Author: Laura Segil

The Evergreen State is highly acclaimed for its whimsical natural beauty year-round, and it is truly resplendent with color during the fall season. But there is one small town that stands apart from the rest for its gorgeous tree-lined coastline, its peaceful city parks overflowing with color, varied wildlife, and pristine sunsets-Sequim. Read on to learn what makes this one of the most breathtaking small towns in Washington in the fall.

Perhaps you are familiar with the charming town of Sequim along the Olympic Peninsula, long revered as the lavender capital of North America. And indeed, the lavender fields found here are truly extraordinary.

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But what you may not know is that this quaint little town comes alive with color during the autumn season. You’ll be enamored by the beauty you discover here. Sequim’s city parks, for example, offer pathways lined with vibrant, colorful trees during the fall. These picturesque storybook scenes truly invigorate the senses. We particularly love the way the mist clings to the top of colorful maple, spruce, and hemlock trees in the morning to create the quintessential autumn mood all throughout town.

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You’ll find the scenes along the coastline of the Strait of Juan de Fuca to be especially mesmerizing in their beauty. In consideration of Washington’s array of coastal towns, Sequim is arguably among the most tranquil and picturesque in the fall.

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Take a walk along portions of the Olympic Discovery Trail for a glimpse of this 130-mile backpacking route. While this moderately challenging trail should only be conquered by those prepared and conditioned for the multi-day hike, you can still enjoy portions of the trail from Sequim.

And on days when the weather just doesn’t want to cooperate, explore downtown Sequim with its locally-owned shops and restaurants. If you time your visit just right, you can also explore the Farmers and Artisans Market at the Civic Center Plaza. This market runs every Saturday from May to October, and is where you can shop for fresh produce and hand-made goods, and connect with this tight-knit community.

Breathe in the crisp autumn air and soak in a peaceful sunset on the beach of Sequim Bay. The pastel colors reflecting off the tranquil waters are reminiscent of an oil painting. You will find no shortage of reasons to fall in love with the town of Sequim in the fall.

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And don’t forget to visit La Petite Maison Blanche at 213 E. Washington St. in downtown Sequim!

Patterns have always fascinated me, they are everywhere.  The curves and straight lines that nature creates produce phenomenal geometry.

It is a pleasure to your eyes, and by adding natural colors to these patterns, it becomes a beautiful thing to see.

Everything I design is an experiment, and when I build it, sometimes the piece becomes better than I thought it would be.

I love to create the unusual.  The one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else can dream of (except for me!)

I hope you will enjoy a truly unique piece of art, from me to you.

Thank you,

Rich

Wood Notes

The color of each piece you see is dictated by the grain finish of the wood. Different finishes will yield varying results, but my palette of woods below show the wide spectrum of color that nature lends to each piece.

Wood Types & Color Yields

Purple Heart-Purple                Gold Heart-Gold                     Honduran Mohogany-Brown

Philippine Mohogany-Light Brown               Oak-Beige                   Black Walnut-Medium Dark

Peruvian Walnut-Black                      Padauk-Red                Poplar-Green              Maple-White

Douglas Fir-Medium Brown              Hemlock-Medium Brown                   Pine-Medium Yellow

Cocobolo-Red, Orange, Black                       Sycamore-White                     Hickory-White

Cherry-Medium Brown                      Alder-Light Brown                 Bubinga-Green

Hand Carved Wood Art

Original, one-of-a-kind woodwork created by Larry & Linda Gonzales.

When we moved to Washington, Larry took up relief carving, and Linda helped design the piece and color it. We create our carvings from nature found in the marine world of the Olympic Peninsula.

Our pieces capture moments in time in a way that brings an infusion of the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the home. We work together to interpret the scenes wanting to embody the wood slabs. It’s an intuitive process with a scene oftentimes changing throughout the process. Each sculpture is designed out of one piece of wood and is one of a kind.

We prefer local woods that grow here in the Pacific Northwest such as: red and yellow cedar, birch, maple, alder and madrone.

