Baking a traditional Christmas bread every year keeps us connected to our family traditions, dear friends and loving memories. My family had established Christmas traditions, such as making Grandma’s old-fashioned fruitcake on Thanksgiving Friday, eating oyster stew on Christmas Eve, and gobbling cookies and cocoa for breakfast on the big morning. I had no idea […]
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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, Featured
Homemade Gifts for a Heartwarming Holiday Season
Instead of fighting crowds at the store, head to the kitchen and whip up Pinterest-worthy treats and crafts. Whether you’re gifting a gracious host or just want a few extra presents on hand for unexpected holiday guests, flavorful and aromatic kitchen creations are a delicious way to show you care this holiday season. “Christmas cookies […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Christmas Gifts for Birdwatchers
“Happiness is a new spotting scope,” especially if you are a birdwatcher — or birder. When it comes to Christmas gifts for those interested in birds, optical gear is perfect for both beginning and experienced birders. Let your pocketbook be your guide. Excellent binoculars can be purchased for a variety of prices. Spotting scopes are […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, The Outdoors
‘Tis The Season of King Tides
The oceans that surround us would really like to leave the Earth. Only Earth’s gravitational pull keeps them here. They are always seeking another gravitational pull with which to dance. Our sun and moon are both willing partners. And dance they do. The Earth rotates around the sun, making the focal point of the sun’s […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog, Featured
Five Tips To Make Your Holiday Season More Sustainable and More Peaceful
These days, it seems like the holiday spirit travels in a plane from far away and comes wrapped in an enormous amount of unnecessary plastic. In the middle of finding the perfect gift and trying to hunt down deals, it can be hard to keep our environmental impact in mind. Here are five tips to […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
What You Need to Know About Using the Internet for ‘Due Diligence’
You often hear people refer to completing their “due diligence” when hiring a contractor for any type of construction project. Officially, due diligence (also known as due care) is the effort made by an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid harm to another party or own self. Failure to make this effort is considered […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog, Featured
Navy Band Northwest Makes Bremerton Stop for ‘Home for the Holidays’
The Navy Band Northwest production “Home for the Holidays” will include a performance in Bremerton on Dec. 10. The performance, which is free, begins at 7 p.m. at the Bremerton High School Performing Arts Center. Bring your loved ones for an evening of delight featuring the jazz ensemble and the rock band “Passage” that Josh […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
5 Easy Tips to Get through the Holidays Stress Free
Getting through the holidays with ease and grace is no small feat. With the endless invitations, family coming in from out of town, extra spending and overindulgences, it can be somewhat stressful to navigate successfully. Here are five simple ways to decrease stress, so that you can enjoy this special time that only comes around […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Design Basics, Part 2: Walls and Ceilings
Navigating interior design options is challenging. Where do you start when so many options are available? Here are some basic tips for your walls and ceilings. Read part 1 of this article to learn about floors. Walls: Paint Most manufacturers have reformulated their paints, claiming to have reduced the toxic ingredients. That is probably true. […]