Here's What's Blooming in the Bay Area

One thing I dig about visiting a city over and over again is the repeated chances you get to take different kinds of photos. You know what I mean--when you've been somewhere so many times that touristy pics are just out of the question. That was certainly the case on my visit to San Francisco over the past week. Since I've been there several times, I already have my fill of shots of the Golden Gate Bridge and that crabby sign on Fisherman's Wharf and the Rice-A-Roni cable car and of me climbing an astonishingly and unnecessarily steep hill and [insert typical SF activity here].

When I've seen a spot more than twice or thrice, I like to let my camera lead me for a bit. Then I do a little survey of what I'm drawn to, and start taking themed photos. (Because y'all KNOW I like a theme.) This trip, I went berserk for potted plants and flowers. Because dang, they're so big and bossy in San Francisco at the moment. And like all things in California, they're also a little bit weird. Just the way I like it.

P.S. Thanks and love to Kristin and Jamie!

 

(I know. This last one isn't terribly plant-y. But doesn't it remind of you of my trip to New Orleans?)

Monday on the Menu Board

The menu board stayed quiet this Monday, as I've been traveling and finding a little inspiration elsewhere. (Such as in the middle of a "morning bun" at San Francisco's Tartine Bakery.) More to come. Hope it was a sugar-rush kind of Monday on your end!

New Orleans: A Food Agenda

A few favorites from the weekend.

Pralines from Southern Candymakers.

Grilled alligator sausage (I know!) from SoBou.

The S'Mores Skillet at Sucré. Scoop of cupcake-with-sprinkles gelato on the side.

Crawfish croquetas at John Besh's Borgne.

Beignets at Café du Monde. (Duh.)

Muffulettas from Central Grocery, which I did not eat, but still wanted to include because the word "muffuletta" alone is delicious enough.

Café au lait from Community Coffee.

Stretchy pants from any store, anywhere.

9 Charming Porches in New Orleans

It feels a bit sacrilegious to admit this, but it's taken me four trips across the span of my lifetime to truly to love (as in L-O-V-E love) New Orleans. My latest visit was just over the past weekend, when I was there for KBIS, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show. I don't know if it was about who I was with, a hankering to be surrounded by Southern folk (my people, you know), or just the need to inject some beignets and cafe au lait into my system, but this go 'round, the Big Easy hooked me big time.

Between visits to the Convention Center, I crammed in some time re-exploring the French Quarter and the Garden District. Some of my favorite sights? The porches. Large, small, up, down. . . they were everywhere--proof of the city's charm and welcoming nature, I think. Not sure why it took me so long to notice.