REFRESH

the blue house<br><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnmTz7k4oUBjTBEWD1v_8sq8o1lBs6SiN2uO-_evlaQBjswUaj_DrSSWB_DEgHTfMVnPKRkP7ggXdhXNlZ9m9kDAtcPo32psogm2xubgdl_60mY4RqnXWsA6vOtTmo_ioHroSiK9z3TAs/s1600/IMG_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnmTz7k4oUBjTBEWD1v_8sq8o1lBs6SiN2uO-_evlaQBjswUaj_DrSSWB_DEgHTfMVnPKRkP7ggXdhXNlZ9m9kDAtcPo32psogm2xubgdl_60mY4RqnXWsA6vOtTmo_ioHroSiK9z3TAs/s640/IMG_7226.jpg" width="427"></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br />I just had to share this beautiful transformation with you.  It was so fun to design, and to see to its completion.  The homeowner is wonderfully creative and knows exactly what she likes.  My amazing friend, Shawna Henrie (<a href="http://www.bleudogfotography.com/">bleudog fotography</a>), provided the photography - which is why this post is going to be full of lots of wonderful pictures!  Enjoy! <br><br /><br><br /></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/refresh.html#more">Read more »</a>

REFRESH

the blue houseI just had to share this beautiful transformation with you.  It was so fun to design, and to see to its completion.  The homeowner is wonderfully creative and knows exactly what she likes.  My amazing friend, Shawna Henrie (bleudog fotography), provided the photography - which is why t…

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KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

COLOR FOR NATURAL STONE FIREPLACE<br><br /><br><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIX3RLqRJHH5Kg4mZ4_Zgs4Cfa1jo-87x4LCH_bv_rUovCoz7VJzeMCibBj8mRZyA9LpwuvXj_An2bFC1zsmrmOSNbKb8G162jelzRLtIFH48SntftG5Q7pzV_89HUuKH_Nq3dZyOP1IH/s1600/house+and+home.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIX3RLqRJHH5Kg4mZ4_Zgs4Cfa1jo-87x4LCH_bv_rUovCoz7VJzeMCibBj8mRZyA9LpwuvXj_An2bFC1zsmrmOSNbKb8G162jelzRLtIFH48SntftG5Q7pzV_89HUuKH_Nq3dZyOP1IH/s640/house+and+home.bmp" width="640"></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houseandhome.com/">House and Home</a></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><br /><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />IN EVERY HOME there are elements we can't change - at least not right away.  There are things we need to live with - maybe its a previous owners stone or tile selections, or wood cabinet or floor colors, </div><br /><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/keep-home-fires-burning.html#more">Read more »</a>

KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING

COLOR FOR NATURAL STONE FIREPLACEHouse and HomeIN EVERY HOME there are elements we can't change - at least not right away.  There are things we need to live with - maybe its a previous owners stone or tile selections, or wood cabinet or floor colors, Read more »…

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FIREPLACE DESIGN

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Our family vacation destination of choice over the last couple of decades </strong></span><br><br /><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>has been this breathtaking spot</strong></span></div><br /><br><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_u_u8clKWlCbjgXcqesd2yLLg6gf1OhpztV1cGVM4TuKZv3uzaE9bfsakpfAf8IqWJRA9GiEp4G6E5OT-lU7us_YK8a3xitsZACTlveeO5mE34qZAIULxEkKLWnbzZ1Yb_vtxtn58bVv/s1600/Yosemite-National-Park1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ_u_u8clKWlCbjgXcqesd2yLLg6gf1OhpztV1cGVM4TuKZv3uzaE9bfsakpfAf8IqWJRA9GiEp4G6E5OT-lU7us_YK8a3xitsZACTlveeO5mE34qZAIULxEkKLWnbzZ1Yb_vtxtn58bVv/s640/Yosemite-National-Park1.jpg" t8="true" width="640"></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />With only a very few exceptions, we have come here every year<br><br /></div></div><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/fireplace-design.html#more">Read more »</a>

FIREPLACE DESIGN

Our family vacation destination of choice over the last couple of decades has been this breathtaking spotYosemite Valley, Yosemite National ParkWith only a very few exceptions, we have come here every yearRead more »…

