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...
Easy Peasy Crockpot Apple Butter
Apple butter on the stove is a sure sign of full-throttle autumn activities around here. With boxes and bags of apples begging to be...
Bringing Up Buddy
Our sorely-missed Sou'wester winds have returned to slog the island, hellbent on casting leaves like confetti, reviving moss to its rightfully green state, and painting each pane with raindrops and rivulets. The...
Tabletop Flowers: Dahlias Without Water
I had the pleasure of providing flowers for a friend's wedding this summer, and in the process learned a thing or two about tabletop floral displays,...
Keeping Vashon Neighborly
After a recent trip to Seattle, I sat on the ferry feeling as though I had visited the moons of Jupiter, or at least...
I Grow Dahlias, Dahlias Galore
Let's talk Dahlias! I try not to play favorites with flowers. Sure, a spring peony can unfurl seemingly unmatched, that is until I spot...
Mirabelle Plum: Nature’s Little Gumdrop
I like to try out fruit trees like some folks enjoy trying on shoes. So many fruit trees, so little time, and with each success,...
Peach Melba Pie Takes Center Stage
French chef and restaurateur Auguste Escoffier created the original Peach Melba dessert in honor of 1890s songbird Nellie Melba. (Melba toast is another story.) The simple,...
