2 December 2015grow Northwest

Next issue: JANUARY 2016 • Deadline: Dec. 21To submit an advertisement or information, call (360) 398-1155 or e-mail editor@grownorthwest.comPlease note the office will be closed Dec. 22 and reopen Jan. 4.

December 2015 3 grow Northwest

DECEMBER 2015 • Volume 6, Number 8

5 Meals on Wheels: Delivering meals, kinship to

homebound seniors

6 Into the Woods: Wildcrafting

is the soul of Garden Spot

7 Amaryllis: Tips of the trade

Community

4 Field Notes: Related news,

business and happenings

10 Local Life: Photo submissions

from readers

14 Events: Community calendar

17 Junior Growers: Kids page

18 Marketplace: Local buyer’s

guide & service directory

On the Side

Features12 Local gift ideas: A few

of our favorite things

Cooking13 Hearth and home: Warm up with these

delicious dishes

14 Holiday treats: Share the love

IN thIs Issue

5

7

12

growNorthwest

co-publisher / editor /design directorBecca Schwarz Cole

co-publisher / business managerBrent Cole

contributing writersKate Ferry, Carol Frey, Mary Vermillion contributing photographersMary Vermillion, Carol Kilgore, Bev Rudd, Julie Hagen, Rio Thomas

advertising Becca Schwarz Cole, Victor Gotelaere

circulationDavid Johnson, Brent Cole

Junior growersHarrison Cole, Ruby Cole

office support Harrison, Ruby & Autumn

on the coverWreathmaking at Garden Spot Nursery in Bellingham. photo courtesY of eve boe

Grow Northwest is locally owned and operated by becca schwarz cole and brent cole. the magazine is published 12 times a year, and is a sister publi-cation of What’s Up! Magazine. Grow Northwest is a member of whatcom farm friends, washington tilth produc-ers, and sustainable connections. no content can be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the pub-lishers. copyright ©2010-2015.

subscriptions are available by mail for $36 per year (12 issues). Grow Northwest circulates copies through whatcom, skagit, san Juan, snohom-ish and island counties. for advertising information, or to submit press releases, events and other materials, please send to editor@grownorthwest.com or call (360) 398-1155. all opinions expressed in Grow Northwest are the opinions of the individuals expressing them and not necessarily the opinions of Grow Northwest.

P.O. Box 414Everson, WA 98247

phone: (360) 398-1155email: info@grownorthwest.comonline: www.grownorthwest.com

December 2015Volume 6, Number 8

Happy HolidaysedItor’s Note

From our family to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season with your family,

friends, and community. Laugh heartily, give thoughtfully, be gra-cious and thankful, and relish in the celebration of simple joys this time of year.

We want to thank our advertis-ers for their continued support, most especially the businesses sticking with us during the winter months when things slow down. Many thanks to our readers for picking up this little monthly and sharing your thoughts, and for

supporting the community folks and businesses you see in our pages. We cannot publish without all of you, and we look forward to growing in 2016.

Please note the deadline to finalize submissions and advertis-ing for our January issue is Mon-day, Dec. 21. The office will be closed Dec. 22 and reopen Jan. 4.

Enjoy December, and we’ll see you in January. Merry Christ-mas, Happy Hanukkah, Greatus Festivus, Happy Solstice, Season’s Greetings, Happy New Year, and all the good stuff!

–Becca

Happy Holidays! Thank you for supporting local!

4 December 2015grow Northwest

A brief look at related news, business and happenings Growing Veterans awarded JMK Innovation Prize; receives $175,000lYnden – growing veterans was named one of 10 winners nation-wide of the JmK innovation prize, which will provide $175,000 to the group over the next three years. the winners, announced nov. 12, were selected as “early-stage, diverse social innovation projects across the u.s. that offer cutting-edge, interdisciplinary and actionable ap-proaches to important social problems.” the JmK innovation prize is offered by the J.m. Kaplan fund, a new York-based family foundation. a total of 1,138 applications were considered. the money will be used to train veterans to become “effective peer supporters” to help other veterans. growing veterans, which started three years ago, offers support for veterans through agriculture. with a mission to empower military veterans to grow food, communities, and each other, the non-profit combines veteran reintegration with sustainable agricul-ture. the group has grown significantly over the last three years, now operating their home farm in lynden and a farm in the skagit valley, and working other regional outposts as well as selling their produce at the va farmers market in seattle. for more information, see their website at http://growingveterans.org.

Co-op’s Grand Reopening Dec. 4bellingham – the community food co-op will hold its grand reopening of the newly remodeled store on friday, dec. 4, featuring music, food, and more. major improvements to the store include a new mezzanine seating area, remodeled bathrooms, and the addition of a salad bar and innovative hot bar with various options available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner service. a number of local vendors will host tasting stations on the sales floor, and washington chestnut company will be roasting chestnuts on site. additional food samples include acme farms fine cheese, spice hut, fresh breeze organic dairy, bellingham coffee roasters, Kombucha town, peterson meats and cheese, and raw cha cha chocolat. whole life nutrition author and nutritionist tom malterre will also be on site for a book signing. the event is from 5:30 to 10 p.m. at 1220 n. forest st., bellingham. the community food co-op, established in 1970, is whatcom county’s only community-owned natural-foods grocery store with two stores serving bellingham and whatcom county.

Cascadia Grains Conference coming up olYmpia – the annual cascadia grains conference will be held on Jan. 9, 2016 in olympia. the event brings together farmers, proces-sors and end-users, as well as investors, brokers and local government officials to discuss and support a grain economy west of the cascade mountains in washington, oregon, and british columbia through brewing and distilling, baking and other food uses, as well as animal feed. for information, visit www.cascadiagrains.com.

Concrete receives Farm-to-School funding

Field Notes

Community First Garden Project funding deadline Dec. 15whatcom– funding is available for community gardens in whatcom county through the community first gardens program. the deadline has been extended to dec. 15. any community garden group can participate in the project; the goal is to provide funding, technical support and education to new and established community gardens, and create a coalition of gardeners who can support and network with each other. cfg is now in its 7th year. there are over 30 community gardens in whatcom county, and to date 14 gardens have been funded. gardens that received garden grants this past summer include: blaine, faith lutheran, sterling paz, east county resource center, York neighborhood farm, maple falls, and millworks cohousing fairhaven garden. for more infor-mation, visit http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ch/assistance.html.

Composter/Recycler Course setwhatcom – the master composter recycler course, a hands-on volunteer training course about composting, recycling, and soil building, will be held thursdays, feb. 18 through april 2. the thursday classes are from 5-7 p.m., with saturday field trips also included. registration is $90 per person, and $40 per student/scholarship. all materials are provided. the course is hosted by wsu whatcom county extension. learn from the experts, construct compost systems for any living situation and tour local facilities. for an application, link to www.goo.gl/g35bf2. for more information, email amberose Kelley (a.kelley@wsu.edu) or call (360) 778-5814.

find more field notes and updates at www.grownorthwest.com. have news you’d like to share? send submissions to editor@grownorthwest.com.

concrete – a usda farm-to-school (f2s) implementation grant submitted last may in a partnership between united general district 304 and concrete school district was selected for funding, according to marjie bell, united general’s program planner for community health outreach programs in sedro-woolley. hundreds of applicants across the country competed for a limited amount of funding and according to usda, “concrete’s application stood out among so many others because it demonstrated strong experience and readi-ness to conduct farm to school initiatives and showed that you are thinking critically about opportunities and challenges.”

the concrete farm to school program provides field trips to upper skagit farms, garden and cooking-based classroom activi-ties, scratch cooking, a harvest of the month program, and more. the two-year usda grant funding allows the concrete school district to offer a series of 12 culinary skill development classes for kitchen staff in skagit and whatcom school districts and skagit/islands head start. instructor and culinary consultant Kent getzin from wenatchee school district will teach participants to confi-

dently cook food from scratch using fresh, local ingredients and increase the procurement and use of local produce. this project will be a catalyst for advancing farm to school and farm to pre-school throughout the region.