Frequently found on a daily beach walk, we leave ourselves open for inspiration to strike from the natural world.

“The Pacific Northwest has endless inspiration.”

JPaws Glass and Wood

Lynda and Peter Tartaglino live in Sequim with their 2 great danes and 2 sphynx cats, Jessee, Jaymee, Jonesee and Joee = JPaws the name of their studio.  Lynda’s passion is designing and making fused glass art.  Peter spends his time in his woodworking shop. They are our Featured Artists this month! Be sure to check us out on First Friday Sequim

Lynda has had a lifelong love of glass.  She started collecting pieces over 40 years ago from different artists and started her own studio when she and Peter retired.  She now enjoys her love of glass on a daily basis in her small studio.

Lynda started her glass journey with a torch making custom glass beads.  She then moved on to fused art glass work.  She specializes in hearts and small framed art but also makes glass boxes, mushrooms and jewelry.

Most of Lynda’s pieces are made using Bullseye glass as it offers a variety of beautiful colors and options.  Creating glass art is such a passion of Lynda’s and she loves being able to share it with others.

Peter is a woodworking hobbyist who has been an active woodworker for the past 18 years.  Since his retirement in 2012 he has made woodworking a full-time activity.  Peter earned a Certificate in Furniture Making from Cerritos College, Cerritos (Los Angeles County) California.

Peter enjoys using different domestic and exotic woods for his projects.  The variety of mediums allows him to learn the differences and challenges of each species.  To date he has used over 30 various species.  These aspects are demonstrated in his variety of work which includes but are not limited to medium to small jewelry and storage boxes, cutting and charcuterie boards and cheese/cracker boards.

We hope you enjoy their story and art as much as we do here at La Petite Maison Blanche!

Courtesy of Panier des Sens.com

Lavender, known for its calming scent and delicate purple flowers, has a rich history deeply rooted in the Mediterranean region. Revered by ancient civilizations like the Romans, Greeks, and Egyptians, it held various symbolic and practical uses.

The plant’s name derives from the Latin word “lavare” meaning “to wash,” highlighting its historical role in cleansing rituals. The Egyptians, for instance, used Lavender in their embalming process, and the lavender flower was often associated with purification and healing.

The Greeks called it « Nardus » after the Syrian city of Naarda, and it was mentioned in their literature and medicine. Lavender’s therapeutic qualities were appreciated by both the Greeks and the Romans.

During the Roman era, lavender became a symbol of luxury and relaxation. They used it to scent baths and clothes. Lavender’s popularity spread across Europe in the Middle Ages, where it was used for medicinal and culinary purposes and became a symbol of cleanliness and refinement.

Today, lavender is cultivated worldwide, with countries like France, Bulgaria, and England being renowned for their lavender fields. Lavender’s popularity endures, with its essence widely utilized in aromatherapy, cosmetics, and culinary ventures, showcasing its timeless allure and versatility.

Embracing the Beauty of Lavender

Lavender has undoubtedly earned its place in the realm of cosmetics. Its numerous benefits for the skin, coupled with its delightful aroma, make it a sought-after ingredient in a wide range of products. From lavender-infused lotions and creams to shampoos and perfumes, there are countless ways to incorporate this magnificent herb into your beauty routine. Whether you enjoy the relaxation it brings or the rejuvenation it offers, lavender is sure to enhance your self-care rituals.

Learn About the History of Lavender in Sequim!

How One Small Town Became the ‘Lavender Capital of North America’ (treehugger.com)

We have combined two of our favorite products, Moonstruck Hot Cocoa from Portland, Oregon and Mount Mansfield Pure Maple Cream from Vermont to create a truly decadent hot cocoa, combining cinnamon, maple and of course, chocolate.

