The Hills of Berkeley

Wednesday was a low key day. We did things around the condo, and then later went to Berkeley, where we explored the hills of Berkeley a little more. Tilden Park is a very large area on the other side of the hills. Check out the website for more details if you're interested, but it is quite an elaborate park. 

The views from the hills are spectacular, as are some of the houses. The problem is that the houses block the views, so there are few areas that you can actually see the bay unless you are fortunate enough to live in one of the houses. It is still a nice ride and was a good thing to do.

We then went to Alameda for dinner at Paula and Ken's (Lindsey's parents). She made a very tasty meal--Butternut Squash Soup, Rosemary Chicken, Swiss Chard with aioli sauce, Angel food cake with fresh strawberries for dessert.  It was delicious, and the recipes are all in the cookbook Jay and Linds assembled for their wedding!   We then went to Jason and Lindsey's so that Jim and Laura could see their house, then back to Novato.    They loved their house, it is so cute.     Oh, yes, they also met the animals, the dog Matilda, at the Frimans, and of course, Jay and Lindsey's kitties, Ivan and Jack.     Mishpocha!    

The "Best of" Day

We are keeping very busy with Jim and Laura.  Today, we took the ferry from Larkspur into the Ferry Building.  Jim had been wanting to do this since he found out about it in the fall, during Jay and Lindsey's wedding.  it was a beautiful day, just gorgeous.   The sun shone off the water, the sky was blue, you could see clearly, just beautiful.  We love the ferry, it's one of the BEST things we've done.

We then took 2 stairway walks.  These are very well known, and I've done them before, but 2 of the BEST stairways in SF.  We walked up the Greenwich steps---there was a movie made a few years ago called "The Parrots of Telegraph Hill", and this is where it took place.   The parrots are gone, but the stairway is beautiful.  It was quite high, 492 steps.  Laura was unsure of it, but made it like a trooper, and was so happy that she did!   Jim thoroughly enjoyed it, and of course, I was happy that they liked it.   We then walked around a bit, and then walked down the Filbert Steps.   These are quite well known.  They are both near Coit Tower, and Armistad Maupin based his Tale of the City on the Filbert Steps locale.   It was a bit congested, actually, with people walking up and down them.   The first time i did these, I was the only soul on the steps, how that has changed.

Anyway, the Filbert Steps are wonderful, with charming homes along the way, beautiful gardens, little alley ways, and different kinds of staircases on different tiers.

Jim, (in tribute to Alfred Hitchock) had an encounter with a pigeon. For some reason the pigeon decided to drop his load directly on Jim at the precise moment that Jim's mouth was open. Yes, he took a direct hit to the mouth of pigeon shit. Not really a very good appetizer before lunch. 

 We came home after eating lunch at The Fog City Diner, where we first met Lindsey's parents.   Took the ferry back, got some sun, came home.   Went to Boca for their Tuesday night special, which is a bottle of wine at half price, and a bar menu half price.

We came home and watched "Rachel's Wedding."  We had all seen it but Dan, and we all gave it about 2 stars.   Nice, nice day!

Wire Hangers!

It's my birthday today!   Jim and Laura are visiting, and Jim walked down this morning with a broken wire hanger.    Now, who can get this reference?     It IS from a famous movie scene that Jim imitates, and we all laugh at, but you all have to guess as to why this has significance TODAY.

So we did some wine tasting today in Sonoma.  Went to Passacqua, which Matt recommended, and bought a good zin.  

Then we went to Dry Creek, and bought a fabulous Mariner, which is like a Bordelaise.  then went to Mazzocco.  where we bought another Zin!    Had fun driving around, then went to St. Helena.

We came back and cooked steaks, drank the wine!  I didn't do anything, everyone else did. It's been a really fun day.  Everyone called me, and I got a bunch of Happy Birthdays on Facebook, which seems so strange!   I've really enjoyed this day.     Got calls from Matt, Melisa, Adam, Sally and Trudi.   I love birthdays, don't you?

I got really nice gifts today too, from my loved ones.  Melisa always sends her gifts early, so we are sure to get them, but I don't open them til my birthday.    She is so good about that!   She got me a cute little bag, a stretchy top for layering, some really good tea, and some really nice earrings.  I really love the earrings as they look so nice on.   She bought me things with my travels in mind, so everything is portable.    Very thoughtful and appreciated.    And oh, her card was from this weird exhibit we saw together at the Des Moines art museum.     Dan got me biking shorts, a scarf, a foot massager little ball, hiking socks which I desperately need, and yes, flowers!    

Matt and Rachel are arranging a bottle of wine for me from their favorite winery in Sonoma.  I will pick it up, oh, what a shame, to have to return to wine country.

A lovely day!

Hot Jazz, Hot Balboa, Hot Food

We had Dan's brother, Jim and family to dinner tonight, his wife, LeAnn, and his daughter, Aura and her husband, John. We hadn't seen Aura since she was 13, and she's almost 29. It was so good to see her, and of course, Jim and LeAnn. We had the famous Lillian Bernard spaghetti (my mom's recipe) which Jim remembered having before. He wondered if that's all I can make!

We then went to Rancho Nicasio, which I've written about before, to see "Le Jazz Hot". They were really great! They played jazz guitar and violin in the style of Django Reinhart and Stephan Graphelli, so Dan was in heaven. They were wonderful! They looked quite urbane, but made great music.

What made it a magical night were these 4 couples next to us who all danced the night away. But they were spectacular dancers! Some were dressed up in 30's clothes, with chignon hairdos, and vintage dresses, the men in hats, suspenders, and spats. One of the couples was an attractive youngish woman , and the much older man was a short, Woody Allen looking guy, very nebbishy looking . But the best dancer I've ever seen! He was a joy to watch! He danced effortlessly. We just sat and watched them all, tried dancing ourselves once, but were truly outclasses, and it was so much fun to watch them! They brought their dancing shoes with them, changed at the door, carried their shoes in trunk cases.

I couldn't stand it, and went over to their table during the break. They told me they just go to dance clubs all the time, which apparently they have all over San Francisco. (Jim had told me this earlier) The older, short guy used to teach dancing. They all met at these clubs, became friends, and go out dancing together. Also, each of the couples met their mates dancing! When I told them i was from Michigan, one of the guys said that there is a huge, annual "Balboa" dance thing in Detroit every summer. Who knew! I later googled "Balboa", and indeed found that it is a dance from the 30's. It was so enjoyable to watch them all. Their dancing was joyful, yet intimate, with a hint of sexuality to it.   Go google it if you are curious!

The day before is so nice!

In the morning, went to the Cinema Club, although Dan didn't go, instead went to the airport to pick up Jim and Laura.  The movie was "Paris, 36."   It was interesting, sort of a low key "Moulin Rouge".   It was a French movie, and pretty good. 

I then drove with Jay back to Novato, and met Lindsey, Paula and Ken.  Jim and Laura and Dan were here then.  It was busy and hectic and fun.  

We all went to brunch at The Girl and the Fig, a wonderful restaurant in Sonoma, to celebrate my birthday a day early.   We had a lovely lunch, we ate outside, and felt like we belonged there.

We then came back to our condo for the chocolate cake I make for myself every birthday.  It was so nice to be with family members on, or even the day before, my birthday!  it doesn't usually happen.  Although I get to be with my friends, whom I miss dearly, I am rarely with family.   So we all really enjoyed being together.  I loved my gifts.  Jay got me a bracelet that is retro and really cool, Lindsey a shawl/scarf, which I love and she knows I've wanted.  Paula got me a cute tote.   I will open the rest of the gifts tomorrow.   It's so nice to feel loved, and I do!   Pat