Home Repair Minimalist: March 2008

Start Your Seeds Between the Sheets

If you save your garden seeds from year to year and wait expectantly to see if they'll germinate in their peat pots, there's a way to make the process easier, faster, and less expensive.Start Seeds Between Sheets of Paper TowelsFor the last two years, I've started my seeds between sheets of paper towels, and then transferred them to starter pots once I was sure they were viable. This has helped

Herbal Astringent Skin Treatment With Sage

Sage is a natural antibacterial and makes a good oily skin astringent that helps deep clean and tone.Sage Astringent1 Heaping tablespoon fresh sage chopped fine¼ Cup white vinegar¼ Cup boiling waterSteep fresh sage in boiling water until the liquid cools to room temperature. Strain carefully and add vinegar.Apply to clean skin with a cotton ball twice a day. Pay particular attention to the T-zone

May Wine, May Punch

In order to make traditional May wine, you need to infuse dry white wine, often Rhine wine, with dried woodruff.Recipe for May Wine with WoodruffAdd a half cup of dried woodruff to a bottle of dry white wine, seal, and store in a dark place (like a cupboard), shaking occasionally, for two weeks to a month.A few hours before serving, strain, add six tablespoons of sugar, shake, and chill.When

Ocean Shores featured in Coastal Living

"You'll never see a deal like this again"

We have wonderful and surprising news, in the upcoming April edition of Coastal Living Magazine, OCEAN SHORES placed in the top 16 cities NATIONWIDE in the special section; "So you want to live on the coast".

Please take a moment to read... For those of you who are not familiar with this magazine, Coastal Living has a subscription base of over 650,000 readers and most importantly, an audience of over 3,269,000.

http://www.coastalliving.com/coastal/living/communities/article/0,14587,1719934.html

So You Want to Live on the Coast

Where can you buy a home for $150,000? $1 million-plus? We have 16 appealing and surprising options to consider.

Ocean Shores, WA(Photo: Sunny Walter) Text by Bill and Kay Scheller

Living on the coast doesn't have to be just a dream. Though only a few of us can afford a mansion on Maui, simpler homes on other coasts may well be within financial reach.

This year, our guide to living on the coast lists a few of the options available at several price points. We've found communities where you can buy a home for less than $325,000, and others for upwards of $1.3 million.

Each has easy access to open water and abundant opportunities to live the coastal lifestyle. Come join us for a fantasy home-buying tour through some of the finest coastal towns in North America. Less than $325,00
Ocean Shores, WashingtonPopulation: 3,270Median home cost: $190,000 You'll never see a deal like this again: In 1960, developers bought a scenic finger of land on the central Washington coast and started selling lots for $595. In just a few years, the town of Ocean Shores had 23 miles of canals (many homes have frontage on these waterways), a championship golf course, and a part-time population of Hollywood types who came for the seclusion afforded by this 6,000-acre retreat, called Washington's "richest little city."

A 1980s recession brought that boom to a halt, though, and it took a decade for builders to get back on track. Prices have since stayed reasonable, and what was once the "richest" is now one of the Northwest's most affordable little cities, with more than 200 homes priced below $400,000 at the end of 2007.

New Ocean Shores residents enjoy the same seacoast splendor that lured those adventurous souls with $595 to burn a half-century ago. Miles of sandy beaches encourage horseback riding, clamming, and prospecting for agates, as well as spotting more than 200 species of birds-including brown pelicans and peregrine falcons drawn to nearby Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. Ocean City State Park offers a chance to observe seals and their pups. Head north on Route 101 for a scenic loop around the mountains and rain forests of the Olympic Peninsula.

On the outskirts lies lively Ocean Shores, tucked behind a gateway of stone pillars that has become a community trademark. The town may no longer be a Hollywood hangout, but it's saved from somnolence by the Quinault Beach Resort and Casino and a downtown cluster of small hotels, shops, and restaurants catering to summer and autumn tourists.

