Leucadia Gardens, Pt. 1

Each of the gardens that we toured in Leucadia was distinct.

Here is the garden that made the most of a narrow strip of land.

A lush archway beckoned visitors inside.

Stone wall, covered pond and a bridge for crossing.

Storage below and a wooden ladder to get to a secret hiding place.

Sundial sculpture and a pop of colorful flowers.

Vegetable beds with just enough room to walk around.

Bougainvillea borders one end of the house.

Here is the garden meant for small children.

Not just the perfect little playhouse but the yard had swings and a slide.

Behind the playhouse was their neighbor's tree house which required a bit more
 imagination but was spacious and set up for a tea party and/or club meetings.

Here is the garden that feels strongly about doors, not gates, doors.

Solid door with glass panes and a lock.

Stained glass double doors to let in the wind and fragrance of lavender.

Weekend Garden Tour

On Saturday, we boarded a double decker bus that dropped us off in Leucadia.

Bought a ticket, strapped on a green wristband and headed out with a detailed map.

We walked down Caudor Street and Capri Road and Sunrich Lane.

Houses were marked from A to T.

We viewed all 20, but in our own particular order as I think we started at H.

Meandered into backyards to check out the plants and swimming pools and even a goat. Chatted with some of the homeowners. Took two hundred pictures by the end of the day.

It was all part of the Encinitas Garden Festival and Tour.

Having attended a few other home and/or garden tours in San Diego over the years, I can tell you that there is a drastic increase in popularity for chickens, vegetable gardens, drought-tolerant plants and detached workshops, at least in Leucadia.

Have you ever wanted to peek over a fence?

Open a side gate?

See how others landscape their backyard?

Brockton Villa

Situated on the hillside of La Jolla Cove.

Above the lounging seals, paddle boarders, kayakers and divers.

Is Brockton Villa.

Home of the famous Coast Toast (French Toast similar to a soufflé, extra rich with a hint of orange). Shown below as a side order along with the Green Eggs and Ham Steamer.

Another local favorite, Crab Ipanema Benedict.

Indoor or patio seating.

Great way to kick-start any morning, even an overcast Sunday.

This year marks their 20th anniversary.

Earth Day

When we moved to San Diego there was a recycling center just off Jimmy Durante Blvd that accepted plastics, glass bottles and papers.

There was never a line for drop-offs. Good timing on our part? Or were most of these items hauled away on trash day?

Years ago we received a big blue recycle bin that just needed to be filled and rolled to the curb on alternate weeks.

So easy.

In mid-March 2012 we got a big green bin to be used for garden rubbish.

San Diego is organized, color-coded and very user-friendly when it comes to recycling.

Making it super simple to do the right thing.

Solace and The Moonlight Lounge

Tucked away in downtown Encinitas, we first noticed the place after exiting the Whole Foods store nearby.

This fairly-new restaurant is already well-known and loved by the local shops (which is where we gathered a handful of cocktail recommendations).

Varied menu and beautifully plated.

The waitstaff was charming and helpful.

Cuke Mule Cocktail

Pink Salty Dog Cocktail

Artisan Cheese Selection with Fig Honey Compote

Warm Spinach Salad, Bacon Vinaigrette, Poached Egg, Shaved Parm

Creamy Tomato-Fennel Soup, Aleppo Pepper Cremacup

Wish we had saved room for dessert.

Next time!

Specialty Shoes

Since a tape measure was the inspiration...

I am guessing that these bright yellow sandals were designed for a seamstress or a carpenter.

Found at the Birkenstock Store in The Lumberyard in Encinitas.

Life of an Agent

I worked in the software industry for a long time.

So a lot of the friends I made also worked in the software industry. In fact, I worked with a number of the same people at multiple software companies.

And then there came a point where many of us moved on and tried something different.

Took on a challenge that had nothing to do with developing, training, selling or managing a project that had to do with publishing software.

A couple of days ago I met up with a used-to-be-in-the-software-industry friend who is now an FBI agent.

As in Federal Bureau of Investigation.

And I find this change of career absolutely fascinating.

As we caught up over fish tacos in the Gaslamp District, it was wild to know that he had a gun strapped to his ankle and that there was very little, very very little, that he could divulge about his career. And by little, I mean pretty much nothing.

There was still plenty to talk about, other than his work, as evidenced by the fact that the downtown parking garage had rolled down its gates by the time we said our good-byes and I was ever so grateful that I found a way to get my car out.

But can you imagine a life where you leave work behind every day? Not discussing any aspect of it with your spouse, family and friends because the nature of your work is top secret.

And there has to be a million juicy details to share.

Right?

I couldn't do it.