As I type, a heavy fog is draping San Francisco; a misty rain pelting my window. After years of drought, these past few weeks have felt so comforting and hopeful.

Six years ago, when we finally pulled up to our apartment building after that cross country road trip, Dave and I stepped out to a beautifully sunny day in February. We got tacos with friends and I gawked at the skies; they all laughed at my San Francisco naivete and told me to enjoy it while it lasted. This was a total anomaly. And then we coasted in fog for the next 4 months as we unpacked our stuff, hung artwork, built ourselves a kitchen.

Every year, as February arrives, I recall those quiet, crisp white mornings and hope they’ll return.

I’m excited for another weekend of misty, muddy hikes. Good luck to all of you on the East Coast. Remember to do some snow angels for us.

From around the web this week:

Super Bowl 50 continues to be all over the San Francisco news, not exactly in a positive way. First, some buildings have gotten shrouded in ads downtown (we can even see them miles away). The Board of Supervisors is revisiting the city’s agreement with the Super Bowl 50 committee after learning that while none of SF’s costs are being reimbursed by the NFL, Santa Clara’s are. Also a reminder that transit shut downs continue this weekend, as the city gets prepares.

In brighter local news, Dolores Park is finally, actually, for-real opening this week. SF Rec and Parks will hold an evening party at the park (decorating with luminaries it seems?) this Wednesday, January 27th.

But also in the Mission, five (and most likely seven) long-time stores on Valencia will be closing, I suppose to make way for more sparsely curated shops selling air plants and your geometric, neon pottery staples. Sighs. This time, the list includes: DEMA, Mission Creek Cafe, Currents, Freewheel, and Lost Weekend Video (with possibly Retrofit and Decamere Market joining them in the future.)

This made me smile when it arrived.

With a blizzard bearing down in the East, the NY Times put together a list of foods to cook during a storm. I think it works equally well for our El Nino rains. Click on over if you have a thing for melty cheese, melty chocolate, and stewed meats.

Also in the NY Times, some fun apartment staging before/afters. I love how they moved out the priceless antiques for more white, beige, and greige.

Published two years ago, but ageless wisdom nonetheless from Amalah: why sleep training never ends.