It wasn’t intentional, but I found that several aspects of my garden were inspired by some of trips we’ve taken.  One of the most different from southwest Austin was our 2007 trip to China.  I really liked all the variations I found on Chinese Guardian Lions, Shishi, (aka Foo Dogs).  Here’s what we have on the deck…

And here are a couple of the inspiration pieces…

The other building I loved in Beijing was the Temple of Heaven.  The blue roof was amazing.

And here’s what’s in the back yard (ok, this one is a stretch but it’s the blue element I was after).

There was a park just northwest of the Forbidden City – Beihai Park  – that offer the first Buddhas we’d see all over China.  First mine…

And the inspirations –

The Ghost City of Fengdu was a trip and a half.  It was supposed to be ‘Chinese Hell’ I think.  (It sure felt like it; subtropical heat and humidity with no wind…yikes!).  These are the ‘Soul Judges’ the dearly departed meets in the afterlife…

And finally, some landscapes from Beijing that I had in mind for the ‘Asian’ part of the yard.