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 […]
Blog
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 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, […]
Posted inBlog, Community News, Featured
Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup Returns on April 11-12
The Gig Harbor Paddlers Cup returns to the Gig Harbor waterfront on April 11 and 12. The annual event will feature competitive paddle racing for kayaks, canoes and SUPs, as well as outriggers and paracanoes. Proceeds benefit the Gig Harbor Canoe and Kayak Racing Team. There are several exciting new elements to this fourth annual […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog
Martha & Mary’s Annual Event to Raise Funds for Quality of Life Programs
Martha & Mary has been an integral part of the Kitsap community, providing programs and services for residents young and old, for 120 years. Like many other local nonprofits, the organization relies on the generosity of the community it serves. On April 26, Martha & Mary will host its largest fundraiser of the year, a […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Using Websites to Help Plan Your Building or Remodeling Project
It’s still not uncommon to meet new clients who drag in a binder of ideas, photos and notes they have been keeping for years, ready for the day when they can start their building or remodeling project. I’m guilty too — I have a few binders of ideas. After all, a picture truly is worth […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Dueling Hummingbirds
Even before March arrived hummingbird enthusiasts were keeping an eye out for the first returning Rufous hummingbird. March is the month when these tiny bits of feather and bone return to the Pacific Northwest. They have spent the winter in the Southwest United States and Mexico. Rufous hummingbirds are the most adventurous members of this […]