When recently asked why I choose to live on Grays Harbor rather than exiting, like so many of my fellow classmates, I remembered the nine months I lived in Ellensburg. While there, I realized that I missed everything about Grays Harbor — weather, trees, rain, climate, etc.

My family roots are on Grays Harbor. My mother, Grace, grew up at Copalis Crossing, and I still have many relatives here.

(Gabe Green | The Daily World)
Nancy Lachel of Nancy’s Bakery in Hoquiam has not been able to make her blackberry pies this year due to restrictions on harvesting blackberries on private land.

In the 1970s, I began baking bread for the public market, and the business grew from there. The bakery has become a passion in my life, shared with my love of gardening. Winter is an exciting time for both of my passions.

The holidays bring new experiences to the bakery. On those cold winter days, I’m in the kitchen with the bakery’s right hand, Lupe, making festive pies, delectable pies and mouth-watering jams. This fills our world with aromas you won’t find any other time of the year.

Then it’s off to the gardens. I have color year round, so I work year round. There’s nothing more relaxing than building a fire pit and, listening to the birds and tending to the gorgeous ornamental kale, cabbage and cyclamen that make up my fall and winter beds and planters.

Grays Harbor has so much to offer in every season, but winter is the one I enjoy the most. Between the climate, beaches, rain forests, rivers and people, there’s no place I would rather live. Sunshine makes our area look brilliant, and the rain keeps it that way. It’s a perfect harmony.

Nancy Lachel is of Grays Harbor Farmers Market in Hoquiam. The market offers a variety of vendors, and of course, Nancy’s popular pastries. For information about the market, visit www.graysharborfarmersmarket.com or call 360-538-9747.