Winter brings long, dark days, and historically humans have found ways to chase away the darkness. The tradition of festooning homes with evergreen boughs, berries and cones dates back to pagan times. In Europe, pre-Germanic people gathered evergreens because they are sturdy, last … read more

A passion for gardening is often passed down from generation to generation, and for Dorene Fretwell, that is certainly true. Fretwell has been a certified Master Gardener since 2007 and has used her horticulture knowledge, creativity and intuition to create a beautiful woodland … read more

Walk into the small office of Harvey’s Butter Rum Batter in Bremerton and one of the first things you notice is a framed poster of the 1950s-era movie “Harvey,” starring Jimmy Stewart. If you’re unfamiliar with the tale, Harvey was an invisible rabbit … read more

Barely into winter, and the signs of the season are everywhere. The vibrant aspects of warmer times have left for sunnier climates. Anything left in the shadow of a sunless sky is rendered drab by the unending gloom of rain. Now that West … read more

After months of deliberation and dozens of drive-by trips, a young couple decided to follow their hearts. They stopped the car and fastened a note to the mailbox of the old farmhouse. “We’re looking for a place to raise a family,” the note … read more

Paulette Hoflin is a sculptor known for the uncommon material she chooses. This material can be less than an eighth of an inch in size, but when gathered en masse by multiple stitches of fine thread, the beads can take on the three-dimensional … read more

How did codes of the International Radiotelephony Spelling Alphabet inspire the name of a pair of globally sourced fair-trade shops operating on Port Gamble and Winslow’s main drags? According to Tracy Zhu, owner of the two Tango Zulu shops, it was her search … read more

At Molly Ward Gardens, reservations are recommended, but when you call, don’t expect to talk to Molly. You might get Lynn Ward — proprietress, co-founder, head gardener and creative force behind the eclectic Poulsbo restaurant and event destination — but Molly is not … read more

Show your host or hostess how much you appreciate the invitation with a unique gift — use your imagination to provide a thoughtful and creative gift from a local shop. Tell your host “thank you” with a flourish. … read more