{Garden} Backyard birding and decor decisions

23 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, House and Home, Paint Color, Renovating

Tags

I’ve wanted to paint our master bedroom since the first of the year. Selecting a wall color is always a challenge for me and I lean on my friends for votes when it comes to the finalists once the samples are in place on the wall. I’m really skilled when it comes to second guessing my own decisions. So after discussing dark paint vs. light with nearly everyone, I decided to go with a darker paint and that resulted in narrowing it down to 3 colors that I really liked, but which one would win the beauty contest? After discussion and a visual assessment, my friend Carla voted for the color I thought I liked best. Confirmation with Mr. B and we now have Benjamin Moore’s Alexandria Beige on our walls, and most importantly, we love it.

Before…the room was painted a Martha Stewart/Green Tea color…you can see the botanic pics above the headboard. They were a little tired and faded.

Inspiration…

{Atlanta Home [left] ~ House Beautiful [right]}

After deciding on a paint color for the walls I felt it was important to think about replacing the botanic prints that had been hanging above the bed for the past 20 years.

Sidebar: I bought Mr. B a bird feeder for Father’s Day. I know that sounds like it might be an odd choice but we love watching their antics, they’ve been very entertaining. Since birds have become such a delightful pastime for us, I decided to search for some antique bird prints for the existing frames. Not like we spend hours watching them but it is fun to go to the kitchen sink for a glass of water and see them carrying on.

…and Squirrel Nutkin visits regularly…

Back to replacing the botanic prints above the bed {focus, Karen}…I lucked out, an online store I had purchased my guest bathroom botanic plates from sent me an email indicating they were having a sale and I was able to buy 4 Dresser, hand colored plates of beautiful birds of Europe. Trillium Antique Prints offers a wide variety of antique plates from historic books. In the case of my birds, when I received the bird prints, they had included the description pages from the book that they were taken from.

{tumblr – Persephone’s Box}

Here’s the room with the new paint color and the bird-plates. I’m still working on finding pillow shams and a quilt to use at the base of the bed. The blue and white came from storage. We had purchased the Pottery Barn shams and quilt when he was working in Northern California. The jury is out on whether this is the best look for the room.

I apologize for the darkness of the photograph. It’s not the brightest of rooms in the house and my new white shades seem to throw a bit of glare in the picture. You get the jest of it though, right?

The bergere chair is covered in a bee fabric, I hope to find a pillow for that chair.

The lamp shades for our swing arm lamps are from Target. They are part of the Threshold line and very affordable. The shade is a white linen-look and I really like them.

Thanks for stopping by. The room is a work in progress, but then isn’t that the way with a home?

We leave for Austin tomorrow morning to babysit Olivia! I’ll be back in time for a post next week. Enjoy the rest of your week and have a wonderful fall weekend. ♥ Karen

{Home} Artist Introduction

16 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

artist

Maui :: Napili Sunset
Photo by Ian Coble

I recently did a post on art in the home, but I was inspired to do this post a few short months later because of the news that my nephew (by friendship to his mom and dad who we have know for over 40 years) has started selling his art online. Ian is like a nephew to us having been born a few short months after our oldest son. He’s made a wonderful career for himself as a Commercial sports photographer, with clients such as Red Bull, Eddie Bauer, North Face, Brooks Running, Revo Sunglasses, and ESPN to name a few. His work has taken him to places that are unattainable by foot and he and his equipment has been airlifted into remote sites by helicopter for shoots.

Icicles :: Girdwood, AK
Photo by Ian Coble

Garden, Home and Party: Artist indroduced

Spines :: Terrace, BC
Photo by Ian Coble

Alaskan Tundra :: Mulchatna River Drainage
Photo by Ian Coble

Napali Coast :: Kauai, HI
Photo by Ian Coble

He recently decided to offer some of his art online and has set up a website. Ian has prints available in a wide array of sizes and printing options, ideal for a prominent spot in any home. His collection is divided into several themes…Mountains, Trees, Ocean, Rivers & Lakes, Textures, Panels and Panoramic’s, all breathtakingly beautiful. The textures images are probably some of my favorites, with the mountain photos, a close second.

