I expect you’ve heard that the only way to protect your plants from hungry deer is a good fence. The deer in my neighborhood illustrate this point perfectly. Before I built my current fence, I kept my treasured deer “candy” covered in black netting. Harvesting strawberries from under the fencing was tedious, and as plants […]
how-tos
Posted inAt Home, Blog
A Dainty Distinctive Treat for Your Next Brunch or Bash
Forget cronuts, cake pops and cupcakes. Whether you’re planning an elegant afternoon tea or seeking an unexpected addition to your next brunch or cocktail party, there’s another chic pastry that deserves its day — the madeleine. These classic, seashell-shaped cakes were named after their creator, Madeline Paulmier, by King Louis XV in the 18th century, […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Using Websites to Help Plan Your Building or Remodeling Project
It’s still not uncommon to meet new clients who drag in a binder of ideas, photos and notes they have been keeping for years, ready for the day when they can start their building or remodeling project. I’m guilty too — I have a few binders of ideas. After all, a picture truly is worth […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
Get The Dirt — On Home Gardening
Gardening Chores Chores is often such an unpalatable word. It seems it’s something people love to put off if they can. But for gardeners, doing chores outdoors is often delightful because it means well-spent time outside, leading to future enjoyment in the garden during the other seasons, especially during harvest. Tackle all the shotweed, a.k.a. […]
Posted inBlog, Featured, Gardeners Corner
How to Start Veggies and Other Plants from Seeds
There are many reasons why gardeners decide to start plants from seed. It can be vegetable seeds for growing, harvesting and eating produce, or non-edible annuals to merely decorate containers and other areas of the garden or to attract pollinators. The main reason to start seeds is the wider variety of plants not always found […]
Posted inFeatured, Home
Selecting the Right Flooring For Your Lifestyle and Budget
After a fresh coat of paint, the second best way to quickly transform a room is with new flooring. Stunned by today’s residential flooring options? You are not alone. So many choices, so many colors and textures too. It is easy to get overwhelmed but selecting the right flooring may be simpler than you think. […]
Posted inAt Home, Blog
Tips for Spring Spruce-ups and Maintenance for Your Home
After a wet Washington winter, there are plenty of tasks to do to keep things in order around your home. A little routine maintenance will protect your investment and prevent more serious issues down the line. Here’s a checklist for things you should do this spring around the home. Once you have tackled these mostly […]
Posted inFeatured, Food & Entertainment
Winter Warmers
Winter brings shorter days, longer nights and lower temperatures. There are few things more comforting than coming in from the cold to a house filled with the intoxicating smells of homemade bread and a pot of soup. The beauty of most soups and stews is that you put them together, cover and forget until you […]
Posted inFeatured, Garden
How to Build a Green Roof Birdhouse
Buildings with a “living roof” are all the rage with the current focus on ecologically minded construction techniques. Originally European and historically planted with turf grasses, green roofs are popular worldwide for reducing pollution and runoff and improving insulation, among other environmental benefits. They are commonly seen in commercial construction but now you, too, can […]