Chocolate’s journey to becoming popularly associated with love and romance as a decadent indulgence began in Mesopotamia. Believing it had curative powers, the Mayan and Aztec upper classes consumed liquid chocolate mixed with additives such as cornmeal, vanilla and honey. Cacao beans became so valuable, they were used as currency to pay taxes. The Europeans […]
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Posted inGarden
Rhododendrons, Here We Come
The new year is an exciting time for Northwest rhododendron fans — it marks the beginning of the flowering season for these popular, well-loved shrubs. Even non-gardeners can recognize rhododendrons. What comes to mind when thinking about a rhododendron? For many people, it’s a large truss comprised of many blossoms. The evergreen leaves will be […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden of Exceptional Skill and Imagination
The mystical, magical garden created by Arlene and Bill West inspires awe and an explosion of ideas in the minds of all who visit. Solutions for gardening in “next-to-impossible” places, intermingled with expressive, original and imaginative garden art could fill a book. Here is their story. When Arlene married Bill about 20 years ago, the […]
Posted inHome
How to Ensure a Successful Remodel Project in 2022/2023
Homeowners and remodeling contractors alike have found themselves in the “perfect storm” as market dynamics for construction and more specifically, remodeling, have changed in recent years. Let’s investigate the causes and effects of this economic phenomenon and how you can develop realistic expectations for a remodel project. The National Macro and Micro Economic Data According […]
Posted inGarden
Plants Deer Don’t Eat (The World’s Shortest List)
She tiptoed across my yard on slender legs. Pausing demurely, she batted her big, doe eyes at me. Such a pretty thing. Such grace. I wanted to be her friend. “Have an apple,” I said, and shook the tree until apples rained down. She chose the nearest fruit and as I walked away, I heard […]
Posted inHome
Design Trends in 2022
Every year, we gather our panel of design experts to discuss some of the hottest design trends. In 2022, expect to see natural-looking finishes, natural materials like wood, and more recycled and upcycled choices for the environmentally conscious. Comfort is the key for families. A “must have” is gathering areas, where you can meet and […]
Posted inGarden
The Gentlemen Gardeners
Two “gentlemen gardeners” maintain a delightful garden at their home on Bainbridge Island. Jim Stokes and Roland Mitlohner didn’t become active gardeners until after retirement, although they both had gardening in their blood from an early age. Mitlohner, who grew up in Czechoslovakia and Bavaria, wanted to be a professional gardener when he was young, […]
Posted inHome
Considering Dream Homes
When is a dream home not a dream home? This sounds like a rhetorical question but in the case of Bob and Heyjin Disney, it’s relevant. Their company, Disney and Associates, builds approximately 25 luxurious, semicustom houses a year. So for Bob Disney, this project could be another day at the office. But perhaps the […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Good Food Served Fast at Noah’s Ark Restaurant
When the doors open at 11 a.m. at Bremerton’s Noah’s Ark Restaurant, most weekdays there is a line of patrons waiting to get inside, place their orders and sit down for a hearty lunch. With the Navy yard lunch period starting early, regulars know they can get a quickly prepared, delicious meal and be on […]