New Zealand — a wonderland of jaw-dropping scenery from Milford Sound in the far south to the most northern Bay Islands. Many of its best and indescribably beautiful vistas with some of the most dramatic panoramas can only be found off the beaten track. And unfortunately, many tourists visiting New Zealand see its beauty through […]
outdoors
Posted inGarden
To Water or Not to Water?
Wilting leaves. Sooner or later, everyone who gardens — from just a single house plant to a grand vegetable patch — will encounter a droopy plant. The remedy is a universally known response: Water the plant. Pour some water on it or set up a sprinkler. Just get water on it somehow. Everyone knows that, […]
Posted inGarden
A Forest for the Grandkids
“We kind of built this whole place around the grandkids,” said Sam Johnson, speaking about the 30 acres of mostly forested land near Kingston that he and his wife, Debi, purchased in 2001. The Johnsons had been living in Edmonds and were both getting ready to retire from the construction business. They wanted a place […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
Plant Easy-Care Daffodils Now for Added Spring Beauty
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 […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Unsung Hero — Rosemary Collins
Rosemary Collins founded Pony Up Rescue for Equines in Olalla in 2006 because she saw a need for a rescue organization. In early 2007, Pony Up received 501(c)3 nonprofit status, and its mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and rehome horses in need due to neglect, abuse or abandonment. Collins serves as president and in addition […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Gig Harbor Apple Farm the Go-To Place for Hundreds of Unique Varieties
The small, hand-lettered sign on Peacock Hill Avenue near Gig Harbor says, simply, “Butler’s Farm. Apples. Self serve.” It’s the first hint that at the end of the dirt driveway, there’s a 7.5-acre orchard where more than 1,200 apple trees — with upward of 500 varieties of apples — are growing and thriving. Steve and […]
Posted inAt Home
‘Shedding’ Light on a New Trend in Building
As a kid in the 1970s, I remember all my neighbors having those cheesy, metal sheds with a barn-style roof in the backyard. Yes, one of those where they kept all the Christmas stuff, the lawnmower — you name it. They were patently unattractive, rusted and dented easily, and the doors didn’t close. They were […]
Posted inGarden
A Walk in the Woods
Once summer settles in, bird activity throughout the West Sound region changes. The young of most species have left the nest and are exploring their world. The adults that worked to feed and raise their families are no longer guarding territories. The bird population becomes more fluid as it moves throughout the area following the […]
Posted inGardeners Corner
A Garden’s Memory
My time in the garden is often solitary, but as I focus on a task, my head is filled with whispers. The conversation comes, unbidden — triggered by a sound, a scent or a flower. The garden is where I reconnect with people dear to me and sometimes long gone. Whenever I see the grapes […]