It all started years ago with the Downtown LA Art walk where once a month the new galleries on Spring St. would stay open late one night a month. Soon it became a big festival, with food, music, and hoards coming down for the event.
So other cities took notice, some of the smaller ones simply took the name. On those nights businesses stay open late, a few craft booths will appear and maybe some street music. 
I found out about one happening in South Pasadena, so on a lovely balmy Saturday evening off we went. People used to talk about LA as being a bunch of suburbs in search of a city. Those people were too snobish to actually go and find out that many of these small communities have a lot of civic pride. As you can see in the window, an early ostrich farm was part of the growth of this little town.
A three seater on a merry-go-round? Maybe for three small children.
I love how these small towns have the clock in the center. There was a time when owning a wrist watch was something only wealthy people could afford. So having public time pieces was very important.
Especially next to the train station. In France our group kept pronouncing the word as Garrrrrrr. It’s fun to see a little street named: The street of the Station. What once was part of the vast Trolly car system, is now part of the Metro Gold line. It goes from Boyle Heights all the way to Azusa and is well used.
The local nursery/design studio was offering free wine and music. As well as showing off their wares, such as these wonderful Talavera style ceramics.
I would love to be able to use some of these tiles around the house. These are quality!
There were some craft booths, all the stores were open, street musicians set up on the corners. Families strolled around, enjoying the evening. We found a lovely restaurant with a patio for a nice Al Fresco dinner.
I have to conclude with some arrested decay. There are a number of old brick buildings here, it was fun to see the stucco peeling, just to reveal older stucco.
I’m happy to say, my own nieghborhood is having such an event in a few weeks. I’ll be sure to go!
Leah
By now you know, I have my camera at the ready when we travel. I always look up. This decoration atop a 4 story office building downtown caught my eye, Sea horses. Look how well they are made to fit into the classic elements. The rest of the building was a very plain Art Deco, I wonder how many people actually look up to see this beauty.
Speaking of Art Deco, there were two such elevator doors in this lobby!
I didn’t go with a plan to take pictures of tile, although, Santa Barbara is the place to do that. Once I got home and looked at the images, then I realized how many of the pictures were of tile. This could be an old staircase, but I think it’s relatively new. First of all the curve, second of all, notice the anti skid on the lowest step? I may be completely wrong, it’s not the age that matters, it is that someone took the time and effort to do this.
Got to love it when a simple sign is made up in tile.
How about this peacock! The designer is from Pasadena, the tile artist from Santa Barbara. Their names are given, but not the year this was installed.
I know, not tile, but come on! Isn’t this marvalous signage for a club! Not only a hanging piano, but a massive red chandelier. At night when we drove by, there was quite a crowd outside. So I’m guessing it’s as good as the sign.
Why this says News I don’t know, but it does.T
I should have taken more pictures of this building. It’s a Santa Barbara Gaudi. Actually, the architect is
This is El Andaluz, I”ve looked online at pictures, I really should have spent more time here.
I think this is a mixed use, commerial and residential.
He has designed many other buildings, I really need to go back.
This is one of four benches out on the street.
As I said, I need to go back and look more closely
Untreated wood will rot, whether outside or in.
Paint is a barrier, but even it peels and the wood is exposed to the elements.
Creating a whole new beauty.
Tile fairs much better, unless it’s in the ground and the water leaves stains and marks on it.
In the bathrooms the tile is well protected. Tile details from the 1930’s is small yet wonderful. Notice how each little strip is different. The larger color tiles are cheap, it’s that fine detail that pulls it all together.
The metal work, the curves! the detail. The brickwork, also curving. It just makes my soul sing. Hopefully, all of these details helped the women, gave them a sense of peace, regardless of their mental situation.
A little griffin on top of an outdoor light fixture.
A door handle that wasn’t replaced.
Statuary used to abound. The man who created this worked for Gladding McBean, so he knew clay! A woman basking in the sun, I don’t think nude sun bathing was allowed, except in sculpture form. Here as part of a birdbath. Many more sculptures are now in storage, all of this was part of a relaxing southing atmosphere.
Rocks abound and rocks are used. Another birdbath.
A restful retreat all made out of Faux Bois, that Concrete made to look like wood. All the rage in the 1930s. A gardener worked here to make this location a real oasis, I wonder if there was water and a pond. I bet there was.
At a wedding recently, the party favors were these tiles, so I went around and asked people if they planned on taking them home, many said no and handed them over to me. See how nicely they go with my pot? Notice that although I’ve owned this pot for many years the sales tag is still on it?? Yeah, I didn’t either until I saw the photo.
Love the happy colors.