I urge you to visit Ian, I think you’ll be wowed by the talents of this young man. I plan on keeping his work in mind for gift buying. I can think of a couple of people that would love to have one of these beauties, or other’s from his store, stretched and framed for their office.

Framed art in the home is such a personal thing. We all have favorite artists or styles that suit our individual tastes. Sometimes something will touch a chord and even though it may not be our usual genre of artistic expression, we love the piece and feel like it would make us happy to have it hanging in our home. Isn’t that what art in the home is all about?

Below are some rooms from my files that inspire the use of art in a home. I could see Ian’s work in a few of these rooms. I have one of Ian’s prints, a photograph from a few years back where he captured snow falling. It’s so magical to me it almost resembles an illustration from a book. As a winter enthusiast who rarely sees snow, this photograph makes me smile. My photography, sadly, doesn’t do the print justice.

Garden, Home and Party: Artist Introduction

Photo by Ian Coble

I have a still life painting in my kitchen that is similar to the painting on the right in this picture. The paintings adds so much to the room, and the blue and white accents are always welcome in my book.

The gallery of small paintings is such a pretty idea…I think this is a store display, I don’t have the source otherwise we could go buy a few of these gems.

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Contemporary art, such as the piece below, aren’t usually my personal preference but coupled with the more traditional trunk and chair, it provides a stunning piece.

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I love the black and white prints with black frame on the white paneled walls. Simple but striking.

John Jacob Interiors shows us how to use every bit of wall space to great effect.

{John Jacob Interiors}

The painting above my mantle is from a frame shop that sells student art. It was very affordable and although you can’t see the details in the photograph, it’s very well done.

I hope you’ll stop by Ian’s online shop, I think you’ll love his work. He also has a blog where he shares his treks in pursuit of the right shot. Do you have a particular type of art that you lean toward?

Coincidently I’m joining Ricki Jill for her Happy List at Art @ Home.

{Garden, Home} Backyard buildings

09 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, Cottages, House and Home

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

Backyard buildings

Backyard buildings, cottages, potting sheds, play houses and the like have always held great appeal for me.

Maybe a small brick structure to house the croquet set. 😀

Some years ago I worked for a home builder who participated in an annual event held for a charitable cause, where 5-6 home builders would volunteer their services to build “play houses” for auction. The builders were so creative and often these houses would auction for several thousand dollars. Below is an example…you can see why they were popular, there was no detail left undone.

I suspect Project Playhouse planted the seed but I’m not even particular about whether its a decked out playhouse or a chicken coop (which our city doesn’t allow, they allow the coop, not the chickens). I just love the idea of a structure in the backyard where I could sit and read, store a few small garden tools and Olivia and I could play tea party.

As I’m sure you are aware, chicken coops have hit the mainstream. Williams Sonoma even offers one.

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This coop rivals some homes I’ve seen…maybe my fair city would allow this one.

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Garden, Home and Party: Backyard buildings {source}

There isn’t any room in our back yard for a structure, not really. This is Southern California, many yards are the size of a postage stamp. But since I’ve always liked the idea, I’ve done what I usually do…set up a folder and saved images I find on the internet and blog sites. It’s like tearing pages from a magazine, only less clutter.

Wouldn’t you love a place where you could sleep in the backyard, in cool comfort during warm summer nights, yet feel like you are surrounded by nature?

There are coyotes in our area that are not shy about jumping fences, but with doors on my backyard retreat I think I’d be safe.

{source}

This cottage structure looks like it may have been built finding salvaged items…I love the idea of building a little garden shed using old windows, hinges and doors.

{Inside Story}

Our Austin son build a structure in the ample backyard of their first home. He used to work from home so this offered the quiet of an off-site office with the convenience of close proximity to the main house. I don’t have a picture of the structure but this (below) reminds me of it…

Now, if I lived on a lake or some other body of water, this would be the “backyard” structure I’d be longing for…

Garden, Home and Party: Backyard Structures {tumblr – That Inspirational Girl}

This simple structure is probably more my speed…doesn’t it look cute?

{Inspiring Interiors}

…or even something as small and simple as this…

Garden, Home and Party: Backyard structures {source}

I’d probably only need enough room for a chair and a box of Olivia’s toys where we could pretend to cook and enjoy a snack.

When there is room for more, this is what I lean towards…my fellow garden enthusiasts will agree, wouldn’t this be wonderful?

