February Flash!

It feels as though we've flown from January to March with no time in between. Is it almost Ben's birthday already? What happened to February? We can tell you about a couple things we managed to fit in. Hannah, Lisa, and I took a day in the City and visited SFMOMA. In particular, I wanted to visit an exhibit of work by four photographers showing different world views. It was absolutely wonderful. The MOMA is also installing a new mural on the inside front wall and it was a treat to watch 10 or so painters walking around scaffolding painting this enormous work.

After the museum, we went over to the Palace of Fine Arts (which you know is one of our happy stops in SF) and fed the swans. Lisa had never been there before so we got over our shock and showed her around.

Yesterday, Hannah and I visited Calistoga for the day. The drive up is gorgeous, as flowers grow around the empty grape vines. We stopped at Oakville Grocery, which looks like a quaint old grocery, but contains some of the tastiest, freshest foods around. Their deli case is full of colorful, delicious creations. Clearly, Hannah loves the sesame noodles. In Calistoga, we relaxed in and out of the warm and hot pools - leaving the cold pool for warmer weather. Taking a walking break around town, we spotted this man riding his bike which was covered in all sorts of wind whirly-twirly things, feathers, and boas. This is clearly his normal gig and he was quite straight-faced about it.

Also this month, Megan celebrated her 41st birthday. We drove over to Palo Alto and had a delicious birthday brunch with her. February for her has been birthday and moving month as she packs up and changes homes.

We're missing our family very much in post-bat mitzvah style.
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Shalom in your home
and
Peace out home skillets!
Libby and Hannah

We're Still Here!

I can't believe it's been a month since Hannah's bat mitzvah! One would think that time would open up to us and prove generously giving since we've no more tutoring and practice. However, life is rushing by and we are just trying to keep up. Maybe you know the feeling?

I took so many pictures during the bat mitzvah weekend that I hardly know what to do with them.

Surrounded by family, Hannah and I felt lucky to be a part of such love. The weekend was beautiful. I especially loved our day at the beach (when I actually remembered my camera). I believe the sun offered its bat mitzvah present to Hannah in the form of clear skies and warm days for our snow-covered family. After everyone was gone, Hannah made a card wall in her bedroom with every card she received. She wakes up each morning looking at the support and love from that day. Her platter, with signatures all round (which I forgot to photograph!) is a great memory- especially with "Aunt Jeff" nice and clear on the side. I wish I had pics on my own camera from the bat mitzvah itself, but Shelly took some truly beautiful photos and I'll make sure everyone has the link.
Hannah will never forget this important weekend and the way our family
came through for her. And I will always remember that Jacob wore a red tutu!

Shalom in Your Home
and
Peace Out, Home Skillets.
Libby and Hannah

Movies, Candies, and Swans, Oh My...

With one day left of vacation before Hannah headed out to her Dad's house, we had to decide how to spend our time together. We threw on our hand-knitted hats from Mom and drove to Hannah's favorite lunch place in the city, Pluto's.

After lunch we walked over to a wonderful old-timey candy store on Chestnut Street, Delish, that is one of our new favorites. Hannah chose a bag of candies, including this rock-candy-pop that turned her teeth, tongue, and lips bright blue. We took our candy to a movie theater and laughed through Yes Man while stuffing ourselves (with popcorn, too).

Next we headed over to the Palace of Fine Arts. Besides being a gorgeous place to walk around, it's also fun for feeding ducks, gulls, swans.


On a little island in the water, two trees have become a resting spot for dozens of herons. I love seeing these huge birds balancing gracefully, necks bent in sleep.


Alright, here's a challenge. I'd like you to go out with a camera (or stay in) and take a foot shot from above and a head shot from below. Send me the pics via email so I can post them. C'mon, do it for me? Thanks!

By the way, Happy Birthday to Bri and Happy New Year to all!
Shalom in your home
and
Peace out, home skillets.
Libby and Hannah

SuperHeebs + Xmas = Chinatown

So, like any good Jewish girls, Hannah and I spent the afternoon in Chinatown on Christmas Day.





Leaving our East Bay neighborhood, ours was one of very few cars on the road. Heading across the Bay Bridge, into the city, it was clear that most people were home enjoying Christmas. However... as we turned into Chinatown, San Francisco suddenly seemed normal again. The streets were packed, hundreds of people pushed to move on the sidewalks, every shop was open with vegetables and live animals waiting to be cooked for dinner, and laundry hung from almost every window.
We branched out from our usual dim sum experience and ate at a new restaurant. The Chinese broccoli was delish (dipped in a sweet plum sauce) and I loved the shrimp-stuffed eggplant.







During our afternoon, we decided to have an impromptu game-night and called a few friends to come over. We had about 12 friends in to play Apples-to-Apples and another game that I never really understood. It involves werewolves, villagers, cupid, a witch, and a lot of falling asleep at nighttime. Hannah says it's like Mafia, but more complicated. The fact that I never understood how the game was played made me a bit of the town idiot, but it was still great fun. The only thing that could have made our game night more fun would've been if we'd had our wonderful family with us! Pretty soon...

Shalom in your home
and
Peace out home skillets.
Libby and Hannah