Tips for planting your favourite herbs with easy access

I realize I am a lazy cook. If a recipe calls for herbs I don't have I will change the recipe rather than run to the store. To simplify summer meals I plant my most loved herbs in pots and leave them on my back step for easy access. This works for gardeners with either estates or the tiniest stoop or balcony.

When you live in a small space it is so important to maximize every square inch! How can you do that when you live in a 700 square foot condo with two people, one dog and one bedroom? It can be simpler than it seems.

1>> Start with your closets. Most condos or apartments usually have the builder's grade wire; you know it — one rack with a shelf above, and maybe a small section for dresses? If you upgrade to a simple but effective custom closet you can double or triple the amount of storage space! Putting drawers in the closets, for example, will allow you to get rid of clunky dressers or armoires.

"I've just bought a new house, I'm on a budget and I don't have stuff to put in it."

As an interior designer this is the most frequent concern I hear from clients. Stop fretting, take a deep breath and I will walk you through three smart steps to making your new house a home.

Pea sprout greens are the coolest thing I have grown so far this year. Yes it's still weeks away from growing outdoors in Calgary but my little pea sprouts have been making a statement in salads for months already.

The sprout snips are sweet and fragrant and taste like – well – peas.

We asked our members to tell us about unique life stories. Here is one of them. Tell us your story. If you have a human interest story you would like to share, contact us at crebnow@creb.ca.

Thank you to Becky Newhook, Metron Media, for sharing Nigel's story.

Nigel Cameron started his real estate journey in 2005 with excitement. It was a way to provide well for his family and at the same time enjoy what he was doing. It is not often you get to do what you love and call it a job.