If you are looking for a new pet, consider giving a shelter dog or cat a forever home—thousands end up homeless each year. Buy bowls for food and water, as well as housebreaking pads, before you go, but wait to buy food, a crate and bed, and collars or harnesses until you know the animal’s size and recent diet. Find a vet practice with experience treating rescue dogs—many shelters have relationships with vets and can refer you. Schedule that initial visit within two weeks of bringing your pet home, to be sure all vaccinations are current and get a baseline health exam.
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order and stack firewood
When possible, ask to survey the wood before purchasing. Wood that has been aged (or dried) for six months to a year will burn more efficiently.
Look for logs that are slightly cracked, with loose bark and a dull color.
Choose hardwoods, such as oak and beech, which will burn slowly and give off more heat than softer varieties.
Wood is often sold in quarter-split logs, by the cord; when stacked, it will measure four feet by four feet by eight feet long. Providers may stack for a fee, or you can do it yourself.
On a level, dry base, stack two columns of wood at either end, Lincoln-log fashion; fill with remaining logs, stacked side by side in the same direction (front to back).
IN-SEASON PICKS
brussels sprouts Look for hard, bright-green sprout heads, with no mushy spots; those of roughly the same size will cook evenly. When possible, buy them still on the stalk, snapping them off before storing (the stalk absorbs valuable nutrients). Store brussels sprouts in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for three or four days, and trim stems before cooking.
Quince This centuries-old fruit cannot be eaten raw. When cooked, the rock-hard, sour white flesh turns soft, sweet, and deep pink. Choose solid fruit free of any wrinkling or bruising. Any fuzz will fall off as the fruit ripens. Keep in a bowl at room temperature until fully ripe (it will be golden and fragrant); for longer storage, refrigerate in an airtight bag for a month.
