The action packed days continue…Tom’s at it today!…Last night’s special “chef’s” dinner with friends…

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We quickly drove over the Gray’s Bay Bridge on our way to Connie & Jeff’s home.

Yesterday was another whirlwind day for me while Tom was able to kick back and unwind a little while I was out and about with Maisie. Today will be my day to stay put while he and Tammy pick up Vincent at camp, attend a gun safety clinic, and then take Vincent to lunch and see Wonder Woman.

Tammy arrived at our hotel around 11:00 am to pick up Tom, leaving me with a free day and a vehicle. Wow! That’s a first. I have a few errands to attend to and will return long before she drops Tom off at the end of the day.

This cheese is the best we’ve ever had. It can be purchased at Amazon.com.  Click this link if you’re a cheese enthusiast and curious about “Belton Farm Red Fox.” It’s pricey but is a five-pound block and could be shared with others. Although once you taste it, sharing may be out of the question.

The three are headed to Chipotle for lunch and then to Plymouth Grand 15 movie theater to see Wonder Woman at 1:10.  Hopefully, it all runs smoothly, and the timing works out. Vincent is chomping at the bit to see Wonder Woman.

Had I not seen the movie last week with Maisie, I’d go with them but I have my day planned with the errands and to work on Tom’s new clothing, removing tags, folding and packing, as I’d done for mine last weekend when there was a lull in my schedule.  

Tom, sitting at the table at Connie and Jeff’s table on their veranda.  I guess you call that a “deck” here in Minnesota.

Today is the halfway point in our six-week stay in Minnesota.  We’ve been so busy the time has flown. However, we feel we’ve had a lot of quality time with family and friends, with much more yet to come.

Speaking of friends, last night we visited the home of friends Connie and Jeff, whom we met 25 years ago when we all joined a gourmet club. The club lasted about a year, but the friendship with Connie and Jeff continued over the years resulting in many good times together, laughing, talking, and sharing good food and drink.

As mentioned in yesterday’s post here, Connie is a Cordon Bleu-trained chef. With the utmost ingenuity with husband Jeff, they made a fantastic, perfect-for-my-way-of-eating meal that was delicious. 

View of the lake from their veranda.

It was the first time we had a steak that wasn’t grass-fed in a few years, and I must admit the flavor and tenderness surpassed that of grass-fed meat we’d purchased in a variety of countries.  We’ve found grass-fed meat generally to be less flavorful and less tender.  We’ve accepted these facts due to the added nutritional value and safety of my diet. Thus, last night was a bit of a splurge.

On the recent cruises, some of the beef was purchased in countries that produce grass-fed meat as a matter of course. But, in the US, grass-fed beef is expensive and not a staple for most meat-eating households. Of course, we’re not cooking now, so it’s of little concern. 

Look!  You can see Tom’s hands flying while he talks to Jeff.  That’s my guy!

It was terrific to see Connie and Jeff in their lakefront home located in the highly desirable and prestigious Deephaven area of Lake Minnetonka. Since we arrived, it was the first time we drove through my old familiar area of Lake Minnetonka, where my two sons grew up. 

As we passed over the Gray’s Bay Bridge, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me for the first time since we arrived three weeks ago.  I’d been thinking and focusing on people we love, not locations. But that drive left me grabbing for the camera.

This is Candy, a sweet Staffordshire rescue dog that is one year old and very well trained.

I couldn’t take many good photos as we moved along in the busy construction zones in every direction. I’m determined to return to that area to take photos in the next few weeks, which we’ll post here. Tom grew up in the city, but I was always a suburban kind of girl. I guess those differences have ultimately played a role in the mingling of our different ways that have proved to be a vital part of our special connection to one another.

We dined on Connie and Jeff’s veranda overlooking a gorgeous bay of Lake Minnetonka while their adorable one-year-old rescue dog, Candy, couldn’t get enough attention from both of us. At first, she barked at both of us but within minutes was all over Tom for attention. 

With a few of my choice high-pitched voice sounds and a bit of nuzzling, she mainly was mine for the remainder of the evening, nudging my hand, raising a paw, and sitting on my feet.  Periodically, she approached Tom for more of the same, keeping her eyes on me all the while. It reminded me (not that I needed reminding) how much I love animals and how well they respond to me.

The table was set with a nautical theme and the most fabric-like paper napkins we’ve seen, which Connie purchased in Provence. Note my little bottle of liquid chemical-free sweetener, a few drops of which I add to sour cream to make my favorite salad dressing. The meal was exceptional.

Of course, there’s the companionship of old friends and…the evening, along with the exceptional food flowed as one would expect with “Chef Connie” and “sous chef” husband Jeff as the ideal hostess and host. 

As usual, when invited to a friend’s home, we picked up a good bottle of wine on the way as a host gift. Luckily, I selected an excellent French Malbec that they seemed to enjoy during the dinner. 

With Connie’s vast experiences in Provence, France, French wine was in order. I never tasted it, although my mouth watered over the prospect. As my gastrointestinal issues continue to improve, there was no way I’d risk a relapse by drinking alcohol in any form.

We arrived shortly after 5:00 pm and didn’t head out until 10:00 pm with a “doggie bag” with some of the finest cheese we’d had to date, Belton Farm Red Fox.  Its quality reminded us of the caraway cheddar we’d purchased in Tasmania last Christmas, but its flavor surpassed the intensity and texture of the caraway cheese.

The seasoned, roasted cauliflower with grilled sirloin steak cooked medium rare/rare to perfection. Dinner was served after the cheese and other appetizers. The side dishes included a green salad with various add-ins, potato salad, and a heated-on-the-grill baguette.

Note the name of the cheese in the above photo, which can only be purchased online. Perhaps, someday when we’re settled somewhere, we’ll have a giant chunk shipped to us. It’s beyond compare if you love cheese as we do.

