My Garden Makeover while James is in Korea

Our new entryway, complete with a Japanese lantern in the background.

Our new wreath for the front door. We get plenty of stares from passerbys, as this is a very American tradition. ;)

Another view of our front entrance.

Our Japanese rock garden in the front. I added some rocks to some existing flower beds as well as a lantern.

Another view of the pathway, lined with votives. 

Our hanging baskets and mobile in the front entrance. 

Our new patio and grill area. I have since raked up the remaining rocks in the left foreground.

Flower pots and more flower pots. Because the soil is clay based here, most Okinawan gardens consist of pots only. Here we have geraniums, azaleas, petunias, bourgainvillea, mini hibiscus, poinsetta and some herbs: rosemary, basil, mint and thyme.

A sampling of some foliage unique to this climate, as well as a bird bath for the hot summer days. I've expanded this collection since this photo.

Some more tropical foliage before being transplanted.

Look how our banana tree is thriving! Still not ripe for harvesting, though! I'm also told the tall plant next to it is a rubber plant.

Our New Art Acquisitions for Our Home

Our new art acquisitions include this stunning, hand painted lacquerware chest from Hong Kong. I love the antiquing on it.

Detail on the front of the chest. I love the patina on the clasp.

Hand painted detail on the top of the chest.

Side angle view of the chest. There are many intricate designs on the piece that somehow work well together.

Other side angle.

The cats begin to explore the new addition.

Seymour admiring the detail on the piece. (I think he approves!)

Seymour makes himself right at home. What else is new? ;)

This Chinese decorative fan now hangs in our entryway.

This is a woodblock print by Japanese artist Hajime Namiki entitled Tree Scene 100-B. This is an artist proof 1 of 10, and James and I fell in love with it. The gold leaf framing really brings out the beauty of the print.

Sasha and James admire our new addition to our bedroom.

A closer look... 

Hanging above our bed, we hope it will inspire us to dream... 

The Witten Kitty Corner

Seymour looking handsome, and he knows it too! ;)