Haunted houses are fun to walk through with your friends, jumping and screaming at each sudden appearance of clown-faced zombies or floating apparitions. But when the apparition hangs out in your own shoe closet, the thrill is decidedly less fun. Here are five signs that your house may be haunted. #1 Unexplained sounds. The whole “bump in the night” thing is your first clue. If you hear the sound of footsteps and you don’t share a home with a boot-wearing night wanderer, you may have some unwante... read more

Holiday season means holiday parties. The cost and effort of putting together a soiree can be substantial, and it’s good policy as a guest to arrive with a gift to thank your hosts. They say it’s the thought that counts, but it’s worth putting some real thought into a gracious gift. If you’re not sure where to begin, take a look at our ideas for host gifts that won’t break the bank.  A Clever Cookbook: Combine your hosts’ love of reading with a reverence for all things culi... read more

If you’re a dedicated lunch maker, it’s easy to run out of ideas by the second week of school. A sandwich, some crackers, and a fruit cup can quickly lose their luster for you and for your child. Mix it up a little with a few easy, affordable and creative lunch strategies.Reinvent a classic:  Grab a whole grain hotdog bun. Insert a peeled banana as the frankfurter. Slather with peanut butter and jelly instead of ketchup and mustard. Now, that is cute. It is also full of fiber, potassium and... read more

Five Hidden Spots to Clean This Spring   “Spring” and “Cleaning” go together like “Cute” and “Kitten.” When you think of one, you think of the other. The sun comes out, the world turns green, we open our windows and bust out the dusters. As you work through your spring cleaning routine, remember these hidden spots.   #1 Rain Gutters. It’s amazing how much flotsam and jetsam can gather in your gutters over the winter: leaves and twigs can block down... read more