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 … read more

Spending a day in Port Gamble is like taking a step back in time. This wonderful historic community setting on the northwest shore of Kitsap County was developed beginning in 1841 by a U.S. Navy expedition on the 2-mile-long bay at the mouth … read more

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 … read more

Not every homeowner has a privacy fence. At some point, though, you’ve likely wished you did. Standard plank or timber fences can look garish and out of place. Brick and steel are tough, but expensive. Is there an optimum solution? Indeed, there is. … read more

During the pandemic lockdown, many homeowners had a renewed interest in greenhouses. If you’ve been inspired to think about owning a glasshouse or greenhouse for the first time, but you don’t know where to start, Hartley Botanic — a manufacturer of handmade English … read more

What might the housing market look like in 2022? Mortgage Cadence, a digital mortgage lending company, surveyed over 1,000 Americans to better understand this year’s opinions. For many people, 2021 was the year to buy a home. Whether it was first-time home buyers, … read more

If you’re the kind of person who needs to have balance and harmony in your home, then choosing the correct color scheme when repainting is probably a significant source of anxiety. Breathtaking design principles are easy to enjoy but difficult to execute. You … read more

Jan Walker’s writing studio reflects the eclectic body of her work — literary magazines, professional journal short stories, articles and educational curriculum, as well as the occasional penning of a newspaper editorial about prison reform. Her equally eclectic life could fill a book. … read more

Extra square footage in your home is prized real estate, but sometimes your house has a space that you don’t always know how to use. Whether it’s a pseudo-room with no actual door or an alcove with only three walls, you may be … read more