In the remoteness of a Bainbridge Island neighborhood lies a retreat in an English-inspired garden. Native apple, plum and pear trees that line the street create privacy, and tall grasses encompass the garden that Lori McFarlin has come to call her sanctuary. This … read more

Finding your travel comfort zone is different for each person, as everyone navigates a new, partially vaccinated country still reeling from the pandemic. As in 2020, close-to-home staycations continue to dominate, but some people are venturing farther, even internationally, in this brave new … read more

Event cancelled. It was a familiar refrain for local artists as galleries, First Friday Art Walks and studio tours shuttered last March to accommodate COVID-19 regulations. Ironically, while the pandemic quiet provided area artists more time for painting, photography and kiln firing, it … read more

1. Find the right light. Photography is all about light but not all light is created equal. Catch the magic light a couple of hours after sunrise or before sunset, or shoot when some clouds are out to filter the sunlight. Avoid direct … read more

Good access, workflow and organization are high on many homeowners’ wish lists for their kitchens, bathrooms, closets and laundry rooms. But what about the home spaces dedicated to pets? Don’t pets — and their two-legged caretakers — deserve good, functional design too? Based … read more

Window treatments have been used to provide important light and climate control for interior spaces for centuries. Throughout the past, this interior layer has been made from different materials with various hanging methods. Dating back to the great Egyptians, coverings were made of … read more

All birds have their place in the ecosystems in which they live. Some are “keystone” species that other creatures rely on, making them a critical component of their respective biomes. Among the keystone species of birds are woodpeckers. As the name suggests, woodpeckers … read more

Any discussion of downtowns on the Kitsap Peninsula has to include the Gig Harbor historic downtown waterfront district. Centered around the famous Harborside Avenue, Gig Harbor’s downtown has many shops and restaurants, along with stunning views of Puget Sound and Mount Rainier. On … read more

Fragrant, wholesome and wonderfully delicious, rye bread is as varied as the many cultures that enjoy it. From deep, dark, chewy pumpernickel to light rye with caraway seeds, rye breads are staples in many countries, while only featured occasionally in others. Probably the … read more