On July 20, the irrepressible gypsy Alex and I hosted a brunch at Samovar Yerba Buena. We were thrilled that such an eclectic group of fascinating, inspiring women - all accomplished writers, artists and photographers - turned up for tea and conversation. They included Christine Mason Miller, Marianne Elliot, Liz Kalloch, Jen Leman and Odette, Kelly Rae Roberts, Jen Gray, Andrea Scher, Stefanie Renee, Tracey Clark, Julie Michelle, Susan Creamer, Mati Rose McDonough and Kate.
Alex de Souza and Christine Mason Miller, whose book Ordinary Sparkling Moments will be published this month.
Jen Gray taking a photo. For a gorgeous photo of Jen, check out Andrea's photo from the Shutter Sisters photo walk Saturday through Chinatown. And Andrea's photo of Alex "lost in wonder" is also beautiful.
Marianne Elliot (left) and Jen Leman. Marianne has just started a new job with an international human rights organisation in New Zealand. Her portraits of Afghanistan currently are on exhibit in New Zealand.
Jen Leman brought her friend Odette from Rwanda and what incredible stories they have to tell!
You can read more on Jen's blog, see her heartfelt art and photos and order Odette's book here.
Tracey Clark (left), Kelly Rae Roberts
and Marianne. Kelly Rae showed us an advance copy of her new book Taking Flight: Inspiration and Techniques to Give Your Creative Spirit Wings, due out this month.
Liz Kalloch traded art with Christine. She'd had two of Christine's paintings at home, trying to decide which to keep. I took one look at the painting she'd brought back, from Christine's Cuba series. It struck a chord about what's happening in my life right now, so I asked Christine if I could buy the painting. Luckily, she agreed! Serendipity at work!
Photo at left of Liz Kalloch and right, Stefanie Renee.
Our time together flew too fast. We were so busy chatting, didn't have time to take many photos. Alas, with some guests at the other end of the table, Alex and I didn't have the chance to say much more than hello and goodbye.
But I did get to spend more time with Alex, Susan and Julie in San Francisco and with Marianne in Rockridge.
Marianne and I spent a lovely afternoon together, discussing the Middle East, mutual friends, human rights, politics, photography, friendship and our personal lives. She sent me home with prints of several of her stunning photographs from Afghanistan.
Alex, Julie and I had dinner together at Andalu and one of Alex's beautiful photos came home with me. Julie and I had lunch together and spent one afternoon working on a joint project. Another night, we had dinner together with Jordana and attended The Pandora Experiment, Christian Cagigal's astonishing magic show currently at the Exit Theatre. Our mutual friend Anjie, aka Ms. Studio Wellspring, unexpectedly became the center of attention. Read her account of the performance here.
My last night in town, I had dinner with Julie and Anjie at Trattoria Contadina, my favourite Italian restaurant in North Beach. On the way, Anjie took us on a scary ride in her lemon yellow Mini, tearing up and down some of the steepest hills in San Francisco. My heart was in my throat!
Julie (left) and the glowing mother-to-be Anjie are pictured on a cold windy evening in San Francisco. The sign in Italian above the restaurant door loosely translates to "Leave your problems at the door. Enjoy your meal."
Susan and I had dinner together two nights and she showed me some tricks about my new camera. It was nice seeing her in San Francisco, as usually we get together in Paris.
I got to spend most of a sunny Saturday with the fantastic firecracker Amber and her charming aunt, strolling the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building and having lunch and shopping at Embarcadero. We bought scarves and a stylish pair of palazzo trousers for Amber's aunt's upcoming trip to Europe.
ALL of these women from across the globe are even more fabulous than they appear on their blogs! I've been overwhelmed and enriched by their wonderful friendship, encouragement, support and inspiration. It's difficult to imagine that without our respective blogs, we might never have met.
OMGoodness what fun it looks like you had. I was getting updates from Julie on how beautiful the time was spent : )
Posted by: Christina | 07 August 2008 at 17:46
Tara this year certainly is filled with the highs of meeting and greeting face to face many gals that you've met through the community of bloggers! How lovely is that you all made plans to meet! I so remember the thrill of it all when I met a group in Sedona Arizona...seems almost surreal when we think that we met
by an exchange of words photos and thoughts on line!!
I look forward to seeing you in Paris real soon!! hugs NG
Posted by: naturegirl | 07 August 2008 at 15:55
there are quite a few reasons why that weekend wasn't great for me, but missing your tea party is ranked up there as the biggest bummer. your photos are lovely as i know your party was.
and you got to meet amber in person! jealous.
Posted by: kristen | 07 August 2008 at 13:22
Tara, what a wonderful morning it was. Your photos are lovely and are bringing back that day for me. Thank you. : )
Posted by: tracey | 06 August 2008 at 17:11
Tara
How fortunate you were and they too, for the opportunity to meet and greet like that. It must have been a blast!
Well you have never steered me wrong before, I shall go investigate all these amazing links as time allows over the next few days, thank you for the introduction!!
xox
Posted by: Gillian | 05 August 2008 at 23:43
Another great tour! thanks again, Tara. It must have been unforgettable.
I love the words above the trattoria! (Leave your problems at the door.)
Posted by: Colette | 05 August 2008 at 18:03
how completely thrilling to meet so many of your blogging friends. and such talented women!!
Posted by: robin bird | 05 August 2008 at 17:26
I can see the joy!
Posted by: Kay | 05 August 2008 at 11:24
what a delightful and fun-filled time you had. and i'm so glad to have been able to share in some of it with you. 7 mo's pregnant & full on deelish pasta sure makes me look chubby. . . . but julie looks adorable in her little headkerchief. ;o) thanks so much for more wonderful memories with you in sf. can't wait for more. xxoo!
Posted by: studio wellspring | 05 August 2008 at 06:52
Amazing to see what wonderful relationships have evolved - it's a hopeful thing for the world, I think, this new way of coming together :)
Posted by: Becca | 05 August 2008 at 02:39
I'm so excited to see this recap and the photos! I love them all, but the one with me and Anjie in front of the Italian restaurant is filling me with the happiest of memories (and the yummiest!). Not only are you brilliant, but you sure know a good Italian restaurant! I am definitely going back there again and again.
I'll look for more wonderfulness when Typepad is behaving itself.
xoxo
Posted by: tangobaby | 05 August 2008 at 01:48
Yes! The post is back! You all look like such good friends! I don't know of many of these sites so am glad to have the links to go explore!
x..x
Posted by: stephanie | 05 August 2008 at 01:10
Sounds like everyone is glad to have you back again (though it also seems like you had a nice vacation away for awhile). While it was nice to know you were "home" in the USA, It will be great to have you blogging as usual!
Posted by: Joyce Ellen Davis | 05 August 2008 at 01:08
Sounds like everyone is glad to have you back again (though it also seems like you had a nice vacation away for awhile). While it was nice to know you were "home" in the USA, It will be great to have you blogging as usual!
Posted by: Joyce Ellen Davis | 05 August 2008 at 01:05
It is great world we live in when you can be surround by such creative, inspiring souls. Glad you got to meet all those lovely bloggers :)
Posted by: My Mélange | 05 August 2008 at 00:41
Oh Tara, to be there!!!! How wonderful to meet up with all these talented souls!
Posted by: Yoli | 04 August 2008 at 23:54