–Marjie Bell

Senator Kirk Pearson visited with Concrete Elementary students on Taste Washington Day in October. PHOTO COuRTESy OF JASON MIllER/CONCRETE HERAlD

December 2015 5grow Northwest

CommunityMeals on Wheels and More: Delivering meals, kinship to homebound seniors

Meal on Wheels and More, part of the Whatcom Council on Aging, offers

home-delivered meals to home-bound senior citizens. Formerly titled the “Senior Nutrition Pro-gram,” the non-profit organization delivered a total of 60,879 meals in 2014 to Whatcom and San Juan counties, visiting 150-175 home-bound seniors each week.

According to Julie Meyers, Director for Meals on Wheels, the program is not income-based, though it is estimated that over “80 percent of the participants are very low income by the HUD guidelines.” Those residents receiving delivery must be 60 years or older and have difficulty shopping and/or prepar-ing meals at home.

Meals on Wheels are offered on a donation only basis. “Although Meals on Wheels participants are asked to donate what they can to help pay for the meals, no one is denied service due to inability to donate.”

The logistical success of the Meals on Wheels & More pro-gram relies on an abundance of dedicated volunteers for preparing and delivering meals. All meals are prepared and frozen on site at the Bellingham Senior Center or pur-chased from a local supplier and delivered weekly Monday through Friday to homes in Whatcom and San Juan counties. Each participant receives seven meals, a half-gallon of milk, a loaf of whole grain bread and the occasional seasonal produce. The overall cost of the program (food, equipment, staffing, mileage, supplies, etc) is $6.55 per meal. According to the Northwest Regional Council Data, the What-com/San Juan County program has the lowest average cost per meal.  

A registered dietician meets with each participant when they initially sign up and determines the nutri-tional needs of the individual. Par-ticipants will continue to meet with the dietician annually to monitor their needs and changes.

According to Meyers, “Seventy-five percent of participants are de-termined to be at high nutritional risk at the initial home visit”.

Meeting the nutritional needs of seniors is one the primary goals of the Meals on Wheels and More program. The Whatcom Council on Aging’s website states “seniors are at an increased risk of malnutri-tion for multiple reasons including: chronic or acute illness; decreased ability to shop for and to prepare healthy meals; depression and; lack of funds.” In addition to ensuring these needs are met, the services of the program offer an important connection and necessary commu-nication to keep seniors emotion-ally and physically well.

“We offer independence and a regular connection with others.

Our [volunteer] drivers may be the only regular contact our partici-pants have with others outside the home,” Myers said. “Some of our drivers have been doing the same route for 20 years.”

local farm connectionMeals on Wheels and More is in

their fourth year of grant fund-ing from the Whatcom Commu-nity Foundation that supports and supplements the purchase and use of local produce. With this grant, the program is able to purchase seasonable fruit and vegetables from local farms and include it in both the frozen meal recipes and as a fresh supplement in weekly deliveries.

“Participants really enjoy the fresh raspberries that are grown very near to them; sometimes [almost] in their backyard but they can’t [access or] purchase them without our help. They delight in the donut peaches we bring in from Eastern Washing-ton and really appreciate the fresh variety,” Meyers said.

Funding for Meals on Wheels and More is a combination of donations, grants and federal funds. The program falls under the Older American Act and Senior Nutri-tion Act and as a result of this, gets approximately 35 to 40 percent of its funding from the federal government. Local programs are unique in that they are of the few remaining groups to deliver hot meals in Washington State. Similar services operate in Snohomish and King counties, as well as the Skagit County Meals on Wheels program that has over 300 volunteers and offers the choice of the delivery of freezer meals or hot, ready to eat options – across Skagit County. In 2013, 3,000 Skagit seniors received approximately 135,000 meals, 65,000 delivered hot daily to their homes.

Elsewhere in the state, Pierce County’s “Delivered Meals Pro-gram” runs through two church organizations: Catholic Community Services and Lutheran Community Services Northwest.

Sam Grubbs, owner of Bellingham Country Gardens farms, volunteers with Meals on Wheels. courtesY photo

by Kate Ferry

to sign up, volunteer, or donate• Whatcom or San Juan County: to learn more or sign up, contact (360) 733-4030. to volunteer, apply at the bellingham senior center, 315 halleck st, bellingham. for more information, visit www.wccoa.org, and follow the group’s facebook page.

• Skagit County: for delivery services, call (360) 416-1500. to volunteer, call (360) 416-1508. for more details, visit http://www.skagitcounty.net/departments//humanservices/mow.htm.

• Snohomish County: for delivery services or to volunteer, call (425) 347-1229 or (800) 824-2183, or e-mail nutrition@sssc.org. for more details, visit http://www.sssc.org/nutrition/meals_on_wheels.htm.

• Island County: for delivery services or to volunteer, call (360) 321-1600 or (360) 678-3373. for more details, visit www.islandseniorservices.com.

PROFIlE

6 December 2015grow Northwest

Into the Woods: Wild crafting with Garden Spot Nursery

Marcy Plattner’s Garden Spot nursery has deep, wild roots in a family

tradition of foraging for greenery at the holidays. The final months of the year are a special time at the 30-year-old Bellingham nursery where that legacy lives on in wild-crafted holiday décor, a popular Christmas tree fundraiser and the staff’s genuine belief in the magic of the season.

Growing up, Plattner recalls her mother filling their Lopez Island home with the fresh-cut fragrance of evergreen branches gathered from the surrounding forest. Her parents also harvested Christmas trees and sold them in Seattle. When she was 12, the family – Marcy, her parents and six siblings – moved to a farm on the Smith Road in Whatcom County. There, the tradition of natural holiday décor continued.

“We were a big family without a lot of money,” she said. In addition to what they could gather from the woods, holiday decorations involved “a lot of popcorn.” These happy memories are one reason why the holiday season is Plattner’s favorite time of year. When her own children were young, Plattner teamed up with her mother and sis-ter Karol to make and sell wreaths at the original Allied Arts holiday festival at the Roeder Home.

The tradition of bringing the outside in for the holidays con-tinues today. On a recent late November day, Plattner spent a crisp, blue-sky afternoon looking for seasonal treasures on the six acres she now owns of the fam-

ily’s Smith Road farm. “Gleaning, gathering and cutting greens and branches – especially on a sunny, dry day – is my favorite part of the season,” she said.

At this time of year, she’s gather-ing plump, crimson rose hips from huge bushes of old, overgrown rugosa roses and branches of red twig willow, noble fir and variegated cedar. Plattner brings the harvest to the nursery where Garden Spot designers may add the branches to arrangements or weave the rose hips into wreaths. Customers can also purchase bundles for their own holiday projects. Soon, Plattner will gather the holly crop. Later in the

winter, red-branched pussy willow trees and curly willow branches will be cut and bundled for sale.

“Much of what I use is from what we have been growing at the Smith Road Farm, but I reach out to fam-ily and friends for other twiggery as well,” she said. “I prune my brother Alex’s grape vines every year. We have woodland property on Lopez Island where I gather truckloads of mossy cones and branches. I enjoy the fun of finding the unusual. I enjoy the exercise. I enjoy com-ing back to the Garden Spot with a truck load and seeing what the designers do with what was gath-ered. I am especially thrilled when customers notice the effort.”

Plattner and her staff encour-age anyone seeking holiday décor inspiration to explore outside. Ex-periment with textures and colors, unusual greens, twigs, berries or other unexpected accents. Plattner has added bark from white birch or cedar trees, oyster shells or chunks of twisted recycled copper wire to wreaths and holiday arrangements.

In addition to the unexpected, the Garden Spot offers a Christmas tradition with its fresh-cut tree lot that benefits the Boys & Girls

Garden Spot owner Marcy Plattner gathers rose hips at her Smith Road farm. courtesY photo

by Mary Vermillion

annual tree sale to benefit boys & girls club on now

December 2015 7grow Northwest

Club of Whatcom County. Started by Plattner a dozen years ago, the fund-raiser annually raises between $2,700 and $3,000 for Boys & Girls Club programs, including garden-ing and nutrition courses. Plattner is happy to support the club. “There’s a library. A place where they can do their homework. Food. It’s so great. And the staff is so dedicated,” she said.

She works with a family-owned Oregon tree farm to bring in freshly cut noble and Fraser firs for the fundraiser that starts in late November and continues while supplies last. The Boys & Girls Club teenage volunteers and adult staff work with customers and market the trees for a percentage of sales.

