Features*
HEART & SOUL: Vision in overalls cultivates riddles
posted: 02/08/2012 4:19 a.m. Discuss
It hadn’t been much of a winter, but it was a windy, cold afternoon. Just in from walking the dogs, I was making a cup of tea when a breeze shifted the steam from the cup. As I turned to see if the door was open, a familiar sparkle in the air caught my eye. Mrs. Appleyard was glimmering in.
Creature feature
posted: 02/08/2012 4:17 a.m. Discuss
My cat meows incessantly and only stops when I give her something to eat. What else can I do to keep her from meowing so much?
Parting pangs
posted: 02/08/2012 4:16 a.m. Discuss
When Jeryl Brunner, a writer in Manhattan, was in her 20s, she had a friend who was just the sort of acquaintance people scoop up in their social net when they are young and trying to carve out a life in a new city. The friend was fun, outgoing and stylish, and always up for a night of dancing, or a weekend jaunt to a Neiman Marcus outlet in Secaucus, N.J.
EX-ETIQUETTE
posted: 02/08/2012 4:14 a.m. Discuss
QI have been dating a man for four months now and he has three daughters. I have two sons. Everything was fine at first but now he has a lot of resentment toward my son. When I ask him why, he tells me my son gets on his nerves. He said my son lacks discipline. Mind you, my son is 10. My son has never met his biological father and I have been the only one raising him. My son is not clingy or needy.Why does he feel this way toward my son?
MONEY MANNERS
posted: 02/08/2012 4:12 a.m. Discuss
DEAR JEANNE AND LEONARD: When my wife and I were offered early retirement recently by the company we worked for, we happily accepted. But now, of course, our income is lower, and we have to be careful about our spending. That has led to a problem. For years we’ve been part of a group of six couples that buys a pair of season tickets to Blue Jays baseball games, then divides the tickets so that each couple gets to go to about 14 games.
PARENTING: School fads pushing self-esteem, rewards failed
posted: 02/08/2012 4:12 a.m. Discuss
The media recently reported “new” research findings to the effect that rewards often backfire and self-esteem is not the wonderful, uplifting personal attribute once thought. As a result, schools are rethinking their teaching and classroom management philosophies.
GADGETS & GIZMOS
posted: 02/08/2012 4:09 a.m. Discuss
This rotary peeler from Joseph Joseph performs three jobs — smooth peeling, serrated peeling and julienne/shredding — in one tool. Made from durable plastic and stainless steel, the blades are razor sharp (seriously, you don’t want your finger in the way of the teeth of the serrated or julienne blades) and the tool features a potato eye remover.
Nutella spurs cravings, inspires cooking experiments
posted: 02/08/2012 4:07 a.m. Discuss
Roasted hazelnuts, skim milk and just a hint of cocoa. That’s what the package says. But if you’ve ever tasted the luscious spread, you know it’s much more than that.
FRONT BURNER: New soup is tasty, especially to cook
posted: 02/08/2012 4:05 a.m. Discuss
It might be the meanest thing my husband has ever said about my cooking.
Cooking for two: Asian-flavored salmon is quick to fix
posted: 02/08/2012 4:04 a.m. Discuss
Ginger-soy sauce seared salmon coated with toasted sesame seeds is a quick dinner to brighten a winter evening.
Seafood bits swim in sauce of cream atop sweet potato
posted: 02/08/2012 4:01 a.m. Discuss
Warm and creamy, au gratin dishes are perfect for a cold winter night. And what better way to say “I love you” than with a little indulgence of seafood and cream.
ON CHRISTIANITY
posted: 02/08/2012 3:58 a.m. Discuss
DEAR REV. GRAHAM: I decided I needed to start going to church, but I ended up in a church with lots of problems, and I’ve given up on religion.
7day menu planner
posted: 02/08/2012 3:56 a.m. Discuss
SUNDAY: There’s hardly anything easier to prepare than a baked turkey breast, so serve your family this simple entree. Cheesy Mexi-Mac (see recipe) goes well on the side. Add a spinach salad and whole-grain rolls. For dessert, buy a Boston cream pie. Plan ahead: Save enough turkey, Mexi-Mac and pie for Monday. MONDAY: Use the leftover turkey for Turkey Melts. Place 4 slices toasted bread on baking sheet. Spread each slice with 2 teaspoons grainy mustard.
