Fall Football

I love college football! I am a huge Ohio State fan...and yes it is The Ohio State University. But one thing that Mid-West football doesn't have that West Coast football does is the weather!! It was a beautiful day at the Cal game...shorts and t-shirt weather. And as West Coast fans everyone was prepared (or inventive) with their hat choices....take a look at some of the coolest hats I saw at the game.




I also love how those without hats made hats out of the signs they passed out...very creative!


And this cowboy hat is the hippest one I've seen in a long time!



Our hats weren't quite as inventive, but they at least kept us from getting burnt.


Thanks for a great game Cal and congrats on the win!

Stealing Hearts

Only a couple of weeks and this little one is already stealing hearts....at least he did with mine. He was such a cutie that I didn't want to stop holding him. I just know that he is going to steal your heart too!

The Flower Season is Ending

As loyal readers of this blog knows, I love going to Filoli and seeing all of the flowers. I probably like this even more than most people because I can't grow flowers for anything!

Filoli closes at the end of October because most of the flowers are settling down for a long winters nap. They do have a Holiday season where everything is decorated with breathtaking decorations and the public can purchase tickets to see the grounds.

But just in case you didn't make it out to Filoli over the last couple of months, here are some pictures to make you look forward to Spring.

Watering the area near the entrance with sprinklers keeps everything looking fresh and beautiful.


These flowers are so inviting that you can imagine yourself laying down next to them and watching the clouds roll by.


And I'm sure kids dream of playing hide and seek in these trees....but you can't so it will stay a dream.

People are not the only ones who like visiting Filoli....


And even though the colors are amazing, I also love seeing the lovely patterns each flower makes. That is shown off in this black & white hydrangea.

While strolling through the rose garden, my friend Sallie and I came upon this wheel barrel filled with old roses.

While we were there we made sure to stop and smell the roses...especially when they look like this!

I love this flower too...the color variation give so much detail that you can only find in nature.

And finally, my friend Fon wanted to know what the key to the front door of the mansion looked like. I thought she was a little out there asking for it until......


the volunteer brought this out and showed us!!! Totally glad she asked to see it. How cool would this be as your front door key? And while we are dreaming....how cool would it be to live in that mansion!?!

The Zoo

I have lived in the Bay Area for 10 years and when I first moved here I was determined to see all the sights and experience San Francisco. And not just once in a while....every weekend. Well, that goal turned out to be a little aggressive. So I am sorry to say that in the time that I have lived here I have only been to the San Francisco Zoo twice. And that second time was last week....

But instead of focusing on not being a regular at the Zoo, let's focus on the great animals they have there. Here are a few photos from my trip with my friend Sallie who I thank for getting me back to the zoo.

The Grizzle Bears were amazing! We got to see them close up (behind the glass, not in the cage) playing in their pond and eating their breakfast. I love this dramatic black & white photo.



The Bald Eagle was hiding away in a tree, but still keeping an eye on us.


The Lions were a little tired, but still looking fabulous.




We had a model at the Gorillas. Once he saw us taking pictures, he came right over and posed for us.


But not everyone was pleased with their picture being taken...


And why can't we all just get along? I'm not sure what the first Flamingo did but the second was not happy about it.


And finally, THE BEST JOB EVER!!! Yes I love my job but this is something I would love to do just once...


Take Molly the Koala inside for bedtime. How awesome to carry a little Koala around daily!!!!

Networking Bonanza

Yesterday was my networking bonanza day. The day started a little earlier than expected but thankfully for great, energetic people (and some coffee) I jumped right into the mix.

At 7:30am, I attended my first BNI meeting. Everyone was very nice and showed me the ropes right away, making me feel completely comfortable in a room full of strangers. What better way to start the day and to meet wonderful people. After a filling breakfast and feeding off of the motivation of the BNI group I headed to my BAWN networking event.

BAWN, The Bay Area Wedding Network, held their fall event at Preservation Park in Oakland. This little gem is beautiful and seems like a paradise that is hidden away in downtown Oakland. The history of the homes that are there and the setting makes for a romantic wedding at a completely affordable price. Plus, Barbara the site manager, is such a sweet person that you can't help but want to work with her.

It was a great day filled with steel drum music from Steel Jam and food from Miraglia Catering. With flower designs from several local florists and table decorations that would make any bride feel like a princess. I met several wonderful people and can't wait to do it again at the next BAWN event.

Lisabette & Rami's Wedding

Lisabette & Rami's wedding was held in San Jose at a beautiful private golf club. The views were amazing from the club house, where they held the ceremony and reception, and the food was amazing! But what amazed me the most was how everyone, and I mean everyone, danced. Danced, danced and danced some more! The band was absolutely wonderful and kept everyone's feet moving through the night. Here are some pictures from the wedding.


The view from inside the club house looking out onto the golf course.


Wedding favors were personalized and given out before the ceremony.



The bride with her family.



The breathtaking views of the golf course.


The ceremony was set against the setting sun and the sunset made the patio just glow.




And then the dancing began!


My best wishes to a long a happy marriage Lisabette and Rami!