Kingfisher

Last year when our pond was new we added 20 feeder fish (very tiny goldfish). They disappeared. We added 20 more. They disappeared. We added 20 more, plus two koi, and one larger gold fish from a friend's pond. They all disappeared. Having had fish before I was pretty sure they were all hunkered down in the bottom of the pond, waiting for warmer water. But, we were impatient. We now had 60+ fish in our pond. A few floated, but very few, so in actuality we probably had about 55 fish. All winter the pond showed no sign of fish. This spring, once it warmed up, they began, slowly, to come to the surface. We could never get an accurate count but we were sure we had at least 40 fish from the previous year and a batch of new babies. We had plenty of fish. In fact, we were now concerned that our pond was over-stocked.

Well, not to worry. Just this morning I heard a rattling and saw the flash of a bird flying up to our roof. A few moments later I heard the rattling again and watched in fascination as the same bird dove into the pond and came up with a goldfish in its beak. A Kingfisher has discovered our pond. Eating is good!

Do you have a view?

When we first purchased our property in Langley one of the first questions asked was, "do you have a view?" I would always say "no", knowing that the question related to a view of Saratoga Passage and the Cascade Mountains. Our previous home, high bluff waterfront on Saratoga Road, had a drop dead view of both water and mountains.

Our new lot, with wonderful southern exposure and lovely trees, but no view left me to answer the questions with a "no". But, more recently, as our garden develops and our water catchment system (pond, stream, wetland) develops, creating more beauty and habitat, I'm conflicted when I answer either yes or no. No is correct for the questioner's "hidden" question of, "do we have the BIG view?" . Yet, Yes is correct for how I actually see our garden each day and my enjoyment of our view.

Even in it's early stages, the roof water in our garden is turning into a more and more lovely "view". Fish swim, birds bathe, flowing water serenades, all as the plantings develop more fully.

When we were thinking about selling our Saratoga home, beautiful garden and stupendous view, I knew I would build a pond for a new "water view". It was clear to me, after we built a small pond at our entry at Saratoga, and I spent more time viewing that small pond, than the big pond (Saratoga Passage) that we could create a view on a city lot. A view that wouldn't have the same concerns about a crumbling bluff or higher and higher taxes. One that was of our making but one of beauty nevertheless. And we did! Plus we are managing all our roof water with beauty, habitat and aquifer recharge. As it matures the beauty will multiply. A pond was always in the works, Brad was the master of the bigger vision.

Storm Water Management

In this time of municipal jurisdictions thinking surface water is a liability, we are exceedingly pleased with how we've handled our roof water. The larger pond overflows into the wetland (Picture 1) where, despite some torrential downpours of late, has handled, with room to spare, all of our roof water. All three roofs feed the upper pond or creek directly, then flow down the creek to the lower pond. Once the lower pond is at capacity the water overflows into the wetland. The second photo illustrates the guesthouse roof water flowing into the creek. The other two buildings are piped underground directly to the upper pond.

Very heavy rain during the night and well into the morning resulted in the deepest wetland collection I'd observed. At 11:00 a.m. the wetland, at it's deepest, was 6.5" and covered an area 7' by 15'. By 12:00 there was little or no rain and the stream had stopped flowing. The wetland was already going down. By 3:00 the wetland was 2" deep at its deepest and measured 5' by 13'. At no time did we come even close to capacity. These results were in saturated ground as we've had a very rainy few weeks.

The water in the stream in this photo (below) is all rain water. The circulating pump mostly runs in the summer when there is little rain.

Birds have been thoroughly enjoying drinking and bathing at the ponds' edges, especially during their migration this fall. On occasion we'll see as many as 20 or 30 birds at a time accessing the pond.

What's it like living in our new home?

When one steps outside the box there's always the "how will it work" question. Will we be pleased with our not so common solutions to the common home design? Although we're comfortable with our knowledge of who we are and what we like, we've never before experienced living in a home like this one. Many factors went into our comfort level with leaving behind the "tried and true" homes we commonly see.

First, we had complete faith in Brad's ability to design a home for us we'd love to live in. Second, we knew we had the skill to evaluate his design in terms of our life style. Third, we understood our capacity to be flexible in how we live in a home and to adjust to a new way of living.

