Tradition

Many years ago - cant remember quite when - hubby and I started going into The City (AKA San Francisco) at Christmas time to do shopping, looking, and just getting away. Started out as just a long day. And then it became a night - and then a weekend. We finally convinced some old friends to join us, which they did for a couple of years.

Now with hubby retired, we dont have to do it on the weekend, which not only makes it easier for me, but also less expensive for us.

So we went this week. Now, we have experienced all sorts of weather - from unseasonably warm, to heavy, torrential rains. This time it was the cold that we experienced!

One of the places we visited this year was the big Goodwill store on Mission....have been wanting to go there for some time. Ended up with some 100% wool yarn - a Christmas candy plate - 2 small Christmas loaf pans - and.....hold on there....the best of all.....a Longaberger bread basket for $0.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yup, a bread basket that I needed - and a Longaberger one for NINETY-NINE CENTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course there was other shopping involved and got some good Christmas shopping done. Met up with friends for lunch.

That night we had reservations at the Carnelian Room (www.carnelianroom.com). A restuarant that has been in business for 40 years....we have eaten there several times over the years, the first time for our 2d anniversary I believe. Fancy (and usually good) food but killer views! So we went there for a goodbye dinner since they are closing at the end of the year. Enjoyed a bottle of Australian wine - a Caesar's salad made the corect way (at tableside) and steak. Too full for dessert ...

More shopping the next day. And some very good wine at DiMaggio's as well as a very very filling early dinner at Volare's with excellant cannoli for dessert. Then on to the Curran Theater to see "39 Steps" - happy birthday honey! This was hubby's birthday present (his birthday is the 14th). And it was hysterical! It is a spoof on Hitchcock - done by a cast of 4!!!!!!

Couldnt get a cab afterwards - so I was impressed - we walked back to our room (at www.whiteswanninnsf.com) which wasnt all that far - just 3 - 4 blocks UPHILL in heels! But we (I!!!) made it......

The next morning was hubby's other birthday present - The Walt Disney Family Museum (www.disney.go.com/disneyatoz/familymuseum/index.html) at the Presideo. What a beautiful place that is! And the museum was great - from birth to death of Walt. Of course, it is the family's view of the man....but still. We were there for hours - at one point, about 2/3s of the way done, we sat down for a minute and realized we had been there 2.5 hours and it hadnt felt like that at all!!!

After that went to the Wharf and had our calamari cocktail - then Ghirardelli banana split! Thank goodness we had a healthy breakfast that AM at the B&B.....

Did a bunch of errands today. Then this evening we found out the sad news that daughter and her family won't be able to make it for Christmas due to work. BUT they will be down the week after so that is okay. I think hubby and I both understand how work interferes with holidays becuase of our jobs. And this will be their first time to have Christmas in their own house, with their kids - and I think that will be kind of fun for them too.