A weekend on three hills...

On Saturday afternoon, Jeff and I visited with our friend Pamela and her husband John for their annual cookie decorating party...a casual afternoon painting with sugar, sipping wine, and talking with friends. The afternoon skies were brilliant, and Pamela's perch on Telegraph Hill was the perfect location to watch the Bay light up as the sun set.

After the party, we had a light dinner with our dear friend Susan near her place in Russian Hill. We snacked on flavorful sandwiches and salads, while the Hyde Street cable cars rumbled by full of boisterous holiday revelers. Susan gave us a colorful penguin ornament for our tree :)

Susan, Jeff, and I ended the evening with a festive cocktail party on Potrero Hill...with friends celebrating an anniversary, a baby birthday, and the season.

On Sunday morning, we met back up with Susan and had brunch in Russian Hill at a tiny neighborhood gem: Olea. First time's the charm...everything was amazing. Our Blue Bottle lattes were smooth and rich. My slow-roasted pork sandwich was bursting with flavors. Jeff's baked egg/tomato/bean dish was an unexpected melding of tastes and textures. And Susan's omelet was light and fluffy.



After brunch, we returned to Potrero Hill to shop at a store that Susan introduced us to...Dandelion...a locally owned store with two floors of carefully picked gifts. What an amazing weekend amongst the hills of San Francisco.