July 28, 2013 by Chris

Episode 2: The Dutch visiting Maine

Enjoying Belfast and Midcoast Maine, but also a short camping trip to Moosehead Lake with moose safari …

July 23, 2013 by Chris

Summer fun with the Dutch

We’ve been kumi himo-ing, having fun with Lucy, and making pizza …. That’s so far! With doubtless more to come.

June 15, 2013 by Chris - 1 Comment

Andrea Bocelli concert

When I booked the tickets – months ago – it didn’t seem quite real, but entering the Times Union Center in Albany, NY and taking our seats, which were excellent, the excitement started building.

Bocelli, seemed so diminutive standing there in front of the microphone, but my goodness, there is nothing diminutive about his voice! I could feel it down to my bone marrow. The guest soprano, Maria Aleida, can only be called an instrument! She controlled her voice to such an extent that it could have been one of the orchestra instruments! it was amazing. I was wondering how Fantasia would hold up against Andrea Bocelli and Maria Aleida, but she certainly held her own and her rendition of Summertime was beautiful, and her duet with Andrea equally beautiful. The most amazing part of the entire concert was that he came back for FIVE encores!!! The crowd of 10,000+ were going wild! The performance started on the dot of 7.30 and we left just shy of 10 p.m. (with a 20-minute intermission). It was such a gratifying feeling that he hadn’t come, sung his songs, done the obligatory encore and left. Kudos to Andrea Bocelli!

Thursday, June 13, 2013 at 7:30 PM

WITH – NEW YORK CITY OPERA ORCHESTRA

GUEST VOCALIST – 2004 AMERICAN IDOL WINNER FANTASIA BARRINO

CONDUCTOR – EUGENE KOHN

SOPRANO – MARIA ALEIDA

Bocelli is currently finishing up his Fall US tour in which his performances has received continuous “rousing ovations,” making the June tour the perfect welcome to the summer season.

The June 2013 Tour will come in support of Andrea Bocelli’s upcoming release Passione which will be released on January 29, 2013. Passione is a lush collection of Mediterranean love songs featuring duets with global pop stars Jennifer Lopez, Nelly Furtado, and the late Edith Piaf.

With one of the most recognizable voices in music, Andrea Bocelli is a global icon who continues to defy categorization bringing his music to millions world-wide.

April 21, 2013 by Chris

A day at the races – Keeneland

A fun afternoon at the beautiful Keeneland racetrack…

April 20, 2013 by Chris

Lovely Lexington

I love this part of the country with its tidy fields and pastures surrounded by fences or stacked stone walls; tree lined “pikes”; friendly people, and did I mention the incredible Kentucky Ale aged in fresh bourbon casks to give the ale a delicious flavour.

Saturday at the downtown farmers’ market where fresh herbs and more were in supply.

April 19, 2013 by Chris

Kentucky countryside and visit to Jim Beam distillery

Dennis is hired! Flushing out a bottle, with JB of course, before being filled with Knob Creek single barrel (aged 9 years) whisky.

April 16, 2013 by Chris

Birmingham, AL

We made a stop here especially so we could visit the Civil Rights Institute which we found to be fascinating, and an extremely well laid out and powerful display of the events during the civil rights movement.

Everyone was so friendly and helpful and eager to answer any questions. Coincidentally, it was the 50th anniversary today of the date MLK wrote “the letter from Birmingham jail” where he was being held in solitary confinement.

We strolled around the historic 4th Ave district.

Dennis was dying for some good southern ribs

April 15, 2013 by Chris

Aaah! Dogwoods

At Oak Mountain state park, just outside Birmingham, AL and so happy to see my favourite Dogwoods.

April 13, 2013 by Chris

Friday, April 12

A drive from Perdido Key to Gulf Shores, AL – Naval Aviation Museum, and at the camp site..

Beach houses

Pecan grove in Alabama

That is literally how close they fly!!!

April 7, 2013 by Chris

Bellingrath Gardens

Betty and I spent several hours enjoying the beautiful Bellingrath gardens (south of Mobile, AL). It was a little disappointing, but not surprising, that the azaleas had finished blooming, but some of the camelias were hanging on and other gardens were lovely.

April 5, 2013 by Chris

An evening on the town in Pensacola

We started out at Jaco’s Bar & Grill, downtown on the marina. I had the most delicious seafood flatbread with shrimp, crabmeat, avocado, pancetta, mango … Heavenly!

And then to stroll along Palafox, which was closed off for the monthly gallery walk and included lots of live music on the street. I love the New Orleans-style architecture.