As is typical with many things in life, when it comes to birds, people gravitate toward the ones with visual beauty. While birders are thrilled to see a drab-looking rarity, nonbirders get excited about birds that look the best. Not surprising, colorful birds are the ones that turn the most heads. The most visually stunning […]
northwest
Posted inGarden
Time for Edible Flowers
We’ve had a very chilly spring! I just can’t wait for my garden to start blooming. I’m thinking we are five to six weeks behind because we’ve had so little sunshine. I will pick beautiful bouquets, have garden tours, and host some very needed and deserved dinner parties on my welcoming front porch. I’ll continue […]
Posted inGarden
The Botanical Wonders of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
On the other side of the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium entry gates, you step into another world of exotic plants and animals. Or should it be said you step into many parts of the world in one location? For people who love plants, the place is mostly about the gardens. Inside a botanical wonderland, […]
Posted inPeople & Places
A Day in Port Gamble
Spending a day in Port Gamble is like taking a step back in time. This wonderful historic community setting on the northwest shore of Kitsap County was developed beginning in 1841 by a U.S. Navy expedition on the 2-mile-long bay at the mouth of Hood Canal. Named after Lt. Robert Gamble, who was wounded in […]
Posted inThe Outdoors
Five Ways to Boost the Benefits of Your Time Outdoors
Has your outdoor exercise become routine? Since early 2020, many people headed outdoors to stay fit. The natural world offers many of the benefits of a gym, but sometimes we need a reminder to boost our sense of play and our sense of place. To regain the joy of being outdoors, here are five ways […]
Posted inGarden
Salvias — Sage Beauty in the Garden
For those who want an abundance of bloom for the summer-to-fall season but prefer not to plant annuals every year, perennial salvias are a Northwest garden’s friend. Not that long ago, except for the bedding plant salvia splendens and the culinary S. officinalis, it was hard to find many cultivated salvias for ornamental use. That’s […]
Posted inPeople & Places
West Sound a Popular Spot for Disc Golf Enthusiasts
Disc golf, which got its start in Southern California back in the early 1970s, used to be considered something of a “hippie” sport because of its deep roots connected to the throwing of Frisbees and the wearing of tie-dyed shirts and so on. But today, nothing could be farther from the truth. Disc golf is […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Enjoy the Rosé Season
The rosé season is upon us, and pink wine is all the rage. Not the pink, white zinfandel your mother (or maybe even you) used to drink, but dry, crisp wine made from red wine grapes. To make a rosé, you can start with any kind of red grape, but some of the most popular […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
The Art of Fine Dining at Agate Restaurant
At 3:45 p.m. on a weekday afternoon, Agate Restaurant is abuzz with staff preparing for the doors to open at 4:30 p.m. Napkins and silver are freshly rolled and carefully placed on each gleaming table, along with water glasses and candles. As the bartender readies his space, the tinkling of bottles and glasses mixes with […]