I had to ask around the tables to fill out my numbers. These were the table numbers. Can you see how the old original metal numbers are still sort of there, but covered up with the stucco.
I had some old premixed thinset and I slapped these tiles onto the risers of the front stairs.
Within a day or two they started falling off. So back to Home Depot to buy fresh thinset. I think it’s holding this time.
Looks lovely with my pots and my fall pumpkins.
The longer view. And now, really, I need to do some more glass mosaic.
The largest of the six bells, unfortunately they aren’t rung much anymore because there is a fear that they are too delicate. For a far off mission no one was going to construct the most durable of bells.
This being a copper bell, I love seeing the different patinas. Especially the green that came from the bell itself.
The old bell tour fell over a century ago and it wasn’t rebuilt on this side of the building. Fascinating to see the mishmash of stone and brick used to build this building, which was completed in 1801. 
The gardens are serene and lovely. Many of the grape vines date back to the founding. They have even harvested them and tried to make wine – not so good. Viticulture has come a long way.
Through the portion of the garden that is also the cemetery are the these plaques commemorating the stations of the cross, made from Talavera tile from Mexico, these were installed in the early 20th century.
The Virgin of Guadalupe was probably also installed at the same time. You can see how much love and adoration she gets from the local parishioners today. At the time the mission was built, I’m sure the Spanish had no interest in her, although they should have. She has more to do with the Catholic beliefs of the Mexicans than all the missions put together. Today she is patron saint of Mexico, even for those who are no longer Catholic.
One of the workshops on the grounds. Notice has small and low the doorway is. We are all taller and bigger these days.
The old Padres living quarters are now the museum. I found this old mirror intriguing. When the priests led the service they had their backs to the congregation, a mirror was needed so they could see what was going on behind them.
An example of a Padres’ room, probably much more ornate now than it was back then. This is probably a hodgepodge of items found in the mission.
You know me and ceramics, I love them. Dishes that were used either in the mission or by local people as well. I also love the old nails, an every day item we take for granted. How it has evolved through the years.
The mission bells that were installed in the early 1900s’ along the Camino Real. It is very fitting that the San Gabriel Woman’s club sponsored this one, since it was a woman Mrs. A.S.C. Forbes who ran a foundry and is the originator of these bells.
We walked around the corner to one of the three remaining Adobe houses in San Gabriel. This one is owned by the Church (the other two are privately owned) and is rarely open to the public.
The plaque states that this is the Lopez Adobe, built at the same time the Mission was constructed. Adobe bricks are used throughout the arid south, as well as south America. These are unfired bricks, which means the upkeep is difficult. We have wonderful clay here in California, what we didn’t have is many trees, so firing bricks would have been a much more expensive proposition. The exterior is stuccoed and both the exterior and the roof must constantly be maintained – rain is a real enemy to adobe.
Originally the structure was just two large rooms, with massive walls. The thicker the wall – the sturdier it is and less chance of it crumbling. It always then creates a real barrier against the heat and the cold. Of course a fire place is a must, it does get cold here in the winter. The use of decorative tiles indicates some wealth.
By the mid 19th century a brick addition was added, an indoor kitchen, more rooms and an extensive use of Mexican tile.
I just love the red tile floor, the decorative tiles on the riser and old linoleum as well.
I’m not a fan of the Arizona dessert. It also was very cold, mid 50s. I brought my winter gear and was fine, but it certainly didn’t feel like an escape.
Water fountains take on a much bigger significance in the dessert.
The flora doesn’t excite me, although nice barrel cactii are fun. Looks like a few more weeks and these guys will bloom.
The one cactus that is really unique to this area is the mighty Saguaro. Though sometimes they do need help to stay upright. The one on the right has an interesting anomaly.
This crested fan is due to fascination. Look it up on Wikipedia. It is some form of disease that doesn’t harm the plant but results in the unique shape.
I went with a friend to the adorable town of Carefree. A small town built in the 1950s. The developers clearly had a good sense of humor.
Whats not to love about Ho Hum Road?
The antique shops are fun, my friend inherited this exact Singer sewing machine from her grandmother, although it sounds like hers is in better shape.
They don’t make them like this anymore. I love that these machines were not only functional tools, but made to be as beautiful as possible. 
Any current textile designers out there? Please knock off this cute print! Looks like a 1950s design to me.
The cat isn’t for sale, I just love his attitude!
A nice touch, making the relatively new buildings look old.
Of course I’m drawn to tiles – as kitchy as they may be.
Cactii, rusted metal art and Marilyn – as good as it gets.
We literally stumbled upon an adorable tea shop. 
I love the creativity of using the chipped and broken tea pots and tea cups. This was a delightful way to finish out an lovely day.
