To row single-handedly from Poulsbo to Seattle in a small rowboat requires propelling some 16 nautical miles through a major transportation waterway teeming with ferries, Alaska-bound cruise ships, container vessels and recreational boaters. It also demands navigation of the Ballard Locks, two gates that connect fresh and salt water and even out the 20- foot […]
décor
Posted inGarden
Succulents — Coming in from the Cold
The fat, fleshy leaves of succulents evoke dry summer heat. Sometimes blushed with rosy hues that hint of a California sunset, their closely held forms murmur memories of desert light. During the sodden, short days of Pacific Northwest winters, a tabletop planter of these sculptural, compact gems brought in from the cold can be a […]
Posted inHome
An Artist’s Christmas
Lisa Stirrett’s eyes light with excitement when she talks about the holiday season. “I love Christmas. I love when my boys come home,” she says. As long as she can remember, Stirrett helped her mother decorate their home. Even as a small child, those times are some of her fondest memories. “Every year, (my husband) […]
Posted inPeople & Places
The Lost Quill Keeps an Old Skill Alive
Long, long before word processors, computers, cellphones and inkjet printers were invented, all writing was done by hand. History was recorded by hand. Official documents and books — especially religious texts — were written with handheld pens and often beautifully embellished with richly colored drawings. Not so long ago, people sent each other handwritten letters […]
Posted inCommunity News
Giving Gifts that Give Hope
Hope is a gift on every child’s wish list, especially those in parts of the world ravaged by natural disasters and poverty. Giving hope lets these children know that the world hasn’t forgotten them. If you’re looking for a gift with a purpose, buying through the UNICEF Market program or its partners gives you the […]
Posted inHome
Professionally Deck the Halls this Year with ‘Christmas Carol’
An extraordinary love for Christmas was perhaps written in the stars for local Carol Burk, better known as “Christmas Carol,” as even her own December birthday happens during the Christmas season. “Christmas Carol” is also the name of her residential and business tree-decorating company, which she began 25 years ago. “One of my favorite parts […]
Posted inAt Home
Simple Seasonal Safety Tips
It may be the most wonderful time of year, but it can also be one of the most dangerous. Along with the cooking and decorations that make the season magical, the holidays present risks for home fires and burns. An independent survey conducted by Shriners Hospitals for Children found that many Americans do not follow […]
Posted inAt Home
5 Ways to Transform a Room with Navajo Weavings
Top designers recognize the elegant beauty of Navajo weavings, which are a quick and easy way to bring a new look into your home that is warm, cozy and tranquil. Authentic Navajo rugs and blankets are handmade with quality wool to last for decades, so it is important to find a reputable gallery or dealer. […]
Posted inAt Home
That ’70s Home: 5 Trends Making a Comeback
Disco may be dead, but the spirit of the 1970s is not. In homes all across the country, people are adding their own splash of ’70s style in updated, modern ways. Here are five current top decorating trends that have an unmistakable ’70s flair. More Macramé, Please From dip-dyed wall hangings to simple plant hangers, […]