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GARDENING: LOUISIANA BAYOU - SO. CALIFORNIA TROPICAL PARADISE

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzuT-A9xSsA08jTwLgUlha6g0Xi932ORwEnxMWnAGYCI2Gt1SP-uP6OB4_7u07bhwV_U9LLvqMLy0j-XDxMIXt1Lvc4uIRM-NUZGDK3LXP8bDBzZQb2khMoT-tssyTKfGFE_MLPZXDxQ/s1600/eden+roses%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzuT-A9xSsA08jTwLgUlha6g0Xi932ORwEnxMWnAGYCI2Gt1SP-uP6OB4_7u07bhwV_U9LLvqMLy0j-XDxMIXt1Lvc4uIRM-NUZGDK3LXP8bDBzZQb2khMoT-tssyTKfGFE_MLPZXDxQ/s320/eden+roses%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">..</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">IN THE AFTERMATH OF KATRINA</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">My husband went to Louisiana to do some relief work in the area.  We'd never visited the South, so after his job was completed, we joined him.  It was an beautiful trip and an amazing adventure.  We actually stayed at a haunted plantation, and had an encounter with the ghost . . . but that is a story for another time...</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">THIS BEAUTIFUL AREA was so devastated by Katrina, and this gulf coast is once again threatened by disaster with the BP oil spill gushing thousands of barrels of crude a day into the waters there - I wanted to share my photos of this unique area with you.  It may be a long time before it looks like this again, although I am praying that the oil can be stopped, contained and removed and that it will never reach these shores.  The ecosystem in the bayous and swamps and the entire gulf coast are in danger and so many rely on these waters for a living.  </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb_YLMkrkXRugi_xfOLhxjtKI54Jikj926OYOPP6vwS9wRTZGDYOVZxZWXaYMBvZkSt3O8oCpf_xvjp0i0K5_NnLee_prq1PvX27l6K9zJfaNnXXJvDcKqZeGK6Bgbj_BydtZ36-gKjs/s1600/IMG_2210+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLb_YLMkrkXRugi_xfOLhxjtKI54Jikj926OYOPP6vwS9wRTZGDYOVZxZWXaYMBvZkSt3O8oCpf_xvjp0i0K5_NnLee_prq1PvX27l6K9zJfaNnXXJvDcKqZeGK6Bgbj_BydtZ36-gKjs/s640/IMG_2210+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cypress Trees and Spanish Moss - Swamp off of Lake St. Martin, Lousisiana</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbOLR3KGsRxtDOizTe4kYobNeZEz7O2cxxovVeCEnK-0hm9sKf5Xo2JNlMJP_w62lr8UAoshEyyVh3vTe1oMyvKrZ-emd6z9qg1JUM62GuYTn1XQpTymKQmCyVFSY2k0x6EtJd-m4zok/s1600/IMG_2209%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigbOLR3KGsRxtDOizTe4kYobNeZEz7O2cxxovVeCEnK-0hm9sKf5Xo2JNlMJP_w62lr8UAoshEyyVh3vTe1oMyvKrZ-emd6z9qg1JUM62GuYTn1XQpTymKQmCyVFSY2k0x6EtJd-m4zok/s320/IMG_2209%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;">snowy egret flying over bayou area<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid6LDaTaziUg6N5dYlsRq5ZAWbpjYpDopyN7AAsQiYgwGCWr2x6MaI901YUCgrPZq1wt1dr85qD0yqfzYpx4B898tvqVZuIARkrCqj1IGxAE5CpWtes5TO5ddtkOndmFku5-AGzO_GbM/s1600/IMG_2211+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjid6LDaTaziUg6N5dYlsRq5ZAWbpjYpDopyN7AAsQiYgwGCWr2x6MaI901YUCgrPZq1wt1dr85qD0yqfzYpx4B898tvqVZuIARkrCqj1IGxAE5CpWtes5TO5ddtkOndmFku5-AGzO_GbM/s640/IMG_2211+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lake St. Martin.  We saw over 20 gators this day, as well as hundreds of water birds and some box turtles.</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxncrt3HFUZymAyO63VW1yX2_wh9EUdORA30ilSdPoYIDPBOJ5T22IZuUZem8wlI_j5sV9y9in1zS09XsCy_YABB1wCzZYUfxiqCSgxFc1Ur0fmkLWfi-K5u1n5yCCQvukYgG8Oj4I-0/s1600/Swamp+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxncrt3HFUZymAyO63VW1yX2_wh9EUdORA30ilSdPoYIDPBOJ5T22IZuUZem8wlI_j5sV9y9in1zS09XsCy_YABB1wCzZYUfxiqCSgxFc1Ur0fmkLWfi-K5u1n5yCCQvukYgG8Oj4I-0/s640/Swamp+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp off of Lake St. Martin.  Our guide was Cajun and had built this boat himself.  It seated 12 in swivel seats - but we were his only customers that day.  