Blog Posts

The Best Florists in Town

February and Valentines Day are like peanut butter and jelly this time of yearespecially because the month is a little shorter than the others. Whether youve got a special someone in your life, or family and friends you love, this month is a perfect time to express that in simple, creative, or traditional ways. For many, a bouquet of hand-picked flowers can brighten their day and represent the love you have for them. Below, weve outlined some of the better florists in town that can get you set up with the perfect floral arrangement. Blitz + Co Florist Whether youre looking for an organic and flourishing touch of color in your arrangements, red roses with a bit of chocolate, or excellent customer service, Tacomas Blitz + Co is going to be your jam. With enough experience in last-minute wedding help, theyve got the calm and cool collected approach that can help you out in any pinch. Though they arent the most affordable option in town, theyre more than worth the thoughtfulness that goes into each piece. You can find more information about them over here . Flowers R Us For those looking for something that fits a more modest budget, Flowers R Us still brings class despite their toy-company-esque namejust dont tell them we knocked their name. Whether youre looking for a colorful bouquet to deliver to your loved one at work, a tablepiece for a romantic or thoughtful dinner, theres something for everyone here. The staff is notably helpful, polite, and is known for going the extra mile. Even their arrangements seem to last a little longer than other options. You can learn more about what they bring to the table over here . Cranes Creations Last but certainly not least is Lakewoods Cranes Creations. But they might be the best of the bunch in and around Pierce County. Featuring a refreshing array of flowers on hand that will make you forget its even winter, everything from balloons and patterned bows can be a part of your finished product. Even last-minute orders can be stress-free and fun with their delivery and insightful service. You can read through more of their reviews and find more information over here .

The Best Local Chocolate Spots

Valentines Day is already just right around the corner. Whether you have close acquaintances you want to express love toward, or a special someone thats part of your life, sharing some of your favorite chocolate is a more than fitting way to do just that. While store-bought confections can do fine in a pinch, you might wondering where the best places are in town to grab a sweet treat for your loved ones this month. Below, weve taken the time to highlight a few local favorites. Brown + Haley For those that are looking for an experience not unlike Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, especially with how few people in town know about this local treasure, Brown + Haley is the place to go for discounts on the infamous Almond Roca. But almond isnt the only flavor they do at this chocolate HQ. Macadamia nut, peppermint, dark chocolate, mocha, and practically anything else that comes to mind is bound to be here. And the outlet at the front of the factory sells perfectly good chocolate that didnt pass inspection because of minor cosmetic flaws. This place is a local steal for sure. You can find more information about them here . And who knows? Maybe they even offer tours. Trops Chocolates When it comes to gourmet chocolate, Gig Harbors Trops Chocolates storefront might be one of the best options in town. Belgian chocolate and an immaculate attention to detail is what makes these handmade chocolates as easy on the eyes as they are on the stomach. Featuring everything from hand-dipped truffles, brownies, caramels, and chocolate-infused drinks and espresso, youre bound to get your fill here. You can be confident that Trops Chocolates only uses natural ingredientsso none of that corn syrup, artificial flavoring, and no preservatives. If you go with friends or a special someone, wed recommend getting their delicious ice cream sandwich. You can find more information about their store over here .

The Best Local Chocolate Spots

Februarys here and that means Valentines Day is right around the bend. Whether you have friends you want to express love toward, or a special someone in your life, the perfect blend of chocolate is a popular way to do just that. While store-bought confections can do fine in a pinch, you might wondering where the best places are in town to grab a sweet treat for your loved ones this month. Below, weve taken the time to highlight a few local favorites. Sees Candies Sees is known for their old-fashioned sensibility when it comes to the way they make candy. Their iconic chocolate box shapes and labels are a fixture in winter holidays especially. Whether youre looking for rich truffles, inventive but restrained bon bons, or classic concoctions like nut and fudge, theres a little something for everyone here. Theyve also got options for those that like their chocolate a little less on the too-sweet side. You really cant beat their by-the-pound buys, black-and-white tile floors, and free samples. Whether youre looking for a stop-in nostalgic date or a place that offers legendary service, this is the place to be. Kent and Tacoma both have locations that are both worth the trip. Johnson Candy Company You cant think of nostalgia without Tacomas Johnson Candy Company coming to mind. But when youre in business for at least ninety years, youre bound to retain a fair share of traditional imagery and handcrafted taste. A family-run shop, theyve got everything from Jelly Belly beans to build-your-own chocolate box favorites, fudge, and anything else youve got in mindincluding homemade chocolate eggs for Easter. If youre looking to support a local mom and pop shop in this Hilltop Tacoma neighborhood, this one needs to make the top of your list. Wed recommend their mint molasses or their chocolate covered cherries. You can find more information about them over here .

