Lauren Abbate

BDN file photo In Maine fresh berries are available throughout the summer. With strawberries appearing in June, raspberries and blackberries in July, and blueberries rounding out the summer season in August, there is so much goodness…
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BDN file photo The burgeoning tiny house movement has people contemplating what it would be like to downsize their lifestyles and live on a smaller scale. But there are a few things that should be taken into consideration before…
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Don't let a perfectly good garment go to waste when it needs a small repair! Here's how to sew a button back on. Photo by Troy R. Bennett We’ve all been there. You’re getting dressed, going about your buttoning, when you realize one…
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It is rare that throughout the year a large poultry carcass will appear in your kitchen for use as the base for a big batch of homemade stock. But when it does and the bird is picked nearly clean, consider saving the cooked turkey bones…
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With just two ingredients, creamy, delicate butter is a treat on biscuits, breads and more. Here's how to make homemade butter. Photo by Sarah Walker Caron Butter is a staple on any kitchen table throughout the year, but the…
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Early September is a great time to stock up on locally grown produce. With ripe tomatoes and early season apples available in abundance, it’s tempting to keep the bounty on display around your kitchen. But another species is also…
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Walking into whichever store you purchase your body wash products from is no doubt overwhelming. There are about a million and one products to choose from, consisting of a range of ingredients, some of which you might not be able to…
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When the air turns and the leaves fall, being nestled next to the window with a book and a blanket is where folks might prefer to spend their free time. But fall gardening goes on. Here's what should be on your to-do list. The garden…
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There’s a lot more to composting than simply throwing your kitchen scraps into a bin and reaping the benefits of a healthy soil additive. Here's how to compost with success at your homestead. The use of organic compost is…
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Looking for a more natural way to have warm showers? A compost-heated shower uses the natural heat to warm water for showering. Dennis Carter's wife, Anneli Sundqvist, uses the outdoor shower at the couple's hostelin Maine. | Courtesy…
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