Hot hot hot

Four days of skirt weather. San Francisco summer has officially arrived. I'm baring red arms and cheeks. The city is up late, there are more people out walking around as I wait for the bus, all the faces are smiling. The backs of my knees are sweating and I couldn't be happier.

Out by Ocean Beach this evening, girls were wrapped in towels wearing flip flops as they waited for the N Judah. Java Beach's outdoor seating overflowed. Dads were strolling the strollers and chasing after giddy kids. Dogs looked somewhat confused but happy to be outside where the air was just a little cooler. The sunset was bright orange and pink.

Carnitas the GAPS Way

One of my very favorite things to throw together on nights when I'm over the whole cooking-every-night thing is carnitas. I buy the carnitas from Trader Joe's, throw them in a pan with squash and peppers and onions (or any other veggies I have on hand), spice them appropriately with chili powder, red hot pepper flakes, cumin and a good basic multi-spice, and pour it over the top of romaine lettuce. Then, I pour on some GAPS-friendly salsa, slice up some avocado and ripe tomato, and put about a half cup of sauerkraut on top. So quick and easy AND tasty!

Sausalito House Boats

Today was the 25th annual Sausalito House Boat Tour. From 900 to 4,000 square feet, (on average, 1,200 square feet), these people have figured out the best use of space ever! Check out some of my favorite houseboats of the 19 shown.

That is a 1930's full size Magic Chef stove, on the right! It belonged to the owner's parents and was a major feature of this 2,100 square foot living space. You can see from the entry way, through the kitchen to the bathroom.

This log home was built from a kit and was one of the steadier floaters we walked in. It felt rustic despite the fact it is less than 10 years old.

This little guy was laying on Kappas Green listening to the music and trying to catch some shade amongst the artwork.

Noise and Sun

In memory. It's September 11th. I'll never forget what this day means and honor those who lost loved ones 9 years ago.

As I walked to the Noe Valley Farmer's Market, this morning, I listened to a great podcast that was so appropriate. Called the Art of Noise, it was focused on noise, the lack of it, and how some artists and scientists have changed it into something beautiful. Noise is something that I tend to complain about, while still living in an urban environment and being unwilling to change that fact. Some of my favorite quotes were (with some minor paraphrasing): (1) I hate the noise but, love to hate the noise; (2) noise is really man-made, nature can't make noise, can it? and (3) being silent taught me patience.

This month, after unexpected days of fog and low cloud cover in August, we have had several days of sun and it has taught me that I thrive in sun. It reminds me of playing on the sidewalks of Sunnyvale that burned my bare feet, in the summers between grade school years. It reminds me of the scent of heat, what I used to call potato bugs or roly polys inching along the hot suburban sidewalk, riding my bike up and down my block for hours. And bliss. It reminds me of bliss. I'm just glad that summer is finally here...