day 2: shopping!

Oh what a wonderful day this was! It lasted forever and we did so many fun things. Most of all, we shopped.

First stop: The Tail of the Yak
It took us a while to get here because we decided to take the Golden Gate Bridge (which we couldn't even see, even when we were on it, due to the fog!) We decided, too, that perhaps we didn't need to buy a roadmap. We got a little lost, saw lots of very, um, interesting parts of California, and two and a half hours later, found Berkeley and The Tail of the Yak.

Anandamayi Arnold, who was featured in the April/May issue of Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion, was there finishing some of her surprise shell boxes. She also makes paper flowers and colorful surprise balls. She is truly talented.

Just look at this flower she made entirely from paper! The closed flower has a surprise in it! Isn't it wonderful?



Here are some other of her creations, and the artist herself.





Here are some other shots of the Tail of the Yak:



Second Stop: Castle in the Air
If you read Ulla's blog then you've already seen how enchanting and wonderful Castle in the Air is. Here is more proof...













What a really fun place!

Last Stop: Timeless Treasures
We drove back to San Francisco (in minutes, not hours!) and had a lot of fun driving through Chinatown, the Financial District, and up and down hills all through the city. Cerri, Megan, and Kerry all told me that Timeless Treasures is a place that I had to see...and boy am I ever glad I listened. The owner Joan is just so sweet. The short while I was there her sweet store ebbed and flowed with happy customers and chatting friends, all of whom adore Joan and her collection of wonderful things. What her store is known for is its abundance of vintage letters, ranging in size from tiny to feet tall. I suspect, too, that the store is known best for the warmth of the owner. If you are in the San Francsisco area, you have to pay Joan and her store a visit. You'll feel like you've walked on the set of Mr. Roger's neighborhood as she introduces you to each new person who comes in.

Here's further reason, if you need it, to get thee to Timeless Treasures...