Coming in fifth

This is how it all kicked off, with a Cole Hardware Charlie Brown tree

Then, ice skating in Union Square happened

The big tree in Union Square was pretty great 

Neiman's shop windows were gorgeous

I got a couple of great cocktails from 25 Lusk

And ornaments for my own little tree from Macy's top floor

The escalator ride was worth it,

 & it was a great way to welcome in 2011.

This winter I made it home just before a big blizzard. This is the main road. 

My childhood home (plowed)

Mrs. Norma's house (unplowed) 

There's a certain quiet with that much snow. I kept an eye out for bunnies. 

Rich sunsets against the freeze. Most days were near -15 F with the windchill. 

Driving my younger brother's car around town was a treat.

It was too cold to touch the gearshift though, thank you Target for the cheapie gloves.

My last day in town always demands a quick drive through my old 'hood. The Longway Planetarium looked like a NASA project seated in all the snow. 

Snow from the west

My next ride

DTW

The futuristic terminal change

That same carpet that always welcomes me back to Flint

Rainbow in the Mission

Sutro Tower covered in pink clouds

This giant sugar castle at the SF St. Francis (and how scary/fun it is to ride the glass elevators {GoCityKids has the deets} to the top of the hotel) *Thanks to the fabulous Kristen for the great idea!

That we've made the Oval Office a souvenir experience, (and my sparkly Tom's shoes)

DC Metro stations looking like the upcoming Tron: Legacy set

Ippudo in NYC *Thanks to Yosh! (Yosh's perfumes are a perennial obsession)

I really meant it about those Tom's Shoes, and of course ipod-ing it around with the new Cee Lo album.

Encantada Gallery in SF & this installation at my favorite bathhouse, Kabuki Springs

& Of course... 

Buying our own little sushi bar, ICHI Sushi! (Matt B., whoever you are, your review still makes us all giggle and blush!) 

& 

Keepin' on keeping on with all our Bernal neighbors at 331 Cortland with our ICHI Lucky Cat Deli 

Let's see what the upcoming Year of the Rabbit holds for us in 2011. 

Plopped on the wire in front of Rhea's

As long as I've lived here, it's still hard to reconcile that it's perfectly acceptable to be treating this rainy season like winter — hunting for a Christmas tree, mulling wine, and making holiday cards — touching the window feeling chill, not cold.