Botanical Gardens

Brit and I spent the few (sad) hours after Emmy, Zach, and Marrok left wandering the Botanical gardens and Pisa. Though it is early in the season, it was great to be among the green things!

Succulent glasshouse 

Look Mom, spider babies!

"Melissa"

If I ever have a yard again, I will plant myself a bamboo forest 

Xoxo

Pretty!

We passed so many beautiful little towns on our way to Sorrento. Unfortunately it was raining most of the time and so we didn't get out of the pirate ship, but I managed a few fly-by photos!

Xoxo

Italian Highway Pirates

Everyone on the pirate ship is sleeping!

Xoxo

Fancy!

Brit and I picked up the rental van (gigantic) and drove up to the Lamborghini museum today. Not totally my thing, but pretty interesting!

My two favorites: Classic and concept.

I'm terrible at selfies!

Xoxo

Good morning Florence!

Xoxo

Woah

Emmy did an incredible job finding this apartment! The view out of the bedroom window is, well...

Xoxo

From Istanbul to Florence via Pisa

We had a packed day today! Up early, we had breakfast at the hotel and headed out to see the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia. After that, we stumbled upon the Grand Bazaar! A quick lunch and we were off to the airport!

Entrance to the Blue Mosque

It was breathtaking!

The Mosque can hold 10,000 people!

The mosaics are beautiful

At the Hagia Sophia, we were able to examine mosaics beginning to be uncovered, which was interesting. 

Brit made a friend with one of the many famous public cats!

I didn't expect to do much in Italy today after a busy morning and a terrible plane ride, but Emmy, Zach, and Marrok got us going to have dinner and walk around. I couldn't believe that The Duomo is right around the corner!

Now I'm dozing off listening to E & Z reading to Marrok, so good night!

Xoxo

Italy!!

I can't believe our trip to Italy is finally here! I am trying not to get too excited, because I know it can be annoying! But really, I can't wait to see Amanda and CK, Marrok, Zach, and Emmy!

Brit and I will be staying in Istanbul for our 22 hour layover on the way to Italy and 15 hours on the way back. Long layovers, but what a great place to have them!

Xoxo 

Ooh!

Pootz has been checking out his new corner...

Xoxo

Happiness is

Getting to see my clients every day!

This lady is one of my favorites 

Xoxo

Spring!!

Xoxo

Have fuzzy slippers

Will travel! I'm all set for Italy now!

Xoxo

Oops

This is what happens when you blog sleepy: I accidentally posted onto Marrok's blog instead of mine! Head over there for the Lunar New Year post!

Xoxo

Farm Share

I decided to subscribe to a farm share (CSA) to increase the variety of food we eat and also save some money. Tonight I managed to use 2/3 of the produce in one meal!

It isn't pretty, but I made Lebanese lentil soup with CSA red spring onions, carrots, spinach, and lemons, roasted CSA fennel and celery root, and CSA fennel frond pesto with lemon juice. It was so tasty and flavorful! 

Xoxo

Graffiti

Somebody has my name in Oakland!

Xoxo

A warm Sunday with a few hours to kill

Is perfect for a ride to the ocean!

Xoxo

Pretty!

With love from an obliging bush!

Xoxo

Chinese New Year 2!

We are in the thick of celebrating Chinese New Year at Hong Fook! Things are pretty much the same as last year, so not too many photos. I was, however, given this new jacket from Hong Kong: it is hand embroidered and, though too big, my clients loooove that I wear traditional clothing!

More photos to come after Tuesday, when we have the lion dancers back!

Xoxo

Chilly Weekend in Seattle

We went up to see the kiddos this weekend and had so much fun! I am always impressed with Ben and Lia for making sure the kids are outside playing no matter what! The kids love it!

We went to the best park ever: there is a playground, a field for playing football, a bridge over train tracks, and a beach! Mr. Brit and Aya found this little guy. "He has a smiley face!"

Maylin is growing so quickly! She runs all over, loves to play, and is such a little sweetie!

"I'm cool like Daddy"

Xoxo

Just hanging out

Laughing with my boys...

Xoxo

Supper club

We have been having or making dinner with friends at least once a month for almost a year now. Tonight was Mongolian barbecue family dinner and it was delicious!

I also got to try out Ellie's new mattress, which has confirmed my belief that I need to buy a new mattress!

Xoxo

Planning for Italy

I woke up early this morning so excited for the trip! I've started this "calendar" to keep track of who, what, when, and where. Yay!!

Xoxo

Busy, fun weekend

Our weekend began on Friday at the Oakland Museum of California. We ate at the food trucks and then visited the special quilt show.

After a hearty breakfast Saturday morning, I went on my first long bike ride in quite a while: 40ish miles with my friend Ellie. We rode through rain and sunshine on muddy paths and city streets. It was awesome!

Sunday was grocery shopping, the gym, and a busy day of little projects. Brit installed my bike rack (yay!) and I made t-shirts and dresses for the kiddos. I even figured out how to put words onto and then print my own photo from Yosemite to put on a shirt!

My photo on a shirt!!

Lots of fun clothes for the kiddos!

Xoxo

I love El Niño

Sure my morning run is chilly and wet, but it is so worth it!

Yay rain!

Xoxo

The cabin

I realized I've never posted a picture of the actual cabin! Here it is at it's finest:

Xoxo