Utterly Beguiling – the Cinque Terre

February 7, 201726 Comments

Italy’s Cinque Terre took my top spot in our power rankings and top three overall. While Spain has a firm grip on my soul, and I fell in love with Budapest, the Cinque Terre managed to claim a piece of me as well. My one and only journal entry, scribbled in brief, while exploring the coastal trails between the five villages:

I don’t know what to say. I am utterly in love. More in love than anywhere, ever. So much, it pains me. The sounds, sights, tastes, feel and smell…I can hardly stand it. This is my happy place – the happiest of happy. I could grow old here. I never want to leave.

Can you really blame me… Continue reading →

#Resist

January 29, 2017January 29, 2017

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

–Emma Lazarua Continue reading →

We Were Here

January 15, 2017January 15, 201713 Comments

We were here. We are here. Continue reading →

Reconciling with Post Sabbatical Life

December 10, 2016December 10, 201618 Comments

Where to start? Clearly I have no idea as it has been nearly four months since we set foot back stateside. I’ve started this post numerous times and each time, it’s proved challenging. As we anticipated the first few weeks were emotionally exhausting with balancing the excitement of seeing friends and family with the realization that our sabbatical adventure had come to an end.

The thought of sitting down to blog again, well, it’s hard. It’s not lost on us that when we set out cooking around the world our goal was to introduce Mr. N and Miss A to cultures and histories around the world. We did that – and then some. The lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that have resulted from our little space on the internet are immeasurable. But the trip is past, our lives are busy, the kids are growing…So now what? Where do we go from here?

Well, I suppose we should first start with where we’ve been….

Continue reading →

Final Power Rankings

November 9, 20168 Comments

By Mike

Time for some Power Rankings. Pick your favorite. OK, this should be easy. Let’s start with the MVP, ~~Kris Bryant~~. But what about the team leader. ~~Anthony Rizzo~~. Then why do I want someone else’s number on my jersey. ~~Addison Russell~~. How about the NLCS MVP? ~~Javy Baez, Jon Lester~~. No, can’t have a tie for the top spot. World Series MVP ~~Ben Zobrist~~? Ah, the heck with this, let’s rank something easier.