out and about: the ferry building

I had one of those strange weekends where everyone I know seemed to be out of town or busy working...so I took myself on an outing.

It was an unoriginal outing, as the Ferry Building in San Francisco is one of my favorite places, but the amazing weather beckoned, as did the people watching opportunity--I arrived right around the time the St. Patrick's day parade was breaking up. 

I always worry over what to eat, with so many excellent choices, so I took the pressure off by shopping around a little. These beautiful succulents at The Gardener caught my eye. Everyone says they're the easiest plants to take care of, but I kill them just as easily as all of the other plants that fall into my hands, so, for me, they're best enjoyed under someone else's care.

Geez, I still love books. Yes, I have a Kindle....but I still love looking through and touching and smelling books. It always warms my heart to see how busy this store, Book Passage, is.

Ended up eating at Cowgirl Creamery. Can't go wrong with a grilled cheese with their apple chutney. 

Took another jaunt around, walked over to Embarcadero Center to see if there was anything I need at the SF Giants Dugout Store, and then realized I'd left without Gelato, and headed back over to the Ferry Building.

The crowds can be a little crazy after a while, so I took my Gelato over to the public walkway on Pier 1, next door, and enjoyed the incredible sunshine and a bench all to myself. My bench came with a great view back at the Ferry Building and a wonderful sense of calm, just what I needed to make it a perfect afternoon outing!

favorite things and places: heath ceramics

More and more, I find myself drawn to handmade, locally made goods, and in that vein, I've come to really love Heath Ceramics. Made here in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 65 years, these beautiful pieces are shockingly rich in color and feel great in your hands.

I cannot walk by their small stall at the SF Ferry Building without picking something up and holding it--every piece seems made to be held, if that makes sense. I love timeless design, and I love that it's all made here. Everything in their space seems cared for--carefully arranged, lovingly made. I don't know, it may be time to give in and feed my bowl addiction.

on a walk

On a walk this morning I noticed these flowers, who, only a couple of days ago, had just been weeds. Nature is cool. That is all.

around the bay

I recently had the opportunity to combine two of my favorite things: old buildings and a good old fashioned library book sale! I joined my sister and a good friend in San Rafael for a sweet little book sale in their Carnegie Library. I live a few blocks from a Carnegie Library and have come to really enjoy seeing them dotted around small towns in Northern California. I haven't done much research...I know for sure of one in Niles (Fremont) and one in Nevada City. Maybe I will make a project of finding and visiting more.

I always try to find at least one special book at each sale. This time I picked up this amazing little cookbook--a 1950 compilation of favorite restaurant recipes from around the country.

I was especially intrigued by this recipe for "Marshmallow Dressing" from the Nut Tree in Vacaville, CA. And I love the illustrations of each restaurant.

The Nut Tree was a roadside hotspot along I-80 that was still around when I was in college, though long past its glory days. Its name remains, but in its place stands a big box strip mall. Sad face. At least we can all still, um, *enjoy* Marshmallow dressing. In case you can't read the find print on this photo, yes, that sixth ingredient IS MAYONNAISE!! Yum! Oh Mid-century culinary trends, what would we do without you?

vintage find

vintage find!

Currently OBSESSED with my new dessert set. I found these beautiful dishes at the White Elephant sale in Oakland, which benefits the Oakland Museum of California. The sale takes place once a year in a huge warehouse and I always find a little something that I can't live without. This year these dishes jumped out at me, even though they're pretty close to the last thing I need. I spent $12 on the set of eight placesettings--not too bad, huh? They are marked Fortecrisa, Mexico. From what I've found online, which is very, very little, they're possibly depression era. Whenever they're from, they're gorgeous and I can't wait to have a few ladies over for cake and coffee! In the meantime, I treated myself to some coffee and cheesecake.