By GRETCHEN McKAY, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A visit to Colonial Williamsburg serves up a smorgasbord of emotions. Awe in that so many of its quaint 18th-century buildings are still standing. Delight in being able to take a clopping carriage ride along the august avenue known as Duke of Gloucester Street, or watch tradesmen practice brick-making and shoemaking with 18th-century tools.

For some, there's nothing more nostalgic than the house they grew up in. Why else do we continue to drive past the family homestead long after Mom and Dad have moved out, or pay artists big bucks to re-create them in watercolors or pen-and-ink?

Undermounted lighting and fancy molding are great ways to dress up a boring cabinet door. But unusual knobs, handles or drawer pulls are an even better way to infuse a room with personality and style.

These healthful burgers taste great sandwiched between buns and layered with lettuce and tomato sauce. If you prefer, you can skip the egg/breadcrumb coating and cook them on the grill. For a complete meal, serve with coleslaw or carrot raisin salad.

1 pound ground turkey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano

Many people who vacation in Vegas find their fun under a roof, be it gambling in the casino, watching one of the town's headliner shows or shopping in one of Sin City's fabulous malls.

So you're thinking of updating your bathroom with one of those fancy whirlpool tubs or rain-forest showerheads, or maybe a high-style vessel sink on the vanity. Well, designers of the 2009 NextGen "First to the Future" house in Sin City have two words for you: How passe.

After spending five years renovating a 1927 Craftsman-style house in Canonsburg, Pa., Amy Rybacki has come to this conclusion on home-improvement TV: Can't live with it, can't live without it.

Choosing the perfect Christmas or Hanukkah gift is never without its challenges. If you're buying for a fitness buff or athlete, though, the process is a bit easier. There is a dizzying array of products on the market that make workouts more enjoyable for the runner, skier, cyclist or gym rat on your list. Here are some favorites:

Here's what you expect on a visit to the Campania region in southern Italy. Fresh pasta that's literally to die for. Equally delicious red wine that, no matter how much you drink of it, never gives you a headache. Scenery so gorgeous along the dizzying, winding Amalfi Coast that you have to pinch yourself to make sure you're not dreaming.

How, exactly, are you going to squeeze into that form-fitting cocktail dress for the upcoming holiday parties?
Barring a crash diet and/or hitting the gym, the answer, of course, is shapewear.