Earlier in the day, it was spent with Maisie. She went with us for Tom’s first US haircut since 2014 before Christmas on the Big Island of Hawaii. After a quick trip to Michael’s for a craft activity to do with Maisie, we dropped Tom off, and Maisie and I spent a busy rest-of-the-day.

That’s it for today, folks! We’ll be back tomorrow with more new photos!  Have a day filled with your favorite activities!


Photo from one year ago today, June 16, 2016:

What a sight this was in Bali! What a resourceful biker, hanging his laundry to dry on a stick and his bike.  Resourceful, eh?  For more photos, please click here.

Poolside posting… Family photos…Upcoming professional-chef-prepared dinner tonight at lakeshore home of old friends..

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Our adorable granddaughter Madighan during a timeout.

Yesterday, as it turned out, Madighan was with me, not Maisie, as planned initially, who is here with us today.  Once again, we have a fun day planned to engage in activities befitting an active 10-year-old.

Granddaughter Madighan was pushing a swing with her toy cat in the seat.
The traffic on Wednesday was so bad that the usual 20-minute drive to Greg”s home resulted in a 90 minute round trip. We barely arrived back at the hotel in time for breakfast.
Tom was waiting for us, and we all had breakfast together. Each day I eat the same items for breakfast, including two hard-boiled eggs, a few sausages, and two little packs of cream cheese. The kids like the self-cooked waffles, bacon, or sausage with typically a bowl of Lucky Charms or a muffin on the side.
Madighan was sitting in the sand at a park.

It’s enough to hold me until dinner, although on the nights when we dine after the kid’s soccer games, it’s often close to 9:00 pm.  By then, we’re both ready to chow down, not necessarily sound so close to bedtime.

Madighan’s a good soccer player.
Tonight, we’re invited to friends Connie and Jeff’s home for dinner, and no doubt we’ll have a fantastic meal, although I’d asked Connie to make it easy for herself. Connie is a professional chef with extensive travel experience. What an exciting line of work!  In 2010 and 2013, Connie trained in Paris and London at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu.
In Minnesota, Connie is a chef and caterer for many clients throughout the Twin Cities and events at the Minnetonka Yacht Club.  Connie travels to Provence, France, each year for more catering events and honors her vast Mediterranean skills. We’ll certainly report back with photos from their lovely lakefront home on Lake Minnetonka in the desirable Deephaven location.
Contemplative during her time off the field.
Yesterday afternoon, Madighan and I made our way through more traffic to the New Hope Cinema and Grill to see the new Smurf’s movie. Cute! This was my fourth kid movie in less than two weeks.  
She had no idea I was taking photos of her. Most photos I usually take are of wildlife and nature.  Taking photos of human subjects is a new experience for me that I’ll continue to pursue in the US.

On Monday next week,  Miles and I are planning to see the new “Cars” movie. Feel free to contact me for reviews on kid movies. By the time we leave Minnesota in almost three weeks, I’ll have seen most of the G-rated summer movies!

But, it’s fun to watch the smiles on their little faces while watching the movies,  regardless if I care for the movie or not.  Being with them is all that matters.
Yesterday Tom and TJ had a great day at the St. Paul Saints baseball game, spending quality dad and son time alone together.
Tom and TJ”s view from their seats at the CHS Field while watching a St. Paul Saints baseball game.
It was another meaningful family day with much more upcoming in these next weeks. Having the free shared online Cozi calendar has undoubtedly helped keep track of our busy days and nights, significantly when family members can freely add to it or change events at will.
Maisie and I are off for another fun day together!
Tom and TJ selfie.

Happy day!

Photo from one year ago today, June 15, 2016:

In Bali, we were in awe of the ornate detail in the Hindu statues. For more information, please click here.

Finally, photos of Minnesota…The hectic schedule continues…Dining out almost daily…

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Avenida, Mexican-Asian Kitchen located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, was quite good.  We’ll return soon.

Last night, I dropped off grandson Miles at home at the end of his “date with grandma,” which began at 8:00 am until almost 5:00 pm when I returned him to his house. 

The traffic was outrageous, taking more than 50 minutes to drive about 10 miles and slightly less on the return to the hotel. Making this round trip twice a day, three or more times a week, results in plenty of drive time, at about three hours per day. 

Gosh, I’m not used to this. Then again, after not driving for two years in the South Pacific, I must admit I do get a kick out of the new Ford Explorer’s digital equipment, especially being able to make a call or do a text through the vehicle’s navigation system using voice commands only. 

Tom looked a little tired in this photo taken at dinner last night, but he perked up after a good meal.

Listening to my favorite radio station from years past, 107.1, has also been relatively entertaining. Of course, when the grandchildren are in the car buckled into the back seat, the radio is off, allowing us to chat in typical kid speak. Talk about “entertaining!”

Having each of my three grandchildren one-on-one over these past weeks has been the best possible way to enhance our relationships further. Quickly, we’ve found our way to a new level of closeness we never even had in years past, especially now that they’re older.

But, not surprisingly, in many ways, they’re the same little people they were when we lived here in 2012, each unique in personality and demeanor, each engaging in their special way. Luckily, over these years, we’ve stayed in close enough touch that they immediately felt comfortable being with us, whether it’s just one of us or when we’re together.

The ambiance at Avenida is pleasant and well-lit.

Tom’s interaction with his three grandsons is different, spending valuable time with them as a family as in TJ’s two sons Jayden and Nik, and now with some alone time with Tammy’s son, Vincent. 

Last Friday, Tom took Vincent to the family cemetery in Winsted, Minnesota, after Vincent had expressed considerable interest in ancestry. Tom, the ancestry.com guru, was delighted when Vincent showed interest in this topic, and Tom was all over it. Afterward, Vincent and I watched a good kid movie together, Rise of the Guardians.