{Photo by: Joseph De Sciose via Southern Living}

The truth is, it isn’t so much the structure as it is who happens to reside (pretends to reside, in this case) there…

Do you have a playhouse, garden shed, backyard cottage?

I’m joining in the fun at Art @ Home with my post…it makes me happy so it should qualify as My Happy List.

{Party} Tea time

02 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Drink, Entertaining, Food

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

tea

{Content in a Cottage}

I enjoy tea and wish I made more time for a proper tea party. I don’t like it to the exclusion of coffee, I find I’m firmly addicted to my 2 cups of coffee every day, but Mr. B and I enjoy tea after dinner. This time of year I could drink tea most any time of the day or evening.

A friend of mine buys all of her loose tea from France. She recently introduced me to Mariage Freres of Paris, and Fauchon tea and I think she may be on to something, it was truly delicious. I’m not above using a tea bag in a pinch, but if you have the time loose tea tastes so much better.

{A Toile Tale}

One of the best things about tea, for me, is the array of possibilities it offers for a) table settings, even a table for 2 with special mugs or cup and saucer, AND b) the snacks that can accompany a tea break. Those Brits know what they’re doing about taking time for tea.

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Who does’t love nibbles? I have often thought I could graze for each meal, you know, sample a bite of this and taste of that. Tea seems the ideal opportunity to delight the senses with both sweet and savory.

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If you’d like help with ideas for the menu when hosting a tea party, here’s a book that comes highly recommended.

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Although the U.K. has always been the country I think of when I think of tea, there are countries all over the globe that specialize in growing fine tea. I have a neighbor from India who wholesales premium teas from her homeland. Alton Brown, the scientist/chef from Food TV has listed his recipe for the perfect cup of tea. This is the technique Mr. B. and I follow when we brew a cup of tea.

{source}

Ingredients
4 heaping teaspoons loose tea
4 cups water
Directions
Place loose tea leaves into a warmed tea kettle. Pour heated water over loose tea leaves. Let steep. Strain tea and serve.

Notes
*Note: For Oolong and Green tea, water should simmer at 200 degrees F. and 180 degrees F.

*For Irish and English tea bring water to a full boil.

*Black tea should soak for 3 to 5 minutes. Oolong tea should soak for 4 to 7 minutes. Green Tea should soak for 2 to 3 minutes.

{source}

Years ago, when I was a stay-at-home-mom, Linda, Gretchen (two of my oldest and dearest friends) and I would have tea at one another’s home at least once or twice a month. The kids would play and we’d drink tea, munch on goodies and compare notes on parenting and such. Today we continue the tradition when Linda visits from her Bainbridge Island home. We alternate between Gretchen’s home and mine and most of our teas are morning teas so we always include homemade scones. My first post about my scone recipe, and how I came to obtain it can be found HERE.

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Here is my recipe for scones. No, they aren’t health food scones.

English Scones – Cranberry Orange Glazed

Ingredients

3 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

¾ cup sugar

¾ cup butter (melted)

1½ cup Craisins or raisins (or diced pecans if making Maple scones)

¾ buttermilk

Glaze (optional)

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoon orange juice (or maple syrup for maple glaze)

½ teaspoon orange oil (or maple extract for maple glaze)

¼ cup butter, melted

2 tablespoons milk (more if necessary to make liquid spread easily)

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 375° Mix dry ingredients. Add butter, buttermilk and *Craisins and mix until incorporated. Roll out dough on a lightly floured surface to 1″ thickness. Cut to desired size with cutter or knife. Sprinkle with coarse sugar (if using glaze, omit this step). Lay on parchment paper, Silpat or lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake for 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown on top.

Top with Orange glaze or omit the Craisins and substitute maple extract for the vanilla and add Maple glaze

Do you enjoy tea? Do you fuss with loose tea or throw a tea bag in a cup of hot water. I do that sometimes and it’s okay. Let me know of any specialty teas that you are fond of, I’m always interested in trying new things.

{GHP} A blue and white infusion

30 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Misc, Trends

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

blue & white decor

I’m revisiting this post so I can join Pink Pagoda for her blue and white link party (originally published 2/9/12).

