This article has to begin with a warning. If you plan to make carrot bacon — a trendy, vegan alternative to bacon — don’t expect to fool anyone into believing it’s actually bacon.
Fans play a significant role in providing comfort and air flow thought our homes. Did you know that most ceiling fans have a switch that lets you change the direction of the blades? Some fans rotate clockwise or counterclockwise which some fan manufacturers label “forward” and “reverse.”
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ELOY -- Once a year, I’d head east on Jimmie Kerr Boulevard, turn off at Toltec Road. A block or two more and I’d end up at the Old Toltec Elementary School. Dick Myers would be there. He was there most days. Or so it seemed.
When shopping for a new central air conditioning system, it is important to buy the most energy-efficient equipment you can comfortably afford. But don’t rely on stickers that claim a unit is “energy efficient.” Knowing the SEER rating will help you judge just how energy efficient an air con…
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CASA GRANDE -- Last December, we bought an Arizona yellow bell. We made it our Christmas tree, though it’s more of a bush.
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CASA GRANDE -- I like trying new things, but when I first heard of popcorn salad, I was reluctant.
CASA GRANDE — A Mother’s Day brunch will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Paramount Theatre, 420 N. Florence St.
Central air conditioning systems are critical to surviving the brutal Arizona summers. Just one day in July without a properly working AC unit is one day too many.
PHOENIX — Entries for Bashas’ annual Donut Flavor Craze contest are open through May 17.
