Summer Drive By: Ahhh…back to my old tricks!

For old time’s sake and because I have a serious addiction, I went on a little drive by while I was in Portland last week! Ahhhhh it has been way too long! I started out with a quick drive through of my old old old (i.e. several houses ago) neighborhood, First Addition in Lake Oswego. Found a couple of houses I drooled over, so let’s take a look!

I had to drive by the adorable house above twice because silly impatient cars kept coming up behind me trying to rush me. I shouted at them (under my breath from inside my car) to let them know I had important business to attend to (I reeeaaallly need a bumper sticker that says I brake for charming houses so they’d know to not mess with me) but they just kept on honking. So I went around the block and tried again.

I love all the little details that make this house special, from the scalloped siding, to the arched porch cover (with the dark wood trim under the porch!) to the windows and picket fence. So much cuteness!

That is the sweetest sign for a picket fence.

And I am completely smitten lately with white houses and American flags. So patriotic. Love the chairs too.

This house had me at the sunroom. Look at that room, and the WINDOWS!

I drove around the side of it and it was fabulous from that angle too … love the porch!

Let’s zooooom in for a close up.

Such a picturesque place. I love it! Sigh.

Then, I moved on to my old old neighborhood, Eastmoreland, for a mini-drive by. I actually had to do this second neighborhood drive by in two parts, the first time it was too sunny and the trees made shadows everywhere and then when I came back, it was too dark out. Bad for photos, so I pretty much had to give up. But, it is what it is. And a drive by is always fun no matter what. Some of these houses we’ve gawked at before!

We looked at this one in a previous drive by. Such a great entry!

This is my old house! Well, my old, OLD house. The one from before the last one. It was my second small house experiment, but in this house we tried it out with three kids and an extra one most days. The house (not including the basement) was probably about 1600 square feet. Not the tiniest house ever, but it was chopped up like so many of the old houses are! And with two babies around and two fast approaching teenagers, it was a little crazy in that house.

So many fun memories of trying to fit into that place. I got SUPER creative with organization, though, I’ll tell ya!

Love this little house! I’ve shown this house before, but my new photo of it didn’t show it off as well, so I’m reusing my this one. It is just so cute.

I am a sucker for little white lights, wreaths, vines, shutters and window boxes. All on one house. Love.

Always adore rock and leaded glass, too. Sigh. The sky makes everything look dreary, however. Bummer I don’t live in Portland any more, I can’t just go back for a new shot!

I love the black window trim on this house.

The double doors and landscaping on this house are so pretty and inviting. I almost invited myself in.

For my last little drive by, I drove up into a neighborhood that had a big PRIVATE, MEMBERS ONLY sign (Waverly Country Club). I know, I know…I am normally a law abiding citizen. But when it comes to neighborhoods and my drive bys, I disregard all social rules like respecting the PRIVATE signs. Darn I wish people didn’t have gates. At least this one was open so I could peak a little.

When I saw this dreamy fairytale cottage through the trees and behind its fence, my eyes popped out of my head! I drove round and round trying to get closer. I nearly drove right through their gate and ran over three kitties I was so fixated on how ADOR-AH-BLE it was. Don’t worry, the kitties are fine. I fluffed up their fur and they will be good as new (totally kidding, I did NOT run over any kitties).

There was just no way to get a better picture of this house without getting out of the car and scaling the fence — I was in a dress, so I just gave up. I could’ve put my camera up to the gate, but I was a little afraid of their security camera. I’d hate to get on the news for trespassing. Next time I might risk it though. This angle is just a little bit like torture. You know it is cute but you just can’t see enough of it to drool.

Anyway, trust me. It was magical.

Thanks for coming along on another drive by!

Want to re-live some of the oldies but goodies? Find all the drive-bys here!