ARABELLA CHAMBERS

Rice and Beans.

This is the total Belizean staple side dish, like "Potatoes" in Ireland, or "Fries" in the US. It varies a little, and some people will call the rice "dirty rice", although it's not anything like Cajun "Dirty Rice." Here's the way to make it.

1. When you cook your beans, put a lot of water in them, so that you have lots of "pot liquor" on the top.

2. Take this pot liqu ...

When it comes to buying or selling real estate, no one should have to wait any longer than necessary. Delays caused by a lack of diligence can cost clients dearly. A missed deadline may mean a higher interest rate or loss of a loan commitment. Failure to deliver a contract on time may mean loss of a sale.

I make a commitment to all of my clients, purchasers and sellers alike. This co ...

1. Walk across the street and look at your overall landscape.

a. Are shrubs trimmed neatly? Windows and doors shouldn't be overshadowed by overgrown bushes.

b. Clear your entry, sidewalk, and plant beds of leaves and debris.

c. Add a new layer of attractive mulch to all planting areas.

d. Are there bare spots or weeds in the lawn? Your local garden supplier can tell you the b ...

1. Dance while you dust: This is the perfect time to fully indulge your musical interests; break out the iPod or turn up the CD player, and you'll be singing along to your favorite tunes and won't find cleaning to be a chore at all!

2. Clear out the clutter: Take the opportunity to dig into the closets, storage spaces, and of course, the garage. You've probably got a veritable tre ...

1. You can use steel wool to:

• Fill a screw hole that has become too big for the screw. Stuff the hole with steel wool and re-insert the screw.
• Make an instant pincushion. Stuff an old sock with steel wool and tie tightly for a pincushion that will keep pins and needles rust free.
• Repel kitchen pests, by placing steel wool around the pipes under the sink.

2. You ...

St. Patrick's Day is an Irish holiday that is celebrated every year in March, but it's not just the Irish that enjoy this festive occasion. In fact, people around the nation celebrate St. Patrick's Day with parades, green attire and even parties that bring family and friends together. Speaking of family, there are a number of ways that you can make St. Patrick's Day a festive and fun-filled ...

Purchasing a home with a low down payment is important for a number of reasons, including the buyer's ability to have extra cash left over for closing costs, decorating expenses, upgrades and/or other essentials needed to turn their new house into a home. Thanks to the level of competition between mortgage lenders, it's now easier than ever to buy a home with a low down payment.

First ...

Gardening is a fun way to enjoy the outdoors, but it is also a livelihood for many. Whether you choose to garden solely for recreational purposes or you have business interests planted in your soil, it's important to keep these things in mind to help your garden thrive.

Provide a level planting surface for your garden. If you plant on an incline, you risk water runoff before it has the ...