Tabitha's Magic Garden

I picked this little kit up at a toy store in China Town. Tabitha built the set by folding the paper included, then she poured the liquid into the bottom of the tray and viola: over night a crystal garden grew. It is lovely, teasing little fingers to touch the fluffy, billowing pink trees. But, alas, the fluff disappears into nothing when touched. The crystals are delicate.

I miss San Francisco--the city. I long to put Pip into her stroller this morning and head straight down Powell Street for an early morning Starbucks fix. I wonder if I would ever get sick of the city? Maybe the winters would be cloudy and cool? For me to pop Pip in her stroller and walk to the nearest coffee shop from my home, would take me a minimum of 1 1/2 hours each way, and that would be running it!

Reading "Omnivore's Dilemma" for a class critique. Making notes while I read sure takes the fun out of reading. A lot of reading and presentations for this new class.

I would like to take yoga once a week for my flexibility, but it is so difficult to fit it in. I must workout by 6 AM weekdays. All my mornings are filled with other sports and actually I cannot find a yoga class in this city that starts before 9 AM. I am wondering if I should leave it until my life style allows for such a class? IE: When Pip is older and in school? Or I am finished with my graduate studies? Or would that be horrible for my body? Should I make time now, no matter what because flexibility is so important to one's health? In addition it is pricey, approximately $20/ 1h class. And each studio is at least a 15 min drive from my home. These are my obstacles: time, childcare, money and distance. What should I do? How should I rethink this? Is yoga a priority now for me? Yes, I am not as flexible as I usually am. I do need it physically to loosen my spine up again. What to do....any suggestions at looking at this in a fresh light?

A beautiful morning in Kelowna today. I purposely missed Spin class and slept in until 7 am as I was so not getting over my jet lag from San Fran. One needs to have one morning a week that one doesn't rise at 5:30 am, just to get caught up on the weeks stresses.

So, to recreate the blissful mornings I experienced in San Fran, I have decided to take Pip down to the water front for a morning walk and then pop into the down town Starbucks and then take her to a park. This afternoon I shall read more of that frighteningly tragic book "Omnivore's Dilemma"--so I can feel like I am feeding my family SHITE and ruining the world in doing so....

Farewell San Francisco...

Telegraph Hill--the parrots were hiding on me.
View of Lombard Street from Telegraph Hill. Telegraph hill is in the Italian area of San Fran--once the famous Beatnic poet hang-out of the late 1950's.
These sea lions were a happy and stinky bunch.
As Peter and I say to each other, that no matter what ups and downs our relationship may have, "we'll always have San Francisco..."

Wicked

Ok, so I couldn't resist shopping. But I REALLY must. No more! How will I get it all back? I just purchased a gorgeous pair of slacks for the winter from French Connection. An incredible sale--very Katherine Hepburn. I am usually not a pant person aside from jeans and cut offs in the summer. I am a dress person. But these pants are the exception. I feel so sophisticated when I put them on...and my Fluvoggs will go perfectly with them. Tonight Peter and I will dine at the famous "Tongo" room. It is here in the hotel. It was decorated in the 40's, complete with a large pool, lightening and thunder. This hotel has so much history. It survived the earth quake of '06 quite well, although a fire resulting from the earth quake damaged the interior. The mansion across the street was completely destroyed in the earth quake and rebuilt. Also, I didn't realize the TV series from the '80's "Hotel" was set here. And so many entertainers have performed in the Venetian room throughout the past Century. 

Pilates class was an adventure. Our teacher a real character--an MFA in dance from the Walt Disney Performance University--seriously--I had no idea there was such a place. 

Walking up the hill this morning, sunshine on my face, I felt so happy to be here. I don't really want to move here, and I miss my girls terribly, but what a lovely place (San Francisco is) to be today.

--I wrote the tidbits at the bottom of my post prior to my latest shopping expedition. 

Hope you enjoy the photos, I love taking them!

Peter in the 350ZX. He's considering getting one of these for himself.
Me.
A spacious Victorian.
Big and beautiful Victorians.
We went to this park with our girls the last time we were in San Fran too (I was 3 months pregnant with Pip at the time).
An interesting Victorian.
Walking up from StarBucks.
Peter, looking very James Bond in his new outfit.
A view from our new tower room window. That is the Golden Gate Bridge. We have a panoramic view of the bay.
View from my window.
Another view from window.
Alcatraz, I took this photo while in our tower room.

