The Nest and Gatehouse Cottage

04/30/2026

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Save the date for the 25th Annual San Juan Island Lavender Festival at Alchemy Art Farm on Saturday & Sunday, July 18–19! We are thrilled to continue the tradition of this wonderful event, which was brought to life and stewarded for many years by Pelindaba Lavender Farm and Stephen Robins. Stroll fragrant lavender fields in peak bloom, enjoy stunning photo opportunities, and celebrate the magic of the lavender fields with art, music, and community. Explore handcrafted lavender products and artwork and take part in hands-on creative activities for all ages throughout the fields. With live music, local food vendors, community art activities, and free admission, it’s a joyful weekend celebrating lavender, art, and community!

Saturday July 18, 11am-8pm
Sunday July 19, 11am-5pm

More details at alchemyartcenter.com/events/2026-lavender-festival

04/26/2026

4.16.26
"Meditation by the Pond at God's Pocket:
Sitting by the pond
Amid the cries and calls and tweets of the red winged blackbirds singing their love cries to a potential mate
Violet green swallows dipping rapidly but gracefully through the air to catch their prey
A calming breeze blows lightly over the reflective waters while pairs of mallards and buffleheads share a slow paddle
I had hoped for the colorful wood ducks like last year
Maybe they are still hiding in their tree cavity creating a love nest
Distant knocking on dead trees providing the woodpeckers a meal
Salmon berries are beginning to bloom their fushia pink in opposition to the paler pink currents that first invited the humming birds to drink

The tassles of alder blooms called male catkins decorate the ground while tree pollen greens the dark pond water and dusts the earth
The fluff the cat tails let loose floats upon the surface
seed down to insulate the birthing naaids as spring advances
An earlier walk through the orchard
The trees have aged...some are full of blossoms
Trying to guess what trees I planted here
Cherries plums pears..an apricot a peach a walnut and the many apples
Fruit often shared with others who live here
Who know just when to pick it
New leaves sprouting unfolding into the spring air
My grandson's Camperdown Elm I planted in celebration of his birth
Gnarly contorted branches greening up seeking to hang to the ground despite the deer's yearly pruning
The lilacs green with purple and white flowery tips ready to burst with fragrance for Mother's Day bouquets
Blue and white wings changing colors as the Echo Azure butterflies flit and fly like fairies and then go mudding in the wet earth left from yesterday's rain

Such a rich day of beauty
intense colors magnifying the the life around me in the bright light
Breathe deep peace within
Knowing joy tickles my toes
And laughter plays through my thoughts
Gratitude pleasures my soul

Artist:God. Photos/poem by Shannon Bailey.
God's Pocket Photography/Art.

02/26/2026

2.25.26
"Deer love tender leaves
Ignore stems of daffodils
Reborn spring flowers"

""I can’t make the
world peaceful

I can’t stall tanks
from roaring down roads

I can’t prevent children
from having to hide in bunkers

I can’t convince the news to
stop turning war into a video game

I can’t silence the sound of bombs
tearing neighborhoods apart

I can’t turn a guided missile
into a bouquet of flowers

I can’t make a warmonger
have an ounce empathy

I can’t convince ambassadors
to quit playing truth or dare

I can’t deflect a sniper’s bullet
from turning a wife into a widow

I can’t stave off a country being
reduced to ash and rubble

I can’t do any of that

the only thing I can do
is love the next person I encounter
without any conditions or strings

to love my neighbor
so fearlessly that
it starts a ripple
that stretches from
one horizon to the next

I can’t force peace
on the world

but I can become a force
of peace in the world

because

sometimes all it takes
is a single lit candle
in the darkness

to start a movement

“Lord, make me a candle
of comfort in this world

let me burn with peace”

~ john roedel

(johnroedel.com)

Haiku by Shannon Bailey.
Artist: God. Photos by Shannon Bailey, God's Pocket Photography/Art.

02/25/2026

2.24.26
"Walking the beauty
Treasured tree creatures appear
In afternoon sunlight"

Haiku: by Shannon Bailey

"After the clouds, the sunshine;
after the winter, the spring;
after the shower, the rainbow;
for life is a changeable thing.
After the night, the morning,
bidding all darkness cease,
after life's cares and sorrows,
the comfort and sweetness of peace .."
🖋️Helen Steiner Rice

Artist:God. Photos by Shannon Bailey. God's Pocket Photography/ Art.

02/11/2026

2.10.26
"What I saw today
What captured my attention
Beauty humor past

Jack draws a sea hawk
Recollections of joy ride
Memory of flight

Sounds of squawking gulls
Eagles' chortle lapping tides
Geese honk scooters cry

Silence lays heavy
On trees holding the secrets
Bygone tribal lore

One noted frog song
Before the cacophony
Of tree frog chorus

Faces shape in trees
Animals smile out of bark
Laughter pokes out

Gently walking paths
Offerings of a false spring
Last hurrah of winter"

Haikus of the day by Shannon Bailey

Artist: God. Photos by Shannon Bailey, God's Pocket Photography/Art.

10/22/2025

10.22.25
Fall sunrise. 38 degrees in places. Fall colors from the maples.
Artist:God. Photos by Shannon Bailey, God's Pocket Photography/Art.

08/29/2025

8.29.25
Walking this morning in God's Pocket. I am deeply grateful that I have been given the privilege to live here and the stewardship of this land. It wraps me up in such beauty and peace.

Artist: God. Photos by Shannon Bailey, God's Pocket Photography/Art.

08/13/2025

Had another lovely family staying at the Nest...returning guests.
airbnb.com/h/nestsji

08/11/2025

Had a wonderful family spending almost two weeks enjoying the Nest. So glad they were comfortable and had a great time.

08/08/2025

News..8.8.2025
It’s International Cat Day and this week, a mountain lion was sighted on San Juan Island.

Historically, the San Juan Islands were home to wolves, but colonizers extirpated their population in the 1860s. The present day San Juan Islands rarely see large land predators, but the occasional bear or mountain lion has been known to appear - they are excellent swimmers!

A sighting like this can feel startling, but it's important to remember that these animals generally want nothing to do with people. In fact, there have only been two fatal cougar attacks in Washington in the last 100 years.

Here’s how we can all be good neighbors to our wildlife:

🐾 If you encounter a cougar:
Stay calm and stand your ground. Make yourself look as large and loud as possible. Do NOT run. Slowly back away to give it space.
Keep small children and pets close.

📞 Report sightings:
If you see the cougar, please report it to the WA Department of Fish & Wildlife at (877) 933-9847 or online at wdfw.wa.gov. This helps experts monitor its movement.

Stay safe on the trails!

Pet owners:
Also a reminder to please keep dogs leashed and close when you are on a hike. Allowing your pets off leash to react and harass wildlife risks an encounter that will get this mountain lion put down. That is not fair to the mountain lion nor being a responsible pet owner.

Photo by Priscilla DuPrees (Canada)