Friday, December 20, 2013

" Ladies and Gentlemen...



please pick your partners for…..the Waltz!"

And so echoes the gentle man’s voice from the edge of Fezziwig’s Dance Parlor at the Dickens Faire, perhaps one of my favorite places on the planet.  Every year I spend the month of November saying," It's almost here.  It's almost here!"  I love the Dickens Faire for many reasons – the feeling of being transported to another age.  The costumes.  Ohhhh, I love the costumes and vow to one day make a dress to wear to the Faire.  The dancing; the role play ( *not* by me, I am not a role-play gal, but I sure do appreciate the fact that there are people out there who love to play the role to set the mood).  And then there are the almonds.   Fresh cinnamon roasted almonds.  It is *well* worth the wait in line, trust me.  
Coventry Carolers at the Paddy West Stage


Fezziwig's Dance Parlor

There is something for everyone; dancing; singing; mini-plays; shopping.  And ladies, if you are at Fezziwig’s dance parlor you *will* get asked to dance over and over again, I assure you! It’s splendid. And they will teach you how to dance, so if you don’t know how to waltz or polka, it’s all good.
Spin your partner 'round and 'round
They also have dance performances.  This is where, every year, I see my super-secret-Scottish-boyfriend.  He is in the performance of the Scottish and Irish dance group.  The romance is only super-secret since he doesn’t know about it, but that’s a minor detail really, right?!  Every year we see each other from across the room and it’s like a day hasn’t passed. *sigh*
There’s nothing to put you in a better mood, and a better holiday mood than the Dickens Faire. 
Happy Christmas!

The Dickens Faire runs through Dec 22. Hurry!  More information can be found HERE




Or try any of these fun events, there are so many!

Renegade Craft Fair Holiday Market, December 21-22, Concourse  Exhibition Center, FREE.

Christmas Carols and Ugly Sweater Contest -- meet at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, 2325 Union Street at Steiner Street, at 1:00 PM to join in the Caroling Stroll up and down Union Street.  More information here

Winter Solstice Night hike and Campfire, Saturday night, December 21, Presidio, 5-6:30pm.  FREE, but you do need to register by calling
415-561-4323.  Details can be found on their website  

Telegraph Avenue Holiday Street Fair, December 22.  Telegraph Ave between Dwight Way and Bancroft, 11am-6pm. Telegraph Fair

90's Simpson's Trivia Night and Watch Party! Sunday night, December 22, 5-9pm at the Knockout in San Francisco.  The Knockout




Friday, December 6, 2013

Frosted Window Panes


Today was the perfect day.
Why?  I had to scrape frost off my car windows before I could drive to work!

It.  Was.  Awesome.
And no, I am not joking.  I know I’ve said it before, but being from Minnesota, well, it just isn’t the Holiday season until it’s cold outside and the frost appears.  I was so thrilled to *scrape*scrape*scrape* with my trusty snow scraper, straight from the Motherland, mind you.
So now I can relax and enjoy the season.  It's here.  It’s cold.  I’ve found my mittens and scarves; happily scraped my car windows and it’s a good, good day.

December 6, 2013.  Frost to scrape.  Everything is right in the world.





















There's so much going on in the Bay area, I don't know where to start! Here are a few of my favorites for the weekend -- Have fun!

The 2013 San Francisco Holiday Bazaar  ( this used to be called the Bizarre Bazaar)
December 7-8, 2013, 11 am to 6 pm
Concourse Exhibition Center, 620 Seventh St. (at Brannan), SF
FREE

2013 Jingletown Holiday Art Walk
Saturday-Sunday, December 7-8, 2013, 11 am to 6 pm
Sunday there will be live Bluegrass and a parade!
Jingletown Neighborhood, between the Park and Fruitvale Street bridges, Oakland
FREE

Snail Mail Social! Write letters to Santa on vintage typewriters!
Saturday December 7, 1-4pm.
Check this out on Facebook!

2013 Tiburon Holiday Festival
Saturday, December 7, 2013 | Noon to 7 pm
Downtown Tiburon
FREE