Thoughts on Lemon Balm (Melissa)

Lemon balm is one of my favorite herbs. It has a light, sweet, lemony fragrance that can be used in many ways in your cooking and crafts. It is also easy to grow.Lemon Balm PotpourriOne of its traditional uses is in potpourri, where it works well with lavender, rosemary, and rose petals. Be sure to use a fixative to prevent the fragrance from dissipating to quickly. Orris root can be used for

Sage Tips and Facts

Sage is a very handy herb. When used as a seasoning for game, it evens out the strong 'wild' flavors. It adds depth to sausage and other fatty meats, and minced fresh, enhances the flavor of creamy cheeses. Sage will usually compliment most foods that contain onion as a major ingredient, and Sage is a good companion for ginger, both in the garden and in cooking.In the medicine cabinet, sage tea

Growing Rosemary

Growing rosemary can be a breeze in warm climates. Since it does well as a houseplant, it can also be grown easily in colder climates if brought indoors in winter. Check out my article on rosemary for more details: Growing Rosemary. There are now also frost tolerant rosemary varieties that are hardy to Zone 5. For some modern, cold hardy cultivars, take a look at my post: Growing Rosemary in

Laying out Your Herb Garden

Preparing the soil and selecting the plants or seeds is only part of the adventure, now comes the layout. Let's recap for a moment.

You have prepared your soil by amending it and working it to a depth of at least six inches. The site you have selected has at least six hours of sunlight each day, and does not sit in a boggy area or in a spot that's riddled with tree roots. Great start!

Now

Easter Thoughts

With Easter coming up, I thought I would make some recommendations about how to celebrate this holiday in a way that will help make your family more ecologically aware. Please visit my holiday blog for thoughts on how gardening can educate a new generation about environmental issues: New Ideas for Easter

Soil Considerations for Your Herb Garden

Although herbs can tolerate poor soil, the addition of organic material and good drainage are important for the growth of healthy plants. Stressed plants are more susceptible to disease and insect attack. The preparation of good soil will go a long way toward guaranteeing a healthy herb patch.Good garden soil contains at least 25% humus. Humus is organic material that can be compost, manure (use

Herb Locations

Like real estate, important considerations for plants are: location, location, location. Areas that are exposed to high winds, brutal heat, constant heavy shade, abundant shallow tree roots, and standing water are not good choices for most plants, and certainly not for herbs. If you have problem spots that need planting solutions, there are specialty selections that will help you deal with these

Plant Terms Defined

Before we start discussing plans for an herb garden, let's define some terms. Herbs and vegetables fall into three broad growing categories that will help you understand what type of future you can expect from them.Annual Herbs DefinedPlants that complete their life cycle in a single season are said to be annual. That season often starts in the spring and ends with the first frost, but with a

Cityofoceanshores.com Newsletter ~ 02.2008

Springtime at the Beach!
Spring is back! The beaches have been full of people over the past few weekends. Lots of folks have been down checking out the new Damon Point State Park looking at all the changes caused by the storm last December. Activity is high in Ocean Shores. It hasn't felt much like a sleepy little beach town in recent weeks.

Real Estate Update
Real Estate activity has finally heated up after a slow winter. Buyers started showing up heavily in the middle of February and it's been pretty steady ever since. Our office website http://www.oceanshoresnow.com/ and my http://www.cityofoceanshores.com/ website are both getting the kind of online traffic that compares to our usual summer traffic. Both websites have recently been updated and changed to make them more user friendly as well. Take a look! Meanwhile, I'll have a report on 1st quarter sales numbers next month in the March Newsletter. Now is a good time to buy while prices are still down. Feel free to look at some of the great deals & great properties right now by clicking one of the links below:
Super House Deals!
Great Deals for Vacant Properties!
Investments!