He was able to take us deep into the swamp area, and promised us there would be NO mosquitoes. </td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-1y4GhW8nezttIqHx1Y2i0rgDqUGb8orPTg-z4H5Cz2to64cRAUPAuRSop6gXir4AMj4Du1Idd9joY5atgjHvcXjyE4-Y1swRCz8Ap2BJDjVyobDyJ-3IsepsCWmjNR2sRvPpbM0AqM/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-1y4GhW8nezttIqHx1Y2i0rgDqUGb8orPTg-z4H5Cz2to64cRAUPAuRSop6gXir4AMj4Du1Idd9joY5atgjHvcXjyE4-Y1swRCz8Ap2BJDjVyobDyJ-3IsepsCWmjNR2sRvPpbM0AqM/s640/IMG_2068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This green stuff is not slime - it is a tiny tiny plant that covers the top of the water in this swamp and is so dense it does not allow mosquito eggs to hatch.  There really were NO mosquitoes, as promised!</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitOIxHir2HgTuWsvPAZ7Wx8YvEfhbAmFKBNHNUQe_5M49KFEmPz0jIFNEeV7lY13_fQwjh_pZDTbxflafqTzFb9r_BgHMf1tTzAJ9e3V9qOAZOmjEo4KkdY0iqYHqz1no8m7Uh_W7RmI/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgitOIxHir2HgTuWsvPAZ7Wx8YvEfhbAmFKBNHNUQe_5M49KFEmPz0jIFNEeV7lY13_fQwjh_pZDTbxflafqTzFb9r_BgHMf1tTzAJ9e3V9qOAZOmjEo4KkdY0iqYHqz1no8m7Uh_W7RmI/s640/IMG_2218.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">During our visit to the South we also toured Natchez, Mississippi.  There were beautiful antebellum homes everywhere, surrounded by giant sprawling oak trees dripping with spanish moss.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm1-zIwbge3yRzq49YSmx6u2pKyXUYmrVbWdIGOeRpCbrd52y-p_zejsNkCdEJ1cSEXyskEPRkrrA4reOWKmd9siO9V7nc09tH0KItk7MUXGT5qyZEKKat3UJH16pcB1sJoXLostivbQ/s1600/antebellumhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKm1-zIwbge3yRzq49YSmx6u2pKyXUYmrVbWdIGOeRpCbrd52y-p_zejsNkCdEJ1cSEXyskEPRkrrA4reOWKmd9siO9V7nc09tH0KItk7MUXGT5qyZEKKat3UJH16pcB1sJoXLostivbQ/s640/antebellumhome.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-9EmecaOPo4Jjrb8Z6UCqb8HuJGFyqmPph8rYhSjhrakhAKDjjKO7FnzmCvH0dTNG8ZDikggQ0vIL4K4iwp7sv9mwCNjEzcz5T-blA0Njt74aA92eAS-wMrHdIvWrqCr0AJ5LZsRn6E/s1600/IMG_2204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN-9EmecaOPo4Jjrb8Z6UCqb8HuJGFyqmPph8rYhSjhrakhAKDjjKO7FnzmCvH0dTNG8ZDikggQ0vIL4K4iwp7sv9mwCNjEzcz5T-blA0Njt74aA92eAS-wMrHdIvWrqCr0AJ5LZsRn6E/s640/IMG_2204.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Nathez, we visited St. Francisville, LA - also famous for its lovely antebellum homes.</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSb_WxoPUartU2vqyk6-t7OqMWSSp5gJsyO4LXe44gvfCeYZUrnBKahnQbm-zw5j4Telv8O0YsPXXaD1sFzw8FA8kmFGRYeML_DnJe-IfQhHgqQ2qAGZGmHDnEvROBKE98QnL_9qhbgM/s1600/IMG_2207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSb_WxoPUartU2vqyk6-t7OqMWSSp5gJsyO4LXe44gvfCeYZUrnBKahnQbm-zw5j4Telv8O0YsPXXaD1sFzw8FA8kmFGRYeML_DnJe-IfQhHgqQ2qAGZGmHDnEvROBKE98QnL_9qhbgM/s640/IMG_2207.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucVoNtAmeE5sihr0goYlK_OC6nJ9mwDznbDTMQSoDCyHtY-1EY7e5jj6IzNXBtKMSsO11bkQ0zswl3KMd8WdKxZwV7NTvqe2VLgrbNLDNJuOoAytu6TpmwNM2m2mRzwjqnBgbnx8-ctA/s1600/IMG_2060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjucVoNtAmeE5sihr0goYlK_OC6nJ9mwDznbDTMQSoDCyHtY-1EY7e5jj6IzNXBtKMSsO11bkQ0zswl3KMd8WdKxZwV7NTvqe2VLgrbNLDNJuOoAytu6TpmwNM2m2mRzwjqnBgbnx8-ctA/s640/IMG_2060.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water hyacinth in one of the swamps in LA</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEL-Jb4WMZueu6FaMYewdhw9mzQpBijTdv1Cz7SZgMWDzC1q4tea_Tt66-i_eKJ_ox699c8qWQ5FmvXg4W12U6fg-q6jNss7RnQajgXr_Eiz-y7PEJzFy2PeMSD6grKGES9ig5Upv54Q/s1600/IMG_2217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEL-Jb4WMZueu6FaMYewdhw9mzQpBijTdv1Cz7SZgMWDzC1q4tea_Tt66-i_eKJ_ox699c8qWQ5FmvXg4W12U6fg-q6jNss7RnQajgXr_Eiz-y7PEJzFy2PeMSD6grKGES9ig5Upv54Q/s640/IMG_2217.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">note the wrought iron work on the house in the background - amazing homes!</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjQQVtr43hyphenhyphenJz26ITtMOJtp-hLvg7kztJTgu0la2rfW9QiXBuehU2bqeSqNZHxf13F6ywxCv5t-eNpEhP6Y7AtYpaYsrCug7QiBOm42mKEE7_qGjS0bg0dZ__9uD9iRdWjtov55gGask/s1600/IMG_2230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjQQVtr43hyphenhyphenJz26ITtMOJtp-hLvg7kztJTgu0la2rfW9QiXBuehU2bqeSqNZHxf13F6ywxCv5t-eNpEhP6Y7AtYpaYsrCug7QiBOm42mKEE7_qGjS0bg0dZ__9uD9iRdWjtov55gGask/s640/IMG_2230.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this house was one of my favorite and we were able to tour it</td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm7ES8komdKXMzFK3XDUp3aQO9KULlMAV0LY02cfw8gcl_UwSJOnTOQfbig6iRXOpm4tgGJbZa4MMmDWfFA-XDsd9CUKqPiKZPTDNSGLHPu_qqyqYzsA_X8VBl6WPQWOHJynF28I7AOc/s1600/IMG_2213.