Visits

It's been a week and a half or so of visits. At least.


Picking back up with the visit from Ian's cousin James and the adorable Eleanor (who, because of the snorgles, snarfles, snuggles, and grunts affectionately became known as Piggy). It was a pretty relaxing visit--usually dinners at home, except the last night we treated ourselves to Belden Place (it was a beautiful night). By the end of their visit (Thursday), Piggy became known as Piggy the Destructor. Although she's completely precious, she had a way with chewing, peeing,and throwing up in the homestead. The grand finale being noticed after they left...the kitchen cabinets. Alas, Piggy the Destructor left her mark. But gosh darn, look at that face!



Also Thursday, Ian was packing himself for the redeye to NC for his Dad's surprise birthday weekend. Having been super sad I couldn't go (darn airline tickets!! and their prices, too!), I had to call for reinforcements, and after dropping Ian off at the airport, I quickly prepared for the next round of visits, with my bff Steph.

The next work day--ah, the first day of Spring. A day of working from home, skipping out early and meeting my friend Katie on Fillmore Street for a late lunch. Back home just in time to pick Steph up from the airport.


Not to bore too much with the details, but the highlight of the trip had to be Napa on Saturday. Being a member at Cosentino sure paid off--well worth it. And Cakebread this time was a much different experience than last (for the better). Although rain threatened all weekend, it ended up being wonderful, and we had a great time.





Another trip to the airport (this time to pick Ian up at 1:00 am Monday morning)....happy to have him home. He dropped Steph off at the airport later that day, and Ian and I were alone in the house for the first time in well over a week...*sigh*


A week full of client happy hours, dinner and drinks with a friend from NY, dinner with friends Friday night, Ian's freelance...well, it goes on.

This weekend=BEAUTIFUL! We had a pretend North Carolina day yesterday--errands like Lowe's and Home Depot in South San Francisco. Exhausted us. It's been a very long time since we had to drive places, park, go into a big box store, get back in the car, drive somewhere else, park, go into another big box store. We both got home thinking--thank goodness we don't have to do this anymore. The one other happiness that was so North Carolina is that while at Lowe's, I bought some flowers for my window boxes and a huge hydrangea bush for the patio. It looks lovely out there.

But at least it was sunny--in the 70's! We had started our day with a delicious brunch at Absinthe--and this morning, following our rule of 1 brunch having to be someplace new, we took the J down to 24th St in Noe Valley and tried a new place complete with patio--Savor. Pretty good. That neighborhood is so freaking cute.




This afternoon, I spent a lot of time outside--I laid up on the roof for a bit (again trying to relive an east coast lifestyle, pretending it's actually hot). I then decided to get off my butt, walk around the city, and shoot some medium format pictures. I used to love taking pictures--somewhere between it all (having a hubby who also loves to, maybe, or his dad who does it for a living--maybe that's intimidating?), I simply haven't been. So, I dug up my old 120 film, my Seagull and Holga, and took to the streets for a couple hours. I struggled with even loading the Seagull it had been so long. All I remembered was that it had to be in a dark place--after struggling in the closet for awhile, I ended up having to look up instructions. The last time I distinctly remember loading that camera was in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. Sitting in a darkened pew. Taking my time. Listening to the hushed voices of tourists making their lap around, snapping photos.

Everyone in San Francisco was out. It made for great people watching, and a good way to spend the afternoon. Bi-Rite Ice Cream's line rounded the corner of Dolores, the park was like an enormous quilt--each piece was someone else's blanket or towel, people gingerly stepping between groups of friends.

Ian and I made some dinner, ate on the patio, and here we are.....

Micah and Marianna are coming on Thursday night---yeehaw! The visitors continue, and with each wave comes some new happiness and good times....can't wait to see them. Yes, you guys.