Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Artful Surroundings .. Enrich and Invigorate





Rancho La Puerta - Part III
A profusion of drought-tolerant rosemary - shrubbery and swathes of the prostrate form,
blooms endlessly during the winter months.


At times, as I explored the grounds in silent meditation,
I would stop abruptly, enveloped by the fragrance of sweet alyssum!




Rounding a bend along a walkway, or gazing out at a serene landscape,
one finds life-size bronzes by acclaimed Mexican artist, Víctor Hugo Castañeda,
which appear as eye-catching focal points
throughout the property.

Conjoined eyebrows are key to revealing a work as a depiction of the artist, Frida Kahlo.
Perhaps the sculpture pictured below is associated with Kahlo more often.

A scrambling cape honeysuckle (Tecomaria capensis
weaves through the lively ironwork design 
of the entryway gate.

Stained glass casts glowing patterns,
 encountered as one approaches the reception area at check-in.

Mosaics embellish a spot where I stopped to read this quote from H. G. Bohr:
"The soul is not where it lives, But where it loves."

Among a grouping of sculptures of Frida Kahlo displayed in the main building;
this piece stands as a powerful reminder of the artist's self-portraits.
Aficionados of Kahlo's paintings will be intrigued by the collection on-view.
 (Madonna and I apparently share this fascination!)
Link to Part II - Rancho La Puerta 
Link to Julie Gallaher's .. thingsyoushoulddo
to find out more about the bloggers in my group.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Landscape / Hardscape - Rancho La Puerta


Sunlight through stained glass ... interior wall, Las Piedras Environmental Center

The prevalence of natural rock formations influenced the design of...

Las Piedras Environmental Education Center at Parque del Professor 

Tecate, Mexico .. a project of Fundación La Puerta
Landscape architect Ron Lovinger designed the parkland (we'll be returning here soon!),
while more recently, landscape architect Enrique Ceballos of Rancho La Puerta
contributed to the design of the education building that school children adore.


Sunset ...  foothills of Mount Kuchumaa.

 Walking the grounds of Rancho La Puerta with landscape architect Enrique Ceballos,
we came upon a casita with not one, 
but two of these beautifully constructed benches adorning the patio.

Imagine resting on such a bench, 
watching the advance of rose-flushed clouds as the skies darken.

One picture... worth a thousand words: Typical of the Rancho's fine stonework. 

Tecomaria capensis .. a habitat plant that qualifies as a hummingbird magnet!

Our group delighted in the Rancho's friendly felines.

Gaillardia .. a brilliant bloomer native to Mexico.
Stay tuned... much more to follow!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

A Passion for Life .. Deborah Szekely


Deborah Szekely

"You have to have a passion to live long,"

... Rancho La Puerta owner/director Deborah Szekely (88 years young),
speaking to our gathering of invited bloggers.

First in a series of features on the Rancho's landscape, kitchen gardens & cooking school,
as RLP enters its 70th year of commitment to healthy living, protection of the environment, 
 & under the auspices of Fundacion La Puerta,
giving back to the area's school children and the community of Tecate, Mexico.

The landscape and guesthouses nestle in the foothills of Mount Kuchumaa.
Majestic evergreen live oaks offer shade and shelter throughout the gardens, 
while succulents, countless native & Mediterranean species, and drought-tolerant
 plants such as Grevilleas create inviting wildlife habitats.

Bird song enlivens every pathway & patio during daylight hours.
On a bird walk I encountered year-round residents - many breed at the Rancho:
 Phainopepla, California quail, Anna's hummingbird, Cassin's Kingbird, 
California thrasher (what a sight!), various finches and sparrows.
Winter visitors include Cedar waxwing & Hermit thrush.
Can anyone identify the bird pictured above in Aloe arborescens?

The jogging track encircles a field of grapevines.

Each dormant grapevine spoke to me: 
Their aged, contorted forms demonstrating a unique sculptural bearing
...or anthropomorphic quality.

Aloe lutescens