Pool renovation - the saga continues

Why do I do it? Leave things until the last minute, that is. Life has been insanely busy this last year, but of course, trying to organise the refurb of our pool in the lead-up to Christmas is nothing short of crazy. That's just how we roll here I guess, but next time, please remind me to tackle something like this at a more sensible time...namely in the middle of winter perhaps?<br /><br />First point of call over the weekend was a visit to choose our pool tiles. Now, one thing I've learned is that this is very different from choosing tiles for your bathroom or kitchen renovation. You see, there are lots of factors to take into account when choosing colours for a pool. The surrounding area, paving materials and colours, the shape and style of your pool, natural light......and the list goes on. Usually, I'm fairly decisive and once I choose which 'look' I'm going for, the rest falls into place. But this time, the process was agonising! Glass mosaic, travertine, mother-of-pearl...there are so many lovely options, it's so hard to decide on just one.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC2B7eHe1di-yaCV2HGXjq5myz81djXHKwb-lZmrPqggKiIrHfPDjDWi6TIanq2-T-x3z1wsqVoE_o8ODamjzcqp3X5cBOIUWZSl9gOo-jKE0qctnxh8xe-WdmN7OaQjUXE_t-sXgC38/s1600/HQDriftingSand3+anthracite+tile+the+pool+tile+company.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisC2B7eHe1di-yaCV2HGXjq5myz81djXHKwb-lZmrPqggKiIrHfPDjDWi6TIanq2-T-x3z1wsqVoE_o8ODamjzcqp3X5cBOIUWZSl9gOo-jKE0qctnxh8xe-WdmN7OaQjUXE_t-sXgC38/s640/HQDriftingSand3+anthracite+tile+the+pool+tile+company.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">although our pool is freeform and not formal like this, the colour scheme is the one I've gone for - light interior with a dark charcoal border tile.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBF2aZeTTCsNOyLDNuXwnWTgpsSkyBrd28I1gdTRHvNvdUqMSaDB1We_46-6IxZQLFL1VzYtGI1OtCLB60wihJ14mTQiBgVmSNfg2aEsVYcAxHMUXcCInFCJqNacbzGE0rVsG_oy7vyA/s1600/22ID.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="411" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBF2aZeTTCsNOyLDNuXwnWTgpsSkyBrd28I1gdTRHvNvdUqMSaDB1We_46-6IxZQLFL1VzYtGI1OtCLB60wihJ14mTQiBgVmSNfg2aEsVYcAxHMUXcCInFCJqNacbzGE0rVsG_oy7vyA/s640/22ID.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">actually, this is nothing like ours, but I do like the whole indoor/outdoor feel</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbzbLlkMlL-HEmeW_NHCjOsA3VfetfbiXdl1FQYFHmiRiJWy7PA_OuTzQRepvZIRAhyH8bBL7GBhIig5MF43DyZ7x0FhUHwzCk5SgoYJKWm_t-3cSIKKR_eWD1Ps1HYa1tTIaPip3j1E/s1600/Chapel_Hill_swimming_pool_with_approved_fencing+liza+mackilliam+com+au.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbzbLlkMlL-HEmeW_NHCjOsA3VfetfbiXdl1FQYFHmiRiJWy7PA_OuTzQRepvZIRAhyH8bBL7GBhIig5MF43DyZ7x0FhUHwzCk5SgoYJKWm_t-3cSIKKR_eWD1Ps1HYa1tTIaPip3j1E/s640/Chapel_Hill_swimming_pool_with_approved_fencing+liza+mackilliam+com+au.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZCNRA1MimYFYxEkCuNlwOi6fM3rs0uPkDYhhPjzHWJwS4Ta-_ftqYz0C4AHehKdoxZOhf-1f4DLTGzn8sAkrKUYJW4ZNrSG2Kyimj2BnZMB9gEhD09gz50f66yRyeJTNxCcGsiJrtKE/s1600/frameless+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZCNRA1MimYFYxEkCuNlwOi6fM3rs0uPkDYhhPjzHWJwS4Ta-_ftqYz0C4AHehKdoxZOhf-1f4DLTGzn8sAkrKUYJW4ZNrSG2Kyimj2BnZMB9gEhD09gz50f66yRyeJTNxCcGsiJrtKE/s640/frameless+glass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> glass panels will replace some of our existing fencing</span></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE9oc4nAEh-ZZiBEyAv7AJ8arrlLGQedgyp_WKCWhVBPcS0gwFkU4HB_Tv7-BOVHWlpS41G-0Mduj7iWR8kqxTD3k7llAoBryOhUefIOggU4OLh2cEtptU2r1eBlaksUOvs3mv4-1IFk/s1600/performance+pool+and+spas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaE9oc4nAEh-ZZiBEyAv7AJ8arrlLGQedgyp_WKCWhVBPcS0gwFkU4HB_Tv7-BOVHWlpS41G-0Mduj7iWR8kqxTD3k7llAoBryOhUefIOggU4OLh2cEtptU2r1eBlaksUOvs3mv4-1IFk/s640/performance+pool+and+spas.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGljTiR59bYRddvdPXdsfv_zPiLjwXaQ_SZ89LkULL8MX4NDFsm3JHKbR2APpkwZPH-tqZsvjeYQRhOZ-geXDvAAH4wkfse8J8rHfFFywOR_GOLIAzVSYvfJRv2WhC4Jgt6wevsSPZd6o/s1600/performance+pool+and+spas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGljTiR59bYRddvdPXdsfv_zPiLjwXaQ_SZ89LkULL8MX4NDFsm3JHKbR2APpkwZPH-tqZsvjeYQRhOZ-geXDvAAH4wkfse8J8rHfFFywOR_GOLIAzVSYvfJRv2WhC4Jgt6wevsSPZd6o/s640/performance+pool+and+spas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">...and we'll be adding a new deck to the area as well</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'll share some of the horrible before shots with you all later today (brace yourselves!) but for now that's a little update on the saga. I'm banking on it being all being done and dusted in the next week or so, now the weather is heating up (at long last) and we can't have an Aussie xmas without our pool. Keep your fingers crossed for me!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Enjoy your day,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Kerri </div>

Pool renovation - the saga continues

Why do I do it? Leave things until the last minute, that is. Life has been insanely busy this last year, but of course, trying to organise t...

