since this is portland oregon and it rains a lot, we’re always thinking up ways to use or divert all the water we’re faced with. many businesses and homes are beginning to incorporate rain gardens in their plans. the hawthorne hostel is the most obvious example in town.

the city itself teaches free rain garden classes and is beginning to install bioswales on city streets. bioswales and rain gardens not only slow down water during huge downpours, but also remove silt and pollution. this is a newly-installed bioswale drain on se belmont street:

and, oh wait, where did the week go?! i didn’t get a chance to show you a friend’s huge garden and yurt down the street, share some of my favorite shops and restaurants in town or some of the fun food cart designs [everyone talks about the excellent food available at our foodcarts, but of course the carts themselves are pretty awesome too]! sigh. oh well. you’ll just have to come visit us in portland and see it all for yourself!

maybe i’ll have my fantasy rural oasis closer to the coast all kitted out by then.

CLICK HERE for the rest of Jill’s final guest post after the jump!

i can’t decide between a yurt, from yurts.com, or a dome, from domeguys.com. both are located here in oregon.

thanks for spending the week exploring portland home ideas with me. see you soon! xo jill