A visual history of life during the pandemic Wednesday, April 21, 2021 By; MaryRose Denton Back in March of 2020, just as the coronavirus pandemic shuttered businesses, isolated families and caused a run on toilet paper, something else a little quieter was taking shape. A group of 16 quilters from around Washington state began sewing,... Continue Reading →
Temperate Habits: An old-fashioned, family-owned brewpub in the heart of Mt. Vernon
APRIL 18, 2021by MARYROSE DENTON A cozy, family-owned brewpub in the heart of Mount Vernon makes one feel like family from the get-go. Kinda in the vein of “Cheers”, if you are old enough to remember the hit ‘80’s TV show. Temperate Habits may be the newbie in town but they are fast becoming the destination... Continue Reading →
There is always room for you at Calypso Kitchen’s table in Bellingham
Tucked away in the North end of Bellingham is a small oasis of the Caribbean Islands, better known as Calypso Kitchen. A delicious aroma of West Indian spices wafted in the air as we entered this wide-open commercial kitchen space. Chef Sarah Chan greeted us and lead us over to the stainless steel workspace where she... Continue Reading →
Seattle nonprofit creates a welcoming global community by investing in refugee women
MARCH 09, 2021by MARYROSE DENTON Since 2017, Refugee Artisan Initiative has envisioned creating a welcoming global community that values and invests in refugee and immigrant women as they achieve healthy, stable, and fulfilling lives in the PNW and beyond. Once in a while, there is a person who stands out from the crowd. Someone who... Continue Reading →
Celebrate the Beauty and Bounty of the Earth at FinnRiver Farm and Cidery
FEBRUARY 26, 2021by MARYROSE DENTON Several weeks ago a slender, glass bottle of golden liquor was gifted to me. It was not the elixir of life but a Brandywine. I have to say, it was the best wine I have ever tasted. I would go so far as to say it tasted like heaven -... Continue Reading →
Where is the longest running retail store in WA? Ocean Park
We drive along the two-lane highway heading north up the Peninsula. No more than 10 minutes pass and we see it. It's huge! Just as the urban tales described it. Jack's Country Store takes up a whole city block starting at the main intersection, well really the only 4-way intersection in this small, seaside town of Ocean... Continue Reading →
How a Family Bed Builds Strong Relationships
Or how giving our kids a soft place to land also gives us a chance to listen. Walking through our small town, I stop in a local thrift store just to browse around, killing time. I push open the front door to be met with that familiar, old musty smell of well-worn objects and old books.... Continue Reading →
Winter is Not Coming, But Coming to a Close.
A short story on Imbolc or Brigid’s Day The rain continues outside. It has been continuous all day with no clearing in sight. Perhaps it will be an early spring. Good thing she collected the reeds from the marsh several days ago when the skies had been bluer. They will be formed into crosses later... Continue Reading →
La Conner and Edison, Two Towns in the Heart of Skagit Valley, Waiting for You.
If you are looking for the perfect Washington state weekend getaway then try these two, off-the-beaten-path, towns in the heart of the Skagit Valley. They can be combined in a single day trip or extended into a leisurely and fun-filled weekend. Skagit Valley is located just about half-way between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. This beautiful... Continue Reading →
When a Weekend Getaway is Wild, Wet, and Beautiful
A Pacific Northwest adventure of the normal kind Tiny droplets of ocean spray hit my face as I turn into the wind. I am bundled up warmly from head to toe; knit hat, quilted jacket, gloves, and warm socks inside my shiny red rubber boots. The sun is at a quarter slant in the sky, for... Continue Reading →