What do you do with a zucchini the size of a small pony, enough basil to fill a wheelbarrow, so many small tomatoes that could choke a dragon, and ample packages of moose meat in the freezer? These items in themselves come with a million recipes. Zucchini this, zucchini that… I wasn’t about to go […]
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Posted inFeatured, Garden
Get The Dirt — On Home Gardening
Fall Harvesting September and October are a time for pause and reflection and also new beginnings. It’s a time to celebrate the bounty in our gardens and to harvest and preserve fruits, vegetables and herbs for later enjoyment. If you have extra produce, remember to take it to local food banks for others to enjoy. […]
Posted inAround West Sound, Blog
How to Prepare for Back to School
The back-to-school season can be exciting, stressful and everything in between. A good start can influence children’s attitude, confidence and performance both socially and academically. Whether you have a kindergartener or a teen in high school, here is practical advice on how to get the school year off to a good start. Before school starts […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Building or Remodeling? It’s all About Time and Money!
There is a lot to consider when embarking on a building or remodeling project, and a major decision is choosing a reliable contractor. There are many steps to due diligence in this department, and I can outline them all, but I find that time after time, the steps are not taken and instead the decision […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
How to Sweeten Summer Celebrations with S’mores
Whether it’s a backyard barbecue, a block party or movie night, you can sweeten summer fun and celebrations with an iconic treat. August 10, National S’mores Day, is a great reminder to make the most of summer. This year, consider going beyond the classic S’mores recipe that family and friends have been enjoying for decades. […]
Posted inBlog, The Outdoors
Stranded or Sleeping? What to Do if You Find a Harbor Seal on the Beach
From late June to early September, harbor seals all over the Puget Sound are giving birth to their young. While these fuzzy, Bambi-eyed babies are drop-dead adorable, it is extremely important that beach visitors give these little friends a lot of space. If you happen upon any seals while strolling down your local beach, do […]
Posted inFeatured, Food & Entertainment
Master the Art of Grilling Perfection
To master the art of grilling, it’s best to start with a piece of high-quality meat. While some supermarkets have been responding to the consumers’ demand for transparency, it’s still a good idea to find a great local butcher shop and get to know the people behind the counter. Typically your local butcher can offer […]
Posted inFeatured, People & Places
Ideas for Parents for Promoting Children’s Summer Learning
“Summer time and the living is easy” — but parents shouldn’t make it too easy for their children to forget everything they’ve learned up to vacation time. Schooling stops during the summer but our learning should not. Many children tend to regress in skills learned in school during the summer months. Children come back to […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Greens & Eggs & Ham
Cleanup is probably the least enjoyable part of entertaining guests — as are elaborate recipes that keep you in the kitchen all day. “Sheet Pan Suppers,” released this past December by Workman Publishing, promises to take care of those problems. Named an essential kitchen gadget by the New York Times, the sheet pan is a […]