We both look forward to more interactions with all of the grandchildren and our adult children, and their significant others during the remaining 24 nights in Minnesota. And, of course, we’ll undoubtedly spend more time with Tom’s huge family.

The combination of the Mexican and Asian decor was a bit odd, but it’s trendy. What do we know?

Also, we still have many upcoming events planned with friends. It doesn’t appear we’ll have time for multiple friends “get-togethers,” but we’re taking advantage of every available moment during this period. 

As for dining out at least six times per week, it’s working out well.  We’ve held up well with our budgetary goal of spending an average of no more than $30 per day for our meals, especially when breakfast in the hotel is complimentary.

The fact that we aren’t drinking any alcohol, ordering appetizers and desserts, is very doable even with generous tips we’re leaving for excellent service. We continue to try new mid-range restaurants, finding it easy for me when I mostly order Cobb or chopped salads with lettuce, chicken, boiled eggs, bacon, cheese, guacamole with a side of full-fat sour cream as the dressing.

My chopped salad with a side of Mexican season shredded beef.

Last night, we decided to try a Mexican-Asian restaurant, Avenida, which, although about $10 higher than we usually pay, we found to be very good. It was odd to see this two-in-one style of the menu…part traditional “gourmet-type” Mexican food and options for slightly elevated Asian dishes. This must be something new in the US.

Tom ate two bowls of complimentary tortilla chips (without the salsa) and ordered an Asian Sweet and Sour Chicken dish for his entree while I took a few tastes of the salsa without the chips. 

Again, as shown in today’s photos, I ordered a chopped salad with a side of shredded Mexican seasoned beef. It was the best such salad I’d had since we arrived and I hope we’ll return for more in these next weeks.

Tom’s entree, Sweet and Sour Chicken. He picked out all the bell peppers, leaving him with a third less on his plate.

It’s all good; the loving interactions with family and friends; the hotel, Country Inn & Suites; the meals at the hotel and in restaurants; the red Ford Explorer SUV and its gadgets; the extra car we borrowed from son Greg (thanks, Greg!), a Ford 350, 4-door, diesel (only Tom drives this) and the excellent quality clothing we’ve been able to purchase at reasonable prices sans sales tax. (The donations pile for Goodwill is growing).

The only negatives are the traffic, the crowds and the waiting in line. But, we can console ourselves with the fact that the trade-offs are undoubtedly worth it…being together with those we love. 

It doesn’t hurt to know that the backed-up traffic and crowds won’t be a permanent challenge for us when in 50 days, we’ll be in a relatively quiet and somewhat remote area in Costa Rica with beautiful memories to sustain us.

The journey continues…

Be well.

Photo from one year ago today, June 13, 2016:
 Praying Mantis on the edge of the infinity pool in Bali. With his/her reflection in the water. For more photos, please click here.

Sorrow over more London attacks…Keeping our families safe…More garden photos…

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Beautiful garden pond.

According to this report, I just saw a blurb on the US TV show, Sunday Morning, explaining that as a result of 535 terror attacks, 3635 have lost their lives throughout the world so far in 2017. This isn’t even the “tip of the iceberg” when considering the hundreds of thousands who have died at the hands of terroristic regimes and governments. 

Blue, as a less common color in nature, always catches our eye.

Our hearts and prayers for the injured in last night’s terror attack in London and for the families and friends of those who lost their lives. Will this ever end?

We live in dangerous times, not only from terrorism but also from disease. For example, from this site:

“This annual report provides the estimated numbers of new cancer cases and deaths in 2017, as well as current cancer incidence, mortality, and survival statistics and information on cancer symptoms, risk factors, early detection, and treatment. In 2017, (in the US) there will be an estimated 1,688,780 new cancer cases diagnosed and 600,920 cancer deaths in the US.”

Tom is smiling at the edge of a garden pond.

We live in dangerous times. With our promise not to express “politically” based views on this site, we steer our discussion in a different direction. “How do we keep our families and ourselves safe?” 

A golf course like neatly trimmed grass.

Do we really have some control over our personal safety, health, and well-being?  To an extent, we do. We can take care of our health even amid the endless confusing reports on what is actually “healthy” and what is not. 

We can siphon out what we know for sure; a healthy diet, a positive outlook, reducing stress, staying active and engaged with others, avoiding toxic chemicals, relationships, and excesses all contribute to pointing us in the right direction. 

Pretty flowers line a walkway to a gate.

For those who so choose, incorporating a spiritual aspect into their lives may be instrumental in improving theirs and their family’s odds for longevity, health, and well-being.

To see the entire gardens in time to return for the meeting time at the van, we maneuvered our way through the crowds.

As for the risks of terrorist attacks, becoming victims of crimes, involvement in accidents and injuries, we still have a degree of control in some circumstances (of course, not all). Do we avoid high-risk locations, events, and scenarios? Are we careful and conscious of our limitations when we perform or engage in specific tasks or activities?

Many may say we are overly cautious. We don’t zip line, skydive, bungee jump, scuba dive, or snorkel. Based on the constraints imposed by my precarious spinal condition, we avoid those activities that have the potential to put an immediate end to our world travels.

Perfect expansive lawn.

We may travel to some higher-risk countries, but we try to avoid public venues as much as possible, even quickly hurrying through airports, train stations, and other forms of transportation. We avoid outdoor cafes in high-risk areas. We do the best we can. But, no precautions regarding terrorist attacks are foolproof.

Fountain garden.

Even staying indoors isn’t 100% effective when many lose their lives in household accidents each year. From this site:

“Did you know that more than 18,000 Americans die every year from injuries that take place in the home? This makes it the second most common location for such fatalities. Why are home injuries so prevalent? Most Americans are unaware that they can prevent such accidents. From minor burns to poisoning, electrical shocks to suffocations.”

Lush evergreen at Butchart Gardens.

