The arrival of spring means summer entertaining season isn’t far behind, which is an excellent excuse for a home bartending refresher. Because like changing a tire and ironing a shirt, crafting a cocktail is one of those skills adults should have at least a passing familiarity with.

Approximately 1,001 bean-related articles came out over the past few years. Topics included which dried beans were optimal to order online in packages you’d wipe down with antiseptic upon arrival, in what way to soak said beans for hours whilst trapped in your own home, and how to then cook those beans in the best possible manner so that the eating of them might momentarily stave off your feeling of impending doom. Now, at last, all of our sourdough starters are dead, and we’ve got stockpiles of beans looking at us with their millions of beady little eyes from the cupboard. It’s beautiful!

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Don’t tell Ievgen Klopotenko that borsch is just food. For him, that bowl of beet-and-meat soup is the embodiment of everything Ukraine is fighting for.

The 40 days (excluding Sundays) that comprise the Lenten season traditionally require abstaining from meats and other rich foods on key days during this sacred time on the Christian calendar. The faithful move to more humble foods as they choose to be reverent and focus on Jesus’s sacrifices. Simple meals of vegetables and fish tend to be staples in Christian households this time of year. When seafood is not the typical first choice for families, it could be challenging to come up with new ways to prepare fish, crustaceans and more. Those who have exhausted their fillets and salmon steak options can look to scallops for inspiration. Scallops are a species of marine bivalve mollusk that come in “bay” and “sea” varieties. The large muscle inside of the scallop, which can sometimes be 2 inches in sea scallops, is cooked and eaten. Bay scallops, which are harvested from the shallow waters of East Coast estuaries and bays, are roughly one-third the size of sea scallops. Bay scallops tend to be more tender than sea scallops, but both can be delicious when prepared correctly. In certain instances, manufacturers will produce “faux” scallops, which actually are chunks cut from certain sharks and stingrays. This recipe for “Seared Scallops with Snow Peas and Orange” from “Real Simple Dinner Tonight: Done!” (Time Home Entertainment) from the Real Simple Kitchen can be a tasty, unique meal when other fish dinners have already been tried. Seared Scallops with Snow Peas and Orange Serves 4 1 cup couscous 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil 16 sea scallops (about 11⁄2 pounds) Kosher salt and black pepper 4 strips orange zest (removed with a vegetable peeler), thinly sliced 1⁄4 pound snow peas, trimmed and halved lengthwise Cook the couscous according to the package directions. Meanwhile, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Pat the scallops dry, season with 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and cook until opaque throughout, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover to keep warm. Wipe out the skillet. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in the skillet over medium-high heat. Add the orange zest, snow peas, and 1⁄4 teaspoon each salt and pepper and cook, tossing frequently, until the snow peas are just tender, about 2 minutes. Serve with the scallops and couscous.

Spring is a season of renewal. When the flowers are blooming and the trees are budding and the weather is pleasantly warm, people often feel inspired to make changes around their homes. Work may begin with culling belongings and organizing essentials.

Bookshelves are a versatile and functional piece of furniture that can enhance the look of any space in your home. While they primarily serve the practical purpose of storing books for many, they can also be a great way to showcase your personality and style (with or without books). A well-styled bookshelf can add character and depth to a room, making it feel more inviting and lived-in. But with so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Around this time of year with St. Patty’s Day coming up, shepherd’s pie comes to mind. The pie has a savory meat filling topped with mashed potatoes and cheese. It’s usually made with lamb or ground lamb, but it is also made with ground beef and then called cottage pie. There’s always a discussion whether the pies are Irish or English. The answer is both. Either way, enjoy this quick dinner.