African Violets

Jeffery brought home African violets, which I planted in little ceramic pots I found for $2 each at a hardware store on Polk Street. I love the blue and white scalloped edge. When she lived in California, my mom always had African violets growing on our kitchen windowsill. It's nice having something in my kitchen that reminds me of her. That window looked out onto our deck, which was covered in flowers and shaded by a large oak tree that swayed and creaked in winter storms. My kitchen window looks out at the neighboring building. At least there is nice morning light and this week it feels like summer. We have ripe avocados, which means it's time for guacamole.

Kitty and the Lady Slipper

As promised, photos of my open lady slipper. As requested, photo of kitty. I hope you're all having a lovely hump day. The sun is shining in San Francisco and my poppies are about to pop!

Light and Shadows

As much as I wanted to spend last Saturday afternoon at a beer garden celebrating our win and the end of the season with my team, sucking down stouts and eating a cheeseburger, I had my grandmother with me, and so I declined the invitation and went grocery shopping and cleaned my apartment instead. It turned out to be such a perfect day, one that I needed. Marina chose peonies over Prosecco at Trader Joe's, and shared them with me. After she divvied them up and put hers in a bag by the door, I was entranced by the shadows that danced behind their fluffy and shiny round heads.

Josh and Katie came over for dinner and we forgot to get dessert, so the boys went to the corner store and bought us all drumsticks.

After they left we listened to bluegrass records and danced. Vinyl sounds so good.

Fire Escape Garden

Our little garden is in full force. The poppies are getting big, freesias are blooming, and even our little succulents are going to flower. It is really fun having something to check up on every morning, to see it progress and get excited about new growth and impending bloom. I'm on the lookout for bud vases with tiny little necks to hold a single stem, because that's all it takes to brighten up a windowsill.

Birthday BBQ

As promised, here are photos from the BBQ we had in Golden Gate Park last week. Marina surprised us with 50 oysters, which we ate raw with Meyer lemon and barbequed with pesto. Delicious. This summer I'm looking forward to spending more leisure time outdoors with friends.

Today my soccer team had our last game of the season, winning 4-1, and we played a beautiful game. Without a win we would have been relegated down to Division 2, and now that we've tasted Division 1, we want to stay!

Happy June, everyone. This month we have a wedding to attend in Grass Valley and my parents are thinking of coming out for a visit. Should be exciting!

Exercise

As an adult I find that most exercise I get is scheduled and solitary, such as running on a treadmill at the gym, or out of necessity, such as walking to work or hauling groceries home. At Jeffery's birthday BBQ in Golden Gate Park last week (pictures coming soon!) we threw a frisbee and a football and kicked a soccer ball around and it was so much fun. Just pure spontaneous play, which is really therapeutic.

I was really active as a kid. Every day I climbed trees or rode my bike or walked the dog or shot hoops in the front yard or played tag with my brother while pretending the carpet was lava and jumped from couch to couch. Being active gives me joy. But it's hard to make the time or find the space to exercise when you live in a small apartment and feel like you work all the time. It's another one of those things that challenges my perceptions about city living. You have to pay for and schedule gym time instead of being able to go outside and play catch in the yard.

I decided I needed to make my exercise more social, so this morning I went to a yoga class. And it gave me a whole lot of energy. So to burn it off I ran a mile, and I did it in 7 minutes and 38 seconds. Not too shabby for an old married lady.

Yesterday Jeffery told me that I inspired him to work out more, so he rode his bike to work, 15 miles round trip. It was such a nice thing to hear from him and it made me really happy. That's what a partner is for, to inspire, which is way better than nagging. He inspires me to wash the dishes more often.

In the last week I have been lucky enough to take two sunset walks with my husband. This city is great for walking. Walk a mile and the neighborhood changes completely. Walk two and you're home.

Love & Luxe

Located on undeniably hip Valencia Street between 22nd and 23rd,

Love & Luxe

is a beautiful gallery and jewelry atelier brimming with handcrafted wearable art. Owner and jewelry designer, Betsy Barron, says it is the fruition of her life dream.

These are my stacked wedding bands, which Betsy Barron

helped me create

.

Jewelry designer Johnny Ninos created this custom weighted case to showcase the work of local and global artists.

Their first anniversary party is happening Saturday, June 2nd from 6-10 pm. There will be wine, music, bites, and goodie bags with all jewelry purchases. If you're in the market for something special, you should definitely stop in!

My Wedding Ring, Updated

Before the wedding, I wrote about the ring that Jeffery gave me when we were still kids, the ring that I have been wearing for the past 8 years. Since saying "I do," I have wanted to find a way to elevate it and make it new. A few years ago, Jeff's mom gave me a milgrain gold band, which I like, but I wanted to find a way to wear it with my diamond band.

I toyed with the idea of having it melted down and turned into stackable bands, and I visited two separate jewelers that were not very helpful or supportive. It felt like they were more interested in getting paid than helping me create something that I would love and wear every day. I was discouraged and frustrated and worried that the endeavor would be too expensive and I wouldn't be happy with the end results. And then I walked into Love & Luxe, a jewelry store and studio on Valencia Street and spoke to the owner, Betsy.

First off, her space is absolutely gorgeous. She greeted me warmly, took a look at my two rings, and listened to my ideas. Then she took her time and really thought about what we could do with them.

She recommended that we cut the milgrain band in half so I could wear the two parts on either side of the diamond band without losing the decorative edge. I knew that was the answer. And I am really happy with how it turned out!

Thank you Betsy for listening to me and for helping me create something I really love.

I spent quite a bit of time in the shop while I was having the rings sized, and I decided it would be perfect to photograph Love & Luxe for my next local business feature. Stay tuned, it's a good one!

To My Darling Husband

Wishing you the happiest of birthdays. You make me happy every day.

You make me want to do nice things for you.

Like have dinner ready when you get home late. Yesterday I got off work at 6 (which is really early for me) and was able to go work out before going grocery shopping. I decided on seafood because we've already had chicken, beef, tofu and sausage this week. And I bought you beer because you deserve it after working all day (for free) and taking your last final exam. I also bought Ben and Jerry's Frozen Greek Yogurt Raspberry Fudge Chunk because it was being advertised in the muni station and it got me.

I made salmon with mashed potatoes, asparagus, and yellow squash topped with hollandaise. It was delicious.

Today we're going to BBQ in Golden Gate Park, just like we used to.

May in the Mission

Last week I had an entire day to walk around the Mission and take photos. When the sun is shining and flowers are blooming, this city is really photogenic.

New local business feature coming soon!

Bi-Rite is selling lilacs for $22 a bunch. Someday I'll grow my own. Until then, I'll photograph them for free. :) Happy May, everyone!