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRm7ES8komdKXMzFK3XDUp3aQO9KULlMAV0LY02cfw8gcl_UwSJOnTOQfbig6iRXOpm4tgGJbZa4MMmDWfFA-XDsd9CUKqPiKZPTDNSGLHPu_qqyqYzsA_X8VBl6WPQWOHJynF28I7AOc/s400/IMG_2213.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgXx28ntiCK-Fjrjpe2VNXzLFf1LEAsOeTm45drc-e5YA-iXyBFu6OW0Lpi9GBEfGvmbb-0KfN4sWUMk2DJRfgJ5eFArM_YZDsKZDyMqbl4bfFThwTH5SGdJyFUCN-WIUx_xDuul7xe4/s1600/IMG_2216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgXx28ntiCK-Fjrjpe2VNXzLFf1LEAsOeTm45drc-e5YA-iXyBFu6OW0Lpi9GBEfGvmbb-0KfN4sWUMk2DJRfgJ5eFArM_YZDsKZDyMqbl4bfFThwTH5SGdJyFUCN-WIUx_xDuul7xe4/s640/IMG_2216.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr><br /><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the grounds were lovely, too - all shaded by the enormous spreading oaks and dotted with statuary<br /><br />ahem... the one in the back is mine - hamming for the camera<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></td></tr><br /></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><strong>WELCOME TO ALANA'S GARDEN</strong></span></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">in beautiful Southern California </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">..<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcm4tUxLj-9DmDQbz63sAGYS3zueDRNiP68D9DJyN71WP2pYcqnXCNCdqiP2-CDG6nZRQIFlAoJNzBsPjADKtfqo5uH3ITufL6aSEihP5quhO0aPxrb5CIVnrC-Uv3XSbSovRHoLVbdo/s1600/ad+mixed+shrubs%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcm4tUxLj-9DmDQbz63sAGYS3zueDRNiP68D9DJyN71WP2pYcqnXCNCdqiP2-CDG6nZRQIFlAoJNzBsPjADKtfqo5uH3ITufL6aSEihP5quhO0aPxrb5CIVnrC-Uv3XSbSovRHoLVbdo/s320/ad+mixed+shrubs%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2009/05/great-outdoors-alanas-new-resort.html"><img border="0" height="468" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWRVm9zW6UncYepv8r6eaCb4mCxxqB-Gt0Xx8OJQkMeNojCuXUnQRBLIUAaNTd4lSkfEE6L-oZp87WFl3liATmcFAI3_cGDXyfygDlZQonXEWzdX6RNQ5OLtYhUtNQjWAZwZ3BCzmF7Ug/s640/ad+gate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">a welcoming entry</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlFAy2deuzGnzEohyphenhyphenVxvto6fpSCRoXSdFkxOnNB7L7PHWIFGPcYOjSP5p6P_G-fQP_xCuwhbpIl0q6PISBSNibPUWtNndX_NbP8hbQHestKLecQT-RPdVtObaAGzofMix8G6TXDtxjyo/s640/ad+courtyard1.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">plantings in her courtyard garden include impatiens</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="566" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvNXEKc5mrytaP7vJWiPxhBLPvjEQidOrwXSvYknpfdLr1QFhKT6PkcTpUsF8GMrDxiC8a10EXo_Zr2nbDl6dsAUPW-hCE4-x22doP-7Wv0AwYI7UyeSRtTL1BqcaZ66QlqqvZS5xAvow/s640/ad+alstromeria.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">peruvian lily (alstroemeria)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="502" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfnLN5TmCsz-W-LhZDrYF7Tf4AyByOlKljGSckQ9ytv5TprfeP85ZX-07ryJ9JUbBL3BoleOe0uhCPBZ7YljMr_9slbj6LcnOqL134SrsGczs6AhQnV5FZlvtarjNKM6k5Q6lv40K3Jc4/s640/ad+fourthofjuly+rose.jpg" width="640" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and a climbing rose named Fourth of July</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJ7bWxOSFQ6GMhtASWZu5JJPwMGiHFbGtfvLOamK-KzivI-uS524wpoqv08s2n-kB7kKcAFgaBXvZ4sBPmAS3GoXrr7p3EmfPyscu59KB-irOoqOhlukHQH6k3Zgr4Zeax9R9gS7598w/s640/ad+curved+deck.jpg" width="474" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But her backyard has a completely different feel (see the transformation from tract home to beautiful outdoor living space <a href="http://yournestdesign.blogspot.com/2009/05/great-outdoors-alanas-new-resort.html">here</a> )</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhw7aWJwO1NQV0_dS_kPOgplkb0DvjfxBVZyYmFp47Au-0iX2zwGZ93U0EMI4GrjeqLFwD20mE_YcBxQtDOK66cH_ylBjpwSVj4iW-vMZ_n006N2aYPnPf_G4RjyREpzm9jQRvB81k9Q/s1600/ad+veranda+curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhw7aWJwO1NQV0_dS_kPOgplkb0DvjfxBVZyYmFp47Au-0iX2zwGZ93U0EMI4GrjeqLFwD20mE_YcBxQtDOK66cH_ylBjpwSVj4iW-vMZ_n006N2aYPnPf_G4RjyREpzm9jQRvB81k9Q/s640/ad+veranda+curtains.jpg" width="562" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">because