Perhaps your familiar with its’ French derivation, Mardi Gras.
The name “Fat Tuesday” refers to the practice of consuming all of the food forbidden while fasting during Lent, which begins on Ash Wednesday (Tomorrow). Why do we celebrate Fat Tuesday? It’s called Fat Tuesday because it’s the last day that many people eat meat and fatty foods before Lent begins.
While not observed nationally throughout the United States, a number of traditionally ethnic French cities and regions in the country have notable celebrations. Mardi Gras arrived in North America as a French Catholic tradition with the Le Moyne brothers, Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, in the late 17th century.
The festival season varies from city to city, as some traditions, such as the one in New Orleans, Louisiana, consider Mardi Gras to stretch the entire period from Twelfth Night (the last night of Christmas which begins Epiphany) to Ash Wednesday. Others treat the final three-day period before Ash Wednesday as the Mardi Gras.
No matter what kind of environment you are trying to achieve, rocks can transform your outdoor space in ways you might not expect. Let’s discover some innovative ways to rock your landscaping!
For areas prone to water runoff or erosion, a dry creek bed can serve a dual purpose: aesthetic charm and practical drainage. Use a variety of river rocks and pebbles to mimic the pattern of a natural stream bed. Japanese Zen gardens are a popular inspiration, emphasizing simplicity and harmony with nature.
Commission or create your own rock sculptures to add artistic expression to your garden. Abstract or figurative sculptures can become conversation pieces that complement the natural surroundings.
Replace traditional mulch with river rocks or crushed gravel around trees, shrubs, and flower beds. This low-maintenance option retains soil moisture, suppresses weeds, and, most importantly, adds a polished look to your garden.
To create a rock seating area, it’s important to combine comfort with a sense of nature. Pick a flat spot in your yard or garden, lay down a solid base with gravel or sand, and arrange big, sturdy rocks in a circle or semicircle. They’ll double as seats and add a natural, rustic charm. Toss in some outdoor cushions or pillows for extra coziness.
Rocks help slow down and absorb rainwater runoff, preventing erosion and allowing it to infiltrate the ground. You can create a lovely and practical space by strategically placing rocks in a designated area that collects rainwater.
Check out the source listed below for more garden ideas.
Catherine O’Hara, ‘Home Alone’ and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ Actress, has passed away.
She gained recognition as one of the original cast members on the Canadian television sketch comedy show SCTV (1976). O’Hara stayed with the show for its entirety (1976-1984). She went on to devote her talents to several films directed by Tim Burton, including Beetlejuice (1988), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) and later, Frankenweenie (2012). O’Hara also frequently collaborated with director and writer, Christopher Guest, appearing in his mockumentary films, three of which earned her awards and nominations, Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006).
Despite her knack for the quirky, Ms. O’Hara’s biggest screen achievement came with the 1990 Christmas film “Home Alone,” directed by Chris Columbus and written by John Hughes. Playing a harried suburban matriarch trying to shepherd her brood on a trip to Paris, she discovers mid-flight that she has forgotten her youngest, Kevin (Macaulay Culkin), who spends the bulk of the film enjoying freedoms rarely granted a child, when not fending off a pair of bumbling burglars.
She had no inkling that the movie would go into heavy rotation for decades as a Yuletide staple.
Ms. O’Hara was earlier cast in “Beetlejuice” (1988), directed by Tim Burton, as Delia Deetz, a sculptor of abstract statues and the clueless stepmother to a misanthropic teenager played by Winona Ryder. That film became a cult favorite, exposing Ms. O’Hara to an audience beyond the niche world of improvisational and sketch comedy, and it set her up for a film and television career that would last for nearly another four decades.
Michael Buble described her as being, “One of a kind. A rare light in this world and her passing hits with a weight I can’t fully put into words.
She wasn’t just a legendary artist, actor and comedian. She was an ambassador for Canada in the truest sense: brilliant, fearless, deeply original, and so full of humanity. She made the world laugh, but she also made people feel seen.
As an artist, she inspired me more than she’ll ever know. She set the bar for what it means to represent your country with excellence and grace and all without ever losing warmth or humility.”
She won a prime-time Emmy in 1982 for writing on “SCTV,” and in 2020 won her first acting Emmy for portraying the reality-challenged Moira Rose on “Schitt’s Creek.” She also won a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for that role.
Her survivors include her husband, Bo Welch; her sons, Matthew and Luke; and her siblings, Michael O’Hara, Mary Margaret O’Hara, Maureen Jolley, Marcus O ‘Hara, Tom O’Hara and Patricia Wallice.
Catherine O’Hara died on 30 January in a Los Angeles hospital, at the age of 71 of a pulmonary embolism, her death certificate in the US has revealed.
In addition to the blood clot in her lungs, the death certificate listed rectal cancer as the long-term cause of death. It was indicated that she had been receiving treatment for the cancer since March 2025.
