The problem with sisters

Let it be known . . .

... we eat well in Georgia. Do not be fooled by the ramshackle nature of this bytheway fruit stand. These curbside clusters of boxed produce, ubiquitous throughout Tbilisi, are the unwitting source of the best tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes you've ever tasted. Year round. That is, if you know the right guy. And we do.

This collection of goods used to be our next door neighbor before we moved to an apartment. It's the only thing we really miss.

An artful collection of orchard-fresh cherries. They sell these by the bundle, almost too pretty to eat. Almost . . .

This golden honey (which, incidentally, my husband picked up in Armenia) glows as if from within. It tasted, literally, like a field of wild flowers. Amazing.

I don't know if I ever bought a pomegranate in my life before moving here. Now they've become a regular staple.

Aforementioned honey, fresh-picked raspberries, and (gasp!) walnuts over matsoni, a Georgian variety of tart yogurt. I've always been allergic to walnuts, but following the Nourishing Traditions method, I soaked and dried the walnuts and found them not only palatable, but irresistible.

Soaked oatmeal with milk, cinnamon, butter, and Georgian honey.

We've also started eating buckwheat, they call it 'gretchka' here. When prepared correctly it's amazing. In fact I didn't have any cooked example at the time of publication because my kids consume it tout de suite.

We also attempted a vanilla spice cake with some late-season peaches. Made for excellent midnight snacking.

There is a wonderful earthiness to the quality of the food here. For the most part the produce has not been tampered with genetically. It's mostly local, and we get all sorts of odd unexportable fruit that I've never even heard of, much less seen, like quince, buckthorn, and persimmon. Be prepared for many future food-themed posts.

Back in Georgia

GEORGIA | hyper - travel from Timelapse Media on Vimeo.

Dog days

In her new dress

"Mom, take a picture of me like this!"

"And like this!"

"And this!"

"And this!!!"

Baptism

Our sweet eldest daughter turned 8 and was baptized.

Following the baptism we had a picnic at a nearby park on one of the lovely 10,000 lakes our state has to offer.

Delicious buffet complete with Costco cake, per her request. We were happily joined by many family members and friends. It was our last shebang before ending our summer in the States.

With Dad,

and Mom,

siblings,

in-laws,

and cuties.

Our baptism barbeque was also beset with babes,

besties,

bonding,

boats,

benches,

banter,

and my beloved.

White sugar sand

For more than 10 years now we've been coming back to an ideal beach destination on the Florida panhandle for a week of sun and relaxation. It's less developed than any other beach we've frequented, which is probably why it's my favorite.

This year my point-and-shoot was on the fritz, so we took minimal pictures . . .

. . . which ultimately left us with more time to enjoy ourselves.

From the condo we had a great view of the beach below. This is the busiest we've ever seen this beach.

After a few days straight of sun the girls were tuckered out.

We come every other summer for a reunion with my husband's family. It was an ideal week of reconnecting, sharing delicious meals (thanks Grandpa & Grandma!), and stocking up on vitamin D. I feel so fortunate to have married into a family that I not only love but also enjoy. Looking forward to many years of beach vacations to come!