Homes

Dear Helen: My son has a mystery plant in his garden. Last summer, it looked something like a group of small hyacinth stems, but bearing elongated clusters of brilliant orange berries rather than florets.

Dear Debbie: I have a design dilemma. I just moved into an old home in a community situated beside a large lake. I like the beach cottage look, but I have no idea how to create such a style.

Dear Reena:I just dug out a silver-plated ice bucket, which has not been used for a long time and it is very tarnished.

It’s all over the print, radio and television news: As the loonie spirals downward and the California drought continues, the cost of imported vegetables and fruits climbs ever higher.

Dear Helen: Over the years, and despite my best efforts to pull the little devils out of the ground before they spray seeds in all directions, some sort of cress has appeared almost everywhere in the garden. Any suggestions?A.W.

Everyone who gardens took careful note of the hot summer in 2014. Similar conditions, lengthened and intensified, prevailed last year. Now, we have to wonder whether a pattern of accelerated change will continue this year.

Dear Helen: One of my resolutions for 2016 is to put my finances on a rigorous diet.

This house was built in the art moderne style back in the 1940s, but a sensitive and innovative restoration 75 years later led to its winning gold at the Construction Achievements and Renovations of Excellence Awards last year.

Dear Tony: I am the president of a condo building located at a B.C. ski resort and the only council member who resides in B.C. The five other council members live in Calgary, Toronto, Seattle, Columbus and London.

I recognized the big, blossom-like heads of lettuce right away as they appeared on a grower’s table last month at my local farmers’ market. I had grown those same, very distinctive lettuces myself during the spring and summer.