When we think of a kitchen renovation we usually see lots of dollar signs … And often these projects are big-ticket items ranging anywhere from $50,000 and up. There are times when kitchens need to be gutted to the studs. But often with old houses such heavy-handed approaches are not necessary. With old houses, sometimes less is more when it comes to making changes. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

I love my garden. Just sayin’…. I really love my garden. Over the last two years we have been totally remodeling our outside spaces and now that it is completed, I can hardly believe that it is mine! One of my favorite things in my garden, next to my stellar Agave collection, is my olive trees. I have 12 happy trees in four varieties. Yes, Virginia, you can grow olive trees in Oregon. You can, and you most definitely should. This is just a preview...Read the rest... Read More →

The year is 1962. A grand summer picnic is being held to celebrate the opening of the new Milwaukie Elks Lodge on McLoughlin Boulevard in Milwaukie, OR. The large picnic grounds behind the main lodge are filled with happy families enjoying a cookout of barbeque beef, grilled hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, and cole slaw. Many are engaged in a game of croquet, or tossing horse shoes. The dulcet strains of Elvis Presley are heard on the PA system. Several women look like they might be Doris Day’s... more