Warm Drinks, Good Reads A Bit of Bliss

Its January, the holiday cheer has been boxed up and packed away, and we are left to slog through until springtime brings relief from wintertime dreariness. But why wait until spring? A blazing fire, a good book, and a warm drink are sure winners to brighten your evening. (Okay, so you may not have a blazing fire going at the moment, but two out of three isnt bad.) Todays blog will provide some ideas for warm drinks and some good reads. First the books. Favorite genres vary, so this list includes a variety of genres to choose from: - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline (Young Adult Fiction) The setting is a dystopian society, where teenager Wade Watt lives on the fringes. When the creator of a popular video game system dies, a virtual contest is created to compete for his billions. And contest users are willing to kill to win. (Soon to be made into a movie.) - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer (Historical Fiction). A Goodreads reviewer describes the book: January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man shes never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb. - Becoming Odyssa: Epic Adventures on the Appalachian Trail by Jennifer Pharr Davis (Contemporary) follows Jennifer as she hikes the Appalachian Trail, and describes her adventures and the realizations she comes to during the forty-six days it takes to hike the 2,181 mile trail between Maine and Georgia. Second, warm drinks! For starters, how about some basic recipes for hot cocoa, and spiced cider. Homemade Hot Cocoa cup unsweetened cocoa powder cup granulated sugar ? cup hot water ? tsp salt 4 cups milk (Dairy or non-dairy) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Mix cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt together in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly and bring to a boil. Boil one minute. Reduce heat to a simmer, add milk and heat through. (Do not boil.) Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. (For a flavorful variation add a drop of peppermint extract.) Makes five servings. Hot Spiced Cider 8 cups fresh apple cider or apple juice 3 cinnamon sticks 1/8 teaspoon grated nutmeg 4 whole cloves 1 orange, cut into slices Heat the cider, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and orange slices in a 3-quart saucepan. Cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until the mixture is hot, stirring occasionally. Or mix ingredients in a slow cooker, heat on high until hot and then turn to warm setting. If you want to get more adventurous, check out this blog: Fifty Hot Drink Recipes to Warm You Up on a Cold Day Please feel free to share your favorite recipe or book recommendation in the Canyon Park blog comments section.

Warm Winter Ideas

Staying warm in the middle of winter can be hardeven if you have insulated down jackets and comforters and eat warm soups or casseroles every meal. Sometimes its the little extra things that make the run out to your car in the morning, or a walk downtown more enjoyable. To bring a little extra warmth to your apartment and your day-to-day life, weve included a few ideas below. Warm Winter Ideas Automated Warmth Using a simple timer plug-in for appliances like a coffee maker can mean its a heck of a lot easier to wake up in the morning. Especially when you know a warm cup of joe is already waiting for you. Just set your outlet timer to switch on fifteen minutes before you wake up in the morning. Wed recommend sticking with a coffee maker without control circuits that prevent it from turning on with an outlet timer. Electric Blanket Warmth While the obvious use for an electric blanket is to keep you that much warmer than a regular blanket, they can also do a great job of warming up your bed sheets before you even jump in the coversor warming up your wardrobe in your dresser before you get dressed. To warm up your bed, you can place it just below your comforter on the lower setting while youre brushing your teeth. And to let it warm up your clothes, use the same setting in a drawer with your outfit for the day while youre showering in the morning. You can also use the outlet timer to go off before your cup of morning coffee. DIY Handwarmers Last but not least, you can use scrap fabric and rice or barley to make your own handwarmers. While the ones from the store usually only work once, making your own handwarmers means you can warm them up every morning in the microwave before you head out to work or a round of daily errands. You can find what youll need to make them over here .

Healthy Winter Salad Ideas

January is a month thats filled with just as many resolutions as it is commitments to eat better meals throughout the year. Spending a few minutes looking through certain types of diets is enough to discourage anyone. But its all about looking in all the right places. You dont have to give up on flavor just to eat healthier. With the winter-friendly salad ideas below, youll get all the ideas you need to stick with your goals to eat betterand feel betterthis year. Healthy Winter Salad Ideas Superfood Kale + Olive Salad Freshly sliced olives, raw cashews, goji berries, ripe avocadoes, vine fresh tomatoes, and lemon juice and salt all bring out the real character of this superfood kale salad. And the zesty and straightforward lemon and salt dressing mixed into the leaves is about as work-free as it gets. If youre worried about the added calories of dressings but still want a peppy taste, this ones for you. You can find the recipe over here . Emerald Broccoli Salad Roasted winter salads can warm you up as much as they can fill you up at lunch or dinner. Utilizing fresh broccoli and broccolini, leeks, sliced almonds, fresh garlic cloves, lemon zest, and olive oil, this dish comes to life with a quick trip to a warm oven. And add to that some fresh spinach and flat-leaf parsley? Youve got yourself a confident finished product. You can find what youll need to make this emerald salad over here . Beet Green Chopped Salad White and green scallions, fresh deep purple beets, toasted sunflower seeds, ripened avocado, and cooled quinoa all sing together in harmony beneath a zesty tahini dressing. And everything from lemon to garlic and agave are invited to this salad partyeach without being overbearing at all. You can even add in some of your favorite greens, like arugula or spinach, if you feel like getting creative. Youll find what you need to make this chopped salad over yonder .