Just in time for Oktoberfest, the little purplish blue Italian prune plums ripen — and all over Germany, slices of sweet, succulent “zwetschgenkuchen” fill the cases of pastry and coffee shops. This cake is also a popular dessert at Oktoberfests and all German cooks have their own generations-old recipe for it. But why is Oktoberfest […]
Barb Bourscheidt
A Gig Harbor artist potter and community activist, Barb Bourscheidt is a freelance writer who writes on subjects of personal interest, usually the arts, gardening, cooking and the environment. A working artist, she creates pottery that reflects her love of nature, incorporating leaf motifs on surfaces of functional kitchen, garden and decorative ware. Although posts are infrequent, Barb has a personal blog at clayladybarb.blogspot.com.
Posted inAround West Sound
Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour Marks 25 Years
The Gig Harbor Open Studio Tour (GHOST) will be celebrating more than 25 years of bringing artists and those who appreciate art together during a weekend celebration on Sept. 16, 17 and 18. This year’s tour features 23 local artists showing their work in 14 studios open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Successful Artist Inspires Others
Kate Larsson became a professional artist just two years after retiring from her career as a marketing executive for Xerox Corp. Supporting herself as an artist for the past 24 years, she has a lot to say about being successful in the art world. “It takes discipline, endurance and the willingness to think outside the […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden for Meditation and Relaxation
Opening the gate and stepping into Linda Mizar’s garden is like stepping into the wonderland of a gardener’s imagination. Meandering walkways lead the visitor around and through 21 imaginary rooms of garden discovery. A collector of garden art and miscellany, Mizar has grouped her collections into unique garden areas and named them accordingly. Tying the […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
The Ubiquitous Zucchini
Although this column generally deals with something baked or sweet, this month — in acknowledgment that nearly everyone already has a favorite zucchini bread recipe — it includes a couple of savory dishes that can be served for a summery brunch, lunch or dinner. The ubiquitous zucchini is tasty, nutritious, versatile and prolific. Did you […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
The Art of Fine Dining at Agate Restaurant
At 3:45 p.m. on a weekday afternoon, Agate Restaurant is abuzz with staff preparing for the doors to open at 4:30 p.m. Napkins and silver are freshly rolled and carefully placed on each gleaming table, along with water glasses and candles. As the bartender readies his space, the tinkling of bottles and glasses mixes with […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Longbranch Improvement Club Celebrates Centennial
Long before there was a Purdy Bridge, when the main access to the south end of the Key Peninsula was by boat, a group of concerned citizens banded together to form an association to help their neighbors. Seeing the need of a rapidly growing community, these citizens formed the Longbranch Improvement Club (LIC) “to encourage […]
Posted inGarden
A Visit to… Crescent Valley Lavender Farm
Crossing the wooden bridge at 11501 Crescent Valley Drive NW, just outside of Gig Harbor and midway between Soundview and 144th, the sight up the hill to your right will leave you breathless. About 2,000 lavender mounds in varying colors of greens, pinks, deep purple and blue quicken the pulse and delight the eye. Park […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Lavender Shortbread
Nothing says summer like a leisurely glass of lemonade in the backyard and a light, melt-in-your-mouth cookie to accompany it. Lavender shortbread, an unusual, easy-to-make cookie, is sure to get high praise from friends and family. Herbs of all sorts have been used in food stuffs for centuries but really came into their own in […]