My Garden, Myself

If anyone wants to get to know the real me, all they would have to do is come over and spend some time in my garden.

I unabashedly love my garden. I’ve spent the last twelve years (alongside my equally-hard-working hubby) molding it into the sweet little thing that it is now. If you had seen the garden when we first bought the place— pitted asphalt, spiderwebbed junipers, and dirty white rock–you would get it. I love my garden because it is ours, fully and completely. We designed it. We installed it. We keep it looking purdy.  As the owner of a business and the queen of the 14-hour workday, I have no time for my garden— but every now and then it beckons. I find the time. Even though I bitch and complain when I have to work out there, I have to admit that I love the feeling of sweat mixing with dirt, and the taste of a well-deserved beer that comes after a long Saturday spreading mulch and shuffling plants around. My garden makes me happy, and that’s all that really matters anyway.

So, in order to demonstrate my love for my garden, I’ve come up with the Top Ten Reasons Why I Love My Garden. I hope you enjoy!

Reason #1: SUCCULENTS AND FRIENDS

Succulents make my world go ’round, but I do prefer them mixed in with other types of plants.

MIXING SUCCULENTS WITH OTHER STUFF MAKES FOR A LUSH LOOK.

Reason #2: FLAMINGOS

I love tacky pink garden flamingos. I’ve been looking on Ebay and Etsy for a vintage set for so long, that I finally gave up. My mom bought me these (definitely not vintage) cuties a couple of years ago. I think they’re even better!

IT’S NOT A COINCIDENCE THAT THE COTYLEDON FLOWERS IN FRONT OF THE FLAMINGOS ALSO LOOK LIKE FLAMINGOS. MY OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE ATTENTION TO DETAIL KNOWS NO BOUNDS.

Reason #3: YUMMY STUFF TO EAT

My yard is petite, so I’ve dedicated the back side of my driveway to food. Galvanized troughs filled with tomatoes, herbs, and pole beans look so cute, and keep the stuff up high so pugs can’t pee on anything.

WE EVEN EAT THE NASTURTIUMS (MIX WITH ARUGULA AND FRESH PEAS AND SERVE OVER BURRATA AND GRILLED BREAD. DRIZZLE WITH OLIVE OIL AND SPRINKLE WITH SEA SALT. YOU’RE WELCOME.

Reason #4: PUNCHY COLORS

I’m  currently on a yellow kick. Bright colors are a cure for Boring-Ass Garden Syndrome.

THIS SPOT IS S’MORES HEADQUARTERS ON SUMMER EVENINGS.

Reason #5: ANTLERS

I’m also on an antlers kick. I keep getting more. They’re multiplying. They’re rustic and just a bit dangerous looking, which is why I love them.

MY ANTLER, THE COLOR YELLOW, AND NEW ORLEANS FETISHES, ALL CAPTURED IN ONE PICTURE.

Reason #6: BLACK AND WHITE STRIPES

Those who really know me, know that I love black and white stripes. I recently counted THIRTEEN black and white shirts in my wardrobe. Obsessive-compulsive much?

P.S. THE TABLE WAS A GIVE-AWAY FROM A PAST CLIENT. WE SANDED IT DOWN, STAINED IT, AND OHYEAHBABY.

Reason #7: FUNKY, MAGICAL LIGHTING

Punched tin lanterns hanging from the pergola, colored glass ones hanging from our persimmon tree, and curvy bronze pathlights in the front yard make the evenings glow.

GOOD OUTDOOR LIGHTING CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Reason #8: A PATHWAY TO REMEMBER

I like to think that this meandering path to my door brings joy to even the mailman. A curved path gently forces a person to slow down, take some time, and yes, maybe even to smell the roses. Or the euphorbia, but I don’t recommend doing that.

EACH PIECE OF BROKEN CONCRETE IN THE PATH HAS TO WEIGH AT LEAST FIFTY THOUSAND POUNDS BY MY ESTIMATE. THIS PATH WAS A BITCH TO PUT IN, BUT WORTH IT.

Reason #9: THE DAMN ROSES

I’m not a frou-frou, rose-garden-y kind of person. But my husband LOVES roses. And I love my husband–hence this 60-foot long wall of ’em. This time of year, I’ll admit they are spectacular and I fall back in love with this showstopping mix of “Fourth of July” and “Climbing Eden.” The rest of the year I spend cursing my husband each time I try to get in and out of my car.

PRETTY BUT DEADLY. I HAVE THE BLOODY ARMS TO PROVE IT.

Reason #10: JUST HANGING OUT IN IT IS FUN

A good garden makes you want to just chill, kick back, soak up a little sun, drink a little local craft brew, you know, r-e-l-a-x. I have a hard time relaxing, but when I do—I prefer to do it in my own little garden. Or on a beach in Hawaii, but this is a close second. We all enjoy being out here, especially Otis and Maisy.

OOOOOOOH, THAT SUN FEELS GOOD!