We've moved rooms. We left our giant suite in the older part of the Fairmont for this room in the new tower. The view from out our picture window is amazing. A view on the entire bay, from the Golden Gate to all the way over past Coit Tower and Telegraph Hill. Peter likes the view (we're on the 20th floor best), I like the 11oo sq ft of the old suite! I'd like to go to Coit Tower and the original Mexican Mission before we leave.

Wicked was good. Patty Duke played the Head Mistress at the Witch school. The guy who played Marci's husband "Steve" on "Married with Children" played the Wizard. The girls would have loved it, although Tabs may have been a wee bit frightened. I liked the young witches the very best. Gelinda and Elpheba were great. The Orpheium Theatre is in a rough part of town so we took a cab home to avoid walking through it in the dark. 

Peter is at his conference today. I am going to be going to a Pilates class right away and then? I am actually so sick of shopping! I have to day ahead of me to do as I please so I will enjoy every moment of it.

Beads and Roman Sandals

The Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill.
Inside the Grace Cathedral.
A view from my window. A former home, now a private club.
Front view of the mansion. Our hotel in right corner.
Ghirardelli Building behind me.
Supper at the Wharf.
Ghirardelli and Peter...
Down by the bay--Alcatraz behind the sail boat.

I am tuckered. Sometimes we walk for six hours straight. It is a busy place, living downtown San Fran.

Walked around Pacific Heights last night. So many fascinating Victorian homes. Ended up returning to the hotel too pooped to move. We had walked a total of 12 hours that day! We watched Benjamin Button in our bedroom and ordered room service. We always end up splitting a  club house sandwich. It goes a long way, and we're usually not that hungry.

I stopped at a charming Japaneses Sushi house on the way up to the hotel at lunch. I had a giant bento box that filled me up for life. It was a first for us: eating sushi for Easter in our Suite in San Fran.

We are renting a car today. Will drive to San Jose to shop--Peter is determined to buy a Ralph Lauren suit jacket. My past memories of San Jose are HOT! San Fran always stays relatively cool in the evenings with the ocean wind. But inland, watch out!

Some more pics of our San Fran adventure--above.

So happy my babies had a great Easter back at home with Granny and Auntie T, Joop and Kyran. 

I Love San Francisco

Where to begin? Mistaya, my darling, you say you want to live in San Fran when you graduate high school, well, I am there! I love it here. It is like Disney World--only the thrills and fun are real, not fake.

We just returned from an evening trolley ride up from Fisher Man's Wharf. It was so fun and beautiful in the dark--sandwiched in beside strangers who were all so thrilled to be riding up to Nob Hill together. On the way down to the Wharf, Peter and I were riding on the outside, standing up, holding on for dear life--one foot on and sometimes one foot off. The corners were exhilarating, especially when we passed the trolleys coming up. We met an interesting German family visiting from Aachen. They had to boys aged 11 and 14. They are staying at the Fairmont too. We had a very nice chat waiting for the trolley and riding up.

Peter and I split a peanut-butter chocolate sundae tonight at the Ghirardelli chocolate factory-yum.

The morning was spent walking down the hill to the Ferry Building on the ocean. Then we toured China town, and went to the Museum of Modern Art. The paintings that enticed me the most were (no surprise) a Georgia O'Keeffe (Black Hills) and Frida Kahlo ( a portrait of her and Diego Riviera). I am drawn to their art--perhaps because I know it so well?

We went to Grace Cathedral late after noon. I LOVE that cathedral. It is a beautiful zen place. Although it is of Anglican affiliation, it purposely advertises that it is open to all religions, anyone wanting to be in a sacred place of peace. They even mention all the horrible times in Christianity--witch hunts etc. I love that this church has the intelligence to acknowledge the horrible side of Christianity and embrace anyone, regardless of their religion.

We then took the trolley down to Fisherman's wharf for a short evening stroll and supper. I loved riding past all the Victorian apartments and houses that lined the narrow streets--looking inside to see who lives there and imagining their lives.

So peaceful to be back in our suite. I often forget the luxury we have waiting for us back at this hotel. We are truly spoiled.

