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Showing posts with the label Menlo Park

The Allied Arts Guild Gardens

The Court  of Abundance A super find in my neighborhood are the gardens in the Allied Arts Guild  in a quiet part of Menlo Park, California. They are as beautiful as the Alhambra's Generalife gardens after which it they were planned. The Guild is an organization that raises funds to support the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. All its profits from the shops, restaurant and private events held onsite go to the hospital. Fresco Painting by Maxine Albro Maxine Albro learned the art of fresco painting in Mexico with Paul O'Higgins, an assistant to Diego Rivera. Later she painted side by side with Rivera while working on some projects in San Francisco.  Notice the woman carrying a heavy basket laden with fruit. It is reminiscent of Rivera's  The Flower Vendor series where the vendor is carrying a basket of calla lilies on her back. The little girl to her left is holding white lilies which further alludes to The Flower Vendor. This mural with a Mexican motif compleme

The Sunset Magazine Garden

"Just living is not enough," said the butterfly. "One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." Hans Christian Andersen The Sunset Magazine garden is uniquely organized into five defined areas representing different climate zones in the Western United States. These areas are the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Central California, Southern California, and the Southwest Desert. There is also a Test Garden where Sunset employees evaluate plants, devices and projects for coverage in its magazine.  The Lawn The Lawn is a sprawling 1.2 acre expanse of short cut Astoria colonial bent grass. It is sometimes used for company and special events. The buildings in the background house the offices of the magazine and is in the early California style. As you step out of the Reception area, a riot of colors greet you in this floral display of gold and red celosia surrounded by summer perennials like coneflowers and marigolds and anchored by a grapefruit tr

Build your own tacos

Fish taco with rice and beans We recently tried the group catering service of Rubio's Mexican Grill in Menlo Park. For 18 people we ordered two Beach Mex Buffet, each serving 10. It's a build your own taco bar. We selected the beer battered fish taco and the grilled chicken fillings. The buffet includes corn and flour tortillas, 3 kinds of salsa, lettuce, cheese, beans, chips and guacamole. For the vegan in our group we ordered a cheese enchilada which he thoroughly enjoyed. Salsa/cheese/guacamole and lettuce tray The tacos arrived in three separate trays - fish, chicken and salsa/cheese/guacamole/lettuce tray. There was plenty to build a super taco with. And there were bountiful seconds for all of us. But the fish tacos went fast. Everyone raved about the food. They all wanted to know where the food came from. Rubio's is located at 515 El Camino Real in Menlo Park. Check their website for menus and other locations: http://www.rubios.com/ . * * * Photos by Charie