nightfall

"...the wind it was a howlin'...."

nightfall

holly was right - putting cardamom pods in earl grey tea is delicious.

nightfall

another muffled walk in the evening fog.

nightfall

cancelled hair appointment; impromptu play date; dinner at phil's.

nightfall

the fog settled in early tonight, making it feel even cozier inside.

nightfall

i am more than ready to put 2011 to bed.

plaid

nope. there is no shortage of plaid in my life.

plaid

the indiana dunes will always be a very special place to me.

plaid

the male:female plaid ratio is pretty clear, but this pink fleece-lined hunter's cap certainly stood out.

plaid

"take the skinheads bowling; take them bowling."  ::camper van beethoven

plaid

there was a time when my husband wore a kilt nearly every day of the week.

plaid

the going rate for socks on the L is $1/pair.

plaid

The General Assembly on the UC Davis quad, moments before Chancellor Katehi addressed the crowd.

plaid

"you always walk to the corner, val."  hooking our elbows, he led me across the street saying, "c'mon, we're jaywalking."

violet

val

holly

violet

a long (and long overdue) walk with a favorite friend was a lovely pause in an otherwise hectic week. note to self: make this happen more often.

violet

today was the first day the wind was blindingly cold when i emerged from the subway.

violet

we have had a series of unseasonably warm and sunny days (even for California) and I am grateful for the variety of plants (mostly salvias) that are still blooming.

violet

that pencil has been taped to her door for months.  and somehow it fits right in with her approach to the world.

violet

veruca salt:  let's be friends.
violet beaureguarde:  best friends.

violet

Hanging out with baby D. while he napped was one of the high points of my day.

end

holly

val

end

this is what a 9 year old boy's pants look like after an afternoon of kickball.

end

i ended the day early with a hot bath.

end

Yummy banana bread from my lovely neighbor.

end

"all passengers must exit the train."  harlem/lake is the end of the line in the evening.

end

chilly autumn night
family eating dinner
don't forget the cats

end

the end of a dinner out with friends celebrating her orange belt.

end

most of the jack-o-lanterns ended up in the gutter this past weekend, awaiting their final trip to the great compost heap in the sky.

end

and just like that, today marked the end of daylight during my evening commute.

treat

val

holly

treat

a tiny cup of {very strong} hot chocolate on a chilly {for California} fall day.

treat

red wine on a chilly rainy day makes my entire body warm.

treat

yesterday's popcorn and a few past-their-prime grapes = tasty snacks for the chickens. 

treat

i ate outside for maybe the last time this season. (that pumpkin pie milkshake was delicious).

treat

I do love a nice bouquet of flowers in my kitchen.

treat

the sorting of the candy has commenced.....