even though it has this beautiful veranda complete with cozy seating, privacy curtains, a fireplace, </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWScpNfyAOJzhG6kJgb42NDorbHuVmuyinerlDE5L3Hk03jSoDd5Q5lFTUV1r63KmlY65cgESSXyKLKGTTsy4wL5IP7w0u-4NAs3kj5hTTbUr5aM2RJvHApyUifG1G8qOvMQ7MEPpQWE/s1600/ad+birdbath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWScpNfyAOJzhG6kJgb42NDorbHuVmuyinerlDE5L3Hk03jSoDd5Q5lFTUV1r63KmlY65cgESSXyKLKGTTsy4wL5IP7w0u-4NAs3kj5hTTbUr5aM2RJvHApyUifG1G8qOvMQ7MEPpQWE/s640/ad+birdbath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and lush plantings and accents,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpbJguNf1hOvy9bgozdcaj6Th5a_H_RtEGnYH_oSAVF2duzwjDu1eO6TBzQh5213ysRxIDJsVj7XeEH0T9KRfAdF8b2EJNYd5K67Kgj-oIaVBD2GJkuAiHtZqqcE4xAtbb0v1g8cjuc/s1600/ad+fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="470" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLVpbJguNf1hOvy9bgozdcaj6Th5a_H_RtEGnYH_oSAVF2duzwjDu1eO6TBzQh5213ysRxIDJsVj7XeEH0T9KRfAdF8b2EJNYd5K67Kgj-oIaVBD2GJkuAiHtZqqcE4xAtbb0v1g8cjuc/s640/ad+fern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this garden is really all about</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORfO_h2nUFlXoa31Uq8FAzypBvH_QhY1oMzX-5oT4vaWN_KsW-6qSBcMOo_teA9YBzIFpp4UzwHEDMoCzXQWFxETlJlb2Uh4KpN0gYrRTRchLGgZ6OGWzL29F4ZaYHoS4B6vy8HC75w/s1600/ad+waterfall+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhORfO_h2nUFlXoa31Uq8FAzypBvH_QhY1oMzX-5oT4vaWN_KsW-6qSBcMOo_teA9YBzIFpp4UzwHEDMoCzXQWFxETlJlb2Uh4KpN0gYrRTRchLGgZ6OGWzL29F4ZaYHoS4B6vy8HC75w/s640/ad+waterfall+pool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the pool!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D6CcE-2F69I_KsbXEa-MWSs4LYW57VBHM6LqLWvhXjOP6ScLpb6GFIZ2xOeMYSkxnrrl4dWcylo9lYTLO28I0Z3YLAVNGW8JU7kVh8awBePVthoe-VOhz6-vnfluClOhfKbaXZRK_3Y/s1600/ad+blue+saltwater+pool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4D6CcE-2F69I_KsbXEa-MWSs4LYW57VBHM6LqLWvhXjOP6ScLpb6GFIZ2xOeMYSkxnrrl4dWcylo9lYTLO28I0Z3YLAVNGW8JU7kVh8awBePVthoe-VOhz6-vnfluClOhfKbaXZRK_3Y/s640/ad+blue+saltwater+pool.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">and that dictates what is planted here - no petals, or small leaves to clog the filter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlt4hukH_09CYV8fN839z0S_HR9X5VW7frqhbMbz2JDjqtRcw6hzbyropunjdve-NFcxapiCGkjrC-MerE-rxW097xGWJ6yKTAZT67yaFthslE-8WIANewQNhpSuJtcNo_CzRE65LGvs/s1600/ad+tropicals3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlt4hukH_09CYV8fN839z0S_HR9X5VW7frqhbMbz2JDjqtRcw6hzbyropunjdve-NFcxapiCGkjrC-MerE-rxW097xGWJ6yKTAZT67yaFthslE-8WIANewQNhpSuJtcNo_CzRE65LGvs/s640/ad+tropicals3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">this back yard is all tropicals</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrlRnAUQEOrnizYPb3rG13bCF-8Wj32srJRlIT9-Qbs9TuZI0xcKE5o2w_KFSieiJmbl8CJpvXoHMIGuEozrXt7cvGhNYI0medRwD1DG-giyIHjMiZidTD3XeUWGka_rowsFeofTOFxM/s1600/ad+tropicals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrlRnAUQEOrnizYPb3rG13bCF-8Wj32srJRlIT9-Qbs9TuZI0xcKE5o2w_KFSieiJmbl8CJpvXoHMIGuEozrXt7cvGhNYI0medRwD1DG-giyIHjMiZidTD3XeUWGka_rowsFeofTOFxM/s640/ad+tropicals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">with big beautiful leaves</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtJWApKkBFCuODnZmpRVYLn02uXbfRHQ382rxQbIJuQZQVr_0JyuTxgUfbhrRwXPTN1qX-TzWFzsuPePVpkHcmFDT6dRKcMJSId088LHTsTCMFQVd-UJ7EB0VyKoNed9tolZuRGvChA4/s1600/ad+tropicals2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtJWApKkBFCuODnZmpRVYLn02uXbfRHQ382rxQbIJuQZQVr_0JyuTxgUfbhrRwXPTN1qX-TzWFzsuPePVpkHcmFDT6dRKcMJSId088LHTsTCMFQVd-UJ7EB0VyKoNed9tolZuRGvChA4/s640/ad+tropicals2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div>that create a private oasis for Alana and her family <br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">How beautiful is that?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>STAY TUNED FOR MORE OF THE TOUR</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><strong>TOMORROW!</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>