Since it’s raining here and since it’s only 5 days until St. Valentine’s Day when most of us will be thinking shades of pink and red, I thought I’d provide an infusion of blue and white.

Martha Stewart

What is it about the combination of blue and white that appeals to so many? Its classic—I mean it’s never experienced the phrase “So dated!” of say dusty rose and sage green (remember how we all admired that combination even if we didn’t use it?) of the eighties, or chocolate brown and white of the seventies (When I was first married everything had to be chocolate brown and white). Blue and white clearly knows a popularity that remains timeless.

French Kissed

I have a few touches of blue and white in my home and a guest room that is blue and white, but I’ve never been able to afford the complete switch. You know how it is, you get down a path with one color palate and to change would involve some pretty major discarding of items that no longer compliment the blue and white theme, I’ve never been able to convince myself that I want it that bad. And I don’t mean I have to have everything matchy-matchy, but I do like some cohesion where my color palate is concerned…is this just me?

Color Outside the Lines

Classic Casual Home

So, for now, I’ll dream in blue and white and delight in the images I find on the various blogs I enjoy reading each week. I hope you’ll indulge me and maybe get as much pleasure as I do from the clean, crisp look of blue and white in the home.

Lori Tippens Interiors

Tobi Fairley

Joe Minton Designs

Veranda

Ralph Lauren, Jamaica

Belclaire House

The Enchanted Home

Traditional Home, Joseph Minton

Do you long for a different color palate for your home?

I’m linking to The Pink Pagoda for her blue and white party…take a peek.

{GHP} Autumn favorites, II

25 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Halloween, Holidays, House and Home

≈ 30 Comments

Tags

Autumn

Note of Appreciation: Some time ago my blog friend Leslie of Around the Table had a giveaway. Winner would receive one of the fabulous candle holders called Glassybaby. These beauties are made in Seattle and come in nearly every color under the sun. Well, imagine my delight and surprise, I won. {Thank you Leslie} If you’ve not already discovered Around the Table blog site, stop by. Leslie shares fabulous design ideas, great (and healthy) recipes and skin care information. Did I mention she has a degree in nutrition and is a licensed medical aesthetician. Most importantly, her posts are always useful and fun!

Glassybaby as displayed in Leslie’s kitchen.

→Hi Everyone. I feel so much better. Seriously, to those readers that host a blog, don’t you sometimes feel like you’ve run out of ideas for a new post…in fact, I sometimes think, “what frivolous topics I gab on about, what am I thinking?” That’s what vacations are for. The break brought home that the fun of this is the blog friends and readers that check in, even if they don’t comment, and the creative wheels that turn each time I work on a post. So, thank you for your interest, friendship (of an internet variety) and support. I so appreciate it.

Are we there yet…has autumn arrived? I don’t care if it is still warmer than ideal fall weather should be, I’m sharing my annual autumn favorites. [It reminds me of back-to-school, when the new sweater was worn that first week back because you loved it and didn’t care if it was 90 degrees outside]

If you missed my fall favorites last year, have a look. You’ll see I haven’t changed much of what appeals to me about the season, other than to add additional images. 10 photographs just wouldn’t allow me all that I love about this time of year.

I always pause before stating this is my favorite season because when spring comes around, I think this is my favorite season! But it’s September 25th and I’m looking forward to the short weeks from now when I can expect to wear turtleneck sweaters, put a fire in the fireplace, have a casserole in the oven and a hot beverage in my hand.

Enjoy!

Have you visited this shop yet? Check it out ~ terrain

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Sitting by a fire, what could be more cozy? Having reason to stay indoors and read a book or two, one more reason to love cooler weather.

{above 3 images :: tumblr}

I love turtleneck sweaters…this is definitely a reason to love autumn/winter.

Fall/Winter means comfort food for me. I use portion control to avoid winter waist expansion, but here are a couple of recipes that you might enjoy when it cools down…

{source}

Maybe a ride in the convertible (that I don’t own) with Madison…

Finally, the promise of Christmas and…

{source}

…on January 5th in the U.S, the return of Downton Abbey

Do you have a favorite season or a favorite thing about each season?

HAPPY AUTUMN

I’m joining in the fun: Savvy Southern Style, Wow us Wednesday and Stone Gable Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} Vintage essentials, typewriters, cameras…etc.

