WestSound Magazine

12/31/2024

Enjoy a delicious new take on a classic casserole with this slow-cooker recipe.

Comfort food made easy, this Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole is loaded with ground turkey, bacon and vegetables in a creamy sauce topped with tater tots and cheese.

12/30/2024

A perennial local favorite, the Subaru Forrester adds some style refinements while maintaining its popular offroad and city-driving functionalities.

The 2025 Subaru Forester is a popular compact SUV that's so well suited to the Pacific Northwest, it could have been named Subaru PNW. This region was one of the first to embrace Subaru's common-sense, go-anywhere practicality. The Forester is all new for 2025 and is the model's sixth iteration. Pas...

12/27/2024

Spice up your long, dark and wet winter nights ahead with local winter warmer brews and dessert wines.

Once the holidays wind down with Christmas lights packed away and the New Year's Eve confetti swept up from the floor, the realization sets in that there are still a few long, dark and wet winter nights ahead.

12/26/2024

Northern Giant Creative Group brings together a team of many talents and creative flairs.

The Northern Giant Creative Group is dedicated to helping small businesses no matter the project. "A collective of award-wining creative designers, craftsmen, writers, developers, artists, strategists and visionaries," the group offers expertise in design, marketing, apparel, production and fabricat...

12/25/2024

You don't need to be a diehard bicycling enthusiast to enjoy winter riding — with a little extra prep, you can still get a few outings in even in the drearier weather.

Once winter arrives, many people put their bikes into storage. But, this doesn't mean that you have to give up your rides. While the cold weather will require you to bundle up more, choosing to keep riding through the winter months provides you with some serious benefits for your mental and physical...

12/25/2024

Who doesn't love French toast on a lazy morning? Eliminate the tedious cooking part with a twist on this classic favorite — a casserole.

On a cool, crisp morning, it's hard to beat an exciting twist on a breakfast classic. This French Toast Casserole is crisp on top while soft and moist in the middle, coming fresh out of the oven with the aroma of maple syrup and pecans that will have the whole house eager for a bite.

12/23/2024

A new addition to the Mazda SUV lineup, the Mazda CX-70 comes with sporty performance and extra cargo space.

The 2025 Mazda CX-70 is an all-new model that's essentially a two-row version of the popular Mazda CX-90. This configuration is great for people who don't need or want extra passenger capacity as much as more cargo space.

12/22/2024

Here's your opportunity to tell the world who pours the best local espresso, or who makes your hair look great, or your favorite Sunday brunch... or just about anything! Our "Best of" ballot has many categories — and we want your opinion. Take a few minutes and vote for your favorite businesses or...

12/20/2024

Bavarian traditions meet Northwest hospitality in charming Leavenworth.

At just over three hours driving time from West Sound, the charming village of Leavenworth makes for a convenient and activity-filled, long-weekend getaway. The drive is very pleasant as it meanders through the stunning North Cascade countryside along the Skykomish and Wenatchee rivers. In addition....

12/19/2024

Local kitchen and bath designers, builders, and others gather at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino for a professional retreat.

October was kitchen and bath month. Kitchen and bath designers, builders, affiliated industries, vendors and sponsors gathered at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino to "Connect the Dots."

12/18/2024

Amy Burnett reminisces about Fiesta dinnerware.

Fiesta dinnerware is always popular and getting hard to find. It took several days to find these red pieces.

12/17/2024

A new initiative of the Kitsap Tourism Coalition provides a comprehensive resource for locals and visitors alike to explore Kitsap.

The Kitsap Tourism Coalition, under its brand "Love Kitsap," is raising the bar for tourism in Kitsap County. With the launch of the county's first-ever Digital Countywide Exploration Guide, Interactive Maps, and carefully curated itineraries, the coalition is demonstrating a bold commitment to enha...

12/16/2024

Just in time for your holiday prep, here's a fun, simple recipe for a sweet and savory holiday side dish.

No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape.

12/13/2024

Run by fourth family generation, Minder Meats boasts eight decades of business success.

Minder Meats, a meat market in Bremerton, was first opened in Kitsap County in 1943 during World War II. It has gone through four generations of family management, with James Minder Carlson as the current owner. He explains that it was his Swiss great-grandfather who founded their family business.

12/12/2024

Add more cheers to the holidays with sparkling wines.

Sparkling wine has a storied history that goes back centuries, beginning as a fortunate accident when winemakers discovered that some of their wines continued to ferment in the bottle, creating effervescent bubbles.

12/10/2024

Our spotlighted nonprofit, The Russell Family Foundation, works with community partners toward a more sustainable world.

When the Russell family sold the Frank Russell Co., a highly respected and long-established Tacoma-based investment company, to Northwestern Mutual Life in 1999, Jane and George Russell funded The Russell Family Foundation (TRFF) with part of the proceeds. This led the way for the couple’s extende...

12/09/2024

A real-life adult version of a child's dream truck, the Ford Bronco offers an antidote for boring transportation.

Ford revived the legendary Bronco nameplate in 2021 with an excellent modernization that leaned more toward the original compact 1966 Bronco than the various large Broncos that ceased production in 1996.

12/06/2024

Chalet in the Woods entices with unique European wares and a dash of nature.

Driving on winding, two-lane roads lined with large fir trees, past several small farms, the journey sets the mood for a visit to Chalet in the Woods, a peaceful and unique gift shop in Gig Harbor. The driveway is lined with long-established hydrangea bushes, holly bushes, large native ferns and pot...