markety artsy indian chairs

about 40 years back, my dad saw woven leather chairs in a store and decided to replicate them himself. a DIY-er at heart, he got all of the supplies, and went to work...for years he made bar stools and kitchen chairs for everyone: family, friends, random people on the street, it didn't really matter who they were, if he knew them they were gonna get some chairs. my mom still uses them as her dining room chairs and bar stools, and I have two of the shorter stools in my kitchen.

I have never seen anything that even closely resembles this woven chair style, until last weekend, I saw them TWICE in one trip. apparently, they're mexican inspired and loved by San Franciscans, both sightings were at taquerias in San Fran. way to go dad, your hand made goods are still cutting edge.


At Mijita on Fisherman's Wharf.

At La Taqueria in the Mission.

The original at home, with Olive kitty.

if you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear the warmest clothes you own

Please wear a flower in your hair, but you will need a jacket as well.

Even though I forgot to buy a t-shirt that proves it, I heart SF. this city will warm your heart and belly one minute, and chill you to the bone the next. but the cold's not stopping anyone, there are so many unique little pockets to explore and sights to see, you just gotta keep on keepin on. of all of our adventures my favorites were alcatraz and the mission (i could have stayed there all day sampling different taquerias).

we saw lots of bleu et vert, here's just a sampling from that little city by the sea.

art to art...dip de dip

Pat had the HMG over to her house on Bainbridge a few weeks back, and made the best artichoke dip. Ever. I liked it when I tasted it, and I liked it even more when I saw that the recipe called for an entire jar of mayonnaise. You can't go wrong with that.

2 (14 oz.) cans artichoke hearts, drained, chopped coarsely

8 oz. jar mayonnaise

2 cups shredded mozzarella

1 cup grated parmesan

1 teaspoon garlic powder, dip

Paprika (for sprinkling on top)

Mix artichokes, mayonnaise, cheeses and garlic powder. Pour mixture into greased casserole pan. Sprinkle with paprika and bake for 25 minutes in a 350 degree oven. Pat Beal recommends serving this with Garlic melba rounds...or another sturdy cracker of your choosing.

we sing we laugh we dance we do not steal things

thanks so much for making my b-day excellent. you all are loverly and it was a real joy. it didn't feel at all like a quarter-life crisis. also, I appreciate the encouragement to get a picture with everyone. beyond just capturing pivotal moments & pretty lady friends on film, it opened up ample opportunities for lily and i to dance and for ashley and i to do whatever it is that we do (something weird). plus, you all got a b-day hug, and that is invaluable. allison, I am displaying my sweet little cupcake at work, and it's already received quite a few compliments.

Looking back on these pictures a few obersvations, i notice that lily and i are wearing opposite outfits lily: black dress/purple flower, laura: purple dress/black flower. we did not plan this. but we should have. planning twin outfits is where it's at.

Kathleen and Allison - is this the exact same picture from Kathleen's 21st birthday, only now we're 25?? creepy.

Cake transport FAIL

It was the bell of the ball. But then a few really bad things happened very quickly. First lily dropped it on the ground. And then I dropped it in the car. And then I dropped it in the car, a second time. It was fun while it lasted, but let's face it cake, you cannot be salvaged. may you rest in peace on our front porch.

Also, it has come to my attention that someone stuck their finger in the frosting and dragged it down the cake, as evidenced by the first picture. Not naming any names, but I have a pretty good idea who it was. I'm after you. Better watch your back.

ice cream sosal!

a few weeks back, walking down the streets of Ballard, we hit a jackpot, and found these sweet little posters stapled to a bunch of light posts. it's an invite to molly moon's ice cream social at the Fremont Abbey. it already happened so don't try to go, but had you gone you would have been welcomed to eat your dessert without fear. desserts without fear of peanuts, that is. well, what if I have a fear of long lines? huh, huh? then what? then where do I eat dessert? miss moon does not know how to answer this, I am sure of it.

anyway, great poster though. and we still like your ice cream despite the long lines, no peanut butter and some other minor complaints. most likely, we'll keep eating it. rock on.

alex also mentioned that this won poster of the week.

smiling all of my days

thanks to all of the lovely people that make me smile all of my days, especially on this birthday day. today I got some extra special goodies starting with passing my emissions test with flying colors (uh-huh, that's right), beautiful looking and smelling flowers from Natalie and the coolest EVER, Robin's egg blue KitchenAid mixer from Dan! Now I can bake cakes everyday, and life will be even more awesome. Also, I got a very hilarious Jehovah card from Alonna and my little sister Molly called to sing me a happy birthday song this morning. you peeps rock. also, if anyone wants to get me a blue-eyed kitty, i will accept it with open arms. you know where to find me.