Here & Now: Right Outside my Door

Yesterday we took a stroll through my parents' lush garden in Edmonds, Washington. I'd love to be able to follow up with a tour of my own Edenic landscape, but I don't have one! Alas, we have exactly the kind of outdoor space you'd expect from an unkempt and ugly four-plex: like the apartment, the yard has gone to seed. It is, on the whole, scraggly, weedy, and uninspiring... save for one thing, just outside our front door.

This treehouse in my neighbor's backyard lends a little charm and imagination to our outdoor space. There aren't any kids next door, so the treehouse is a bit overgrown, and mainly enjoyed by squirrels. I entertain amusing notions of hosting club meetings up there, Calvin & Hobbes style, but I'm fairly certain my neighbors (and their dog) might take issue with that!

Rainy Day

I missed out on the last Alameda Flea when I was out of town, so I had been looking forward to November 7th for months. We pulled into the lot to find it largely empty (I had a fleeting moment of elation thinking of the prime parking spot we were going to score), but we soon realized that the Flea had been canceled! Drat! California clearly has a looser notion of "rain or shine" than we Seattleites are accustomed to.

We headed over to the auction house instead. We didn't get involved in the bidding, but I thought this hand-colored etching was awfully fun...

Sorry for the glare on the photo- I haven't been able to find an image of this print online. 

(Though, in googling I discovered that the artist, Thomas Rowlandson, was a bit better known for his xxx-rated etchings... so search with care!)

Our extra hour was spent puddle-jumping and leaf-kicking up on College Avenue, where we stumbled upon an estate sale and visited a few favorite shops (where I scored an excellent find, which I'll show off later!). I was glad I'd brought my camera, because everything was Autumn-colored and glistening... and it almost felt like home.

What did you do with your extra hour?

Berkeley Flora (and Fauna)

In a past life I was a Victorian Era naturalist- the sort with the straw hat and sketchbook who traipsed around the countryside in a poufy skirt to collect specimens for her cabinet of curiosities. I'm fairly certain of this, because I'm doing pretty much the same thing here in 21st century Berkeley (with a camera and a slightly more practical wardrobe). I figure old habits die hard.

Adam and I visited the Berkeley Rose Garden over our long weekend. There were varieties in every color, and I can't even imagine how intense the park must have been in its prime Spring months.

There are days when I crave the lush Northwest- the smell of rich soil and evergreens, and so many shades of green. The California landscape still feels foreign to me with its spiky and untouchable succulents. I am very often homesick. I've noticed though, that since getting my new camera, I've had a new appreciation for my surroundings. There's something about peering through the lens that reminds me that things are beautiful, and that this is an adventure.

I took this photo in a moment of unusual bravery.
Anyone who knows me will understand what I mean.

Afternoon Escape

I think, after all the excitement of the weekend, that a ramble in the park would be just the thing to refresh my spirits. That, and my annual reading of Pride & Prejudice. 

Image Courtesy of Vogue

*Sigh* Back to the real world tomorrow.

Welcome Home, Me

We're back in the East Bay after the most beautiful wedding I've ever seen and a reunion with the friends that I love most. I'm going to spend the day reliving the week's mischief and trying to ignore the pang of each mile now between us. Since I'm tearing up as I write this, I guess I'm not really succeeding with that last part. Becca and Matt, could you please renew your vows soon?

Looking on the bright side, it was nice to come home and find my very tiny garden blooming.

And greeting me with a smile.

A Clever Display

While picking out our Christmas tree at Sky Nursery, my parents and I couldn't help peeking around at their other offerings. Ornaments galore, a greenhouse full of wintry blooms, and these very inspiring displays:

What a great example of thoughtful merchandising. These doors will be easy to paint and keep fresh for a year's worth of ideas. After all, the massive selection of this nursery can be a little overwhelming for the amateur gardener or for those of us who rent. Not everyone has a front yard, but all of us have front doors! These displays show how to create a welcoming doorstep using coordinated colors and practical container gardens. Forget about landscaping, this is porchscaping!

Images Taken with my iPhone