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.

focus

 There's a weekend Instagram contest for intentionally out of focus photos and I thought I'd brave the cold and snap a few of the Golden Gate Bridge before meeting up with my friend Sam (love his stories) in the Marina. I went to a few favorite lookout spots to see the city skyline and then to the official GGB lookout where I found this couple chatting by the light post and felt like I was in an Edward Hopper painting.

Here's one of the out of intentionally out of focus photos of the bridge. It surprising difficult to take an out of focus photo these days with all of the auto focus advancements. Sam thought the idea of out of focus photos is silly, but I really appreciate how much more aware I am of where the focus is directed. Below is my duvet illuminated by computer screen light.

home (plate)

After a little fun at the Ferry Building I walked over to the Giants Ballpark to watch the Flugtag aka people crafting objects to launch themselves off a three story ramp where they hope to "fly" the farthest before landing in the water. I watched the live action right by the judges platform before heading in to the ballpark to meet up with friends and lay on the ball field while viewing the live broadcast on the jumbotron. My favorite part was being on the Giants field. I snapped this pic of the Transamerica Pyramid building on my walk back home from the ballpark. All the afternoon pics are looking or pointing up.

never ending summer

 I came across the ice rink in front of the SF Ferry Building and felt a little seasonally confused as it was still warm and I was standing on electric green astroturf. Astroturf is a little swatch of never ending summer.

 Today was the day (after years of wanting) that I ate spinning (rotisserie) chicken and potatoes for breakfast. There is always a long line, actually the longest line at the market is always cued in front of this stand and just a few weeks ago I learned that the long line is for sandwiches only and there's a small sign by the second register where you can order chicken and potatoes only with about 5 people or less in line. The chicken was amazing and the potatoes were covered in chicken drippings, as they cook below the chicken and then sprinkled with coarse sea salt and a topped with a lime wedge, yum. Scream  sorbet was at the market and I couldn't resist a small scoop of pistachio sorbet. A morning full of green.

The farmers market was bustling with people eager to pick up Fall treats, like chestnuts and stocking up early for Thanksgiving provisions. I did a little window shopping at Boulettes Larder where I spied this apple gallette and lemon meringue pie.

pie for breakfast

I woke up extra early to meet with my friend Tyler for treats at Tartine before heading to school. There's a new painted green line on the sidewalk, outside Tartine to help customers keep space open for pedestrians. Pumpkin pie and a soy late for breakfast at 7:30 in the morning is a fine way to wake up. The sunset was so dynamic as the clouds and fog lingered and held deep shadows cast by the setting sun.

vote(d)

I went to SF City Hall straight from work to submit my signature to complete my voter registration and cast my vote. This is the last day to vote so this sign asking us to complete an "early voting ballot" seemed silly considering that we were anything but early. I was elated to see so many people(a few hundred) in line eager to cast their vote. Here I am dropping my ballot into the box.

jasmine still in bloom

I passed this old victorian on my early morning walk to work and had to pause to take it all in. This home was covered in flowering jasmine and so many swoon worthy details in the carved trim, white wood shudders, and cut glass window in the front door.

GIANT Alameda Flea Market

There were so many gems at the Alameda flea and this one was at an old postcard stand. I was there from 9-3:30 and still didn't see everything. After an exhausting day walking around in the sun I met up with East Bay friends for dinner before calling it a day. I'm sure I'll be back again for more scavenging.

lovely day with MKLA

My dear friend Mikayla and I spent the morning exploring the outer Sunset district and while I took heaps of pictures I'll be sharing them later, but until then I just couldn't keep this amazing tumbleweed light a secret any longer. We stopped off at Green Apple bookstore (an SF favorite) where I picked up a copy of Edible Selby (love it). The weather was a little cool with fog and clouds rolling along so I warmed up with a bowl of quick applesauce and my new book.

commute

I met Mikayla downtown and loved watching the evening commute colors whirl by. We walked over to  an art show at Rare Device where we found more inspiration for our secret project (revealing soon) before walking back to our neighborhood, making for a lovely night walk clocking about 8 miles or so. 

little vine love

Little Vine is one of my favorite neighborhood shops, full of charm, local artisan products, delicious cheese and wine.