Smoke rising from the chimney of the outdoor fireplace is often an unspoken invitation. “The big signal is when we light a fire in the afternoon and smoke curls out of the chimney — the neighbors usually know,” Donna McKamey says. “And pretty … read more

A favorite look in many gardens is flagstone surrounded by a carpet of ground covers. Providing interesting textures and colors, the shortest of the short such as creeping thyme, Corsican mint, Irish and Scotch moss, and others cover the soil as they crawl … read more

Welcome to a series of articles we will write on unique, innovative and creative park and public space projects in West Puget Sound that contribute to our community in terms of quality of life. We hope to identify the community leadership, the project’s … read more

For more than a hundred years, the Keyport Mercantile has stood as the heart and soul of its community. Affectionately known as “the Merc,” the business has ridden out the rise and fall in the fortunes of its hometown alongside the people it … read more

Although not much changed between the 2014 and 2015 model years, I still think the family-friendly 2015 Toyota Highlander is among the absolute best vehicles in this market space. It gets impressive mileage for a midsize crossover SUV — a combined 28 city/highway, … 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

There is no shortage of luxurious homes in Canterwood, the exclusive, gated community in Gig Harbor. The home of interior designer Nancy Finneson’s clients is no different. Fronted by a driveway that curves gracefully between well-manicured greenery, the home’s front porch stretches up … read more

Gardens in early American colonies were not for ornamentation; they were planted and worked for provision. Specific plants were grown to provide food, soaps, perfumes, insecticides, dyes and medicines — all the things needed to take care of everyday life in the home. … read more

From basic hygiene to a spa-like escape, showers fulfill different needs for different people. Most don’t give a second thought about what goes into creating one of the most used features of the home nor how the design and maintenance of this simple … read more