DO IT NOW

If we're threatened by a hard frost, pick unripe tomatoes and bring them indoors. They should ripen, as long as they've already turned a pale green. Keep them out of direct sunlight and out of the refrigerator. Use them as they ripen.

WIN A SABBATICAL

How would you make the world a better place? If you win Ikea's Life Improvement Sabbatical Contest you'll have a year to find out. The person who comes up with the winning project that "improves the life of others" will receive a yearlong sabbatical (worth $100,000). To enter, submit your Life Improvement proposal at www.thelifeimprovementproject.com. Submissions are due Nov. 8. Five finalists will be announced on Dec. 13. The winner will be selected by public vote and will be announced on Jan. 31, 2011.

NEXT WEEK

From empty nesters to new parents to singles, more homeowners who would like to sell their homes and move are finding themselves home-bound because of the languishing real estate market. We take a look at how they're making do.