The last tool has been packed away and the final invoice signed. The contractor’s trucks are finally gone from the driveway. The lingering smell of fresh paint and sawdust begins to fade, replaced by the clean, unfamiliar scent of new cabinetry and polished stone. You sit on your new furniture, looking around at a space … Read more

This week’s giveaway is sponsored by Craftsman and it’s an exciting one. To be eligible you must have a Twitter account — it only takes a moment to sign up — and we will notify and announce the winner on Twitter. One randomly selected follower will win a Craftsman 19.2V C3 Mechanics Combo, which includes … Read more

Santa knows a lot about fire safety, so it was fitting when he joined forces with The Home Depot and Kidde to donate smoke alarms to local fire departments nationwide. The partnership focused on raising awareness and providing lifesaving devices to communities in need. We visited a Home Depot on a Saturday morning for the … Read more

Building an outdoor shower is simpler than many people expect. Whether you want a convenient rinse station for after gardening or pool use, or a refreshing way to cool off on hot days, an outdoor shower can be both practical and stylish. With a few planning decisions and basic materials, you can create a functional … Read more

Pickup trucks have surged in popularity over the past two decades as manufacturers expanded offerings to serve a wider range of buyers—from construction professionals to millennial families, Gen Z couples, overlanders, and solo adventurers. My first truck was a 1991 Ford Ranger. Since then I’ve owned a 2001 and a 2008 F-150. All three served … Read more

Buick continues to deliver understated luxury, offering exceptional value for buyers who want premium features without an excessive price. The Buick Encore GX blends upscale touches, practical design, and modern technology into a compact SUV that feels larger than its class suggests. Earlier this year we spent a week with the Buick Enclave Avenir and … Read more

Every DIY project reaches a point where momentum isn’t enough. The ladder feels unstable, the cut line is harder to follow, tools start fighting you, and the floor fills with cords, scraps, and open boxes of hardware. That’s when judgment matters more than speed. The smartest choice is not always to push forward. Sometimes you … Read more

Tight spaces, hard-to-reach screws, and awkward angles can halt progress on any job. The Bosch FlexiClick 5-in-1 drill/driver system solves that problem by letting you quickly swap among multiple attachments to reach the most inaccessible locations without changing tools. This compact 12-volt system includes a 3/8″ keyless chuck, a locking bit holder, a right-angle attachment, … Read more

It may be the middle of winter, but in Southern California you can still grab shorts and a t-shirt — or a wetsuit — and head to the water. Lately I’ve shifted from regular surfing to stand-up paddle surfing, so my 9′ Andy Johnson has mostly been a loaner board and hasn’t seen much maintenance. … Read more

Sidewalks are simple, everyday features that serve many purposes: they offer safe routes for walking, running, biking, and playing, and they’re great for drawing with chalk or playing hopscotch. Over time, however, exposure to weather, tree roots, and regular use can cause sidewalks to crack and deteriorate. Once damaged, they’re not only unsightly but can … Read more