Welcome Indian Summer!

Finally. I think.

I know most of you are saying goodbye to Summer and anxiously awaiting Fall. That's not the way our weather works here. San Francisco's worst weather is from June-August and then breaks to sunshine in September and October. I got to pull out my sandals on Tuesday and couldn't fall asleep until 3:00 am this morning because it is so hot. Or, I was having a hot flash. Or both. I'm not complaining... just a wee bit tired.

Hopefully you won't hear me blogging about the fog until next June!

Enjoy the remaining couple weeks of Summer! We're just getting started!

photo credit: sfgirlbybay

Our First Day of Summer.

Yesterday Vito and I celebrated our first day of summer in our usual celebratory fashion --at the beach.

Most of you have heard me whining since June. It's usually bitter cold in San Francisco during the traditional summer months, and then we heat up during "Indian Summer" in September and October. Not yesterday. After weeks of heavy fog, gray days and blistering windy cold nights, we are having our first mini-heat wave.

I played hooky and Vito and I went to our usual place of celebration, Crissy Field Beach. No matter what I'm in the middle of, when that sun decides to made an appearance in San Francisco, I drop everything and I'm off to the beach!

Crissy Field Beach is along the Bay shore and the perfect place for family outings, bike rides, sailboarding, wading and shoreline strolls.

So many cute little kids and lots of doggies!

There are magnificent views of the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito and Alcatraz...

Little Vito loves riding the waves...

Of course I had to throw in one of these "feet" shots since I've never taken one before. Especially with Golden Gate in the background. Forgive the long-overdue pedicure. And if for some reason you're looking closely at my feet...it's sand...

The City was so bright and clear that I couldn't resist taking photos of the Palace of Fine Arts on the ride home.

Ahhh....what a glorious day it was. Little things like wearing sandals makes me sooo happy!

Thanks for letting me share my day, as I've been so envious of everyone's "summer fun" as I've been *sigh* sulking in the fog.

But, I'm not getting too excited yet...fog is supposed to be rolling back toward the end of the week, so brace yourself for more whining!

Cheers!

Cool Down!

To those enduring the extreme summer heat...I'm thinking of you. I can't imagine the heat and the humidity. Oh my.

May you stay cool and comfy in an air-conditioned room or under a shady tree...

perhaps take a dip in a pool...

And pour yourself a refreshing iced tea or lavender lemonade!

Speaking of which, here is a yummy-sounding recipe via Mint Design.

Lavender Lemonade

* 2 cups sugar
* 5 sprigs lavender (stems and buds), plus additional for garnish
* 2 cups fresh lemon juice (from about 10 lemons)
* 1/2 cup fresh lime juice (from about 4 limes)

Directions: In a large saucepan, bring one gallon of water and the sugar to a boil. Remove from heat; add 7 lavender sprigs and lemon and lime juices. Cool to room temperature, strain, and chill. Serve on ice, with additional lavender for garnish.

Wishing you all a fun-filled {cool} weekend!

images: 1) lavender lemonade image: Karen Mordechai, 2) Anabelle Elston for Tord Boontje 3) The Bottom of the Basket, 4) Tanya Malott via Laurie Arons

Summertime...

If I could escape the fog of San Francisco,

I'd take a long nap right in the middle of a warm beach...

Perhaps I'd hide out in a vintage caravan and have a fancy English breakfast...

or a pink Gypsy Caravan...

I'd invite all of you to a party delivered by Enjoy Cupcakes, and
have treats served to us out of their adorable restored vintage Shasta trailer...

Then we could pay a visit to Fresher Than Fresh Sno Cones in Kansas City for some yummy flavored snow cones such as watermelon basil, lime mint and ginger rose. All served out of their renovated 1957 Shasta trailer.

Ah... it's beginning to feel like Summer...

How about climbing up in a tree house?

Bedtime in the forest...so warm and comfy...

Happy Weekend Everyone!

photo credits in order;
Agent Bauer,

photography; Debi Treloar
photography; Hayley Rose
photography; Enjoy Cupcakes; Jose Villa
Fresher Than Fresh Snow Cones
Treehouses from FFFound
photography; Ditte Isager