Category Archives: traveling

Right Now, sewing, spring, traveling

What’s Happening Here

At work

I’m still attempting to wear something I’ve made every day. So far, there has been only one day when I didn’t, and that’s because I had to wear a suit for a fancy meeting and all of my suitable self-mades were in the wash. The picture above is me, at work, and that skirt is the Kiss Me Deadly skirt I made awhile back. I didn’t realize until just now how flat chested this outfit makes me look. Hm.

Life is chugging along around here. I took a trip down to San Diego last weekend to surprise my Ma for Mother’s Day. She was suitably surprised. It was a great trip, except for the plague that was visited on the house. We all came down with a wicked stomach bug. We fell like dominos: The four year old went first on Friday night, then her Papa, then me, my mom, and my sister in law, then my dad. The only one who was spared was the baby.

Julia in polka dots

She is obviously too cute to get sick.

When I was home I randomly found part of my fourth grade Halloween costume, when I dressed as a 1950s carhop. My mom made me this awesome poodle skirt.

4th Grade Halloween Costume

I had a tray to which she glued a hamburger bun, some “french fries,” and a soda cup, and I got to roller skate around school all day. I totally want to be a carhop for Halloween again. Too bad this skirt won’t fit me anymore…

I’m fully recovered from the Krier Family Bug of 2013 now, and there are lots of fun things coming up for Sean and I, not to mention tons of crafting projects, sewing projects, and some new recipes to try. I’ll be working double time to have more me-made garments to finish out Me-Made May. Now that summer is making itself known around here, I’m definitely looking at lighter fabrics and easy to wear patterns. I have tons of beautiful wool, but I think that stuff is going to stay in the fabric bin for another few months. I’m also planning to make a dress for my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s wedding this summer, and I’ll be using this Craftsy class on The Couture Dress to guide me. I’m planning to share lots of details about the process along the way.

And just as a last piece of loveliness for the day, yesterday when I was in San Francisco, I stopped at Britex for some inspiration and shopping (expect new shirts soon!), and next door I saw this excellent window display.

Sewing machines

summer, traveling

Cavallo Point

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As a birthday gift, Sean reserved a room at Cavallo Point for a night. Cavallo Point is a lodge and spa inside Golden Gate National Park, built on the former grounds of the Fort Baker army post. It’s located right at the Marin Headlands, ideally situated for Bay Area vacationing, and also for a quick overnight getaway for us.

Cavallo Point is a super luxury resort that looks like grown-up summer camp. The buildings are all arrayed in a semi-circle around the old Parade Grounds, tucked up into the foot hills, and facing out into the bay. Most of the buildings are historic, with that classic white and red turn-of-the-century look of resorts like the Hotel del Coronado. There are a few new buildings, all designed with sustainability in mind, and seamlessly blended in with the hills and trees around them. Eucalyptus and coastal pines shade the walk ways and fill the air with quiet rustling. This is the most peaceful place I have ever been.

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traveling

Camping in Mendocino

Wooden footpath through beach trees

When I was a kid, we camped a lot. My parents were young and un-monied, with three children and families who lived far away. Several times a year, we packed our car with tents, sleeping bags, and our big wooden camping gear box, and hit the road visiting state parks from California to Washington to South Dakota. We went to the desert and the mountains, camped with friends and with family, and wore our olive green canvas nine-man tent into the ground. I have many fond camping memories from my youth, but after I left home, I never camped again. Until last weekend.

Moving to California unearthed Sean’s Mountain Man desires, and we’ve been stocking up on camping gear for the last five months, just waiting for summer. In March, we reserved a spot in Mendocino County with our friend Eunice and started getting excited. And finally, the day came. We packed up the car, hit the road, and drove up through Sonoma County, the Anderson Valley, and Mendocino before we reached our site at MacKerricher State Park, just north of Fort Bragg.
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traveling

Santa Cruz, lovely Santa Cruz

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I was lucky. I went to college in one of the most beautiful places on earth. I moved away from home and into a dorm room that overlooked a peaceful tree-encircled meadow (well, peaceful when there weren’t drum circles going on). I walked to my classes on winding trails through groves of stoic, ancient redwoods. I eventually lived in charming cottages on charming streets, mere blocks from the Pacific. I woke in the morning to the sounds of seals barking playfully, and fell asleep at night listening to frogs croaking their quiet, calming calls. Santa Cruz can overwhelm with its beauty, and when you’re twenty, it easy to take that for granted. I go back now and I think, my god, I was so lucky.

I want to go to there

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