GARDENING: LOUISIANA BAYOU - SO. CALIFORNIA TROPICAL PARADISE

..IN THE AFTERMATH OF KATRINAMy husband went to Louisiana to do some relief work in the area.  We'd never visited the South, so after his job was completed, we joined him.  It was an beautiful trip and an amazing adventure.  We actually stayed at a haunted plantation, and had an encounter with the g…

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GARDENING: GARDEN TOUR, PART II

<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNN58PQg4Kk5kZKH61JwVZrZUEiEL8D0lF0jzZMw0QAs8TEhnWMgDFyJTt7pSkNEIv4lL1TWD3_kpQ7BEdhW9bQ-BXFlQmXKQ-bRxI0imr7MieS60rZWjVKNfKQbH1f7sSC-FsWpYrs/s1600-h/eden+roses.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344500898683301218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5WNN58PQg4Kk5kZKH61JwVZrZUEiEL8D0lF0jzZMw0QAs8TEhnWMgDFyJTt7pSkNEIv4lL1TWD3_kpQ7BEdhW9bQ-BXFlQmXKQ-bRxI0imr7MieS60rZWjVKNfKQbH1f7sSC-FsWpYrs/s320/eden+roses.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 375px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 402px;" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><strong></strong></span></div><div align="center">Before we go to <span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>Nedra's</strong></span> House to show photos of the Garden Tour, I wanted to post the photos of the Southern California Garden Show - held each Spring at South Coast Plaza (in the annex formerly known as Crystal Court). My husband and I look forward to it each year.</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><strong>SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA </strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;"><strong>GARDEN SHOW. . .</strong></span> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UiTCjRj9HkI/Sit7AUFB6eI/AAAAAAAACJI/tLL-ZJIELLU/s1600-h/eden+roses.JPG"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_UiTCjRj9HkI/Sit6YKFewzI/AAAAAAAACJA/VL9688FX1vM/s1600-h/IMG_1718.JPG"></a></div><div align="center">APRIL 24, 2009 I attended the Garden Show with</div><div align="center">the REAL gardener in my family - my husband. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqepDzRFiq1c0pi3eDTW-lEFCESx29UmckG9CuhAW7G5SscpCPiyAhADlanGvKEuWCLJealKNoi65OcsiyV0g-jRyrnzGf1QCk19IiF4zJuphIn_uLPCeyDjRsCLwiAYFHi5AanYuCPw/s1600-h/IMG_2117.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476988982560098" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMqepDzRFiq1c0pi3eDTW-lEFCESx29UmckG9CuhAW7G5SscpCPiyAhADlanGvKEuWCLJealKNoi65OcsiyV0g-jRyrnzGf1QCk19IiF4zJuphIn_uLPCeyDjRsCLwiAYFHi5AanYuCPw/s320/IMG_2117.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 397px;" /></a> M&M Nursery always has the Fairy Gardens on display, complete with tiny plants, fairies, arches, benches and pathways. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYxxGiBEUe6xgYOymTNQsfKeaYuHl4IISpJ4RVQuhsrbouxd6VyY4nRcBSlcAqRukkb-Fx-h8L_7Yj8uzZL0OZK7hGStI_xDQxFpC8w4XziOvVqI10Vogto9fZJ1wZmTOP5OHvJvugck/s1600-h/IMG_2116.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476979231292722" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYxxGiBEUe6xgYOymTNQsfKeaYuHl4IISpJ4RVQuhsrbouxd6VyY4nRcBSlcAqRukkb-Fx-h8L_7Yj8uzZL0OZK7hGStI_xDQxFpC8w4XziOvVqI10Vogto9fZJ1wZmTOP5OHvJvugck/s320/IMG_2116.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 318px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 391px;" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6-3OlTF7RSfxxEVSb7yI8enrL0mFLR-1-ViQp6GW93arayc_Fg-7MdQ_pOw1GgW46DYhDHnW1CIcW8JZvo_M7fHZ5YKndrnBpaU_PjN0JxnqvKO-S4W2L9GWScuMEVGqIesj9QPda68/s1600-h/IMG_2115.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476976583948594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6-3OlTF7RSfxxEVSb7yI8enrL0mFLR-1-ViQp6GW93arayc_Fg-7MdQ_pOw1GgW46DYhDHnW1CIcW8JZvo_M7fHZ5YKndrnBpaU_PjN0JxnqvKO-S4W2L9GWScuMEVGqIesj9QPda68/s320/IMG_2115.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 334px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 410px;" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89iG8IaXjcu05hEF3fYS8bNJjxvebOsdH5N52iSYPTAci-_ybrItaGcS-y6PtynSmFzvWoeUy4hAju9JV_SlMxhyphenhyphen6WPPKzuPy5Y5q3Xjm41xuQ1A2swmphKDfZTRCZDbUFjN_w097kK0/s1600-h/IMG_1684.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476378231111218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89iG8IaXjcu05hEF3fYS8bNJjxvebOsdH5N52iSYPTAci-_ybrItaGcS-y6PtynSmFzvWoeUy4hAju9JV_SlMxhyphenhyphen6WPPKzuPy5Y5q3Xjm41xuQ1A2swmphKDfZTRCZDbUFjN_w097kK0/s320/IMG_1684.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a>We arrived at Nedra's house after dark. (That was the idea all along.) Our theme here was 'intimate/romantic' and the scene was set beautifully with candlelight. Votives lined the pathway and led us to the back yard where our guests stood in amazement, gazing at the immense lighted hillside that crowns her backyard. Long ago - at our very first Garden Tour - Nedra visited Betty's yard and discovered vegetable gardening in oak barrels. Suddenly she knew how to tame her hillside and make it productive. On a leveled area of the hillside she has oak barrels with a variety of vegetables. Among the many trees and shrubs she has planted to cover her hillside, she also has 15 fruit trees including lemon, avocado and pomegranate. Nedra (with the help of her 5 children) <em>does all of her own gardening.</em> <br /><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: 180%;">Nedra's House</span></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7UBeBicqY-lVoiQn69YdcFeQTgX-tE0Ez04q10slgiufcoGue9JkoMbId77GitdI2b_Z4iiVVKyaLkPyGMjZyHBN933s7N0r1BYY26DcCTvuiWscQXQvSSTADG9lG7DCLmf0o0PeHi8/s1600-h/IMG_1723.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476373968945458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO7UBeBicqY-lVoiQn69YdcFeQTgX-tE0Ez04q10slgiufcoGue9JkoMbId77GitdI2b_Z4iiVVKyaLkPyGMjZyHBN933s7N0r1BYY26DcCTvuiWscQXQvSSTADG9lG7DCLmf0o0PeHi8/s320/IMG_1723.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 325px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 423px;" /></a> A large basketball court dominates the first part of her backyard. The rest of the yard opens elegantly into a beautiful entertaining area with pool and spa. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrkuO4zPbSByCXzhmpsvCWzcZwoFgrAnOlq2JC2xHYOqZ_DbGiZHl99SFkD2-FIZBo2Qrl5FI_sn1mgvg3-6SzgsPrG0W2jEQfLt3Rjd21U0N2PFk3E3NbHRgXPOaVAP3QEegRgqAkGI/s1600-h/IMG_1711.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344475191169041698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrkuO4zPbSByCXzhmpsvCWzcZwoFgrAnOlq2JC2xHYOqZ_DbGiZHl99SFkD2-FIZBo2Qrl5FI_sn1mgvg3-6SzgsPrG0W2jEQfLt3Rjd21U0N2PFk3E3NbHRgXPOaVAP3QEegRgqAkGI/s320/IMG_1711.