san francisco

many of you know that i was born in san francisco and that, although i moved away when i was quite young, it still feels more like home to me than any place i have known. i can never stay away for too long. the city always beckons me back to visit. my amazing godmother lives in the city and so every few years (not as often as i'd like) i try to get back. the last time i was in san francisco was for my honeymoon, but jeff and i were barely in the city, as we spent most of our time along the coastline and in wine country. so, the last time i was really in san francisco was in 2000. shocking. 2000 and 2008 are way too far apart, but that's what happens when you have a child and life keeps you busy.

so, at the first of the year, jeff announced that i was going to go to san francisco by myself to visit. he would take care of amanda with my mom and dad while i flew across the country. sweet of him, really, but i was far too busy. i had things to get done, and a child, and every excuse in the book that it just wasn't a good idea, even though inside i leapt with joy at the idea. but jeff was persistent, sitting me down one weekend and watching me make my flight reservation.

it gets better. my dear friend patrick and i had been talking about traveling together for some time and this seemed like the perfect trip. yahoo!

after just a few minor (in hindsight) flight hurdles and a lot of pinches to check if this was actually happening, i went to san francisco in early july. and folks, it was the best trip to date i have taken to that amazing city of my heart.

why? funny you should ask. i think i am older and wiser and appreciate more these days. i think i listened to my godmother's amazing stories in a different way than on previous visits and appreciated the smaller things. patrick and i hit the city on foot a good bit, which allowed us to see so much...to be tourists when we wanted to be, but also to explore the neighborhoods and some of the places no book will suggest. our time there was rich and filled with really wonderful things...conversation, museums, great food, markets, and so much more.

while i feel like the luckiest person in the world to be the mother to amanda and a partner with jeff, we all need some time away, you know? i didn't realize how much i needed that time. in fact, i think that every parent in the world should be ordered to have some time away every so often. it should be government supported. ha.

so, here is a taste of my trip for you to enjoy. nibble, nibble.


san francisco streets














chihuly exhibit at the de young museum











conservatory














dahlia garden














japanese tea garden














my old house














patrick and sarah on the way to sausalito











greens restaurant, my all-time favorite














view from the cable car














sarah, aunt rose, and patrick











ladies at the ferry building market














my favorite part of aunt rose's apartment














view of san fran from twin peaks