Courtesy of Kim Bellehumeur

2026 | ISSUE 10

FALL YARD PREPARATION

Getting your garden ready for fall is an important step in helping your plants survive changes in temperature and precipitation. Cut back dead or diseased plant material but leave healthy stems and seed heads where possible. They can provide winter habitat and food for birds. Clear away leaves from walkways, gutters and storm drains, but don’t feel like you need to remove every leaf from your property. Prep your soil for next spring by protecting it from erosion and nutrient loss keeping it covered. Crushed leaf litter and other clippings on top can keep nutrients in the garden. For plants more sensitive to the cold, protect them from wind and brutal freeze-thaw cycles by using pots with a heavy base. Insulate your containers and larger plants with burlap to protect both the plant and its roots.

BROCCOLI PASTA Easy Cheezy

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 heads of broccoli, cut into florets • 350 g pasta (shells, penne, macaroni) • 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

• 2 tbsp lemon juice (to taste) • 1 tsp mixed dried herbs, to taste • 1 tsp minced or dried garlic • ½ tsp each: salt, pepper, red pepper flakes + 1 cup reserved pasta water

• 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil • 2 tsp lemon zest (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook pasta until nearly tender. Chop broccoli while pasta cooks. 2. Add broccoli to the pasta water in the last 2 minutes. 3. Save 1 cup of water, then drain pasta and broccoli and return to pot. 4. Mix oil, lemon and seasonings for sauce. 5. Add sauce, cheese and half the pasta water. 6. Toss until cheese melts and sauce is glossy. If too thick add more pasta water. 7. Serve while warm and creamy.

DON’T GET SO BUSY MAKING A LIVING THAT YOU FORGET TO MAKE A LIFE.”

DOLLY PARTON

When winter temperatures plunge, the last thing you want is a burst pipe flooding your kitchen at 3 A.M. As water turns to ice in your plumbing it expands and puts pressure on the pipes. That extra pressure can cause a pipe to crack, split or burst completely. If a pipe has frozen, signs include faucets and toilets not working, bulges in pipes, frost or cold spots and knocking noises. To thaw a pipe that has not burst gently apply heat with a space heater, hair dryer or heat lamp; never use open flames on household plumbing. If a pipe has burst turn off the main water supply immediately and contact a licensed plumber. Remove standing water quickly, dry the area and contact your insurer to confirm coverage. Preventive measures are much simpler than repairs. Disconnect unused outdoor water lines and allow them to drain. Insulate pipes in colder areas, such as exterior walls, crawl spaces, garages and attics. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, dryer vents, wiring and pipe openings to reduce exposure to cold outdoor air.

PROTECTING YOUR HOME FROM BURST PIPES

THE COMFIEST PLACE IN THE HOUSE

Autumn has a way of making the bed feel like the comfiest piece of furniture in the house. When the temperature drops add a few thoughtful layers to make your bedroom warmer, softer and more inviting. The trick is to build comfort in stages so you can add or remove a layer as your sleep and temperature changes. Building a cozy bed is all about stacking textures and weights. Use a lightweight quilt or coverlet for warmth rather than a heavy duvet, then finish with a throw blanket at the foot of the bed for texture, colour and a little extra warmth when you are reading or watching television. Most importantly, there is no single ‘proper’ bed. If five layers make you feel like the princess and the pea, use two. If you love a fluffy duvet and three blankets, go for it. A comfortable bedroom should make it easier to relax at the end of the day. The best-looking bed is the one that helps you sleep comfortably. SHIKAKU PUZZLE

THE RULES Divide the Grid: Cut the grid into rectangular or square pieces. One Number per Box: Each region must contain exactly one number. Match the Area: The number tells you the exact number of squares (cells) inside that rectangle. Cover Everything : Every single cell on the board must belong to a rectangle—no overlapping and no empty gaps .

TIPS and HINTS Look at prime numbers: Prime numbers (like 3, 5, 7, 11) can only form a straight line of that length (e.g., a 1×5 or 5×1 block) . Start in corners and edges: Numbers trapped in corners or restricted by board boundaries have very few directions they can expand, making their shapes easier to find. Target large numbers: Big numbers take up a lot of space and are heavily restricted by neighboring clues, which helps limit their possible dimensions right away.

SOLUTION

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