The WestSound Magazine blog is your destination for information and tips about living in West Sound — home, gardening, outdoor recreation, things to do and more.

outdoor party decor

How to Design Your Backyard for Entertaining

Whether hosting a backyard barbecue or a birthday bash, your lawn is the perfect spot for outdoor entertainment. To create the right atmosphere, all you need are some simple decorations and an understanding of layouts to create a relaxing space that maximizes fun, … read more

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French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust

Recipe for French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust

When it’s hot but you crave something sweet, turn to a delicious dessert that’s cool and creamy. French Style Cheesecake with Vanilla Wafer Crust offers the best of both worlds as a fresh, no-bake, refrigerated favorite you can top with chocolate, fruit or … read more

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hydrangeas

5 Reasons Your Hydrangea May Not Be Producing Flowers

Winter can sometimes spell doom for hydrangeas across much of the United States, but not so this year. Winter was mild, with record-breaking warm temperatures in the northeast, where gardeners regularly experience angst about whether their big leaf and mountain hydrangeas will flower. … read more

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Red Cross volunteer Kerri Foley sorts items for individuals impacted by a recent fire in Lakewood.

Red Cross Seeks Local Volunteers

Disaster Action Team members needed in Pierce, Thurston...

When a fire in a Lakewood apartment complex on 110th Street impacted several units last week, the local chapter of the American Red Cross mobilized immediately to provide help and hope to displaced residents. Red Cross volunteers worked with individuals and families to … read more

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skillet apple pie

Recipe for Skillet Apple Pie with Caramel Sauce

While apple pie is a traditional seasonal dish, you can add unique flavor with this skillet version. Simply toss Honeycrisp apples with brown sugar, cinnamon and lemon juice then spoon between two pie crusts simmering in a thin layer of brown sugar and … read more

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road trip prep

How to Prepare Your Vehicle and Secure Your Home for a Summer Road Trip

As peak summer travel season approaches, the cost and stress associated with road trips are top concerns for many travelers. With 43% of households planning road trips as their top travel plan this year, proper preparation of both your vehicle and home is … read more

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power meter

Why You Need to Audit Your Power Bill

Nobody likes getting their electric bill — especially when their energy costs are higher than expected. Worst of all is when individual households can’t pinpoint exactly how they spent so much energy when there’s no immediately obvious underlying cause. The fact is that … read more

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Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts

Fruit-Infused Fourth of July Recipe — Apple and Berry Cream Cheese Tarts

As patriotic parties roll on throughout the day and fireworks light up the night, Fourth of July fun calls for favorite snacks that complement the excitement. Whether you’re a pyro or prefer to leave the fiery entertainment to the experts, one thing you … read more

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simple gardens

Creating a Low-Maintenance Garden: Tips and Tricks

Gardening is a fun hobby that has plenty of health benefits. If you’ve been thinking about converting a barren backyard into a stunning landscape of greens, these six tricks will help you build a garden that requires minimal time and effort to care … read more

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