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Pool party anyone?

And so it begins....the renovation of our pool, that is! Our pool has been looking more like a swamp than an oasis of late, and that's because it's <i>way</i> overdue for a complete overhaul. And after the recent floods we've had here, we had the added problem of dirt and debris washing in from the back yard. I will post some revolting before pics once it's all nice and pretty again, but as it's just too horrendous to show at the moment I'll spare you until it's all finished. Of course, I have a file full of inspiration photos, and here are a few of my faves.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJWEoFl_l9ZhmOoLBruDtvQ8Oh5z_TFhnpmusErco24JEjz8bRn7LMJ2P51XCSV0ZjWQW_OGi-GSKUR8pjDCHFSvTV9JWuHDBRb7hMuew3KBSEErSD0JfkZwKpKuxtgtfm1k4j8IcaQ4/s1600/905161253_Kr6cz-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJWEoFl_l9ZhmOoLBruDtvQ8Oh5z_TFhnpmusErco24JEjz8bRn7LMJ2P51XCSV0ZjWQW_OGi-GSKUR8pjDCHFSvTV9JWuHDBRb7hMuew3KBSEErSD0JfkZwKpKuxtgtfm1k4j8IcaQ4/s1600/905161253_Kr6cz-O.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">This pool is very similar to ours actually, and I'm thinking a little pool house would be just the thing to finish it off </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://coastalliving.com/">coastal living magazine</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzxYxErvfB5he_wualWxfqy5vjakrQ0xhj5NrNSa5yj69uHoDLSIoqL9V0QLxrb12bKuoTJS5WkRQWjauukS1bw62POLJhMqrfh-y1Ptou0M7cI7wQEltY9hHOSt70l2qzQFufsyYFg/s1600/coastal+living+barry+dixon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTWzxYxErvfB5he_wualWxfqy5vjakrQ0xhj5NrNSa5yj69uHoDLSIoqL9V0QLxrb12bKuoTJS5WkRQWjauukS1bw62POLJhMqrfh-y1Ptou0M7cI7wQEltY9hHOSt70l2qzQFufsyYFg/s640/coastal+living+barry+dixon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://barrydixon.com/">Barry Dixon</a> via <a href="http://coastalliving.com/">Coastal Living Magazine</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U46qVsyycS3o4PoDSgdcLRWwCD0VHa4OPmELBV9aRbnqnrVsQCCown_cm2zFAcVWnDchDzJxv0G9KWLmULXe6OZ3xRY9RZx67WJF4X6bz9dJwqg7qF08-r7wXsMI2718jarsP8evMzM/s1600/coastal+living+barry+dixon6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5U46qVsyycS3o4PoDSgdcLRWwCD0VHa4OPmELBV9aRbnqnrVsQCCown_cm2zFAcVWnDchDzJxv0G9KWLmULXe6OZ3xRY9RZx67WJF4X6bz9dJwqg7qF08-r7wXsMI2718jarsP8evMzM/s640/coastal+living+barry+dixon6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> <a href="http://barrydixon.com/">Barry Dixon</a> via <a href="http://coastalliving.com/">Coastal Living Magazine</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSHnasP2gSLl11J6MFLjUoGVEZ2KUCR89-_yP_MqdPkWy57ZCAQYh54uaIXlcOB7UMXw2UwNWA8Fr0YmZxi4h7g96ZpFSctzUlEvPvFaMQmKaGVyA4OPVkalOFDH_WVxds6KK4Zw80BY/s1600/poolhouse+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSHnasP2gSLl11J6MFLjUoGVEZ2KUCR89-_yP_MqdPkWy57ZCAQYh54uaIXlcOB7UMXw2UwNWA8Fr0YmZxi4h7g96ZpFSctzUlEvPvFaMQmKaGVyA4OPVkalOFDH_WVxds6KK4Zw80BY/s640/poolhouse+studio.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5hZgZmFrvFCmTW_nSeKHd4U1rxmeC05x5saz__xqM1WctTkHas56NmDfEjfQKj16KBFKxqNJ09CCcgS2xgvR1Iv4q8VsjpELHQwy9Qs3N3n1XRM8lCFy9ygQ5F9p8dzaLBKb-EntDc4/s1600/poolhouse+studio+7249616bd08f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5hZgZmFrvFCmTW_nSeKHd4U1rxmeC05x5saz__xqM1WctTkHas56NmDfEjfQKj16KBFKxqNJ09CCcgS2xgvR1Iv4q8VsjpELHQwy9Qs3N3n1XRM8lCFy9ygQ5F9p8dzaLBKb-EntDc4/s640/poolhouse+studio+7249616bd08f.