Jennifer Bardsley

Caption: Downtown Everett has lots to offer pedestrians, including a wide variety of coffee houses. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Coffee in downtown Everett is the cure for a cloudy day

You could do a pub crawl there — and drive home safely, if a bit jittery.

Caption: Downtown Everett has lots to offer pedestrians, including a wide variety of coffee houses. (Jennifer Bardsley)
It meant staying up way past this mom's bedtime, but taking her daughter to an Alex G concert at The Showbox in Seattle was worth it. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Middle-aged mom braves a school-night concert

Jennifer Bardsley accompanies her daughter and a friend to an Alex G concert in downtown Seattle. What could go wrong?

It meant staying up way past this mom's bedtime, but taking her daughter to an Alex G concert at The Showbox in Seattle was worth it. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Caption: Step right up and perform your civic duty. Jury service in Snohomish County is an experience to remember. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Jury duty offers inside look at the criminal justice system

Sure, it’s a pain in the neck. But much, much more than that, it’s a vital piece of American democracy.

Caption: Step right up and perform your civic duty. Jury service in Snohomish County is an experience to remember. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Caption: Give yourself a long lead time and an ample budget if your goal is an air-conditioned summer.

Installing central air conditioning takes money and patience

But it’ll be worth every penny the next time a heat dome descends over Snohomish County.

Caption: Give yourself a long lead time and an ample budget if your goal is an air-conditioned summer.
Caption: Skykomish River Park in Monroe is a welcoming location for middle school cross country runners from across Snohomish County.

Attending a cross country meet offers opportunity for repose

It took you two hours of driving and waiting to offer the kids 45 seconds of support. And it was well worth it.

Caption: Skykomish River Park in Monroe is a welcoming location for middle school cross country runners from across Snohomish County.
FILE - This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley during a performance. The AP reported on July 14, 2017, that a story claiming a dead homeless man in San Diego was identified as Presley is a hoax. Presley died in 1977. (AP Photo, File)

Who was cooler: Elvis or the Beatles?

It depends on which generation you ask — but don’t ask the author’s kids. They’re into Nirvana.

FILE - This 1972 file photo shows Elvis Presley during a performance. The AP reported on July 14, 2017, that a story claiming a dead homeless man in San Diego was identified as Presley is a hoax. Presley died in 1977. (AP Photo, File)
Women came from all over the Pacific Northwest to “glamp” and raise money to send girls to Girl Scout Camp from Sept. 16-18. The next opportunity to glamp at Camp River Ranch will be Sept. 8-10, 2023. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Women’s glamping retreat raises money to send local girls to camp

I’ve been the camper, the counselor, the Girl Scout leader and the mom. Now, I was the glamper.

Women came from all over the Pacific Northwest to “glamp” and raise money to send girls to Girl Scout Camp from Sept. 16-18. The next opportunity to glamp at Camp River Ranch will be Sept. 8-10, 2023. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Caption: Easy ways to make time for reading when you are a busy parent.

How busy parents can find time to read — and not just to the kids

Jennifer Bardsley shares her strategies for raising readers, from toddlers to teenagers

Caption: Easy ways to make time for reading when you are a busy parent.
Caption #1: Pacific Northwest mother of two Jennifer Bardsley loves her Hyundai IONIQ 5’s responsive handling and extensive battery life. (Jennifer Bardsley)

The Hyundai IONIQ 5 is the EV this Subaru mom’s been waiting for

Jennifer Bardsley had never before owned a “cool” car. This EV has made her an IONIQ 5 fangirl.

Caption #1: Pacific Northwest mother of two Jennifer Bardsley loves her Hyundai IONIQ 5’s responsive handling and extensive battery life. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Caption: When Hamilton came to The Paramount Theatre, the Girl Scouts came too.

Hamilton Community Day introduced live theater to Girl Scouts

Thanks to Girl Scouts, we’ve made golden memories our hearts will sing about for years.

Caption: When Hamilton came to The Paramount Theatre, the Girl Scouts came too.
Caption: Clean the bathroom in a snap with these simple tricks.

Here’s Jennifer Bardsley’s method for cleaning the bathroom faster

The right products (Disinfectant wipes! Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray! Vinegar!) and a regular routine will keep the loo impeccably clean.

Caption: Clean the bathroom in a snap with these simple tricks.
Caption: Bring patience with you the next time you visit your local post office. (Jennifer Bardsley)

The longest line in Washington is at your local post office

America has allowed its postal service to deteriorate. We should demand our leaders do better — and we should treat post office workers with kindness and respect.

Caption: Bring patience with you the next time you visit your local post office. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Jennifer Bardsley's daughter told her mom to use the panorama function on her smartphone camera to get this stretched visual effect. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Back-to-school shopping with budget-conscious teens

Jennifer Bardsley’s son, daughter and nieces taught her these tricks for saving a lot of money on new school wardrobes.

Jennifer Bardsley's daughter told her mom to use the panorama function on her smartphone camera to get this stretched visual effect. (Jennifer Bardsley)
It’s only a matter of time until kids outpace their parents. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Running with my daughter is a tortuous delight

To the outside observer, I look like a bonafide runner, from my ponytail down to my quads. But that visible impression doesn’t last long.

It’s only a matter of time until kids outpace their parents. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Caption: Now’s a great time to stock up on free Covid tests available to Washington State residents at: https://sayyescovidhometest.org.

COVID-19’s behind her except for a nagging cough

But things might have been much different — in a bad way — without testing and vaccines.

Caption: Now’s a great time to stock up on free Covid tests available to Washington State residents at: https://sayyescovidhometest.org.
Caption: At Flight Room in Lynnwood, aerial fitness poses like “vampire” use every muscle in your body.

Fitness takes flight at new aerial studio in Lynnwood

Jennifer Bardsley finds benefits and “silk kisses” from doing aerial yoga at Lynnwood studio.

Caption: At Flight Room in Lynnwood, aerial fitness poses like “vampire” use every muscle in your body.
The powerful Spokane Falls are a must-visit experience in Spokane, WA.

Family takes a mystery trip that’s full of adventure

Her family was minutes away from leaving on a road trip, but there was a catch — they had no idea where they were going.

The powerful Spokane Falls are a must-visit experience in Spokane, WA.
Caption: Spokane Falls was one of many delights on a surprise-filled trip to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. (Jennifer Bardsley)

Family takes a mystery trip that’s full of adventure

Her family was minutes away from leaving on a road trip, but there was a catch — they had no idea where they were going.

Caption: Spokane Falls was one of many delights on a surprise-filled trip to Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. (Jennifer Bardsley)
Jennifer Bardsley's new book "The History of Us" comes out on July 12th from Montlake. You can find it on Amazon or borrow it from Sno-Isle Libraries.

Jennifer Bardsley’s new novel is full of memories

She overcame transient global amnesia to complete the book set in a fictional waterfront Washington town.

Jennifer Bardsley's new book "The History of Us" comes out on July 12th from Montlake. You can find it on Amazon or borrow it from Sno-Isle Libraries.
Caption: The 12 week Edmonds Community Police Academy was a free opportunity for private citizens to learn about law enforcement.

An inside look at how law enforcement works

A pregnant mother. A man who rescues abused horses and donkeys. A new father. A softball coach. These were some of the people I had… Continue reading

Caption: The 12 week Edmonds Community Police Academy was a free opportunity for private citizens to learn about law enforcement.