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The Stick: Sandy Grandkids for the Win

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Ah the Stick, where we ditch our cares about everybody else in the world.

The Stick always provides a much needed respite from the real world. Though we started our visit during memorial day weekend (a big no no), the week was awesome. By Tuesday the beach was empty again.

The grandkids were a great joy to have around, especially Iulie who is a complete waterbug. Iulie spent more time in the ocean than in the house.

Our time was a great family-oriented mix. From reading on the porch, through baby care, to a cocktail or seven.

The view is calming.

Baby Leiden presided on his picnic table throne during meals. He was a hoot.


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Many mornings, Iulie walked the dogs with Nonno and Bubby. Nights too. This is a study in how to stay dry while in your PJs.


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A reminder of our post wedding Euro visit of 2025.

Iulie in her own world.

Wine on the porch

Rainbow (sent to the neighbor Pam).

Morning with the dogs.


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Can you spot the waterbug in this picture? Nothing like an entire ocean to yourself.

Cactus flower.

One of the highlights of the trip (and a cause of all the grandparents gaining five pounds) was our visits to mootown on Sunset.

Leiden had his very first ice cream.

Somebody had too much sugar!

Moonshine and Leiden became fast friends.

About that waterbug (very brave for 7). Romey’s smile when she was bodyboarding with Iulie was so very bright.


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Leiden a ham? We will never forget his “how” greeting.

The jenga towers got smaller as the dogs destroyed various pieces.


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A girl and her dog (with the puppy zoomies).

The whole little family introduces Leiden to the great big ocean.

I believe we have a second waterbug on our hands.

Spaghetti monster.


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Moonshine in the morning inspecting the completely empty beach.

No more ice cream?

Gin and tonic (jacques style).

Out for dinner.

Man o’war.

In for dinner (Micheal beef).

Leiden’s first cow.

This is the start of a new tradition.

Mushrooms and Bourbon

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New recipes always go better with old ones…like the. Lemon Mint Fizz.

Recipe? Why sure.

We served this one (which I designed) at our wedding.

PI Day 2026

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Cherry pie for pi day in the pi pie plate.

Sadly the pie is not infinite

A Visit to Leuven with Yo and Caroline

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You may have seen these two famous actors in this short film they produced. Turns out they live in Leuven. Stop one of the big 3C birthday extravaganza was centered at their house.

We spent a fair amount of time wandering around town.

Leuven has its share of students (and they returned to class just after we got into town).

It rained. Like crazy. We walked 13.5km anywway.

The city wall.

Yo on a bridge with a god sighting…

The crocuses in full swing and filled with bees.

They are concerned about another Eve in Leuven.

We also had some excellent meals with our hosts.

Critical New Machine in the House

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This machine increases our efficiency and speed by over 1,000 fold.

An All-American Superbowl

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The racists bastards running our country at the moment did not understand a word of the Superbowl Halftime show that bad bunny put on.

Watch it here (the NFL piggies will not allow a local copy)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6FuWd4wNd8

Fortunately we were able to snag a viewing when we invited ourselves over for a fabulous Puerto Rican feast hosted by Harold and Jen. I mean, pernil, arroz con gandules, and mofongo?! What’s not to like.

We brought along beer cheese and Generals Orders.

Oh, and those of you sent into a tizzy about the Latino aspects of American culture? You can fuck right off.

Artichokes and Hollandaise

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When I was around 3 or 4, my pappy—mom’s dad, who was a flying ace in WWI, started the peruvian air force, and taught us how to mislead mom—died. Well meaning neighbors from all over our East Tennessee suburban neighborhood of Colonial Heights brought endless cassaroles and other dining monstrosities.

At three, I found this insanely not good. So after a few too many days of grean beans soaked in campbell’s mushroom soup topped with dehydrated onions, I went crying to mom and asked her when she would please cook for us again.

Touched, she said. “Oh honey, I will cook you anything you want for dinner. What would you like?” To which she expected a reply suitable to a three year old like “hotdogs” or “hamburgers” or “tacos” (remember, 1971 predated the chicken nugget).

What did I reply? “Artichokes and Hollandaise” of course. This caused some consternation, because finding artichokes in those days at the local A&P was nigh on impossible. Somehow, mom prevailed.

To this day, I love this meal. Thanks mom, for developing my palate properly.

Romey Turns 21,170

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That’s plenty of days.

Happy birthday Romey!

Eli decorated the cake

This calls for an experimental cocktail

Meat in Germany

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It may have started in a pretend ski lift when they sprayed some soap bubbles in the air.

Or maybe it was this brown fried thing.

But whatever it was, caused massive piles of meat.

We had to cook it low and slow.


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And boy was it worth the effort.

Pastrami is a kind of meat.

Porterhouse is a kind of meat.


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Ribeye is a kind of meat.


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Waygu is a kind of meat


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We did not want to leave anyone of any creature out. So here is a chicken.

Which required some minor surgery after a butter incident.

Actual real snow!


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You yell at beef, but you sing to chicken.


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Happy new year to all.

Eggnog

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The girls have been producing, so it’s eggnog time. Recipe here.

Reprised for the solstice

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