For Plattner, the tree sale was a chance to teach the young vol-unteers about customer service. “It’s fun to sell a tree and to help people,” she said. “They can talk about the tree and get out of their shy zone.”

Christine Destry with the Boys & Girls Club said community service projects such as this are an important part of the organiza-tion’s mission because they teach club members to give back and to be civic minded. “It’s fun for them because they meet people and learn to talk to people differ-ently,” she said. “They engage in a conversation that’s different from their normal day-to-day. And they develop confidence and a strong voice.”

Destry, who buys her family’s Christmas tree each year from the Garden Spot, said Plattner’s fund-raising partnership is commend-able. “Marcy is doing something very unique. She is giving back to the community in a way that is completely aligned with who she is and her business goals. She’s con-necting what’s important to her – family farms, a local non-profit and her business. It’s truly progressive and a win-win for both of us. She is bridging the business and non-profit world in a really creative way. And we so appreciate her big, big, big heart.”

The Boys & Girls Club tree sale also makes the Garden Spot staff happy. When long-time staff mem-ber Nancy arrives for work, she deliberately chooses a winding path through the Christmas tree patch and inhales the fragrance. “That smell will make you happy,” she said. “It makes me think of hope. It’s the constancy of the season, knowing it will happen again and being able to react to it as if it was the first time.”

This holiday season gardeners are being tempted with stacks of fist-sized bare root amaryl-

lis. Forget the varieties sold in green plastic pots, these amaryllis are exotic beauties that thrive in a variety of head-turning plantings.

“There is something about the actual size of amaryllis bulbs,” Garden Spot owner Marcy Plattner said. “While most amaryllis are big, there are some varieties that are just plain huge. Maybe it’s that size novelty that just makes them seem exotic.”

Another selling point is that when every other bulb is going dormant, amaryllis are waking up. “The whole amaryl-lis industry seems to be waking up as well,” Platnner added. “There are so many new va-rieties coming to the marketplace. Amaryllis with double flowers. Amaryllis with minia-ture flowers. New color blends.”

Plattner, who gets many of her garden-ing ideas when she travels, recalls a trip to Amsterdam last fall. “The airports, the flower stalls on the floating canals, the shops and markets had tables piled high with bare root amaryllis bulbs,” she said.

If treated correctly, amaryllis will bloom again, justifying (if necessary) what can be a $20 holiday splurge. Plattner knows garden-ers who have kept dozens of amaryllis re-blooming for years. Here are her tips to get

an amaryllis bulb to re-bloom the following year.

First, plant the bulb correctly. The No. 1 mistake gardeners make when they plant amaryllis is burying it too deep and overwa-tering the bulb. 

When the amaryllis bulb is done bloom-ing, keep watering the leaves in the container indoors until the danger of frost has past. In May, remove the bulb and plant it outside in the garden.

Water and fertilize the leaves and bulb all summer.

Stop watering the bulb mid-August and let the leaves dry down totally.

Leave the amaryllis in the ground until the first week of September. Then, dig up the bulb. The dried leaves should fall off natural-

ly, leaving a bare root bulb with lots of roots.Put the bulb into a dark, dry spot to “rest”

during September and October. In mid-November, bring it out and do a

light prune on the roots before planting it again in a container of choice. When choos-ing a container, keep in mind that amaryllis prefer to be a bit crowded in the pot.

The key to this technique is feeding the bulb through the leaves during the summer.  When the bulb is allowed to dry, all the nu-trients from the leaves are sent into the bulb for next seasons bloom.  Placing the bulb in a dark, dry location to rest is what sets the bloom.

Check out the Garden Spot’s website for a list of upcoming events at www.garden-spot.com.

Tips of the Trade: Amaryllis

Some of the large root amaryllis (in hand) and varieties (right). photos bY marY vermillion

thanK You for supporting our

advertisers!

8 December 2015grow Northwest

CookingHearth and home: Warm up with these delicious dishes

Drizzly days and long, sopping wet nights- for most of us, this is winter

in the Northwest. We go about our days a little hunched over to keep the rain off of noses and glasses; we splash from home to work or errands and squelch our way back home again. It is a time that reminds us to be thankful for the hearth and home that shelter our bodies and to enjoy the company of family and friends who shelter our spirits. The following recipes will also warm body and soul. They are simple enough for a casual family dinner but also elegant enough for holidays and good china.

Each recipe features seasonal salmon with Cranberry-Lime relishIngredients 1 -2 lb salmon filet1 tablespoon vegetable oil3 tablespoons butter, melted

for the relish:2 cups fresh or thawed cranberries1/3 cup red onion1 small or ¾ large lime, zest and juicezest of ½ orange¼ cup sugar1 tablespoon honey1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated

Directionsprepare relish up to six hours ahead. combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. simmer over low to medium heat until cranberries begin to break down and sauce begins to thicken. serve immediately or refrigerate and warm gently before serving.pat salmon dry, season with salt and pepper. heat oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet, then cook salmon over medium heat for 3 minutes. brush with melted butter, then tip pan forward to collect butter for basting. baste continuously until the pink flesh turns milky and firm. this should only take another couple of minutes. top with warm relish and serve.

use either homemade stock or a low-sodium stock from the store; regular store-bought stock may be too salty.

Turning to the salad, I have a confession: until recently, I turned my nose up at anything called ‘massaged kale.’ It just sounded a little pretentious. That was before a friend brought a massaged kale salad over for a potluck. Even the children devoured that salad, demonstrating how a vigorous rubbing can soften and sweeten those tough leaves. If rubbing

Northwest flavors or cultural traditions. The first recipe pairs salmon with the bright flavors of cranberry and lime. You can cook the salmon in any way you prefer, but this dish really comes into its own when the fish is basted with butter for the last few minutes on the pan. The browned butter balances the relish nicely, but whichever way you cook it, this is one time you want to be sure not to overcook your fish.

For me, dressing is one of the highlights of holiday feasts. We don’t tend to eat it at any other time of the year, so its an indulgence that I don’t intend to skip even when there is no bird to stuff. This recipe makes a large portion; feel free to halve it if cooking for a small number of people. Also, be sure to

Massaged kale salad with red onion and roasted hazelnuts (left) and mushroom dressing. photos bY carol freY

by Carol Frey

leaves isn’t your thing, you can also dress the kale with lemon juice the night before serving and allow time and the acidic lemon juice to effect a similar transformation.

The last recipe is inspired by the Swedish drink called Glögg. This version is non-alcoholic, simple to prepare and a perfect tonic after muddy adventures. The sliced ginger really makes the drink sing, but if you don’t care for ginger’s spiciness, use a little less than the recipe calls for and don’t slice it. Either way, you’ll have a delicious, warming drink that everyone can enjoy. Happy Holidays!

Mushroom dressingIngredients 1 pound old bread5 tablespoons butter1 large onion, chopped3 celery stalks, chopped1 pound assorted mushrooms, quartered or very coarsely chopped1 ½ cups homemade or low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock1 cup water1 cup fresh parsley, chopped3 eggs, beaten

Directionspreheat oven to 350 degrees. slice bread into 1-inch cubes. toast in oven until crispy. turn oven to 400degrees. butter a large, shallow baking dish. set aside.in large skillet or saute pan, heat remaining butter over medium heat. saute onions and celery in butter until just beginning to brown. add mushrooms and cook until tender, 10-15 minutes. transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool for 5 minutes. add bread, stock, water, parsley and eggs to mixture. salt and pepper to taste.cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. uncover and bake additional 25 to 30 minutes. serve warm.

Massaged Kale salad with red onion and roasted hazelnutsIngredients 2 bunches kale, stripped from stems½ lemon2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or to taste½ cup roasted hazelnuts¼ red onion, sliced thin3 ounces gruyere, pecorino or parmesean, shaved

Directionssqueeze lemon juice onto leaves. refrigerate overnight or rub with clean hands in massaging motion. when the kale is ready, it will be a brighter green and taste sweeter. toss with remaining ingredients and serve.

