Blog

‘Yee Gads! What am I going to do to cool my home on these very warm days?!’  This is a pretty common conversation a lot of us have been having the past couple of months and it has left me with SO many thoughts to process! With that, and listening to others mentioning buying air […]

‘Can Solar Energy Help Me Live Better, and Combat the Continuous Increase in Utility Costs?’ This is a question that lives in my thoughts as I strive to be a better steward within my home, and within (and for) our natural environment. At times this is very frustrating for me, as I would like a […]

Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group just makes me smile! I so enjoy participating with this group on all types of restoration and plantings scenarios. Lucy DeGrace, Outreach Manager, captured me at a group event where seedlings were being potted for their plant nursery. Please click into this very spontaneous interview and enjoy as this was a […]

I have become fascinated with the term Circular Economy and how the concept connects into every aspect of my life, my communities, the economy and even to the design of clothing, which I will share more about below. First, a brief definition of Circular Economy by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Looking beyond the current take-make-waste […]

Earlier this month, I wrote a blog on water conservation within our homes.  If you have not read my earlier blog, be sure and go back into my blogs for a read or refresher. Now that we are into our wonderful NW Summer weather, I am taking a dive into understanding what Xeriscaping is and […]

When I consider the big picture surrounding drought, my first thought is ‘I have never been totally without water, so how can that be?’ I have always assumed water as a given. Even while living in Iran we hauled our drinking water from the Embassy; the water that supported the homes on the plateau came […]

From my reading and listening, and through my daily real estate experiences, material costs have skyrocketed and are still on the rise. This article from the National Association of Homebuilders caught my attention with its discussion of the reasons for escalating costs. What does this look like for you as you think about retrofitting, building, […]

Being outside is an especially important piece of my life – it nourishes and brings comfort to my soul. Anacortes is such a beautiful place to live! Surrounded by salt-water vistas, lush forests, and ‘old town’ with its 100-year-old towering conifers … no matter where I spend time here … my heart is always happy. […]

Do you know that when your home is more energy efficient, the indoor air quality gets better too? Paying attention is an eye opener… I KNOW it was for me! I am constantly learning more about how to increase my energy efficiency in subtle ways, and I love sharing tips and resources with my network. […]

  When I work with home buyers, I often bring up the subject of Universal Design – i.e. what features should their home have that will allow them to live there comfortably and safely for a long time – and accommodate their lifestyle as they age? And, beyond that, what features does the home have […]