Have you ever noticed the grace and beauty of a sailboat silently moving about? Many, many years ago, sailing vessels had square sails. They pretty much sailed in the direction the wind was blowing, being pushed along toward a destination. This worked well, as long as the desired destination was downwind from the point of […]
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 inAt Home
Zucchini
There is an urban legend that a New Jersey law makes it illegal to place zucchini in other people’s cars or leave it on a neighbor’s porch. The humor in this illustrates just how prolific this commonly grown vegetable plant can be, and how difficult it can be to dispose of excess produce. Recently, a […]
Posted inAround West Sound
Things to do this Weekend: Geoduck Fest and Allyn Days
The Allyn Community Association’s 34th Annual Allyn Days/6th Annual Geoduck Festival is a must-go-to event happening in the quaint town of Allyn July 15-17. Festival Kick-Off Friday, July 15, starting at 5:30 p.m. Professional singer/songwriters, Mick and Laura McCartney of Rhythm & Sass, will host the first-ever Open Mic, with Gordon Sound running the sound […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Brighten Up Your Garden with a Set of Plant Markers Made from Rocks
Gardeners know that once a garden begins to mature, it can be hard to tell what is actually growing. The solution is to use plant markers. Whether you have a garden this year or are planning one for next year, this is a good time to decide which plant markers to use and get them […]
Posted inAt Home
Making Your Own (Simple) Household Cleaners from Scratch
Many of today’s cleaning products, from what we use to clean our homes to our bodies, contain dangerous chemicals. We shouldn’t have to worry about what we’re using to clean things as much as the items we’re cleaning. The pioneers didn’t have aisles of cleaning and personal care products to choose from. They used simple […]
Posted inAround West Sound
How to Help Keep Our Streets Litter-Free
About half the litter along Kitsap County roadsides is “intentional” litter, meaning that it was the intent of the litterer to litter. The other half of the remaining litter is the result of passive or “unintentional” littering. Unsecured/undersecured vehicle loads, windblown debris from car windows or pickup truck beds, and other unnoticeable actions contribute to […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Protecting Your Harvest from Wildlife in Your Backyard
Gardening for wildlife is a satisfying focus for a gardener, knowing that your efforts benefit not only the human caretakers of a landscape, but provide habitat and nourishment for many creatures. What is better than seeing a hummingbird pushing upward on every fuchsia flower while you are hidden beneath a shrub, weeding? Or noticing that […]
Posted inAt Home
Outdoor Kitchens, from Simple to Sublime
Requests for outdoor kitchens are on the rise, from pretty basic to really crazy. While most outdoor kitchens are considered a luxury, there are ways to add them to your space in all budget ranges. First consider how you will use your outdoor space and what you really need. What type of cooking do you […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
20 Ways to Enjoy Nature Around West Sound with Kids
School is out — which means kids will be looking for things to do. A great thing about living in West Sound is that there are a number of ways to enjoy summer vacation close to home, and most of them are free. So, as you make your plans for this summer, use this list […]