Toluca Lake Part 1

Today I worked in an area that is not far from where I grew up so I decided to take a drive over there to see if I could get some photographs of the charming sweet homes in this area.  This part of Los Angeles is called Toluca Lake and it really does surround a lake and a very private country club.  I always admired these beautiful homes growing up because I lived on the other side of the boulevard in a little apartment with my mother.  It was always nice to know though that this area was close by.  Maybe that's what sparked my incredible love and appreciation for beautiful homes with lots of curb appeal and detail.  Of course, I have to credit my mother and grandmother too because my mother had a little vegetable garden as far back as I can remember.  If you gave her a square foot of dirt, she would plant something in it.

I wouldn't consider myself a "purple" person although I like a hint of it here and there, but this patch of purple and lavender was so eye catching, I had to snap a couple photos.  Even the ground cover peaking out is purple.

Aren't they gorgeous?  Even though they are nearing the end of the season, they are quite lovely.

This little guy above totally faked me out and then I realized the owner of this house has a similar sense of humor to myself.  This bird looked totally real to me when I first saw it.  That's a golf ball he is trying to abscond with.

How do I love thee, picket fence?  Let's say I never saw one I didn't want to take home with me.  I so wish we had a picket fence, but I would have to move half of my sprinkler system and the mister is not going to go there.  No way, no how.

I am sure the above photo is of climbing New Dawn roses on a split rail fence.  They were exquisite.  The most delicate pink you can find in nature.

Now this homeowner in the above photo was really planning ahead.  His yard is totally drought tolerant.  All those plants are succulents and native California plants.  It looks great with his unusual driveway.  Beautiful planning on his part.  I just could not live without my roses. 

In the photo below, I love the symmetry of the curvy staircases and the front windows with the potted trees.  Very nice.

Please do not forget about our Hot Fun in the Summertime link party.  The party starts at 8:00 eastern time on Thursday.  We would love for you to join us.  You can link up on any of our five blogs and your link will show up on all five.  Just grab the link button on my sidebar and join the fun.

Thanks for stopping by.  The end of summer is nearing, and the flowers are getting sparse, but I do believe California has some of the prettiest gardens in the nation and I'm happy to share a few of them with you.

I'm partying at...


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