Did you know you could have less than three minutes to safely leave your home in the event of a fire? While the overall number of home fires has decreased recently, home fire deaths are actually on the rise. Fire is faster today due to synthetic materials, lighter construction materials and open floor plans. Smoke […]
Featured
Featured Articles from the West Sound. These are the highlighted articles from WestSound Magazine.
Posted inAt Home
What the Paint Color of Your Home Says About Your Personality
Many people who buy their homes usually style them based on their home’s features and color. Other times, they style it with their favorite colors. But not many people think about what their color choice says about them. Maybe there’s no correlation between the paint color and the homeowner’s personality. Or, maybe the color you […]
Posted inGarden
Unmasking the ‘Watchful Butcher’ Bird
Imagine walking a West Sound trail through an open, wooded area on a crisp day in late fall or winter. A charming black, white and gray bird, slightly smaller than a robin, is perched in a bare tree. Its endearing black-eye mask gives the impression that it’s pretending to be a villain. It appears almost […]
Posted inAt Home
Turn to Tradition for Tex-Mex Taste
The next time your loved ones crave a comforting dish that’s warming from the inside-out, turn to an all-time classic with a touch of southern flair. Take inspiration for this Tex-Mex Beef Lasagna from season 3 of “BBQuest: Beyond the Pit,” a video series that dives into the long-held traditions, new flavors and everyday inspiration […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
10 New Plants to Create a Multi-Season Hummingbird Haven
Is there anything more entertaining than watching the aerobatic antics of hummingbirds? Whether they’re visiting for a sip of sugar water at the feeder, zooming through the garden (where you’ll often hear their whirring wings before you see them) or engaging in an aggressive chase with a rival, hummingbirds provide hours of enjoyment. (Who needs […]
Posted inAt Home
Helping Teens Develop Financial Literacy
Developing financial knowledge and effective money management habits are important steppingstones for teenagers to become financially stable adults who aspire to build assets and achieve personal goals. For example, most teens (88%) would like to own a home someday, according to a survey conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Junior Achievement USA and Fannie […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
How to Create the Perfect Outdoor Living and Work Room
The pandemic thrust us into a new reality, and the backyard has a starring role. Yards and other managed landscapes became a safe haven. Backyarding became a way of life as lawns, gardens, patios and decks evolved into outdoor offices, classrooms, family gathering places and the new “hot spots” in our neighborhoods. According to a […]
Posted inGarden
An Overlooked Songbird in Plain Sight
Songbirds come in many varieties. Some, like bushtits, are tiny, while others, like meadowlarks, are large. Some have distinctive sounds, like the onomatopoeia call of the black-capped chickadee. And others have unmistakable plumage, like the male western tanager. But not all songbirds make such a lasting impression. Numerous subtle species are often overlooked by everyone […]
Posted inAt Home
A Sweet Evening-Ender
Nearly anytime can be a good time for a decadent dessert. This Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait, which combines the flavors of instant coffee, chocolate and raspberries, can be a perfect nightcap to almost any meal. Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net. Creamy Raspberry Mocha Parfait Servings: 4 Ingredients: Instructions: In small bowl, mix hot water […]