"This is the violet hour, the hour of hush and wonder, when the affectations glow and valor is reborn, when the shadows deepen along the edge of the forest and we believe that, if we watch carefully, at any moment we may see the unicorn."


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Marianne's Visit to San Francisco - Robin's Photos

 Day 1

Marianne arrives.....just in time to savour our last day of HOT (80 degrees) weather!  After meeting at her hotel, we set off for a cocktail and some fresh crab cakes at an outdoor restaurant right next to the Bay Bridge!

 You know who this is!  Frida!  The most well-travelled girl in all the world! 
 Some of my many many, MANY gifts from Marianne!

 We stopped to pose with Autumn Pumpkins and Gourds in the famous Sheraton Palace Hotel!

A late night dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Macy*s!  (We were almost the last ones to leave.....)

Day 2
 The view from Marianne's Hotel.....you can see the Bay Bridge and the SF Bay.
 The weather cooled off a lot - about 30 degrees....and in the afternoon, the skies clouded over and it rained!  However, that did not stop us from SHOPPING!  After that, we stopped for a cocktail before dinner and the Opera!

Here we are, sampling *Lilac Martinis*! 





I know, they look more Pink than Lilac.....but, we didn't send them back! 
A-ha-ha! Skoal!

Then, off to a delicious Thai Dinner.....and a speedy taxi ride to the Opera - where we saw the Final Dress Rehearsal of *Carmen*!  I was happy to introduce Marianne to *my backstage world*....meeting some of the Chorus and Orchestra members....

No photos (from me)....too busy chatting to everyone and introducing Marianne!


Day 3

A little more shopping....(Marianne is a CHAMPION Shopper)!  Then, off to my home for a quick visit to meet my Feral Furballs!  (Marianne took the photos.)
Then, another madcap rush to JUST catch the Sausalito Ferry in time for lunch!


OMG!  We JUST made it!


 
The Bay Bridge 

Coit Tower

Leaving San Francisco 

At Scomas Restaurant.  We opted to sit outside on the deck.....and Voila - the Sun came out - BRIGHT!  (Don't you love Marianne's Leopard Jacket!)

We met a Feathered Friend - whom we shared some  bread and cracker crumbs with!

A perfect afternoon! 


Marianne on the phone with Lo....  chatting with our Rhode Island Sister!! 

Enroute on the Ferry back to SF!  The sun is setting beyond the Golden Gate!  (Not a clear photo, as it was very cold by then...so we opted to sit INSIDE the Ferry!

The Days just sped by..... Marianne is a treasure...but then, you all know this!
She is beautiful, intuitive, funny and warm!  I am so happy we had these few days together!  We have met twice this year!!!  And next year.....be it in Rhode Island or Zierkizee.....we WILL meet again!

I miss you Marianne!!!

Love to all,

♥ Robin ♥

23 comments:

  1. eeeeeeeeeee!!! It looks like you had a wonderful time! marianne collapsing on the ferry made me laugh. And look at your lilac wrapped gifts. She's so thoughtful!

    What a beautiful sister visit LS!

    xoxo
    Lo♥BS

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  2. I just posted some pictures too and came back to see if you had too et.....voila!
    How wonderful!
    It was a great time wasn't it?!
    Had to laugh about sending the pink Martini's back........NAH......
    Your pictures together with mine makes the whole picture complete. Wednesday I will post the ones with the furry and feathered friends for AW.
    My trip went well. Smooth flight nodelays home and YES I did see my Mom and a lightning visit at Marja. I congratulated Nick and gave him the Pepper and salt shaker and Marja her yoga pants.
    At home I kissed Mr Saucer eyes from you and he was very willing. He joined Koekie Droppie and me for a nap on the couch.
    Now I just had dinner. Germain cooked a very nice dinner!
    I posted my pictures and now I am off to sleep I know I will sleep like a baby.
    Tomorrow I will start painting................

    See you next year ;)
    remember next year is only a few weeks away......

    I loved my visit ♥ will miss you

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  3. I just looked at Marianne.s pix and now yours. They all scream FUN FUN FUN. It's so neat when blogging friends get a chance to meet.
    Thanks for sharing all these beautiful photos.

    (my curiosity is killing me) lol

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  4. oh these photos are so great and it sounds like you both had a fabulous time. hurrah for you for having fun and seeing the world. You both love to travel. I am so impressed. thanks for taking me along.

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  5. how very lovely! i noticed marianne's jacket a few fb's back, classy, that woman, eh!

    isn't it all just amazing? from keyboard to sisterhood. the real deal.

    your photos are terrific, robin. and i'm so glad to see frida making sure that marianne doesn't sleep alone during all her travels.

    I raise my glass!

    love
    kj

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  6. i love what kj said - from keyboard to sisterhood - that's just beautiful.

    what a fun time you two had - you are a great hostess and tour guide robin — and those lilac martinis - to die for!

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  7. I felt like I was along with you two. What fun you had. what an amazing thing blogging is. What an amazing area you live in. Everything in a small area with places to reach by boat that are fantastic too. Was there anything left in the shops??? :))

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  8. Lololoo...... we had a wild, fun-filled time....oh yes! We missed YOU and Marja though.... I can only imagine the four of us on that Ferry!!

