DEAR ANNIE: My younger sister is turning 30 and has planned a birthday dinner at a trendy rooftop restaurant where the tasting menu is $165 per person — not including drinks, tax or tip. She also wants us to split the cost of a professional photographer “to capture the moment for all of ...

DEAR HELOISE: African violets often look droopy and tired without the right light or amount of water. If your plant struggles in a desk or shadowy corner, move it to an east-facing window. These plants thrive in mild morning light but dislike the hot afternoon sun from west windows. Place the ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I was diagnosed with a large fatty tumor on my left thigh. It’s very ugly. What can I do to get rid of it? — V.O.P. ANSWER: Surgery is the standard treatment. The cosmetic results are variable, and I have had more than a few patients who were so unhappy with their ...

An elimination play can save many a contract. Its purpose is to force a defender, usually near the end of play, to make a play disadvantageous to his side. Here is a simple illustration. South is in four spades, and West starts by leading three high hearts, declarer ruffing the third. South ...

Pureed soups cry out for embellishment. We favor heavy cream, whipped or not; sour cream; snipped chives or minced scallions; or a drizzle of melted butter or olive oil to add more flavor. This minty pea soup from our cookbook “Canal House” is topped with finely diced ham and lots of ...

By the time the Spring equinox occurs, fruit from the 2025 harvest has been in the cellars for several months. In the fall, the grapes were crushed, juices settled and primary fermentation is largely complete. While most white wines will spend their lives in stainless, reds (along with some ...