Posted in California, Home/Garden, Malay abroad, tagged California Navel orange, citrus, fruit, gardening, oranges, Valencia orange on March 19, 2011 | 4 Comments »
It's a great feeling to pluck the oranges from my backyard.
It’s been a good harvest: from my two orange trees. The California Navel orange and the Valencia orange trees yielded enough fruits to share with friends and family.
The general consensus from those who sampled them is that the oranges have a right blend of sweet and sour notes. It is indeed a good feeling to nurture something from the earth.
Posted in California, Nature/Animals, tagged beauty, fountain, outdoor fountain, relaxation, simple pleasures, water on February 28, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Posted in California, Flowers, tagged animals, birthday, cat, Chinese New Year, February, Garden Grove, Orange County, rabbit, Tet, violet on January 31, 2011 | 2 Comments »
The year is turning its page from the first month of the year into February.
Renoir's "woman with a cat" is one of my favorite cat paintings.
The rabbit ushers in refinement.
The birth flower for February is the violet.
Posted in California, Nature/Animals, tagged Coyote Lake, fishing, fishing in lake, lake, Santa Clara County, water on January 25, 2011 | 2 Comments »
One of the picnic areas with lovely views.
Soothing music of the water.
Mid-week. A sunny winter day. Decided to visit Coyote Lake- Harvey Bear Ranch Park.
Turned out to be a good move as we practically had the park to ourselves. This huge park situated in Santa Clara County has a 635-acre lake, with facilities for fishing, picnic, hiking and camping.
Known as one of the more secluded parks, the road leading to the park itself sets the mood. It’s a 4-mile drive on a narrow, beautifully shaded road, and one can see deer in the nearby woods.
One of the best things about my visit was that when I sat near the water, without any noises in the background, the gurgling of the water was crystal clear. One could just there, listening to this natural “music”.
This fisherman had the whole lake to himself.
One can spot deer in the surrounding woods.
Posted in California, tagged Christmas, Christmas centerpiece, Christmas in San Jose, nostalgic Christmas, old-fashioned Christmas, San Jose, Santa Claus, vintage on December 6, 2010 | 2 Comments »
The carolers added colorful notes to the event.
I enjoyed creating this centerpiece.
Away from the shopping crowds, and it was just as enjoyable.
I spent a day at a Heritage Holiday Christmas event held at the History Park in San Jose. The Park features original and reproduction homes and buildings, giving a glimpse of Santa Clara Valley’s past.
There were lots to see, and at times, it was possible to feel that you were traipsing back into time. I particularly enjoyed visiting the homes that were furnished to reflect the era of the homeowner. The Hill House, for instance, was the home of Andrew P. Hill, a renowned local photographer, artist and protector of the Big Basin redwood trees. He lived there from 1898 and in the parlor there is his beautiful painting of the redwoods that he loved.
There were also interactive events for adults and children, and a popular one was the Christmas Centerpiece workshop organized by the Santa Clara County Master Gardeners. Anyone could just walk in and learn to make a centerpiece using a variety of foliage, pine and berries. A very helpful master gardener, Sylvia, invited me to try my hand, and guided me in putting one together.
My centerpiece might be a little lop-sided, but hey, I still like it.
A Ford Model T decked out for the holidays. Behind it is the 19th century print shop.
Santa arriving in a gleaming vintage fire engine.
Visitors could learn to make a Christmas centerpiece. Here, master gardener Dennis showed a few samples.
Posted in Art/Culture, California, tagged bonsai, bonsai tree, ceramics, japanese, Japanese American, Japantown, San Jose, Spirit of Japantown on October 17, 2010 | 2 Comments »
Enjoying a festival celebrating their heritage.
I’ve always been quite fascinated by the Japanese culture, but so far, have not had the opportunity to visit Japan. So I enjoy visiting Japantown in California.
Japantown is the name for official Japanese communities in the United States, which developed with the widespread immigration of the Japanese population beginning in the late 19th century. As such, it has a great deal of history. Today, there are three recognized Japantowns left in the United States, all in California: in San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Jose.
I’m quite familiar with the one in LA which is also known as Little Tokyo, but I must admit that I didn’t know about the Japantown in San Jose. (There is a interesting discussion on this topic at this blog site)
Recently I had a chance to visit Japantown San Jose during its Spirit of Japantown festival. My first impression is that it is less touristy that Japantown Los Angeles. It has a more cozy feel, and has some unique shops including a ukulele shop.
The vendor stalls, many selling Japanese and Japanese inspired crafts and goods, beckoned with their colors. Some young people got into the spirit of the festival, dressed in eye-catching styles, like they do in Sunday gatherings in Tokyo.
Away from the hot day, I walked into a bonsai exhibition and a studio/gallery, Art Object Gallery owned by artist Ken Matsumoto who creates abstract stone sculptures. He explained that one of the focus of his gallery is to promote the works of artists in the San Francisco Bay area, and he hopes that his gallery will be an asset to Japantown.
I like the atmosphere here, and I think I’ll be back for a visit and a stroll.
The majestic cypress as a bonsai – still majestic in its miniaturized beauty.
Ceramics exhibited at Art Object Gallery.