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimn7xYIi5h8_Yhcd2B5cZekeG4ylZifTj828wQn1QmrLOeumBYvzOk0iDwxzLiDYL8TLlIG8rp-BePkm7bsu_1sZ7nUlpnExrxpXrhBeKzkx0zd4SCQsDigczgt-d-Nv55WVXdUGjouiM/s1600/velvetlinenstudio3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimn7xYIi5h8_Yhcd2B5cZekeG4ylZifTj828wQn1QmrLOeumBYvzOk0iDwxzLiDYL8TLlIG8rp-BePkm7bsu_1sZ7nUlpnExrxpXrhBeKzkx0zd4SCQsDigczgt-d-Nv55WVXdUGjouiM/s640/velvetlinenstudio3.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">via <a href="http://brookegiannetti.typepad.com/">velvet and linen</a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One thing I do have to decide is what colour waterline tiles to use. As we live in a bushland area, I won't use anything too bright or vibrant (so turquoise and aqua are out, unfortunately), as it just won't suit the surrounds. I've also been following the building of <a href="http://shannonfricke.blogspot.com/2010/11/progress.html">Shannon Fricke's new pool</a>, and I know she'll come up with something fabulous to suit her country setting. I'll keep you up-to-date with all the goings on as the renovation progresses. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Friday everyone,</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: transparent; border: 0 !important;" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Pool party anyone?

And so it begins....the renovation of our pool, that is! Our pool has been looking more like a swamp than an oasis of late, and that's b...

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Dive on in...

When we bought our house, the inground pool was a major selling point. With three kids, and the kind of sweltering summers we have here in Queensland, it's definitely had a workout over the years. Lately, it's been looking very tired, and we've had leaking pipes, broken pool pumps and filters, tiles falling off....you name it. This winter, we've had yet another leak, and at the moment it looks more like a swamp than a pool! So, we've decided to bite the bullet and give the old girl a bit of cosmetic surgery. New coping pavers, waterline tiles to replace the slate, and re-landscaping the pool area is on the cards, and not before time, I can tell you! One of the advantages of living on acreage is that we have space to play with, but it also can pose a few challenges - like where to put the mandatory safety fencing. Take a look at a few of my inspiration pics - and if my pool makeover looks half as good as some of these beauties, I'll be a very happy camper!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIe7rhZ8lpzo_eErOGUge8LhpyYsr04Fmj05JNcac8CbgWglNCb_08yIhfHP2hvRHoOlvt36TRUE33BqSFM-edQ7XR_QmamC7tMYAXuLV4wmwQapV8B2UHuQ9eywn3WSMtuVfBqvg7KY/s1600/1006p108_row_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIe7rhZ8lpzo_eErOGUge8LhpyYsr04Fmj05JNcac8CbgWglNCb_08yIhfHP2hvRHoOlvt36TRUE33BqSFM-edQ7XR_QmamC7tMYAXuLV4wmwQapV8B2UHuQ9eywn3WSMtuVfBqvg7KY/s640/1006p108_row_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ4a2_9vN3k9_Wqzd4AYYbHgBgGgTF83w9MtjxsQFgajITXEOZx3A3UMF2kG29AgVF0i-8OTTvzxs8ENhlgI3JNVPkgVLdrQyTVN9nWrliIZgmvfiJKZ2RYM76_XJeHA3K4joA7xJ4Zw/s1600/verandah105682329bl1247054071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ4a2_9vN3k9_Wqzd4AYYbHgBgGgTF83w9MtjxsQFgajITXEOZx3A3UMF2kG29AgVF0i-8OTTvzxs8ENhlgI3JNVPkgVLdrQyTVN9nWrliIZgmvfiJKZ2RYM76_XJeHA3K4joA7xJ4Zw/s640/verandah105682329bl1247054071.