A memorial service will be held privately by the family.
With the New Year comes a new crop of gardening catalogs. Inviting descriptions and color photos make it very tempting to order without considering all factors, especially in the middle of winter. Follow some general guidelines to ensure plant materials ordered are the right ones when the growing season arrives.
First, it sounds simple but make sure you know exactly what the plant is. Descriptions can be great to read, but common names may vary. Look for what is called the Latin, scientific or botanical name to be listed, especially with perennials, shrubs, or trees. All three terms refer to the same thing and are considered the universal language, or identity, when classifying plants. This nomenclature includes the genus and specific epithet, or species. If a Latin name is not given, you may not get the plant you think you are ordering.
Most vegetables and annual flowers typically do not need Latin names to be used, but cultivars or varieties become particularly important. For all types of plants, cultivars (developed by crop breeding) or varieties (natural variants) have characteristics making them unique within the species. For example, desirable features such as disease resistance, a certain flower or foliage color, or modifications in size or growth habit of plants are all examples of cultivar and variety-specific characteristics.
With vegetables in particular, disease resistant cultivars, although not immune to disease, are the single most useful tool for preventing serious disease outbreaks. Look for disease resistance first, then choose other features of interest. Cultivars and varieties with a shorter time to harvest are good choices when growing longer season crops like pumpkins, squash, and melons in northern gardens. Likewise, space-saving or bush cultivars of traditional vining crops are useful for smaller gardens or containers.
Another important guideline: plants may have outstanding characteristics but should fit into your yard and garden plan. Flowers, shrubs, or trees need to be good matches for growing conditions of the site where they will be planted. Consider sun or shade level, soil conditions, and fitting into the scheme of the landscape. For size, consider both height and width or spread. For fruits and vegetables, make sure to have a use for the crop once harvested.
Last but certainly not least, for all perennial garden and landscape plants, make sure they are hardy to your climate zone.
Mail order catalogs are great to start thinking about gardening; just use them wisely!
Are you emotional, or is it just Pisces season? Depending on when the sun enters the sign of the fish, Pisces season’s dates typically span from Feb. 18 to March 19.
As the final sign of the zodiac, Pisces tends to pick up traits from other signs, all of which blend together to create a unique and irresistible personality. They can be brave like Aries and protective like Cancer, depending on their moods.
Pisces are known to wear their hearts on their sleeves when it comes to love and relationships. Think of this as a privilege, though: Pisces don’t open themselves up to just anyone. They’re selective with their inner circle and unswayable when it comes to their gut impressions. Either they trust someone… or they don’t.
Like other water signs, Pisces are deep feelers. They often process life through what rises to the surface from their ever-active subconscious. But they’re just as likely to retreat from the real world for a trip into their imaginations. Pisces should be aware of the narratives that they’re weaving. The stories they tell themselves may not always be completely accurate.
A Pisces should learn to hone their natural intuitions. They can pay attention to their inner sense of knowing. Soon, they will be able to rely on their gut as a compass, rather than others’ opinions. They know what is best for them.
Pisces personality traits
Compassionate
Romantic
Imaginative
Adaptable
Creative
Dreamy
Tender
Spiritual
Intuitive
Indecisive
Intuitive
Manipulative
Gullible
Moody
Pisces are imaginative and creative lovers who blend fantasy with reality in the way they love. If you’re longing for passion, you can expect it from a Pisces. They know how they feel about people and rarely change their minds.
Experts are sharing practical tips to turn even the smallest balcony into a lush, functional retreat. From vertical planters to plant choices tailored for sun, shade, or wind, the advice covers design, comfort, and purpose. The trend aligns with 2026’s push for wellness-focused, intimate outdoor spaces that blend style with personal expression.
Best Balcony Plants by Light & Wind Conditions
Here’s a clean breakdown based on the expert guidance:
For Shady Balconies
These thrive without strong direct sun:
Elephant ears – bold, dramatic foliage
Coleus – tons of color variations
Begonias – reliable blooms and shade tolerance
For Windy Balconies
Wind can stress delicate plants, so choose flexible, resilient species:
Ornamental grasses like fountain grass or blue fescue
Gaura – airy flowers that handle movement well
For Sunny Balconies
Full sun opens up lots of options:
Petunias – bright, long‑lasting color
Lavender – fragrance + pollinator appeal
Strawberries – edible, compact, and sun‑loving
Balcony design trends for 2026
According to House Digest, 2026 outdoor living will emphasize eclectic, mismatched furniture over uniform sets, creating spaces with more character. Wellness-focused areas, from yoga decks to hot tubs, are gaining popularity alongside smaller, intimate gathering spots. Designers are also encouraging personalized, inspiring balcony spaces as part of a broader trend toward meaningful outdoor experiences.
