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.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used White Matt kitchen cabinet finishes in combination with horizontal direction maple wood cabinet doors and countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decore made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client really loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends really love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decore made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in other store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

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.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used White Matt kitchen cabinet finishes in combination with horizontal direction maple wood cabinet doors and countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decore made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client really loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends really love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decore made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in other store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door in combination with horizontal direction maple wood cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door in combination with horizontal direction maple wood cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Scandinavian-style Kitchen. I used a White Matt flat kitchen cabinet door finish in combination with horizontal direction maple wood flat cabinet doors and a concrete countertop. For the floors, I used Kerama Marazzi floor tiles 24"* 24" size with deep gray matt floor tiles repeating a countertop pattern- gray matt marble in a concrete color tone. At the same time, the backsplash repeats the base cabinet doors' horizontal wooden pattern. Upper wall cabinets are hung up to the ceiling, so we are not losing space and the client is happy to have more storage. Cook top, microwave, oven, and kitchen sink are all in a black finish, as well as kitchen appliances. Since we have Scandinavian style, I created ceiling nature lighting decor. I made a drawing of the hand-made wooden greed and then we placed artificial, but very natural-looking hanging flowers. This decor made the kitchen very unique and alive. Without flowers it may look very clean, but also very boring. Since my client loves nature, I created this nature corner. She said that all of her friends love to sit under this flower decor and listen to the sound of the birds in the forest. This decor made this space calm, warm, and unforgettable, as they said. I planned to have deep green chairs seat as well to combine green flowers and green seats, but it was a challenge to find Scandinavian-style chairs with deep green fabric. So, we ordered fabric in another store and will change it a little later.

Front Yard Landscape with exposed natural stone.
Photo of a small contemporary drought-tolerant and full sun front yard gravel landscaping in Tampa.

The Berry Group
Rustic exterior home idea in Atlanta

Durston Saylor
Example of a mid-sized trendy beige floor kitchen/dining room combo design in New York with beige walls and a tile fireplace

This Winchester home was love at first sight for this young family of four. The layout lacked function, had no master suite to speak of, an antiquated kitchen, non-existent connection to the outdoor living space and an absentee mud room… yes, true love. Windhill Builders to the rescue! Design and build a sanctuary that accommodates the daily, sometimes chaotic lifestyle of a busy family that provides practical function, exceptional finishes and pure comfort. We think the photos tell the story of this happy ending. Feast your eyes on the kitchen with its crisp, clean finishes and black accents that carry throughout the home. The Imperial Danby Honed Marble countertops, floating shelves, contrasting island painted in Benjamin Moore Timberwolfe add drama to this beautiful space. Flow around the kitchen, cozy family room, coffee & wine station, pantry, and work space all invite and connect you to the magnificent outdoor living room complete with gilded iron statement fixture. It’s irresistible! The master suite indulges with its dreamy slumber shades of grey, walk-in closet perfect for a princess and a glorious bath to wash away the day. Once an absentee mudroom, now steals the show with its black built-ins, gold leaf pendant lighting and unique cement tile. The picture-book New England front porch, adorned with rocking chairs provides the classic setting for ‘summering’ with a glass of cold lemonade. Joyelle West Photography

Custom Built & Designed Home: Bay Project James Northern Photgraphy
Pool - huge contemporary backyard custom-shaped pool idea in Miami

Bedroom - mid-sized southwestern guest linoleum floor bedroom idea in Perth with purple walls

contractor: Etai Har-El photographer: Christian Garibaldi
Enclosed kitchen - traditional u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in New York with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash and paneled appliances