04 Wednesday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories

≈ 25 Comments

Tags

vintage essentials

This post is dedicated to our oldest son, Kyle, our daughter-in-law, Jamie and our other daughter-in-law, Sarah…Happy Birthday all! It’s like Christmas in September for our family {September 1, 2, and 4}. ♥

What is it about old things for some of us?

Is it the history and/or story we conjure up in our imaginations? As far back as I can remember I have always liked vintage items. Sometimes the piece is something not made any more and that extra bit of rust feels like well-earned signs of survival to me.

I don’t have one of these (above) anymore, but I hear there is a resurgence of their use and as a result there are shops that service them. The older ones are popular when used as display, the lovely black keys and upright design is classic.

I confess, I love the ease of using a computer to compose letters or documents, but the appeal of an old typewriter stays with me.

We were given some old binoculars when my father-in-law passed away. He always maintained all of his essentials. The black leather binocular case is in excellent shape and the glasses themselves still work well. Yes, there are cool, high powered, compact and slick versions on the market, but there is something so dear to me about reusing something a family member treasured.

The small opera glasses, a gift from a friend of my mother’s, next to my father-in-laws case, are also treasured for their vintage look and the aging brass and black detailing.

Cameras, don’t get me started, digital is way better. That said, the 8mm movie camera used to document my childhood vacations and birthdays still conjures up lovely memories. Our oldest son keeps that camera on display in his office. *At this point, I’d like to point out how fortunate I feel by the fact that both of our sons and both daughters-in-law, have an abiding appreciation for antiques and family treasures.

You have to admit, while way too bulky for today’s streamlined style, some of the old cameras are so fascinating, with their extra dials, cranks and lenses.

So, to wrap up my wanderings down memory lane, I come to music. An essential to me. Does anyone remember this?

I loved my Sony Walkman. Now I use this, in fact this is an all-in-one essential for many of us.

I try to look forward, after all, that is the direction I’m headed, but I confess, sometimes it’s fun to stop and remember some of the past essentials, don’t you agree?

Do you have an essential you wish they still manufactured?

Perfect timing for my topic…Leslie over at Around the Table is offering a giveaway of a special candle made by a company called Glassybaby. (Candles are so classic and even though I wouldn’t give up electricity, there is a special light given off by candles) Drop by Around the Table and enter to win. You’ll love Leslie’s site, it always inspires me and she takes us on some of the best tours of Washington state.

I’m joining RJ over at Art@Home for her Happy Party and Savvy Southern Style for her Wow us Wednesdays with this post. Stop by for a visit.

Image sources: 1. tumblr 2/9,10. tumblr 3-5; 11, 12. tumblr 6. Bethany House/foyer 7. Beach Chic via Design Chic 8. tumblr 13. tumblr 14. tumblr 15. Patrick Ahearn Architect

As most of you know, summer isn’t my favorite season, it’s not even my second favorite. I’ve been fortunate this summer to experience cooler than usual summer weather for the most part and for that I am thankful. Typically, by the end of August I’m over sleeveless blouses and capri pants, and ready for a light weight sweater, jeans and even boots! So to avoid whining through most of September, when a hot, windy Santa Ana is blowing through, I’m taking a vacation. I’ll see you September 25 with my focus on AUTUMN…one of my favorite seasons. Back-to-school, the occasional crisp day, a casserole in the oven and maybe a fire in the fireplace, if I’m lucky.

Karen

{Party} Dishes, a passion or illness?

02 Monday Sep 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Dinnerware

Note: In order to join Alison at The Polohouse for her Favorites on the First, what’s your favorite dish pattern, I had to dig into my archives. Please note that this was originally posted May 7, 2010.

I should have seen the signs—when my husband and I married, 37 years ago (by the way, I was a child bride {smile}) I registered for everyday dishes and for a pottery that would serve as my china. Both sets were Dansk patterns. Dansk designs were popular in the early seventies. The pattern Bistro reflected the earthy look that was popular during the day. It was a simple plate that was the color of chocolate chip ice cream and had a double band of chocolate brown on the outer edge of the plate. The china substitute was an all white pottery that I believe (my memory on this is a little fuzzy, probably because Dansk discontinued the pattern before I could amass more than 4 place settings) was called Basketweave for it’s basket weave white on white edge.

