Unfurling its lush, ruffled leaves while strong stalks blush to a deep pink, rhubarb calls us to savor the strong, tart, acidic taste of a healthy spring tonic. Technically rhubarb is a vegetable, but because it is typically combined with sugar and eaten as a dessert in the United States, the USDA considers rhubarb a […]
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The West Sound Magazine blog is your destination for information and tips about living in West Sound — home, gardening, outdoor recreation, things to do and more.
Posted inAt Home
Recipes for Healthy Snacks that Won’t Weigh You Down
New York Times wellness blogger and nutritionist Dawn Lerman grew up around food: Her father was known for his witty ad campaigns; he was responsible for such iconic slogans as “Coke Is It,” “This Bud’s for You,” and “Leggo My Eggo.” Unfortunately, he was not able to use the same problem-solving skills when it came […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
The More Plants in the Yard — the More Birds
The importance of a heavily planted yard can’t be emphasized too much when it comes to attracting birds. All of the plants do not have to provide food for them. Food is just one of four needs for sustaining bird populations. Like all wild creatures, birds need food, water, nesting habitat and protective cover. We […]
Posted inAt Home
Creative Ways to Add Order to Your Home
Although there are hundreds of options for organizing your home, the pieces you make yourself are the ones that truly reflect your personality. Adding your own flair to standard organizing materials adds instant character and functionality to any room. Making the most of your space — including your walls — is the key to successful […]
Posted inAt Home
When You Should — and Should Not — Hire a Handyman
When you need a few things done around the house, a handyman, handywoman or handyperson sounds like a great idea. Small jobs, done fairly quickly, don’t really require a general contractor, you may think. Or do they? The handyman field is largely unregulated, meaning no license or bond is required. There are many great handymen […]
Posted inAt Home
Spring Tonics (Delicious Asparagus, that is)
Fleshy, green and succulent, asparagus is the ultimate spring vegetable. Known for its cleansing diuretic properties for centuries and once only available in spring, it has become a year-round favorite on American tables. Early culinary records indicate asparagus, which is a native of Europe, may have been eaten and used as an offering in Egypt […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Low Maintenance Vegetable Gardening for a Bountiful Harvest
Increase your harvest without increasing the size of your garden or workload. All you need is a bit of intensive planting, along with some low-maintenance techniques. Invest some time upfront to prepare the garden soil. This will save you time throughout the growing season. Add several inches of organic matter and a slow-release fertilizer into […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Bainbridge Symphony Brings Popular Modern Scores to the Stage
One of the great aspects of an orchestra is the chameleon role it plays in music. One night an orchestra might be performing the glorious symphonies of Mozart, Brahms or Stravinsky. And on another, it might be providing the music for an opera, ballet, moving picture or musical revue. Music fuses with other artistic genres […]
Posted inAt Home
8 Spring Spruce-ups and Maintenance Chores for Your Home
After a wet Washington winter, there are plenty of tasks to do to keep things in order around your home. A little routine maintenance will protect your investment and prevent more serious issues down the line. Here are some basic “chores” for your spring to-do list: Once you have tackled these mostly easy tasks, your […]