Pacific Coast GlöggIngredients 1 ½ cups grape juice1 ½ cups orange juice2 strips of orange rind1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced into 4 pieces3 cinnamon sticks6 whole cloves5 whole allspice (or ½ teaspoon ground)1 teaspoon ground cardamom or 4 whole pods1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

Directionssimmer gently for 15 minutes, strain and serve hot.

December 2015 9grow Northwest

Treats: Peppermint cheese-cake and no-bake bars

Once the Thanksgiving leftovers have been eaten, our Christmas celebration

starts. Life is busy day-to-day, and it’s fun to return to the kitchen and start the holiday treats and baked/jarred gifts. We’ve got cookies swaps to go to, eggnog to drink, and treats to sample.

Peanut Butter no-bake barsIngredients 1/2 cup butter1 cup + 2 tablespoons peanut butter1 cup graham cracker crumbs or chocolate cookie crumbs1 cup powdered sugar1 cup chocolate chipsholiday sprinkes or m&ms

Directionsuse a 8x8 or 9x9 pan and line with aluminum foil. melt butter by pan or microwave and add in the peanut butter (only 1 cup), crumbs, and powdered sugar. mix until evenly combined. spread the mixture in the pan and place in the refrigerator.for the top layer, melt and mix together the 2 tablespoons of peanut butter with the chocolate chips. stir until smooth and spread over peanut butter layer. top with holiday sprinkles or m&ms if desired. then place pan back into the refrigerator for a couple hours to firm mixture. when ready, cut and serve. note: i used bellewood acres’ peanut butter in this recipe and it was delicious!

A favorite time of year to bake and present food gifts; the possibilities are endless. Think raspberry or blueberry jam, brownie and cookie mixes, infused honey, pasta jars, sugar cookies, sauces, and more. I have a few go-to recipes each holiday season that I am asked for over and over again. One of these is the peppermint cheesecake recipe. Airy and fresh, and delicious served with hot chocolate, this cake is decadent and sweet, but not overdone. The addition of the crushed candy canes adds to the colors of the season. As always with cheesecake, watch the cooking time and be sure to have the middle settled.

The peanut butter bars recipe is simple and a good one for variations; it works with maple almond butter or hazelnut spread as a substitute for the peanut butter. Whether you have dietary restrictions, or are just seeking different flavors, this recipe will serve you well.

Peppermint cheesecakeIngredients 2 cups chocolate wafer crumbs1/2 cup butter, melted2 tablespoons sugar4 (8oz) packages cream cheese, softened3 tablespoons flour1-3/4 cup white sugar4 eggs (or 3 jumbo-sized)1 teaspoon peppermint extract1/4 cup milk8 oz sour creamcrushed candy canes, shaved chocolate, or mini chocolate chips

Directionscombine first three ingredients and press into the bottom of a 8- or 9-inch springform pan. place it in the fridge or freezer to harden while working on other ingredients. place the cream cheese in bowl, mixing/creaming until smooth. in another bowl, mix the flour and sugar. add the mixture to the cream cheese, a little at a time. add the eggs one by one, then the milk, peppermint, and sour cream. mix until smooth. pour the filling into the springform pan and place on top of a large baking pan in the oven. pour hot water into the baking plan until the water is about halfway up the side of the springform pan. the hot water helps the baking process. bake roughly 60-70 minutes until the center seem set but moves very slightly. turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in for another hour. then remove and cool completely the cheescake should be cold when served, so refrigerate at least a few hours or overnight for best taste. when ready to serve, sprinkle the top with crushed candy canes and bits of shaved chocolate or mini chips. have whipped cream ready too, for the folks who need whip cream with their cheesecake!

Enjoy all the fun this holiday season, from making Christmas cookies to gingerbread houses, and pies to hot cocoa. What do you like to make? Share with us on our Facebook page or website.

Cedar Mountain Herb School inspires and guides students to better health through medicinal plants and health education on many levels ~ including diet and stress management. CMHS’s hands-on integrated botanical programs center on wild medici-nal plants and their applications. CMHS bridges herbalism with western medicine and science.

10 December 2015grow Northwest

LoCaL LIfeSend your photos to editor@grownorthwest.com. Your photo may be included here in our next issue. seasonal content only please: food, farms, cooking, gardening, diY, crafts, adventures, events, landscapes and more. be sure to include name of photographer and brief description of material.

Sunset on Padilla Bay Trail. photo bY rosi Jansen

Birdhouse and holly. photo bY Julie hagen

Pears. photo bY rio thomas

Chestnuts. photo bY steve lospalluto Skagit Valley church. photo bY bev rudd

Frost on P. bissetti. photo bY Kristi hein

December 2015 11grow Northwest

Red-breasted Sapsucker. photo bY carol Kilgore

Fall farm scene on a clear day. photo bY carol Kilgore

Feeding time at Triple A Cattle Co. photo bY amY anderson

Frosted roses. photo bY lisamarie swansonFall crops. photo bY carol Kilgore

Frosty. photo bY megan penneY

Frost art. photo bY carol Kilgore

12 December 2015grow Northwest

A few of our favorite things

Looking for a gift? There are so many talented crafters and makers in our northwest

corner with many, many ideas to choose from. It’s difficult to only select a few of these items, but it’s sure fun to highlight different mak-ers each year and wonder if a few of your purchases help them in their quest to make a living doing what they love or give them a nudge to press on with their interests. There are thousands of handmade things to choose from out there, in all shapes and sizes and price tags, and we hope you make your way to craft fairs, events, businesses and other places to explore the local and regional talent. For now, within these pages this month, check out these 25 followings items, all locally made, each unique in their one way.

Now, in no particular order, here are a few of our favorite things this season that make affordable gifts and fun stocking stuffers. (Please note: For more gift ideas, and to share your favorites, visit online at www.grownorthwest.com.)

• Looking for a coloring book for adults? Get your hands on a copy of artist Cathy Schoenberg’s Flower Power coloring book and water-color edition. Beautiful works of art on each page waiting for colors of your choosing. This is available in the Skagit Valley Co-op’s mer-cantile department.

• Gingerbread is a seasonal tradi-tion for many, including cookies

by Grow Northwest

Put a little hand-crafted love in their hearts

and house decorating. Breadfarm, the delightful and delicious bakery in lovely Edison, is again offering gingerbread kits. The kit contains two gingerbread men, sprinkles, candy decorations and a recipe for icing. While you’re there, buy some cranberry shortbread or bread or anything. Oh my.

• This next pick is not a hand-crafted item, but practical skills and local knowledge, and so much fun. Registration to the annual Country Living Expo event on Jan. 30 includes 5 classes, lunch, and a large expo. This is perfect for any-one who wants to learn more skills in practical living. With over 175 classes to choose from, the recipi-ent of this registration gift will have fun even signing up for classes! See http://ext100.wsu.edu/skagit/coun-

trylivingexpo/.• Artist Dan Sweaney makes

affordable art-glass birds in many colors. They are a beautiful, simple decoration for the home or mantle, and even for smaller hands if gentle enough. He attends farmers mar-kets, however with most weekly markets at an end, contact Bow Little Market through their email to see where you can find him: bowlittlemarket@yahoo.com.

• For those who love their lo-cal beer and breweries, you can always buy them a growler or gift certificate from one or more of the many fine breweries. But, check out the brewery pillows upcycled from upholstery fabric and belts at the Ragfinery in Bellingham (ragfin-ery.com) and the growler made by artist Jeremy Noet of bluewaterpot-

LOCAL GIFT IDeAS

Clockwise: Cathy Schoenberg’s Flower Power coloring book and watercolor edi-tion; bluewaterpottery’s growler by Jeremy Noet, radish ornament by Bossy’s Feltworks, and Dan Sweaney’s glass birds. courtesY photos

Next issue: JANUARY 2016 • Deadline: Dec. 21To submit an ad or info, contact (360) 398-1155 or editor@grownorthwest.com

December 2015 13grow Northwest

larvae. It’s a natural treat or feed supplement. See Scratch and Peck online at http://www.scratchand-peck.com/shop.

• trueREDbetty, by Kim Rutledge, has inspiring signs and artwork for the home. See her on-line store at http://etsy.com/shop/trueREDbetty or send a message through her Facebook page.

