Swansons Stories
Aimée Damman
The Story of An Extra Special Holiday Train

This year, though, the train is even more magical and special. It’s partly because of the great theme - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory - but mostly because of the people who made this year’s train happen. Especially one new addition to the train team, a boy named Sam. Sam is an autistic person who has specific and deep passions, one of which is Willy Wonka. He knows everything about the story, the characters, the setting. He can discuss the finer points all day long. And that’s how this year’s train took shape. So how did Sam get involved with the Swansons’ train?

The Story of An Extra Special Holiday Train
Gift Guides
Aimée Damman
Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide

Happy Holidays! This season, celebrate the joy of giving with thoughtful gifts that reflect the unique passions of your loved ones. Our carefully curated selection of gifts is sure to make this holiday season unforgettable for everyone on your list. Let us help you spread cheer with gifts that inspire and delight!

Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Birds & Wildlife, Gardening with Kids
Aimée Damman
6 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree After ...

The holidays are winding down and despite the desire to keep your beautifully-decorated Christmas tree as a centerpiece in your living room forever, at some point (sob!) it's gotta go. Here are 6 ways to transform your tree into a critter-feeding-bird-sheltering-kid-entertaining-garden-mulching thing of wonder this year.

6 Ways to Repurpose Your Christmas Tree After the Holidays
Planting & Plant Care
Dan Gilchrist
Cold Protection for Your Garden Plants

Here are some quick tips for protecting your less-hardy plants from cold damage.

Cold Protection for Your Garden Plants
Garden History & Lore
Mike Kohfeld
Cuetlaxochitl: A Cultural History of the ...

With cheerful red bracts and delicate yellow flowers framed against velvety green leaves, colorful poinsettias are an indisputable symbol of Christmas. In fact, poinsettias are the most commercially important potted plant in the world because of their endearing association with the December holiday season. But how did this warm-weather shrub native to western Mexico become so closely associated with Christmas?

Cuetlaxochitl: A Cultural History of the Poinsettia

interviews

An Interview with Amy Pennington

An Interview with Amy Pennington

After winding down NW Blue Ridge Drive for what seems like forever, I pull up in front of my assigned meeting place with Amy Pennington, cook, writer, blogger, TV personality and edible gardener extraordinaire. I follow the sounds of laughter-filled chatter up the stairs and into the back garden, where I am met with a spectacular view: beautiful ornamental landscaping blending harmoniously with an edible garden of raised beds at the height of the property, with sweeping views of Puget Sound and the Olympics. It is a tapestry of blues and greys on this overcast morning.

 
 

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