One of the most controversial issues was needing to go outside between the three buildings. Questions asked were always in the area of, "What about the rain", "Is it covered?", "What about cold winter days?"

Having lived here since January, during some of the worst weather the NW has to offer, we can say, without hesitation, that the passage from one building to another is one of the delights of living here. We love it. This picture is one of the scenes we see first in the morning and last at night. It delights us each time we cross the bridge. And, we might add, the snow earlier in the year didn't destroy the beauty or pleasure. The bridge is definitely one of Brad's design features that is a 10 on a scale of 1 to 10.

Living small is a delight too. It is a challenge to reduce one's possessions down to the bones, and keep them that way. The ease of living without too much stuff is well worth the effort of sorting and eliminating and then sorting and eliminating again and again. It will be an ongoing task, but one we embrace wholeheartedly.

This neighborhood is delightful as well. The lack of fences separating properties opens the area up to feeling like an intentional community. The siting of our buildings, in relation to our neighbors' clustered buildings, leads to easy gatherings of neighbors but protects each home's privacy when desired. Bonus: our neighbors are truly great.

Our kitchen design is quite unique with the separation of food preparation and cooking on two sides of the main living building. Both Ed and I enjoy cooking but we move at vastly different speeds. This design allows us to both work in the kitchen without tripping over one another. Previously, in the kitchens we've had, only one of us could be in the kitchen at a time. Our solution to accommodate different speeds in the kitchen has resulted in much more shared cooking pleasure.

Separate buildings, especially when living small, are a key element in privacy and provide the option to be truly alone, even when in relationship. At times I actually lose Ed. When is he? He loses me as well. That's perfect. We can be totally alone even in a 860 sq. ft. home. Or, the two of us can be completely alone, even if Brad and Erin are watching a movie in main living, by simply being in another building. Little retreats everywhere! Wonderful!

The bath, with triple french doors opening out onto a private garden; eight foot glass doors opening the kitchen up totally to the outdoor patio; a wall of windows to the east looking out onto the pond; five opening windows in the guesthouse looking out over the pond; and oversized glass doors opening out onto the bridge, give all the spaces an almost seamless relationship to the outdoors. This is the first home I've lived in that has the connection to the garden that I've always craved.

Plus, a million little bonuses. The bridge is a perfect dog run. In fact, on a nice day when the doors are open, Annie can pass from the guesthouse to the main living building pausing to nap in the sun on the bridge. There's a swing on the barn. Under the guesthouse is a delightful covered patio at the edge of the pond. Every window has a view of something interesting and beautiful. The light and sunshine enter the buildings in perfect and unpredictable ways. Wildlife is finding its way to the pond providing us with the pleasure of watching the birds bathe. No frogs yet, but we're hopeful they'll come.

I've just touched the highlights of living on Grace Lane. We will discover more surprises throughout the year, unfolding daily, as the light and weather change, and we adjust our living styles -- as we settle in to a new way of living.

There are, however, huge problems with our new home and that's that I can't get anything done for just looking. Standing on the bridge gazing out at the pond and stream; gawking at the buildings when I'm trying to gravel the pathways; admiring the details of the barn when I should be painting; or simply aimlessly moving from one enticing spot to another. Productivity is yielding to eye candy. Ah!

Pond/Stream/fen Work Today

Here, the big rocks are in place with the stream's course set.  Now filling in with smaller rocks, gravel and plants is the next step -- and the fun step -- without the backbreaking job of moving these huge boulders.

Josh, Dan & Brad working the liner.

Brad and Dan moving smaller rocks, with Fran looking on, after the two big ones are in place.

Looking from the pond up under the stream.  The two big boulders were put into place by Dan, Josh and Brad this morning.

Fran working the edges of the pond.  The raked soil area is actually a fen (we've been incorrectly calling it a wetland) that will be flooded during the hard rains of winter from time-to-time.  The rain last night left the pond only a few inches from the top.  The next heavy rain will put it over the top and into the fen.

For Sale

Our beautiful home is for sale.  It's with a heavy heart on the one hand but with excitement and glee on the other.  We will be doing an ultimate downsizing and move into our new 2005 Sprinter Airstream Westfalia van to travel North America.  Click Thistle Adventure to follow our adventure.

