| | Published November 26th, 2008
| Digging Deep with Cynthia Brian-Holiday Magic
(c) 2008 Cynthia Brian
"If you don't make magic, magic doesn't happen." Cynthia Brian
| | By Cynthia Brian |  | | Photo Cynthia Brian
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Miracles, mystery, and magic abound as the chill of winter ushers in the season of repose.
December is a month to enjoy the living structures of the winter garden as we search for Rudolph's red nose shining in the night sky. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, joy, delight, and merry making is the protocol of the moment.
When the festivities of the holidays begin to exhaust your spirit, respite awaits you in the garden. Breathe in the crispness of the cool air, thrill to the colors of the pomegranates and persimmons, delight in the smells of the evergreens and musky scents of the moss. Take a walk through your yard to examine the bones of your beds.
Is it time to contemplate a re-design of your landscape? Do you want to add more vines, ground covers, trees, or trellises? Would garden ornaments, birdbaths, stone benches, fountains, or arbors add comfort, glamour, and cheer to the gloom? The quiet interval of winter is the perfect occasion to learn the limitations of your landscaping, dream of the bounty, and plan for the reawakening of spring. An artful combination of plants and hardscape will create the framework for another year of collaboration between you and Mother Nature.
Do you believe in magic?
When I was a little girl, magic was abundantly evident. My family has always celebrated everything. Because our farm was somewhat isolated, the family traditions that our parents created were the mainstay of my childhood.
As in many households, the Christmas tree was cut the day after Thanksgiving, thus beginning the holiday season. We placed the tree in a barrel of water for twenty-four hours ensuring that the tree would have a deep drink before it became the centerpiece of our living room. For the remainder of the weekend we decorated an acre of land with Christmas glitter and glitz. We believed that Santa would never find our obscure ranch unless we were illuminated like Disneyland. Every bush, plant, tree was adorned with lights, animated sculptures, and ornaments. The fields, vineyards, and gardens were beginning their winter nap as our favorite season of lights, love, and laughter awoke.
A path of poinsettias pointed the way to the front door alongside bright cheery cyclamen and red blooming azaleas. Our wreaths and garlands were created using evergreens, twigs, dried weeds, cotoneaster, and pinecones from our gardens. Homemade strands of cranberries and popcorn were strung on the tree alongside our ubiquitous hand crafted children's decorations. What a delight to be a child in the month of December!
After a rainy day, we'd take our straw baskets out to the horse pasture where we'd gather Portobello and "pinkie" mushrooms to be sautÇed with garlic, parsley, and wine for our evening meal. Picking mushrooms was a highlight of our Italian upbringing until an acquaintance died from eating poison "fungi's". We no longer forage for mushrooms and recommend that you buy mushrooms from the store. Even the experts cannot always identify edibles from poisonous.
This year it only took a few days of heavy rains for my lawn to sprout several varieties of beautiful deadly mushrooms. My pleasure was in photographing instead of eating them, although I must admit magical memories of my childhood gathering parties were peaked. Unlike most gifts from our gardens, even one button can be fatal. The gratification is not worth the risk so make sure to inform your children not to touch or play with these mysterious wonders of the earth.
Christmas morning, we didn't always get the gifts on our lists to Santa. Of course, we'd be disappointed. Later in the day, Dad would suggest we take a jeep ride around the ranch to see if anything had fallen off the sleigh and Mom would make sure we strolled through the garden to check for the mistakes of elves. Sure enough! Down at a barn or dangling in a grapevine, a walnut tree, or a favorite rhododendron would be that special present. Once, a bicycle was sticking out of the chimney with a note attached: "Sorry, it wouldn't squeeze down."
With the economic chaos of Wall Street depression, many of us feel that we live in an un-magical world. Although it is challenging to feel up in down times, we can predict our future by creating our own magic. My garden offers me eternal optimism as each day I witness the circle of nature and the cycle of life. Find ways to reinterpret your daily routine through the eyes of a child. Children give us a second chance to view the world with innocence and credulity. What magic is hiding in your garden? What simple things can become magical experiences if you use a little imagination? Believe in magic and magic will happen.
"Whatever you do or dream, you can begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin now." Goethe, poet and dramatist
HAPPY GARDENING TO YOU!
(c)2008 Cynthia Brian
The Goddess Gardener
Cynthia@goddessgardener.com
co-author, Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul
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 | | Photo Cynthia Brian
|
 | | Miracles, mystery, and magic abound as the chill of winter ushers in the season of repose.
December is a month to enjoy the living structures of the winter garden as we search for Rudolph's red nose shining in the night sky. Whether we celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, or Kwanzaa, joy, delight, and merry making is the protocol of the moment.
When the festivities of the holidays begin to exhaust your spirit, respite awaits you in the garden. Breathe in the crispness of the cool air, thrill to the colors of the pomegranates and persimmons, delight in the smells of the evergreens and musky scents of the moss. Take a walk through your yard to examine the bones of your beds.
Is it time to contemplate a re-design of your landscape? Do you want to add more vines, ground covers, trees, or trellises? Would garden ornaments, birdbaths, stone benches, fountains, or arbors add comfort, glamour, and cheer to the gloom? The quiet interval of winter is the perfect occasion to learn the limitations | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA