Kelley Will Be So Proud of Me!

My sister, the amazing blog-master, Kelley, has been "hinting" at me (on more than one occasion) about how easy it is to make all my pictures bigger on this blog, and how much better it is for the readers. At long last, I went back and fixed them up today.  So in case you once found yourself thinking "Badlands?  I can't see what the big deal is," or "Who are these people that are so interested in pumpkins?" - then you may enjoy looking back and finding enlarged pictures that had been previously posted.

Good job, Kell - your message finally got through! :-)

Jellyfish Saviors of Stinson Beach

Yesterday we gathered our favorite troop of San Francisco newbies, packed our Prius to the brim, and headed out to Stinson Beach for a BBQ and getaway.  We were graced with a gorgeous day, easy parking, and awesome company... and in the case of Neil & Kei, the opportunity to be heroes of the beached jellyfish (we won't discuss whether or not they were already dead, nor the fact that jellyfish overpopulation is generally threatening seas).  Behold:

Can't very well be on a beach without one of these shots, am I right?
 

Hero squad in the making... and a beautiful background to boot.

At this point, I confess, I love these pictures more for the scenery than the plot, but in the spirit of narrative continuity, I'll say "the heroes stumbled on the first hapless victim..."

 This one I just plain love... but the jelly is disgusting.

My man.

Hooray!  A great day!

Photo Dump! SF Life As We Know It and More

My sisters recently pointed out how much trouble I'm in after claiming to have emerged from the Yoga Bubble, only to disappear into unexplained silence all over again.  Whoopsie Daisy.  Here's my photo-dump and mad-dash catch-up to show you what we've been up to while I've been ignoring you so shamefully...

Wine tasting & picnic at Dry Creek Vineyard in Sonoma (I know, I know, tough life that's been keeping me away from this blog...)

The Yoga Bubble.

Birthday Power Hour & Drinking Games

(I'll never grow up, never grow up!  Not me!  Not I!  Not me! ♪)

Enjoying sunshine at Delores Park...

complete with Bi-Rite ice cream and/or Kei's new favorite neighborhood candies... ;-)

Making our own cheese!  It's true!  

Finding surprises at the many farmers markets.

Getting to really know our vegetables...

... then ruthlessly murdering them & becoming experts at pumpkin pie!

Spreading pumpkin love to our great friends and SF newbies, Yoriko & Neil.

Some labor more than others...

...but all enjoy!  Feeling awfully proud of our carving artistry (patterns or not - this was tough!)

Seriously.

Then last week we lit on out of SF and had a great visit in Wisconsin (though I was not even remotely on-the-ball with my camera... whoopsies again).  We got to see the family, Kei got in a full flight lesson (what what!), and we closed out with an awesome BBQ from master chef, The Chen, and a gracious welcoming by the whole Chenhalls gang.

Then, we went forth to Baltimore, where things appear slightly weirder, but we still had a great visit with Adam and his fiance, Yoshie!

Outside the AVAM, the American Visionary Art Museum, where they showcase amateur art like this here school bus.  An awesome place, where I again failed to take ample pictures inside the museum.  Noting a theme here...

Kei celebrating fall colors!  The whole inspiration for the trip!

Satiating our marine-cravings indoors instead of underwater at the National Aquarium; where we almost lost Kei and Adam to this here set of jaws.

Ooo'ed at jellyfish - which, with tentacles like these are best appreciated whilst separated by a pane of glass.

Then scampered off to DC for an evening and a day!

Never disappoints.

Much love all!  Sorry for my continued delinquency!  I'll wisen up and resist making too many promises of super frequent updates to come... :-) xx