Upcoming Events
* Razor Clam Festival - March 14-15
Put on by the Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce. 360.289.2451
On Friday night, they're putting on their first Restaurant Crawl. The evening begins with Appetizers at Waves, followed by your choice of Razor Clam Chowder or a crisp green salad at Alec's by the Sea. Participants will then head over to the Shilo for their entree (a choice of Razor Clams-of course, or Citrus Chicken). Dessert will be enjoyed at Galway Bay-you will have a choice of 3 different selections, including their famous Bread Pudding. The cost is just $30 for adults and $18 for children under 12. You do need a reservation, so if you'd like to attend, be sure to call the chamber before Friday morning, March 14th. Seating times begin between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.The following events take place on Saturday at the Convention Center:9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ~ Artisan MarketplaceFeaturing more than 30 Northwest artists and crafters with unique and indigenous works. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ~ Kids Fun ZoneArts and crafts for the whole family to enjoy, with a little help from the Ocean Shores Pirates!10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. ~ People's Choice Voting for Favorite ChowderSample the chowder then vote for your favorite and see how your choice stacks up with the judges.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Food Vendors OpenThe professional chowder cook-off contestants and other participating vendors will be selling their delicious entrees and samples for all to try. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Beer & Wine Bar OpenSponsored by The Shilo Inn. For adults 21+.10 a.m. to 5 p.m. ~ Live Music with Marcia Kester. Marcia's blend of acoustic and electric sounds will have you tapping your toes and singing along all afternoon. She's a little bit country, a little bit rock n' roll, a dash of ballads, oldies and a little pop!12:00 p.m. ~ Amateur Chowder Cook-Off Contest BeginsBe sure to watch the amateur chefs battle it out to be the clam chowder king. 1:00 p.m. ~ Decorated Clam Shovel and Gun Art AuctionThose adorned clam shovels and guns will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Ocean Shores Chamber of Commerce.2:30 p.m. ~ Professional Chowder Cook-Off Contest BeginsOur celebrity judges will be making the rounds and sampling clam chowder from participating restaurants from Grays Harbor County. The judges will decide who truly is the 2008 Chowder Cook-Off Champion-and gets the boasting rights of having the Best Chowder on the Washington Coast!6:00 p.m. ~ End of the Second Annual Razor Clam Festival & Chowder Cook-Off

* North Coast Folk Festival - April 18-19
John Stewart (original member and song writer of the famed Kingston Trio), Tillers Folly (Canadian Celtic performers), renowned blues artist Del Ray, Tom May and Prairie Flyer (an award winning bluegrass band from Spokane) are just part of the bill. In addition to a great weekend of music, there will also be vendors, food and drink. You won't want to miss this exciting event.

