Where I'm From

I took Nico to Excelsior Park while we were in S.F. I did tiny tots,had my first playground brawl and swung on many a swing here. This neighborhood is one of the last bastions of the San Francisco native. It is ripe with authentic city characters and sometimes strife. I grew up on Edinburgh street between Persia and Brazil. I always got a laugh out of the irony of those exotic coordinates. I spent a lot of my youth figuring out how to get out of this neighborhood, and now that I "made it out" I spend time appreciating it and thanking it for making me who I am today. 

Stow Lake

We had fun being tourists in the City by the Bay. It was a sweet mixture of pride and nostalgia to get to show Nico some of my favorite S.F. spots. On this day we went to Stow Lake with my mom and Dumas the dog. After a short tantrum, Nico began to make his way around the woodsy path, full of locals and tourists alike. He threw rocks into the Asian Pond and sat at the waterfall. He's a bit too young, or maybe too rowdy to ride the rowboats yet. Maybe next time. Stow Lake is one of those bright shiny memories of a childhood in S.F. I'm so glad Nico got to experience it. 

Live and Direct from the YAY

Actually these posts aren't live at all. We got back last night from a 2 week jaunt to S.F., quite possibly the prettiest city on this side of the world. To follow are some pictures and posts from our adventures the City. 

Annenberg Community Beach House

Hal's mom is such a resourceful mama. Rebekah found the Annenberg Community Beach House.(Annenberg money of TV Guide fame.)

I am sure it will be our favorite hangout until the last days of summer. We have 2 theories: 1) it looks so fancy that most people assume it is pricey and private and drive past it. 2) its so new the word hasn't gotten out yet.

This modern architectural gem sits adjacent to the ridiculously gorgeous Marion Davies Beach House (Built by Hearst for his mistress.) I haven't gotten to tour it yet, but it's so beautiful and petite, it seems like a cake. At least to me it does, I want to take a bite.
The facilities are SUPER clean. There is a pool (you have to pay for that). There is also an impossibly cute cafe on the beach with good food. There is pier access to the beach and a children's playground in the sand. Nico had so much fun. We got there at 2 for lunch. Played for hours in the water, and to avoid traffic, we stayed and had dinner there too! We left at 7, Nico kicking and screaming all the way.This Santa Monica community space is why people live in Southern California.

Jill's Wedding Weekend: Part 2

Boys will be boys. At the post wedding BBQ on Saturday, Nico hooked up with his cousin Tyler. They had fun playing in the dirt and creating mischief. Lots of tumbling and jumping. Nico found some time to smell the roses. Miss you Tyler!

Splendor in the grass.

Toy du jour.

Jill, I need a wedding picture to update this entry.
Hope you had a wonderful Honeymoon!

Jill's Wedding Weekend:Part 1

We took a quick trip up to San Francsico at the end of July for Cousin Jill's Wedding. It was a jam packed weekend, and it was a blast. Nico got his play on with his cousins. Oldest cousin Austin was also celebrating his birthday that weekend. It was Austin's request that we head to Filoli Gardens, about 25 minutes south of S.F. What a hidden gem! Historical home and gardens, incredible weather and good food. I'm a native and I had never heard of it. Nico had a nap meltdown but I was able to quickly buzz around and see some of the house.There was inspiration everywhere. I want to circle my lemon tree at home with extra large terra cottas!
Loved these old long silverwood benches.
Why buy a hose rack at Lowe's when you can make this?
In the bar, probably redone in the late 50's.
Loved how they cut the horse out to go onto the painted wall.
Christian found a good hiding spot. The 2 cousins chillin' on the wall.
In the house: Delicious custom Goyard Luggage.

Filoli is the name that the owner Mr. Bourn gave to his home. His life motto was: “Fight for a just cause; Love your fellow man; Live a good life.” How cool is that? Why don't people have personal credos like that anymore? ("Go big or go home"doesn't count.) And why don't people name their homes anymore? Grand estate or small trailer, I think naming your home gives it good energy. It's on my to do list for sure, please send in your suggestions.

You'll be Hughely Missed

I know this is a bit late, but I just wanted to comment on the sudden death of John Hughes last Thursday. Anyone from my generation is likely feeling his passing. He seemed to visually sum up an era. Heck he helped create it, wrapped it up nicely and put a bow on it. So much of my youth was spent studying his movies. It was no secret that I was a huge Molly Ringwald fan. To see an unconventional beauty like her on the big screen sprung hope eternal in misfit girls everywhere. Hughes was a pioneer in the teen genre, but unlike the marketing frenzy that the teen category is surrounded by now (see Twilight) I think Hughes did not intentionally set out to sell movies to this specific, as of then untapped, demographic. I think he truly saw compelling stories unfolding in the youth of the time. A generation that was coming from a post disco era. Young people making their way in an power hungry society: yuppified 80's, pre-gen x, pre-CDs, pre-texting. He saw the timeless Romeo and Juliet themes in suburban American highschools and caught them on film in a most authentic way. Thank you John Hughes for leaving us such a warm and pretty portrait of an era gone by.