Holiday Bouquet

This holiday arrangement looked great in Beth's new house.

Arthur's New Perch

I hurt my back a couple days ago and the pain really hit a high point yesterday. Luckily, I already had a doctor's appointment, which changed from a routine exam to a visit during a crisis. Part of my treatment involves a heating pad.


Well, you can see who now LOVES the heating pad. And, yes, I kept it turned on for him. For the record, I'm feeling better today.

Classy Ginger

New collar. New ID tag. Ooh la la!

Christmas in SF

It was a cold and sunny Christmas Day here in San Francisco. Ginger and I took advantage of the nice weather and walked to Fisherman's Wharf.


I bought two Dungeness crabs ('tis the season!) and a small loaf of sourdough bread. Call it Christmas lunch.


Then, I watched some sappy Christmas movies and made French onion soup for dinner. It was scrumptious! For the time-consuming, yet so easy a first-grader could make it recipe, click here.

Saigon Sandwich

I pass Saigon Sandwich shop on my way to the library and there's ALWAYS a line out the door. Figured that was reason enough to give it a try.


I don't remember sandwiches in Vietnam, but I do remember the bread and this was it! Perfectly baked baguette filled with roasted chicken, cilantro, carrots, peppers and some type of yummy sauce ... all for $3!

Making Mischief

Here's what happens when Ginger is left alone with an empty bag of dog food.

Old Friends

Yesterday, I had lunch with Elizabeth and Tanner. Much too much time had passed since I last saw them. Elizabeth was my roommate and I drove her to the hospital the day she had Tanner. And, yes, I said, "My, how you've grown!"

Packers Lose ...

... but not until the very end. It was a nail-biter for sure. And, yes, I made my way to an actual sports bar and sat next to a woman from Waukesha. Classic.

El Dorado Kitchen

Susan and I played hooky from the conference we're both attending this week and headed north to wine country yesterday.


We stopped at a few wineries, then had lunch in downtown Sonoma at the El Dorado Kitchen.


Truffle fries, incredible Caesar salad, salmon cakes and sparkling wine from Gloria Ferrer. True decadence.

Party Pictures

Brother Mike.


Bassist Matt.


Brother Brian.


The couple who started it all.


If anyone has a good shot of the birthday girl, let me know.

My Tree

For the first time in many years, I have a Christmas tree! As the truly urban girl that I am ... I carried it home on the bus and decorated it over the weekend.


My godmother started giving me a Christmas ornament on my first birthday. Every year I got a new one and I still have them all. Of course I supplemented hers with my own and, needless to say, I have a rather large collection.


The snowman started it all on my first birthday in 1970.


The wooden soldier was birthday #4 and the blue angel was #18.


My brother, Brian, made the Dixie Cup bell when he was five and I won the drum in a first grade spelling bee. Oh, and the tiny angel was #3. Thanks to Mom for marking them all!

New Collar

Not too long ago, I threw my superstitions to the wind and bought Ginger a new leash. That's worked out so well, I decided she needs a new collar. Her current one has her name and phone number on it. We've changed our phone number, so it's no longer valid.


I went to a store in our neighborhood last night, but they wanted $45 -- for a dog collar! I love Earthdog's hemp products (where I got both her leashes), so I ordered there. Want to guess which one I picked?

Cold Snap

I know this is nothing for most of you ... but the Bay Area is in the grips of a very unusual cold snap. It was 35 degrees as I walked to work yesterday in gloves and a hat. And, yes, some of that white stuff was spotted.

Rye

I think Rye is my favorite neighborhood hangout. It's very hip, but not painfully so and they make really creative cocktails.


Brian had a sazarac and I had a persimmon sour. Yum.

MNF

Brian and I went to my neighborhood bar last night to watch the Packers beat the Ravens in Monday Night Football. Apparently, true fans refer to this event simply as MNF. Sometimes, I think it would be nice to have cable TV.

We got real-time updates via cell phone from Mike who was enjoying the game at frigid Lambeau Field.

