new boys next door

 As predicted, Cristina adopted two of the seven kittens and now they have names ~ Pippo and Gigetto, very Italian, of course. They are fun and rambunctious and adorable. So glad, however, that my Annabelle is lazy and quiet, like her constant companion. 

my gourmet neighbors

 

Heidi and Rob invited me for dinner ONCE AGAIN last night and yummmmm, he made scallops (!) and pancakes which were made from fresh green peas. The sauce was capers and raisins and all very French and so tasty. I know, I am one fortunate woman.

a beautiful day on the Bay

 Thanks to our neighbor, Cristina (top photo), Heidi and I spent a full day going to/fro Jack London Square in Oakland from which (whence?) we took that FREE yellow boat (aka Velveeta, second photo) over to Alameda where we had coffee at a Target store. Heidi, bless her, provided lunch and you can see that we could not have asked for better weather. ALL the boats were packed with tourists and locals and everyone was just so nice and honestly, it was a day to celebrate and remember. Then Heidi and Rob fed me dinner so who isn't spoiled rotten? Not me. 

the return of the manicurist

 Our next door neighbor, Cristina, was in Italy for two months and we depend on her to clip the nails of Annabelle. Yesterday they relaxed in the warm (!) sunshine and we were all relieved to have short cat nails again. Yes indeed, we love our neighborhood.

dinner with Ozzie

 ...and Heidi, Rob and Lily from Denver. Here is Ozzie appreciating the scarf that Amy gave me about a year ago. Who knew? It was a VERY good paella dinner with lots of happy conversation with me thinking at some point, "so glad I'm not young anymore." Lily is 35, by the way. A lovely evening for all, for sure.

Bay Bridge and beyond...

 Sister Jane and Melinda expressed an interest in Oakland and "the other bridge" so the Blogmaid was kind enough to drive us all over to Jack London Square where we had an unexpectedly good lunch at the Oakland Grill in the heart of the produce market there. All closed yesterday so the restaurant was almost empty, but surprisingly good food and a nice atmosphere. Then back home to chat with my next door neighbor, Cristina, who had one of my wine glasses that somehow strayed over there on Thanksgiving. Such a great photo of her, thanks to the Blogmaid. And also this last sister pic that I think captures both our bloodlines and our mutual enjoyment and appreciation of each other. Sis and Melinda are safely back in Maryland now. I already miss my sis ~ another really nice time. I am so lucky.

holiday ornament sale

 Here is my neighbor Cristina working on her display and photos in order to sell my vintage (very old) xmas ornaments on Facebook Marketplace for me. She has a real talent for this and I only broke one during this merchandising production. I have some very nice neighbors!

Jen with two dogs

 it's been forever since I walked with Jen and Charli and Birdie. The human had Covid and then was out-of-town for a couple of months and so yesterday we reunited for lots of good catch-up chatter. The dogs barked hysterically when I came into view and that made me smile big time. 

and yet more paella

 Neighbor Rob (husband of Heidi) keeps working to perfect his paella and I am a fortunate recipient of his efforts. You can see the giant paella pan alongside our other neighbors (Jerry and Joanne) and we all had a truly delightful and delicious evening.  

new neighbors = celebration!

 This nabe is a nice mixture of young and old and many different races. The way it's supposed to be, right? Yesterday was a party across the street with tons of food and lots of meeting/greeting. Good vibes!

birthday dinner with pasta

 Sorry about the photos ~ by now you realize that I have never quite mastered the editing tools. But hey, I'm a writer, not a photographer. My nice neighbors invited me to join them to celebrate Rob's birthday last night up at Vega on Cortland. Such a delightful family and they are so very good to me. From the left: me, Heidi, Evan, Peter and Rob. A really nice evening.

Sausalito on Sunday

 Yesterday Heidi and I visited our old friends and neighbors, Julia and Michael, who now live across the Golden Gate Bridge in the hills above Sausalito. Tea and brownies and a lot of catch-up chatter. You can probably tell from the photos that they are doing a-ok and yes, we miss them a lot.

city sidewalks

 Did you say Spring? All the most welcome rain has helped everything and we are enjoying unusual color and floral beauty. I admire the ones who plant bulbs back in Winter and then share the results with their neighbors. Walking this time of year is such a pleasure.

and more new art

 Yes! From my ex-neighbor Lynn who now lives in Puerto Rico. I love this young woman with her curly hair and nose stud. Very much like Lynn and greatly appreciated. This was hand delivered by my neighbor Cristina (Italian) who just returned from visiting our friend in PR. Husbando always called next door The International House of Women ~ he got that right. Right?

back to cats (mine)

 My neighbor brought me a morning latte and her cat nail clippers for Annabelle who calmly tolerates the mani pedi as long as I sit in front of them and feed her (the feline) that Churo paste stuff. I just am sooooo fortunate to have the BEST neighbors and we all help each other in big and small ways. So much for those Uncaring Big City stories, right?

our Saturday rerun

 Heidi and Rob hosted a lively party for our new neighbors Sohavani and Austin and we all brought food and our best wishes and welcomes. The old neighbors Julia and Michael returned from their new life in Sausalito and yes, they miss us and the whole "it takes a village" kind of feel here in Bernal Heights. APU, I am feeling thankful.

a spot of tea?

 Heidi hosted an old fashioned tea for Gini and me yesterday using her mother's dainty Haviland China and an old pink linen tablecloth which I managed to spill tea on. Drat. A nice break, however, from all things political. Then, of course, I rushed back home to MSNBC and the DNC with all of my friends in Chicago. Coach Walz is something else again, right?

neighbors = so nice

 Heidi and Rob invited me to dinner AGAIN last night and it was just so nice and relaxing and I am so grateful for their hospitality and generosity. Once again, lucky me!

we celebrate Lily

 Bad photo, sorry. Last night we all gathered at Heidi and Rob's to wish Lily a happy 33rd birthday and to catch-up on the neighborhood news. An early evening, but lovely, with the best china and two yummy cakes. As I've mentioned, this little Bernal Heights community embraced (and fed me) after Bill died. Yes, I do know how fortunate I am.

my lazy Saturday

 It was a gorgeous day but I sat and read most of the day until Heather and Holly (Heidi too) came over for tea. I've almost finished this massive novel and Handy Jan is doing a great job working in Emma's Room in the garage. Annabelle does not care for Holly, alas.