We are saddened by the loss of lives and injuries incurred by terror attacks throughout the world and often ask ourselves, “What is the answer?”  Ideally, we can only hope and pray that our leaders across the globe can make the best decisions to enhance our safety against these pointless attacks. 

We pray for the safety, health, and well-being of you and for those you love.

Photo from one year ago today, June 4, 2016:

As we exited the bedroom in Bali to make our cheese plate, we spotted this considerable Nursery Web Spider. Although their bite may be painful, it’s not life-threatening. Tom was able to scoot it outside with the broom. No screaming. Just photos. For more details, please click here.

Wonderful night with friends…Fabulous restaurant…One day and counting…

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Christine, Tom, and I huddled together for a photo.

When Bob dropped us off in Manly, parking in a local ramp, we walked out to the Corso outdoor mall. We had a bit of shopping in mind. We parted ways with Bob while Tom and I headed to the pharmacy for a few last-minute toiletries.

I was on a mission to purchase a suitable black skirt. Since I don’t own a single dress and recently tossed my raggedy worn black skirt, I was determined to find something a little dressy that I could wear on the many formal nights on both upcoming cruises.

Tom with Christine and Colin, the fabulous friends we met on the last cruise.  We were thrilled to see them again.

Although I don’t own any dressy “tops,” a dressy skirt could help me feel slightly more appropriate on formal nights. Once we got everything we needed at the pharmacy, we wandered along the lengthy boulevard in the Corso while I visited a few women’s shops.

Prices are high on clothing, shoes, and many items in Australia. As I perused a few things, I winced over how expensive everything was but remained determined to find what I wanted. 

Finally, at the popular Sussan store, I found the perfect skirt but again cringed over the price of AU 89.95, but when converting it to US dollars at $67.70 (tax included), it didn’t seem so bad after all. So I handed over my credit card and made the purchase.

As a big slab of bacon oozed out of Colin’s burger, he couldn’t resist taking a photo.

Then, of course, in typical enthusiastic shopper style, I longed for an appropriate pair of shoes that would work well with the knee-length “pencil” skirt. Stopping at a few shoe stores as we continued the walk on the Corso, my mission appeared hopeless. 

There was no time to go to a mall. My only hope was to wait until our ship docks at a port of call on the upcoming cruise, maybe in Hawaii on May 9th. In the interim, I’ll live with what I have on hand, one pair of high wedge sandals I purchased in Hawaii in 2015, the last pair of shoes I’d bought (except for one pair of Keds white leather slip-on shoes I seem to wear more often than not). 

Tom and Colin ordered the Bacon Cheeseburger, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Once we approached the Manly Wharf, we found a comfortable place to wait until Christine and Colin’s ferry arrived from Circular Quay in Sydney. Based on the schedule and our early arrival, we had a 30-minute wait.

Both the people and bird watching entertained us sufficiently for the time to pass quickly, and before we knew it, we spotted Christine and Colin searching for us by the entrance to the Wharf.

 Hugging affectionately, we were all happy to see one another. We’d said our goodbyes the day the ship disembarked in Sydney on March 13th. At that time, we were preoccupied as we were faced with dreadful concerns about our “illegal immigration” status after we’d received a worrisome call from the Australian Department of Immigration while aboard the ship.

Tom, Christine, and Colin enjoyed their burgers.  Christine had ordered a similar burger with Halloumi cheese.

We walked across the road to the Italian restaurant Crinitis where we spent the next almost four hours engaged in lively conversation, laughter, and memorable good times. None of us ordered wine or cocktails. Instead, I drank mineral water while the three of them ordered sodas.

We shared the story of our immigration issues with Christine and Colin, who were shocked by our peculiar experience. After all these years of travel, none of us had ever experienced such a scenario and hopefully never will again in the future.

The grilled Barramundi and vegetables sauteed in olive oil and butter were delicious. A red pepper, aka capsicum in Australia, was particularly delightful.

The time passed so quickly. We were all surprised when we finally realized how late it was getting. With limited bus service for bus and ferry service, we decided to say goodbye and head back to our respective “homes.”

It was a beautiful day in Manly.  We arrived at 2 pm and were scheduled to meet Christine and Colin around 3:45 pm.

Our bus arrived nine minutes after we approached the stop, and minutes later, we arrive at our rental and embarked on the steep path to the house. With his usual thoughtfulness, Bob had turned on all the lights for us. 

In no time at all, we were hunkered down on the sofa in time to watch yet another fantastic David Attenborough wildlife story. It was impossible to wipe the smiles off our faces over the enjoyable evening of good friends and good food. But, of course, watching wildlife in Africa didn’t hurt either. Hmm…

This swing activity for kids looked fun with an attendant on site who strapped the kids into a harness.

This morning, we did a little more packing comfortable that we’ll be set to go by noon tomorrow when our taxi arrives. So instead of preparing tomorrow’s post today, which I usually do on the final day, I’ll have plenty of time to do it in the morning. Easy peasy. Life is good.

May life also be good for YOU!

Photo from one year ago today, April 21, 2016:

One year ago, Tom’s dinner aboard the ship including tender steak, broccoli, and fried potatoes. In addition, he ordered a starter and a dessert. For more details, please click here.

Easter Monday here in Australia, a national holiday…Sunday’s menu at “our” home…Recipe…Five days and counting…

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Our Sunday roast: organic grass-fed pork roast, Kransky (cheese-filled) gluten-free sausages, Portabella mushrooms, onions, and organic carrots. I cut the roast open during the last 30 minutes to ensure it was cooked properly.

It was a pleasant Easter Sunday. I spent a few hours preparing the meal after I’d completed the day’s post leaving plenty of time for us to vacuum and wash the floor, tidy up the apartment and eventually watch a movie until Bob arrived.

