I wish upon a star this yard was mine

Doesn't this lush green grass just beg to be rolled in, walk barefoot ... just give me some green because we don't have it in Georgia.

This my friends is the backyard of friends and former neighbors when we use to live in PA and they are here in the Seattle, WA area now and have been for about 12 years. My friend, D's husband designed the landscape and then hired someone to do it. She said there was nothing here but a couple of the VERY large evergreen trees when they moved in.

I don't know if you can tell that the white square is a basketball hoop, back there is a sports court... oh yeah... every males dream. Guys, are your tongues hanging out? Probably not since it is your wife that is most likely the one looking at this blog, but I bet if she showed you this, your tongues would be hanging out. Don't kid me you know it would be.

Here is taking a look at the other side of their yard...are you drooling yet?
When you look over the rail from the picture above, this is what you will see. Does this quaint little iron table set speak to you and invite you to sit with a cup of tea? 

I love the tree and all the twists in the trunk. This is like the "perfect" yard with all its splendor. Am I envious... let me put it this way, do pigs like mud, do bees like honey?
When we were here at Christmas time last year they were going to remodel their kitchen and bathrooms, the job is taking quite a long time but I think they are very happy with the results. Here are some pictures of the kitchen now. I am sorry I have no shots of "before" to show all of you.  All new cabinets, hardware, faucets, granite countertops, island and appliances. The floor I am not sure was changed. Wait until you see the pictures and get a load of all the cabinets in here. Those double doors lead out on to the back deck and to the left they are going to enclose that half the deck and believe me there is still plenty of deck space left.
There is the micro, and oven and under the oven is a large warming tray... this is what I am talking about. I love the glass in the doors above to show off any collectables.
This next shot is standing in the family room and looking into the kitchen. Some how I don't think cooking in here would be too tough, rephrase that, baking in here would not be too tough because I do not like to cook.

To the right of the fridge you go out and the dining room is right across the hall. I believe if you click on the picture it will bring it up larger and you can see the fabric on the chairs.
The formal living room is on the other side of the foyer. The dining room on one side and this on the other.  Opposite the windows is a wall that D had a mural painted but every picture I took was too dark with or without the flash. I never said I was a photographer.
I know this was all a teaser but I didn't want to invade their privacy and go through the house taking snapshots and it was too dark out to get some really good shots of the house and remember what I said earlier, "I AM NO PHOTOGRAPHER." D has done a wonderful job with their home; it is not only to die for but it is also a home that says, "come take your shoes off and sit a spell."

I wish ya'll  could see how D decorates at Christmas time...whoo wee is it gorgeous!

Maybe I can get her to start a blog and she can post those pictures. Do ya hear me D? Come join us in blogland.

Cheri