When my husband transferred to a position in hospital administration with the VA in Seattle, I was ecstatic. Living in a smog-filled, congested metropolis near Los Angeles, I’d dreamed of living in the Pacific Northwest surrounded by beautiful mountains, lush evergreen trees, and abundant waterways.

We began studying outlying communities near Seattle as a place to live, paying attention to the scholastic levels of individual school districts. The Kent School District had excellent academic ratings and homes were affordable, so we decided to relocate in Kent.

After we moved in, I was delighted to discover a local quilt guild met just a few blocks from our new home. Once I joined the Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild, I became exposed to many different types of quilting. Over the years, quilting has broadened, with additional forms of expression. Traditional quilting, which includes “piecing,” “appliqué,” and other techniques, remains the largest genre in quilting. Art quilts, on the other hand, do not fit the “traditional” format. Art quilters use innovative techniques to create quilts that are exhibited on the wall. These quilts evoke emotions, tell stories, and express the creativity of the artist. My landscape quilts fit into the Art Quilt Category.

Just like finding a “niche” in quilting, I have also formed strong ties to the community of Kent. Why would I go somewhere else to shop, play, visit the doctor, or slurp an extra-foam latte? For example, when I need to get my hair done, I hit the trendy iVoni Salon on First Avenue in Kent, where Nadya trims my locks into submission. Or, I might head down to Kent Station with girlfriends to watch a “chick-flick,” shop, or eat. When I learned there would be a Chico’s and a Coldwater Creek at Kent Station, I nearly wet myself! Oh my God, shops with well-fitting clothes catering to women with grown-up figures.

Another favorite of mine, is Carpinito’s Produce. Just thinking about a piece of their “just-picked” corn, flash cooked, swimming in butter, actually has me licking my lips! While we are on the subject of food, when I don’t feel like cooking (which this columnist admits is darned often), my favorite Kent restaurant is Paolo’s. Their authentic Italian food is consistently amazing. Try their Gorgonzola fillet; it practically melts in your mouth!

We’ve lived in Kent for 25 years and never regretted it. When we “downsized” to a smaller ranch home a few years ago, we decided to stay put in Kent because of our ties to the community, quilting opportunities, and our friendships. We wouldn’t live anywhere else!