As it turned out, Bob’s friend Eddie wasn’t able to come for dinner, but he’s kindly offered to drive us to the cruise terminal on Saturday. We can hardly believe this will transpire in a mere five days.

There is a mushroom flan on the small plates; coleslaw, the roasted vegetables, sausages, sliced pork roast with biscuits on the side.

With excellent leftovers for today’s main meal, I’m considering organizing my clothes and perhaps begin a bit of packing. Today continues with the long weekend national holiday of Easter Monday, where many shops and businesses are closed, reopening tomorrow.

Last week, I stumbled across this delicious recipe for asparagus, prosciutto, and cream cheese in one of those demonstration-type videos on Facebook.

Tomorrow, we’ll head out for a few items for the cruise, returning later in the day to make our last three-day meal which will take us right to the end since we’re heading to dinner with Christine and Colin on Thursday evening.

After baking these roll-ups in a moderate oven for 25 minutes, they were perfectly cooked. The leftovers are great served cold.

With plenty of photos left to share over the next few days, we’ll soon begin working on the final expenses after tomorrow’s short shopping trip. On Saturday (perhaps your Friday), we’ll post the “favorite photos” from our 40-night stay in Fairlight and, of course, the “final expenses.”

Easy to make, these Low Carb Coconut Flour Drop Biscuits (see recipe at the end of the post) are a decent bread-like-feel addition to any meal. For example, I may use one of these to make a sandwich using Easter dinner leftovers.

Over these years, we developed several “routines” relative to our site, which we hope our readers continue to enjoy, such as the “year ago photos,”; the “favorite photos,”; and the “final expenses” which we post on the final day of any location where we’ve stayed along the way.

If you have any suggestions for added features, please don’t hesitate to write. We love hearing suggestions from our readers, whether they’re relative to travel, our site,  health, technology, or any other topic you’d like to share. 

Sunset last night.

After yesterday’s meal, I felt as if I’d turned a corner with my digestive issues when, after eating, I didn’t feel any major amount of intestinal distress. Of course, I still can’t drink iced tea, coffee, or hot tea, but I could eat a normal-sized meal for the first time in months.

I’ve begun to think that I developed ulcers from the awful case of H. Pylori, a common outcome of the bacterial infection, especially if it lasted for an extended period.
On Saturday, Bob arranged for the pawpaw trees to be removed to enhance the bay view.  Doing so made a world of difference.

I find I can be symptom-free for short periods if I follow a strict regime of avoiding certain foods or eating large amounts in any one sitting and in taking a round of supplements including mastic gum, DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice, taken 20 minutes before eating), powerful refrigerated probiotics, zinc, magnesium, and digestive enzymes. 

(Please see your physician if you have gastrointestinal issues. The regime I am using may not be appropriate for you. I am not a medical professional and do not intend to dispense suggestions for health).

Bob’s landscaper wasted no time in removing the tree.


Some of the above items arrived in the package from the US almost two weeks ago but won’t last until we get to the US. I began taking them immediately and have seen such an improvement. I need to find more but have been unable to do so at any of the local health stores we’ve visited so far. It was too late to place an online order. 

Hopefully, when we arrive in Honolulu by cruise ship on May 9th, we can take a bus to the Ala Moana shopping center, where there’s a Vitamin Shoppe. I’m planning to call the Honolulu location tomorrow to ensure they have what I need.

Deceiving scene. The house across the road is being remodeled with its roof tiles removed.

Ah, the challenges of travel. In “normal” life, we’d have a doctor, preferably specializing in integrative medicine, who’d be helpful in this process. But, we’ve discovered along the way that no doctors get too involved with one-time patients such as us. So we’re on our own.

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Easter weekend.  Back at you soon!

Here’s the recipe for the low carb, grain, and sugar-free biscuits:

Low Carb Coconut Flour Drop Biscuits
(Please keep in mind these won’t be quite as moist as a regular biscuit. A good-sized dollop of grass-fed butter will solve the issue).

8 eggs

½ cup butter or coconut oil

2 T sweetener of your choice
½ tsp salt
2/3 sifted coconut flour
½ tsp. baking powder
 

Preheat oven to 375.  Blend all ingredients, mixing well.

Line a baking pan with parchment and drop by spoonful
Bake for 15 minutes until lightly brown.

Photo from one year ago today, April 17, 2016:

The photo was taken at night one year ago today as our ship left the port—Luna Park in Sydney, close to the Harbor Bridge. For more photos, please click here.

Happy Easter and Passover for those who celebrate…We’re having guests for Easter dinner!…One week and counting…

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Surfers took advantage of the excellent surf.
A long time ago, we decided that making a fuss over holidays wouldn’t make sense while living this nomadic lifestyle. This caused a particular meaning when many holidays revolve around food, which doesn’t fit our eating habits, especially during Easter.

As a result, there are no more long days spent baking and cooking in the kitchen. We no longer decorate the house, make Easter baskets, decorate and hide Easter eggs or take the time to bake and decorate our former annual bunny rabbit cake. All of that seems like a lifetime ago.

Sunbathers and swimmers are enjoying a sunny day at Manly Beach.

Oddly, we don’t miss any of the work associated with holidays, but of course, we miss the interaction with family, the playfulness, and the laughter. Soon, we’ll be in the midst of all of that!

A day at the beach for school kids.

Over these years of world travel, I’ve lost interest in cooking other than coming up with tasty recipes Tom and I can enjoy in our daily lives. Even so, I usually only cook two or three times a week when typically I’ll purchase enough of any item to last for three dinners, cooking a fresh batch each day. It works for us.

Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve. See details here for this wildlife-protected area known for snorkeling and hiking.

Besides, most of our meals are appealing enough that we quickly look forward to repeats. However, we also have to consider that most holiday homes have tiny refrigerators and freezers, leaving us with little space for storing much food or for freezing leftovers. 

