We had hoped that spring would have banished the rain and we could resume the usual Sonoma weather of sunshine and warming temperatures. That was not to be and in spite of that we managed to make some progress. Now we are all delighted that California is out of the drought and recent aquifer reports for our area tell us that water table levels are in good shape: From a year ago, water level is up about 5 feet to 46.5 feet. Up from the low in 2013 of about 70 feet. In some areas, it’s been reported that levels are up 30 feet since last spring. Our 80 foot well is in good shape we’re told but water quality reports revealed that we had high levels of silica in our well water and I’ve noticed white spots on glassware were hard to remove and streaks of white on the dark counter tops which convinced me that I needed to put in a reverse osmosis system. So now we have a scientific looking lab in my well room and I look forward to clean domestic water and we have two large tanks on the property to hold water for household use and another for irrigation.
 
Meanwhile, the garden seems happy with rain showers and some sunny days we’ve been getting so no complaints from our onions, lettuces, peas and fava beans.

A rare sunny day means we can get some concrete footers poured on the main house

2500 and 1000 gallon tanks ready to be rolled into place once the ground dries out.

The reverse osmosis system goes into place

Happy garden which appreciates the rain and some days of sun.

Fig tree leafs out and I'm happy to report that new addition of the main house skirts roots and ensures that the tree is still featured on the property.

The sun finally came out for an extended period of time and it meant that we’ve been able to get some footings dug around the main house and the final conduit work done. So the WWII-style tunnels are covered up and gas/electrical and plumbing lines are buried and connecting up 4 buildings on the property. Pool house is complete except for polishing the cement floors, which need to cure before they are buffed and sealed. I’ve moved my “office” into the pool house as we expect to be demolishing the areas of the main house that will undergo a transformation.

The garden is happy and we have lots of greens/lettuces to harvest and are awaiting the beets, onions and fava beans. We’ve started the okra, cucumbers and eggplants in the potting shed and they will be transplanted at the right time.

I’m loving the new fencing and even though I fought getting rid of the traditional white farm fencing…. The new black powder coated hog wire is a better look. It’s encased in a wood frame, painted a dark grey (Benjamin Moore Falling Night). Plans are to add more of the fencing in key areas as we complete the look.

Now—hoping for more dry weather so foundation can get poured and framing can begin on the main house.

 Pool house is almost complete and has an excellent view of the gardens from inside. White fencing is gone and the new hog wire with dark grey framing is the new fence line.

Still need to pour final plaster color and then the pool will be complete. Notice the grey toned tile and coping.

The raised beds with winter cops and pool house in background

Pre-concrete pour of back of house with fig tree about to fill in with it's lush leaves.

Some pool house highlights. Still awaiting some finishing touches after we put in the water tanks and can pass the sprinkler inspections.

A custom built-in bookcase with a bit of ship lap in the background.

The main room of the pool house and the concrete floors (flannel colored) are curing and will be polished in several months.

The shower in the pool house. Waiting for Nebia shower to come in.

A Restoration Hardware find. Makes a special bathroom!