• Joanna Lynam of Siren Silks offers handpainted silk scarves, shawls, wraps and wallhangings, drawn from nature. SirenSilks made one at a time, of various colors, with dragonflies, butterflies and other subject matter. See her Etsy page at http://www.etsy.com/shop/SirenSilks.

tery (visit the Bellingham Farmers Market on email bluewaterpot-tery@gmail.com).

• Marblemount Homestead’s Corina Sahlin offers a cheese-making course, online. For those friends or family members with busy schedules who want to learn on their own time, consider this. What’s included? Learn how to make Greek Yogurt, Chevre, Gouda and Cabra Al Vino. For more infor-mation, check out www.marble-mounthomestead.com and look for the cheesemaking course link.

• Bossy’s Feltworks, of Orcas Island, is a trio of friends/mothers who have felted together for eight years, and make some delightful felted ornaments, fom vegetables to winter scenes. We have to say the radish ornaments are very ador-able. See their website at bossysfelt-works.wordpress.com.

• Artist Melanie Kors of Bound-ToRestyle makes journals out of older books, appealing to all ages. Stop by her booth at the Belling-ham Farmers Market or see her Etsy store at http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelanieKors.

• Found Leather Goods, a stu-dio in Fairhaven operated by a duo, offers some beautiful leather pieces, from bags to wallets, card sleeves, and other items. The tones and texture are stunning. See http://foundleathergoods.com.

• Photographer Andy Porter has compiled some of his best photos from across the northwest into a wire-bound scenic Washington State calendar for 2016. A total of 14 images are featured. For more information, check out http://an-dyporterimages.com/calendars/.

• kltworks has a number of prints and items, including a Mod Critter Journal with a rooster gracing the cover. A fun journal for those poultry lovers. See http://www.kltworks.com/ for sample images.

• Speaking of your friend who loves poultry, put a bag of Cluckin’ Good Grubs from Scratch and Peck in their stocking. These are whole, dried Black Soldier Fly

MORE PICKS & CONTENT ONlINE

to see more gift ideas – and to share your favor-ites with us this month! – visit our website at www.grownorthwest.com or our facebook page.

Next issue: JANUARY 2016 • Deadline: Dec. 21To submit an advertisement or information, call (360) 398-1155 or e-mail editor@grownorthwest.com

Clockwise: Wallets by Found leather Goods; brewery pillows at Ragfinery, kltworks journal, Bound to ReStyle journals, and Breadfarm gingerbread kit. courtesY photos

the new Skagit Ag Summit has been scheduled for march 3-4 at the best western plus skagit valley inn and conference center in mount ver-non. topics include: regulations and how to survive them; innovation; water and irrigation; labor; current issues; and public policy and rule making. for more information, con-tact wsu skagit county extension di-rector don mcmoran at dmcmoran@wsu.edu.

Naked Clothing (formerly in downtown bellingham) and a new sister cafe, munchies, have opened at 1912 w. state route 20 in sedro-wool-ley. munchies offers sweet and savory pastries daily, quiche and espresso, and more and plans plan to expand their menu. naked clothing special-izes in synthetic-free clothing made from natural fibers such as hemp, bamboo and organic cotton. they carry men’s, women’s and children’s clothing. “when choosing products for naked clothing i recruit first from local talent, instead of the regular route of massive trade shows, be-cause i love seeing the direct returns of supporting our community. this also allows me to discover special and uncommon items. i am constantly sur-prised at the quality artisans i discover

here,” said owner amy Kraus. seventy percent of their clothing, jewelry and gifts are designed within a two-hour driving radius. check them out at na-kedclothing.com.

the Mount Vernon Farmers Mar-ket is launching its 2016 poster con-test, a juried competition for local artists in all mediums, with a $250 prize for the winning entry. deadline for submissions is Jan. 25. applicants will be notified in late february with the announcement of the 2016 win-ner. they are looking for poster-ready artwork in jpeg form that represents the mount vernon farmers market. artwork and all proprietary rights  of the artwork go to the mount ver-non farmers market. please visit the mountvernonfarmersmarket.org website or visit the market’s facebook page.

Whole Foods Market is preparing to open a new store in bellingham, and as part of that process, they are looking to meet washington produc-ers, learn about their products, and consider featuring them in stores. they will host two meet-and-greet sessions in bellingham on thurs-day, feb. 18, 2016. for more details and registration, see https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bellingham-meet-and-greet-for-local-producers-tick-ets-19641545391.

Northwest Garden Bling is host-ing their annual “holiday open house” on saturday, dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. there will be specials, door priz-es, refreshments more.

the Anacortes Farmers Market is continuing with its monthly winter markets in 2016, holding dates for Jan. 9, feb. 13, march 12 and april 9, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the historic depot.

the farm club holiday celebra-tion will be held dec. 2 at the rome grange from from 5:30-8:30 p.m. it’s a mash up of mixing/networking and fun, sharing ideas and celebrat-ing some new farmers and mentors from the Food To Bank On program, through sustainable connections. rsvp to alex at alexs@sustainable-connections.org.

For monthly updates, check in at www.grownorthwest.com.

The Local DirtBrief bits from local folks.Send submissions to editor@grownorthwest.com.

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Wishing

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December 2015

Kindness countdown make a handmade holiday countdown poster with your artwork and the help of a parent, sibling, grandparent or other. make it a family project if you can. pick acts of kindness, nice gestures and simple traditions you’d like to do this month, and glue or tape each one to a specific day. as you count down, do what’s listed for the day. have fun!

how does frosty the snowman get around? on an “ice”-icle!

what does frosty eat for lunch?ice-”berg”-ers!

what kind of mug does a snowman use for lunch? a frosted one!

what does frosty like to put on his icebergers? chilly sauce!

Funny Farm

This month’s project

What are your favorite traditions?

Unscramble these words:

becdmeer

tissceol

iewrnt

meoantrn

adtritnio

rete

fdoo

fnu

unscramble answers: december, solstice, winter, ornament, tradition, tree, food, fun

welcome to our section for our youngest readers to enjoy activities with their family and friends, and share artwork, stories, jokes, and photos. send submissions to editor@grownorthwest.com.

WANT A FREE JuNIOR GROWERS STICKER? send a quick note about the great stuff you’re doing and learning, and we’ll send you one! it’s green! email editor@grownorthwest.com or send to po box 414 everson wa 98247.

16 December 2015grow Northwest

Independent Wreath Making: through dec. 24. two wreath-making machines will be available for complimentary use during this time. wire rings and green-ery are available for purchase, or you may bring your own. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. christianson’s nursery, 15806 best road, mount vernon. reservations required, (360) 466-3821.

Sleighbells Ring 2015 at Bellewood Acres: ongoing events throughout the month. shop & sip dec. 5-6, includes bellewood’s hot cider, Kid’s ornament making, all community caroling, bon fire & s’more bar and more. sleigh rides & santa dec. 12-13 and dec. 19-20, includes horsedrawn sleighbell trol-ley rides, Kids christmas cookie decorat-ing, all community caroling, bon fire & s’more bar and more. bellewood acres, 6140 guide meridian, between b’ham and lynden, 360-318-7720, www.belle-woodacres.com.

Bellingham Farmers Market: every sat-urday through dec. 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. farmers, producers, crafters and more. see bellinghamfarmers.org.

Annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts: through christmas eve. five-week long festival featuring the work of over 100 local artisans and crafts people. live local music, artist demos and workshops, and kids art projects. open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for location and other details, see alliedarts.org.

Pacific Arts Holiday Market: open three weekends, dec. 4-6, 11-13, and 18-20. various artists and items for sale, lots of holiday gift ideas and more. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. sunset square, 1125 e. sunset drive, suite 115, bellingham. see pacificarts-market.com.

Port Susan Farmers Market presents Handmade Holidays: ongoing, thurs-day through sunday, through dec. 20, plus dec. 21-24. over 40 vendors. gour-met foods, textiles, handmade gifts, apothecary and more. at 8616 271st street nw, stanwood (formerly snow goose bookstore). for more information, contact (360) 202-3932 and leslie@port-susan.org.

