If you have bookcases on each side of your fireplace and the shelves are deeper than the normal 10 to 12 inches, don’t push the books all the way back against the wall. In fact, you should do exactly the opposite. Line up all of the books with the front edge of the shelves. Leave […]
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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 inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Behind the Scenes with Musician Jim Valley
“Have you seen Jim Valley’s garden? You really need to see his garden.” This wasn’t the first time I’d heard Jim Valley’s name. I was standing at a party in Seattle, in a gathering of people who’d just seen “Her Aim is True,” an independent film about former Gig Harbor resident and renowned rock photographer […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
HAPPY Trails to You — The Benefits of Running Outdoors
Perhaps John Muir, the great American environmentalist, said it best: “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” You probably know that exercise in general is good for us and that we are lucky enough to live in the Pacific Northwest, arguably the greatest area for trail endeavors in the United […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog
Gig Harbor Opens Brand New Visitor Center in Historic Waterfront Home
In 2002, following the death of Gig Harbor pioneers Antone and Vincent Skansie, the city of Gig Harbor acquired the historic waterfront Skansie Brothers home and property located in the heart of downtown. For 12 years, the park surrounding the house was improved but the house sat empty. Last month, following extensive renovation to bring […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Use Space Creatively in Your Home
Whether you need more space in your existing home or you have an odd space that is unused, look at some creative options for using space in your home. Have kids? If you have a stairwell, turn that useless under-stairwell closet (you know, the nightmare that has to be fully unloaded to find anything) into […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
A Few Tasks for the Dog Days of a Summer Garden
As you stroll through the garden in the heat of the day, plants don’t seem to have that oomph they had in the spring. Some say it’s just too hot to garden and are waiting for fall planting time to even think about getting out the shovel. So it goes, the dog days of summer […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Look Up and Take Advantage of Unused Spaces for Home Décor
Don’t forget to look up. There are spaces that we never knew existed. There are ledges and ceiling corners that call our names and are saddened to be unnoticed voids. In this day and age, interior living space is at a premium for a lot of reasons, but primarily a matter of practical economics and […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
The Secret to Homemade Pizza: Pizza Stones
Pizza stones are required equipment for the best homemade thin-crust pizza. There, I said it! I could beat around the bush and say that you can get the same results with a pan in the oven, but I would be lying. It doesn’t matter if you use the oven or put it on the barbecue, […]
Posted inBlog, Gardeners Corner
Create a ‘Salad Box’ That’s Slug-Proof
Whether you are new to gardening, live in a townhouse or other small space or are an experienced gardener, you probably have seen a favorite crop in a raised bed or in-ground garden turned into Swiss cheese by the creatures of the night. One solution to this perennial problem has been solved in my garden […]