About Me

My photo
Baker. Cook. Gardener. Animal Lover.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

HOME

we thought about moving. but decided to stay. for now. it feels like Big Sur in here at night as we watch the days grow shorter. we lit the whole house by candles last night, played Christmas music, warmed ourselves by the woodburning fire, smelled oakwood, listened to the crackle and pop of the fire and the creak of the stairs...the same creak they make every night at sunset. i always wonder why...and smile. we sipped pinot noir and nibbled on nuts. we wrapped ourselves in sweaters and scarves and strolled up Chorro street....listening to the hoot of the owl that sits in the pine tree by our kitchen door, we slipped inside MEE HUNG LOW for a bowl of warm noodles. jazz music floated in the air. a band was playing up in the loft. jazz in a chinese restaurant. we didn't ask. we listened. people had their dogs with them . on their laps. feeding them noodles. it made us smile. we wished we had Teddy. next time. we walked home in the dark. we saw 3 houses with Christmas lights. we smiled... again ....as we strolled towards HOME.

50 comments:

  1. that sounds absolutely dreamy...what a perfect night :) i love that people were feeding noodles to their dogs...how cute!

    ReplyDelete
  2. It sounds like a wonderful evening. Love the name MEE HUNG LOW! Next time perhaps Teddy can go along and enjoy some tasty morsels.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Warm noodles sound so good on a cool evening. I think jazz music would be good IF it was good jazz! Still Chinese meets jazz does seem odd. But have you ever noticed that most Chinese restaurants play no music?
    Yes...Christmas is in the air in the public stores. I am not ready for the music yet...give me till after Thanksgiving when I go full force on the iPod and stereo. Lights...here in Danville the downtown keeps small white lights year round which gives it a magical feel. Then on the day after Thanksgiving they light the old oak tree which is only lit during the month of December...then we know the holidays have truly come.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Why would you ever want to move from that? It sounds so wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a lovely ending to a very nice day! The days and nights are colder here too, however, the sky is a beautiful blue during the day against the crisp colorful autumn leaves. I am enjoying it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. It looks and sounds so very cozy:). Matt and i did the same thing last night- sat in front of the fire and sang Christmas carols. Some would say it's too early, but I say, bring it on and love it for as long as we can:). Your home and life sound so peaceful:). Maybe someday we'll get to sing carols together! Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

    xoxo,
    Blair

    ReplyDelete
  7. How perfectly lovely, to be at one with your home and your neighbourhood in such a way.

    And how amazing to be allowed to take your dog inside anywhere serving food! Mine would just love that!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Ah, what a night. Don't we all live ( and work hard) just to experience such moments?

    Loved sharing this with you.

    xo Jane

    ReplyDelete
  9. that sounds like the perfect evening...utter bliss...Thank you for that beautiful picture. How wonderful! I would love to live out there with my man,...someday.
    That is a funny name, I agree with Janice......he he he!

    ReplyDelete
  10. That sounds like a marvelous walk and end to a Fall day.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ah, a wood burning stove. It doesn't get much better than that.

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a wonderful night you two had. It must be so nice to be able to stroll along and then go to your own neighborhood restaurant. Dogs get so excited when they know they are doing something that is unusual for them. Teddy will have a blast next time. Great post!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Perfect! What a wonderfully quaint and cozy little life you seem to have. Send hugs and warm wishes for more perfect nights from a farmhouse in Upstate NY.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Tis the season for warm and cozy. I so enjoyed reading your calm and soothing post. Last evening, with the wood stove heating our home and the fragrance of nutmeg and cinnamon simmering,I popped Little Women into the DVD player and all seemed right with the world.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like such a poetic evening.

    ReplyDelete
  16. oh how cool!!! i am soooo glad you are feeling better! next time teddy wants to go!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love the fact that you seem to be making memories... every day. At least, that's my perception. Living for today. That's a great way to live. :)

    ReplyDelete
  18. sounds like a wonderful scene...great post.

    hope you are enjoying the weekend - cozy on up to that fire. ;) one love.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Home should be the most comfortable place on earth. The sanctuary of rest.

    Nice easy evening.

    xoxo to Teddy Wonderful!

    Blessings, sandi

    ReplyDelete
  20. Christmas lights, already? Whoa, I've got some housecleaning to do and Thanksgiving to prepare for before I can think about that!!! BUT---I did see a wonderful vintage looking alumninum Christmas tree at our local Jr. League Holiday House yesterday that did get me thinking about how I want to decorate this year! Sounds like a lovely autumn evening out--I love dogs in a restaurant--but my Dudley would NOT behave himself and I hope the Health Dept. doesn't find out!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi kary,

    How cozy it sounds!
    We're just back from the wine evening at Mission San Antonio -not too far from you. We must arrange to meet one day!