Washington Small Fruit Conference and lynden Ag Show: wednesday through friday, dec. 2-4. in this 3-day conference, researchers, farmers and policy-makers will present topics of new research, emerging issues and ideas for your farm and business. this conference is presented in association with the lyn-den ag show, a trade show featuring vendors serving the small fruit commu-nity. northwest washington fairgrounds, lynden. call whatcom farm friends at (360) 354-1337 or visit http://whatcom.wsu.edu/ag/edu/sfc/.

Daylillies: Summer Joy: Birchwood Garden Club’s December Meeting: wednesday, dec. 2. erikson’s daylily gar-dens has been in operation for over 25 years in langley, b.c. owner, pam erik-son, is a certified daylily ahs judge and has full fall and winter traveling schedule giving presentations to garden clubs/societies and events all over n. america. whatcom museum rotunda room, 121

prospect street, bellingham. 7 p.m. birch-wood garden club is open to everyone in whatcom and skagit counties. see www.birchwoodgardenclub.org.

Bellingham Public library Winter Book Sale: wednesday through saturday, dec. 2-5. lots of books and media for all ages. wednesday and thursday hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. friday half price sale 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. saturday $4/bag sale 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all proceeds benefit the bellingham public library. contact (360) 778-7250 or friendslibrary3@gmail.com.

Christmas in the Woods: VIP Holiday Social: thursday, dec. 3. Join us as a vip guest for a special evening of yuletide merriment! preview the finest in holiday gifts and décor—then, mingle (and Jin-gle!) among a festive christmas tree for-est. enjoy our custom wreath bar, mulled wine, tasty hors d’ oeuvres, and live music with evergreen designers ready to deck your halls. sign up in store or online. 5:30-8:30 p.m. garden spot nursery, 900 alabama st., bellingham. (360) 676-5480, www.garden-spot.com.

Greenbank Farm Holiday Market: saturdays and sundays, dec. 6-7, 13-14 and 20-21. enjoy holiday music and warm beverages while perusing local handmade products. photos with santa every saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for more information or to be a vendor see, http://greenbankfarm.biz/calendar/holiday-market/ or call caroline at (360) 331-3704.

Port of Bellingham Holiday Festival: friday, dec. 4 through sunday, dec. 6. gingerbread house contest, visit with santa, music, crafts, food, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. free cookies, hot cider. performances by local choirs, bands, and dancers. friday from noon to 8 p.m., saturday and sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. food drive benefits bellingham food bank. see www.portofbellingham.com/141/holiday-port.

Bellingham Tree lighting, Pop-up Mar-ket and More lights: friday, dec. 4. this event is part of the monthly downtown art walk, starting at 5:30 p.m. tree light-ing, santa, live music, refreshments and a pop-up gift market from 4 to 7 p.m. at the bellingham depot square (site of the farmers market). starting at 7:30 p.m. a holiday lights show at the flatiron build-ing takes place at holly, bay and prospect streets, presented by bellingham wins. (360) 778-8100, downtownbellingham.com.

Blaine’s Holiday Harbor lights Festival: friday and saturday, dec. 4-5. art market, book sale, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday dash (run), tree lighting, lighted boat parade through drayton harbor. for full event description, see blaineholiday-harborlights.com and blainechamber.com.

No Sew Braided Rugs: friday, dec. 4. come learn how to craft a beautiful no sew braided rug. this four strand tech-nique eliminates the need for sewing braids together and results in a sturdy rug able to withstand the modern wash-er and drier. 3-4:30 p.m. $10. ragfinery, 1421 n forest st, bellingham. (360) 738-

6977, www.ragfinery.com.

Ferndale’s Olde-Fashioned Christmas: friday through sunday, dec. 4-6. fern-dale heritage society dresses in pioneer garb to lead tours of the cabins at the park. crafts for kids, music, refreshments, old-fashioned games and more. tickets are $4 adults, $3 kids. pioneer park, fern-dale. for schedule, see ferndaleheritag-esociety.com.

Friends used Book Sale: saturday, dec. 5. stock up on inexpensive gifts and books for the holidays. behind peoples bank across from the everson library. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. everson library, 104 Kirsch drive, (360) 305-3600.

let’s Make Presents! saturday, dec. 5. make great gifts for family and friends. for grades K-5. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ever-son library, 104 Kirsch drive, (360) 305-3600.

Silver Tea: sunday, dec. 6. enjoy the lovely tea sets on display, cookies, tea, and musical entertainment at this be-loved annual event hosted by the friends of the everson library. this year’s theme is christmas around the world. craft making for kids. bring your camera to take a picture with santa! all ages. 2 to 5 p.m. everson library, 104 Kirsch drive, (360) 305-3600.

Make it and Take it: Winter Wonder-land Terrariums: saturday, dec. 5. Join the festive fun as rose guides you in creating your very own wonderland for-est. all ages are welcome. class fee is $39, includes all supplies. 9 a.m. garden spot nursery, 900 alabama st., bellingham. (360) 676-5480, http://www.garden-spot.com.

Arlington Handmade Market: saturday, dec. 5. hosted by arlington farmers mar-ket. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. pioneer hall, arling-ton. if you are interested in being a ven-dor please contact sara lisicki at (206) 355-2893 or arlingtonfarmermarketwa@gmail.com.

Basics of Sewing: saturday, dec. 5. this class will introduce you to your sew-ing machine while you make a “fringed” fleece pillow cover. You will learn how to wind a bobbin, thread the machine, and cut and sew fabric. 10am-3:30pm - $50. ragfinery, 1421 n forest st, bellingham. (360) 738-6977, www.ragfinery.com.

lighted Christmas Parade: saturday, dec. 5. lynden’s 25th annual holiday cel-ebration begins at 6 p.m. with the light-ed christmas parade. lighted trucks, cars, floats, wagons, farm equipment, and more. the procession starts at fairway center and travels along front street throughout downtown lynden. in addi-tion, take a tour of unique light displays and decorated storefronts throughout the city during lynden in lights. the day’s activities include: breakfast with sinterklaas from 8 to 11 a.m. at lynden community/senior center; “elf on the shelf” scavenger hunt; a “skate with san-ta” from 1 to 4 p.m. saturday at lynden skateway; and more. see lynden.org.

Great NW Rabbit Show: saturday, dec. 5. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. pavilion #600, ever-

eveNtsSend event submissions to info@grownorthwest.com. Find more updates online at www.grownorthwest.com.

birchwood garden club’s december meeting: wednesday, dec. 2. erikson’s daylily gardens has been in operation for over 25 years in langley, b.c. owner, pam erikson, is a certified daylily ahs judge and has full fall and winter traveling schedule giving presentations to garden clubs/societies and events all over n. america. whatcom mu-seum rotunda room, 121 prospect street, bellingham. 7 p.m. see www.birchwoodgardenclub.org.

Daylillies: Summer Joy

Good Pickin’s

Port of Bellingham Holiday Festival

Port Susan Farmers Market presents Handmade Holidays

friday, dec. 4 through sunday, dec. 6. ginger-bread house contest, visit with santa, mu-sic, crafts, food, horse-drawn wagon rides and more. free cookies, hot cider. performances by local choirs, bands, and dancers. friday from noon to 8 p.m., saturday and sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. food drive benefits bellingham food bank. see www.portofbellingham.com/141/holiday-port.

ongoing, thursday through sunday, through dec. 20, plus dec. 21-24: over 40 vendors. gourmet foods, textiles, handmade gifts, apothecary and more. at 8616 271st street nw, stanwood (formerly snow goose bookstore). for more information, contact (360) 202-3932 and leslie@portsusan.org.

December 2015 17grow Northwest

green state fairgrounds, monroe. con-tact (360) 568-8902. free to watch.

7th annual Homespun Holiday Bazaar at the Fairgrounds: saturday and sun-day, dec. 5-6. crafts, displays, food and gift vendors, pictures with santa for you and your pets, music and more. free ad-mission and free parking. donations wel-come for the food bank. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. evergreen state fairgrounds, commercial building, 14405 179th ave se, monroe. put on by the evergreen fair foundation.

