Our Container Arrives!!!

Finally, our furniture arrived last Friday... all in one piece miraculously. However, the house has now shifted from a perfect specimen of minimal magic to bulging at the seams - a few trips to the Good Sammy's I think. Luckily we have a huge garage and loads of internal storage so it should all find a home... eventually! Pics coming soon...

Squaw Valley

The kids and I headed 3hrs north to Squaw Valley at Lake Tahoe for a couple of days during the mid-winter break (aka ski week). In one day the boys ice-skated, sledded and bungy jumped in the village square!! Thanks to Jane, Jon, Blaze and Lila Maier for a fantastic couple of days of full on winter fun. Just got home before the blizzard!

Fisher Art Collection

I was given an amazing tour today by Laura Satersmoen, Art Curator for the Fisher Art Collection with Catherine Slavonia (our MPMS Buddy Family) whose husband Mark works with the Fishers. Over the past 30 years, Doris and Don Fisher, founders of clothing giant Gap, have amassed an incredibly extensive collection of 20th Century (predominantly American) masters including Andy Warhol (Silver Elvis!), Roy Lichtenstein, Alexander Calder, Frank Stella, Gerhard Richter, Chuck Close, Ellsworth Kelly, Richard Serra (wow!), Bryce Marsden and Anselm Kiefer amongst many others. It was really really amazing. The Fishers are proposing to build an art museum in the grounds of the historic Presidio, a former US military facility turned national park with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Due for completion in 2010, they are proposing to call it the Contemporary Art Museum at the Presidio (CAMP... how very appropriate for SF!). 

The Games Room

Here's the fruits of my labor yesterday at Ikea. I have blisters on my
fingers from the bloody allen key but I think it was well worth it
(just hope the kids do too!). Thomas the Tank Engine train set can go
on top and surplus toys in buckets... yipee! Note Teak passed out in
his cushion and yes, that IS an indoor BBQ... only in America! Got a sitter tomorrow night (a Spanish girl who lives near us recommended by Blaze's mom) as we are going out with Claire and Jeff to have dinner and see a comedy show in the city (Jeanne Garafalo). Should be fun!

It's a Dog's Life!

A new do, plush carpet and an open fire... What else can a dog ask for? Actually... do you think my folks could import that fresh horse stuff from Montana as I do miss that... and my mate Zeke, and that cosy bed!!??

Ahoy Matey!

Pirate Sam bartered for his treasures and dubloons on gritty Valencia Street by singing a rousing rendition of Peter, Bjorn & John's 'Young Folks'... enough to bring a tear to his mother's eye and a round of applause from the other customers. A pirate store that operates as a front for a non-profit youth writing centre, it looks like it will be a 'go to' destination for the Lundberg boys no doubt - and with curios and creatures next door at Paxton Gate and fabulous Mission Delores park a few blocks away alongside the famous row of 'painted ladies', I reckon we'll be hanging out here again!

Noe Valley & Mission Delores

Hanging with Sam in Noe Valley in the city. Forgot the SF crowd gets up even later than us Melbournites. We planned to check out a very cool store called Paxton Gate and its adjoining pirate shop with no name (!) but nothing opens 'til noon... So we visited the historic Mission Delores with its chilly cemetery and then needed some light refreshments to kill time.

China Camp Hike I

Jack and I went for a hike in China Camp State Park about 5 minutes drive up behind our new house - stunning! We parked at a small trailhead that led us up a fire road through some undulating open fields. Forests of trees and granite outcrops bordered the track until we reached the peak - the views back down to our house and over to Oakland and the San Rafael Bridge were awesome. The tip of the Golden Gate could just be seen rising up over the Marin Headlands. The sunlight was fading fast so Jack led the way back down the path, stopping every foot to check out animal tracks and hunt for 'clues'... his first proper hike, he loved it. Lots of eagles but no deer, mountain lions or coyote despite Jack's tracking skills!

The After Photo!

Teak had his hair cut today - Jack had to stifle his laughter in the
groomers he said he now looks like Poodle Maroodle :)

Superbowl Sunday

The big game today - hotdogs, chips and beer lined up for dinner
tonight! New England Patriots vs. New York Giants. Teak aka Mountain
Doggie arrived safely in the wee small hours, missing Zeke but
otherwise very happy. Boys were all so excited to have him back from
his Montana snow sojourn with the Veitch's. He is booked for a haircut
tomorrow so that he can see!! Will post before and after shots!

Aqua Vista