Are you a nester?
Many people are. In fact, sales at home stores are soaring as Americans try their hand at remodeling, with kitchen makeovers leading the field.
Once the latest appliances have gone in, it’s time to hunt for just the right pieces to complete the look. If you keep the latest Crate and Barrel or Williams-Sonoma catalog on your coffee table, you will love a new resource that’s convenient to North Whidbey residents.
JEANNETTE KROON OMAR, her brother DOUG KROON and sister BONNIE ROULSTONE have owned Coupeville’s Knead and Feed since 1973. They have expanded their business to include a retail store and espresso bar above the restaurant, filling it with eclectic culinary gifts.
“My sister BONNIE ROULSTONE selected the inventory,” said Jeannette. Roulstone has traveled extensively with her husband, RETIRED NAVY CAPT. DOUG ROULSTONE, and has a sixth sense when it comes to decorating and understanding people’s taste in specialty foods and tableware.
This is Jeannette’s first experience in retail and she is anxious to learn what people like. I spotted flexible silicone bakeware, serving pieces by Emile Henry, a linen table runner handmade by CINDY TOMS of Oak Harbor and rubs for meat and poultry by Tom Douglas. Red Hat ladies are the subject of some light-hearted serving pieces.
Jeannette said they chose to feature wines from small Washington vineyards, and one can find everything for the home bar from cocktail shakers to pickled onions.
Assisting her mother is SHAHLA OMAR, 16, a junior at Bayview. The statuesque beauty is a talented photographer whose work is on display at the store.
EVAN TINGSTAD of Tingstsad Furniture custom built a white pastry case that is a dead on match to the vintage counter beside it. The floors, sanded to reveal hints of paint used over the years, adds even more charm to the historic building on Front Street in Coupeville.
The Knead and Feed store is open six days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Country roads …
Gas prices kept many people off the road this year, but not PAT and DAN McCUTCHEON of Oak Harbor. They spent September and part of October on a six-week, 7,800-mile road trip across the country to see family and friends.
In California, they visited their son DAN JR., and his family, and DAN RENNINGER and his family. They once made Oak Harbor their home.
In Virginia, they celebrated FRANCES VERO’S 90th birthday. She is Dan’s aunt. And in Illinois, they attended the wedding of Pat’s niece, CHERYL GILLERAN.
Along the way, they stopped to see the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio and the new Smithsonian Air Museum in Virginia.
On the way home, they stopped in Aspen, Colo., for the seventh John Denver Memorial Concert. They were thrilled to meet Denver’s mother and aunt, and Pat even got to play Denver’s Gibson guitar.
Rain or shine …
Twelve times each year, rain or shine, folks driving along the main drag in Coupeville and Oak Harbor are greeted with snappy rows of American flags on patriotic holidays.
“We always appreciate a honk and a wave from folks who pass by early in the morning or late in the afternoon as we put the flags out or take them down,” said BILL BRADKIN of Coupeville Travel.
Central Whidbey Lions posted flags in Coupeville for Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7. Their companion club, the Coupeville Lions, helped purchase the flags and poles, and Mayor Nancy Conard had the town install pipes along the curb.
In Oak Harbor, the Lions Club takes pride in performing this duty.
Island trails …
WHIDBEY WALKERS put hiking aside on the first Wednesday of December for their annual get-together at Mitzel’s. Over 30 current and past walkers put on Santa hats and shared news of their travels at home and abroad, passing photo albums around for all to share.
Red chapeaus …
Lady Mary Quite Contrary, aka MARY McYOUNG; Duchess in Charge of Mischief, DONNA CROWLEY; and Lady Vagabond, JENNIFER JORDAN, all of the Oak Harbor Crimson Queens of the Red Hat Society, joined 160 other Red Hatters from the Northwest, Montana, California, Arizona and British Columbia for a three-day Winterfest in Fife recently. The Young-At-Heart Chapter from Lakewood, Wash., hosted Winterfest.
Jukebox wanted …
Do you have a jukebox just gathering dust? Working or not, the PBY Memorial Foundation would love to give it a home. One can almost hear the Andrews Sisters singing, “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar.” Those were the days. Call 678-1718.
I’ll see you next week. Meanwhile, call me at 675-6611 with your news or e-mail lifeonwhidbey@yahoo.com.
