The Columbian

The proof is in the pudding and this cottage cheese pudding proves to be pretty bad

Blend cottage cheese with cocoa powder and maple syrup, and you’ve got … a kind of soup. But it’s high in protein and low-ish in fat.

We’re about to take a long-delayed trip to visit my husband’s parents in Wales. It’s been 14 years since our last visit, mainly because the cost of such a journey overshadowed our ability to fund it. We hoped to go in 2020, but you all know what happened then. Now… Read story

A Fort Vancouver grad lost her cherished class ring in 1982; 42 years later it was returned to her

Barbara James, Fort Vancouver High School Class of 1981, left, joins metal detectorist Craig Nichols, revisit the spot where Nichols found her class ring at Wintler Park. Nichols recovered and returned the ring that had been missing for 42 years.

Forty-two years ago, Fort Vancouver High School graduate Barbara Pederson spent a day on the beach at Wintler Park. Before sunbathing, she took off her class ring — a precious graduation present from her parents — and put it in her bag. She didn’t want an unsightly tan line on… Read story

Keen on green: Crunchy, fresh broccoli salad just right for summer

With broccoli, bacon, cheese, nuts and cranberries, this crunch-tangy-sweet broccoli salad is a winner.

Our summer vacation is quickly approaching — or perhaps we are approaching it, depending on your views on the nature of time — and I am too preoccupied with travel plans to concentrate on complicated meals. Plus, it’s hot and I don’t want cook, so there. Read story

ilani summons barbecue masters to compete in Smokin’ Hot BBQ Competition

August 14, 2024, 5:58am Clark County Life Free

Teams of up to six barbecuers are encouraged to sign up for the Smokin’ Hot BBQ Competition on Aug. 24 and 25 at ilani, 1 Cowlitz Way, Ridgefield. Read story

The Craft Beer & Wine Fest returns to Esther Short Park this weekend.

Try this: Craft Beer and Wine Festival; Show and Shine; Washougal Art and Music Festival

August 8, 2024, 6:05am Clark County Life

Five things to do this week Read story

On May 14, 2023, debris cascaded 2,000 feet above State Highway 504, burying the roadway with rock, mud, ice and water, leaving behind catastrophic damage to the Spirit Lake Outlet Bridge. The highway, also known as Spirit Lake Highway, leads visitors to the Johnston Ridge Observatory in the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument.

Johnston Ridge Observatory and Spirit Lake Highway are slated to reopen in spring of 2027

August 7, 2024, 6:06am Clark County Life Subscriber Exclusive

Mount St. Helens’ Johnston Ridge Observatory is slated to reopen to the public in spring 2027, according to a recently re-released timeline detailing the phases of restoration work to state Highway 504, also known as Spirit Lake Highway. Read story

Two cups of fresh peaches and a pecan-brown sugar streusel topping make this coffee cake irresistible.

Perfectly peachy: The Bundt cake was a disaster but coffee cake hit the spot

August 7, 2024, 6:03am Clark County Life

I love peaches. When it’s peach season, I eat peaches for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I can’t get the taste out of my mind, and I don’t want to. I want to feed the craving. I mean, that’s how you handle a craving, right? Or do I misunderstand the fundamental… Read story

Call for artists: Battle Ground Art Alliance seeks artists for art festival

August 1, 2024, 6:11am Clark County Life

The Battle Ground Art Alliance seeks local and regional artists to show and sell at Art Festival in the City, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 at Battle Ground City Hall, 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground. The event will also feature local music and food. Register at bgartalliance.com.… Read story

Stories by Monika Spykerman

Columbian staff writer

Try This: Vancouver Wine and Jazz fest; ilani’s Barbecue Fest; a trip to Star’s Hollow