Grandma’s China

Bottom line, Dansk discontinued several items I had registered for, including my crystal and that’s my excuse for the dish addiction I am afflicted with—I hear there is no cure.

After being married a few years I decided that I had made an error in not registering for fine china—my husband worked for Xerox at the time and they had a sales contest where you could earn points that could be cashed in for goods. As a result I ended up with Lenox, Autumn for my china and Wallace Grand Baroque as my sterling silver flatware—all thanks to my husbands hard work and Xerox, thank you very much.

I eventually tired of the chocolate brown trimmed dishes, one of the symptoms of the dish disease, and stumbled upon Portmeirion, Botanic Garden. You will be surprised to learn that I used them for 20 years before deciding I really wanted the following patterns, not all at once but over a period of about 15 years: Villeroy & Boch patterns: Audun, Chambord (a very simple off-white) and Petite Fleur. Blue and white dishes came in the form of Churchill Blue Willow (a lucky find on eBay). I then inherited my grandmother’s china (shown above), imprinted with RC Made in Japan (if anyone knows more about this manufacturer I’d love to hear from you). Her pattern is lovely and is a white bone china with a gold band and tiny violets scattered on the plates.

By this time in the illness, I realized if I only bought dinner plates I would be happy and I could use white salad plates and accessories. Please understand, I didn’t want to part with any of the patterns when I set my sites on a new pattern. I truly enjoyed using each and every pattern for different seasons and celebrations.

Churchill Blue Willow

Which brings me to the holday dishes—Spode Christmas Tree and Churchill Thanksgiving, a pattern with very cute turkeys on each piece.

Do any of you have this disease? Do you know of a cure?

I’m joining Alison at The Polohouse for her Favorites on the First. If you have the dish addiction you’ll want to visit her site!

{Home} Stairs, exercise or hindrance?

28 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

stairs

I love two-story homes. I like the way they look architecturally and when done right they make a statement and command a presence on any street.

{Stan Dixon Architects}

Oddly, I have lived in exactly two 2-story homes. One that my mother and step-father purchased just before I moved out on my own, and one since I’ve been married.

Mr. B and I have owned 4 houses, only one was a two-story. As I’ve “matured” I’ve noticed many of our closest friends, similar in age, will often say, “you are so lucky to be living in a one-story house”. When I ask why it’s always the same answer, as we ~~age~~ mature stairs can pose a problem for some. Knees are usually the first thing mentioned.

I believe, possibly without scientific back-up, that if we are forced to climb a flight of stairs we will probably be in better shape than those that get no other form of exercise.

Since I truly love stairs and the endless styles they come in I thought I’d share some that have captured my attention and my imagination…

{Catalano Architects}

How clever is this for the dog enthusiast?

{Catalano Architects}

The staircase in this home is only one of many features that I love about this house (below).

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Catalano Architects}

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Barnes Vanze Architects}

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{Wendy Possard & Associates}

{Linda McDougald Design; Photo by Ranchel Boling}

Garden, Home and Party: Stairs, exercise or hindrance {Mercer Hill Farm / PA Archer & Buchanan Architecture}

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Is it just me or does this look like you might imagine ‘stairway to heaven’ looks?

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The detailing on this banister is swoon worthy (in my humble opinion)

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Simple and understated, but oh, so pretty.

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So, what’s your thoughts on the subject? Drop by, we’ll chat. ♥

{GHP} Summer Heat ~ cool pools

21 Wednesday Aug 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Outdoor living

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

pools

We have had a very mild spring and summer by most accounts, and by mild I mean it wasn’t that warm. That’s unusual for Southern California. It is August and it is summer so I’m going to embrace the what little heat we have had. Besides, I’ve been wanting to do this post on the topic of water features, from pools to ponds. So here goes…

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Some people in my region depend on the ocean to cool them down. As a red head, the “beach / sunbathing” option left me some years ago…actually, it should have never been an option.

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In light of the heat that usually hits this time of year, I thought I’d take the opportunity to share some some of my favorite water features…mostly swimming pools, but there are a few reflecting pools and other images that will hopefully cool you down (if you’re experiencing hot weather), if only in your mind.