NIBBLING AROUND THE GARDEN HOES >>>

The Tacoma Home and Garden Show may or may not be your idea of a hootin' and hollerin' good time. But, let me tell you, whether you're looking for some new roofing material, a cool hose, beautiful greenery or some professional landscaping services to set up that greenery, there are vendors to help you achieve your homestead goals.

Yesterday, I dropped in one the massive tradeshow inside the Tacoma Dome. The show offers ideas for home improvements that I hadn't considered.

They also have grub.

Now granted, if you find yourself hungry at the convention you're stuck with the onsite McKinley's Grill. Not a bad choice but nothing special. You'll also find a snack bar with the usual suspects such as hot dogs, burgers and popcorn items.

However, if you're looking to get your green thumbs on some delectable bites on the home front, The Tacoma Home and Garden Show has a few foodie finds.

My first discovery was Chris's Country Essence - the place to "bee." Located just a jump away in Puyallup, Chris is all about the bee. Though the booth featured honey-infused hair and skin products, there is also a lovely assortment of honeys available. I snagged a jar of amber hued pumpkin honey for a measly $13.

For the carnivorous Sissy's Specialty Food out of Centralia has elk, alligator, turkey and beef jerky, as well as a plethora of pepperoni sticks available. Sissy's chipotle flavor packed a punch that stayed with me during my entire visit.

Though less local than some of the other vendors, Seattle based OMG Olive Oils sported a lovely assortment of dipping oils of the balsamic and olive oil variety.

A double threat to your taste buds was A Taste of Eden. Its booth looked like two separate entities. The first half featured fresh baked breads such as strawberry rhubarb, banana bread and more. I settled on a loaf of blackberry fudge bread ($8). Um yea! Once home, I tore open the bag and dove into the sweet, moist morsel with its aroma of fresh blackberries and rich chocolate. Hello bread, good-bye waist.

The other half of A Taste of Eden's booth featured its line of Olive Branch infused dipping oils and seasonings. I scooped up a small bottle of its habanero infused olive oil. I'm bringing the heat to future meals.

You will also run across Garlic Gourmay and its wide variety of garlic seasonings and jars of pickled garlic and olives. The GG puts tasty spins on traditional food items such like habanero-pickled garlic and jalapeno stuffed olives.

So there you have it. Home and garden shows aren't just for tool freaks.

TACOMA DOME, TACOMA HOME AND GARDEN SHOW, 11 A.M. TO 8 P.M. FRIDAY, JAN. 25, 10 A.M. TO 8 P.M. SATURDAY, JAN. 26, 10 A.M. TO 5 P.M., SUNDAY, JAN. 27, $10 ADULTS, $8 SENIORS, 16 AND YOUNGER FREE, $16 TWO-DAY PASS, 2727 E. D ST., TACOMA, OTSHOWS.COM/THS