    For me, it's been a GREAT TWO MONTHS! Visiting you, Bri and the Fur-Kids, my Birthday, then Marianne (and Frida) coming to town! Life will quiet down now.....as Winter approaches.....but it's been the best Autumn I have had in a few years.

    Love to all 4,

    ♥ R ♥

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  9. Dear ♥ M ♥,
    Isn't it amazing....we said "Au Revoir" on Saturday and by Sunday, you were home! Both our photos have been *published*, Germain cooked a delicious dinner for you, I was at *Carmen" Opening Matinee....life swirls by so quickly....but as we said, one must seize it and make the most of EVERY day!

    See you......SOON!

    Love to all,

    ♥ R ♥

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  10. Hi Teri - so glad you enjoyed our photos!! We really did have FUN, FUN, FUN! And there was a lot of *screaming laughter* too!!! I've been so lucky to have met all these amazing ladies on the Blogs - and EVERY ONE is as wonderful as her blog.

    You should be receiving something any day now!!!! A-ha-ha!

    Love to you and Sunshine,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  11. Hello Dear Suki.... I am happy you liked our photos.... we spoke about you a lot - your talent, your humour, your *wonderful-ness*!
    I know seeing the City from the Bay brought back a lot of memories for you..... one day, who knows, we may *tour the City* together!
    Life is full of surprises!

    Love to you and Bibs,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  12. KJ... glad you noticed that jacket! Yes, Marianne is a classy lady!

    As you say, from "Keyboard to Sisterhood"....YOU KNOW.... it is so wonderful! (And through all these past months, I have felt Renee's hand on my shoulder....)

    Love to all,

    ♥ Cupcake ♥

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  13. Amanda.... you made me laugh - you would notice those *Lilac Martinis*...they had crushed blueberries in them! They were delicious!

    SF is an easy place to *tour*... there is so much beauty - in every corner of the City...when there is water on three sides and the weather (mostly) cooperates...it is truly gorgeous!

    Looking forward to the day when WE meet!!! *Twins* like us need to meet in person - not justat the *Willow Ball*!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  14. Cris.....a-ha-ha...NO, the shops, both in SF and Sausalito were left bare!!! Marianne had trouble closing her suitcase! (Darn, I should have taken a photo of that!)

    We had a blast.... I hope your ears were burning too...as we spoke about you, Annie, Daisy and Nikki.... and...of course, your art!
    It is nice to be a Blogging Family!!!

    Love to all,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  15. Ahhhh so now I know why my ears were burning.. lol I am intrigued with that roof of yours. I only saw a bit of it on Mariannes blog..Can you sit up there? Is it an actual roof top deck? Would love to see more of it. What a view you have from there.

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  16. Cris, yes my roof is an actual deck....one can sit up there....check back to my post in early October on the Blue Angels....I snapped all those photos right over my roof... it's lovely on those warm, sunny days...but most of the time it's grey, foggy and windy! October/November are the optium months! I'll take some photos on the next foggy day and post them for you! ♥ R ♥

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  17. What a lovely visit, what a lovely friendship.

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  18. Dear Robin,
    I have seen your comments on Allegra's blog, so I decided to come and visit here. Your city is dear to my heart, as my grandmother was born there, and I still have cousins and a nephew in the area.
    It was a lovely surprise to see your references to so many operas. Though I'm not a dedicated opera-goer (Gregg & I prefer the symphony), we do have a dear friend who is a Wagnerian soprano from N. California, so I had to mention that; her name is Linda Watson. Gregg and I have had the privilege to hear her sing here in Seattle at the opening of our newly-refurished opera house, and with Placido Domingo in L.A.
    I would love to know more about what you do backstage at the opera; S.F. is reneowned on the west coast, and I'm sure it's very exciting. Blessings to you!

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  19. this is amazing! not only the photos (which are wonderful) and the visit (which is very wonderful) but the excitement and happiness that rolls thru all the comments. what a treat!!!

    that blessed Renee!!

    hey - my mom went to see Siegfried at the opera movie and loved it!!!

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  20. Sometimes, I think women have more fun hanging out with one another than men do, that is unless the men have some task or specific interest that they're working on together.

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  21. Hello Karen....how lovely of you to visit! Linda Watson - I have actually seen her perform before! How wonderful you are friends!

    I manage the SF Opera Guild Volunteers (there are about 65) who work backstage for every rehearsal and performnce...we make sure the Cast, Chorus and Orchestra have tea and coffee and assorted goodies... it is a fun and ever-changing job...

    Sending you a BIG HUG! You are such a great friend to our wonderful Allegra! I want to eventually fly North and meet her and Barry in person... they are both treasures - as are you!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  22. Mim.... yes, oh yes...YOU know Renee was (and continues to be) a Life-Chager for us all!

    The Met's *Siegfried* has a SF Opera connection! Jay Hunter Morris sang the lead for the first time ever this past Summer on *our* Ring! He is real sweet Southern *Boy*..who looks and sings like a Heldentenor! Stepping in at the 11th hour in NY will open doors for him now!

    Love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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  23. Snow...you may be right.... having multiple girlfriends is still relatively new for me....having spent most of my years in the company of guys...(significant others and bosses)...all I know is that I have been blessed to meet these amazing, intelligent and caring ladies.....you know most of them - and they have helped me through the darkest time of my life!

    Sending you and all the Family many hugs and much love,

    ♥ Robin ♥

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