April 13, 2016: Spring is in Bloom with Flower Events

Tanya's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 2 DAYS

Flowers Flowers Everywhere!

Hello everyone & Happy HUMPDAY!
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Yup it's Wednesday and we are halfway through the week and halfway to the weekend!

I've been running around like crazy for a few days, taxiing here, taxiing there and today I finally have the time to catch up on a few things that I've been putting off. 

Yesterday Cosette and I went to both stables, as somehow our appointment with the farrier and Cosette's horseback riding lesson were scheduled on the same day. 

With all of my running around I was glad to squeeze in the time to sign us up for the upcoming San Diego Gladiator Rock 'N Run (mud run and obstacle course) happening in June.
I also started a team - just in case other friends want to join in to COMMIT - CRUSH and CONQUER.

   Can you guess what I named our team???
                 *see below for the answer
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Now being that we are continuing with out theme within a theme days here at TC, today is W2GW (Where to go Wednesday) and we have several lovely places to recommend.
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So without any further delay I bring you the theme of the day: FLOWERS

Kylemore, Connemara, Co. Galway, Ireland (March, 2011)

Oahu, Hawaii (Oct. 2011)

Lugano, Italy (June, 2013)

International Rose Test Garden, Portland, Oregon (June, 2013)

Kew Gardens, London, UK (Aug, 2014)

Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal (March, 2015)

The Getty Center, Los Angeles (June, 2015)

Moab, Utah (April, 2016)

And boy how both Elisa and I LOVE flowers!!!

To begin with, here in the state of California, the state flower is the California Poppy, and not only is the Annual California Poppy Festival this month but it is this weekend!!!

The festival's highlights include musical entertainment, food and crafts vendors, games, demos, an awesome art show and changing displays and themed areas.
April 16-17, 2016
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lancaster City Park
43011 N. 10th Street West
Lancaster, CA
www.poppyfestival.com
​You can also see massive fields of Poppies at the nearby 
Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve - This State Natural Reserve is located on California's most consistent poppy-bearing land. A good hiking route for a variety of wildflowers would be around the North Poppy Loop Trail and then up and over the Tehachapi Vista Point Trail, or up to Kitanemuk Vista Point.
Poppies ten to bundle themselves up when it's cold and windy, so check the forecast before going out. 

Also happening this weekend is: 
The Coronado Flower Show which is held in Spreckels Park in the center of Coronado's Village. This is the largest flower show held under tents in the nation.

Exhibits are placed inside tents surrounding a central gazebo, which becomes the stage for continuous entertainment, announcements and trophy presentations. Beer Garden, serving beer and wine. Take a break from the show, relax and listen to the entertainment from the bandstand.
SATURDAY: 1PM - 5PM APRIL 16, 2016
SUNDAY: 10AM - 4PM APRIL 17, 2016
www.coronadoflwershow.com

​And I can't forget one of my favorites:
The Flower Fields of Carlsbad which runs from March 1st through May 8th, 2016 - 9am to 6pm daily.

For over sixty years, Mother Nature has transformed the rolling hills of north San Diego County into one of the most spectacular and coordinated displays of natural color and beauty anywhere in the world. The nearly fifty acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that make up The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch® in Carlsbad, California, are in bloom for approximately six to eight weeks each year literally bringing the famous fields back to life. This annual burst of color, which has become part of the area’s local heritage, also is one of nature’s official ways of announcing the arrival of spring here in southern California.

​Read all about my Day at the Flower Fields HERE

Another one that I want to mention and would love going sometime is the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

Photo credit: wdwinfo.com

Where Highlights include:
More than 70 world-renowned Disney-themed topiaries – New characters are waiting to be found
Vibrant gardens, flower towers and wildlife habitats
A new Fun Fresh Weekend focusing on family togetherness. Inspirational exhibits, seminars and how-to demonstrations. Garden Rocks™ Outdoor Concert Series featuring throwback beats from fan-favorite bands.
Plus—with so much to see and do, you can return to the Festival again and again… and uncover something new every time!

And now for an event that is happening this weekend that has nothing to do with flowers and where I'll be riding:
The Sea Otter Classic -

A four-day "Celebration of Cycling," the Subaru Sea Otter Classic is regarded as the world's largest cycling festival. Part recreational biking, part competitive event, part festival, part expo and 100 percent fun, the Sea Otter Classic returns to Monterey, California from April 14-17, 2016.
This action-packed cycling extravaganza features amateur and pro cycling events as well as family activities for all ages, attracting 65,000 fans from around the world. The Sea Otter Classic also plays host to one of the largest consumer bike expos in the world. (credit: www.seemonterey.com)

That about sums it up for today!
​Like always we are so glad to have you with us, and look forward to seeing you back here tomorrow for a themed TBT!

