Filled with stories of gamblers and ghosts, the rich history of the Brown residence is only surpassed by its late-1800s craftsmanship and details. Located at 4009 Browns Valley road, this large farm house is more than a vestige of its past. It also features modern conveniences sensitively integrated into this gem of yesteryear.

One of those bits of conventional wisdom I learned as a child and I never got over is: “Don’t pick up hitchhikers!”

I’m sentimental about lilies. Every year at Easter, my dad gave my mom a beautiful potted lily. I still remember the wonderful fragrance and elegant beauty of those long-ago gifts.

Of all the long-awaited homegrown vegetables, tomatoes top most lists. In January we long for the first bite of a sun-warmed tomato, and we rush to plant them as soon as the first warm day arrives. This is the first mistake we make when growing tomatoes.