    Fondly,
    Marjorie

    P.S. I know you miss Buddy. I feel for you. I miss the little stray kitty I cared for over the summer. There is a big hole in my heart, but I know he is loved in his new home.

    ReplyDelete
  22. such a beautiful evening you had.
    i send you love, my friend.
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hi Kary
    This was a such a warm and snuggly post! I can't believe people in your neighborhood are already decorating for Christmas.
    I like to enjoy one season and holiday at a time and I am still enjoying autumn and looking forward to Thanksgiving.
    ♥ Pat
    PS I love looking at all the lovely photos on your blog sidebar.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like a lovely way to spend the evening!

    Have a great Monday.

    Melinda

    ReplyDelete
  25. That is a perfect evening.
    Have a pretty day!
    Kristin

    ReplyDelete
  26. Beautiful sentiments all describing the feel of a home. A very important place to have.;)
    Lovely header image and I love the image in this post as well.;)
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  27. The ideal way to spend the evening. I miss our French wood burner in the UK!!! Diane

    ReplyDelete
  28. Dearest Kary, feeling sad because sweet China has gone, bless her heart....this post made me feel cuddled by you. Gales & rain battering the windows this morning as the last few leaves cling to the trees. A time to batten down the hatches and enjoy the comforts of hearth, home & friends. Happy week to you both & sweet Teddy & love from Alice & Me xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  29. This sounds like the most perfect night to me.

    We don't even need log fires in winter where I live.

    ReplyDelete
  30. What a lovely post. We have a neighborhood Italiian restaurant, but I wish for a Mee Hung Low with jazz and pets allowed. Sounds so fun!

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a wonderful evening! It sounds heavenly.

    xo
    Claudia

    ReplyDelete
  32. Wrapped this post around me like a favourite shawl.
    So glad to know someone else is listening to Christmas music.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sounds like a wonderful romantic evening with your special guy! Cheers to the two of you!

    ReplyDelete
  34. it's all about frame of mind! ha ha! So opposite of my post!
    Well, Merry Christmas then! lol!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I love the writing, and would give anything for this kind of evening.

    You have such a gift. And you know what? Whenever we've gone somewhere, we can't wait to get home to Grace Lapue and Marley.

    Love,
    Joey

    ReplyDelete
  36. What a lovely evening. I hope you don't have to move! It would be difficult to leave everything you have there.

    ReplyDelete
  37. We certainly think alike! I posted a 'home page' on my blog too...wish our castles were closer together so we could have each other over.

    I am lying in bed in a Marriott right now, can't wait to get back to my home sweet home, husband and Cheddar tonight!


    Room service is nada when you are flying solo on business....

    ReplyDelete
  38. Just remember, no matter if you stay or go, carry your happiness with you. That way, you'll never have to spend time looking for it.

    ReplyDelete
  39. this is one of the sweetest posts i have ever read... i could have read all night... novel perhaps in your future???? xx

    ReplyDelete
  40. oh and i am not sure if i told you this before... when i met jacques pepin in nyc at dean and deluca years ago... i cried... he was ADORABLE and so kind... we spoke for about 10 minutes... LOVE HIM
    (i cried after i left) my friend from work said "who is that"???
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  41. oh how i LOVE your story of julia... i think i would have fainted. thank goodness there is someone out there like me... one of my favorite things to do was watch her and jac on sat evenings at 5 or 5:30 ... i think i am going to buy the series... so i can watch it anytime!

    i have met ina a couple times... and she is totally adorable..

    ReplyDelete
  42. it sounds delightful, home is where the heart is.

    ReplyDelete
  43. This just says it all. Ain't No place like home! :)

    ReplyDelete
  44. you should save that beautiful bit of prose to
    put in a book some day. it was as moving and
    descriptive as any phrase i have enjoyed.

    you had us right there with you. i could taste
    the noodles, smell the pinon wood, see the
    lights, and hear the music.

    thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  45. What a winner. Kick ass writing.
    xx
    donkey in the pines

    ReplyDelete
  46. LOVE this post, my friend. I'm sorry I've been away so long. It's good--truly good--to be back here. You capture just what home means. Sending you hugs and love . . .

    xo Gigi

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate all your kind comments more than you can know.