As the saying goes, big things come in small packages, and that may explain the burgeoning popularity of foil-packet recipes. Minimal preparation and cleanup are easy trade-offs for the immense flavors you can create in these tiny containers, whether you prepare them in … read more

Port Townsend is a small city, with a population around 10,000. Founded in 1851 on the water of Puget Sound in Jefferson County, it has an energy found in very few other cities in the state. The city has always been known for … read more

Yellow birds, or those that are almost all yellow, are rare in the Pacific Northwest but there is more than one species. The American goldfinch, state bird for Washington, is the best known and the easiest to recognize. Small numbers visit feeding stations … read more

At the height of her career as a world-renowned miniaturist, Brooke Tucker traveled constantly around the country and the world to teach classes. In between, she spent as many as 17 hours in her studio, creating scale-model rooms that have earned her the … read more

Many of my readers prefer red wine, but this column is devoted to white wine for summertime. It’s time to think of summer entertaining and there’s nothing more refreshing than white sangria. White sangria is a dry white wine that has sweet fruit … read more

Adding excitement to your garden is easy. You can create instant, year-round color, structure, motion and fun to your landscape with a bit of garden art. Just like shopping for plants, look for pieces that complement your gardening style. And consider all the … read more

Once a year, for the past 29 years, the Northwest Flower and Garden Show has awakened visitors’ senses to the sights and sounds of spring, but the magic does not happen overnight. It’s a choreography that begins during the current show, and work … read more

I am not a mason bee expert but I recognize and benefit from their hard work during rainy weather. A few years ago, my strawberries were seedy and not uniformly plump and succulent, so I contacted my local Master Gardener for ideas about … read more

Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to Melissa Michaels’ “Inspire Your Rooms” tips—read them here. The excerpt was adapted from her book, “Simple Decorating: 50 Ways to Inspire Your Home,” published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Oregon. Used by permission. What do you … read more