Life

Baking soda is traditionally used as a raising agent in baking. However, this cost effective little ingredient hides its light under a bushel. Bicarbonate of soda has a myriad of uses that are not related to baking around your home.

The sight of tender, new leaves gracing bared boned trees, roses and climbers and the first freesias, erlicheer, magnolias, bluebells, jasmine and first spring blossoms just lift the spirit, don't they? If you can't wait to get outside and enjoy the garde

Their parents need a break and you have agreed to take care of the grandkids while they are away for a week or two. Looking after them full-time is going to be fun but also a bit of an adventure in that there are probably other things you may need to mana

Cooking in the late 60's and 70's was much less exotic than today.

As a grandparent, I can't think of a better way to make my grandchildren feel relaxed and sleepy at the end of the day than to snuggle up with them and read them a bedtime story.

Being a grandparent is a joy and a privilege. But what happens when things get complicated? How do you continue to be a loving and committed grandparent if you child and their partner separate or face difficulties?

This column I will talk a bit about fertilising roses and what you need to do to have great roses. Fertilising roses is like pruning, it needs to be done to get the best results but if you are a week or two late, it is not the end of the world.

This column, I will talk about some of the common diseases that affect roses and some of the ways you can minimise their appearance in your garden.

Framing your own precious mementos, be they photographs, paintings or certificates, is a very rewarding experience.

If you are over 65 years old, you have a one in three chance of falling this year. For people aged 80 or over, the risk increases to one in two.