When friends of Katie and Glenn Eberling open their mailboxes and find a personal, creative, original invitation to a Christmas party, the holiday season officially begins. The couple have been holding Christmas gala parties for several years to kick off the Christmas season, always early in December and with a hand-addressed, mailed invitation. “Our party […]
recipes
Posted inHome
A Norwegian Cottage Christmas
Laila Caspersen and John Hansen were each raised in families who had observed Norwegian traditions and cultural values for generations. When they met in college and discovered their similar backgrounds, it seemed natural to marry and continue those traditions. Their home is a reflection of their love and appreciation for their cultural history, abundant with […]
Posted inAt Home
Cranberries!
Cranberries have been a staple on Thanksgiving tables in the United States since the Pilgrims first feasted with the Wampanoag in 1621. The native populations had been using the wild cranberry Vaccinium macrocarpos throughout their history. It is believed they used the fruit for medicinal as well as nutritional purposes. The early peoples made pemmican […]
Posted inAt Home
Winter Squash
Blue Hubbard (shaped like a football), pleated dark-green acorn, delicate delicata and buttery-skinned butternut are just a few of the many varieties of beautiful winter squash available this autumn. Grocery stores and farmers markets are brimming with these thick-skinned and delicious, nutritious, meaty wonders that will store all winter if kept cool. Many of our […]
Posted inAt Home
Apples
“As American as apple pie,” the saying goes. “An apple a day keep’s the doctor away” — maybe because an apple is full of fiber and vitamins and minerals? And then, stories abound about a guy name Johnny Appleseed who went across the country scattering apple seeds. It turns out that John Chapman (1774-1845), a […]
Posted inFood & Entertainment
Waterfront Dining at Gig Harbor’s Morso
At the corner of Peacock Hill and Harborview in Gig Harbor, Morso’s bright, apricot-colored umbrellas on the balcony beckon diners and wine enthusiasts to come up and enjoy the view. Well-appointed planters surround the outdoor dining area, and a fire table warms diners who choose to sit outside on a chilly evening. Listed as an […]
Posted inAt Home
Recipe for Simple Living: Grandma’s Chocolate Mayo Cake
Anyone else have a sweet tooth? I love to bake. Desserts are what make my kitchen go round. I used to purchase boxed cake mixes by the half dozen when they came on sale. Until (you guessed it) I started reading the ingredients. I went back through our family recipes and came across my great-grandmother’s […]
Posted inGarden
Fall Migration Fuels Feeder Activity
September and October are the two busiest months for fall migration. Millions of birds that nested in the north are moving southward for the winter. Little by little, this mass movement of wings visits our yards, parks, wildlife refuges and West Sound birding hotspots. The fall bird population is not only at peak numbers but […]
Posted inAt Home
Pears
Of all the delicious fruits grown in the Northwest, pears may be the most versatile, succulent and satisfying of all. Pears transcend summer into fall, ripening late summer to early autumn, depending on variety and weather conditions. This beautiful fruit lends itself to freezing and long-term storage, and is available nearly year-round. But it is […]