Since I don’t get the Bee… I was a little slow in picking up this review of Mark Wilson’s “Julia Morgan: Architect of Beauty” which features the Morgan designed public market (the Sheraton on J). Dixie Reid gives some good background on the Julia Morgan house on T Street as well.
Archive for January, 2008
More Julia Morgan House
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008Bedtime
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
Sometimes I can’t wait to get to sleep. I will crane my neck to try and look at the clock and ask my husband “is it time yet?” He always says “it’s early” because it’s usually around 8pm when I ask. He thinks it’s a bit freakish that I want to go to sleep before 11pm, let alone 8.
When I was working in an office 8 to 5, I never wanted to go to bed early. I didn’t want it to be that much closer to tomorrow – especially on Sunday nights. I was having too much fun doing what I wanted to do. Sometimes I would cry in bed wishing I could stay up and write or do something else creative, but I knew I had to be sensible and get a good night’s sleep or else I’d be cranky at work the next day.
Now that I’m freelancing (or unemployed, depending on which one of my relatives you ask), I feel relaxed at night. I know that if the “muse” were to hit me at 10pm then I could stay up until 2am and sleep late the next morning. Most of the time, I can’t wait to get to sleep so I can wake up and work on my business again.
Having fresh linens always seems to lure me towards an early night. As does soft pajamas, face cream, and a dishy book. Sometimes I like to just think. I like to have escapist thoughts like “how much would we have to save to afford a flight to Rome” or “with a laptop, I could work from Dublin, right?”
Tonight I’ve managed to stay up until after 9pm. But I can’t wait to get to sleep.
Carmelitas and Tablehopper
Saturday, January 26th, 2008
Dined at the delicious Carmelitas last night (Sunrise & F.O. Blvd) for the first time at that location. I loved the quirky décor and the attentive staff, however I was a little bit surprised by the final bill. One thing that bugged me was the lack of prices on the drink menu which resulted in us blissfully downing our $8 dollar margaritas as if they were $2 Chevy’s happy hour margaritas. Carmelitas doesn’t do happy hour on Fridays. Otherwise the food was tasty and I’m a sucker for any restaurant that bothers to put a candle on the table.
If you do make a trip to Carmelitas, and you temporarily turn a blind eye to your heart health or potential cancer risks… you must order the churros with ice cream for dessert. Love. The. Cinnamon-y. Sugar. Goodness.
While we are on the subject of food… I’ve recently stumbled upon the Tablehopper site which not only gives great restaurant reviews for SF but also documents which celebrities have dined where. So if you want to know what Natalie Portman ate at Salt House two months ago… this is the spot.
Valentine’s Day
Friday, January 18th, 2008
Yes it’s early for me to be talking about it, yes it’s a commercial holiday, yes it puts too much pressure on couples, yes it’s fattening, and yet…
What woman doesn’t get a thrill from a thoughtful little token of esteem on the 14th of February? Here are some ideas for inspiration:
Domaine Carneros Brut Rose sparkling wine – (less than $40, BevMo)
There may be better pink Champagne out there but I like the laid back glamour of this sparkling wine. The key to bubbly for me is the glass. I don’t mind those flutes but I’d much rather have the old fashioned wide mouthed crystal glasses. The kind you see stacked in a pyramid for champagne fountains. I love those. It’s very Fred and Ginger.
Pure Necessities Soy Candle in Rose Geranium – (less than $10 for 2 oz)
What I like about this candle is that it’s 100% soy and not a soy blend. It burns cleaner than regular candles and while it may not be as fragrant while burning, it smells heavenly unlit. As the wax melts, you can see bits of rose petals floating around. I bought a handful of the little tin travel candles on sale at the Fair Oaks Boulevard nursery (of all places).
Atonement – (in theatres now)
That floral wallpaper, that staircase, that green dress, London during the war, and James McAvoy… I mean c’mon this is a no-brainer.
A book of love poems by Pablo Neruda – (less than $10 on Amazon)
This is fresh in my mind because we just watched the film Il Postino again last month. Sensual pleasures abound. It’s too bad that men can no longer spontaneously quote romantic poetry to women without it being “creepy” or else I would suggest that every man memorize one Neruda poem and something older… like a Marvel or Keats.
Do one nagging chore – (anywhere from mildly expensive to free)
Who wouldn’t love for their significant other to take the car in to be detailed? Or back up all of his/her digital photos or iTunes onto a CD in case the hard drive fails. Or offer to take the boxes of junk to the dump or Goodwill. Or install a water filter! Okay you get the idea…
Warm Valrhona chocolate cake – (can be made for less than $15)
Unfortunately I don’t have a foolproof recipe for this to share. The best versions I have had have been at Café Claude in San Francisco (with Chantilly cream) and more recently at the Chart House in Monterey (with ice cream). This is my favorite dessert. If you don’t want to work quite that hard, Betty Crocker Chocolate Chunk brownies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream will do the trick.
Of course this is just to get you started… but don’t go crazy… as deep down I really think most people would be satisfied with a handwritten note in a store bought card.
Wishin’ and hopin’
Monday, January 14th, 2008
Someday I would like to own a little house on a leafy lane with a garden in the back and a porch in front. It will have built-in shelves, a swinging door to the kitchen, a hallway lined with family photos, and a dining room with a charming chandelier. The bathroom will be tiled in white with a big bathtub and a window that lets in morning light. My kitchen will be big enough for two to cook but small enough to where it couldn’t fit an “island”. There will be a fireplace. There will be closet space. There will be character.
Alas, I have behaved badly in the past. There is no nest egg large enough for a down payment. No money set aside since I started working at 16. Savings have been spent on trips to Europe and dinners out. Career paths have been wonky. Coupons tossed. Money thrown at problems.
But it’s there inside, this spark of faith that one day we will have a quiet place to sleep in on Saturday mornings, to brew cups of tea, to try out decorating ideas from Romantic Homes magazine, to anticipate leaving and rejoice at returning, and to share with friends and family.
Sacramento Historic House hopes that you’ve made your wish for 2008 and beyond. Good luck
Happy New Year!
Tuesday, January 1st, 2008
We had a fabulous New Year’s in Monterey and Santa Cruz… hope you have an inspiring 2008!
I captured this photo along West Cliff Drive – wouldn’t it look amazing framed on your office wall? *cough cough*
*by the way if you are interested in purchasing this or any of my photos, feel free to email me at web [at] sachistorichouse [dot] com for a price list.
**as you can see… my new year’s resolution is to shamelessly self-promote share more of my work with the world!
