It's Lunar New Year today

 This is a good one ~ the Year of the Fire Horse. This is the year that pushes us forward with bold movement rather than hesitation. In the Chinese Horoscope the Horse is admired for its resilience, independence and power.  Gun hay fat choy.

black eyed peas and...

 ...collard greens = good luck and prosperity in the New Year. An African tradition practiced by many including my neighbors and friends, Heidi and Rob. Their cat Ozzie joined us for dinner last night. Many friends and relatives reached out yesterday and we are all determined to have a better 2026. So many problems and sorrow, many stemming from the orange guy in Mar-a-lago.

and now it is 2026

 This seems like a very good year to continue to fight to save our Democracy, and so we shall. Happy New Year to one and all.  January already seems busy to me ~ off we go!

maybe this year

 I grew up in Pasadena and we dragged ourselves and lots of stuff to the Rose Parade every single year. I do not have happy childhood memories of those times and so I never watch the parade. But this year, after a 50 year absence, San Francisco will have a float and people have been decorating it in Union Square. So  I might watch The Parade on tv this year. Or not.

Chinese New Year's ~ celebrate!

 Sorry for the bad people photo, but the table at Pat's was gorgeous and we all had a fine time last night celebrating the Lunar New Year with noodles and green beans and fortune cookies and more. We tried to ignore politics but that didn't quite work out the way we planned. (OK, I meant that the photo was bad, the people are good. Trust me.)

the party at a decent time

 It was New Year's Eve in Europe so Gini and Phillip brought a few people together from 2 to 5pm to celebrate on Sunday. Snacks and champagne by the fire in their wonderful Victorian home. Easy parking too, very unusual in my city. 

Happy 2024 and Birthdays too (two)

 Sending love to Leah on the East Coast and the Blogmaid down in Pumpkinville on their birthdays today. The Blogmaid sent me the above ~ true, no?. I did get to an early New Year Party yesterday and will share photos tomorrow. Elaborate and fun plans were made for (and with) the Blogmaid today, but we had to postpone due to Covid. And so we have a new chapter beginning right now with maybe some minor resolutions, after I finish this box of candy.

saying hello to 2024

 Mr. Higginsworth does not even appear when I google, but I like his philosophy for the New Year. Tonight is a special celebration with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen and I will go to bed when it is midnight in NYC. Stay safe, everyone!

a toast to 2023

 Cranberry juice in a crystal goblet and my trusty laptop. Yesterday was dry (in many ways) highlighted with a long walk on Valencia Street with Neti. That sun felt so good. More rain this afternoon and clear tomorrow for (I hope) a walk at Crissy Field.

here we go again

 Happy New Year to all ~ the rain here has stopped for a day or two and the air will be sweet when I go for a much needed walk. 💙 AND, happy birthday to our Blogmaid. We celebrate you!

Lunar New Year - celebration!

I don't know why the dessert landed on top here, but so be it. The dinner party at Pat's was great fun and as colorful as could be. Lots of red and gold and the reading of fortunes after dinner ~ none of us delighted, but we made up our own. Oh, this Dragon will be getting married in 2022. What to wear?
 

Chinese New Year 2022

 I bought this shiny red top in Chinatown last week in anticipation of the dinner party tonight at Pat's. I am looking forward to celebrating with friends and eating too much awkwardly with chop sticks. Of course you will see photos tomorrow. 

all clear on the tutu front?

 Of course you all got the tutu = 22. 2022, Happy New Year. There was a time, not long ago, when RR wore a different color tutu everyday and the Blogmaid would send me delightful photos. When I became aware of the Tutu Stage of Girl Life I quickly noticed how universal this seems to be here in America.

it's a riddle

 Here is my neighbor Nicole's hand made New Year's card. I usually don't GET things as quickly as I did this one, but only beacause I am involved and a bit obsessed with the subject matter. Good luck...

New Year's Eve ~ SF style

 We three widows were planning to go to the theater but that was canceled. So Neti and I went to walk at Crissy Field about 3:30pm and it was packed with people and dogs. So, so beautiful. Next to pick up Pat and then to Neti's for fresh crab and all sorts of delightful snacks and drinks. Home before 10pm ~ full of food and gratitude. 

let's hope for the best, we always do...

 So grateful for my readers and their comments over these many years. Happy New Year to everyone!

well, it is 2021 today

 More good TV, less Covid, please. I finished the Delhi Crime series and moved to Canada for Tin Star with Tim Roth, a favorite of mine. More violence, alas, we will see. This is on Amazon Prime. Last night there were more loud local fireworks than usual, or so it seemed to Annabelle and me. 

my New Year's Eve date(s)

 Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen. We begin here at 5pm so I can get to sleep way before midnight. I smile as I remember past New Year's Eves with Husbando and that expensive, rare and luscious roast beef and potatoes and fake champagne and the pure pleasure of just being together. Good memories.

not a fan of the rat

Ha, you thought I meant tRump, right? Our SF Parade is Feb. 8th.

Learn More: Beginning today and through the next 15 days, 
China will celebrate the start of their new year. Chinese 
New Year operates around a lunar calendar, meaning 
it's based on the phases and movements of the moon; 
thus, the exact date changes every year. However, 
it usually falls between January 21 and February 20 
on the calendar most familiar to Westerners. As it is 
the most lavish holiday in China, the country's citizens 
go all out to celebrate. Legally, it's a seven-day national 
holiday, but many people party beyond that.

2020 begins

Tourists and locals packed the trails, sidewalks, parking lot and cafe at
Land's End yesterday morning. A New Year tradition, to see the sea. We
joined them (Ginger, her sister Amy and me) and the air was clear and
bracing. Even a fire truck appeared and four firemen hopped out to talk
to people and admire this gorgeous view. We all hope for a good 2020,
but there is this underlying feeling of gloom because of the political
situation. I will try to be a beacon of light and hope. Haha.