Here's the answer to the name of our team -
Plant Powered!

Bye for now,
​-T

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT EVENT: 2 DAYS

Flowers Galore: NYC Events

Hey there!  Mid-week already!

Well, my poor Gianna has been under the weather all week so far.  I thought it was a cold, but yesterday she was suffering from a very bad sinus headache, so I decided that I'll take her over to the doctor later this morning to see if perhaps she has an infection. There's never a dull moment!  

Mean "mom" has made her work on her book reviews and make some more progress on her Social Studies project in between resting at home the past two days.  I mean, if she's just laying there relaxing, a little reading won't hurt. (She obliged me reluctantly).

For you long-time followers, you know just how much my cousin and I love, love, love flowers!!  

We love sharing photos of florals from our travels near and far, and thought, with Spring in bloom, why not recommend Flower Event, Exhibitions and Shows!

Before I do, just a few flowery memories...

Old Town, Krakow, Poland (June 2015) Photo by Tanya (c)travelincousins.com

Prague, Czech Republic (June 2015) (c)travelincousins.com

Carlsbad, CA (May 2014) photo by Tanya (c)travelincousins.com

Vienna, Austria (July 2015) (c)travelincousins.com

Krakow, Poland (June 2015) (c)travelincousins.com

Back to New York and upcoming Spring Flower Events...

Cherry Blossom Festival at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden 
What says Spring more than Cherry Blossoms!!
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival runs from April through mid-May and celebrates the Japanese tradition and love-fest with cherry blossom season. Enjoy a fragrant walk under cherry trees and stroll the Japanese art laden gallery. The terrace café features Japanese specialties and more! 
March-April, from $6pp, 150 Eastern Pkwy., Brooklyn, bbg.org

Cherry Blossom Festival, Brooklyn Botanical Gardens - April, 2016 (c)Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

New York Botanical Garden 
This Sunday, April 17th marks the end of the Orchid Show, Orchidelirium, and the beginning of several more flower events!
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The Daffodil Celebration and Wine Weekend _on April 23 & 24, 2016; 12–5 p.m. offers visitors the chance to enjoy tastings from local vineyards, wine talks from the experts, live music, guided garden tours and the anticipated bloom of 150,000 daffodil bulbs! With 2016 being the 125 Anniversary of The New York Botanical Garden, the celebration includes a dramatic expansion of the historic Narcissus plants at Daffodil Hill started in November 2015. To find out more about how you can help, Click Here. 

The Daffodil Celebration and Wine Weekend, The New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx, April 23 & 24, 2016 (c)nybg.org

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The Rose Garden Weekend on June 4 & 5, 2016 is two days of live music, plant demonstrations, tours and refreshments.

Rose Garden Weekend, The New York Botanical Gardens, Bronx - June 4-5 (credit: nybg.org)

The Horticultural Society of New York Flower Show Dinner Dance
The Horticultural Society of New York’s 19th annual New York Flower Show Dinner Dance will take place this year on April 26th at The Pierre hotel.

A high-end, black tie event with "who's who" in the fashion world, the honorees this year are Peter Copping (Creative Director of Oscar de la Renta) and Mary Van Pelt (Former Chairman of the Board).

You must be a member to attend and donations support  further exploration, learning and cultivation of gardens, orchards and nurseries. 
April 26, ticket prices vary, The Pierre, 2 E. 61st St., thehort.org

Arbor Fest at Queens Botanical Garden
celebrates Earth Week with a variety of activities for all ages, including a petting zoo, arts and crafts, live music, bouncy houses, face painting, games, garden tours, food and craft vendors, compost demonstrations, beer garden, and more! 
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The Queens Botanical Garden features 35-plus gardens dedicated to flora and fauna of all sorts including a bee garden, rose garden and a floral garden that includes a number of varietals like iris, hibiscus, peony and geraniums.

According to their website:
From thematic gardens and historic plantings from the World’s Fair to new gardens showcasing native species and sustainable landscape practices, the collections represent the expert horticultural knowledge, artistry, and commitment to environmental education and public service.
April 24, 11am to 6pm Admission: $10 Adults & Seniors; $8 Children; Free for Members Admission includes all attractions; food and beverage not included. 

The Queens Botanical Gardens - Arbor Fest - April 24, 2016 (c)queens botanical.worldpress.org)

The rest of my day will be spent taking care of my Gianna.  I cooked dinner first thing after dropping off Kelsey to school. However, I burned my chicken cutlets because I got so into writing my blog (oh well! They are still edible. lol)

The sun is out here on Long Island, so I think I'll take a refreshing walk!

Back tomorrow
-E
xoxo

"No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth, and no culture comparable to that of the garden."
-- Thomas Jefferson