Christmas starts in October at Ann Ryan’s home on Oyster Bay. That’s when she hauls out the boxes and boxes of holiday decorations she’s collected over the years and starts decking the halls of the 100-year-old home. Ryan’s collection includes Christmas-themed paintings, dozens of carved Santas and little ceramic Dickensian villages set in wintery scenes. […]
people
Posted inPeople & Places
A Visit with Santa
Yes, there is a Santa Claus. He lives on the Key Peninsula when he is not at the North Pole tending his reindeer or supervising the elves in the toy shop. His “Ho! Ho! Ho!” is most convincing, and he has a bag of magic tricks that confound even the most skeptic onlooker. This Santa […]
Posted inAt Home
Four Things You Can Do While Home for the Holidays
During the holidays, you may be seeking comfort, whether that’s the comfort of home — or anywhere but home. With travel precautions making possibilities somewhat limited this year, you may not be able to take the exact trip you’ve been dreaming about. However, whether or not you leave home this holiday season, you can find […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Christmas Lights and Cookie Delights
Don and Nancy Davenport have always hung Christmas lights on the front of their house, which is situated at the end of a long driveway on a cul-de-sac in Gig Harbor. “Because our house sits back so far from the street, hardly anyone can enjoy the lights,” Don lamented. And the homeowners couldn’t see the […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Abby Fischer — Turning Passion Into a Business
Even as a young child, Abby Fischer loved watching baking shows and The Food Network instead of cartoons. “The creations they made blew me away,” the 16-year-old says. “The things they created were not just food but art. Being able to have a creative outlet like baking that I can share with friends and family […]
Posted inHome
Designing a Dedicated Home Office Space for Maximum Productivity
The way people work and conduct business has evolved from a traditional, brick-and-mortar platform (think factories and office buildings) to a less structured, more fluid environment. Many can now establish an office or workspace anywhere in the world and still conduct their business or work without skipping a beat — thanks in large part to […]
Posted inPeople & Places
Love the Tweedle out of ‘Oh, La La!’
Garden books are often dry and read more like an encyclopedia. Yet not so with Ciscoe Morris’ book, “Oh, La La!: Homegrown Stories, Helpful Tips, and Garden Wisdom.” Well known for the tales he peppers into his garden talks, Morris has a talent for storytelling. He takes his readers on a pleasurable journey through the […]
Posted inGarden
A Garden Cornucopia
Gordon and Janet Knudsen don’t have a lilac, but that’s OK, because they have practically everything else. From astrantia to zinnias, the Knudsens’ Poulsbo garden is a botanical who’s who — and what’s that? — of fabulous plants. However, the Knudsens’ arboretum-esque property is more than just a feast for the human eye; it’s a […]
Posted inAt Home
How House Plants Improve Mental and Physical Wellness
Flowers and plants are staples in many American homes, adding to the style and aesthetic of virtually any space. While the visual benefits of plants are widely embraced, many people are unaware of the ways plants can support mental and physical wellbeing, too. “Plants offer countless benefits beyond beauty,” explains Alfred Palomares, vice president of […]