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source</a></span><a href="http://thepicturedesk.com.au/"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkQdiqcZWtowEua7gHFkWOSyDPD8K0FoYP1z39S9OR1kkihxENv_s6S64_HhqWNkx_I1ulmwFIf1h051uoo2H_fJGqsj-yuBUHcB7WoCZhYRM7bG9Y2t0Wvtpod98UWcQdMd6NzPnrpI/s1600/bellevue+st+avalon1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkQdiqcZWtowEua7gHFkWOSyDPD8K0FoYP1z39S9OR1kkihxENv_s6S64_HhqWNkx_I1ulmwFIf1h051uoo2H_fJGqsj-yuBUHcB7WoCZhYRM7bG9Y2t0Wvtpod98UWcQdMd6NzPnrpI/s640/bellevue+st+avalon1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source</a></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gnpcn17vt13Rk4zImpvRxoiJDPnEXyhVIGCeTiT1r3xUVeePpioVzipuZVbubUw8OXeumqx7bjHSh7wQkgrdVLACyya9iKTeEx93ZprMXuurVcDG6xsYXq2DNU8rrN8JkLncFJUOXUQ/s1600/oudoor+fireplace3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="547" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Gnpcn17vt13Rk4zImpvRxoiJDPnEXyhVIGCeTiT1r3xUVeePpioVzipuZVbubUw8OXeumqx7bjHSh7wQkgrdVLACyya9iKTeEx93ZprMXuurVcDG6xsYXq2DNU8rrN8JkLncFJUOXUQ/s640/oudoor+fireplace3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">paint these beams white and you have the perfect outdoor fireplace </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2QefkYMhjP9uPdMNnIRB5nR-Xm9jTAS8HWwNwvnzc4ZNoR32aJZ_EN0JiT6ImeDuph3_PWKSdHkyJcwllxZ2gl436s7qSpY2u_3MRYIJj37d4Xmj7zQ26f_IVfrhG0iMki0NuX_mXDM/s1600/905161253_Kr6cz-O.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH2QefkYMhjP9uPdMNnIRB5nR-Xm9jTAS8HWwNwvnzc4ZNoR32aJZ_EN0JiT6ImeDuph3_PWKSdHkyJcwllxZ2gl436s7qSpY2u_3MRYIJj37d4Xmj7zQ26f_IVfrhG0iMki0NuX_mXDM/s640/905161253_Kr6cz-O.jpg" width="484" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">this is a similar pool to ours - and that little poolhouse would be perfect!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWoT8WMRl9qZvToq08c-ZyuDqv06BSkoYMwiiwwKGsZChyphenhyphenIVd8XO1q9a7442tZHcb5g4pZzZs6lWCkJUhcFQtVGknVtdj7nGcORQt7Z95BK8Qkd3_PA81Yts9LryNA0EK2AlVE7ZbcrY/s1600/poolhouse+studio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwWoT8WMRl9qZvToq08c-ZyuDqv06BSkoYMwiiwwKGsZChyphenhyphenIVd8XO1q9a7442tZHcb5g4pZzZs6lWCkJUhcFQtVGknVtdj7nGcORQt7Z95BK8Qkd3_PA81Yts9LryNA0EK2AlVE7ZbcrY/s640/poolhouse+studio.jpg" width="588" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeTKETFmW55Q6fmymcvxwORDL4kdXFm2KtMwnNGOM0Gmot5Qt8VSjWBxwP1HRCdeE57FacdDyCUEkTgyRiX-ajJURlur-ZagGcHB79ibvfagFdOnYrX_1aiADseGKVl0t2-zcQ0qw6qs/s1600/79avalon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeTKETFmW55Q6fmymcvxwORDL4kdXFm2KtMwnNGOM0Gmot5Qt8VSjWBxwP1HRCdeE57FacdDyCUEkTgyRiX-ajJURlur-ZagGcHB79ibvfagFdOnYrX_1aiADseGKVl0t2-zcQ0qw6qs/s640/79avalon2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/">source </a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">sandstone surrounds maybe?</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_C60SiaeetFhQab14mi-L5mMa-SV6WGVi5d9OKpVC3YsUZA9LaYPkuAMY7EbfJs82OiYTS-Cx-VjyYrFMMHMAozN6DKK1IVwPE5hP1kHpEX4LG7QfNYF-3kENh5v-pjOjWj3EOBlLyQ/s1600/103248084el1150348581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_C60SiaeetFhQab14mi-L5mMa-SV6WGVi5d9OKpVC3YsUZA9LaYPkuAMY7EbfJs82OiYTS-Cx-VjyYrFMMHMAozN6DKK1IVwPE5hP1kHpEX4LG7QfNYF-3kENh5v-pjOjWj3EOBlLyQ/s640/103248084el1150348581.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://realestate.com.au/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">source</span></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Now that weekend sport is done for the rest of the year, (after my daughter's nail-biting one-point win in her netball grand final - nothing like giving your parents a heart attack in the process!) we'll have a bit more time to spend on getting this house into shape. Can't wait!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/85794/shatay01/57292ae3db79c6d939a1f2a85508a076.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a>

Dive on in...

