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Every house has a story to tell. It may be about a聽challenging building site, a shocking overrun during renovations or some interesting architectural elements. But this house is more self-effacing.

Dear Debbie:We enjoy our聽backyard almost all year round. Even when it鈥檚 cold and snowy, my husband barbecues outside. It鈥檚 a large yard聽in the country with beautiful views.

Dear Reena:I pack strawberries in little plastic containers for school lunches. What鈥檚 the easiest way to remove the stems? Lindsey Insert a plastic straw into the bottom of the strawberry.

When Sandy and Bill Haun bought a vacation home last year on Sidney鈥檚 waterfront 鈥� a condo in the Residences at the Pier 鈥� they made a conscious decision not to have it look anything like their large and classically stylish house back in Saskatchewan

As the days go by during September, a聽familiar seasonal sense of winding down and dreaming of new beginnings takes hold. Spent plantings are cleaned out of the garden, compost heaps built and tended, plots tidied.

I am often asked for ideas that will customize a room and what details can be added to personalize a home and take it to the next level. One solution that works for all styles is to create interest with trims and mouldings.

Dear Reena: My partner was staining something on聽our deck and he accidentally splattered stain on the聽vinyl siding, cement walkway and the composite deck. How should we proceed? Karen One option is to try the organic compound Oxalic Acid.

Dear Helen: Is there anything I can do to eliminate the mould on my squash plants?S.B. At this point, at summer鈥檚 end, I鈥檇 leave the plants to die down naturally. Clean away the spent plants well once the squashes have been harvested.

Dear Tony: Our strata is replacing the roof of our highrise and the property manager and strata council are recommending one contractor to do the work.

Thirty-five years ago, Susan Down noticed an intriguing advertisement for a summer cottage at Cowichan. She mentioned it to her husband, Bob, and his first thought was, 鈥淚鈥檓 not moving,鈥� but he decided to check it out.