Whether your project is big or small project and whether you’re building or remodeling, hiring a skilled and professional contractor is a big deal. When interviewing, there are many basic questions to ask. There are some questions I rarely hear yet they should be of importance to help determine if that contractor is the right […]
diy tips
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
Water Gardening in Containers
Jan Bahr from Roadhouse Nursery on Central Valley Road recently showed us how to create water gardens in containers. You don’t need a huge piece of land or large construction equipment to enjoy a water garden feature. Smaller water gardens can be created in a bathtub, a waterproof and weatherproof container and even in containers […]
Posted inFeatured, Food & Entertainment
Blueberries — Power Berries
I love blueberries! Each year, I look forward to the first time I get to slide those little globes between my teeth and pop the purple ambrosia over my tongue. Luckily our cafe’s main farmer, Paul Gregory, has a blueberry CSA, so we get them fresh every year. Kitsap has a u-pick farm on Bainbridge […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Dahlias
Dahlias are synonymous with fall. Lush blooms brighten private gardens and public places like the Silverdale Post Office, Port Gamble Post Office and local farmers markets. Gardeners and appreciators of these blowsy, colorful plants can purchase them in bouquets galore or even in containers to plant outside for a few last blasts of festive hues […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Save it From a Rainy Day — Rainwater Harvesting
After the severe decline in this year’s snowpack, Gov. Jay Inslee declared a statewide drought in May. By July, runoff from snowpack had disappeared and 83 percent of the state’s streams and rivers were reported running at below normal or record low flows. For counties like Kitsap, whose dominant source of water is groundwater, not […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog, Featured
Beware When Buying a ‘Completely Remodeled’ Home
I stumbled across a marathon recently of a TV show called “First Time Flippers” on the DIY Network. I was mesmerized, and not in a good way. Fred and Mary (names have been changed to protect the “innocent”) have day jobs and buy a house to flip, lured in by potential profits in excess of […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Green living: Recycling Options Exist Outside the Blue Bin
With the changing of seasons, often comes some cleanup around the house. Perhaps you have a large amount of yard debris, a lawnmower that has “kicked the bucket,” some leftover lawn fertilizer that you don’t want to keep through the winter, or — for that matter — anything that isn’t acceptable or won’t fit in […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Two Autumn Recipes You’ll Love to Bake
As the seasons shift from summer to fall, you can begin looking forward to warm flavors and fresh inspiration. Below are two recipes from the Wilton Test Kitchen, which created new takes on favorite comfort foods inspired by the 2015 Baking and Decorating Trend. Middle Eastern and North African flavors have become increasingly popular ingredients […]
Posted inAuto Talk, Blog
Car Care Tips to Get Ready for Winter
Conducting routine maintenance on your vehicle is necessary to maintain optimal performance and prevent costly repairs. As colder weather approaches, and with it the potential for treacherous road conditions, giving certain areas of your car special attention can also protect your safety. “Getting your vehicle ready for winter while temperatures are still mild is a […]