Community garden

There's a community garden not too far from where I live.  I paid a visit last week since they were having an event.  I even signed up on the waiting list for a plot--we'll see if I get one!

Camellias!

I stumbled upon a Camellia show at the Descanso Gardens last month.  It was such a pleasure to watch people display their flowers with pride.  They even had a poster on flower show etiquette . . . there was something about "though shall not criticize others' blooms" . . . Haha. 

Silence and solitude in the garden

I took a trip to the Descanso Gardens this past week to spend some time in prayer, reflection, and solitude; spiritual disciplines I've been trying to cultivate since college.  It was so nice to be out in a beautiful garden on a warm, sunny day.  I also grew up coming here and enjoyed a bit of nostalgia . . .

I was also inspired by the garden itself.  I started to imagine my dream garden.  I've decided it would be filled with:
Citrus trees
Olive trees
Pomegranates
Avocados
Persimmons
Rosemary and other herbs
Heirloom tomatoes
Succulents
Bougainvillea
Lilacs
Lots of orbs and decorative cylinders . . . (yes, I subscribe to Sunset magazine).

What would you grow in your dream garden (or what do you grow currently)?

The Noguchi garden in Costa Mesa: CA Scenario

I had heard about the Noguchi garden in Costa Mesa for some time and finally had a chance to visit last month.  It's tucked away in a courtyard surrounded by skyscrapers and parking lots near South Coast Plaza and the Segerstrom Arts Center.

Isamu Noguchi was a Japanese American sculptor who experimented with such organic forms as wood, marble, and physical landscapes.  His work is minimal, abstract, and seems to exude peace and mystery at the same time.  I instantly felt calm entering the garden, and marveled at the lines of his work, and the interplay of man-made sculptures, trees, water, and stone.  His garden made me think about my previous post on minimalist sculptures.

I highly recommend a visit if you're in the area (I suggest going on a weekend or after business hours; I parked in a nearby lot by the TGIF restaurant for free):
611 Anton
Costa Mesa, CA 92626