Roger's Gardens
November 20th 2018 - Last Modified: Monday, 01-Jan-2024 20:15:55 EST
We started the season this year with a visit to Roger's Gardens. Located in Corona Del Mar, it is adjacent to the ocean and therefore a perfect spot to see the sunset!
We got to visit the train, see the magnificent trees, look at other decorations, and stroll the grounds. A lovely afternoon visit it was!
Get the shopping bags ready!
Must visit the Choo-Choo!
Yes... I even make sounds!
Mother Nature
works her magic
No, it is NOT plastic!
P-s-s-s-s-s-t They are looking at you!
Fall colors for sure!
Not, it's not a dirty word! It's Latin name for Poinsettia
Did You Know? - The plant's association with Christmas began in 16th-century Mexico, where legend tells of a girl, commonly called Pepita or Maria, who was too poor to provide a gift for the celebration of Jesus' birthday and was inspired by an angel to gather weeds from the roadside and place them in front of the church altar. Crimson blossoms sprouted from the weeds and became poinsettias. From the 17th century, Franciscan friars in Mexico included the plants in their Christmas celebrations. The star-shaped leaf pattern is said to symbolize the Star of Bethlehem, and the red color represents the blood sacrifice through the crucifixion of Jesus.
Poinsettias are popular Christmas decorations in homes, churches, offices, and elsewhere across North America. They are available in large numbers from grocery, drug, and hardware stores. In the United States, December 12 is National Poinsettia Day.
Definitely a stand out!
Magnificent!
Seeing the sights!
...and Making Spirits Bright!
Where are the walnuts when you need them?
Did You Know? - Walnuts are the oldest tree food known to man, dating back to 7000 B.C. The Romans called walnuts Juglans regia, 'Jupiter’s royal acorn.' Early history indicates that English walnuts came from ancient Persia, where they were reserved for royalty. Thus, the walnut is often known as the 'Persian Walnut'. Walnuts were traded along the Silk Road route between Asia and the Middle East. English merchant marines transported the product for trade to ports around the world and they became known as 'English Walnuts.' England, in fact, never grew walnuts commercially.
Pun definitely intended!
Love the mushrooms!
Charlie and Alex would like this one!
The Finch's will be home soon!
Did You Know? - The Routemaster bus is symbolic of London but this couldn’t save them from being withdrawn from service on 9th December 2005. They were replaced with easy access low-floor buses. However two Routemasters are still in use today on heritage routes. These are Route 9 from Kensington High Street to Aldwych and Route 15 from Trafalgar Square to Tower Hill.
The AEC Routemaster is a front-engined double-decker bus that was designed by London Transport and built by the Associated Equipment Company (AEC) and Park Royal Vehicles. The first prototype was completed in September 1954 and the last one was delivered in 1968. The layout of the vehicle was traditional for the time, with a half-cab, front-mounted engine and open rear platform, although the coach version was fitted with rear platform doors. Forward entrance vehicles with platform doors were also produced as was a unique front-entrance prototype with the engine mounted transversely at the rear.
The first Routemasters entered service with London Transport in February 1956 and the last were withdrawn from regular service in December 2005, although one heritage route is still operated by Routemasters in central London.
Welcome says Miss Liberty!
Big Ben... Known all over the world!
Did You Know? - The tower was designed by Augustus Pugin in a neo-gothic style. When completed in 1859, its clock was the largest and most accurate four-faced striking and chiming clock in the world.
The tower stands 315 feet (96 m) tall, and the climb from ground level to the belfry is 334 steps. Its base is square, measuring 39 feet (12 m) on each side. Dials of the clock are 23 feet (7.0 m) in diameter. On 31 May 2009, celebrations were held to mark the tower's 150th anniversary.
Big Ben is the largest of five bells and weighs 13.5 long tons (13.7 tonnes; 15.1 short tons). It was the largest bell in the United Kingdom for 23 years. The origin of the bell's nickname is open to question; it may be named after Sir Benjamin Hall, who oversaw its installation, or heavyweight boxing champion Benjamin Caunt.
Four quarter bells chime at 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour and just before Big Ben tolls on the hour. The clock uses its original Victorian mechanism, but an electric motor can be used as a backup.
The ol' elephant... It's really a mammoth!
The TV Music Boxes were terrific albeit a little pricey!
Let it snow...
Let it snow... Let it snow...
Cute!
Someone is quite artistic!
TV's in all sizes!
A cute gift
Anyone hungry?
Tucked over in a corner
Classic is always best!
We got one snap without showing the many people that were actually inside the store this evening!
Checking out the jewelry!
Not as much Christopher Radko as previous years!
Sing us a song!
You can almost hear them!
We should have gotten some... At least to talk about
Up the Coast Highway we go!
The sky was on fire
