Forth Worth.

I recently spent the weekend in Ft. Worth, Texas.  Rodeo, cowboy boots, swimming pool lounging and eating delicious food.  We saw fantastic art and plenty of cows.

It was super-hot (one-oh-four!) but I had a great time visiting my dad.  Folks here in San Francisco always have disparaging things to say about Texas.  And while I wouldn’t necessarily want to live there, I find it delightful and there are plenty of things to experience that you won't get anywhere else.

Heading to New York.

I'm heading to New York this weekend!  Dan and I are always excited to visit New York, and we especially love to visit together.  We'll be visiting with friends and seeing all of our favorite spots.  Plus, I get to see my sister!  Hurrah!  

 

I'm really looking forward to this trip and getting to do all of my favorite New York things.  See you next week, or something.

What I'm Reading: OMG Edition

So, I've been waiting on news in other areas of my life before I put this out here, but here goes.  My sweetie and I will be going to Southeast Asia (as well as Japan, to visit his family) this summer!  I couldn't be more excited.  It's something we've talked about doing for years (really, years) and now we're actually planning our adventure!  So this is what I'm reading right now:

OMG, yes.

At the moment, we're still developing our itinerary, including the length of time we'll be there, so stay tuned.  We have a number of factors and priorities, but it's just a matter of what makes the most sense for both of us, and our budgets.

Ferry Building.

Everyone in San Francisco knows about the Ferry Building Farmer's Market.  Dan and I went yesterday to get produce for the week, as well as have our knives sharpened.  We also had Chilequiles for breakfast from Primavera.  (Second week in a row, actually.)

They were phenomenal.  Also: we're cute and make each other laugh.  Good times.

Dan's Birthday.

Dan and I threw a little shindig at our place for Dan's birthday last night.  Our friends are fantastic, Dan got plenty of great stuff (and attention!).  We both had a blast, and I feel so lucky I got to honor my phenomenal partner.  I am impossibly lucky and so in love.

Lucca Ravioli.

An amazing thing about my neighborhood is all of the specialized food.  Food that isn't just made, it's crafted.  Made in small batches by passionate people.  Which is probably why I end up shopping at four or five groceries or markets every week-- each place has something unique, excellent or special.  This week's delightful spot is Lucca Ravioli on Valencia.  They're an Italian specialty shop that has all kinds of jarred Italian delights, loads of amazing cheese, breads and sauces made in house.  And the ravioli and tortellini (and all the other fresh, handmade pasta) is ah-mazing.  Seriously, it's just so much better than the dried stuff. 

Last night we had their pumpkin ravioli with leeks, mushrooms, browned butter and sage.  Dan's a lucky dude.

Porcupine.

Dan gave me a print of this photograph for my birthday last year, and I, being the lazy bum I am, just got around to framing it.  It's so cute, and I love looking at it first thing when I get out of bed.  How can this not make you cheerful?

It's by Sharon Montrose, and I love her whole series of animal prints.
(That's just the image, I haven't gotten around to taking pictures of all my artwork hung on the wall yet.)

Glen Canyon Park.

I had never really explored the neighborhood of Glen Park in San Francisco.  So my sweetie and I decided to have a mini-date to go on a mini-hike through Glen Park Canyon.  After almost ten (10!) years of living here, it was high time that A. I explored someplace new, and B. that I made it to this little canyon, full of people and dogs.  It's set back, close to public transit (BART) in a cute neighborhood filled with beautiful homes, adorable shops, and loads of dogs.  Walking, new things, each other and some cute pups: perfect combination for a little date.

 

   

Afterward, we strolled through the neighborhood and stopped in a cute cheese shop to pick up some necessities (Gruyere swiss and Nutella for crepes tomorrow morning).  We even have plans to go back for a dinner date sometime.  Great discovery!

Joshua Tree.

My sweetie and I went to Joshua Tree National Park for New Year's camping with a passel of friends.  It was very beautiful and very cold.  Campfires, hiking, outdoor cooking, wandering around in the desert.  And hanging out in the hot tubs in Desert Hot Springs.  Fun!

 

Joshua Tree, Self-Portrait

 

Rocks, My Handsome Man

 

Desert/ sky/ the entirety of creation (or what feels like it.)

 

Hiking in a Joshua Tree desert; Me at camp with my friend, Scott

 

More beauty.  Really, the landscape is just unique.

Polaroid.

Dan, my partner, gave this to my a couple of months after we started dating, in my Valentine’s Day card (2008).  It’s one of my most prized and treasured mementos.  Every time I look at it, it catches my heart.  He is so the cutest.

(Taken at the SFNLG office.  Learn about the work the San Francisco Chapter of the National Lawyers' Guild does here.)