UNCORKED: Chocolates, wine are beguiling gifts
posted: 02/08/2012 3:54 a.m. Discuss
Each year on Valentine’s Day my husband never fails to amaze with me with yet another unique and romantic gift. Compounding the impressiveness of this feat is that my wish list usually doesn’t include roses, candies or even jewelry, it revolves around another love of my life: wine.
HOROSCOPES BY HOLIDAY
posted: 02/08/2012 3:52 a.m. Discuss
Happy birthday. Satisfaction is close at hand. You’ll feel free to express your true feelings, and you’ll use your talents for a high purpose. The shoes you are asked to fill in March may not be big exactly, but they sure are fancy. In June, spontaneous travel brings good fortune. A secret admirer becomes known in August. Pisces and Taurus people adore you.
Super Quiz: Each answer begins with “grand”
posted: 02/08/2012 3:51 a.m. Discuss
1. The enormous gorge of the Colorado River 2. The major waterway in Venice, Italy 3. Any of several international road races for sports cars 4. The theft of property of a value exceeding a set amount 5. A chess player having the highest level of ability
HELPFUL HINTS
posted: 02/08/2012 3:49 a.m. Discuss
DEAR HELOISE: I cannot locate my Heloise fudge recipe. Could you please reprint it?
Marshmallows made fresh are winter treat
posted: 02/08/2012 3:48 a.m. Discuss
Toasting marshmallows sounds so Fourth of July, doesn’t it? You can practically hear the bug zapper keeping time with the fireworks in air perfumed by suntan lotion, your mother’s cigarettes and way too many beers. Really, though, marshmallow toasting can be a year-round event, with winter reserved for the truly serious.
IDEA ALLEY: Cherry pie, fudge from sweet Kats
posted: 02/08/2012 3:47 a.m. Discuss
Recipes that appear in Idea Alley have not been tested by the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
Slim pickings
posted: 02/08/2012 3:45 a.m. Discuss
WHAT: Weight Watchers Blueberry Muffins and Double Chocolate Muffins STATS: Each muffin contains 160 calories and 1.5 to 3 fat grams (4 PointsPlus if following the Weight Watchers plan). Four muffins per box. More information at weightwatchers.com/shop. THE SKINNY: Do you know the muffin man?
SUPERMARKET SLEUTH: Our favorite things: Ice cream and candy
posted: 02/08/2012 3:41 a.m. Discuss
Blue Bell Ice Cream is kicking off 2012 with the introduction of Rocky Mountain Road, which isn’t new, but was sold only in Colorado. The flavor debuted last year to commemorate the company’s entry into that state and to honor the beautiful Rocky Mountain scenery.
Out to pasture?
posted: 02/07/2012 2:32 a.m. Discuss
A group of Thoroughbred horses — sleek, magnificent, four-legged beasts mounted by diminutive jockeys — breaks out of the starting gate at the beginning of a race at Oaklawn Park. Little more than a blur to the betting spectators who cheer them on, they eat up the furlongs, their hooves kicking up dirt as they gallop toward the finish line.
MUSIC: Polyphonic Spree revs up
posted: 02/07/2012 2:28 a.m. Discuss
Lots of white-robed musicians come to mind when thinking of The Polyphonic Spree, although the band did veer away at one point, for military fatigues.
MUSIC: Believe it: Band has heart
posted: 02/07/2012 2:26 a.m. Discuss
Heartless Bastards Opening act: Hacienda 8 p.m. (doors open), 9 p.m. show, Juanita’s, 614 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock Admission: $14 (501) 372-1228 juanitas.com The Heartless Bastards are not all that heartless, their songs reveal, nor do we know the circumstances of their birth, so it makes sufficient sense that their name originated when someone in the band’s formative stages made a joke about that famous group, Tom Petty and the Heartless Bastards, er, make that the Heartbreakers.
