Chinatown

I took our three and their friends into San Francisco for a day trip. We went for a ride on the California Street cable car up to Chinatown for lunch.




Here's Dan, Rex, Valerie, Madelyn, Amira & Ruby.




We had lunch at the Cathay House on California Street at Grant. It has great ambience and service. The food was okay. But the experience was awesome for the kids.




Tea and food went round the lazy Susan for quite a while.




Dan tried duck for the first time.




Following lunch there was much walking and shopping and gawking.




Dan & Rex found a knife store. There were no good deals to be had. But the shop window was impressive.



Now, here's a duck! And squid ...




Local music scene.

Now for the forced march through North Beach & over to Pier 39.




Sea lions, views of Alcatraz & the Holden Gate Bridge!










The teens split off for a bit and I was the third wheel in Amira & Ruby's party.



Rex and Dan look out to Alcatraz from behind their bars.



Soon we regrouped for an aquarium tour.



In here we walk through tunnels of fish that make us feel like we are under the Bay.








After you meet the fish, you go to Pier Market & eat the fish!




We had a table of four and a table of three on a room with amazing views for all.


This is looking back toward Ghiradelli Square.


Linguini with clams & garlic bread!



Fish n'chips of course!



We were going to take the F line back to the Embarcadero where we parked. But it was Sunday night, we'd just missed the overstuffed train and then a pedicab showed up!



Rex, Dan, Valerie & Madelyn took one pedicab back.


Amira, Ruby & I shared another pedicab!

Before we hopped in the car to go home, we stopped in to use the bathrooms at the Embarcadero Hyatt. We took a farewell ride to the 17th floor on the glass elevators.

Poor Ruby hyperventilated - but in a good way! It was spectacular with all their long strings of lights glowing in front of us.



I'd say the country mice had a pretty good day!

Location:San Francisco

Possum Come A Knockin'

When the kids were little, one of our all time favorite books to check out of the library was this book:


Here is an excerpt:


It was sing-songy and cute and also gave Valerie nightmares about possums. This, naturally, lead to much hilarity as the other kids teased her.

She has received such tokens as a stuffed animal possum and these love notes left on her bedroom door:









Anyway, not long ago, we decided that Mr. Whiskers needed to be fed on the front porch.

As anyone could have told us, we'd not only be feeding Mr. Whiskers, but all kinds of cats and critters.

Michael recently got a trail cam. Here are some photos of the activity at the cat food bowl last night:

We have never seen this cat before.



Mr. Whiskers came late to the table.



Aha! A Possum Come A Knockin!!!!

Location:Front Porch

Gallery of Valerie

This time of year has Valerie running from one performance to another. She started by playing cello at Christmas Preview downtown at Peet's Coffee. Her cello teacher, Kim, gets together her students with Valerie's first violin teacher, Pamela, and her students each year at this venue. Playing cello next to Valerie is Kayleigh (in the red sweater). They have known each other since preschool. Kayleigh's mom was Valerie's preschool teacher.

For Valerie's piano recital she played at the Crèche exhibit at her piano teacher's church. In this video Valerie plays a duet with another student, Shayla. You can see Valerie's teacher, Teri, in red seated to the left behind the piano.

Today Valerie played in a quartet with her orchestra teacher, her son (Gaylen) and Danielle at the farmer's market. What fun!

Tomorrow she plays with her cello teacher and students at a retirement home. Next week she performs in the orchestra and plays recorder in the school winter concert. Following that she gets a two week break. I think we are all going to need that.

Last Days of November

Valerie had some gigs at the end of November. She played as part of a quartet at a funeral and also at Christmas Preview downtown. We had to get her some proper attire. Here Valerie sports the "orchestra" look with cello appropriate skirt.









Here Valerie sports her "festive" attire for the event downtown.








She played as part of a large ensemble of delis and violins at Peets Coffee.








Neni & John are an important part of that fan base!








Back at the castle, Michael & Spot are football fans. Nothing like a couch bunny!!








Suddenly it was Thanksgiving. We didn't take too many photos, but here is a shot of the "main event" - 28 lbs of yard bird! Too busy eating and being thankful to take photos.










Also, here is a festive table with family China and family silverware. It's like we are all grown up or something.










Susan & John brought a delicious 51 year old port to share.










Hey! That's actually older than us!










The next thing you know, Michael & Rex are working shifts at the Boy Scout Christmas tree lot. So, they brought a tree home. The girls helped to set up and decorate.










Into that downhill slide through December. I may not see snow on the ground, but this sled is picking up speed!!