When we bought our house, the inground pool was a major selling point. With three kids, and the kind of sweltering summers we have here in Q...

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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/AVvXsEg7KodC2EvEEphcQvjgqdyVmyQDde7FOrlpzSKe4vPhsPjFCP54vqes0r7PF2jdTnSH7Bk0ExeLc07Ado9CZ6coZHcFMqSB5D_HFjBUTVQIV5uzDelo92Z8MsnEBOoN9xp70TSiZjmYHqQ/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/AVvXsEg7KodC2EvEEphcQvjgqdyVmyQDde7FOrlpzSKe4vPhsPjFCP54vqes0r7PF2jdTnSH7Bk0ExeLc07Ado9CZ6coZHcFMqSB5D_HFjBUTVQIV5uzDelo92Z8MsnEBOoN9xp70TSiZjmYHqQ/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/AVvXsEhbyB8i1ObhfX41SqaNaK5X2P_lxWyQhPVv4W943YERIA39PQ9rSrLSRWPQykgwAPaiKEFnsNB89GnjsS4bUivHQAEFB-f36ILO4dQjcSECMouSN3u7hXYbrm8xPNFJd9vsXV0FPETIZBw/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/AVvXsEhbyB8i1ObhfX41SqaNaK5X2P_lxWyQhPVv4W943YERIA39PQ9rSrLSRWPQykgwAPaiKEFnsNB89GnjsS4bUivHQAEFB-f36ILO4dQjcSECMouSN3u7hXYbrm8xPNFJd9vsXV0FPETIZBw/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/AVvXsEjGlvNbKfrDe73I3tuv4-NuobJyeo4H4iaO4gWtQ8G_fvIJ4evJcVdLK-yd15DhBj36nNW0d_6mCyiSnhGdbjbj7teawcfZnpDdQF51WjtuMsiiP9mJDPRjxs-bcknAut5rdptigZrtS2M/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/AVvXsEjGlvNbKfrDe73I3tuv4-NuobJyeo4H4iaO4gWtQ8G_fvIJ4evJcVdLK-yd15DhBj36nNW0d_6mCyiSnhGdbjbj7teawcfZnpDdQF51WjtuMsiiP9mJDPRjxs-bcknAut5rdptigZrtS2M/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/AVvXsEggs5AC-XaenmU6dk-ZcbTTgdbXLPW5_M1ab010ztdbdNlm4IJ0hNbiXrXr0THqtYlN8ilJ532kALIqZCJXpjGlaY3lwLQjwogb8RZFKVJwLUWWewknXv7s1qzwyhnM_DusPZIAn8fPFkc/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/AVvXsEggs5AC-XaenmU6dk-ZcbTTgdbXLPW5_M1ab010ztdbdNlm4IJ0hNbiXrXr0THqtYlN8ilJ532kALIqZCJXpjGlaY3lwLQjwogb8RZFKVJwLUWWewknXv7s1qzwyhnM_DusPZIAn8fPFkc/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/AVvXsEiP69izxHdDOebvwCVO3wX2U78kLW7J_XRZngho6KeJUINJH2Knyxt8cxkYBBCxhQwseDuG-FCFX3IlVgQ2ZSfQJpIhyYcE7oDXsMUuPnFb1gPMuzh7vj-JgSgITpNxc2riU-YIfAInc0w/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/AVvXsEiP69izxHdDOebvwCVO3wX2U78kLW7J_XRZngho6KeJUINJH2Knyxt8cxkYBBCxhQwseDuG-FCFX3IlVgQ2ZSfQJpIhyYcE7oDXsMUuPnFb1gPMuzh7vj-JgSgITpNxc2riU-YIfAInc0w/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/AVvXsEgEG_TxJu4PhJXl0wdkX4lTG63wdgd7zwzRSFLBKBVtP1AFGRMw49rl2-HLJIGIxuDxQ3RO9BfIa0esAdvCvq5UEjgJFLRzfXtGPQGto_1Ghm6WwodXBA4SPhrFQk9A6jhBaPWpuWNPt_U/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/AVvXsEgEG_TxJu4PhJXl0wdkX4lTG63wdgd7zwzRSFLBKBVtP1AFGRMw49rl2-HLJIGIxuDxQ3RO9BfIa0esAdvCvq5UEjgJFLRzfXtGPQGto_1Ghm6WwodXBA4SPhrFQk9A6jhBaPWpuWNPt_U/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/AVvXsEj4fhdnyfAt9KCGEwVOaC13FetBbBSlEye5I8enV_uhnSBgrPCnZIoPoLGoUz2LvrdczvTPw_fNEiK7SztJ7uN4MrBNn1Tdov2p3