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.

The Loft Collection, color Tamarack, by TAS at Home. Light or neutral tone hardwood floors. French White Oak with a UV Oil Finish.
Bedroom - small contemporary guest medium tone wood floor bedroom idea in Seattle with beige walls and no fireplace

Unique loft wine storage display (STACT Pro panels, Space Gray)
Dining room - industrial dining room idea

Close up of the repeating pattern of Pratt and Larson's 6x6 Motif A (MT-66XA) in a custom colorfill
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Portland

Inspiration for a cottage staircase remodel in Calgary

Doug and Chris already had a nice kitchen, but they wanted a spectacular kitchen. And unlike many clients that want something completely different, they wanted to expand upon what they already loved. The result was a beautiful and functional kitchen that reflected their love of Tuscan charm and organization. Their original flooring and color scheme were to remain but everything else would be improved upon. The appliances were all upgraded and a microwave drawer, induction cooktop, and warming drawer were added. The island with its stunning wood top and custom painted cabinets became a focal point of the kitchen. It also echoed the color and style of the dining room furniture that Chris loved. Decorative moldings, carved legs, open shelves, a wine rack and staggered cabinetry were just a few of the added details. The crowning jewels were the see-through pendant lights, that Chris found, and the travertine splash with custom decorative niche for oils and accessories and the “sparkly” granite tops. What can’t be seen in the pictures is the re-shaped soffits (to match the cabinetry below), all the inner cabinet accessories and the wall that was removed making way for a wrap-around design at the bar. Old world charm and finishes might have inspired this kitchen, but new age function and technology take this kitchen into the future with ease. Photo Credit: Alicia Villarreal

Stainless Steel custom spiral stair with wood treads.
Staircase - modern wooden spiral open staircase idea in Atlanta

In the Powder Room, a furniture piece with finished in leather and nail heads was used as the vanity. We took the top off and added a honed limestone counter, copper vessel sink and copper wall mounted faucet.

Ederra Design Studio
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Entryway - entryway idea in Hyderabad

Mid-sized arts and crafts guest carpeted and gray floor bedroom photo in Dallas with green walls and no fireplace

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Seattle

This bathroom remodel was designed by Nicole from our Windham showroom. This remodel features Cabico Essence cabinets with maple wood, Stretto door style (flat panel) and Bonavista (blue paint) finish. This remodel also features LG viatera Quartz countertop with Rococo color and standard edge. This also was used for shelves in the shower. The floor and shower walls is 12” x 24” by Mediterranean with Marmol Venatino color in honed. The shampoo niche is also in the same tile and color but in 2” x 2” size in honed. Other features includes Maax tub in white, Moen chrome faucet, Kohler Caxton white sink, Moen Chrome Showerhead, Moen Chrome Valve Trim, Moen Flara Chrome light fixture, Moen chrome Towel Ring, and Moen chrome double robe hook. The hardware is by Amerock with Chrome Handles and Knobs.

Neve Terrazzo Perpetua
Inspiration for a small contemporary 3/4 beige tile and stone slab doorless shower remodel in Miami with beige walls

Clean and simple 1" penny round tile with a contrasting grey grout. Looks Great and easy to clean
Example of a mid-sized classic ceramic tile home design design in Boston

Working within a set of constraints, whether of space or budget, challenges my creativity and leads to a beautiful end result. The old kitchen used the space very poorly. The intent was just to replace the countertop. But once we investigated, the inferior cabinets needed replacing, too, so a rethink of space usage created a small and stylish kitchen of lasting quality.

Ian Roth Studios
Trendy staircase photo in Orlando

Example of a classic home design design in Cleveland

Example of a mid-sized transitional porcelain tile hallway design in Kansas City with beige walls