In My Sister’s Garden-A Wistful Romp through a Drought Resistant Oasis "Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade." - Charles Dickens One of the great things about growing up on a farm in the boondocks is that your tribe is your family. We five siblings were as thick as thieves as we climbed trees, worked the fields, pulled fences, drove tractors, branded cattle, and planted the spring garden. We played, we quarreled, and we dug in the dirt together. By the time May arrived, we ached to get our hands grubby in the vegetable patch. Waiting for the vegetables to sprout and be harvested taught us patience and responsibility. Of course, Mom’s beautiful flower gardens would already be abloom by this time of year getting us into constant trouble because we were forever picking bouquets not only for her, but, for teachers, 4-H leaders, and Sunday masses. As we grew into adults, our love of the earth grew as well. Following in the big shoes of my Father, my brother continued the family tradition of being a farmer and has one of the most beautiful vineyards in the county. Our Mother’s love of gardening instructed the gardens of her girls. Recently I walked with my sister Debbie through her eclectic garden. There is a saying that “you can take the girl out of the country, but you can never take the country out of the girl.” With Deb, she’s never left the land where we were born. She is a country cowgirl through and through. She’s always adorned with her cowboy hat, rodeo belt buckle, and boots! She hunts, fishes, grows her food, and would have relished being a pioneer in the 1870’s. Debbie and her husband are the ultimate recyclers and re-purposers. With their barnyard of adopted animals-pigs, goats, donkeys, chickens, even Texas long horns at one time, all the weeds and garden cuttings feed the animals and the manure is then recycled back to the garden. They collect rooftop rain runoff in used wine barrels then pipe it to a storage tank to help with summer watering. It’s never enough, but every drop helps. Their garden art includes rusted plows, wooden swings, a plethora of homemade birdhouses, multiple fountains made from found objects, wagon wheels, antlers, the cutest country chicken coop you ever did see, and a sleeping shed outfitted with a bear hide, antique fishing gear, pinecones, and found treasures of every sort. From their patio they watch the wildlife on their hillside property-deer, bobcats, raccoons, turkeys, skunks, and the occasional mountain lion. It’s a playful, restful garden setting, albeit with a watchful eye for the rattlesnakes that enjoy this oasis as well. What I love about Debbie’s garden is how it reflects her unique personality, her love of the land, and her admiration for the history of the Wild West. As we ambled around the property with her happy dogs in the lead, the songbirds sang, a bevy of butterflies delicately landed on her flowers, and the koi in the pond swam to the surface to greet me. This time together immersed in this sustainable landscape nurtured my soul and brought our childhood memories to vivid life. Although we grow the same plants, shrubs, trees, and succulents in both of our yards, our designs and esthetics are completely different. And that’s the beauty of creating a garden, making it your own special paradise where you can find peace, tranquility, and restoration in tandem with the wild kingdom. TIPS TO CREATING YOUR OWN UNIQUE PLAYGROUND ⎫ Don’t over-think it! Make lists of everything you enjoy in a garden then do it. ⎫ Be conservation conscious as well as considerate of nature. ⎫ Be creative. Think swathes, angles, circles, and flow. There is nothing more boring than a box. ⎫ The hardscape must include natural materials: rocks, gravel, barn wood, shells, or anything meaningful to you. ⎫ Instead of buying art, repurpose childhood toys, old sinks, even a commode overflowing with flowers can be comical. ⎫ Be playful. When you are going to spend time in the outdoors, you want to enjoy yourself. Allow your personality to shine. ⎫ Add surprises, secret gardens, hedged rooms, anything that will enhance the whimsical and magical element to your garden experience. ⎫ Lead to a focal point or view with meandering paths, walkways, and trails. ⎫ Invite the pollinators; bees, butterflies, and birds by providing housing, nectar flowers, protection, fountains, and ponds. ⎫ Mix it up. For a drought resistant garden, consider an array of beautiful succulents, cactus, lavender, bulbs, iris, daylily, geraniums, and other plants that will add color, texture, form, and structure, yet require little maintenance and minimal water. ⎫ A potager, pots, or area designated for edibles and herbs is a must have. There is nothing better than picking your dinner from your own property. ⎫ Benches, swings, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and places to unwind, watch the clouds, savor sunsets, and marvel at the stars make your garden your home. ` What’s so fun about our family gardening experience is the sharing that we all do in giving each other clips, snips, cuttings, bulbs, and volunteers. We grow the same specimens and as we stroll and admire our handiwork, we can’t remember who gave what to whom first. As I said farewell to my sister, she handed me a hand-painted tin filled with blooming echeveria from clippings I had given her a few years before. We shared a laugh. Little did I know this would be the last walk with my sister. She died just a few days before this article was published. She would have loved to have seen her passion in print. Debbie may you garden in the heavens. The circle of life continues. Happy Trails to you, Debbie. Until we meet again... Read more: https://www.lam orindaweekly.com/archive/issue1006/Digging-Deep-with-Cynthia-Brian.html Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/313702488/My-Sister-s-Garden-Digging-Deep-With-Cynthia-Brian Radio Broadcast: http://www.voiceamerica.com/episode/92459/porn-alarm-effective-apologies-in-my-sisters-garden Press Pass: http://vapresspass.com/2016/05/24/in-my-sisters-garden-a-wistful-romp-through-a-drought-resistant-oasis-by-cynthia-brian/ ©2016 Cynthia Brian The Goddess Gardener Starstyle® Productions, llc Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com I am available as a speaker, designer, and consultant. Keywords: Debbie’s garden my sister’s garden, a cowboy western garden, drought resistant plants, cynthia brian, lamorinda weekly, starstyle, goddess gardener.