Y7lfgQfOAHM16Dr2zoQpFHtQH0YZJbGKD086A50gxU/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/AVvXsEj4fhdnyfAt9KCGEwVOaC13FetBbBSlEye5I8enV_uhnSBgrPCnZIoPoLGoUz2LvrdczvTPw_fNEiK7SztJ7uN4MrBNn1Tdov2p3Y7lfgQfOAHM16Dr2zoQpFHtQH0YZJbGKD086A50gxU/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/AVvXsEjSrA2CMpZ03UI1QVNKsGk0hb_JWnZCieKtUBc-d7J_gah8cCsHYu5f2OwmGluCyqZa8jj6F_-kG2v1BJ3RbokIwF4egeF_Vdy35fJuLnlobqSSkQJ6wb10zmkplZBXWnoBEySaynqKNvs/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/AVvXsEjSrA2CMpZ03UI1QVNKsGk0hb_JWnZCieKtUBc-d7J_gah8cCsHYu5f2OwmGluCyqZa8jj6F_-kG2v1BJ3RbokIwF4egeF_Vdy35fJuLnlobqSSkQJ6wb10zmkplZBXWnoBEySaynqKNvs/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/AVvXsEjoe-Dso02SKw76MeyPB5MigLd36fUQ8dxujIp5r0H87t0QDoixVDk2XkyC_gvn4tjWjkxReNrU3RCD8FZ0cpgBAmPNHoXIf7_bG1IKp511bIoLgnGJzNB7T3U9exddxHGgZVPSuGxoQgw/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/AVvXsEjoe-Dso02SKw76MeyPB5MigLd36fUQ8dxujIp5r0H87t0QDoixVDk2XkyC_gvn4tjWjkxReNrU3RCD8FZ0cpgBAmPNHoXIf7_bG1IKp511bIoLgnGJzNB7T3U9exddxHGgZVPSuGxoQgw/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/AVvXsEg-Rs7BgFtkVPpaKeDYzEMx9QPlRM1az2XYKuEBcc58IErfOH08gRpiBuYiAIrOp5TR1BuEc789OQa77Gqxatow2bRAo5Anj1PfbYGZDZlJpOf3q1Mfa5TNr5wOz3qwHWDT4DcvtRpJ07U/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/AVvXsEg-Rs7BgFtkVPpaKeDYzEMx9QPlRM1az2XYKuEBcc58IErfOH08gRpiBuYiAIrOp5TR1BuEc789OQa77Gqxatow2bRAo5Anj1PfbYGZDZlJpOf3q1Mfa5TNr5wOz3qwHWDT4DcvtRpJ07U/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/AVvXsEibE_8c9TfSp2B7C6xqDn7U6yrAR8a7e4R9hrFA7RuvPH6DIN3KPHV9I6owoBHAg1xEjCZojh_dIhZlZkJNUGwz9LtHY6NPn9eXuHyq3jQh-DNe5RrvsKlzm9bnKHifR_62h1ZblSgEr9E/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/AVvXsEibE_8c9TfSp2B7C6xqDn7U6yrAR8a7e4R9hrFA7RuvPH6DIN3KPHV9I6owoBHAg1xEjCZojh_dIhZlZkJNUGwz9LtHY6NPn9eXuHyq3jQh-DNe5RrvsKlzm9bnKHifR_62h1ZblSgEr9E/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/AVvXsEiBG_FJpP0ZxanQvMKZcoEe2LBsZmIvnaBHRVjTimIaBJHYL5ZZVZeF6Zfp1ylo0XwBCS71uAyjtLMp070ySVRV7Vi69Q4BTny0GGVv25inxBhhAtFApJjONUKKTEbiOpBzkLRg4MUhLVY/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/AVvXsEiBG_FJpP0ZxanQvMKZcoEe2LBsZmIvnaBHRVjTimIaBJHYL5ZZVZeF6Zfp1ylo0XwBCS71uAyjtLMp070ySVRV7Vi69Q4BTny0GGVv25inxBhhAtFApJjONUKKTEbiOpBzkLRg4MUhLVY/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/AVvXsEiPdC-KCTeFnifuvHFAzMS_LWF9OujVc8RPbrlS8GhTS2Iyg7K3cn7qjf480m6583A55IJ0Ub_gq5V_Vz6Y3nx9pS4esn48g2vBPRXvZtqXHL08SsDp813qHPu3NiR8A0uzzjIyR2RSvV4/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/AVvXsEiPdC-KCTeFnifuvHFAzMS_LWF9OujVc8RPbrlS8GhTS2Iyg7K3cn7qjf480m6583A55IJ0Ub_gq5V_Vz6Y3nx9pS4esn48g2vBPRXvZtqXHL08SsDp813qHPu3NiR8A0uzzjIyR2RSvV4/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/AVvXsEhfn0iPA-Ao75ESy4F48IWcgTMyoBmbbeWSKubaDFeyzTRPlCHriMUANCei-Y40wZ9N49FP4ptP0i0vVA3IYwu6bDBkGMkpeDYJ36inHDX2pmrYoSJZTFnolBFMmx0P0yUH8rxAxdL997U/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/AVvXsEhfn0iPA-Ao75ESy4F48IWcgTMyoBmbbeWSKubaDFeyzTRPlCHriMUANCei-Y40wZ9N49FP4ptP0i0vVA3IYwu6bDBkGMkpeDYJ36inHDX2pmrYoSJZTFnolBFMmx0P0yUH8rxAxdL997U/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/AVvXsEit5IZHFY0I_JhvBhQPetahMvA6rLwh2uicW6NWXcnMLZrd77Tq9nn4km_LTOhW9LgabFnVn0m1habohvtXJjbHB1tuTwd-UkJT96SaWCMbm_al4ETrFScb7OqCCI3NivL5Bm0bqIKrKqA/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/AVvXsEit5IZHFY0I_JhvBhQPetahMvA6rLwh2uicW6NWXcnMLZrd77Tq9nn4km_LTOhW9LgabFnVn0m1habohvtXJjbHB1tuTwd-UkJT96SaWCMbm_al4ETrFScb7OqCCI3NivL5Bm0bqIKrKqA/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/AVvXsEiXuVTg58tDkY8Ena9KzG1C4TiJyuDnf9IJro77Fg4i_Tpw3x0qkXWobUW0mA-6W9UOvJt2QhAcFNdP5SQ8Y_1AFtjERi1u_ZgwNU-uy1zHcB9jbvRCQaXFhOGzsiIbQ01TSxVoDCEr1qU/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/AVvXsEiXuVTg58tDkY8Ena9KzG1C4TiJyuDnf9IJro77Fg4i_Tpw3x0qkXWobUW0mA-6W9UOvJt2QhAcFNdP5SQ8Y_1AFtjERi1u_ZgwNU-uy1zHcB9jbvRCQaXFhOGzsiIbQ01TSxVoDCEr1qU/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/AVvXsEi3xgWaHlzfUmbijtaNWV0HnS4Bfu2YN4seruhuP2QnGO3jAbWrxNekqRLcEnnouQWpug6xMRx-hmmDIav4MfKbkKY9oVAOHRmauxabLxJm-lHCwZPAczH3S2oa0UupPIap654kybsKQ7g/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/AVvXsEhEy1ypM_N8OYTgxervE_kB-xxopN-8G1eM4LqecAbqLZFi5qp9qLqDWA9rziqi0LYGuZ9EYXEYylR80piU2NTZm1dhCpBX3fYkdHo5qkkBNKayO_-UPdukeyYw7m2rMxZQfPO_RvVee38/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/AVvXsEiA4Qz-6rfsIz086ESwHO2MhOji6Req0wERlhdIl_CB4-Apkvfbz2Q85JYg6y_76aLVSgXDqrLmUH_gh6OADHRGtmNFWa-tZewjz-_M1waxo-Fg5M-gZKGzLKs2vA9C9bEBRABXoqTkl-g/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/AVvXsEjjdc4UjO2xSrKpVSNI8LySZx0XDX4wUwG_61K1vrpAnOndfAxexlibRPelHJlueAv9pFtKxnYrZJIwZPAYsmYtagAxlXrr_AObhLTvjArN7yoX32urzGM8bCRf_fxoZgobeplL72T4cDg/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/AVvXsEgWC0XdEkHS2c5QV1lIZ3s6emolaFdR-ZXH9aKhlNqSRGA3H-wtX4I8um4QaInShAdMN0anigC5_-wwz48i1HHrFX39r7O0ywQHsvN_GjK7ab57ni8LuAIol0fkpFdMCyZbvm47TL1e4aY/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/AVvXsEgf64VVtMpov6jzBc6s6uu3ytSA8jRpt8BA13bgo7jGiFrj5-Y9tMPS_6mpwwGgrqV5jQEV25n5zPm003pbzZY1CHoeUp1K8jlzAQMSNbtSL1BH1-kEOUIqYmfrmhaLwWssP_uOL1kT5h8/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/AVvXsEgf64VVtMpov6jzBc6s6uu3ytSA8jRpt8BA13bgo7jGiFrj5-Y9tMPS_6mpwwGgrqV5jQEV25n5zPm003pbzZY1CHoeUp1K8jlzAQMSNbtSL1BH1-kEOUIqYmfrmhaLwWssP_uOL1kT5h8/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/AVvXsEiAAzrRHXN3DlYtTg5DQbfNfbgFgU6Im6_OSlXIYz2EVm8D25a_j8WYa-rr0vI0OCG-0jz-0M2Xshr25UAr7Kvu4axIql6hzjmNlLZJ7ctERZdC9vaInpYG4ozEryts7NmAgva9brsKK48/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/AVvXsEiAAzrRHXN