I went to West Linn high school, so when Jenni offered to host the spring blogger’s plant swap, I was doubly excited. Getting to hang out with garden nuts who have become friends while we trade plants; getting to poke around old haunts…what could be better?
Jenni, her husband and kids have taken on the project of revitalizing a home and garden that have been in the family for generations. Just have a gander at that bold, modern color and you get an idea of the direction they are taking.
The lot stretches waay back to beyond those raspberry bushes you see in the distance. The grass was wet, so only a couple of hardy souls, properly shod, ventured back there. I know from Jenni’s blog that there are raised beds on the left of the path that get put to good use come summer.
A pair of mixed borders flank the entrance to that back area we just saw. The swap was in late April, and I think these bed are looking pretty great for that early in the season. Just imagine what they must look like now.
There’s lots of history here, meaning several mature trees. Talk about bones!
Back in the day, the little town of Willamette was a sleepy little burg ideally located on the Willamette River. It had lots of trees but no sidewalks. None of that has changed.
No sign of what’s been happening in so many communities, namely multi-family units and McMansions shoehorned into slots where humble abodes once sat.
Cute little cottages and farm houses in a melange of architectural styles have simply been upgraded with fresh paint and gardens (nobody “gardened” back when I was visiting friends in Willamette).
Houses I remembered as “ramshackle” have been spruced up without losing their character.
It looks like a cute town. Sometimes it’s fun to go back–especially if the place has improved. It looks like your plant swap was very productive. And I like what your friends are doing with that house and garden!
Beth~Cuter than it used to be. I’m wishing I had taken more photos of Jenni’s house…and one of her. What a dodo I can be when in the grip of plant lust.
That was my first visit to West Linn, Jenny’s neighborhood reminded me of mine, plenty of character. I think we are a bit more ramshackle in parts. I wish I’d had a better look at the main street it looked very inviting .
Linda~The comparison is apt. I intend to return to Willamette one of these days to explore that main street. It did indeed look inviting.
It’s fun to go back to see old haunts and how they’ve evolved, or devolved. I’m glad things are nicer in Willamette.
Grace~Yep…kept the best and lost the rest.