Celebrating and Appreciating!

On By Baydreamer - Lauren ScottIn Photography, Photos

On March 4th, I shared the adventure in San Francisco my husband and I went on for his birthday in February. If you missed it and would like to check it out, here is the link: https://baydreamerwrites.com/2023/03/04/sun-on-the-city/
I’m sharing our fun and educational experience to give you insight into the fabulous museums in the iconic city and to focus on appreciating fine art. Not so much on our birthdays. I know some people would rather skip their birthdays altogether. But not me. I love to celebrate with family, friends, good wine and food, and once a year, yes, cake!

Life is so full of tragedy these days with yet another school shooting yesterday that we should truly live each day with every ounce of energy and joy because the fragility of tomorrow is no surprise. So, the good news is that we are alive to celebrate another year of life. That doesn’t mean our bodies won’t change as the years pass, but we can still “stop and smell the flowers” even with aches, pains, a few more wrinkles (laugh lines), and gray hairs. Sure beats the alternative, right??? So, here we go!

San Francisco sits “in our backyard” but we tend to venture west or north more often than south. Lately, we have changed our compass to relive some of the adventures from years ago. The de Young Museum was our next destination. Below is a brief description from Wikipedia:

The de Young Museum, formally the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum, is a fine arts museum located in San Francisco, California. Located in Golden Gate Park, it is a component of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, along with the Legion of Honor. The de Young is named for early San Francisco newspaperman M. H. de Young.

The de Young showcases American art from the 17th through the 21st centuries, international contemporary art, textiles, and costumes, and art from the Americas, the Pacific and Africa. The deYoung Museum Collections include: American Art, African Art, Oceanic Art, Arts of the Americas, Costume and Textile Arts, Graphic Arts, Photography and Sculpture. Some of the collection is accessible online on the museum website and Google Arts and Culture.

As I mentioned on the 4th, time won’t allow me to caption each photo. So, I hope you enjoy the slideshow below of only a small amount of the art. My cell battery was beginning to conk out, so I had to give it a rest. Some pieces were awe-inspiring, some very moving, others fascinating. I was in awe of the tiny details in paintings and sculptures and the incredible talent and skill needed to achieve such fantastic artwork. The photos don’t do justice, but I hope you can see what a fabulous collection this museum offers:

Photos I took throughout the day…

“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.”
~ Vincent Van Gogh

The first photo above was taken from inside the museum, the three following were taken from the observatory on the 9th floor. This was another stunning day in the big city, sunny, cold, a bit windy, but with the umbrella of a clear, blue sky. The view from the observatory was spectacular!

The photos below were taken when we walked around the grounds. We wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but the line was a mile long. No patience to wait. The observatory is in the tall brown building on the 9th floor. That’s where you could hear everyone ooh and ahh at the stunning views of San Francisco and the museum surroundings.

The trees in the photo above are mostly London Plane and Scotch Elm, which are heavily cut back to give a very regular and formal appearance to the plaza. 

I couldn’t leave out the pretty and unique flowers…

Selfie time and a bit windy. When we left the museum later in the afternoon, we drove to The Presidio in San Francisco and walked on the tunnel tops: The Presidio Tunnel Tops project creates San Francisco’s great escape – a 14-acre oasis at the center of the Presidio featuring views, nature, and play.

This was our first time on these tunnel tops and what an amazing oasis! You’ll see the playground for kids, the view of San Francisco Bay, Golden Gate Bridge, the highway beneath, and red Adirondack chairs that we parked ourselves on to enjoy the view. It was fun to see sailboats, yachts, wind surfers, and other water sports aficionados on the bay.

It was a “hair in face” day, but beautiful indeed! At the end of the day, who doesn’t like to go out for dinner? But we decided that after being out from morning until early evening and indulging in a great lunch on the cafe patio, staying in sounded nice and cozy. My hubby who is not a baker, made me my most favorite dessert, a homemade carrot cake (albeit with my supervision). And it was (still is) delicious! Although, most went into the freezer yesterday morning. Can’t eat it all week. 😁

I closed my eyes and thought of a wish before blowing out the candles, but honestly, I am so grateful for my life: for my husband, daughter and son, sisters, and friends for making this a special birthday. And for you in this wonderful blogging community!
❤️🙏🏻

Thanks for popping in and I hope you enjoyed the art, nature, and the importance of celebrating life! Keep celebrating!
Live Life!

Lauren 💝💝

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.

70 thoughts on “Celebrating and Appreciating!”

  1. Happy birthday! I too love carrot cake ~ yum! Good thinking to freeze some. That art is fabulous! Makes me want to hit up a museum asap. I particularly love the whimsical creations 🩷

    Reply

    1. Thanks for the wishes, Paula, and there’s plenty of cake left if you’d like a piece. 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoyed the art. We’ve been in the mindset lately to be reminded of and educated about so many legendary artists in history. You would love this museum and The Legion of Honor. Thanks again! 💞

      Reply

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this adventure, Darlene, and agree about the need to celebrate birthdays. I think your special day is in this month too, if I’m remembering correctly from fb. 🙂 And celebrating does beat the alternative! The cake is sinfully delicious and I wish I could share with you. Thank you! 💗

      Reply

      1. Yes, my birthday was on March 7th but I celebrate all month and tomorrow a writing friend is treating me to a belated birthday lunch. So all is good. xo

  4. I love that you share a little bit about the museums and artwork you saw during your trip; I loved going through the gallery and getting a chance to look at the exhibits. The carrot cake too looks delicious. Happy birthday! ❤

    Reply

    1. I’m so glad you enjoyed the art I’ve shared, Layla. This museum is much larger with more exhibits to see than The Legion of Honor. Both are wonderful though. I wish I could offer you a piece of cake too. 🙂 And thanks so much for the birthday wishes! ❤️

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  6. Such a wonderful post, my dear Lauren in so many ways but mainly for celebrating life… you are so right, my sweet friend and yes, I know exactly what you mean about that wish 😉
    Thank you so much for sharing these precious moments!
    Sending love and many hugs!
    💗🌸🌷🌸💗

    Reply

    1. Thanks for your amazing words, Marina. I had no doubt that you wouldn’t agree with my belief about birthday celebrations and celebrating the gift of life itself. I’m happy you enjoyed the many layers of this post. 🥰😘
      Sending lots of love and hugs back to you! 💜🦋🌹🦋💜

      Reply

  7. happiest of birthdays to you, Lauren. thank you so much for sharing the beautiful art, what a gift to all of us. I’ve not yet been to san Fransisco, but it’s on my list for sure! you are grateful for all the right reasons in my book

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Beth, for the wishes! And I’m glad you enjoyed the art I’ve shared. When you get to SF, I know you’ll love this museum and The Legion of Honor. The de Young is much larger though, so spending almost all day is easy to do. But there’s so much to admire and learn along the way. And Cheers to feeling grateful! ❤️

      Reply

  11. Yes, I enjoyed every minute of your post! You can sign me up for one of those red chairs with the views–and a substantial serving of that carrot cake! Happy birthday!! I’m delighted it was such a good one.

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  12. I enjoyed this post and you two sweetest couple and Happiest Be-lated Birthday 🎂💐🎉
    What a great treat ! Thank you so much for sharing your precious celebration with cake
    And flowers , most wonderful photos and Status (rare to see) beautiful places of awesome
    Nature are mind blowing And very interesting information also 😍🙏 glorious wishes 👏💕
    Very sad School shooting that saw in news I cried, thinking pity the young children and
    Their parents 😢 Rest in Peace the innocent children ❤️🙏 have a lovely day my friend 🌄🌹