With no rental cars in some locations, such as here in Fairlight, for 40 nights, we’ve attempted to avoid returning to the market any more often than necessary. Also, we’ve found that cooking for three days saves money in the long run.

The sun on the sea created a crystal-like appearance.

Groceries costs are not as low in Australia as in many other parts of the world but, they’re certainly less than we spent in the US five years ago. So it will be exciting and perhaps be shocking when we see food prices when we soon return to the US.

The sea is blue in this part of Australia. However, when we lived in Trinity Beach in 2015, near Cairns (pronounced “cans”), the sea was brown and murky in most areas.

Tom and I realized that we wouldn’t be cooking from April 22nd when we board the cruise to North America until sometime in July when we arrive in Nevada, where we’ll stay at son Richard‘s home in Henderson. 

Staying with Richard for three weeks, I may cook a few meals each week since, at that point, it will have been months since I’d done any cooking. During the six weeks in Minnesota, while staying in a hotel, we won’t have cooked at all with the complimentary breakfast in the hotel and dinners out with family and friends.

Tall trees, many evergreens line the boulevard along the beach, providing plenty of shady areas for those who prefer to stay out of the sun.

On the nights when we don’t have dinner plans in Minnesota, most likely, we’ll head to Costco, which we hear carries a wide variety of low-carb, precooked meals we’ll bring back to our hotel suite. Once we arrive, we’ll see if the hotel can provide us with a small microwave during our extended stay.

As for tomorrow, which is Easter Sunday, we’ve invited landlord/friend Bob and his long-time friend, Eddie. So we’re making a low carb, grain, and sugar-free meal. Tomorrow, we’ll take a few photos and post them the following day. 

The rocky shoreline in this area on our way to Shelly Beach.

We send love and best wishes for the health and well-being of all of our family, friends, and readers (whether you celebrate this holiday or not) during this time and always.  

Photo from one year ago today, April 15, 2016:

As we wound down our time in New Zealand, we posted our favorite photos, including me with Miss Jessica. I was flattered that Trish and Neil named this sweet girl after Tom, and I attended her birth while they were on holiday. Please click here for more favorite NZ photos and the final expenses for the three-month stay on the alpaca farm.

A Night at the Opera…Mixed reviews from this couple…

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Luna Park at night.

What can I say?  Tom didn’t love it. But, of course, I didn’t expect him to. Although, in the past, I’d noticed him listening intently when a few opera singers performed on various episodes of “America’s Got Talent.”

Last night, he didn’t express a glimmer of enthusiasm over the performance at the Sydney Opera House other than his pleasure at seeing how much I was enjoying it. That’s worth something.

Cloudy night at the opera house.

He didn’t grumble or have a scowl on his face, nor did he dose off.  It lasted less than two hours, during which I was totally engaged and enthralled. I’ve always loved opera after being introduced to it by my Harvard-educated, musical genius, doctor uncle who could sit at his baby grand piano and play any aria from memory. He left quite an impression.

When it ended, we made our way to Wharf 3 to catch the next Manly Ferry, which takes off every 30 minutes. Little did we know the treat we were about to receive in taking the photos we’ve included today, too many for one post.

Tourists chose the upper deck to take photos as we did.

As we entered the ferry terminal in Circular Quay, Sydney, I suggested we climb the steps to the outdoor upper deck to sit outside to cool off on a humid night. It was a great plan when we found suitable seating and views that literally left our mouths agape.

Sure, we knew Sydney had a lot to offer. We’d reveled in it on six past occasions when our cruise ships sailed from the exquisite harbor. Over the past week, on four occasions, we visited Sydney, three by taking the ferry.

But, nothing we’d seen earlier could match the perspective from the top of the ferry, even on a dark cloudy night after seven cloudy days and nights in a row since our arrival one week ago today. Thus, we share today’s photos with excitement over this amazing city, in many ways, the most beautiful city we’ve seen so far in our world journey.

The interior of the Joan Sutherland Theatre of the Sydney Opera House. 

As for the remainder of the evening’s photos, we took several from the interior and the grounds of the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney Opera House, which we’ll continue to share in posts to come. 

Having ordered the tickets almost a year ago, we had perfect seats, four rows from the stage, dead set in the middle. See our photo below taken from our seats.

Our seats were only four rows from the stage and dead center in the theatre, seating for 1507. There are two large theatres and several smaller theatres in the complex. The cost for these two excellent seats was AU 190.15, US $146.50.

No doubt, the theatre is beautiful and interesting. However, there are many steps to navigate to get inside the theatre. For those who may have difficulty with stairs, there are elevators and a few escalators. For the full experience, we did the many flights of steps, making our way through tourists who were sitting on the steps, as shown in yesterday’s post.

As for the remainder of the day, we’d left the house at 1:30 pm to catch the bus arriving at 1:59 pm. We made it to Manly in time for the 2:15 pm ferry. With the recent inclement weather, about 10 minutes of the 25-minute ferry ride was particularly rough, but we didn’t give it a thought.

The building of the Sydney Opera House has an interesting story. Click here for details.

Arriving in Circular Quay, we walked through crowds and commotion to make our way back, the second day in a row after our flub showing for the opera one day early. We’d decided to dine early, before the show, since we hadn’t eaten earlier in the day. 

With a 3:00 pm meal, we’d be set until returning “home” when the evening ended, and if hungry, we could have a snack of homemade coconut bread with butter with a small bowl of organic Greek yogurt on the side for me. (I’ve been taking “big guns” probiotics and eating yogurt twice a day since my recent two-week round of antibiotics).

The Sydney Harbour Bridge after dark.

We’d considered the same restaurant as the prior day since they were able to accommodate my diet.  But, we tried to branch out and try something different. Shortly, we were seated in a high-end Asian fusion restaurant only to discover there wasn’t a single item on the menu that would work for me, except plain steamed veg and chicken, which held little appeal.