Rome Grange Community Pancake Breakfast: sunday, dec. 6. meet and greet local politicians, as they serve you coffee and breakfast. featuring made from scratch pancakes, french toast, sau-sage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. biscuits and gravy now available, too. adults $5; Kids 6-10 $2; Kids 5 and under free. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. rome grange, 2821 mt. baker hwy, bellingham. call 961-9584.

Gingerbread Houses: sunday, dec. 6. Join gretchens as we ring in the holidays with a cookie party back in the kitchen. stocked with sprinkles, candy and icing to create the perfect fragrant ginger-bread house to take home and enjoy. stay downtown for the annual parade and tree lighting. pre-registration is re-quired. 10 a.m. $10. gretchens, 509 s 1st st., mount vernon. (360) 336-8747, www.gretchenskitchen.com.

Make It and Take It: Grapevine Wreath: saturday, dec. 12. Join marcy as she guides you in designing a european-style grapevine wreath. tables filled with ever-greens, berries, moss, and more for you to create your own unique wreath with

We’re also in Lynden at 305 Grover St. & the Bellingham Farmers Market!

french ribbon. workshop fee is $39 and includes all supplies. 9 a.m. garden spot nursery, 900 alabama st., bellingham. (360) 676-5480, http://www.garden-spot.com.

Growing Grapes in a Cool Season Cli-mate: thursday, dec. 10. dr. michelle moyer, wsu statewide viticulture exten-sion specialist, speaks to the snohomish county fruit society at 7 p.m. whether you prefer wine or table grapes, growing rapes can be challenging in the pacific northwest. dr. moyer will discuss the ba-sics behind grapevine production in mar-itime and cool-season climates. specific topics include pruning styles, variety and rootstock selections, basic pest manage-ment, potential new grape markets, and some of the wsu viticulture and enology program resources available to growers for both commercial and backyard grape production. boys and girls club, 402 2nd street, snohomish. for more information, see http://www.wcfs.org or call (206) 427-4279.

Fingerless Gloves from Sweaters: thursday, dec. 12. want to fingerless gloves this winter? in this class, learn how to quickly turn old sweaters into finger-less gloves. 10am-noon - $30. ragfinery, 1421 n forest st, bellingham. (360) 738-6977, www.ragfinery.com.

Whatcom County-wide Grange Christ-mas Party: saturday, dec. 12. all wel-come. laurel grange will provide the turkey, dressing, potatoes and gravy. please bring a salad, side-dish or dessert to share. santa will arrive at 7:30. please bring a gift for your child, with their name on it. discreetly slip it under the tree, and santa will hand it out. 6 p.m. laurel

grange, 6172 guide meridian lynden. Questions? call penny at (360) 647-9672.

Holiday Faire: saturday, dec. 12. the whatcom hills waldorf school’s annual holiday faire offers live music, food, lo-cal artisans and hands-on crafting work-shops. visit the snow Queen in her castle, dig for crystals in gnome village, and more. all welcome. prices of activities vary from $1-$3. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. what-com hills waldorf school, 941 austin st, bellingham. (360) 733-3164, www.whws.org.

Cold Noses Sanctuary Tour: saturday, dec. 19. Join pasado’s safe haven for our cold noses sanctuary tour, a self-guided visit with animal residents and caretak-ers. hot chocolate and a warm fireplace will be ready for when you return to pasado’s house to enjoy food and more! all contributions go towards supporting the animals and programs of pasado’s safe haven. noon to 2:30 p.m. register online at http://www.pasadosafehaven.org/event/cold-noses-tour-2/. $25 dona-tion per person/$75 per family (max 5 people). 10131 woods lake road, mon-roe, (360) 793-9393.

Additional events and updates are post-ed online at www.grownorthwest.com. Send your event information to editor@grownorthwest.com.

18 December 2015grow Northwest

LoCaL MarKetPLaCe & dIreCtoryrate: 25 words for $10, each additional word 40¢ each. to place an ad, contact Grow Northwest at (360) 398-1155 or info@grownorthwest.com.

Next Issue: JanuarY 2016 • Deadline: dec. 21

growNorthwest

GrocersCommunity Food Co-Op: certified organic produce departments, deli café, bakery, wine, bulk foods, health and wellness, meat and seafood markets. cordata and downtown bell-ingham. 360-734-8158, communityfood.coop Skagit Valley Food Co-Op: Your community natural foods market. open monday through saturday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and sunday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. 202 south first street, mount vernon. (360) 336-9777 / skagitfoodcoop.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op: 2804 grand ave everett. (425) 259-3798. mon-sat 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. www.snoislefoods.coop.

arts & CraftsDunbar Gardens: baskets handcrafted by Katherine lewis from our skagit valley farm grown willows, classes, willow cuttings, farm-stand, 16586 dunbar road, mount vernon. visit www.dunbargardens.com Good Earth Pottery: bellingham’s premier pottery gallery, representing 50 local artists! 1000 harris ave., www.goodearthpots.com.Mountainside Gardens: local gallery/gift shop between Kendall and maple falls, mt. baker hwy. (360) 599-2890, www.mountainsi-degardens.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. Northwest Garden Bling: gift shop featuring stained glass, fused glass & mosaic. classes, supplies, custom work. 44574 hwy 20, con-crete, (360) 708-3279 or www.facebook.com/northwestgardenbling

Baked Goods, sweets & treatsBreadfarm: makers of artisan loaves and baked goods. 5766 cains court in bow. prod-ucts also available at area farmers markets and retailers. (360) 766-4065, www.breadfarm.comMallard Ice Cream: our ice cream is created from as many fresh, local, and organic ingre-dients as possible because that’s what tastes good. (360) 734-3884 / 1323 railroad avenue, bellingham / www.mallardicecream.com

Property, real estate & rentals

CAMANO ISlAND COTTAGES: business rentals! available now. want you own 8x7.5 shop/studio/boutique? camanofarmersmar-ket@gmail.com www.facebook.com/cuteca-manocottages REAl ESTATE FOR REAl PEOPlE. Jeff braimes, coldwell banker bain. buying, selling, talking. fifteen years’ experience. visit my blog at www.braimes.com or phone 961.6496WhyWeloveSkagit.com see why we love liv-ing and working in skagit valley! we are calm, competent and caring about who we repre-sent. may we help you with buying or selling a home or property? don elliott and george roth, coldwell banker bain, 360-707-8648 or donelliott@cbbain.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. WINTER’S COMING, year-round resort lot for sale. all the amenities including private lake stocked with trout. please call rosemarie at 360-393-5454.

Beer, Cider, sprits & wineBellewood Distillery: craft distiller of wash-ington made vodka, gin and brandy. 6140 guide meridian, lynden, (360) 318-7720, www.bellewooddistilling.comMount Baker Distillery: we specialize in making hand crafted spirits using updated versions of our grandpa abe smith’s tradition-al backwoods methods, recipes and equip-ment. www.mountbakerdistillery.comNorthwest Brewers Supply: brewing and winemaking supplies. serving the community for 25 years. check out our new location at 940 spruce street in burlington! (360) 293-0424, www.nwbrewers.com.

farm supplies & feed

Conway Feed: since 1919 the facility at con-way has supplied grains and assisted farmers with their crops. feed made fresh...naturally. conventional and certified organic. stop by the mill or call (360) 445-5211 for the nearest distributor. open mon-fri 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 18700 main st, conway.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. Scratch and Peck Feeds: verified non-gmo and certified organic raw, whole grain feeds for your chickens, ducks, turkeys, pigs and goats. buy at the mill or one of our many retail dealers found at www.scratchandpeck.com 360-318-7585lazy J Bedding: premium chopped straw bedding, exceptionally clean, virtually no dust, ideal bedding for both large and small animals. packaged in 4.0 mil bags for easy no-mess transport. also try our certified weed-free chopped grass hay mix and our chopped alfalfa. available at local feed stores throughout the northwest. www.lazyjbed-ding.com. 208-274-4632 or 877-885-2064

Garden supplies & NurseriesAzusa Farm & Garden: skagit valley’s elegant garden center tucked in a beautiful flower farm. 14904 state route 20, mount vernon, (360) 424-1580.Charley’s Greenhouse: specializing in hob-by greenhouses, custom greenhouse kits, accessories and more. 17979 wa-536, mount vernon. www.charleysgreenhouse.com, (800) 322-4707.Cloud Mountain Farm Center: nonprofit community farm center dedicated to provid-ing hands-on learning experiences. 35+ years’ experience. 6906 goodwin road, everson, cloudmountainfarmcenter.org.Christianson’s Nursery: a wide variety of common and uncommon plants, garden ac-cessories, antiques and gifts. 15806 best road, mount vernon. (360) 466-3821, www.chris-tiansonsnursery.com.Garden Spot Nursery: great assortment of plants and flowers. weekend workshops. 900 alabama st., bellingham. (360) 676-5480. www.garden-spot.com/Kent’s Garden & Nursery: 5428 northwest rd., bellingham, (360) 384-4433. see www.kentsgardenandnursery.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. thanks for supporting grow northwest!