Osha Thai Noodle Cafe

We enjoyed an assortment of noodles, curries, rolls and rice last night. Yummy!

First Look

Here's a first look at photos from my birthday party. Suffice it to say that an excellent time was had by all.

Cocktails and Sushi

I met Brian, Mike, Mike and Mandy after work yesterday at Rickhouse, a really cool cocktail bar.


We sat upstairs where the walls are made of old oak whiskey barrels.


Next we headed across the street to Akiko's where we enjoyed some of the most complex sushi I've ever eaten.


Both terrific spots in the Financial District and highly recommended.

Whole Paycheck

I don't usually shop at Whole Foods. It's too expensive - hence its moniker. But have you tried their flowers?!


I bought a bunch of mums for $5, which is cheap here, and they look just as fresh as the day I bought them - exactly one week ago!

Gin at Work

For reasons I won't go into here, I was concerned about Ginger being home alone all day yesterday, so she spent the afternoon in my office.

Union Square Holidays

Now that I live near Union Square, it's cool to check out the holiday decorations. The ice rink is open for business and, this weekend, I saw a woman in a cherry-picker putting lights on the gigantic Christmas tree.

Our Nation's Capitol

Yes. I'm back in lovely Washington, D.C. Seeing the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial as you arrive from Dulles at night is way cool. You can feel the power. Political power, that is.

Party Time!

Circumstances beyond my control have forced me to relocate (at the last minute!) my 40th birthday party.


I'm pretty excited about the Red Devil Lounge. From the Peacock to the Devil. Cool.

Good Movies

I watched two really great movies this weekend.


"Away We Go" was a really sweet and funny romp. I actually laughed aloud as these soon-to-be parents try to find the best place to raise their daughter.


"Nothing But the Truth" was a great story about a journalist who refused to reveal her source and went to jail for it.

Kava kava

"The word kava is used to refer both to the plant and the beverage produced from its roots. Kava is consumed throughout the Pacific Ocean cultures of Polynesia, Vanuatu, Melanesia and some parts of Micronesia and Australia. Kava is sedating and is primarily consumed to relax without disrupting mental clarity."


This herbal supplement has given me my dog back! Unbelievable! She's not sleepy or droopy, just her normal self. Yay!

A Passion for Turkey

Who knew? When left alone in the apartment with my lunch, Arthur demonstrated his passion for poultry.


First, he sniffed out the turkey sandwich in this bag, hanging on the closet door, climbed up and grabbed the Ziploc bag.


Next, he chewed a quarter-sized hole in the plastic and proceeded to eat the entire slice of turkey, leaving the cucumber slices and English muffin untouched. Clever boy.

Gin Goes to the Vet

Ginger's been rather stressed out since our move. Today we went to see the vet who thinks Gin's lost some cognitive ability (doggie dementia) and is having trouble adapting to her new environment. She pants, whimpers, hides and digs in the carpet.


Some suggested remedies: valerian, "dog-appeasing" pheromones, melatonin, kava kava and ... yes ... Xanax.

Doggie Anxiety

This is St. John's Wort. Isn't it lovely?


Gin's been very anxious since our move. She pants excessively, sleeps in the closet when I'm not home and digs in the carpet. Poor girl. I've started giving her St. John's Wort. We'll see if it works.

Tenderloin National Forest

Thanks to Liz for introducing Linda and me to this beautiful art/green space right around the corner from my apartment. It's designed to draw attention to the lack of green growing things in a neighborhood that's home to an estimated 7,000 kids.

Grand Cafe

One of the great things about a new neighborhood is checking out all the places you've never been to or never heard of. The Grand Cafe is one of those. It's inside the Hotel Monaco and it's absolutely gorgeous. Beth and I enjoyed a bottle of wine and a cheese plate there.

Lunch with Holden ...

... and his mom.




As you can see, Holden is quite an expressive little man. Despite his small size, he's also a big eater!