We thanked the waiter but decided to leave. I wasn’t sure the pans they’d use would be “gluten, starch, and sugar-free.” Why take a risk? We meandered back down the boulevard checking menus along the way, only to discover the only restaurant that would be suitable was the same where we dined the prior day, Searock Grill.

I ordered the same grilled chicken salad, and Tom had a steak and chips instead of the prior day’s fish and chips. The steak was perfectly cooked medium rare and was thick and juicy. We didn’t order beverages.

The Sydney Opera House at night.

What surprised us was the fact that the prices were higher on Sunday than they’d been on Saturday, plus a 10% weekend service fee was added. But then, we recalled a mention on the news of increased prices on Sundays due to many workers receiving higher wages on Sundays.

Our bill was AU 41.80, US $32.20, still not too bad for the high-end area, which surely would have been considerably more in the evening. The food was good and fresh, although yesterday’s service was sketchy. 

With tips not necessarily rendered in Australia due to higher wages than in the US and many countries, we didn’t hesitate to leave the restaurant with nary a token tip left on the table. While in Australia, we followed suit as per the locals, tipping only for exceptional service. 

View of a small portion of Sydney’s skyline at night.

Once back in the US, we’ll be tipping in the typical US manner, from 15% to 20% of any restaurant bill. Add state and city taxes, and a meal may be as much as 25% to 30% more than the cost of the meal and beverages. I guess we’ll be heading to Costco for pre-made meals to bring back to our hotel when not out dining with family and friends. 

At the end of the ferry ride back to Manly, we crossed the busy street to a taxi stand and grabbed a ride back to our holiday home at the cost of AU 7.40, US $5.70. Then, we maneuvered our way up the long steep, winding walkway to the house in the dark. Luckily, Tom had his LED flashlight attached to his RFID wallet, lighting the way for the uneven walk up the hill.

View to Circular Quay from an upper deck on the Manly Ferry.

Amid our immigration worries, overall, it was a good weekend and first week in Manly. Unusual for us, we dined out four times, once with Bob in Manly, another in the Rocks area of Sydney with friends Linda and Ken, and twice in Circular Quay near the Sydney Opera House.

Today, we’re making a favorite dish and staying put planning this week’s menu. We’re trying to figure out what we need to purchase to last only through next Sunday night, just if we have to leave the country for good, as of next Monday’s immigration office meeting. We shall see.

Be well. Be safe. Be happy.

Photo from one year ago today, March 20, 2016:

Chaise lounges, gas grills, and dining table outdoors overlooking the bay. For more photos, please click here.

Oh, oh, we screwed up again!….Photos from the Sydney Opera House…

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There are many interesting dining spots with exquisite views of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Sydney Opera House walk.

After all these years of meticulously planning our travels, we’ve screwed up once again, once for our current dreadful immigration status in Australia and again, my error only, on the night we’d booked tickets for the Sydney Opera House…I failed in carefully reading our ticket confirmation to discover it was on Sunday night, not Saturday.

This was Tom before he knew we’d arrived at the opera on the wrong date. The ship in the background is the Emerald Princess, a line we’ve never experienced.

I’d booked the tickets last April, receiving an online confirmation which I’d copied and pasted into my online calendar, placing it under Saturday, not Sunday. If I’d reviewed it carefully lately, as I should have, it would have been easy to determine the tickets were for Sunday night (tonight), not last night.

The Opera Quay building along the walk.

Off we went with Bob dropping us at the Manly Ferry in the pouring rain with umbrellas and parkas keeping us relatively dry. We waited for 15 minutes for the ferry and boarded for the 30-minute ride in rough waters due to the stormy conditions.

As we approached the Sydney Opera House, we noticed almost everyone had a camera or phone in hand.

Upon arrival at Circular Quay in Sydney, the sun had peeked out, and we walked for 20 minutes on the esplanade along the bay to the opera house. Then, climbing the zillions of steps to the entrance, we found our way to the ticket office, where our tickets were awaiting us.

There’s no doubt that after dark, these tables will be filled with diners.

Alas, we were informed that the opera for which we’d purchased tickets didn’t occur until today. So we were one day early. Oh, my. Mr. Overly Grumpy reared his ugly head for about 10 minutes while I racked my brain as to how I could make such an error. 

Bennelong Lawn, Royal Botanic Gardens is located next to the Sydney Opera House.

I could have made all the excuses in the world, such as not feeling quite well yet, the immigration thing, the missing package from the US, and my sister’s recent possibility of recurring cancer (a scare, after all) that kept my brain flooded with worries during the recent cruise and since our arrival one week ago.

I was dressed too warm for the humid weather.

But excuses always fail me. I tend to leave them in the dust instead of simply admitting my mistake and cheerfully, in my usual “overly bubbly” manner, move on. But, unfortunately, Mr. Grumpy was having none of that. For 10 minutes, he was rather annoying. 

Visitors sitting on the steps of the Sydney Opera House enjoying the view.

Suddenly, I suggested we make it fun that we were already in Sydney and enjoy the amazing area and views of the bay, Circular Quay, the Opera House, and the people watching. “How about if we go to dinner, have a drink, smile, and have a good time?” I asked. He was game.

Moments later, we were seated in a lovely restaurant, Searock Grill, with mouth-watering smells wafting through the air, ordering a beer for Tom and a wine for me, while the mood became uplifting and cheerful. After all, this was no big deal in the realm of things.

Grilled chicken salad with tomatoes, radishes, and sprouts with a side of garlic aioli.

I apologized for my error. Tom apologized for being “overly grumpy,” and we ended up having a great time.  Today, we’ll return to the Manly Ferry to give it another try. This time, we’ll take the local bus to the ferry since Bob isn’t available. 

