favorites

Noe Valley

fancy street numbers and autumn colors

pastel magic

another Maxfield Parrish sky

flip flop hike up Bernal hill

ice cream tasting at Bi-Rite, smelling flowers at Tartine, burrito pick-up at Papalote before heading up to  the top of Bernal hill... in flip flops.

the hill that captured SF, Olympia, and Oahu

a sunset walk up and over telegraph hill with tropical trees that transported me back to the North Shore of Oahu,  little floppy topped evergreen trees that remind me of my beloved pacific NW,  and then California sun reflecting and bouncing off victorian windows to illuminate the SF skyline sunset.

pie for breakfast

you absolutely have to eat a little leftover pie for breakfast the day after Thanksgiving.

quince paste and thanksgiving pie

After a few weeks of scouring the farmers market for quince to hear the last few were just sold... this past weekend I was the lucky one to pick up a few and just in time as the farmer told me that would be the last harvest of the season. I had enough to make a double batch of quince paste! Hooray! I love quince paste with Manchego cheese. After jarring the quince paste the pie marathon began. Baked sweet potatoes and pumpkin were turned into 2 big pies and a little rectangular one just for me. I made an apple galette before calling it a day. When asked to bring pie to Thanksgiving I like to make sure there's enough for everyone to have pie for breakfast the day after.

coffee with MKLA

 I woke up early to pick up a few last minute provisions for my pie marathon and decided to pick up my friend Mikayla and head wake up over coffee. Four Barrel coffee always make for a good morning. Here is a new plate picked up a while back at the Alameda flea market that I'm excited to load up with cookies.

Fort Mason farmers market in the fall

radishes always make me smile

grateful

walked around downtown before heading to the farmers market and then up and over telegraph hill

farmer in the city

for a moment this fella made me feel like I was in the country

oysters at Point Reyes. tradition

Today's my birthday and driving up north to Point Reyes for oysters at The Marshall Store has become tradition. I love driving over the rolling green hills, through redwood forests, past a small cluster of eucalyptus trees that these ladies (cows) cozy up to and how each year I'm a little more familiar with this place. It's a place to take in the scenery, relax, and think about resolutions for the next year. <3

The little town of Point Reyes was a little sleepy today with many of the stores closed on Monday, but the general store was bustling and the barn was still trimmed with pumpkin orange globes and the oyster farmers were still out fishing (above). This is such a tranquil place to take a few deep breaths and recharge. I'm sure I'll be back again by the end of the year and certainly before my next birthday.

special day

 An early morning at Tartine, taking in the views at the Golden Gate Bridge view point and can't help but smile when all of the tourists start beaming. Above is a restaurant in a favorite Mill Valley alleyway that looked like it was sleeping in from a long night, but ready to take on the day. I love the light reflecting off the glass, leather benches and brick wall. Below is another spot in that alleyway and then a few woven rugs that have me inspired. I popped into the Tyler Florence kitchen store and was overjoyed to hear that they're bringing back his signature glass mixing bowls that are sloped to keep the food from jumping out.

SF Streetcar and MUNI 100 year anniversary!

 I love the streetcars in SF and I was over the moon excited when I found out about the 100 year MUNI Streetcar anniversary celebration. They brought out a lot of streetcars that are not usually out in service! A few of the MUNI buses and streetcars were parked in front of the museum and Ferry Building while others were picking up eager passengers to take a limited route ride. The first car I hoped on was the gem below from 1895 and is full of woodwork detail and a few vintage posters. *swoon*

Emerald beauties above with the open top cruiser in back with lights strung above!!! I felt like a kid at an amusement park and was so giddy to board. Unlike the car from 1895, this open top car runs on the rare weekend, weather permitting. This was a "special" streetcar and very special day. Thanks, MUNI.

This celebration happened the day before Veterans Day so I wanted to take a few photos to honor our heroes. Happy Remembrance/Veterans Day.