Lighting and decor to elevate ambiance
Layered lighting using lanterns, fairy lights, and paper pendants can transform balconies into warm, inviting retreats. Soft amber glows work for both summer gatherings and winter evenings, while rattan chairs and cushioned seating add comfort. Decorative elements like slim wooden planters and ambient lantern clusters provide charm without cluttering the space.
As the calendar inches closer and closer to spring, so does the promise of seedlings at your local garden center. Even those gardeners who have already started their seeds in January keep an eye out for healthy seedlings at the store. It’s easy to see why seedlings are so beneficial. All the work of germination is finished and root development has already begun. When the seedlings come home, they just need to be planted in the garden. However, there are several plants you should think twice about buying before you decide to plant them in your garden as seedlings.
All plants can be grown as seedlings, but that does not mean all of them should. There are many types of vining plants, root vegetables, and flowers that should not be planted as seedlings. Several are susceptible to transplant shock, which occurs when the roots are too sensitive to be moved from one environment to the other. Transplant-shocked plants can fail to grow further during a season, and may even die off.
In other cases, it is just easier to start from seed because the plants prefer it and grow faster as a result. And since the vine, root, and flower categories are vast, breaking down which specific types are ones you should not purchase as seedlings is important, should you ever want to plant any of these in your garden.
Zinnia
Whether you’re using them as a border plant to ward off rabbits or growing them for purely visual purposes, you cannot go wrong with beautiful zinnia (Zinnia elegans) flowers. That is, unless you purchase them as seedlings.
Like several other flowers on this list, zinnias have delicate roots that easily suffer from transplant shock. Instead, zinnias much prefer to be started and grown to completion from seeds. You can directly sow them into the ground, but zinnia flowers are also exceptionally tolerant of container gardening. So long as you do not move them or disturb their roots in any way, these flowers will grow happily.
Cosmos
In general, it is cheaper to purchase seed rather than seedlings. This is true whether you’re looking to create a crop garden of vegetables, or a flower garden filled with colorful varieties like cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus). These flowers are very affordable as seeds and grow quickly in a wide variety of different soils.
These traits make them rather incompatible for seedling purchase, because the roots continue to grow inside the containers and can often be root bound upon removal. Root bound plants often have little to no soil, dry roots, and aren’t often able to accept water and nutrients as a result.
Nasturtium
Though they are very resilient when fully grown and established, nasturtium flowers (Tropaeolum majus) have super sensitive root systems that do not like to be transplanted. They are just as likely to get transplant shock as any of the others on this list.
You can directly sow them into the ground, or start them in biodegradable containers that will decompose into the earth as the flowers grow. This greatly reduces the risk of transplant shock, and allows you to get a head start on your nasturtiums if you live in a colder climate.
To view all 15 veggies and flowers, Copy and paste the website below.
Gardeners are urged to sterilize seed-starting supplies before planting to prevent damping off. This is a common fungal disease that kills seedlings. Used pots, trays, and plant labels made of washable materials can be sterilized. Use with a bleach solution, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol. While biodegradable pots and old seed-starting mix should be discarded.
This simple preventive step can protect an entire planting season from being ruined by pathogens lingering from previous years.
Damping off threatens indoor seedlings
Damping off is a plant disease caused by fungal like pathogens. It can strike suddenly, causing seedling stems to turn brown, wither, or collapse. Often, entire trays of seedlings are wiped out overnight. Indeed, it’s one of the most destructive issues for indoor gardeners starting plants from seed.
This issue affects many gardeners, especially those new to plant care. It’s a critical problem that can occur at any stage of growth. However, it’s most prevalent during the seedling phase due to excessive moisture.
Consistently waterlogged soil creates an ideal breeding ground for fungi. When fungi infect the seedlings, they weaken the plant’s immune system. That makes it vulnerable to other diseases. Damping off can also be caused by poor air circulation. Seedlings started too close together allows fungal spores to spread easily.
Sterilization as key prevention
Sterilize seed-starting equipment before planting. Accordingly, it is an effective way to stop damping off. Further, even if old pots and trays look clean, they may still harbor harmful pathogens from previous seasons.
To sterilize effectively, use a 10% bleach solution, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol on all pots. It can eliminate these fungi threats and improve plant survival rates.
Items to not reuse
Biodegradable pots and previously used seed-starting mixes should never be reused. Items like those cannot be effectively sterilized. These materials may harbor diseases. Old mixes also lack the nutrients needed for healthy seedling growth. Discard them to prevent the spread of pathogens to new plants and avoid nutrient deficiencies.
Warning: These Soft Batch Double Chocolate Fudge Cookies are for CHOCOLATE LOVERS only!!! Full of intense chocolate fudge flavor, these cookies basically melt in your mouth. So good with a glass of milk!
