family

family

Mom’s Recipe Box

When Shirley Lundeby passed away in January 2022 at age 92 she left behind many good memories, but some of the favorites where the many meals she prepared over the years. Not willing to let her recipes slip away her son Bruce and grandson Austin collaborated to scan her recipe box and post it online. […]

Continue reading »

family, Vienna, wedding

Schönbrunn Palace wedding day

What a magical day! We gather at the palace in our formal finery, and the tourists who are on the grounds for other reasons are quite taken with our glamorous selves. A wedding at the Schönbrunn is not a common event. The ceremony is to be in the white and gold room, where a string […]

Continue reading »

family, Vienna

Vienna – Belvedere and the groom’s dinner

It’s Friday now, and the wedding party is starting to gather from around the world. On Thursday night, those who were already in town came together at our apartment for hellos, beers, and a dinner Christine and Liz created called Refrigerator Surprise. Magically, it’s enough for everyone. On Friday morning, we decide we have time […]

Continue reading »

family, Vienna

Kunst Automatons

Several of you have commented on the gold covered treasures of the Kunst, but little would you know that one full room was mechanical automatons! Music boxes, clocks, and mechanical toys of detail beyond belief. I was especially fascinated with the golden ship with wind-up power – moves itself, has drummers and flute players and […]

Continue reading »

family, Vienna

Vienna – Crosses, swords, lutes, and beer

Our days in Vienna have settled in to a pattern — sleep as long as we want, get up and drink many cups of coffee, read on our various devices, and then muster about noonish to start our touring. Today’s first stop is the Stephansondom, a gargantuan gothic cathedral bits and pieces of which are more […]

Continue reading »

family, Vienna

Welcome to Vienna

After a short hop from Bologna, we are in Vienna, where a fellow with a sign awaits us. (Which is pretty cool, since how many times have you stepped off a plane into a sea of sign-bearing drivers and never had them be for you?) He takes us to the Jewish Quarter and our apartment. […]

Continue reading »

family, Italy

Last day at the villa

Today, we leave Casa Duetto for good, and we are sad to say goodbye to our amazing view and quiet evenings in the Apennine ridge. We discover we have a set of orphan photos, snapped on this phone or that, and collected here as a reminder to ourselves of what life is like at the […]

Continue reading »

family, Italy

A day trip to Lucca

On this day of sunshine, we are able to successfully wrestle ourselves out of bed, take our showers, and make our way to Lucca for exploration. Not far from Florence and Pisa, Lucca has somehow escaped the masses of tourists bound for those two other places. Lucca is surrounded by a wall which dates back […]

Continue reading »

family, Italy

The vintage bicycles of Lucca, Italy

Our day in Lucca was filled with many nice images, but Pat was won over by the number of people who primarily travel by bicycle. The old city within the wall is closed to most vehicles (except for residents) so bicycles are a preferred form of transport. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and vintages – […]

Continue reading »

family, Italy

Barga and Ponte A Serraglio

After a day of rest and recovery, we are ready to explore some of the many villages that make up the Territori della Valle Del Serchio. The driving remains challenging and scary, but luckily, the men like the adventure and the chance to go fast around sharp turns. First stop is Barga, considered one of the […]

Continue reading »

family, Italy

A long day’s journey to Casa Duetto

The first day is all about getting to the destination still in possession of all luggage and a modicum of good cheer. We meet our travel mates at Minneapolis-St. Paul airport for the ceremonial checking of the bags and frisking by the TSA. Two and a half hours, and we are in Toronto for a […]

Continue reading »

family

Dr. Bob

Dr. Bob Listen to the story behind this painting of Indian Village we bought from Dr. Bob!   Full recording of our tour of Dr. Bob studio and a few of his stories. Enjoy! ( 23 min.) Click on any photo below for full screen slideshow. SWIPE or use spacebar to PLAY/PAUSE.

Continue reading »

family

We see dead people and gators

First stop of the day – St. Louis Cemetery #1 No trip to New Orleans is worthwhile without at least one cemetery tour, so we decide to double the worth by making a second cemetery trip. This time it’s St. Louis Cemetery #1, the burial place of voodoo queen Marie Laveau and other notables. (There […]

Continue reading »

family, New Orleans

Tour of the 9th Ward by car

Wednesday is rainy and cold, and since we are lucky enough to have a rental car, we drive all over New Orleans after our day’s activities to have a look around. Each neighborhood is distinct in character, and the colors and architectural styles are a study in variety. While there is still evidence of the post-Hurricane-Katrina flooding, much […]

Continue reading »

family

Touring in the rain, but not deterred

We are well and truly in New Orleans, now. So the day must start with a visit to the venerable Cafe Du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait. Huge, crowded, and an institution, le cafe is battened down for the day against a hostile wind and a frigid drizzle. (Important tip: don’t talk with a […]

Continue reading »