February 22

Scenes from our walks, Part 1.

I have no idea why a head of lettuce would be in someone's front yard...but there it is.

February 21

Future apricots

February 20

It's been raining a lot and Dignan was out in the yard with Matt today. He got so muddy that he had to have a bath. Then he was so cold that he was shivering so we put this little coat on him. He wore it all night and even slept with it on...and he was nice and toasty.

February 19

I bought this in Australia. I love Aboriginal art and this was in an art gallery in Port Douglas. It's just a piece of canvas and I've never had it properly framed. For now, it's in a shadow box with a decorated boomerang that Matthew bought.

February 18

I know I can get the bit at the bottom!

February 17

Winter tree

February 16

Sigh. Haven't we taken enough photos already?

February 15

When I say that Dignan is shedding a lot, I'm not joking. This is from one brushing and doesn't even include all the tufts of hair that blew away into the yard before I took the picture. Keep in mind that I brush him daily. Where does it come from? He should be bald by now!

February 14

The purple rose of Oculto.

Happy Valentine's Day!

February 13

Matt planted a ton of stuff this morning. I'm happy to have basil plants again. I hate paying for the stuff in the grocery store. Hopefully, we'll have a good crop this year. Last year didn't turn out so well.

February 12

San Diego Zoo. Meerkat.

February 11

Setting sun

February 10

Another night in LA for work, this time at the Holiday Inn Express Century City. Actually, it was a lot nicer than last time. They must have renovated. And I got a free gift for being a Priority Rewards member...little snacks like chocolate and cookies. Plus, free breakfast for all guests; not great but the cinnamon rolls hit the spot.

February 9

Does anyone else have to read next to a wall of clothes?

I guess I should help Matt fold.

February 8

Goth lips

February 7

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

That had to be the 80's.

But why were we matching?

February 6

I don't know if you can see the little black spot in between the rain gutter and the wall. That is a lizard catching its breath after escaping from certain death.

It's a pretty common hideout for the lizards in our yard. It drives Dignan crazy.

February 5

We really needed to clean house today. I worked indoors and Matt tackled the yard.

At one point, he called me outside to show me this perfect little mushroom he found. We couldn't resist putting in Caterpillar's hand.

February 4

Friday night. My boss was a terror today so I needed something light. Matt and I both thought this movie was kind of funny. It's the supporting cast that really makes it, although Justin Long was good too.

February 3

In this scene, Matt is preparing dinner.

And....

"Places, please."

February 2

It's Girl Scout cookie time again! Emily came over tonight so we bought a bunch of boxes, including my favorites, Thin Mints and Trefoils.

Thin Mints are the best all-around cookie but I like Trefoils with my evening tea.

February 1

A beautiful tree in my neighborhood. We had one of these in my backyard growing up. It has little white petals that drop on the ground, creating a pseudo-snowfall. That's the closest we ever got to snow in Brawley.

I always thought it smelled like corn chips. The smell bothered me but I still loved the tree in bloom.

January 31

Finished book 2 of the Millennium series...MUCH better than the first one, in my opinion. Now, I can't wait to read the last one. It's sad that the author died before seeing its success.

January 30

I couldn't leave San Franciso without sharing this photo. I noticed this from my window the first day and I was obsessed with it the entire weekend. There was this man on the roof of the building across the street from our hotel. At first, I thought it was a real man and I kept waiting for him to move. Eventually, I realized he must be a statue but it still freaked me out. No one else could see him from their room so I made them all come to mine so they'd know I wasn't crazy. I half expected him to be gone when they came to look! I finally had to zoom my camera in as far as it would go and this was the image I got...a fisherman looking out to sea.

January 29

The gang at breakfast at MarketBar in the Ferry Building. From left, Maggie, Amy, Sandy, Tina and me.

We decided to walk to Union Square this day and we came across the "Creme Brulee Cart". What a great idea! This guy has little tins filled with the "creme" and then he adds the sugar and burns it right in front of you. Then you can just eat your treat while walking down the street!

It started drizzling on the walk home and none of us had brought umbrellas so that was a little annoying. But, we had plenty of time to freshen up before going to dinner in North Park at Cafe Zoetrope, where we met up with Tina's friend, Jen, who lives in SFO. After that, we hit a bar and then got some dessert...cannoli for them, blackberry cabernet sorbet for me. Wow!

January 28

San Franciso! I went up for a "girl's weekend" with my friend, Tina, and some of her friends. We stayed at the Hotel Vitale which I really liked. I had a view of the water and the Ferry Building (pictured) was right across the street. There are bunch of restaurants and gourmet food shops inside the Ferry Building so we spent a lot of time over there. I devoured a delicious cinnamon gelato and bought Matt some coffee that smelled like heaven.

The first night, we had dinner at The Slanted Door and it was great. I had my first and last taste of Cabernet Franc wine. It tasted like a campfire. Our waiter said it was very earthy and old world. I said it was funky and gross. He brought me something else.

January 27

I come home for one night and Matt has to terrorize me with mutant fruit.

January 26

I try to say at the Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills when I go to LA for work. It has a good location and I get free breakfast. Plus, they have a great rewards program. I always get a room on the 11th or 12th floor since those are reserved for Priority Club members. There are great views from either side. This time, I had a view of Miracle Mile and Downtown (through the morning fog).

This photo is so representative of LA to me. Concrete and highrises.

January 25

Not a good photo of either of us but it's the only one I have. This is my old roommate and friend, Mario, who I hadn't seen in a long time. Since I was up in LA for work, we decided to meet for dinner. It was great to catch up, especially since his life is about to turn upside down. He and his girlfriend are expecting their first child in May.

January 24

Another of my favorite teas. Chocolate...mint...caffeine.

What more do you need in the morning?