Prep Time 10minutes minsCook Time16minutes mins
Inactive Time 30minutes mins Total Time56minutes mins
Servings1dozen
Ingredients
1 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
2 and 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into tiny cubes
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tablespoons whole milk, at room temperature
2 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
Extra chocolate chips, for decorating
How to make Chocolate Fudge Cookies
Preheat your oven and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Whisk together the dry ingredients!
Melt chocolate chips and the butter in the microwave. And in a separate bowl whisk the vanilla sugars and eggs. Beat in milk and vanilla. Then add melted chocolate in and combine.
Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Then toss in the remaining chocolate chips!
Scoop 1/4 cupfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, and bake one tray at a time.
Press a few extra chocolate chips on top of the warm cookies, if desired. Cool on the cookie sheet… then devour!!!
These cookies must – I repeat – MUST cool completely on the tray. I usually leave the room for a good hour before I even think about sneaking them off the tray.
Because these cookies are so chocolate heavy, I added a good pinch of salt and vanilla the the dough. Please don’t skip these two ingredients – they make it work.
Right-brain vs. left-brain thinking is often discussed in psychology. Everybody uses both thinking types to some degree, but nearly everyone tends to have one or the other as a primary thinking style.
The left brain uses logic, structure, and data, while the right brain favors creative, intuitive, and broader thinking.
There is no need for an assessment, as most people can determine their most used thinking style by simply responding honestly to one question.
think it through with a detailed plan of various steps to follow, or
are you someone who jumps right into it and figures it out as you go?
If you follow lists, organized structure, and clear order, then you are most likely leaning toward the left side of your brain.
If you use intuition, create on the fly, and adjust your decisions as you progress, you have a tendency to favor the right side of the brain. This starting point shows what your mind prefers to do with uncertainty, pressure, and creativity in daily life.
2. If You Plan First, You May Be Left-Brain Oriented
Having structure feels safer to left-brain thinkers. Planning reduces anxiety and clarifies things. You also prefer logic, systems, and predictable results.
Schedules and routines, as well as clear rules, may appeal to you; problem-solving for you feels good when you use steps to find a solution.
You usually process your emotions internally or through logical thinking, so you probably are creative, but you place more trust in an ordered way of thinking than you do in gut feelings.
3. If You Dive In First, You May Be Right-Brain Oriented
Right-brained people are intuitive and rely on momentum for their ideas. They are hands-on learners. When there are no rules, it’s easier to create because there is more space for creativity.
Right-brained people process their emotions more powerfully than left-brained people do, and they usually go with their gut instincts. For right-brained thinkers, the act of creating is more exciting than creating a plan to create something.
There is no lack of discipline in these individuals; instead, they receive inspiration first and use logic afterwards to achieve success.
4. How You Handle Problems Reveals More
Analytical (left-brain) thinkers approach problems sequentially, searching for the causes of the problem, the patterns, and the solutions they would provide.
Imaginative (right-brain) thinkers approach problems intuitively (emotionally and/or visually), imagining the results or possibilities.
The left-brain thinker places greater emphasis on physically presenting accurate information, while the right-brain thinker values insightful information more.
There is no better way; however, they will have different priorities on how they will accomplish the same task. Your usual reactions to problems will be indicative of the side you trust most when you are under pressure.
Left-brain thinkers communicate directly with facts and clarity. Right-brain thinkers communicate through emotional, metaphorical, and visual methods, using storytelling, images, and tone.
This can be seen in the way you explain a concept or resolve a conflict.
Your method of communication is influenced by the organization of thoughts in your brain and may affect how others perceive your level of intelligence and personality traits.
6. How You Make Decisions Says A Lot
When making a decision, left-brained thinkers rely on facts, logic, and measurable results, whereas right-brained thinkers base their decisions on feeling, intuition, or gut instinct.
Neither way is inherently better than the other, but it shows how someone balances those three elements (risk, emotion, and control) in daily living.
7. Stress Brings Out Your Dominant Side
When stressed, you will see that whether you are a left-brain thinker or a right-brain thinker, the way that you think naturally under pressure is what you are going to fall back on.
If you are a left-brain thinker, you are likely to be more rigid and controlling under stress, whereas if you are a right-brain thinker, you are likely to become more emotional and all over the place.
Because of this, if you try to understand how you react when you are under stress, it helps to notice which side of your brain is dominant when you become uncomfortable.
8. Most People Are A Blend, With A Dominant Side
Most of us are not uniquely right- or left-brained but a combination of both sides, with one side being dominant; however, through life experiences, professions, and stressors, the balance can change over time.
The most important thing is to be aware of oneself instead of just putting labels on oneself. When you know where you naturally gravitate, it allows you to work with your brain versus working against it.
Being aware of your thought processes enhances your decision-making ability, your creativity, and how you accept who you are.
