The Kitsap community “stunned” organizers of Kitsap Great Give last year, donating more than $500,000 in 24 hours to 200 local organizations. This year, the ante is up — the goal is to raise $750,000, some of which will be matched by sponsors. The Kitsap Great Give, organized by the Kitsap Community Foundation and presenting […]
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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 inAround West Sound, Blog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Take Advantage of Local Clubs’ Plant Sales
Garden sales are a great way to stock up on new plants while also supporting the local garden clubs and other nonprofits. Here’s the plant sales we have been notified about for this year: April 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friends of the Manchester Library Plant Sale Manchester Library • 8067 East Main […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Making Interior Paint Choices You Can Live With
Choosing paint colors can cause mild anxiety in some people. It’s a lot of space to cover all the walls, so the color better be, well, pretty great. It has to work with so many components in your home, from fixed items like cabinets and flooring, to furniture and accessories. That sounds like a pretty […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Are Your Spring Cleaning Products Safe?
Do you know what ingredients are in the cleaning products you buy? Probably not, as there are no federal governmental regulations requiring companies to disclose their contents. But harsh chemicals can take their toll on the indoor air quality of your home, are harmful to the environment and may irritate eyes and skin. How can […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Gardening Happily with Hungry Wildlife
I expect you’ve heard that the only way to protect your plants from hungry deer is a good fence. The deer in my neighborhood illustrate this point perfectly. Before I built my current fence, I kept my treasured deer “candy” covered in black netting. Harvesting strawberries from under the fencing was tedious, and as plants […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Spring Surprises — Shorebirds on West Sound’s Beaches
Every spring, hundreds of thousands of shorebirds moving up the West Coast make coastal birdwatching exciting. Some of these migrants will spill onto shorelines throughout the West Sound region. The headline-making numbers flood coastal beaches and estuaries, but there will also be interesting birds found throughout the “Inland Sea.” Even a handful of shorebirds can […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Tips for Successful Plant Pruning
Woody plants — shrubs and trees — by their nature may require pruning. Gardeners may feel apprehensive about this task. Never fear, here are a few tips to assist you and a segment of Gardening with Peg for building confidence. The main reasons to prune are to allow air to circulate and to maintain plant […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Choosing Exterior Paint Colors for Your Home
In any building or remodeling project, choosing finishes and colors are always the hardest. For many people, the paint colors can be the most overwhelming. I usually have clients break it down a little to help make the process easier. With exterior colors, look around first at your immediate neighbors and the homes on your […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
A Dainty Distinctive Treat for Your Next Brunch or Bash
Forget cronuts, cake pops and cupcakes. Whether you’re planning an elegant afternoon tea or seeking an unexpected addition to your next brunch or cocktail party, there’s another chic pastry that deserves its day — the madeleine. These classic, seashell-shaped cakes were named after their creator, Madeline Paulmier, by King Louis XV in the 18th century, […]