Daffodils have a cheery presence in the spring garden and are a surefire way to chase away the winter blues. These fall-planted bulbs are also reliable perennials that require no maintenance and are not bothered by deer or other pests. The National Garden Bureau has declared 2017 the Year of the Daffodil, and with the […]
how-tos
Posted inAt Home
Watermelon!
The ubiquitous summer fruit that appears at nearly every picnic or beach party and is nearly everyone’s favorite must be watermelon! Those who come from hot-weather summer climates have memories of the sweet, succulent melon, sold at fruit stands and off the back of pickup trucks. Frequently, the melons were floating in a tub of […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Fun Facts about the Great American Eclipse — and Where You Can See It
Are you still hoping to get a peek at the “Great American Eclipse” on Aug. 21? Millions of Americans will only have to drive 60 or 70 miles to see the total eclipse, according to the GreatAmericanEclipse.com website. NASA says that the totality path, “where the moon will completely cover the sun and the sun’s […]
Posted inCommunity News
Prepare for Excessive Heat, Fire Dangers This Week
Pierce County Alert — The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an excessive heat warning for parts of the Puget Sound area this week. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80s to lower 100s on Tuesday through Sunday, and higher than normal temperatures may persist into next week. An excessive heat warning means that […]
Posted inAt Home
One Thing You May Forget to Do with Your Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are designed to help manage energy use, but most of the U.S. households with these controls do not choose to program their thermostats, according to a bulletin by the Information courtesy Energy Information Administration. Based on information collected through EIA’s Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) for 2015, only 12 percent of the nation’s 118 million […]
Posted inAt Home
Two Ideas for Summer Brunch Fare
When it comes to planning brunch, there really are no rules. It’s the perfect opportunity to combine your favorite flavors and foods in one delicious meal. Warmer weather calls for putting a summer twist on brunch classics. Breakfast Tacos Al Pastor are a fresh, flavorful addition to a festive summer brunch, while this Brunch Bruschetta […]
Posted inAt Home
The Great Debate: What Eco-Friendly, Chemical-Free Cleaning Products Should You Use?
Spring-cleaning is more than just a phrase; it is serious business for many people. After being cooped up in the house all winter with a growing to-do list — and, for some, a case of Seasonal Affective Disorder — it can be refreshing to give your life and your home an overhaul as soon as […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
What To Do with Garlic you Planted Last Fall
If you planted garlic cloves as I suggested last fall, you will be rewarded with complete garlic heads this month. If you plant in the fall, June supplies tasty garlicscapes that should be cut off and can be used to flavor your oil for stir fry veggies or other dishes that need a light garlic […]
Posted inAt Home
Wonderful Washington Cherries!
It’s cherry season in Washington, and this year’s crop is better than ever! Mother Nature provided a long, cool, wet spring with warm sunshine coming just at the right time to produce beautiful, shiny, plump and very juicy cherries. Bings and Rainiers are beginning to flood the market, and this may be the biggest crop […]