Happens every year.
The dogs don’t care.
Babies!
Science! Psuedo-science! Nature! Art! Nonsense!
July 31, 2026
birds, dogs, farm baby birds, dogs, maybelline, moonshine, nest, porch, wren Leave a comment
July 31, 2026
animals, dogs, nature, river antti, kayak, maybelline, moonshine, river, romey, shenandoah river Leave a comment
It’s fun to pay a friend back. Several years ago (in 2011), Antti took me sea kayaking outside of Helsinki. Now that he is visiting Virginia again, it is time for a Shenandoah payback run.
It was a stunning day and a very nice run.
Later, the dogs had to assess Antti.
Maybe asked Romey if that was fine.
That was fine.
Now I think Antti owes me a cocktail.
June 4, 2026
cooking, dogs, mixology, ocean bubbie, gem, ice cream, iulie, leiden, maybeline, micheal cow, moonshine, nonno, ocean isle beach, odessa, OIB, romey, the stick Leave a comment
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leiden a ham? We will never forget his “how” greeting.
The jenga towers got smaller as the dogs destroyed various pieces.
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.
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.
June 4, 2026
dogs, flowers, photography, plants guesthouse, irises, moonshine Leave a comment
June 4, 2026
dogs, farm, flowers cat, dogs, maybeline, moonshine, rocket, tibia Leave a comment
April 27, 2026
dogs, flowers, hiking bluebells, dogs, maybe, maybelline, moonshine, shenandoah river Leave a comment
April 27, 2026
cute, dogs, farm, flowers, hiking bluebells, iulianna, iulie, moonshine, shenandoah river Leave a comment
February 14, 2026
who knows chilli, cooking, dogs, eli, iulie, maybelline, moonshine, the ulluh Leave a comment