If the arms of your fabric-covered chair or sofa look darker and feel colder than the rest of the chair fabric, it is patina from your hands. Highly admired on old wood but not on fabric. Most of it can be removed with a simple cleaner. Put two or three drops of a clear dishwashing […]
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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, Blog
Delicious Results with Leftover Wild King Salmon
Fall is here. Golden and red leaves are dominating the airway and transforming the Earth with a new, patterned blanket. The once-prevailing basil is bowing now, as if to say, good performance, curtain going down. A few weeks back that basil bush was so full of life, plump and boasting. But looking closely, one could […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog, The Outdoors
Fall Birdwatching Field Trips on Washington’s Ferries
Western Washington’s ferryboat fleet provides two ways to enjoy fall birdwatching. Not only can you take a round-trip ride as a passenger to see different birds, you can bird around your favorite ferry terminal. Several unique species hang out near these easily accessible docking areas. Just don’t forget the binoculars. Kingston-Edmonds This ferry crossing intersects […]
Posted inAround West Sound, At Home, Blog
Get Inspired at This Weekend’s Home Expo
As you migrate indoors and into your home’s cozy spaces, this is a good time to turn attention to those deferred home décor or home improvement projects — before the holidays take the best out of you. Just in time to take advantage of the downtime in the garden, Peninsula Home & Remodel Expo brings […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How a Real Remodeling Project Differs from HGTV
I like to watch those remodeling projects on HGTV and DIY networks. It’s fun to see the changes, and they make it look really effortless and easy. How are those shows different from the reality of a real remodel — your house, let’s say? One of my favorite scenarios is the “one room at a […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Fall Fashion for Container Gardens
The days are getting shorter and the mornings have a misty coolness to them. Now that fall is officially here, it’s time to change out summer color plantings and potted color gardens. It is much like changing your wardrobe for the season; the summer clothing gets put away and out come the sweaters. So it […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Finding Gold in the Forest: Chanterelle Mushrooms
Walking gingerly, I trained my eye for the golden color that is so easily mistaken for leaves or bare sticks. It was early September, and there was a recent rain, so my mother and I were out on the mossy slopes of a fir forest in search of chanterelle mushrooms. I watched for moss pieces […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Savor the Basil Season with Sweet Potato Basil Casserole
There’s a lot of basil out there this time of the year, but it has reached the end of the season. Folks are scrambling to use and process the fresh aromatic leaves — drying and making yummy basil butter and pesto concoctions. Basil is a common name for the culinary herb Ocimum basilicum of the […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Want Carefree Gardening? Tips for Ecolawns and Other Low-Maintenance Ideas
We all would like to have a beautifully landscaped yard that we can take time to enjoy. Some people love to putter in the garden and are proud of their artistic endeavors. Whether you enjoy it or not, many garden chores take a lot of time that you may not have. A bit of weeding […]