News
* US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge is Closed
The Washington State Department of Transportation has closed the US 101 Simpson Avenue Bridge to all traffic. During the closure, traffic will be detoured over the nearby Riverside Bridge. The Riverside Bridge will be reconfigured from two westbound lanes to one lane in each direction. Crews will replace the electrical and mechanical components of the bridge's draw span during the closure. Here is the link to the project web page: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/US101/SimpsonBridgeRehab/. Plan in advance so you don't spend too much time stuck in traffic. The bridge should be back in action by early May.
* Ocean Shores Election Update
After the recent March election, the results are in for who will be your next American Idol. Oops. Wrong show. Ocean Shores recently held a primary election and here's what's going on. Dean Bunkers will be running against Fred Winge in the May 20th Mayor election, while Peter Jordan, who served two terms on the City Council and one term as mayor is out. Meanwhile, Garland French will be running against Monte Nicholson for City Council Position A and Richard Skewis will run against John Lynn for City Council Position B.
* Strange Canisters washing up on the Beaches
Mysterious silver-colored canisters found along the Washington coast once contained rat poison and should not be handled, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Ecology says. Hundreds of the one-liter canisters, apparently made in China, have been found as far south as Ocean Shores to as far north as Ozette since last summer, she said. They came to the attention of the state Ecology Department only last weekend when some were displayed at the Beachcomber's Fun Fair at Ocean Shores, officials said. "Tests confirmed a small amount of phosphine gas, which is a product of aluminum phosphide used to kill rodents and other pests aboard cargo ships. One person in Ocean Shores reported that he's seen as many as 100 since last summer. Anyone who spots one of these silver, one-liter containers should note its location and phone Ecology's environmental hot line in Olympia: 360-407-6300.
* Doppler coming to the Coast?
The National Weather Service has several Doppler radar sites in the state, but the current locations can't reach through the Olympic Mountains, leaving what atmospheric scientists call a "black hole" from the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the Oregon coast which includes Ocean Shores, Westport and the entire North Coast. Scientists, fishermen and community activists have proposed building a new radar station in Westport and are hoping a Northwest congressional delegation has the political muscle to get the funding. Added radar would mean forecasts for communities like Ocean Shores and would go from forecasts showing what's happening currently to forecasts that could look several hours into the future. Knowing what happens in the future could help first responders prepare more for big storms, like the one in December that caught many folks off guard. A new coastal radar in the Westport area could cost as much as $8.5 million.
* New Bridge in Copalis Beach
A new bridge over Connor Creek now provides easy beach access for visitors and emergency vehicles in Copalis Beach. The bridge is located at the end of Heath Road, off Highway 109. Over the past several years, Connor Creek has shifted north about four miles, cutting off easy vehicle access to the beach at Heath Road and Benner Gap. State Parks worked with local officials and residents to acquire a 30-foot-wide right of way to construct the bridge at Heath Road.

* The New & Improved http://www.cityofoceanshores.com/
The website has completely been redesigned to serve property buyers, sellers, visitors, vacationers and anyone interested in Ocean Shores or the North Beach area. I've added a lot of sections to the site. Please check it out and feel free to share any comments with me if you want. Thank you.

See you on the Beach!
Jeff Daniel Designated Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties749 Point Brown Ave NW, Ocean Shores, WA 985691.360.581.9020 (cell) - 1.888.469.3100 (toll free)PROPERTY SEARCH: http://homepages.com/JeffDaniel/AgentHome.aspx
OCEAN SHORES INFO: http://www.cityofoceanshores.com/
AGENT INFO: http://www.coldwellbanker.com/for/jeffdanielOCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://oceanshoresrealestate.blogspot.com/
OCEAN SHORES BLOG: http://activerain.com/jeffgdaniel
OPERATION PAINTBALL: http://www.operationpaintballwa.com/

What's the Difference Between an Herb and a Vegetable?

Herbs differ from vegetables in that they are primarily used as an accompaniment and not served alone. Vegetables can be eaten alone, cooked or raw. Many herbs can be raised with vegetables, and they can make good pairings to promote a pest free growing environment. Herbs are commonly resistant to pests because they have strong flavors and aromas that many pests avoid.Because they are hardy and

What's the Difference Between Herbs and Spices?

There is some overlap, but the basic difference between an herb and a spice is that spices are considered tropical or semi-tropical in origin. They can be composed of leaves, bark, roots, dried fruits, seeds, or nuts. Almost all spices are imported, and can come from vines, shrubs, or trees.

Growing and Harvesting Ginger

Ginger grows from a spreading, tuberous rhizome. It does well in moist fertile soil in warm winter areas. If you have seen ginger in the grocery store, the root looks like a flattened, beige, segmented bulb. The foliage is tall and dark green in color, springing from upright, rigid stems. Even in areas that experience a hard frost, ginger can be grown in large pots and over-wintered indoors.

Starting Garlic From Cloves

You can start garlic from the bulbs you buy at your local grocery store. This is true of regular and elephant garlic. Here's how.

Starting Garlic from Cloves

Separate the cloves and let them dry on your counter for a few days, but don't peel the paper off. Prepare potting soil to which you have added sand or another loosening agent. If you are planting garlic directly into the garden and have