Tag Archives: oakland

summer adventuring

July 6, 2023Postsemma clover, maiki, oakland, summer, summer vacation, susan magnoliasusan

Summer vacation so far has been action packed. We began with our L.A. trip and that was so special. Our family hiked in the redwoods and took trips to San Francisco for the Cal Acamedy of Sciences and Japantown. Next Emma had a three week stint at A.C.E. camp (half day) with Hacienda Peralta. The 4th was spent watching the Oakland Municipal Band in Lakeside park. We visited the Alameda County fair and Emma has swim lessons for all of July!

The next month will hopefully include some warm weather for free swim, homeschooler park days and a more relaxed vibe. Sundays afternoons for concerts in the park are the leisurely style we live for. I am looking forward to lizarding a bit and laying down on a blanket to just look up into the trees.

lately in photos

April 26, 2023Postsemma clover, frog, lakeside park, maiki, oaklandsusan

We visited a really great Thai restaurant recently. I had pad thai without egg and I felt normal and happy in my tummy.

Glass frogs from the Academy of Sciences that I forgot to post earlier. I recently read that Frogcore is a thing. I laughed hard at that but I have always been a admirer from my beginnings.

Spring weather has arrived in Oakland and we have taken to sitting by the lake and enjoying the sunshine.

Trees are in bloom everywhere.

Emma has glasses. She has really wanted glasses and now she has a reason to wear them.

Jump rope star.

We had a little date before maiki head out of town.

magnolia season

March 4, 2023Postsflowers, magnolias, oakland, treessusan

For ten years I have been enamored with the magnolia trees in my neighborhood. Here are a few of my favorites.

autumn redwood walk

November 12, 2022PostsEast Bay Regional parks, emma clover, maiki, oakland, redwoodssusan

We drove to our favorite spot in the Oakland Hills. It is called Reinhard Redwood Regional Park.

We saw so many ladybugs (too many!) and I learned they are actually called lady beetles. They all arrive at their ancestral hibernations grounds to wait out the winter. They like this area near the redwoods and the stream.

We ate our lunch here then walked a little further on the trail towards Skyline, but did not continue all the way.

It was darker and colder on the trail along the redwoods. Thank goodness we were all bundled up. I love visiting this forest. It is so magical and close to where we live!

date at comal

November 11, 2022PostsComal, emma clover, maiki, oakland, susan magnoliasusan

After our knitting class Emma and I met maiki at Comal. It was a bit of date before dinner at home. Emma read a comic while the parents drank beer and we tried a few tacos. I like the Fieldworks brew and Emma said she would definitely go back for carnitas. It was cold but still sat outside.