Here are a a few photographs of our green home on Whidbey Island, located in the town of Langley, WA.  It is situated on 1/3 acre, fully landscaped with vegetable garden, pond, stream and a mixture of native plantings and ornamental plantings.  If you're a bird enthusiast you will enjoy the vast numbers and varieties of birds visiting the garden.  The three buildings were built by dbBrad using recycled materials.  

carport with office, laundry, bath, storage and workshop

main living and bedroom wing overlooking pond

pond and water catchment system

bed/bath building overlooking pond

bridge from bedroom to living area

west side garden

patio

dining/kitchen

living room

view from bath into bedroom, past library

If you are interested please call Amy Raymond, 206 396 7016, or Shellie Moore, 206 391 1087 at Windermere Real Estate in Langley, Washington.   MSL# 657 460  Offered at $600,000.

It's been a year!

We've been in our new home a year now -- loving every minute. Never in my life have I had a home where the indoor/outdoor relationship was exactly what I wanted. In Seattle four French doors were added for greater access to the back garden. At Saratoga, five French door were added for the same reason. Both remodels were terrific and did the best we could to take homes with no relationship to the garden and create that relationship. But this home is perfect with it's relationship to the garden. When I'm in I feel out; when I'm out I feel in. And with separate buildings creating forced travel between the spaces, I'm out often. Historically I've needed outdoor bedrooms and other ways to get outside more. Living here I'm content -- inside or out, or anywhere in between. Now I know my need for this indoor/outdoor relationship is greater than many people's needs in that regard, but I suspect the lack of it is an area of discontent not often identified. Anyway, for me this space is perfect!

Although our cabinets are still unfinished, as is our solar system, we are more than comfortable. Living here is easy, especially since it forced reduction in stuff. We're living smaller, and with fewer possessions, than we have since college days. It is a wonderfully freeing feeling. Also it pleases me to know that on my death I won't be leaving piles of stuff for my son to sort through.

The garden, for a one-year garden, is looking beautiful. There are still many areas needing plants to grow to fill in the bare spots and other areas that aren't planted yet at all. But all the beds are weed free, mulched, and ready for spring planting. The patios, decks and pathways are complete. We still need some screens for privacy around the bath, but that will happen soon -- we have the materials ready to go. And, we have a fireplace planned for one of our covered patios that is not yet complete, but again, we have most of the materials and are simply waiting for time.

The water system of rain from roof, to pond, to stream, to pond, to wetland continues to function beautifully and provide us with delightful wildlife experiences and much beauty. Just this past weekend Ed and I spend a pleasurable 20 minutes watching 6 birds splash and bathe around the edges. As the plants mature and fill out the wildlife will increase because their safety will be greater. At present there is still too much open area for safe travel to the south. From east to west, on our north side, they have an outstanding corridor where they can fly in short sprints from tree to tree for several miles in each direction.

Discipline is a word that is at the top of my list in living here. Discipline is what is required to keep "stuff" from accumulating. Trips home from the Post Office require daily sorting; trips from the grocery store require the same; as do trips from almost any shop. If something comes in the door, something else must go out. Not having Fibber McGee's (radio show ending in '59 so I'm dating myself) closet is the greatest pleasure.

As I sit here and type I'm overlooking the front lawn and vegetable garden on one side and the pond and native plant restoration area on the other. This is a richness that I am unable to describe. Masterfully well done by dbbrad.

We have sold or given away most of the things of value but of no use to us. We still have six great wicker chairs of outstanding value and in almost perfect shape. So, if you're interested in six wicker Palecek chairs just call 360 730 3924. Or, we have a cedar Chinese truck, hand carved. Great for a coffee table that stores blankets, etc. Other than that, we've pretty much managed to shed what we don't need or want.

The report card for our first year -- A+.

Wow! the BIG pond...

This is the liner in place as viewed from the bridge.  The pond looks huge.  In fact, the pond looks big enough that my dream of a place to float on hot summer days appears like it will be a reality.  Oh boy!  Bring your air mattress.

Landscaping Happens As We Build.

These huge boulders will make up the stream
that goes under the bridge and flows into the pond.