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for your lovely response and birthday wishes, Thattamma. I’m so happy you enjoyed this post and all it has to offer. And I felt the same about the shooting. Beyond heartbreaking. Hugs to you, dear friend. ❤️🙏🏻❤️

      Reply

  13. You had a busy and beautiful birthday! 🎂 I enjoyed visiting San Fransisco a few years ago, during the Haight-Ashbury 50th celebration. That was quite a gathering! 🌈

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  14. I miss San Francisco, Lauren. Starting with my time at Berkeley in the 60s, I made many pilgrimages to the city over the years. Some were for work, but I always made sure to plan in extra time to wander. Thanks for taking me back. My last time was for a San Francisco Writer’s Conference a few years back. –Curt

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  16. Awesome San Francisco and what an amazing musuem. Lauren so nice to be celebrating your birthday with joy and thrills. You are so right who knows what will happen next so why not enjoy what God has given us today. Enjoyed this beautiful and lovely post. Thanks a lot. You and your husband are looking wonderful.

    Reply

    2. Thanks for your wonderful, lovely words, Kamal! I’m so glad you enjoyed this tour and the idea of always celebrating another year of life. And thanks for your kind words about my hubby and I. 🙂
      Sending hugs, my friend. 💞💐

      Reply

  17. Happy Birthday Dear Lauren and so many great pictures to mark the day in memories of your heart. I’m glad you enjoyed such a fun hair in face day, lunch and what a lovely cake.. Good job to your hubby.
    There is a new Spanish exhibit that sounds good there that just came I think. Keep celebrating! 💗

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for the wishes, Cindy, and I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and this celebration of another year of life. The cake was to die for! 🙂 That Spanish exhibit sounds fascinating. I know we’ll go more often now. There’s so much to do and see “in our backyard.” Keep celebrating too, my friend! ❤️💐

      Reply

  18. Hi Lauren, this is such a lovely post. The variety of artworks is wonderful. I particularly like the pink iris, so detailed. Your husband is a dear to make you a cake, even if you did direct the performance – smile!

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Robbie. I’m so glad you enjoyed this. The art was incredible, to say the least. I’m sure you would love it there. And thanks about my hubby. He did pretty well following directions, and I have to say that he is a dear. 🙂 Thanks again! ❤️

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  19. WOW Lauren, what an impressive and awe-inspiring post. 😍 This was certainly an amazing experience and the exhibits in your photos were educationally impressive. 📸 I adore the outside grounds and architecture. Loved this! 🌺💖💐

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much for taking the time to pop over here, Kym, and for your lovely words! I’m glad you enjoyed this birthday celebration. 🎉 And thank you for following me too. I hope you continue to enjoy my poetry, stories, and adventures. ❤️🌻🦋

      Reply

      1. You are so very welome Lauren. You are a true storyteller and I look forward to reading more of your stories and great adventures! Thank you too for the follow my friend. 😍💖😎🎉🥳

  20. Happy Birthday, Lauren!
    What a great time you shared with us.
    That slide show is nothing less than SPECTACULAR.
    May many more come your way! (did you thaw the carrot cake for the weekend?)
    🎂🤗🎂❤️🎂🌹

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Resa! With your love of art, I have no doubt that you’d love the slideshow. I wish I could’ve taken more photos. There is so much to see, truly awe-inspiring. And thanks for the wishes, and yes. Of course! ❤️🎉🥰😘🎂🎂🎂

      Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Charlotte! Yes, freezing cake works well and it still tastes good when thawed. It even tastes good from the freezer. 🙂 I know, the GGB is either packed with traffic or socked in fog, so this was a special day, so clear. And thank you for the birthday wishes and for your visits. 💖

      Reply

  23. What phenomenal back yard you have, Lauren. And museums yay! Imagine all the ekphrastic nudges to create poetry you have amassed in this one visit. I love it.
    And cake. Yes, one must have cake. Yum. Thanks for the many photos. Blessings.

    Reply

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