We stopped by Molbak’s in early autumn and enjoyed a quick sneak peek at their Christmas offerings. Of course by now, they’ll have even more festive decorations and beautiful displays up! I was delighted to see they’re carrying “Frasier Fir,” my favorite holiday scented candles from Thymes. It was difficult passing up these adorable white and cream woodland plush animals. ...

We’re really glad we stopped by JM Cellars last week before the windstorm hit and blew all the leaves off of their glorious trees! Their grounds are just stunning – just look at those colors! The air smelled so good, probably from the wood burning merrily away in their outdoor fire pits! Their maple trees looked incredible! And the rest ...

  This week I took my friend Radonna out to lunch at The Commons here in Woodinville. I was forcefully encouraging her to take a break and enjoy a day off from her jobs. She’s been working extra hard, with the busy festive season approaching, and I’m worried she is exhausting herself. I thought a nice meal out and a ...

Right before Halloween, we stopped off at Molbak’s here in Woodinville to enjoy their autumn offerings. I was nervous to come here as they have such fabulous, distinctive items and I’m a bit of a shopaholic! We browsed their stunning displays of garden bed flowers, dreaming of the flowerbeds we could create in our yards if only we had more ...

In early autumn, a little ways before Halloween, Jen and I stopped to visit Tonnemaker Orchards’ farm stand here in Woodinville. I have been driving past it every day for a few years now, and I can’t believe I’ve never stopped in before! We walked up to discover boxes and boxes of scrumptious looking apples, several with varieties I haven’t seen ...

Carrie and I were so delighted to be able to dine outside on the patio of the Bistro at the Hollywood Schoolhouse on a 70 degree October afternoon. It was so warm, we even dared to squeeze one more day of wearing sundresses out of this late summer season! On this particular afternoon, we had decided to try more than ...

After a lunchtime wine-tasting last week, Jen and I went to Molbak’s Garden + Home to shop. (Shopping after indulging in wine can get expensive, let me warn you!) We were delighted to see their Under-The-Sea theme room under construction, with busy designers scurrying about, up on ladders, and carefully arranging displays. What a lovely way to incorporate an ocean ...

One day last week, Jen and I decided to stop by Molbak’s Garden + Home after lunch and some wine tasting here in Woodinville. Their displays are so clever and beautiful – I never would have thought to arrange miniature pumpkins in a coffin-shaped bookcase! Here are some of their sugar pumpkins, too. Who could resist taking a little tour ...

I hate to mention it, but as of today Christmas is two months away! Generally I like to enjoy each season in its own time. I’m looking forward to Halloween, loving autumn, and waiting for Thanksgiving preparations until Halloween is over. I won’t decorate for Christmas until Thanksgiving weekend is over, too. However, I do like to get a bit ...

Sometimes when I’m befuddled for a present idea for a friend or acquaintance I don’t know very well, I turn to an attractive calendar as a solution. They’re useful and beautiful (William Morris would approve!) Our curated selection of 2018 calendars includes a couple humorous ones, such as the “Uncorked” calendar; a lovely vintage posters calendar, “Salut!” and others depicting ...