Baking a traditional Christmas bread every year keeps us connected to our family traditions, dear friends and loving memories. My family had established Christmas traditions, such as making Grandma’s old-fashioned fruitcake on Thanksgiving Friday, eating oyster stew on Christmas Eve, and gobbling cookies and cocoa for breakfast on the big morning. I had no idea […]
diy tips
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Spreading Joy and Merriment Year-Round
Many people who own pets in Kitsap or Mason counties are familiar with Jeff Berger — especially if they take their pets to Christmas photo sessions at the Kitsap County Humane Society or the Humane Society of Mason County. To them, of course, Berger is known as Santa. For years, he’s been a fixture at […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Homemade Gifts for a Heartwarming Holiday Season
Instead of fighting crowds at the store, head to the kitchen and whip up Pinterest-worthy treats and crafts. Whether you’re gifting a gracious host or just want a few extra presents on hand for unexpected holiday guests, flavorful and aromatic kitchen creations are a delicious way to show you care this holiday season. “Christmas cookies […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Christmas Gifts for Birdwatchers
“Happiness is a new spotting scope,” especially if you are a birdwatcher — or birder. When it comes to Christmas gifts for those interested in birds, optical gear is perfect for both beginning and experienced birders. Let your pocketbook be your guide. Excellent binoculars can be purchased for a variety of prices. Spotting scopes are […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Caring For Our Aging Parents
Holidays mean coming home and reconnecting with our loved ones. For the children of aging parents, sometimes returning home — especially after some time has passed — can be shocking: When did Dad get so old? Has anyone cleaned the house in the last month? How come there is no food in the refrigerator? As […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
10 Tips for Creating Christmas Fun with Kids
For children all ages, there’s no more magical time of year than Christmas. There are twinkling trees, glistening snowflakes (maybe), flying reindeer, tree decorating, favorite Christmas music and baked cookies that make the whole house smell like a childhood memory. And don’t forget pretty presents wrapped in bows! But what can we do with the […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog, Featured
Five Tips To Make Your Holiday Season More Sustainable and More Peaceful
These days, it seems like the holiday spirit travels in a plane from far away and comes wrapped in an enormous amount of unnecessary plastic. In the middle of finding the perfect gift and trying to hunt down deals, it can be hard to keep our environmental impact in mind. Here are five tips to […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
What You Need to Know About Using the Internet for ‘Due Diligence’
You often hear people refer to completing their “due diligence” when hiring a contractor for any type of construction project. Officially, due diligence (also known as due care) is the effort made by an ordinarily prudent or reasonable party to avoid harm to another party or own self. Failure to make this effort is considered […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Why a ‘Long Winter’s Nap’ is Good for Your Health
“Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.” That’s a favorite holiday story — but what is the holiday scene in your home? No one stirring and everyone getting a good-night sleep? Or are you and other members of your family burning the midnight […]