Travis working on the pond. He's standing in
what will be the wetland.















Looking under the bridge to the pond.

The Pond

Our three buildings will dump their roof water into a creek that will come down under a bridge between the guesthouse and main living buildings. The water will spill into a pond. Any storm overflow will enter a "wetland" area approximately 12x12 that will be planted with native wetland plants. All site water will stay on our property and will serve as wildlife habitat. Additionally, the water will become an aesthetic focus and view from two of our three buildings. In water shortage periods the pond water will be available for irrigating the vegetable garden. The creek will be a dry creek except when it rains. If we decide to use a circulating pump in the future it will be solar.

Brad and Fran on the felt under liner.

Josh, Brad and Dan moving the liner into place

Josh, Dan and Brad spreading out the liner

Sunday - A Day of Work!

With a borrowed "half hour" from Mr. Ed (time was actually more like 2 or 3 hours), and a full half+ day of Brad's time, Sunday turned into an amazingly productive day of many small, and not so small, garden projects. Our first task was planting a huge old tree Brad drug home a few weeks ago for a pond snag. With many grunts of effort and Fran fearing both her favorite men would have broken backs, the snag was planted by the pond.

Snag

Now we just wait for the Pileated Woodpeckers to visit.

Pileated Woodpecker

Then an old stone step that wasn't working very well because of spacing and a riser that was too low, was ripped out and a new step was put into place.

Stone Step

Another project we've been working on for a little bit is extending our stream. If two ponds and a stream are good, isn't more stream better? Well, apparently that's what we think, because that's what we're doing. To give Hermione (a beautiful gift from Diane Kendy) a location of greater status, she's been moved in preparation for her new home along the new stream. Then plumbing and digging are being done before putting in the stream's liner. And, of course, the gathering of the rocks needed to create the natural look of a NW stream.

Hermoine & New Stream-in-the-works

Two other projects were worked on too. A retaining wall under the guesthouse and a stone patio, also under the guesthouse, overlooking the pond. Photographs of those two projects will follow. Presently the heating system installation project is being staged in that area so photographs of both would be full of PVC parts and tool boxes and all the stuff needed for plumbing.

Stream Details

The first photo shows the liner we've used for our ponds and stream. It is a very heavy rubber purchased from a wholesale nursery supply company. Underneath the liner is a felt pad to protect the liner getting punctures from sharp rocks. The second picture is the route of the hose that will be used to pump water from the lower pond to the upper pond. We're also going to install low voltage lights in this same ditch.

Erin, Brad and Barry dug many vine maples from Barry and Susan's land at North Bend yesterday.  Today they were planted at Grace Lane.  Their new home is surrounding our pond and providing us privacy to the east.   One group of maples was a line of small developing trees along a fallen branch -- perfect for screening.   By the time we were finished planting it was almost dark so the first view in the morning will be of our new trees.  The anticipation is a little Christmas-like.  

 Brad and Erin moved a couple of large rocks into place near the stream too.  There are three more rocks to place and then I can go back to work on finishing up the edges of the stream and pond.

Rain, rain and more rain.

We've been having enough rain to think about building an ark. The land on Whidbey is completely saturated with puddles everywhere; ditches full; catch basins overflowing; wetlands, creeks and lakes high; and people growing webbed feet. Fortunately, our built pond and wetland are handling our roof and site water beautifully. The pond is draining into the wetland, as planned, and the wetland is filling, with about a foot of capacity yet to go. It appears we've provided for more than adequate overflow. If this storm doesn't fill it to capacity, it's hard to imagine what would. Yesterday afternoon, after it stopped raining, the wetland showed no signs of water on the surface after about 2 hours so the absorption is rapid.

dbBrad our design builder and I worked together on this project, and two other storm water projects in Greenbank.

Bridge

The guesthouse is to the left, the main living is to the right, and straight ahead the bridge connects the two. The large boulders in the foreground are for the stream that will go under the bridge. All of our roof water (from all three buildings) will dump into the stream, which will flow into a pond. The pond has an overflow rain garden to handle any storm water excess.

Pond Planting

This weekend we added stones, a nurse log, licorice fern and sedges (have edges) to the edges of the pond and to the fen.