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 314px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 385px;" /></a> There was a beautiful fireplace with deep seating area. By that time we were in the middle of a heavy evening mist and the fireplace with it's crackling fire was warm and inviting. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4pn0JrqTpebe5OdBbpe1_fsgOq8xefiB8v8LuOyA-Jl6jXuFF_Cg1enyHBRpVd4-3X2dFBUsNoAGp0mPiwrlsUNgCm4MAbH_uL_uL8b_SIm4xlMW7Q941R7vxG3N4v3LbSwSSF-qXTg/s1600-h/IMG_1724.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344475186760696274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4pn0JrqTpebe5OdBbpe1_fsgOq8xefiB8v8LuOyA-Jl6jXuFF_Cg1enyHBRpVd4-3X2dFBUsNoAGp0mPiwrlsUNgCm4MAbH_uL_uL8b_SIm4xlMW7Q941R7vxG3N4v3LbSwSSF-qXTg/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 256px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 402px;" /></a>We set up the refreshments on the barbecue area - glazed lemon pound cake with strawberries and whipped cream. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD12u4nd5PiWg4iMgRd-1dVAGPHWDRS_CrlRPMj6yW49IjVTBbbOcQtfOExZd6hyLaRdO7BIc9buWw-_yplQ9hUhph4Q7EgjAJL0vtUIAZ8k3GJwSpBybXBWnRrU9C7ESBoCsi48B1cQ/s1600-h/IMG_1722.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344475182609630354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD12u4nd5PiWg4iMgRd-1dVAGPHWDRS_CrlRPMj6yW49IjVTBbbOcQtfOExZd6hyLaRdO7BIc9buWw-_yplQ9hUhph4Q7EgjAJL0vtUIAZ8k3GJwSpBybXBWnRrU9C7ESBoCsi48B1cQ/s320/IMG_1722.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 340px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>Next to the barbecue area, fuscia bougainvillea climbs to the balcony above. <br /><br /><div>Nedra's yard is magical.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9i1kKFC-MzTZ6jDloj-6MMGeRUkMY2T1aFuVnOrEke7hH7sqWuUcffmm5-6jMAG-LJaQ_7MJ1Rai04vEOZPma9p3X543tFGWF4fPXq0PEge3rT6sEru_1xSZPvMX7YclwsAwJgfPJIE/s1600-h/IMG_1708.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344475179270215362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO9i1kKFC-MzTZ6jDloj-6MMGeRUkMY2T1aFuVnOrEke7hH7sqWuUcffmm5-6jMAG-LJaQ_7MJ1Rai04vEOZPma9p3X543tFGWF4fPXq0PEge3rT6sEru_1xSZPvMX7YclwsAwJgfPJIE/s320/IMG_1708.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 423px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 384px;" /></a>We were enchanted. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPm0BWHIu-nB7VxKWvNBMWbH4fMJplfSev_UDj9uOV9J3J0IbRZ0U5K-bRVCvjWGOw-hI-dFotggtEd_Gf6xdNI6SpuoVmGDON2Xci9QxIaWQuIR0yt2We0NbVi4OFzpnn6T4qU-hrFw/s1600-h/IMG_1718.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344475178358943666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQPm0BWHIu-nB7VxKWvNBMWbH4fMJplfSev_UDj9uOV9J3J0IbRZ0U5K-bRVCvjWGOw-hI-dFotggtEd_Gf6xdNI6SpuoVmGDON2Xci9QxIaWQuIR0yt2We0NbVi4OFzpnn6T4qU-hrFw/s320/IMG_1718.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 467px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 380px;" /></a>Our table was set for a romantic dinner for two. A bottle of French Berry Lemonade chilled in a candle/plant stand which we repurposed as an ice bucket. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA0WAnZ1hk-0eIqbqFyU4KRPRN8IDo8gzxi5E6IW6EuZjTCWGpOA5Sf6Ufkxyp-7CdlD0rYpLPyl74BMp-e9g6xUVbd1AaqUiF7y2dE1yWnA5jh-tlENejL1UgBYbQ1n2iIVzThU6r0s/s1600-h/IMG_1716.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474128000519890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA0WAnZ1hk-0eIqbqFyU4KRPRN8IDo8gzxi5E6IW6EuZjTCWGpOA5Sf6Ufkxyp-7CdlD0rYpLPyl74BMp-e9g6xUVbd1AaqUiF7y2dE1yWnA5jh-tlENejL1UgBYbQ1n2iIVzThU6r0s/s320/IMG_1716.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 460px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 380px;" /></a> Beautiful Eden roses from my own garden tumble casually from a stoneware urn. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9BeryRAZvCvPwOLGbYpM-9pm-8WLpTnfVVka6bykhixaxxqCNHAUclq2QubaobbSi0txwADCOkt9xDFBnxPTrB4xMQA5Mn_eBn_4Tf6BeUqdkpUjEGN88EEWCTLct7CmtFSDUSD2qMo/s1600-h/IMG_1712.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474123726096482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP9BeryRAZvCvPwOLGbYpM-9pm-8WLpTnfVVka6bykhixaxxqCNHAUclq2QubaobbSi0txwADCOkt9xDFBnxPTrB4xMQA5Mn_eBn_4Tf6BeUqdkpUjEGN88EEWCTLct7CmtFSDUSD2qMo/s320/IMG_1712.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 377px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 442px;" /></a>The setting was perfect in a private patio Nedra calls her secret garden. It's centerpiece is a musical fountain under an arbor topped with wisteria. </div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRx-I6ezHoXYSD-ytwQPkLeKHMKEs4Jq_6Ws_atDXOCSZVHlViCnr193cr3t-0YPKpTkXaVbUVoUaGCSdTLT0eBOMWHUZuNamDdm70Knfv2Y7FmUl6tL95f1AK9ZJbvc6xaRto87fRHo/s1600-h/IMG_1717.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474121850486898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnRx-I6ezHoXYSD-ytwQPkLeKHMKEs4Jq_6Ws_atDXOCSZVHlViCnr193cr3t-0YPKpTkXaVbUVoUaGCSdTLT0eBOMWHUZuNamDdm70Knfv2Y7FmUl6tL95f1AK9ZJbvc6xaRto87fRHo/s320/IMG_1717.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 358px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 438px;" /></a>The arbor was wrapped with tiny white lights. <br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JJvE8lXUXENMv-ZdM1Z7mFg5ZC3ZtnUaQMgtgCYI1Pek0xiDAayG8kexA2Vm2OoQzvmJKljs1NwfjZ0Ge1nvlDNF8pXFVyYnwO-MvwOuwm7XlktYHnsBhqPmPe9JKbYRF45wxn4UZAc/s1600-h/IMG_1713.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474120770468706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9JJvE8lXUXENMv-ZdM1Z7mFg5ZC3ZtnUaQMgtgCYI1Pek0xiDAayG8kexA2Vm2OoQzvmJKljs1NwfjZ0Ge1nvlDNF8pXFVyYnwO-MvwOuwm7XlktYHnsBhqPmPe9JKbYRF45wxn4UZAc/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 471px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 425px;" /></a> I fell in love with these amazing fabrics in muted gold and cream, which I found at my favorite discount fabric store, Home Fabrics (El Toro/Rockfield). </div><div></div><div>I layered two toppers over the round tablecloth, for a casually elegant yet opulent look, and scrunched the top one to let the light play on the silky fabric. The dishes, utensils and glassware are Nedras. </div><div><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">To make a square topper</span></strong>, measure the width and cut the length to match. Turn the edges under twice 1/2 inch and sew, hemming the edges. Sew any trim or tassel embellishment as desired.