Posted in Art/Culture, California, Home/Garden, tagged cow ornament, garden decor, garden decorations, garden ornaments, ladybug on October 6, 2010 | 2 Comments »
I always like to have something whimsical in my spaces.
At a recent arts fair, I came across these bright sculptural decorations for the garden made by Juana Pena. The artist is from South America, and she uses influences from her native land such as bright tropical hues to create her garden elements.
Pena has been making these colorful creatures for about 30 years. She uses mainly copper, brass and steel for her artistic ornaments. Glass marbles used for smaller parts like the eyes add an iridescent accent.
Over the years, the ladybug has remained the most popular item. And bugs in general are the favorite sculptures that folks want to adorn their garden.
A splash of bold color, a little whimsy, often does a lot to brighten a garden.
A sunny cow...among the roses.
Sunlight reflecting the colors.
Posted in California, Home/Garden, Singapore, tagged As You Like It, English garden, garden, literature teachers, plays, San Marino, Shakespeare, Shakespeare plays on June 3, 2010 | Leave a Comment »
A sculpture of Shakespeare among the blooms. “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players;” (from As You Like It.)
Flashback: memorizing the Bard’s plays for exams.
The present: traipsing around in the Shakespeare Garden.
Wonderful experiences, both.
Learning to appreciate William Shakespeare’s poetic language, wit and wisdom was due, quite considerably, to the excellent literature teachers at my old high school, TKGS in Singapore.
And last weekend, I spent a light-hearted day visiting the Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California. It has several themed gardens including one inspired by the Bard.
The Shakespeare Garden is designed to look like an old English country scene. It features many plants and flowers mentioned in Shakespeare plays such as roses, poppies, violets, pansies and rosemary. A small plaque next to the plant displays the relevant quote or verse.
And thus I present scenes from the garden, and some favorite lines from Shakespeare’s plays.
"Speak low if you speak love." ( from Much Ado About Nothing.)
"I like this place, and willingly could waste my time in it." (from As You Like It.)
“This above all: to thine own self be true,..” (from Hamlet.)
Posted in California, tagged model train, National Train day, railroad, trains on May 14, 2010 | 4 Comments »
Ah, the fascination with trains. Real ones that make practical journeys; model ones that take us on flights of fantasy.
National Train Day is in May, a time to celebrate again all things connected to train. In Orange County, “Railroad Days” was held recently in the city of Brea. There were lots of things to see.
From the present: a locomotive from Union Pacific, one of America’s leading transportation companies. Visitors got to see up-close an environmentally-friendly low emission diesel locomotive. According to the spokesman, it was first launched in 2007.
From the past: another type of steam engine was on display. The American, a fire engine built in 1902, dazzled the visitors. It is said that the coal fired steam engine was a work of ingenious mechanical skills and craftsmanship.
And for the kid in us all: model trains with the its own universe of tiny people and buildings stirring our imagination and cheer.
Visitors toured the low emission locomotive.
History preserved...`The American' built in 1902.
The wheel of The American was decorated by creative artisans.
Model trains...loved by all ages.
The wonderful make-believe world of model trains.
Posted in California, Food, Home/Garden, tagged avocado, citrus, citrus fair, citrus fruit, La Habra, Orange County, orange tree, oranges on April 13, 2010 | 3 Comments »
Wonderful flavors, colors and scents...what is there not to like about citrus.
Orange County in California today is probably most known for its famous ‘product’ Disneyland. Looking back into history, the orange fruit was its most famous product and gave the county its name.
The orange, other citrus crops and avocados were crucial to the early economy of the county. Although Orange County is now mainly suburban, many non-profit associations and cities preserve and honor its agricultural heritage.
Last weekend, the city of La Habra held its first Spring Citrus Fair. Chatting with an organizer of the festival, I learnt some interesting facts about the city which I later read at this website: (http://www.orangecounty.net/cities/LaHabra_history.html ):
“This area had a near perfect climate and soil for citrus production, and La Habra fruit became well known… In 1913-14 the large Sunkist packing houses were built. At one time, La Habra Citrus Association controlled more citrus acreage that any other in the state.”
La Habra is also the birthplace of the Hass avocado, the most popular Californian avocado.
Although the fair was lacking in a display of citrus trees, there were several interesting citrus displays in the garden area. The Master Gardeners Of Orange County, a group of trained volunteers who provide assistance and information about gardening in Orange County, were there to give advice on any aspect of growing citrus.
I spoke to Robert, a very knowledgeable gentleman who gave a lot of information. I grew a small navel orange tree in my backyard about three or four years ago, and I think it’s doing rather well. It produced two fruits last year, which I must say were very good, and it looks set to produce a bigger crop this year.
According to Robert, that is about right as an orange tree takes three to four years to bear fruits. His knowledge of feeding and watering orange trees was also very useful.
Like many people, I love the citrus for its taste and lovely colors. But equally, or maybe more, I love the fresh, uplifting scent that perfumes the air when I slice through a lemon or orange.
A touch of nostalgia...to market we will go. The fair also featured rides, food and entertainment.
Another nostalgic display... vendor-style.
A display of rare and unusual avocados by the California Rare Fruit Growers. The family that grows each fruit registers their name so that if the avocado becomes commercially successful, it will be attributed to them.
