attention must be paid

 Grand daughters Samantha and Lindsay already have their plane tickets for another rather raucous Thanksgiving extravaganza here. They request the presence of sister Jane, as do the Blogmaid and I. Yes, it is way early to be planning, on the other hand it gives me great pleasure to imagine the laughter and chaos. Ah, family. Ah, friends. 

The Jewel and some bad baseball

 But at least there was sunshine. Nancy had not been to our ballpark and I haven't been this year, so it was a good experience except for the fact that our Giants did not play very well. But still, a fine time for we three Stein women. 

Friday in the fog with mixed menus

 Nancy, Ceci and I wandered around the Botanical Gardens all morning, then we had lunch at Ebisu (I had noodles, they both love sushi) on 9th Avenue, a restaurant that has been there forever and is still very popular. One would think that we wouldn't be hungry again for dinner, but one would be wrong. We met Samantha and Luke at Celia's Mexican Restaurant in San Bruno and that was indeed a happy gathering, despite the fact that we were saying goodbye to Luke and Sam who are moving to Florida this Monday. Grrrrrrrr. On the other hand, pure luck brought these two into my life three years ago and I so benefitted.

our SF family day

 A busy Thursday including a meeting with our lawyer, walk on the beach, lots or coffee and chit chat and then a fabulous dinner at Zuni. Despite the fog in the top photo, we did see some gentle sunshine yesterday. Today to the park and dinner with Samantha and Luke. Good times!

there is no lake on 24th Street

 Wonderful having g.dot Ceci and step dot Nancy in town and we celebrated at the Grand Lake Kitchen, so named after their Oakland place by the Lake? I guess. Anyway, a busy few days ahead so I will try to get in a few words and photos along the way. This was a good place for dinner, by the way. 

blogger leaves home!

 Yes, I walked two doors down for Rob's chicken piccata and pasta last night. Other than that, I just had the best time puttering and putzing around this little house that I love. Step daughter Nancy arrives this week and I always make sure that she knows that I don't live in Gray Gardens (a 1975 film). Grand daughter Ceci too, this will be a good week. They all are, really.

sweet goodbyes

 Heidi and Rob were wonderful to host a goodbye/good luck dinner for granddaughter Sam and her Luke last night. Doug and Barb were there to help ease the sadness and everything was very nice and we laughed and tried not to cry. I am so glad that I got to know this g.dot so well ~ fortune smiled on me.

north to Rancho Cordova

 So nice to be included in this visit to the Blogmaid's mama yesterday. First, lunch at Brookfield, an excellent all American restaurant in Rancho Cordova, then time to visit and take photos by Audrey's always popular lemon tree, then a visit to the grave of Blogmaid's father. It was a delight spending time with Cass too, yes ~ definitely all grown up and ready for a brilliant, artistic future. For my many (subtle joke) out of state readers, Rancho Cordova is up near Sacramento. Grateful to have been part of this happy family gathering and to be in actual sunshine sans fog.

a grand dinner

 Grand daughter Samantha and her husband (of one year!) Luke treated me to a delicious dinner at Flour + Water on Harrison Street last night. Oh, yum. Sam had the Pride special and I had duck pasta. These two wonderful people are moving to Florida in August (for career reasons) and my heart hurts because I will miss them so much. Sam's father (and my youngest stepson, Rob) lives in Florida during the winter and I'm glad they will be close. But still...

and MORE dumplings

 Granddaughter Samantha and I had a lovely late lunch yesterday back at Dumpling Story on Valencia Street. She is full of plans which include (alas) a move to Florida and yes, we will miss her and Luke and the big old doodle Harlow so much. And they will miss the Bay Area, that much I know for sure.

a GRAND Saturday

 Grand daughter Ceci and her husband Zak came down from Nevada City yesterday for a concert last night in Oakland. We had a delicious late lunch at The Dumpling Story over on Valencia Street. Then g.dot Samantha arrived at my house as she was joining her cousins for the concert. Manageable chaos with these vibrant souls. 

Calamari anyone?

 

Granddaughter Lindsay (top, left) is here from NYC and we had a lovely pre-Easter dinner at La Ciccia, a wonderful Italian restaurant over on 30th Street. We had lots of pasta and lamb and the middle photo is a delicious calamari. Lots to talk about and such a happy celebration. The sisters are off to Big Sur this morning ~ Lindsay very happy with our gorgeous weather. A delightful evening for sure.

late lunch by the Bay

 Scott, Nancy and I went out to Mission Rock yesterday for a late lunch and some cool ocean breezes. The heat wave continues through Friday, or so they say. So nice to have family here for a few days and they were not missing the Chicago weather. 

more food, more family

 Last night we met Samantha and Luke at Daejo, the Korean restaurant in Japantown. Yes, we ate too much and enjoyed that delightful and unusual cuisine. You can see the cheese melting all over the stew in the bottom photo.  

my sunny city

 Step daughter, Nancy, and her husband, Scott, left a cold and rainy Illinois yesterday morning and all they wanted was sun. Success. We had a good walk at Fisherman's Wharf and an early dinner at the Crab House at Pier 39. Of course it's a "tourist place" but we were impressed and happy with the food and service. I look forward to taking Sister Jane to the Crab House on her next visit. The "kids" will be here for a week but plan to visit their daughter Ceci up in Nevada City for a few days. 

and some grand noodles

 Samantha and Harlow dropped by yesterday afternoon and she taught me how to make Cup Noodles which are really quite tasty. Oh, she brought some of her homemade sour dough bread too and that is really excellent. Harlow was pooped after a beach run. Sam and Luke will be moving to Florida after he graduates this summer and I am trying to be a good sport and accept this. Tampa to be exact, we looked at a map ~ it is very far away. Sigh.

a grand dinner

 Granddaughter Samantha, her husband Luke and I had a fine dinner down at Precita Social last night. Luke graduates from Stanford Law School this summer and his career will be taking off. A very exciting time for these two wonderful people. Such good fortune that they landed here for three happy years.

the grand visit

 Granddaughter Samantha baked sour dough bread and brought me a sample yesterday afternoon. She is always such a breath of fresh air. Before this I did my Turbo Tax thing and am relieved to have that done. It is good to lead the simple life in so many respects. 

the newlywed grands

 Heidi and I drove down to Burlingame yesterday for brunch with Samantha and Luke. A really nice time and delicious food at Alana's Cafe. The best news is that the family will gather at my house again for Thanksgiving and we all hope that Sister Jane will be here too. I will start bugging her now. By the way, they have sunshine everyday in Burlingame, 20 minutes away. 

scenes from Chicago

 Details tomorrow,  I promise. The wedding was wonderful and the family exceedingly warm, loving, thoughtful and (well) a bit crazy. It was hot. The ceremony was beautiful and the airports and planes were packed, but all smooth and yes, I am so happy to be home where it is currently 62º and sunny and lovely. Thanks to Mr. and Ms. Blogmaid for picking me up at SFO yesterday and to Annabelle for being her adorable me-first self. Courtyard Hotel Downtown/River North was expensive but ideal. So glad I could use Lyft to remain independent and I love all cities ~ Chicago seemed somehow extra vibrant and alive with outdoor cafes and tons of sparkling lights at night. Thanks to you who encouraged me to go and who knew I would have a great time, and I did. You know who you are. LOVE.