The holidays can be the happiest time of the year, but unfortunately, they can also be the most dangerous, with more fatal car crashes occurring due to increased travel time, more alcohol use and excessive speed, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). NHTSA predicts that during this Christmas week, from Tuesday, December […]
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Featured Articles from the West Sound. These are the highlighted articles from WestSound Magazine.
Posted inAt Home
How to Win the Holidays with a Sentimental Touch
Need a few ideas for your holiday décor? Here are four ideas for adding a sentimental touch to your festivities using your favorite photos — or use these ideas for inspiration when you’re planning your next celebration. Set the “menu.” We all look forward to gathering around the dinner table with our friends and loved […]
Posted inGarden
Bearadise — An Enchanting Garden in the Forest
A passion for gardening is often passed down from generation to generation, and for Dorene Fretwell, that is certainly true. Fretwell has been a certified Master Gardener since 2007 and has used her horticulture knowledge, creativity and intuition to create a beautiful woodland garden at her home in Seabeck. “My love of gardening started with […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Wine-and-Food Pairing Ideas for Every Course
The guest list is set, the menu is planned, and you’ve washed your best linens and dishes. Now for the wine list. A holiday meal can be made complete by choosing the right wines to pair with the foods you’re serving. But this can be a tricky thing, this wine-and-food pairing thing. Uncle Charlie only […]
Posted inHome
Minimalism: Tiresome or Trendy?
Frankly, it’s neither. While even entertaining the notion of an attempt at minimalism is panic-inducing for some, for others, the opportunity for the peace and simplicity it brings to the home and daily operations is just simply too tempting to ignore. The trend toward more simple living is a product of our environment. City living […]
Posted inAt Home
Prepping Your Home for Cold Weather
As the days get shorter and temperatures begin to cool, it’s time to start thinking about performing seasonal maintenance on your home. Homeowners caught unaware by the quickly changing weather and sudden frigid temperatures (particularly in cooler climates) might face unexpected repairs and aggravation. Get your head in the gutter. With the wet season, clean […]
Posted inAt Home
Nearing Retirement? How to Spend Wisely During the Holiday
While an enjoyable part of the holiday season is giving to others, those nearing retirement would be prudent to give something back to themselves as the year nears its end. That’s the advice from some retirement planners: Reduce holiday spending to provide more money for your retirement savings. But it’s a well-known fact that much […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Kingston Holiday Lights
A not-to-be-missed holiday-season outing is the Kingston Lights on the green spaces surrounding the Port of Kingston building near the ferry terminal. It all begins on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 5 p.m. when Santa arrives on a North Kitsap Fire and Rescue truck. Santa lights the Christmas tree and flips the switch to turn on […]
Posted inHome
How to Keep Houseplants Healthy While Keeping Pets Safe
You love them both — your pets and houseplants — but it can be challenging to safely raise them together in the same house. Reduce the risk by selecting pet-safe plants and safely managing houseplant pest problems. Avoid problems by selecting plants suited to your home’s growing conditions and gardening style. Then narrow the list further […]