Like shopping and seeing a great pair of shoes that knocks your socks off, but in my case it was a gallon of mismatched paint on a back-corner sale shelf. It was an odd color — not vermilion, not burgundy, not orange and … read more

Are you looking for some color to liven up the gray winter landscape? By choosing winter-blooming plants, you will get the satisfaction of a few flowers when much of the country is under ice and snow. Some of your choices are available in … read more

The second most-popular remodeling project is definitely the master bath. And people have very specific ideas. We do see some common trends. Let’s dive right in. Number one on the list is what we call the party shower. Yep, huge — sometimes as … read more

West Sound, known as the Kitsap Peninsula and the Great Peninsula, has a rich agricultural and horticultural history. The glaciers left rich earthen deposits behind; the forest duff provided rich tilth and the two combined to make wonderful soils. Just the right amount … read more

While grilling is usually associated with summer, more Americans are recognizing its year-round potential. In fact, 80 percent of North American households own a grill or smoker and 60 percent use it year-round, according to recent statistics from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue … read more

Bainbridge Vineyards is the new name of what was once Gerard and JoAnne Bentryn’s Bainbridge Island Winery and Vineyards, located at the same address. The winery closed in 2009 following the Bentryns’ retirement. Ms. Betsey Wittick and a group of volunteers maintained the … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Honda Accord Sport 4-door sedan Engine: 2.4-liter I-4, 189 horsepower 182 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission front-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 24/City—34/Highway—27/Combined Base Price: $23,865 As Tested: $24,655 Performance: Peppy four-cylinder engine Powerful and smooth Great 6-speed manual transmission Smooth clutch … read more

Model Tested: 2015 Acura RDX AWD Tech Engine: 3.5-liter V-6, 273 horsepower 251 lb-ft torque Transmission: 6-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive EPA Ratings: 19/City—27/Highway—22/Combined Base Price: $39,995 As Tested: $40,890 Performance: Excellent, smooth Acura V-6 engine Equally smooth automatic transmission with paddle shifters Lively acceleration … read more

My father, Dean Kelley, was a pharmaceutical representative for a drug company. When he retired, he volunteered his time as a Master Gardener in Pierce County. One time he was complaining to me that the scientific names of plants were hard to learn. … read more