Step Lively

For her birthday, Chloe requested tickets the San Francisco Ballet's production of The Little Mermaid. It was a gorgeous production and she and her friend Alex seemed to truly enjoy the show, but I have to admit, I actually preferred the dinner afterwards at Jardinière...

Ticket to Ride

Claire and Jack were delighted to spend an afternoon in Tilden Park, at Laura's fine suggestion. After riding the vintage carousel, they frolicked with the animals at The Little Farm, and wound up the day with a ride on the miniature steam trains. The problem with wonderful outings like this is that they never want them to end...

Chair of Bowlies

Jack is never one to shy away from exploring his fashion options: today while everyone was enjoying the afternoon sunshine, he took my silicone mixing bowl, full of water, and slapped it on his head. He's so easy to entertain...

C'est Si Bon...

My dear friend Deb treated me to a luxurious lunch today at great little French place called Le Garage, which is housed in, of all places, a garage. But a garage with a view of sailboats on the Sausalito waterfront! When the weather is beautiful, as it was this afternoon, they simply roll up the garage doors for instant dining al fresco. I love this place, and it was great to spend time with one of my favorite people... Thank you, darling!

Seventeen Again

How did I get to be the mother of a seventeen-year-old? She's been counting the days for months, and we celebrated with a lunch at Left Bank, one of her favorite spots to eat. I have to say, for as grown up as she is now, she's still a kid when the dessert comes. I hope that never changes...

Chocolate 10,000 Ways

Claire and I attended the SF International Chocolate Salon this morning with great expectations. It was less an industry event and more for the general public, a strange mishmash of chocolate makers and other affiliated businesses. Claire was brave enough to try most everything, including a fiery chili-laced dark chocolate that left her begging for water. After a surfeit of the the sweet stuff, she soothed her tongue with lavender-infused ice cream, and we both headed home to nurse our tummy aches...

Signs of Spring

It's coming!

Humble Beginnings

Planned to take a photo of the gorgeous almond-chocolate torte I made for Dad's birthday, but this simple visual captured my attention...