Only you can prevent yuletide fires

At our park (yes, Jed and I now own a park. Frankie has marked every square inch of it to prove it)there isn't a lot of Christmas going on. Maybe it's because it's raining...and has been for days. Maybe people think outdoor Christmas lights + rain = electrical storm. It makes sense. And to be honest, I too have had those thoughts.

I've also had thoughts of Christmas trees lights + not enough water = tree on fire, which is why we chose to decorate our dresser.

Good thing twinkling lights + cheap furniture that you had to put together yourself and it's most likely not even real wood will NOT = dresser fire.

As Jed and I are still newer in our married life, we only have one Christmas tradition. We buy an ornament that has significance to an event that has happened in our lives. This is one of my favorites (of the 3) It's the Empire State Building and will remind me of the magic of living in NYC.

Now, who can find us an ornament of a wiener dog with a pacifier in her mouth??? She is our little baby, that's for sure! Ugh. I hate that I just made a dog = fur baby comment. Forget it. But seriously, email me if you do.

Frankenwooferton

I was about 30 minutes too late for the "good light" so, I will leave you with the Sunday in SF picture of our dog. Smelling something. Probably something nasty.

Here's to a "not so long, so I can take some decent shots when it's light" nap next week.

Sunday...on Saturday

It's rainy and dreary in SF. I won't complain: no snow and decent temps...I'll take it. But, it puts a bit of a snag on my Sunday's in SF picture taking.

So, your "Sunday's in SF" just so happened to be taken on Saturday when it wasn't raining, but a rather beautiful day. And what a day we had.

I'd rank it to one of the top 5 best days in SF. Since we've lived here 395 days or more, that's saying something.

Day goes as follows:
5:50: wake up (it's a sickness, I know)
5:50-7:50: do crossword puzzles on the iPad (which Jed still makes me call his magical revolutionary device. Another sickness)
7:50: husband wakes up
8:00: husband makes crepes
8:15: wife exclaims "these are the best crepes ever"
8:30-10:00: nothing of importance
10:00: head to Oakland (shhhh, don't tell my mom, I promised her I wouldn't ever step foot in that devil city)
11:30ish: Share a fried chicken sandwich and choc chip cook at Bake Sale Betty's
12:00: Go to the temple
3:00-6:30: Didn't really matter
6:30: our lives changed as we stepped foot into Morimoto Napa
6:32: walk past Masaharu Morimoto...we both squealed like little girls
6:35-7:30: consume the best meal of our lives consisting of Ramen noodles (aka Mormimoto's version of chicken noodle soup), sushi rice risotto, sushi, donuts, and the itty bittiest banana milkshake you will ever see!
7:30: Attempt to take picture with "the chef"
7:30.5: Realize the idiot we asked to take the picture didn't, in fact, take the picture and that another attempt was useless since Jed had already peed his pants due to a severe case of "Iron Chef intimidation." Can't blame him--that man's "useless Americans, bothering a master with a picture while he's working" stare cuts like a freakin' sushi knife.
7:31: Wait out back by the bushes, ready to jump the kid who ruined our lives...uh, picture
7:31--bedtime: Talk about how we were practically judges on Iron Chef America. And, how MM was the most intimidating man we have ever stood next to, and he didn't even say a word.
Bedtime-am: dream of having more days like that.



Bake Sale Betty's


Morimoto Napa (and, obviously, an outfit change)



It looks like "Hand" from Addams Family is feeding me. Which would have been nice if I had 3 hands to shove the food in, rather than 2.



Itty Bittiest, I say.

Because when donuts are on a dessert menu, you get em. That's why.

Because it's been over a month

Man, sometimes blogging is so hard!

The pressure of feeling like I need to post something when there is, in fact, nothing to really post about. I could post how Jed and I wake up, take Frankie for a walk (more Jed than me...he's a good sport), get ready, and head out into the world on a scooter.

Or I could talk about coming home, making dinner, taking Frankie for another walk (she is such a diva) watching some tube, reading some books, and crawling into bed.

But, that's pretty boring.

On another note: we have a fancy schmancy camera that's not being used. Nothing to blog about. A camera not being used. Do you see what I see? (tis the season) So we decided to dust it off and take some pics today. When I say we, I mean ME! That's right folks, I'm a budding photog. Not really, I just want to learn something new. So, it's actually pretty selfish.

Jed and I like to set goals. Some we meet, some we will continue working on for the rest of our lives. One of them consists of taking more pictures of San Fran. On Sunday. And, calling it Sunday's in SF.

I will try to post the cool things that we see while we are out taking Frankie to see the world. Most of which will be portraits of her, because she is so dang cute. Everyone in SF agrees. Except for the dogs she runs up behind and barks so loud that I even cringe. Just keeping everyone on their toes, I'm sure.

So, without further ado, I present Sunday's in SF. Photo shoot numero uno.

Jed and woofie (another bonus, you will most likely get to know Frankie and all of her pet names. Pun intended)



Frankie doing what she loves best...and what I love best...doting on our main man!



Someone please tell the family who lives in the brown shingled house, that we will move in as soon as they are out.



Who loves Jed's new glasses? Who loves Jed?

Stay tuned for next week. We might even get Frankie into wardrobe.

Celebrating Jed's birthday with Tyler Florence

Well, not really...but, we did eat at his restaurant, WAYFARE Tavern.

I want this mantle in my future house

Jed's birthday was one week ago. I'm still full.

