Happy Halloween

One of the neighbors close to the pumpkin festival I attended a few weekends ago had this in their front yard. Mr. Pumpkin is up to his neck in dirt. I guess that's how he spends his weekends relaxing.

Have a safe Trick-or-Treat!

- Karen

Garden Life

Antiques waiting patiently to be purchased by an eclectic treasure hunter.

A rather intimidating table leg ornament. Dare you sit here for a moment?

Have no fear, griffins stand guard to protect all those who rest here from their wayward journeys.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Halloween!
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Recycled Flowers

These look real, but without the flowery scents.
They are created from what looks like paper, plastic, and foam, an artistic method to reuse material.

They will not wilt nor will they need water or sunshine. They will stay bright and cheery through the coldest winter.

Their leaves even speak to you in words.

- Karen

Doctor's Office

This is a nice statue in front of a doctor's office.
Everyone who passes by will see it and know it is his birthday.

- Karen

It's Heavy

Have you seen such gigantic pumpkins?
These were on display at the 40th Annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival.
I didn't realize it until I got home that a little girl was in my photo comparing herself to Gargantua.

Although not a record, this year at the festival a 1,535 lbs. (696 kg) pumpkin; nevertheless, took the prize as the heaviest.
The current world record pumpkin weighed in at 1,810 lbs. (821 kg).
I wonder what they feed it. I can't even get a single blueberry on my plant to grow. Sigh!

The winner and his/her pumpkin get to be in the festival parade.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Farmer Mike's Pumpkin, Part 2

After 4 hours, I come back and see Farmer Mike working deftly with his carving knife and created the MEGAMIND character from the new 3D animated movie.

He approvingly gives a thumbs-up when an onlooker asked him to pose for a picture.

- Karen

Farmer Mike's Pumpkin

No Halloween is complete without a pumpkin carving.
People initially heard of Farmer Mike in 1986 at the local Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival where he carved pumpkins in public for the first time and has now been performing this annual ritual ever since. For those not familiar with this area, Half Moon Bay is approximately 25 miles south of San Francisco.
What is Farmer Mike carving this year?
Find out what it is in my next post.

- Karen

One Mural, Many Stories

If you like murals and you are in San Francisco for a visit, go to the Mission District and you will see countless number of murals like this one created by local artists and students.
Click here to read about the Precita Eyes Mural Arts Center which organizes these community art events.

I was trying to figure out what the artist's message was trying to convey.
Could it be the musician is hitchhiking on a lonely journey to the next town called Paradise?

Is his girlfriend having second thoughts and comes to offer him a ride?

The chicken barely misses being hit by the speeding car, but is instead chased by a predator.

What do you think? Do you have another interpretation?

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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Public Piano

A father teaches his daughter how to play the piano outdoors.

The public is their audience. I am the only patron.

- Karen

Sand Francisco Art

Last weekend was the 27th Annual Leap's Sandcastle Contest in San Francisco. 20+ teams competed with 4 hours to build their masterpieces and to help raise money for local schools. I could not stay long enough for the judges to announce the winners, but here are a few samples of their artwork.

60's Flower Power van from the Haight-Ashbury district.

AT&T Park, home of the 2010 NL West Division Champion San Francisco Giants, including the Coke bottle slide.

A hungry seal, crab, frog, and shark waiting to snack on the unique San Francisco landmark, the Transamerica Pyramid.

The hills of San Francisco including Alcatraz and a real crab.

A local Muni bus most San Franciscans and tourists have probably ridden one time or another. It took several hours before the team was able to build up that impressive mound of sand.
The people who built it were in the background ready to take their team photo.

Giant crabs with big eyes taking over San Francisco.

Seal and sea birds by San Francisco Bay.

San Francisco landmarks along with the Transamerica Pyramid, Coit Tower, and countless cup-sized houses.

Rolling hills of San Francisco including sand cars.

Golden Gate Bridge and Lombard Street, the crookedest street in the world.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

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- Karen

Weekend Hobbies

It is already October! Where did the time go this year?!
Anyways, these fun garden flags reminds me the few remaining weekends of the year is here, so whether you plan to sleep-in, drive to your favorite destination, or whatever, ...enjoy it!

- Karen