Stinson Sunshine

Springtime = some of the best weather in the Bay Area, right before the fog of summer settles over everything. Naturally, I like to take advantage of the sunshine whenever possible. Here are a few snapshots from a weekend at Stinson Beach.   We'll definitely be back for more sun soon!

September Startup

I love this time of year in San Francisco. The seasons (as we know them here on the West Coast) start to turn a bit, and the sunshine returns from its weeks of hiding behind San Francisco summertime clouds. I'm headed out to enjoy it - I hope you have a beautiful weekend!

Beep, Beep

One minute you’re strolling the sunny grounds of a California vineyard, birds chirping beautifully in the background, the sky a crystal blue…the next you’re struggling to open your eyes in a chilled bedroom with fog stumbling in through the windows and a scheduled workout that seemed like a good idea 48 hours before. Yes, it’s Monday.

Stay tuned for some beautiful shots of wine country later this week!

Red Sky at Night, Sailor's Delight

It's been a long, sluggish week, and I'm looking forward to a fun and relaxing weekend. The weather has changed, and it's been sunny and beautiful everyday for a few weeks now. Here are a couple of pictures I snapped during a walk a few evenings ago. They haven't been edited at all - I just lucked out and caught the sky at its most lovely.

Baker

Baker Beach in the heat of a 70+ degree day. That's a scorcher here, and I have the sunburn to prove it :-/

Summer Psych-Out

As I mentioned on Friday, the weather took a turn for the amazing, and for 72 glorious hours, I believed it was summer. I picnicked at Lafayette Park, laid in the sun with a good book and a cold drink, dug into a juicy watermelon, and grilled artichokes on the BBQ. I even attempted mini golf, but found the weather too hot to chase a ball around the astroturf.

But alas, like every weekend reminds us, all good things must come to an end. And so I emerged from my apartment this morning, hot drink in hand and with a scarf around my neck, to find that it was only a dream. So please enjoy the scant photographic evidence I managed to capture of our early summer mirage. With any luck, maybe I’ll drift back into the same dream next weekend…

Yerba Buena

When I awoke to the sound of a fog horn this morning, I never could have guessed what a gorgeous afternoon I was in for. Here are some pictures from the Yerba Buena Gardens. Enjoy, and have a great weekend!

Let's Play Ball

After some of the worst lightning and thunder San Francisco has had in ages (750 lightning strikes last night!), the skies suddenly cleared up and are looking gorgeous for opening day at AT+T park. There's a very fluffy cloud mass (that's the technical term) hovering out over the water, but I'm pretty sure it's on it's way out. Haaaaapy Friday!!

Chilly Outside, Frothy Inside

A blustery day like today makes me want to stay inside and curl up with a warm drink. Except...wait...that's right - the heater in my apartment has been broken for four days! I hope to god it's working when I get home tonight. It's been really cold in there!

Foggy Friday

I took these pictures within a span of MAYBE 5 minutes. I took the first one because it was such a gorgeous day, and then I went back to wishing it was the weekend already. The next thing I know, the fog is streaming in from the bay. Very beautiful.


And just like that, it's gone again.

Quel Dreary Monday

Weekend Weather Reprieve

The skies cleared up long enough over the weekend to allow for some gorgeous running weather. Naturally, I was still full of gripes and complaints due to my overall physical discomfort. But really...how much complaining can you do when you're looking at this view in between gasps for air?






A promise of hope at the end of the run haha

Rain, Rain...

"Stormasaurus Rex On Its Way"

Get ready...

Source: Teton Gravity Research

Changes

After a completely gorgeous weekend here in SF, we're preparing for a week of rain. I, for one, welcome the rain because it will finally give me a chance to wear the new red Hunters I got for Christmas. It might, however, put a bit of a damper on my training plans.

Training? you say? Indeed, I have made the drastic decision to train for my first-ever half marathon. Reactions to this news have been mixed, with those who know me best displaying both encouragement and a level of surprise that registers somewhere between complete and total shock, and dumbfoundedness tempered with a sort of polite nodding acknowledgement. Regardless, I'm on my way and possibly more excited about my new-found interest in "active wear" than in this goal... But more to come on this later. In the meantime, enjoy the beauty of the San Francisco Bay.

Golden Gate Bridge

A dolphin!

Sky Light

The view from Fort Miley on a drizzly day with beautiful light.





Can you tell I'm a little bit obsessed with my new photo booth iPhone app? haha!

Cook's in the Kitchen

I've been taking advantage of the cooler weather and rain we've been having and using the time indoors to try some new (and some time-tested) recipes.

Chocolate Chip Cookies - a classic


Homemade Chocolate Milk

Creme Brulee C made for my Birthday

Tomato Sauce (before I put the tomatoes in haha)

Grilled Butternut Squash

Here's one you definitely have to try: Savory Palmiers. Leave it to Ina to come up with something so simple yet so beautiful and delicious! My photo doesn't begin to do them justice.

Ingredients

• 1 package frozen Pepperidge Farm puff pastry, defrosted
• 1/4 cup prepared pesto, store bought or homemade (recipe follows)
• 1/2 cup crumbled goat cheese, such as Montrachet
• 1/4 cup finely chopped sundried tomatoes in oil, drained
• 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts
• Kosher salt

Directions

Lightly flour a board and carefully unfold one sheet of puff pastry. Roll the pastry lightly with a rolling pin until it's 9 1/2 by 11 1/2-inches. Spread the sheet of puff pastry with half the pesto, then sprinkle with half the goat cheese, half the sundried tomatoes, and half the pine nuts. Sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Working from the short ends, fold each end halfway to the center. Then fold each side again towards the center until the folded edges almost touch. Fold one side over the other and press lightly. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat the entire instructions for the second sheet of puff pastry using the remaining ingredients. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 45 minutes.


Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.


Cut the prepared rolls of puff pastry in 1/4 inch thick slices and place them face up 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 14 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm.

Fall In

Fall is upon us. It makes me miss the beautiful autumn leaves back east. Here are some shots from the Embarcadero a few days ago.