INGREDIENTS

• 4 tbsp Moonstruck Cinnamon Milk Chocolate
• 8 oz hot milk
• 1 tsp Mount Mansfield Pure Maple Cream (for the mixture)
• 1 tsp Mount Mansfield Pure Maple Cream (to drizzle over the top)
• Heavy cream whipped into stiff peaks
• OR your favorite marshmallow for topping

INSTRUCTIONS

• Add chocolate and milk together until combined.
• Stir in 1 tsp maple cream.
• Top with whipped cream or marshmallows and drizzle with 1 tsp (or more!) maple cream.

French Hot Chocolate

French Hot Chocolate, La Chocoat Chaud, is a true indulgence and so well worth it! Unlike traditional American varieties, it’s not made from cocoa powder but instead it uses a mixture of, milk, heavy cream and real chocolate. The difference in ingredients creates an intense, rich flavor and a lovely thick consistency. 

Le Chocolat Chaud is meant for slow sipping on cold Winter nights!

INGREDIENTS

• 6 oz unsweetened chopped chocolate
• ½ cup water
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup heavy cream whipped into stiff peaks
• 6 cups whole milk

INSTRUCTIONS

• Add chocolate and water to a small pot on low heat and stir until chocolate melts and is completely smooth.
• Stir in sugar and salt over low heat.  Continue to heat and stir for abut 4 minutes or until it is pretty thick then remove from heat and allow to cool.
• Fold the chocolate into whipped cream and set in the refrigerator.  When ready to serve, add two heaping tablespoons of chocolate cream mixture to a mug then fill it with hot milk.

NOTES

Store the leftover French hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.  To reheat, use a microwave or a saucepan on low heat.

We are all about easy and these brownies are the best of both worlds, fudgy brownie and gooey s’mores!

Ingredients

• 1 16oz box of your favorite brownie mix
• Water, vegetable oil and egg called for on brownie mix box
• 2 cups mini or chopped flavored marshmallows
• 8 graham cracker squares, broken into small pieces
• 2+! chocolate bars of your choice, broken into small (or big😊) pieces

Instructions

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make and bake brownies as directed on box. After removing pan from oven, set oven control to broil.

• Immediately sprinkle marshmallows and graham crackers over warm brownies. Broil with top 4 to 5 inches from heat 30 to 60 seconds or until marshmallows are golden brown. (Watch carefully; marshmallows and graham crackers will brown quickly.) Sprinkle with chocolate. Cool on cooling rack, about 3 hours until chocolate is set. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows.

• Feel like glamming it up for Christmas?  Sprinkle ground up candy canes over the melting chocolate!

This fudge is almost too easy to make and foolproof. The best part is that you can add almost anything you want to jazz it up! In this case, I’m adding chopped flavored marshmallows…yum!

Ingredients

• 1 14 oz Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
• 1 12 oz Bag Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• Your own add-ins such as nuts, chopped or mini marshmallows, dried cherries or flavored baking chips…let your imagination run wild!

Instructions

• First line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Next in a medium or large microwave safe mixing bowl combine the chocolate chips with the condensed milk.
• Microwave the chocolate chips and condensed milk in 30 second intervals, mixing with a rubber spatula in between until melted.
• Once melted, continue mixing for a few minutes until a satiny finish begins to appear (this means the fudge is beginning to cool slightly) then fold in your ingredients.
• OR…you can simply leave the extra ingredients out for a pure chocolate creamy consistency.

There is so much more to do with hot cocoa powder, of all flavors, than just making a cozy cup of cocoa. How about quick and easy Hot Cocoa Cookies to accompany that cuppa?

Easy Hot Cocoa Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 Box Chocolate Cake Mix
• 6 tbsp hot cocoa mix (any flavor)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 Eggs
• ½ Cup Crisco® or coconut oil
• Mini or chopped marshmallows for decorating, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix dry ingredients together, then add wet ingredients to dry mixture. Stir until everything is wet and mixed well.
• Put in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes.
• Place parchment paper on cookie sheet. Drop balled tablespoons of cookie dough onto the parchment paper.
• Bake for 9 minutes.
• Gently press 2-3 marshmallows into each cookie.
• Bake an additional 2-3 minutes.