Design ideas for a landscaping in San Diego.

This Trampoline was installed using trampolines down under www.trampolinesdownunder.com retaining wall system, and VPS Trampoline with the Green Vented Safety Pad- which allows better airflow for a better bounce.. No safety net required, which cleans up the landscape nicely.

Because of Roy Jacuzzi’s innovation, the Jacuzzi® brand is forever recognized as a leader within the hot tub industry. After years of breakthroughs in hydrotherapy technology, Jacuzzi has become synonymous with high-end spas that provide maximum massage versatility and a variety of luxurious amenities.

This two-level canyon view deck with cable railing uses extra-heavy lumber and connecting hardware to comply with San Diego fire codes in canyon areas. Most of the deck girders and joists are fastened using hangers and straps to create extra headroom between the upper and lower levels. This single family home has an attached studio with rear entrance. The lime colored door adds a touch of fun and whimsy to the otherwise sophisticated modern color palette. In drought-stricken California, playground wood is used in the back yard as a cost-effective, easy maintenance ground cover.

Dont miss the cedar and stone entryway, 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 full baths. Master suite offers two walk-in closets and a stylish spa style bath. Outdoor entertaining area features covered patio and an uncovered patio with a fire pit. Stunning wrought iron front door. Third garage bay for a golf cart or your Harley. Dreamy kitchen fit for a Top Chef with a generous island! Exposed brick columns in the kitchen & living area. A gas cooktop with a decorative hood, double ovens, & a stylish copper Farmhouse sink. Separa…te den or study with built in cabinets. A laundry room that makes laundry fun and less of a chore with cubby holes and a granite shelf over the front loading washer and dryer that are included. Come check out this Parade home that will have you saying Ooh La La over and over again! LOCATED IN THE TOWN OF PIKE ROAD Woodland Creek is a Lowder New Homes development and has tons of amenities for your enjoyment-from a resort style swimming pool, to a secured playground, to a state of the art fitness center all the way to a bark park for our furry friends. Lowder New Homes is Montgomery’s largest home builder with an extensive warranty and a customer service department that is second to none. All homes are built with care and fine craftmanship and feature name brand materials such as James Hardi siding to make it as maintenance free as possible. Lowder New Homes has made green initiatives and energy efficiency standard in all our homes with Energy Star standards and products that go above and beyond standard building codes-R-15 and R-38 insulation, Low E windows and a 15 seer heating and cooling system.

At I'm The Man Services, we had the pleasure of transforming an ordinary backyard corner into a feline paradise designed for play, relaxation, and adventure. This thoughtfully crafted cat oasis features a multi-level enclosure with climbing ramps, perches, scratching posts, and plenty of vertical space for endless exploration. Durable yet stylish rope-wrapped steps add a playful touch, giving curious kitties the freedom to climb and roam. The outdoor area is landscaped with lush artificial turf, providing a soft, low-maintenance surface that’s easy on paws and easy to clean. Natural light filters through the clear corrugated roofing, ensuring a warm, sunny environment while keeping cats protected from the elements. The enclosed garden bed offers a slice of nature with carefully chosen plants and rocks, giving cats a safe taste of the outdoors. Every detail, from the secure wire mesh to the sturdy construction, ensures both safety and fun—so owners can relax while their furry friends live their best lives. This cat oasis is more than a play space; it’s a testament to how thoughtful design can bring joy and enrichment to both pets and their owners. At I'm The Man Services, we believe every project should make tails wag—and this one definitely does!

What is your child's favorite play activity? Regardless of what your answer is, this play set has a play activity that any child can love.
This is an example of a large traditional outdoor playset in Detroit.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional full sun backyard concrete paver garden path in Portland.

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Nylon putting green added to large synthetic turf play yard. Rubber mulch adds to the low maintenance characteristics of this backyard.
Photo of a traditional landscaping in Jacksonville.

Kids love a willow tunnel. Jessie Moore Photography
Photo of a landscaping in Other.

Low maintenance shade gardening
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This Trampoline was installed using trampolines down under www.trampolinesdownunder.com retaining wall system, and VPS Trampoline with the Green Vented Safety Pad- which allows better airflow for a better bounce.. No safety net required, which cleans up the landscape nicely.

Home Playground Design and Install
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Patio photo in Miami

ForeverLawn of Tampa Bay Beautiful residential landscaping project featuring quality ForeverLawn synthetic grass. The high-end artificial turf from ForeverLawn offers a natural appearance, a soft, usable lawn, and significant savings in water and maintenance. ForeverLawn - Grass without limits. www.foreverlawn.com

The best design brief ever! Reconnect with your inner child, be creative, and have fun. Using bright, bold colors, the deck and yard became a climbing, sliding, hiding, playing, adventure art gallery for two lucky children, their friends, and even a few grown-ups. And the best bit, its low maintenance, easy to clean, and has built-in storage. In the eyes of the children this yard is a children’s paradise. In the eyes of the parents, this yard is a children’s haven.

Example of an eclectic kids' room design in San Diego