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I love a good surprise, especially when it comes to food. So, when I ate two of the Rhubarb Cookies made from the recipe below, I made all kinds of smacky noises -- I'm glad I was standing in my kitchen with nary a witness in sight -- and licked up whatever crumbs I could find. It was like eating two tiny, moist iced cakes. Delish!

Little Italy will debut in Fairview Heights on Saturday. The new Italian restaurant will open at the former Carlos O'Kelly's building at 130 Ludwig Drive on Saturday and will feature a menu with "a taste of The Hill" with recipes from Little Italy in New York. ...

Q. I bought a Jasmine plant with white, sweet-smelling flowers. It did not have a label. I was wondering what type of Jasmine it is. It has eight white petals. Can you tell me so I know how to take care of it?

Q. I have a question regarding the proper wear of nylons. There was a time you didn't go out of the house without nylons/hose if you had a dress on. My question is: what is the proper wear of nylons for formal weddings/parties; semi-formal. What about cocktail dresses? Is it okay to wear nylons with dressy, strappy sandals as long as they are sheer with sheer toes?

I was sitting at my desk one recent morning when an old and dear friend came in for a visit.

The July Fourth holiday weekend is when I think most about my old friend, Summer.

Q. While watching the tube at night, I often take my change out of my pocket and place it on the kitchen table. In lining up the older coins, I noticed that the profiles of Jefferson, Roosevelt, Washington, Kennedy and Eisenhower all face to my left as I am looking at them, but on the penny, Lincoln faces right. Is there any deep significance to this? If anyone can answer this, I'm sure the Answer Man can.

John Whitney Sr. has come up with a way for dead aviation enthusiasts to take their last flight, so to speak.