What better flower to represent Valentine’s Day than Dicentra spectabilis or Bleeding Heart?
{carole}
♥ Day
Posted in photography
Tagged bleeding heart, bokeh, dicentra spectabilis, Valentine's Day
14 Comments
Cherry Blossom Time
Now that spring is coming to California, I’m reminded of the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C.
Here’s a look back at some Kwanzan cherry blossoms, my favorite. . . .
Hope you all had a nice weekend. If you’re in New England, I hope you’re safe and warm despite all that snow.
Oh, just for fun, Google the word “askew.” And then, “do a barrel roll.” 🙂
{carole}
The Unexpected
I do like finding things out of the ordinary. Like this painting? mural? of a Spanish-style bungalow on an office building wall in downtown La Jolla. . . .
Did you know the word “bungalow” comes from the Hindi word bangla or house in Bengali style? I didn’t.
Climb the stairs on the side and you’ll find a giant Canary palm, my favorite.
I’m liking the message on this door too:
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Posted in photography
Tagged boutique door, California, Canary palm, La Jolla, mural, smile, Spanish-style bungalow, yellow building with blue stairs
17 Comments
Something to Warm You
If you’re surrounded by snow and ice, or sick and tired of rain, here are some torch lilies at sunset to warm you. . . .
Also called Red Hot Poker.
Hope your week’s going well so far. . . .
{carole}
Posted in photography
Tagged bokeh, Kniphofia uvaria, pastel torch lilies, red hot poker
20 Comments
Swami’s, Part Two
As I said on Tuesday, Swami’s has great views of the Pacific.
This is looking south towards La Jolla.
A flowering agave.
Cacti and the ocean seem kind of incongruous to me.
Those things that look a bit like gnats? Surfers down below in Swami’s Cove, a popular spot.
One of my favorite plants in California is the Sago Palm from the cycad family. We have one in our backyard, but it’s not doing nearly as well as these. Did you know cycads have changed very little since the Jurassic period?
Something else in Swami’s garden: a koi pond.
Doesn’t this guy look like he’s saying “Feed me”?
This is an iPhone version of the gate photo I posted a while back. It’s right at the edge of Swami’s garden.
I know I’ve said it before, but I can’t get over the blue skies in the winter here.
Finally, I was really surprised to see lychees growing here in January. I thought they needed a really hot climate.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Posted in photography
Tagged agave, beach, California, gate, koi pond, lychees, Swami's garden
16 Comments
Swami’s, Part One
Driving up the 101 in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, you may think you’re seeing things when this suddenly appears.
No, it’s not a set for Arabian Nights–it’s the temple for Swami’s Self-Realization Fellowship.
The Fellowship was founded in 1920 by Paramahansa Yogananda, who was said to be a big influence on George Harrison. Harrison spent time at the temple, which was only three miles from his friend and mentor, Ravi Shankar. You can study yoga and meditation at the fellowship.
As you can see in this long shot, the property is situated close to the ocean.
I lived in San Diego for years before I found out about Swami’s Gardens. They are free to the public and beautiful. People meditate there, so they ask you to be quiet and respectful.
Every time I go, there’s something different blooming. On this particular January day, pink anthuriums,
pink begonias
and red anthuriums.
I like the sunlit palms
and ocean views.
The Pacific had the most unusual texture that day–like blue coffee with cream.
A great place to meditate, yes?
More on Thursday.
{carole}
Posted in photography
Tagged anthuriums, begonias, California, Cardiff, gardens, Pacific Ocean, Swami's Self-Realization Fellowship
16 Comments
Seen Better Days
While walking to an art fair a couple of months ago, I spotted this vintage set of wheels. I think it’s a Ford?
Couldn’t resist adding some cross processing.
Sorry I’m so late posting this. I woke up at 5 a.m. this morning and decided to bake some cookies and fix dinner, completely forgetting about the blog.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Irreplaceable
In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
~Coco Chanel
Hope your week’s going well so far. . . .
{carole}
Orange Avenue
On a stroll down Orange Avenue in Coronado. . . .
A vintage canoe decorated with paper or fabric, filled with spheres that look like giant scoops of gelato.
Pretty for a party, yes?
“Cake Heaven,” the best kind of place.
Valentine’s Day approaches.
A doll awaits.
Handknit caps to ward off recent chills.
Outside, architecture that dazzles.
Yet another display, beautifully laid out.
Bags that capture the spirit of Coronado.
Sweet baby shoes.
Lastly, a nod to nearby Hotel del Coronado.
Great weekend, everyone. . . .
{carole}
Posted in photography
Tagged baby shoes, boutiques, California, Coronado, decorative canoe, knitted children's hats, paper spheres, red tutu, window displays
10 Comments
Gate
The world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 