Parade Fashion

Not to be confused with a fashion parade.

This is what spectators wore to the St. Patrick's Day Parade this morning in San Diego.

From over-the-top to everyday subtle...green.

Gems

Location-wise, it is tucked between the Carlsbad Flower Fields to the west and Legoland to the east, yet I wasn't aware of GIA (Gemological Institute of America) until I read about the EGGSTRAVAGANZA exhibit.

In front of the building is a tower with a rotating crystal - it sets the tone.

Turns out that GIA is responsible for the 4Cs - the grading system to compare and evaluate diamonds - carat, color, clarity and cut.

Debbie, our knowledgable tour guide (a graduate of GIA), spent two hours describing what takes place at this nonprofit institute - education, research and instrument development.

We saw gems and gems and then more gems.

Did you know that the largest part of the diamond is the girdle, which separates the crown on top and the pavilion below?

The classrooms, filled with microscopes and other instrumentation is not just for students. 

Next week there will be FBI agents dropping by to learn about diamonds (part of the job since they deal with stolen goods).

We learned about pearls.

Originally found in the Cook Islands but renamed Tahitian pearls, a sexier name for marketing purposes.

There was an entire wall dedicated to exquisite photos of magnified inclusions (any material that is trapped inside a mineral during its formation).

In the lobby, this piece catches the light --- almost 1 million carats of rock crystal quartz from Bahia, Brazil with golden rutile inclusions. A project that took 7 years and 6 months to complete.

Although I went to GIA to see the eggs...

I'm glad I stayed for the tour.

EGG-citing Collection

A German fellow, by the name of Dieter Jerusalem, spent forty years amassing rare and unusual gemstone materials that he cut and polished into the shape of an egg.

There are over 850 pieces in his collection.

EGGSTRAVAGANZA is on exhibit at GIA in Carlsbad.

After you view all the eggs in the main lobby...

(take your time and walk around all the glass cases)

....go on a hunt for the additional twelve that have been hidden.

I'll help you.

Can you spot the egg in this display?

Eleven to go.

Nijiya Market Tour with Mineko Moreno

Had never been to this Japanese market but knew of Mineko Moreno's reputation as a top-notch sushi instructor (she is also the co-author of Sushi for Dummies).

So the market tour and Japanese lunch (offered by Great News!) was ideal.

For over two hours, our group followed Mineko around the grocery store, starting with produce and ending with ice cream. Then we walked to a restaurant nearby for a traditional Japanese lunch.

Although this was not a cooking class, it was a great way to learn about Japanese ingredients and become motivated to create authentic dishes at home.

I left with supplies for making Dashi, the base for Miso Soup, tempura batter mix, unfamiliar salad greens (mizuna) and root vegetable (kabu) plus Japanese beer from Moreno's hometown, Yebisu.

Here are a few bits and pieces from the tour.

In Japan, if you are told that you have 'Daikon Legs', it means that you have no ankles.

Dried persimmons are a favorite snack in Japan.

Kabocha squash - for soup or tempura or steam/puree and add to vanilla ice cream.

Miso for soup or sauces. This organic unpasteurized version is her favorite.

Crazy Americans have made Shirataki noodles a popular pasta replacement as they contain no carbs. 

Rice is the center of the universe!

An affordable sake that 'tastes pretty good'.

I would recommend checking out this market and taking a class by Mineko Moreno!

Patina or Shine?

I wouldn't turn down a ride in either one.

Blooming Tree

The tippy top of a very large...   What is it?

A succulent tree?

Regardless. It is blooming. A sure sign that Spring is on the way.

A Stretch of Main Street

3rd Street Promenade. Abbott Kinney Boulevard. Montana Avenue.

Those instantly come to mind when I think of fun streets in Santa Monica.

We recently discovered a fourth.

A stretch of Main that has a very distinct personality and is definitely worth a visit.

Start at Tao Healing Arts.

Go for the Shiatsu massage and ask for Tatiana.

Stroll into Vital Hemp to try on a few comfortable garments and then head to the corner for lunch at Euphoria Loves Rawvolution.

Meals are light, delicious and filling.

Place is casual and comfy.

Just across the street is the Santa Monica Community Garden.

Walk through and see what's growing.

Apparently a good place for a nap ranks high for this gardener.

Fresh peas and whimsy offered here.

Colorful flowers and stepping stones transform this piece of land.

Further down the road is a charming library.

Consider waiting for the lines to die down at Urth Caffe (they never do). There is valet parking out front and a constant stream of customers.

Meander the side streets instead.

The architecture and courtyards are charming.

Oh, one last stop, Bike Attack, fun stuff.