Burst water pipes due to freezing can leave you, your family and your home in a state of crisis. When water freezes in your pipes, they expand, and that expansion can cause a rupture. Typically, the rupture doesn’t occur at the point in … read more

Songbirds are not just frequent visitors to gardens and birdhouses. They are everywhere. Some species, like the dark-eyed junco, are ubiquitous, adapting to various environments. But others have special habitat requirements. For example, marsh wrens need marshes and sagebrush sparrows need sagebrush. A … read more

Few things go together quite like the holidays and comforting seasonal recipes. When time is short during the season’s hustle and bustle but you’re craving a savory meal, reach for an ingredient like READ German Potato Salad, which can be the shortcut you … read more

Many people look forward to Black Friday so they can cash in on those special holiday deals. But if you’re not careful and don’t have a plan, impulse spending on tempting sale items can swallow your wallet. If you are already in a … read more

I was skeptical when I first tried it, but after one taste, I was hooked. Chili is a classic fall food that is often served when the weather turns colder. Instead of being outside on the deck, we start to spend Sunday afternoons … read more

A little-known fact, outside the world of birding, is that there is no such bird as a “seagull.” Rather, the term “seagull” is an informal name given to any member of the Laridae (Greek for “ravenous seabird”) family. Gulls, as they are correctly … read more

Editor’s note: Albers Vista Gardens is a West Sound treasure that demonstrates how to garden sustainably and preserve flora and fauna. This excerpt was adapted from Albers Vista Gardens’ founder John J. Albers’ book, “The Northwest Garden Manifesto: Create, Restore, and Maintain a … read more

Most homeowners know that large-scale upgrades can potentially lower their monthly insurance premiums. But did you know there are DIY home improvement projects that can also save you a lot of money? By being proactive, you can boost your home’s value and improve … read more

Every year for the past 26 years, artists who live in Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, Fox Island and South Kitsap have opened their studios once a year for the annual Open Studio Tour. OST (as the artists call it) provides a rare opportunity … read more