Peter and I in our suite, dressed in our complimentary gym attire (including shoes). Ready for the gym, which turned out to be a trip to the Twilight Zone. My fellow athletes this morning at the Fairmont gym, seemed a little unusual. Like the woman beside me, whose face was set in an open mouthed grimace (with hands, up near her face, in a rigid pose) who cleared her throat every 3o seconds and kept the pose throughout the entire time she peddled the bike--and no, she was not partially paralyzed, as she eventually got off the bike and resumed a normal posture. And the woman behind me, trying to "stair climb" at a level way too difficult for her. So she took inch-deep steps and rocked her entire body and head, wildly, from side to side with each step. An interesting day at the gym to be sure! However, I am looking forward to yoga and spin classes each early morning while I'm here.
View up to Nob Hill
 At the Ferry Building Market
The French Patisserie--I came all the way from Canada to find this place! Much smaller than I'd imagined.
Peter at Acme Bread--he was in Heaven.
My new Buddie--the San Francisco cop.
A typical street vender warming up in the early morning sun before work begins.
A view up California Street. We walked down this hill to get to the market.
China Town. The old woman on my right was begging earlier in the day.
China Town--part of the dragon crew, reaching for some lettuce hanging in the door way? A strange practice I am unfamiliar with.
Lining up the dragon heads after the dance.
The Museum of Modern Art. I wasn't that big on William's art--too self obsessed. The energy was inward and a little gross. For me, art is all about instinctual reactions. Physical. I react to the energy the art was created in. I either love it, can relate to it, it leaves me bland or it disgusts me. William's art was heading toward the disgusting, but not quite there.

San Francisco, California--Nob Hill Fairmont

We have arrived! Fight was 1/2 hour early due to wind at our tail.
We are residing in the Cambridge Suite.

Bill Cosby likes to stay in this suite.

We were originally in the Bali Suite--the one Ella Fitzgerald always insisted on staying in, but the bathroom had a skanky smell in it--I was afraid it was sewer gas or something really nasty. So, we were moved and this is our new palatial suite. It has a giant bedroom, private office and two giant bathrooms. Peter and I have a hard time finding each other in this giant space--but we do try our best! I am so excited to be here. Everything seems so palatial in scale and outside green and lush. The street car stops right at our hotel, I took the photo from the Bali suite. We also had our gym attire waiting for us when we arrived. Mine outfit is gorgeous--I love the Adidas's culottes. I want to purchase them and take them home. I had to get up early this AM even though we got to bed late. I feel like a kid a Christmas time--I am so excited to be here, I can't sleep in! The view from our window is a mansion, that is bigger than any mansion I have ever seen, It is now a private club. We walked around it last night. There is also a giant, gorgeous cathedral a block away--I think we'll stop in for Easter. Being on Nob hill is so incredible. The steep hills on either corner of the hotel, lead one down to the rest of San Fran! We are planing to take in the Broadway play, "Wicked" about the Witches of OZ. You know me and witches--was one for nearly every Halloween as a kid, and my favorite pop witches were: Witchee-Poo (Puff'n Stuff) and the green, Wicked Witch from the West (Wizard of OZ). I can hardly wait!  Do miss my babies though!
The end pics of of the lobby and the hotel from the outside last night.

Baby Hat

This is Pip yesterday. She picked out the hat herself and insisted on wearing it all day long. She calls it her "baby" hat. 

Pip and I had a beautiful morning. We did a little shopping for my mom's birthday present. Then we had coffee at Starbucks and each purchased a new book from Chapters. I finally got "Jesus" by Deepak Chopra. It is about the lost years in Jesus' life. It is written from the perspective that Jesus was an enlightened, holy man, not a god. This is the belief I follow.

Then we took Fernando to Tabitha's class for show and tell.

It is beautiful out--sunny and warm. We've tossed aside our winter clothing finally!

Tonight Mistaya's made supper--we shall dine when Tabs returns from ballet. Mist has made a slow cooked turkey breast in gravy, sweet potato and Brussel sprouts. It was her second choice after I nixed her first: onion rings and mushroom pizza on the side.

Fernando is proving to be a very unique little guy. Very bright. He talks back to you, singing when any loud noise disturbs him. He's very athletic--climbs and jumps, extremely devoted to me--follows me anywhere! And lion hearted--No fear. Loves all other dogs and jumps head first into mountain streams.

Tonight is a clean up as I am having a house keeper come in the morning to give me a quote.

I ran into Mist's drama couch at the gym this AM and described the fairy outfit we have, that Mist refuses to bring as a costume for her play (the fairies have to provide their own costumes). This one is an expensive and beautiful confection of aqua tulle--purchased last year for a dance recital. The coach--Jasmine--said she'd love to see it. So I sent Mist with it this morning and Jasmine loved it! Few! One costume sealed and delivered.

San Fran on Friday morning. I will have 3 days to tour alone as Peter conferences, then it is fours days together. I am so excited as we will stay at the Fairmont on the hill and have a suite. I will use my alone days to shop and try out a French Patisserie I read about and want to try out. You know me and French Patisseries! I could sip tea and eat chocolate all day long!

I have decided it is time to invent an all over cleansing stretch program like yoga but different--a more modern approach for the modern soul who wants to be limber but thinks head stands are for opossums and bats.