Roger's Gardens Christmas 2018

"Christmas ... is not an eternal event at all, but a piece of one's home that one carries in one's heart..."

Roger's Gardens

November 20th 2018 - Last Modified: Monday, 21-Oct-2024 22:21:59 EDT

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!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Get the shopping bags ready!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Must visit the Choo-Choo!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Yes... I even make sounds!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Mother Nature works her magic

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
No, it is NOT plastic!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
P-s-s-s-s-s-t They are looking at you!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Fall colors for sure!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
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.

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Definitely a stand out!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Magnificent!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Seeing the sights!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
...and Making Spirits Bright!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
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.

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Pun definitely intended!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Love the mushrooms!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Charlie and Alex would like this one!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
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.

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Welcome says Miss Liberty!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
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.

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
The ol' elephant... It's really a mammoth!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
The TV Music Boxes were terrific albeit a little pricey!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Let it snow... Let it snow... Let it snow...

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Cute!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Someone is quite artistic!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
TV's in all sizes!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
A cute gift

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Anyone hungry?

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Tucked over in a corner

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Classic is always best!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
We got one snap without showing the many people that were actually inside the store this evening!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Checking out the jewelry!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Not as much Christopher Radko as previous years!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Sing us a song!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
You can almost hear them!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
We should have gotten some... At least to talk about

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
Up the Coast Highway we go!

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration
The sky was on fire

Visiting Roger's Gardens 11/20/2018 to see the Christmas decoration