Spring has sprung in the neighborhood, and though I'm so ready for my first East Bay summer, I cannot believe it is the end of March. I suppose time flies when you are absorbed in projects and adjusting to new places.

Our projects have been twofold lately: home rejuvenation continues, with a little bit of peeking out of the gopher hole at what's happening around us in Oakland.

On the rejuve front, the latest big project was digging out the stubborn root systems of the former (overgrown) hedges on the sidewalk so that we can start over with new plants. The process has happened in stages, from breaking down most of the hedges with a chainsaw and lopper in November, to hacking down the rest of them and digging up roots a couple weeks ago.

Google street maps view of our house, about two years ago.

Seth in November - "trim the hedges" turns into...

"these hedges have to go"

and now we are down to two rose bushes, which were hidden under the other bushes with the salamanders (!) for who knows how many years.

Another project has been mostly Seth's: wiring the speaker system in the living room (under the room and up the walls for the rears), and moving into a new piece of furniture that hides the cords for our whole AV setup. I'm impressed with this line from ikea called Besta.

It looks a lot like the one we wanted but could not afford.

On the 'hood exploration front, we've found a handful of new spots for drinking and eating, and the best part is that everything is so dang easy to get to. On top of that, it's easy to park once you get there. This is so novel after 10 years in SF...

Latest digs:

Cafe Van Kleef, home of the signature Greyhound - fresh squeezed grapefruit juice and vodka, with a full quarter grapefruit garnish.

Also home of the first Night of the Minis. More mini nights to come...

Burma Superstar - we know it from SF, but we love it local! larger space, and we didn't have to wait. no way! way.

Mua - By far one of my favorite places ever. A converted warehouse with restaurant tables below and a lounge up over the kitchen with birds-eye view of the action.

Off to teach the sweet girls in Marin. I leave you with one photo of our neighborhood. The trees are exploding - can you smell the blossoms?