3DlYtTg5DQbfNfbgFgU6Im6_OSlXIYz2EVm8D25a_j8WYa-rr0vI0OCG-0jz-0M2Xshr25UAr7Kvu4axIql6hzjmNlLZJ7ctERZdC9vaInpYG4ozEryts7NmAgva9brsKK48/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/AVvXsEi9YEXTlT7mtfV2Ge8bt8Ml5OClsxk6rrDPodkqmFlto9qgB2in5S_1Hy-hBi_766LO4IHKhhpg7ZG_J7QQ546WHWRYhamO4EllLwRYQPuY53D_WTz7755U1GExmgzH4t_OTYiXIGp0Zxc/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/AVvXsEi9YEXTlT7mtfV2Ge8bt8Ml5OClsxk6rrDPodkqmFlto9qgB2in5S_1Hy-hBi_766LO4IHKhhpg7ZG_J7QQ546WHWRYhamO4EllLwRYQPuY53D_WTz7755U1GExmgzH4t_OTYiXIGp0Zxc/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/AVvXsEjLVgRi46lr-KtKQ0sUnN3_4IwyQa2kqoQv38h_m8bW9Jmg-Ub0m_WM5FW2ZTUXYYJfcu9TW4UkFfpa6FUQL26VCboAibHKcGIWhWnhry0ayjGesPRdzeCkZdwpfdeeYTckms0o1OUICzI/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/AVvXsEjLVgRi46lr-KtKQ0sUnN3_4IwyQa2kqoQv38h_m8bW9Jmg-Ub0m_WM5FW2ZTUXYYJfcu9TW4UkFfpa6FUQL26VCboAibHKcGIWhWnhry0ayjGesPRdzeCkZdwpfdeeYTckms0o1OUICzI/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/AVvXsEi3Vo0kgBAPZ2R8jDh619fBaK7JS_Fkigkn_f69E2nwG9zRfJFURIhlq-ElAthNjjcVEaPzNwqmZArWy5-wQskWrFvAlB8tFXrQnFOOdtGBdUjtwN4lkt5iD1NvGjGQEoIPCYd9YpqWAWk/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/AVvXsEi3Vo0kgBAPZ2R8jDh619fBaK7JS_Fkigkn_f69E2nwG9zRfJFURIhlq-ElAthNjjcVEaPzNwqmZArWy5-wQskWrFvAlB8tFXrQnFOOdtGBdUjtwN4lkt5iD1NvGjGQEoIPCYd9YpqWAWk/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/AVvXsEiWf8obcodmzG0fguCCwmCgLR3ABEA72AFSgyB5_MCOSEZoWkNLRu0tRkWTY7YZeAwK2LS2BrXIaUCoFzCfaLPYv0ArwphewMn9BXwz0XyMgj69sN8cjwo0MvPg9q1mDl5G0AV9H49g_vI/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/AVvXsEiWf8obcodmzG0fguCCwmCgLR3ABEA72AFSgyB5_MCOSEZoWkNLRu0tRkWTY7YZeAwK2LS2BrXIaUCoFzCfaLPYv0ArwphewMn9BXwz0XyMgj69sN8cjwo0MvPg9q1mDl5G0AV9H49g_vI/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/AVvXsEg1lOJFzy3RlGAyLqE6Axg9Pr1mEVA_kl-noK1vvP1mR60ArzZO7S3n_-HO3-UpUCoWElsu4XrciMDW0UQp0eZlnfzUcQ0D-e2raoCno_aiaKed9UL3Y5duHY8ur2TVFXNDDbhpwJ4DUV8/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/AVvXsEg1lOJFzy3RlGAyLqE6Axg9Pr1mEVA_kl-noK1vvP1mR60ArzZO7S3n_-HO3-UpUCoWElsu4XrciMDW0UQp0eZlnfzUcQ0D-e2raoCno_aiaKed9UL3Y5duHY8ur2TVFXNDDbhpwJ4DUV8/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/AVvXsEj_YDbXOUOY9kIh5c-Fizve3gL9Ipsc_RBZa1TmJc9wVDt5YMngXiTTT-Xf6FG4JsoQb-fbRA18CblPVNJ8Raa6zetYmdf_9Nkj7R7ek0Fh06Aap1JXDBrU4autnRo1XVdLLQc2TEz9vpU/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/AVvXsEj_YDbXOUOY9kIh5c-Fizve3gL9Ipsc_RBZa1TmJc9wVDt5YMngXiTTT-Xf6FG4JsoQb-fbRA18CblPVNJ8Raa6zetYmdf_9Nkj7R7ek0Fh06Aap1JXDBrU4autnRo1XVdLLQc2TEz9vpU/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 KATRINA My husband went to Louisiana to do some relief work in the area.  We'd never visited the South, so after ...

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