San Francisco Fun!

Time with our children is always precious ... especially when they live far from home and usually only get to visit once a year!  I arrived in San Francisco (Sister DillyDally's new home) last Sunday and we immediately went to a street festival being held in a neighborhood that is predominantly Italian!

What fun!  Great food!  Live Italian music!  Arts and crafts!  And of course ... street performers!

Her apartment is in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco, and was originally a hotel in the 1930's.  The Hitchcock movie, Vertigo, was filmed in this building!  The shabby chic/contemporary blend of design that she enjoys is easy to accomplish in this apartment!  This is a photo of where I spent my mornings.

Sister gets homesick for her favorite comfort foods from home, so this trip she learned to make Nana's Swedish Meatballs!

We enjoyed them ... tastes from her childhood in her new California life!

We went shopping ...

... at the legendary Britex Fabrics!  Holy Moly Hot Bologna!  We fondled fabric of all kinds ... an amazing selection ... we would talk about what we would make from different fabrics we found ... such fun!

But my favorite floor was the notions!  Look at this button selection ... my knees went weak!  And the best part is ... I know I'll be returning!  Sew ... next visit I will be prepared and have an idea of what I want need! ;-)

This display was over the elevator door on the notions floor ... made entirely out of notions.  Sew creative!  I cannot begin to describe the lace, ribbon and trim selection ... over the top wonderful!  I am already looking forward to visiting again!

We went on a wine tasting tour in Sonoma Wine Country.  It was so nice to take a bus and not have to worry about driving, directions, or make decisions about which wineries to visit.  The grounds were kept so beautifully!

All of the vineyards for the Cline Cellars are surrounded by beautiful rose bushes of every color.  We learned while there that the roses actually serve a purpose.  They act as a warning system ... alerting the vineyard if they are experiencing an infestation of any kind!

We found it so interesting to learn a small amount of an agriculture faction that we know nothing about.  Of course we enjoyed tasting the different wines as well! ;-)

It was fun to get out into the countryside outside of the city!  I enjoyed all the flowers ... so beautiful!

Sister and I both love lavender ... we wanted to roll around in this beautiful patch of wonderful!

One cannot come to San Francisco with out spending a day at the infamous Fisherman's Wharf!

It was such a wonderful day!

Beautiful views!

We enjoyed a terrific seafood lunch!

We took a cruise of the Bay.

It left from Pier 39 ...

... traveled toward the Golden Gate Bridge ...

... here we are under the bridge ...

... heading back to the wharf!

We circled the island of Alcatraz ...

... such interesting history.

The cruise provided beautiful views of the city skyline ...

... and was fun to share with Sister and Boyfriend DillyDally!

Of course, I must mention Peder Glacier DillyDally (aka Mr. NaughtyPants)!  Here he is ... letting me know that he is not going to allow me to return to bed ... Peder doesn't like to share!

He seems to enjoy soaking up the California sun!  What a silly kitty!

He also tried to go shopping with us!  Such a goofy cat!  Both he and Sister seem to have adapted and are thriving in their new city.   It is wonderful to spend time with them ... I try to savor every moment of our time together ... it was hard to say good-bye this morning.  I miss them ... am already planning my next visit!

Do what you love.  Treasure time with your children.  Do dillydally!

Mrs. DillyDally