Tom’s double filet fish and chips. He ordered ketchup on the side for the chips.

We plan to dine early again, before the 5 pm opera, since it’s less crowded in the restaurants. Lately, with my condition, dining earlier rather than later seems to serve me well with less discomfort into the evening. 

Tom’s beer, Great Northern Brewing Co., was named the same as one of the predecessor railroads he worked for many moons ago.

Oddly enough, we’d like to return to the same restaurant today after we’d read menus for every restaurant along the esplanade. Yesterday’s restaurant was easily able to accommodate my diet with a delicious grilled chicken salad along with a satisfying plate of fish and chips for Tom, photos of which are included here today.

Ferry arriving at the wharf.  There’s a constant flow of ferries heading to and fro many areas around the bay.

Based on the early arrival time, we were allowed the benefit of the lunch menu pricing, and our total bill with one glass of beer, one glass of wine, and our two meals totaled AU 50.60, US $38.92!  The same items were priced about 40% higher after 5:00 pm. That works for us!

This is the pier where we boarded our past six cruises with hopefully, one more to go with the immigration situation hopefully resolved.

After dinner, we enjoyed the leisurely walk back to Wharf #3 with only a short wait for the next ferry. Back at our cozy house in Fairlight, we settled in for the remainder of the evening, watched a few shows, and dozed off by 11:00 pm.

Happy face back on…

We’ll be back tomorrow with the results of our second foray to the Sydney Opera House, hopefully getting it right this time!

Happy day!

Photo from one year ago today, March 19, 2016:

The beach in Opunake, New Zealand, one year ago. We’ve experienced plenty of rainy weather in our world travels. But, we try to take it in stride and make the best of it. As indicated in today’s post, bad weather prevents us from planning activities, although we may not venture out if our plans are open.  For more details, please click here.

Fabulous get together and lunch in Sydney with friends from South Africa!…Small world…

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Tom and I and Ken and Linda, great friends from Marloth Park who happened to be in Sydney simultaneously as us! Small world!

When Linda and I chatted on Facebook over these past few months, we could hardly contain our enthusiasm over the prospect of her and her husband Ken meeting us in Sydney on March 15th.

Our wonderful friends, Linda and Ken, whom we met in Marloth Park in 2013. We look forward to seeing them again next February when we return to South Africa.

How ironic after staying in touch over these past years since the onset of our friendship in Marloth Park in 2013/2014 that we’d happen to be in the same part of the world simultaneously, Sydney, Australia.

Our mutual time frame in Sydney only overlapped by a few days making the 15th the ideal for getting together. Although we hadn’t rented a car during this 40-night stay in Manly (hopefully, immigration situation allowing), we needed to begin using the local transportation.

Ken, Linda, and Tom, in front of Fortune of War pub, also known as First Fleet Bar & Bistro, the oldest pub in Sydney, circa 1828.

After spending over AU 150, US $115 for three taxi rides to and from Sydney for the required visit to the immigration office, we decided using public transportation is a must while in this area.

Ken and Tom toasting “James Squire, the Swindler” summer ale in the pub!

With the use of the popular Manly Ferry and the free Hop, Skip, Jump bus that has a nearby stop with only a few block walk to the holiday home, we were easily able to make our way to Circular Quay in Sydney to meet Linda and Ken right on time at the Observer Hotel Pub at noon sharp and then to return “home” with ease.

Our fabulous landlord and new friend Bob insisted on driving us to the Manly Ferry wharf for our first ferry experience. While showing us around, Bob pointed us to the bus stop where we’d catch the bus upon return later in the day.

Linda and I were toasting the special occasion.

Bob had given each of us an Opal card, a local transportation card to which money is added at most news stands and “top-up” machines, which is then used to pay for ferries, buses, and trains easily. Bob escorted us to a news stand at the wharf, where we topped up the cards. 

My grilled chicken salad included a side of avocado.

The round trip cost for the Manly Ferry to Circular Quay is AU 28, US $22, but there’s no charge for the bus. It’s too far to walk to the Manly Ferry from here in the Fairlight area. 

By car, it’s a ten-minute drive to the ferry station. The free local bus makes this trip relatively easy and affordable, especially compared to a rental car which is pricey in Sydney. We’ll share details and a video of the Manly Ferry in an upcoming post.

Tom’s steak sandwich with grilled onions and chips.

Close to noon, we spotted Linda and Ken sitting outside of the Observer Hotel Pub, beers in hand. We couldn’t have been more thrilled to see one another, embracing in a warm hug among the four of us.

Linda’s burger with avocado and “chips.”

After chatting and catching up a little on our mutual world travels (Linda and Ken are avid travelers like us), we decided to head to the popular historic First Fleet Bar & Bistro, where Linda and Ken recommended we take photos of our get together.

The conversation was lively and animated when we all have so much in common, including past experiences in Marloth Park over which we easily recalled and giggled. We’d had memorable experiences in Marloth Park and look forward to more upcoming next February.

Beautiful orchids at our table.

By 5:00 pm, after our fabulous meal at the bistro, we headed back to Circular Quay and Wharf #3 to make our way back to Manly. The ferry ride was delightful when I sat next to a 90-year-old woman, who migrated to Australia almost 70 years ago, a published author and patron of the arts. 

The pub was packed throughout the day, with lively locals enjoying themselves.

Once again, I was engaged in an enlightening conversation that reminded me of how much we thrive on interacting with others, including those from our past and those we meet along the way.

We continue to concentrate on the immigration issue, yet we can enjoy ourselves in the process. In a few nights, we’ll be heading back to Sydney to the Opera House, to which we purchased tickets almost a year ago. I can’t wait for that!

Have a great day filled with lively conversation that stimulates your mind.

Photo from one year ago today, March 16, 2016:

Roses continue to bloom in the cooler weather in New Zealand. For more photos, please click here.