East Meets Southwest, Part II

As I mentioned a couple of days ago, we've applied the principles of feng shui to the front yard. Because this is the north side, and the water sector, we painted the entrance black. According to feng shui expert, Katheryn Weber, this is "most auspicious." One final thing that we need to do is to move the bamboo chimes to the south side of the house.

Miss Frida is enjoying her new front yard.

The single turtle at the northernmost point is very lucky, as is the removal of most of the greenery.

We found an inexpensive reed fence at the local home center, which I cut and wrapped around the water catchments. Because reed grows in water, this turned out to be the perfect solution. Blue is a secondary color for the north sector, so it works out that the trim here is blue. Actually, the trim everywhere is blue, thanks to Erica who painted it for us last year. Local folklore dictates that windows and doors should be painted blue to keep away bad witches and/or other evil spirits. Thanks, Erica, for keeping us safe!

Following is the view from the guest bedroom patio.


Here, along the east wall of the front courtyard, the color should be brown or green, and is ruled by the number 3. This would be another good destination for those bamboo chimes.

And a view looking toward the southwest corner of the yard . . .

Finally, the guest bedroom patio is located in the southwest corner. This is the sector for "big earth; mountains; square shapes; beige, yellow, purple, red; stones, pairs, vases, crystals, gobes, urns; the number 2; and it is enhanced by fire: lamps, fire, candles, round stones or objects, clay pots, and ceramic vases."


The front yard has such a great vibe. I'm looking forward to the barn conversion (into a studio), so that I can use these same principles to create good chi, and hopefully great art!

615 Days Until George W. Bush Leaves Office!
616 Days Until the BIG PARTY!!!
WOO-HOO!!!

East Meets Southwest, Part I

After several days working outside, we've finally finished the front yard. One happy resident has already moved in, and set up her new digs over top one of our water catchments. I take this as a good sign.


The pond is beginning to acquire its Summer dressing. The cattails have shot up to about 24" in the past week, and the lilies have surfaced. Very soon, the pond will be in full regalia.


The front yard didn't quite become the Zen Rock Garden that one expects, because we used gravel instead of sand. Hey, we have enough sand here. I wanted some gravel! But, in keeping with the original idea, we gave the Buddha his own personal Zen rock garden--complete with sparkling sand. He's very happy.


And so are the koi. They are swimming with a little more flourish these days.

Because this is the North sector, and wanting to create good Chi, we adopted this turtle. He's most auspicious, don't you think?


Finally, this is the pile of gravel that was delivered very early on Friday morning. It may not look like much from this distance, but that pile represents 10 tons of crushed and tumbled rock. By our own estimates, we moved half of that pile into the front yard.


These are just a few of the details of our recent project. For a look at the "big picture," come back tomorrow!

616 Days Until George W. Bush Leaves Office!!!
617 Days Until the BIG PARTY!!!!
WOO-HOO!!!!