Building & Construction

Babbitt Construction: serving whatom, skagit, san Juan and island counties since 1993. licensed and bonded. (360) 676-6085, www.babbittconstruction.com. larsen House Works, Inc.: custom building and renovation since 1981. (360) 318-3300. li-censed and bonded, #larsehw864Kf.REStore: salvaged and used building materi-als, salvage services, deconstruction and work-shops. 2309 meridian st, bellingham. (360) 647-5921, http://re-store.org/our-great-store/bellingham-store/Skagit Building Salvage: used building ma-terials and more. buy, sell, trade. 17994 sr 536, mount vernon. 360-416-3399. open mon-sat 10-5:30. www.skagitbuildingsalvage.com.

Greenwood Tree, a waldorf-inspired coop-erative school, offers classes, homeschooling support, and community events for families with children ages 18 months – 14 years old. www.greenwoodtreecoop.org. PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. Wildcrafting apprenticeship programs, wild harvest intensives, and herbal work-shops in skagit county! follow our facebook page! cedar mountain herb school, cedar-mountainherbs.com/school.htm.

Beef, Pork, Poultry & eggsAkyla Farms: it’s not just what you eat, it’s what your food eats. offering poultry, pork, and goat brush control. barnyard@akylafarms.com.Baldham Farm: PORK. our pigs live on pasture and eat certified organic feed. whole or half hogs available in november. contact: 360-722-4372, check web: www.baldhamfarm.comOsprey Hill Farm: acme-based farm offering csa, poultry, vegetables, and more. osprey hill butchery, our sister business, is taking reserva-tions for poultry processing dates. see www.ospreyhillfarm.com.Triple A Cattle Co: local producer of all natu-ral limousin beef sold in quarters or halves, cut to your specifications. available year-round in arlington. contact (425) 238-4772 or tripleacat-tleco@yahoo.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com.

Bacterial Aerobic Digester, (ORGANIC): re-duce/eliminate pumping the septic system. soil amendment, bring Your soils back to life. animal manure lagoon digester, ekstran enterprises llc, garner ekstran, 360-766-6043 Jay Irwin land use Consulting: serving bell-ingham and northwest washington. over 15 years experience. (360) 410-6745, www.irwin-landuse.com.learn the “Art of Horsemanship!”: sweet, well-trained horses carry you safely on lessons in the beautiful mountain trails or outdoor or indoor arenas. call for appointment. $40/hour, $25/half hour ride. (360) 988-0178.Northwest Rain Solutions llC: (360) 303-9725, info@nwrainsolutions.com, www.nwrainsolutions.com. services: rainwater harvesting, stormwater management, drain-age, infiltration, native planting, green roofs. local, free estimates.Oyster Creek Canvas Company: full service canvas and industrial sewing shop special-izing in marine canvas. recreational and outdoor fabrics, patterns, foam, webbing, hardware, industrial sewing, repairs. (360) 734-8199, 946 n. state st. bellingham. www.oystercreekcanvas.comStewart’s Consignment: we’ll sell your stuff online! 1201 cornwall ave, bellingham. call for an appointment: (360) 739-7089. send classifieds to info@grownorthwest.com.

restaurants & eateriesAdrift Restaurant: adrift uses the bounty of the skagit valley and the surrounding waters to create memorable meals. 510 commercial ave., anacortes. (360) 588-0653.Brandywine Kitchen: happy hour 3-6 week-days. sandwiches, entrees, kids menu, des-serts, drinks and more. 1317 commercial, bell-ingham. (360) 734-1071, brandywinekitchen.com.

education, Learning & workshops

NW Handpsun yarns: where all things fiber are found. Your downtown yarn shop! 1401 commercial st., bellingham. (360) 738-0167, www.nwhandspunyarns.com.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. Spinner’s Eden Farm: we raise award win-ning registered cvm (california variegated mutant)/romeldale sheep. raw fleece, roving, and other wool products available. (360)770-6044, www.spinnersedenfarm.com.

fiber & fabrics

services

animals & servicesMaggi’s Farrier Service: specializing in the gentle handling of your horses. maggi holbert, (360) 333-2467, maggiholbert@gmail.com.

seedsOsborne Seed Co.: vegetable, flower, herb and cover crop seed available. located at 2428 old hwy 99 s. road mount vernon, wa. call (360) 424-7333 or visit osborneseed.com.

MushroomsCascadia Mushrooms: we have been a wsda/usda certified organic producer since 2009 and have been growing gourmet & medicinal mushrooms in bellingham since 2005. cascadiamushrooms.com/

Stanwood Commercial Kitchen for Rent: large Kitchen wi/ 6 burner gas range, 2 con-vection ovens, freezers, refridgerators, walk in cooler, dishwasher, storage & much, much more! plus possible small storefront in high traffic area also available.(425) 737-5144 or cookiespirk@wavecable.com

Commercial Kitchen

food Bank farmingNE Bellingham: volunteers wanted to grow organic food bank veggies. times flexible but every tues morning and mon evening during summer harvest. John @ sawdad86@gmail.com 360-389-1258. facebook ctKharvestministry SE Everett: Volunteers needed to grow or-ganic food bank food every saturday 10-1. call forrest: 425-772-5008 for more info. class-es and plots available.

PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. deadline for the october issue is sept. 21.

help wanted

BerriesBow Hill Blueberries: certified organic. blue-berries in the beautiful skagit valley. frozen berries, ice cream, jam and more. bowhillblue-berries.com

health & wellnessMassage and Prenatal Massage: relaxation, pregnancy massage, deep tissue therapy, in-jury recovery and oncology massage. (360) 820-0334, jreidmassage@gmail.com. available by appointment only.PlACE yOuR AD HERE: 25 words for $10, ech additional word 40¢. send classified to info@grownorthwest.com. deadline for the october issue is sept. 21. Vital Aging Clinic: naturopathic medicine. treating illness, cultivating wellness. accept-ing new patients ages 18-110. dr. alethea fleming. 902 28th st., anacortes, 360-630-3022, www.vitalagingclinic.com.

seafoodNerka Sea Frozen Salmon: wild aK king, coho, & smoked salmon for your holidays, plus whole albacore tuna for loining/canning. all frozen-at-sea, sashimi-safe, from our family to yours. (360) 303-7770, www.facebook.com/fvnerkaSkagit’s Own Fish Market: fresh seafood and daily lunch specials. thank you for supporting local! (360) 707-2722, 18042 hwy 20, burling-ton. skagitfish.com

Corner Pub: great food, music and more. 14565 allen west rd, bow. (360) 757-6113Nell Thorn Restaurant: local, delicious, handmade food. 116 south first street in la conner. (360) 466-4261Streat Food: see our menu and schedule for the food truck and cafe at bellingham cruise terminal at streatfood.me. The Table: featuring fresh pasta made by the bellingham pasta company. 100 n. commer-cial st., bellingham. bellinghampasta.com

December 2015 19grow Northwest

Regular/Adult:$75 (early bird: $70 if payment received by Dec. 31, 2015)

Student age 12-18:$40 ($10 if student sponsorship is requested)

NEW: FLEEcE & FIbER PALoozA!Enter your favorite fleece or fiber.

5 FARM TouRS

on Sunday, Jan. 31 Next issue: JANUARY 2016 • Deadline: Dec. 21To submit an advertisement or information, call (360) 398-1155 or e-mail editor@grownorthwest.com

Wishing you Happy Holidays from our family to yours!