When we were choosing a home to rent in Chiang Mai, we wanted space for our energetic kids. (What parents don’t think that?) However, yards with space are few and far between. Another desire of ours was a space to get outside when it rains and not always have to get wet. Sometimes is great to have fun in the rain, but with three kids I wanted a dry option.

We found this home and at first the fake grass was comical to us. No other homes around us have astroturf and it makes our home stand out, even more now that foreigners live here. Along with the funny fake grass, there was a LOT of covered area. Again, that was rare, but we were very grateful for this covered space! All the shade provided by the coverings help it not to feel as hot. It’s hot! But not AS hot! Yet another thing to be grateful for when one lives in a hot country. 

The fake grass is beautiful because it stays green all the time, but it does make it hard to have any type of garden whether flower or vegetable. One thing I love is color, so I was even more grateful when my amazing husband gifted me a lot of hanging and non-hanging plants and trees. It’s amazing how much these plants helped brighten things up.

I also have one small potted kale plant that I have managed to not kill yet, and I’m hoping to get more. Time will tell…

Is this my ideal outdoor space? Not really. Is it like what we had in the States? Nope! It’s a bit smaller with WAY more concrete.

Is it like our space in the Philippines? Oh no...actually, ours here in Thailand is larger than there. 

Whether our space outside is large or small, I’m so grateful. We have space to make memories in our new home as a family, rain or shine!