Yellow in San Francisco

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Sciabica's Oil of the Olive at Ferry Building Marketplace

Macro Monday – Fleur de Lis

My mother lives in the Cole Valley neighborhood in San Francisco where many of the buildings were built around the turn of the century. The architecture was exported from England during Queen Victoria’s reign to many cities throughout the United States. This frothy corinthian column from a house across the street from Boulange de Cole Valley reminds me of the Wedding Cake House of the same era in New Orleans

The elaborate ornamentation around this window elevates its importance:

The 

Here is a quintessential neighborhood house and details that hearken back to their Victorian and Edwardian roots…

… with bay windows …

and eaves adorned with dentil cornices egg-and-dart mouldings …

… and ionic columns flanking the stairway

Maintaining the delicate details of gingerbread mouldings is costly and time-consuming, thus many of these homes were stripped of their intricate decorations and covered with alternate, lower-maintenance materials like this house, directly next door:

Though I understand the practical need to simplify, I’m glad they left one detail:

Congratulations to the New Orleans Saints on their first ever Super Bowl win!

For more Macro Monday photos, please visit Lisa here.

Boulange de Cole Valley

 

Ever since my mother got sick last year, she has needed a little more help around her apartment building. Though she is doing remarkably well for being 83, my sister and I help her get the apartments ready for lease and we help her select the next tenants. Whenever I have to drive up to San Francisco to hold an open house, deliver a light fixture, or meet the electrician, I know that I have a big reward waiting for me at the end of my errand. Located just a short walk away at Cole and Parnassus is Boulange de Cole Valley.

The aroma of coffee and freshly baked goods greets me as I walk into this bustling, warm place filled with the neighborhood clientele.

If I have to hurry back home, I go for one of the Grab & Go baguette sandwiches.



But if I have time, I will have them heat up a savory croissant or quiche, or I will order a  fresh salad from the chalkboard menu.

And if I’m feeling luxurious, I treat myself to dessert

I always feel so loved when I see their self-serve counter. Who else offers Nutella and cornichons as every day condiments?

 

The food is always scrumptuous and the atmosphere is warm and inviting, but most of all, they were incredibly kind to my mother when she was sick last year, and for that I will always be grateful to them.

If you are in the Cole Valley neighborhood, please don’t miss this San Francisco treat!