Growing Peach Trees in the Pacific Northwest: It’s the Pits
Growing peach trees in the maritime Pacific Northwest is the pits. There I said it, because for thirteen long, relatively futile and fruitless years,...
Bulb Auger: Easy Way to Plant Bulbs
If my garden were a banquet table, I would concede that sometimes I bite off more than I can chew. I dine and garden...
How to Make Pie Dough Shine
Pie is my spirit animal. Okay, that's a bit much, how about pie is a smile on my plate. (Hmmm, me thinks I'm trying...
Ordering Bareroot Trees: What to Expect
Mail-Order Trees: Who Would Have Thunk?
Ordering bareroot trees is to Tom as ordering books is to Oprah. I love trees, especially unusual fruit trees, sometimes forgotten...
Making Sense of 60
I remember the day my second grade teacher (and my not-so-secret crush) Miss Hilliard introduced the class to a real-life story problem. Her beguiling southern lilt...
French Coconut Pie: Heaven in a Crust
I'm a loyal pie guy. If you're a pie or tart recipe and you do me right—that is, bake up nicely, remain flakey, speak...
Boxing Day and Leftover Love
My friend Amy wrote, "Ah, December 26, my favorite holiday of the year." It made me chuckle, but also confirmed a truth about what...
Washington State Ferries: Cold Hands, Warm Hearts, Smooth Sailing
Washington State Ferries: My Mode of Transportation
When you live on an island, and your only way off the island is by ferry, rider opinions...
Bulldog Chronicles: Maggie the First
All of my bulldogs have been characters. Yes, each one, from Maggie, to Boz and Gracie, and now Buddy, has owned his or her...
I Planted a Tree for Someone’s Tomorrow
In the summer, I begin my morning with a walk about the property, coffee cup in hand, bulldog in tow, boots adrip with dew. Daylight does...
