Kari Richardson

Garden lighting brings the nighttime landscape to life

May 31, 2019 at 3:24 a.m.

By the time Judy Kameon finishes her workday and heads home for the evening, the sun has often set on her California garden. The reality is that Kameon, founder and...

Volunteering for a child's activities or sports teams sounds like a great idea, but parents still need to make sure they have the proper skill set and the time — and that their kids are OK with it.

Parents, soul-searching is required before volunteering in a kid’s activity

June 11, 2018 at 12:23 p.m.

From the neighborhood Boy Scout troop, to the elementary school soccer team, your kids' activities need leadership. Could you be the right person to help? "There's a small window of...

Caring for houseplants can teach children many of the same lessons they would learn growing plants outdoors. "Having a green, growing thing to tend is a wonderful relationship for a child," says garden writer Sharon Lovejoy.

Children can grow along with the houseplants they tend

May 23, 2019 at 1:50 p.m.

Children seem to have an innate need to nurture living things. In summer, it's easy to satisfy that need by dedicating a sunny corner of the yard to growing a...

Caladium is just one of many plants that can be mildly or extremely toxic to dogs. Pet owners should be careful what they plant, especially if their dogs are prone to chewing plants. The ASPCA has a list of such plants on its website.

Dog-friendly gardens: Balancing human, canine needs is key

May 23, 2019 at 1:46 p.m.

Jordan Petchenik is a dog person. He has owned four of them since moving into a 1920s bungalow in Madison, Wis., some 20 years ago. But Petchenik also loves gardening....

Yucca's appeal rests in its dramatically shaped foliage as well as its drought tolerance. It can be used in a wide range of growing zones.

‘Right-Size Flower Garden’ helps gardeners downsize tasks, cultivate joy

May 23, 2019 at 1:42 p.m.

Life became different the instant Kerry Ann Mendez's husband broke his neck in a 2011 accident. Topping the list of changes: a full-time job with benefits for Mendez and a...

Holiday photography tips from Disney host and author Me Ra Koh

June 18, 2018 at 10:05 a.m.

"Refuse to say cheese" is the motto of Me Ra Koh. Koh, a photographer, author, teacher and host of "Capture Your Story With Me Ra Koh" on Disney Junior, has...

Buying furniture pieces out of proportion to the scale of a room can be a costly mistake for remodelers.

Tips to help you avoid remodeling regrets

May 20, 2019 at 12:31 p.m.

When it comes to home remodeling, Elmhurst resident Krista Ladd has had her share of victories — and defeats. The gray-checked tile she chose for her new home was a...

Parents of gay kids need to maintain open lines of communication with their children, say the authors of a new book, "This is a Book for Parents of Gay Kids."

Parenting gay kids: New book offers guidance

June 17, 2018 at 10:07 a.m.

Dannielle Owens-Reid and Kristin Russo answer questions and dole out advice on their website, Everyone is Gay (everyoneisgay.com). So it didn't take the two long to notice that they kept...

Kids’ Fourth of July crafts offer fun without the fire

May 14, 2019 at 6:11 a.m.

Having a doctor for a dad put a bit of a damper on Fourth of July fun at the childhood home of Carolina Moore. After seeing one too many fireworks-related...

So you want to buy a fixer-upper

August 25, 2021 at 4:22 a.m.

The one-bedroom, one-bath condominium in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood was an eyesore at best, a needy property begging to be brought into the 21st century. Daunting electrical and plumbing updates would...

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