Coronado Flower Show

Here are a few photographs from the Coronado Flower Show being held this weekend at Spreckels Park.

There were so many gorgeous roses, I could hardly choose which to take pictures of!

The Zoo's Who category is my favorite though - it's a friendly competition for children to creatively assemble a fruit and vegetable sculpture, and the results will make you smile every time.  This is the first year we haven't had a Zoo's Who entry, and I felt a little nostalgic walking by the precious produce and toothpick creatures.

Can you tell which table top entry I loved?  Yep, the one with Blue Willow dinner plates and the French inspired box of flowers.  Divine!

Sweet community events like this make me so, so happy to call Coronado home.

Preparation For Spring

Earlier this week on a foggy morning I searched for something new to photograph.  I noticed the Parks and Recreation department were out in full force, preparing for Spring, which in Coronado translates to the annual Coronado Flower Show, held April 16-17 this year at Spreckels Park. 

 The Flower Show is a not-to-be-missed local event, and almost everybody participates.  I'll post photographs in a couple weeks!

Spring Flower In Bloom

This spring poppy caught my eye yesterday outside Calypso Cafe in the Coronado Cays.  Luckily I had my camera with me since our son had a soccer game at the Cays.

The Calypso Cafe is a fairly new, and oh so good.  They have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, along with a mellow views of the canal.  It's located next to the Coronado Cays Yacht Club, for those of you who sail. 

Oh, and there are lovely potted flowers and patio tables on the back deck that make this a prime spot to sit back and relax.

Harbor View Park

It rained here all day Sunday and this morning, so when the sun broke out around lunchtime, I headed down to shoot photos by the bay.

This is Harbor View Park, a tiny little strip of grass that leads to the edge of the San Diego Bay.  It's too small for most activities, but perfect for photographing the San Diego Skyline from Coronado.

Those of you who live in California know that Ice Plant is a hardy plant that thrives in our sunny, dry climate.  I think of it as the Kudzu of the West, but with brilliant colorful flowers.

Coronado Farmers' Market

The colors and flavors of the Coronado Farmers' Market are always a treat.

It's the place to be on Tuesday afternoons!

Coronado Flower Lady

The Coronado Flower Lady is a local gem, brightening Rotary Plaza at the corner of Orange and Park Avenue daily.

I peddled by for a photo this morning as the stand was being set up - there are many more flowers on display when they are open for business.

This is a great spot to rest your feet and take in life in Coronado as it passes by.

Just A Nasturtium

I found this little Nasturtium growing wild along the bayside, and decided its quiet tenacity deserved a post!

My Back Yard

The old lemon tree



Magnolia tree

  

Hibiscus



Okay, I'm lazy today... these photographs came from my backyard.

When we woke up this morning it was extremely cold (for Southern California), and fleece was the fashion of the day, however this afternoon it's bright and sunny, just as you expect off the coast of San Diego.

I took these pictures to remind myself that although its cold (yes, we had to wear long pants and shoes!), Coronado living is pretty good.

Tuesday Farmers' Market

The Autumn Farmers' Market is as gorgeous as any other time of year... anyone up for Butternut Squash Soup?  Yummy.  Sure beats the supermarket!

These photos would have been posted yesterday, but last night I was a little busy with an injured child.  All's well that ends well.  After x-rays and a doctors office visit, he's fine, but off the playing field for awhile.

Patty Schmidt's Memorial Garden

Have you ever noticed the gorgeous little gardens that are planted in the Orange Avenue median?

I've walked past one of these little gems on Orange and Second for years before discovering the story behind it.  This garden was sponsored by Dr. John Schmidt in 2003, and dedicated to his wife, Patty Schmidt in honor of their 40th wedding anniversary, and in recognition of her sixteen years service as a member of the Coronado City Counsel.

These gardens are traditionally memorial gardens dedicated to people who have passed away, but John tells me "Patty didn't want to wait that long", so John made arrangements with Main Street Limited to sponsor the design and planting of the garden in Patty's favorite colors; red, white and blue.  She loved it.

 

Patty passed away unexpectedly on August 21st, 2010, leaving a large gap in our community that will be hard to fill.  She kept an eye on this island, and wasn't afraid to speak up when necessary.  And it was necessary fairly often.  She was the mother of four grown children, grandmother to seven.  She was also my neighbor, and she will be missed.

Flowers of Coronado

I shot these flowers on my walk this afternoon to give you an idea of Coronado's year round blooms.

Colors of the Farmers' Market

What is the going ransom for sunflowers these days??

What could be better on a HOT afternoon than a leisurely stroll at the Coronado Farmers' Market?

A Basket Full of Flowers

What a clever way to repurpose an old bike!  Coronadans love their flowers and bicycles.

Tuesday Farmers' Market

The summer harvest is a rainbow of colors and flavors at the Farmers' Market.

The Flower Lady

Located at Rotary Plaza, on the corner of Orange Avenue and Isabella Avenue, this charming flower stand offers fresh flowers year round.

Roses at the Library

I can never get enough of roses, so this garden in front of the library always makes me smile.