OFFBEAT: Homewood Barrett Family competing for prizes on 'Family Feud' Monday

Phil Potempa's daily entertainment news column.

At Home: 10 steps to the perfect sofa

I still remember my shock and dismay when I realized that sofas had to be bought. Somehow I thought sofas just happened. They always simply showed up in homes, hotels, and offices without explanation or fanfare, like feral kittens or bills.

At Home: Fixin' to Sell

Maybe it’s because I was the youngest in my family. Maybe it’s because I’m five-foot-three and have a voice like snow white, but I lash out like a cornered rattlesnake when someone doesn’t take me seriously.

At Home: If you can dress, you can decorate

I know, I know, to many of you the idea of decorating an empty room feels as horrifying as one of those dreams where you're suddenly in public naked. But I'm going to fix that.

At Home: Turn Your Closet into a Boutique Just for You

Quick: Which room in your house needs attention the most? Kitchen? Bathroom? Garage?

At Home: How to sell what where

The author of "Garage Sale Millionaire" had come to Orlando to visit theme parks with his wife and 3-year-old son. I took it as a sign. Divine deliverance.

At Home: Parents’ possessions put past in perspective

Like my mother, the Roman God Janus — for whom January is named — had eyes in the back of his head. In fact, he had an entire face on the back of his head, so he could look backward and forward at once. This feature earned him the distinction of “god of doors.” He ruled comings and goings.

At Home: Resolving to repurpose

This time of year I always feel a little sick to my stomach, and not just because of those midnight romps at the dessert buffet with the bottomless glass of Prosecco. (Do they make a combo antacid headache tablet?)

Murray's 5 TDs lift Georgia by Nebraska in Cap One

ORLANDO, Fla. | Aaron Murray wanted nothing more this week than to send Georgia's senior class out with a game to remember.

Florida is a vacation paradise for dogs

With miles of sandy beaches, endless winter sunshine and a laid-back vibe, there's no reason to leave your four-legged friend behind when you vacation in Florida.

At Home: A Look Back at Lessons Learned 2012, Part 2

A look back at the lessons the year served up reveals I once again had my share of jams, upheavals and awakenings. I faithfully reported these with what I hope some would call humor served with a dollop of advice on the side.

New Fantasyland officially opens in Orlando

It's the largest expansion project in the park's 41-year history. The new spaces are built on what was once the site of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea experience, and the expansion doubles the size of the original Fantasyland.

Holiday events: Trees, lighting displays and more

From elaborately decorated trees to drive-through lighting displays to boat parades and train shows, a variety of holiday spectacles are being staged through the end of December and into early January around the country. Here are a few of them.

Tennis-like game picking up steam with seniors

Renee Coplan played racquetball for 28 years, but had to give it up as she got older and chasing a ball around a large court became too much.

Recovered Titanic jewels to go on display

Most of the jewelry recovered from the wreckage of the Titanic will go on public display for the first time with a three-city tour.

Martha Stewart at 2012 Pillsbury Bake Off in Orlando

Times Columnist Philip Potempa snapped this photo of Martha Stewart while strolling with her through the ballroom "makeshift-kitchen" competition area at the 45th Annual Pillsbury Bake-Off at the Peabody Hotel in Orlando in March 2012.

Fatty duck? Not so fast.

Duck is one of my favorite foods — roasted, braised, the legs confitted, the wings fried, the breasts grilled like a steak — it's just plain scrumptious.

Watermelon now ranks as a year-round sweet satisfaction

Elizabeth Dumelle used to associate watermelon as the menu must of picnics and the beach.

Four Winds Casino Resort General Manager Matt Harkness and Hard Rock Memorabillia Designer David Holle with Michael Jackson's Jacket

Four Winds Casino Resort general manager Matt Harkness and David Holle, the memorabilia designer from Hard Rock Cafe's corporate headquarters in Orlando, examine Michael Jackson's rhinestone jacket prior to it going on display at the New Buffalo, Mich. property's new Hard Rock Cafe.