</div><div><strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">For a</span></strong> <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">round table cloth</span></strong>,</div><div>measure the height and the width of the table. (You will need twice the height plus the width.) For example, if 2xheight+width comes to 70 inches, add one inch to each side for a hem, or 72 inches. You will need two lengths of the fabric sewn together lengthwise in order to get a 72 inch circle. Fold the sewn-together fabric in half and then in quarters. From the inside folded corner, measure down 1/2 of the total length. Using a tape measure, mark the distance with pen or pencil all across the fabric, keeping the top of the tape measure at the fold point and moving the bottom. Cut through the 4 layers of fabric along the marked line - you should have a full circle. Hem the bottom edge the same as for the topper, adding trim if you wish. </div><div>If you make these linens out of decorator fabrics, please remember to have these dry cleaned and don't put through your washer/dryer. </div><div><strong>Email me if you have any questions on how to make the linens.</strong> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQks6CYruF4djtVZi8MB3y_5yuoQu_TFmKCjjjLoCITmUtgiSpsigVBTSj_DS73JBgx6yemGT2fMvCtPBz9IwdBBA4MWHDb9xKZM7JW5k2Dbp9QOwoBL5fR-VhTNHRoiJIKujkh8WBus/s1600-h/IMG_1714.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344474116614901138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQks6CYruF4djtVZi8MB3y_5yuoQu_TFmKCjjjLoCITmUtgiSpsigVBTSj_DS73JBgx6yemGT2fMvCtPBz9IwdBBA4MWHDb9xKZM7JW5k2Dbp9QOwoBL5fR-VhTNHRoiJIKujkh8WBus/s320/IMG_1714.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 348px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 420px;" /></a> A HUGE thank you to Nedra for making her beautiful space available for our visit.</div></div><div></div><div>NEXT INSTALLMENT - MATTIE'S HOUSE (TUSCAN CHARM). </div><div></div><div></div><div><strong>WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR COMMENTS! </strong></div><div>Thanks to all who attended. </div><div></div><div><strong><span style="font-size: 180%;">RECIPES</span></strong></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size: 130%;"><strong>LEMON GLAZED POUND CAKE</strong></span></div><div></div><div>Makes 2 loaves. 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened, plus more for pan / 3 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled), plus more for pan / 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk / Zest of 2 lemons, finely grated / 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons) / 1-1/2 teaspoons salt / 1/2 teaspoon baking powder / 1/2 teaspoon baking soda / 2 cups sugar / 5 large eggs<strong> / </strong><strong>Lemon Glaze (below)</strong></div><div>DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees, with rack in lowest position. / Butter and flour two 4 1/2 -by-8-inch (6-cup) loaf pans. / </div><div>2. In a small bowl (or liquid measuring cup), combine buttermilk with lemon zest and juice. / In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. / </div><div>3. With an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. / Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. / </div><div>4. With mixer on low, add flour mixture in three parts alternately with the buttermilk mixture in two, beginning and ending with flour; beat just until smooth (do not overmix)./</div><div>5. Divide batter evenly between pans; smooth tops./Bake until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, 50 to 60 minutes (tent with foil if browning too quickly). / Cool 15 minutes in pan. / Turn out cakes onto a rack; cool completely before glazing. </div><div>6. Set rack with cakes over a baking sheet lined with waxed paper. Pour glaze over cakes, letting it run down the sides; let dry, about 30 minutes. <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">LEMON GLAZE</span></strong> 2 cups confectioners' sugar / 3 to 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice <strong><span style="font-size: 130%;">Directions</span></strong> 1.Place confectioners' sugar in a medium bowl or liquid measuring cup; stir in lemon juice (glaze should be thick, yet pourable). / Add more sugar or lemon juice, as necessary, to achieve desired consistency.</div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></a>And varieties that smelled as sweet as roses! Amazing! </a>There were more varieties of Orchids this year than I knew existed. </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJevxxK1z9GpZuCqc0QxAKZj_s6in7QVEYuSVZI82KWPv9tD1BxIYOow0GhZMUV8lKSavYf8e4t7dY7sN9zxaA9kZ-oc1Hwcsq2FukRuXjdlb0TPKlLAzTN9VtgDs57lruRoLt_uNrhA/s1600-h/IMG_2114.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476394114304258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNJevxxK1z9GpZuCqc0QxAKZj_s6in7QVEYuSVZI82KWPv9tD1BxIYOow0GhZMUV8lKSavYf8e4t7dY7sN9zxaA9kZ-oc1Hwcsq2FukRuXjdlb0TPKlLAzTN9VtgDs57lruRoLt_uNrhA/s320/IMG_2114.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 467px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 388px;" /></a> LOVE these stripey ones! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpjK_f9UdNCXucL8jx0xcK0l3SjmBVMFhYF7ixmTolvGrhivF6ebFRNptrT41jcoYjxj-NOFkECZvYWuokMqH5hgYsNTdbJ41rp_bbe8OEZXmtjUotICQzpTgniVSGAWZJRDG0HC7fq0/s1600-h/IMG_2113.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476387218689570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpjK_f9UdNCXucL8jx0xcK0l3SjmBVMFhYF7ixmTolvGrhivF6ebFRNptrT41jcoYjxj-NOFkECZvYWuokMqH5hgYsNTdbJ41rp_bbe8OEZXmtjUotICQzpTgniVSGAWZJRDG0HC7fq0/s320/IMG_2113.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 316px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 387px;" /></a> Beautiful new orange colored Cymbidiums. <br /><br /><div align="center"></div></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb7D7i3hFbIbFphz5aLbr-tYhIYarqS3RTWOlM9opaGgoBFD0Y77Ur3mo7GwOcUtVNDlZJivEKGCSUEkqvSSIv8UXny6Z29-9YA5GK3-NirgCS9z4AFWXpWXnYdoT6Nx8lCxZCTkH2NY/s1600-h/IMG_2112.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344476385759210226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb7D7i3hFbIbFphz5aLbr-tYhIYarqS3RTWOlM9opaGgoBFD0Y77Ur3mo7GwOcUtVNDlZJivEKGCSUEkqvSSIv8UXny6Z29-9YA5GK3-NirgCS9z4AFWXpWXnYdoT6Nx8lCxZCTkH2NY/s320/IMG_2112.JPG" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 344px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 430px;" /></a> Put it on your calendar for end of April next year!! I was a little focused on the beautiful orchids, but there were amazing plants of every kind, garden gadgets, outdoor decor - and the great Home decor stores like Crate and Barrel, Pottery Barn, Z Gallerie, etc. in this annex as well. A great way to spend an afternoon. <span style="font-size: 180%;">THE GARDEN TOUR - PART II</span>

GARDENING: GARDEN TOUR, PART II

Before we go to Nedra's House to show photos of the Garden Tour, I wanted to post the photos of the Southern California Garden Show - held each Spring at South Coast Plaza (in the annex formerly known as Crystal Court). My husband and I look forward to it each year.SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GARDEN SHOW. .…

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