What I've Learned as a Dog Mom
My pup Chops has just turned 17 years old, and I can’t help but reflect on all the things I have learned about caring for pets over the...
Hiking with Senior Dogs in Western Washington
When my pups Chops and Shiloh were younger, they were incredible balls of energy! Always racing and wrestling and eager to go, go, go! As...
Rhubarb: Going to Seed
Ever wonder what would happen if you let your rhubarb go to seed? Someone gifted me a good-sized chunk of rhubarb a couple of years ago...
Life Goals
As we near the end of a year, many people are starting to consider their New Year’s resolutions; the vow to make a change, to be and/or...
Healthier Desserts for the Holidays
If you have a sweet tooth like I do, you might find it challenging to refrain from over-eating desserts, especially around the holidays...
Lessons learned from my major home remodel
When I first started this post, I was in the throws of a home remodel with excitement and energy levels sky high. However, after 10...
From Scratch - I can make that?
There are so many cooking ingredients that we regularly buy from a store, assuming that they would be too challenging, require specialty...
Permaculture Forest Garden: Years Two & Three
I originally started this post after the second year of my permaculture forest garden in Western Washington (US Zone 8b), as my original...
Where to Take Unwanted "Stuff" in Kitsap County
Some neighbors and I were recently talking about where to donate items we no longer need/want and how helpful it would be to have a...
To Fence or Not to Fence
Part of permaculture is working with nature, finding balance and sharing with the wildlife around us. When I first started my forest...
My New Love of Ginger
Years ago, if you had asked me if I liked ginger, I would have said "no" emphatically. There was just something about that pungent root...
Homemade Creamy Cashew Butter...and what to make with it
I owe it all to my friend Shane. Years ago she suggested I give cashew butter a try and I thought, "Sure, why not?" That is, until I saw...
Review: Subpod Vermicomposting System
I tend to research every purchase and/or project to death before taking the plunge, and my search for a composting system was no...
The Field Guide Challenge
This spring I was sitting in the garden with my permaculture consultant Mark, chatting about all things food forest. As we were absorbing...
5 Products I Love
I have a bit of a problem. I abhor shopping but my type-A personality feels the need to research every product I buy, sometimes for hours...
Ten Days in Maui
We were blessed to have ten full days on the island of Maui! Some people might think that would be enough time to “see it all,” but trust...
Healing Herbal Tea Blends
Many moons ago I slowly started learning about the healing benefits of botanicals. What goes into our bodies affects our bodies - energy...
Using Botanicals for Balance throughout the Menstrual Cycle
I'm lucky to have never had painful periods in my younger years. However, as I've gotten closer to middle-age status, my out-of-control...
The Long Goodbye
Yesterday I said goodbye to my dog Shiloh, who had been the light of my life for almost 16 years. But in reality, I have been saying...
Thoughtful Growing: Resources for Maritime PNW
As an avid lifelong learner, I'm continuously seeking out and absorbing new (to me) information. Having previously grown in rows of...
