Of Rain Chains

and such...

 Last week I finally got around to 

hanging my rain chain I bought months ago.

I decided I must have one after viewing them

hung from the gutters of a bungalow not far from me.

I'll show that bungalow below.

I got this rain chain at ROSS for $9.99!

I was thrilled at the price till I went to hang it and realized it

was about half the length it needed to be.

I didn't have a spot for it from my gutters anyway.

Now it hangs from a tree in my front yard. 

I think it makes a nice feature.

I've struggled with bare spots under my yaupon holly 

tree in the front flower bed for years.

The roots are so thick...I can't plant anything there.

I finally got smart and realized I could put containers

on top of the root filled soil.

It's a shady spot so hostas and ferns are happy 

in their pots under the tree.

 This little dragonfly I bought at a local art festival.

He's made of vintage silverware.

 Ok, so here is why I needed a rain chain. 

I happened upon this bungalow one day last spring.

It was just before Easter. These photos show large Easter Eggs

here and there. The trees were just starting to bud out in these

photos.

A few weeks later I was driving buy and 

saw the owners out working in the yard.

I pulled over so fast - they thought I was a crazy person.

I just had to tell them how beautiful their yard is 

and how lovely their bungalow is painted.

 They hadn't taken the covers off their patio furniture yet.

Isn't that the cutest rain chain?

I told them how much I admire their bungalow and 

they said they tried to make it look like a bungalow that you 

would find in Oregon or northern California.

They added the stacked stone.

All the bungalows here have brick rather than stone.

I told them I loved the color combination they'd done for 

the exterior paint.

They said several of the neighbors complained about 

their paint choice when they first did it.

They thought too wild. 

I think it's just right.

The day I stopped the owner had just planted her container

a top the pedestal.
 

A sweet path.

I could have spent all afternoon on this porch.

 The owner planted purple irises in honor of the

previous owner who'd lived there many years.

Her name was Iris.

This house and yard is such an inspiration for me.

The owners have done all of this themselves.

And were full of gardening knowledge.

I was so glad I stopped on the spur of the moment to chat 

and take photos.

 

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Open House Sunday

 built 1910

This is my friend Becca's house. It's in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City.

A very sought after neighborhood.

 (oh yeah...this neighborhood is way too cool for me)

Or at least at night anyway. I can only go during the day. It's too young at night.

Twenty years ago this neighborhood was very run down, drug ridden and didn't have much going for it.

Now it's home to hip restaurants, shops and galleries.

Unfortunately, Becca is in the middle of a life change and is selling it.

She had it decorated so cute. Take a look -

 These photos were taken back in winter - so brown dead grass - sorry.

The house to the west of her was a real dump when she moved in but it got a 

complete modern transformation and recently sold for $750,000.

 A pretty classic entry. I love that little french chair in the bright color.

 looking into the living room

 I love the big open doorways in this house.

That's a large dog crate there to the left. Serves as a tv console and dog kennel.

 Love this kitchen. The Barq's cooler really works! 

Becca had it fixed. Not long after she moved into this house she held a Root Beer Float Party

complete with alcoholic Root Beer.

She was inspired by this cooler. 

Lots of fun, hot dogs and root beer floats.

 I love the mix matched chairs.

 Really love this kitchen. It's a nice mix of modern and vintage.

 Becca threw some great parties in this house.

I love the exposed brick.

 I love that it's a square kitchen. I wish my own kitchen were square instead of a galley.

Master is just through the doors from the dining area.

French doors off this room lead to a deck.

 Love the shower in the master bath.

 There are a couple of bedrooms upstairs.

Notice the cute lockers in her son's room?

 A lovely vintage inspired bath.

I'd kill for a bathroom this big. My own is very small.

It's a great home. I'm sad I won't be going to any more parties at this house.

See full listing here.

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Happy 4th of July!

Hope you all have a very patriotic day.

A bunch of flags stuck in a fern express my patriotism.

I'm so happy a few of you found me already now that I'm back.

You asked for updates on the dogs. 

I still have Sally and Franklin.

I lost Violet in 2016. She was 16 years old.

I lost Harvey suddenly in 2015 - he was only 11.

Oh they break your heart in the end.

The summer of 2017 I added a doxie rescue to my house.

Her name is Maisie and I'll show photos of her soon. 

She's an independent little thing. 

Franklin loves her. You'd think they have always been together.

Franklin is 7 now and Maisie is I think about 11 but she acts young.

She's a tough little monkey.

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