Menu:
starter - popovers. buttery, warm, fluffy popovers.
appetizer (yes, there is a difference) - poutine (fries, short ribs, cheese sauce and gravy...why yes, it was very light!)
entree - birthday boy: fried chicken. birthday boy's wife: hamburger
side dish - mac and cheese
dessert - carrot cake

I think he wished for elastic waisted pants.

Front row seats to the kitchen

Proof that we really did start with popovers.

We ended the night snuggling at home, watching a movie on the new AppleTV. (Side note: do not, I repeat DO NOT rent "When in Rome" it was painful. )

Here's to the best husb out there. Happy 31!

One year closer to THIRTY!

I love birthdays. Maybe it's because I am kinda a TINY bit excited to be 30, and now I am one year closer to it. Maybe it's because I get to share it with the best friend a gal can ask for. Maybe it's because my husband rented the same hotel suite we stayed on our honeymoon night so everyone could celebrate together, in return, making him the best husband a gal can ask for.

Either way, I am so glad I was able to celebrate in Utah, with some of my favorite people in the world, and I got a magic bullet and Le Cruset to boot! It's going to be a good year.


I wasn't the only one excited to open my gift! I had 6 little helpers who loved my houndstooth wrapping paper (nice touch ma! )

My Husband Ran a Marathon this Weekend...what about yours?

26.2 miles of blood (not really), sweat (really) and tears (maybe from one very happy/sappy wife)

Jed ran the Top of Utah marathon with his brother, Matt. It was so exciting to be a part of it. Even if I was just the "gu" girl.

Thanks to those who supported him.



Here's to having our Saturday's back!!!

From rain and fog to more rain and more fog

Jed and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary a few weeks ago (Yes, 3 years! Time flies when you are moving around the country, willie nillie)

My goal is to go on a fun anniversary trip each year. Jed obliges. This year we chose Seattle.

Jed is contemplating what he got himself into 3 years ago!!!

It was so great touring the Emerald City with Jed. Among the usual eating and exploring, we went to Pike's Place Market, found Maximus Minimus, enjoyed a ferry ride, Jed ran around Green Lake (I enjoyed the fresh air, boat racing, and frisbee competition), saw Inception (we agreed that going to a movie is perfectly acceptable while on vacation. And, I got to pay for a nap)

We found dream house after dream house: note to self, hire a builder from Seattle when we put down roots.

Unfortunately, we can only show you some of our trip as most pictures got deleted. Boo for technology!

The flowers at Public Market were incredible...and incredibly CHEAP! Too bad Marriott Seattle doesn't have vases in the hotel rooms.

Has anyone seen this picture before? Not too original, but it's a must!

Happy that I look get to eat from the pig rig!

Weird how much Jed looks like a hog right here?!?!

Thanks for another great year Jeddy!

Can you smell what the ROCK is cookin?

Sometimes I love being a tourist.

Over 4th of July break, we had Jed's brother Matt and his family in town (I have seen more of Matt in the past 3 months than I ever have before...which is not a bad thing. We like the guy.) I experienced the coldest 4th of July, equipped with coats and blankets and sweatshirts. We continued the frigid weekend with a boat ride. In the water. Which was cold.

We took a ferry to ALCATRAZ (there was no other way to get there, I guess...ask the dozens of people who tried escaping through the Bay) and traipsed around the cells of Al Capone and the Birdman. It was Rad. If you are visiting SF (or live here and need an excuse to play a tourist for the day) do it.

Here is a picture of me sizing up the place, thinking "this is bigger than our place in Queens"

Here is a picture of Jed, scared out of his mind.

Picture of me proving that we were actually there

And "reflecting " on what I just saw.

Both of us looking relieved that we are almost on solid ground.

Thanks again other Eastman's. Always fun to see you!

The Haps...

Just got back from Utah...again. I figured we could have seen a LOT of cool places instead of spending EVERY vacation in Utah, but we get to see family and friends...so that kinda makes up for it. :)

The latest with Jed:
-Had Luke and Matt come to SF to visit...picture taking, Giants game, US Open, World Cup, UFC fighting, (picture me grunting like Tim the Toolman Taylor right now)
-Enjoying playing the Dog Whisperer to Frankie-Lyn and teaching her new tricks

The latest with me:
-I got a job as an HR Manager in a PR firm in SF. I can't wait to be a contributing member of society again. I work with great people, so I am very happy!
-Successfully planned and executed my 10-year class reunion. We had a great time catching up and I am so glad we made it happen. Had a lot of help from people and it was very much appreciated. Go Cowboys!
-I am proud to say that after three long years, I have finished my first quilt. A big thanks to my mom, Hill, Britt, and Hill's mom-in-law Linda for helping me tie and bind it. I hope it was worth the 12 pack of TAB I got Linda (who just so happens to be the last person on the face of this earth who drinks TAB)

The latest with Frankie
-Advancing to the intermediate stage of learning to sit and stay
-Discovered the SF Bay and loves it as much as we do
-Still gets all the looks from the cute old people in Japantown





Our FIRST family picture:



A big shout out to Matt for snapping such great shots! So glad you and Jed can both share in the most expensive hobby out there.

So Grateful

For a new little baby to celebrate. We love you Beck Mondragon!

For having a good imagination to entertain little ones...and the adults

For the sisterhood of the Traveling Thompsons...to Park City



For 7 little faces that CRACK us up!



For the great outdoors

For the golfing, shopping, eating, laughing, driving, organizing, visiting, and relaxing we enjoyed in UTAH