Photo Caption: Amphora pottery made in Bohemia during the art nouveau period is prized for its elaborate nature-themed decorations. This octopus vase brought $6,600 at a Morphy auction in 2021.

Life

Pre-WWI Amphora pottery pieces from Bohemia are highly prized

This stylized octopus vase, with two of its tentacles forming side handles, sold for a cool $6,600 at…

Life

All hail the lowly ‘pigsqueak,’ the Bergenia from Great Britain

This plant will literally grow anywhere in the garden, and looks breathtaking this time of year.

Epimedium × perralchicum ‘Fröhnleiten’ (Richie Steffen)

Life

Great Plant Pick: Epimedium × perralchicum ‘Fröhnleiten’

This German cultivar is a superb ground cover for the Northwest garden.

Life

Need more space for native plants? Replace your lawn

Once a status symbol, lawns today are problematic. They require fertilizers and herbicides and don’t support insects, birds…

An artistic rendering of Sunnyside Village Cohousing in Marysville. (Sunnyside Village Cohousing)

Local News

‘Cohousing’ group plans community of 32 cottages in Marysville

It will have an organic garden, a common house and a vision for tight-knit community. Residents would buy…

Pearl Django, known for their gypsy Jazz swing style, will perform at Tim Noah Thumbnail Theater Oct. 3.

Life

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Hear Gypsy Jazz favorites Pearl Django in Snohomish. And check out Elvis impersonators in Everett.

Gus Mansour sings during a rehearsal for the upcoming  annual Elvis Challenge Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on April 13, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Local News

Who’s the best Elvis? They’ll croon for ‘The King’ crown

Get all shook up at “Kentucky Rain Band’s Elvis Challenge” on Friday at the Historic Everett Theatre.

A heritage-inspired grille with the word Toyota in big bronze lettering is a distinguishing feature of the 2022 Tacoma SR5 Trail Edition model. (Manufacturer photo)

Life

Toyota Tacoma midsize pickup continues its reign at the top

For 2022, Trail Edition and TRD Pro models are better in rough terrain, and there’s flashy new paint.

Mary Beth Kurtenbach (seated0 in her remodeled kitchen, designed by Lake Stevens' Distinctive Designs' Kelly DuByne, on Tuesday, Sept. 7, 2021 in Lake Stevens, Washington. The Kitchen features a Monet Inspired tile wall, floating shelves and toe kick lights. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Life

The pandemic has been a boom time for home remodels

A Lake Stevens interior designer has shared in a nationwide rush to freshen our homes.

Glastonbury Tor attracts hikers and seekers.

Life

Rick Steves’ Europe: History and mystery in Glastonbury

The 500-foot-tall hill supposedly was visited by Jesus’ uncle, and is a source of the Holy Grail myths.

Life

Lufthansa refunded one ticket but not the other. What happened?

When Lufthansa cancels Raymond Menna’s flight, it takes four months for a refund. But his wife’s refund is…

Life

Some observations gleaned from the journey to old age

Among them: Be a student of your life, accept the inevitable changes of older age and being generous…

Caption: Spring weather makes it tricky to know when it’s time to put patio furniture to use.

Life

Patio furniture brings back a stream of summer memories

‘Tis the season for bringing out the outdoor chairs and tables — only to be rained in 30…

Life

Plant sales set in Monroe and Arlington

The Arlington event also is a fundraiser for young Ukrainian refugees in Poland.

Acer palmatum ‘Shindeshojo’

Life

Great Plant Pick: Acer palmatum ‘Shindeshojo’

This Japanese maple puts on its most vibrant colors in spring rather than fall.

Orange Vireya Rhododendron Flowers Blooming

Life

Believe it or not, rhodies can be yellow and orange, too

Most of the plants have blue, purple, pink and red flowers, but here are eight recommended yellow-ish rhodies

Photo Caption: This stick and ball umbrella stand shows that not all Arts and Crafts furniture is plain and dark. It sold for $300 at a recent Selkirk auction.

(c) 2022 by Cowles Syndicate Inc.

Life

Umbrella stand is unusual example of Arts and Crafts furniture

It breaks the mould by having a light, intricate look with some ornamentation.

The man's hands in gardening gloves are sorting through the chopped wood of the trees. Mulching the tree trunk circle with wood chips. Organic matter of natural origin

Life

Why you should choose a nature-based approach to garden soil

Resist the urge to rake up every last leaf. Leaving them on the ground promotes healthy soil and…

Derina Harvey Band: Celtic rock by way of Canada. 7:30 p.m. April 22 at Edmonds Center for the Arts, 410 Fourth Ave. N., Edmonds. Tickets are $19-$44. More at tinyurl.com/EDH-derina.

Life

Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Hear Celtic rock by way of Canada from the Derina Harvey Band in Edmonds. Plus Elvis impersonators in…

Mike Lane and son Dave Lane, right, in front of their family store Everett Vacuum with their popular sign and saying, “everything we sell sucks” on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Business

‘Everything we sell sucks’: The dirt on Everett’s most accurate ad

The sign at the vacuum-cleaner store on Broadway gets attention and laughs. And every so often, it goes…