Reflecting

Just in case anyone had any uncertainty on the topic of whether I have a fascination with reflections, here is more evidence that I am enthralled with pictures within pictures (not that anyone really needed any more evidence).

This window at Mission San Juan Capistrano is reflecting the courtyard garden.  Note the wooden beam across the top of the window and the stucco walls, both of which are typical of early California mission buildings.

Isn't this a most whimsical view of the 'gathering place of the community' in early San Juan Capistrano?

Follow this link to Toby's blog and Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

Look At This Window

The Amtrak train stops in San Juan Capistrano, California on its way to San Diego.  When I was visiting there, several trains made their scheduled stops.  Having taken this same train from Camarillo to San Diego, I know the passengers are watching out the same windows that we are staring at.  Even the sign encourages everyone to "LOOK" which is of course what one is supposed to do with a window.

Linking to Toby's Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

Mission Statement?

The hanging on this blue door in San Juan Capistrano, California might be the mission statement of the family who lives here.

Faith

Family

Friends

Fairness

Forever

I like it.

Linking to Toby's Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

No Entry

Do Not Enter

An incredible view of The Pacific Ocean can be seen just a few steps inside this gate, but the casual passerby is not welcome.  This is private property just a block away from The Biltmore Hotel in Santa Barbara, California.  Even so, the seaside garden and classical pillars evoke a sense of antiquity and peace.

Linking to Toby's Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

More San Diego Windows

Another skyscraper in San Diego with windows and (gasp!) doors onto sky high balconies.

I tried checking on some websites to identify what building this is (and the building in last week's WWDD), but I wasn't able to identify either one.  Because the photos were snapped from the middle of San Diego Bay on the Coronado Ferry, the angles of the buildings are different from the skyline photos I found.

Did you notice the circular window on the top floor?

Photographing architectural features is so much fun!

Here is the link to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

Windows and Doors

In honor of Queen Elizabeth's Jubilee, I chose a photo showing the windows in St. Paul's Cathedral which was taken in June 2008.  (yes, back to London again)

Here is the link to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors.

Whimsical and Delirious

When I was strolling through the museum at Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades last week, I watched for fascinting doors and windows.

Here is an interesting sample.  The Getty Villa is essentially a museum built as a replica of an ancient Roman villa. The Romans loved bright colors and ornamentation.  The outer court walls are painted with images for examples.

Which are the painted doors and windows and which are the real windows?

The real door leading to the kitchen gardens.

Linking to Toby's Whimsical Windows and Delirious Doors.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #20

Is this a ceiling?  Are they skylights? Windows?

Whatever they are, they let in light, and they are awesome!

Very high up above the heads of the students using the computers in the California State University, Channel Islands library, the colorful flags of many countries hang from wires, backlighted by the skylights/windows/ceiling.

Linking to WWDD at Toby's blog.

An Easter Window

Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, California.

This new cathedral was built just ten years ago after the old one was condemned as the result of the 1994 earthquake which devastated many older buildings all over Los Angeles County.  Its 27,000 square feet of windows are made of alabaster.  Even seen from outside in the courtyard, these windows are wonderful and wondrous.

Linking to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors

Happy Easter and Happy Passover!

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #18

This afternoon I typed 'door' into my computer to search for photos which I have labeled with that word.  As you may imagine for someone as enthralled with doors as I am, there were many options.

Accoring to the notes in the title of the photo, this door is in Westminster Abbey, London, England.  I remember being fascinated with the carvings on the corners. 

And a slightly open door always beckons to me... 

Here is the link to other doors and windows around the world.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors

Windows and doors can tell the observer much about the geographical setting of the home to which they are attached.

I wondered why this doorstep was enclosed and faced the direction it did.  At first I figured it was merely an architectural statement.

Then I passed this craftsman style home with only half of its porch enclosed with windows.  It dawned on me.  Since the prevailing winds blow from the beach which is mere blocks away, these doors are being protected from the wind and rain.  A lyrical answer to a prosaic problem.

On the other hand, banks of windows open to the front of a home indicate that the owners enjoy the view across the road and ignore the wind.

I would, too.  Wouldn't you?

Details:  The Avenues in south Redondo Beach, California

Linking to Whimisical Windows, Delirious Doors at Toby's blog.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #16

Week #16

Last weekend, I took some photos of windows and doors in Redondo Beach and planned to post them today.  But then, I read something about St. Benedict in an email this morning and I started thinking about monasteries, abbeys and cathedrals.  That little rabbit trail took me back to thinking about England.  Again.  I couldn't resist opening up my files of photos and reliving our two visits to Canterbury Cathedral.

Oh, so many elaborate windows and doors!

Glimpses of the tower windows among the arches.

I'm linking to Toby's Whimsical Windows and Delirious Doors.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #15

As Toby mentioned in her post today, WWDD has been around for more than 1/4 of a year.  I don't know about you, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it.

Here is a whimsical window, a wall of windows in a high rise office building in downtown San Diego where they reflect the view toward the east.

Follow THIS LINK to see other fantastic images from around the world.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #14

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors

hosted by Toby at her blog.

What could be more whimsical than the Narnia Window in the Headington Quarry Parish Church where C.S. Lewis worshipped and where he is buried in the churchyard?

Close ups and details

Photos taken June 2008, Headington, England

Doors and Windows #13

Whimsical Windows and Delirious Doors

hosted by Toby

HERE at Toby's blog

This is another photo from my files.

Hampton Court, England

June 2008

A door leading into a building in one of the inner courts.

Old wood, older brickwork.

Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors #11

A bit closer to home, this building is located on the campus of California State University, Channel Islands where my husband teaches.

Typical Southern California mission architecture with institutional windows.

Linking to Whimsical Windows, Delirious Doors