Oh boy...

So we've really fallen down the last few months on keeping the blog updated. Even the most loyal followers have probably wondered if we're ever coming back. Well, I promise we haven't stopped taking pictures and making our way around the bay (and country).

Here are some pictures from the last few months to get things up and running again...

January Market Days

A visit to the farmers market in the middle of winter brightens our spirits. Beautiful winter vegetables matched, in-season flowers and temps near 70...with lots of sunshine. San Francisco is so far from the icebox Midwest... in so many ways.

Oh, please count the ways with us...

A Toddler-Sized Turkey and Why We Give Thanks

Comparing poultry to a small child isn't very appetizing, but it is funny. Particularly in front of our Thanksgiving guests who have two kids, ages 4 and 2. 

Despite the oodles of comic relief turkey brought to the table this holiday....hehehe, puns are fun.....I resented that bird. Partly because it took the better part of a day to cook, but mostly because it was a slippery bugger...carving a turkey ain't easy. Next time, I'll prep with cornish hens a month before, work my way up to chickens, then slice and dice another 23-pound monster.

We had a terrific Thanksgiving. We reflected on past Thanksgivings, all the different stuffings, gravies and yams we've overeaten. We came up with a few new recipes of our own for this holiday, but held true to some good 'ol Snapper and Cain family staples. 

With all that said, I think we did a good job of bringing together parts of our past, but also had this holiday mark a new series of traditions for the two of us. 

We are so very thankful for friends and family and the blessing to have so much in life. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Spaaaa

Mom is in town this weekend, the second visit since Nathan and I moved here last spring! We took Friday to get some R&R at the Bodega Bay Lodge & Spa. After a massage and facial, Nathan, Mom and I felt amazing.

As I write this, Nathan is driving back to the City and my mom is "just shutting her eyes" in the front seat. I'm absolutely starving. Spa'ing really takes it out of you. ... Get off my back....a hot stone massage takes a LOT of work.

The Tiburon Mile

My friends and I walked side by side Olympians today. We kept up with them on land, but when they hit the water, we didn't see their faces, or ridiculously in-shape bods until the finish line.

Among other elite swimmers, we swam against the Beijing Gold Medalist in the 1,500 freestyle during the Tiburon Mile in San Franisco. Keep in mind, we were not seeded, and most certainly were not favorites, but we held our ow

n, finishing in the middle of our age groups, one of us, Jeanne (left), finishing  in the Top 20%. 

Tiburon Mile is a prestigious, International swim, where world champions come to test their open water endurance alongside average Joes/Janes like me, Jeanne and Sherri (middle).

We went into the competition with personal goals, none of which meant catching up to Tuni

sian Olympian Oussama Mellouli, who finished fifth overall wit

h a speedy time of 21 minutes (I finished in 37 minutes...and was thrilled).

BTW, the views were wonderful. Anchored in Tiburon bay is the world's largest mega-yacht, the Maltese Falcon. Nate snapped this shot during our swim from Angel Island. Pay close attention to the boats next to the Falcon - they're 20-foot wake-boarding cruisers. Not small by any means, but appear as toys.

Beautiful weather, matched with fun, truly laid-back swimmers, made the event one for my personal record book. Hope to bring you more fun news like this in coming months. 

Matt and KD Visit

Matt and KD visit from DC this weekend!

They arrived Thursday night, were jet lag champs and held out until about 11p.m. Granted, they slept until noon the next day...while I worked.

Activities tonight included chicken enchiladas, watching "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" and playing with Andi dog.

Saturday we tour Napa Valley. It's Matt's and KD's first visit to wine country, and we'll take them to our favorite winery, Vincent Arroyo. 

New Kicks

Sorry. This is going to take the blog to a new (lower?) level, but I bought a pair of shoes while I was in Charleston. I love them, and you'll never guess who makes them. Wait for it...
They're Hush Puppies!

I never would have thought Hush Puppies would be cool, but I’ve absolutely fallen in love with these things. I’m so excited because I’ve literally been looking for a new pair since before we moved, which is something like six months of devoted searching. (Did I mention they’re super comfortable?) I’m done gushing, but I’ll probably be ready for a replacement pair around Christmas. Size 10…