Turkish Trickery

I have a low tolerance for surprises, my pride and previous responsibilities have taught me to avoid them at all costs. Having said that, I have discovered that the most intimate member of my crew has been in collusion with our good friend Levent and his clever clan.
"Patron" The Boss of this Family

These dear friends have been sailing under false colors, meaning that I bought their bill of goods, hook…line…and sinker, and fell prey to an afternoon of food, fun and fecklessness in remembrance of my arrival to this planet 45 years ago.
While I must protest for the sake of posterity…I am helpless in the presence of good Turkish cooking and look forward to next year. I suspect nothing.
With Begum


The Spread

Bags from the Beach

It’s the little things in life that can make your day. Some great friends in Lompoc, California have kept in touch with our wandering crew by sending online gift certificates for the holidays and birthdays from a stateside bookstore.

The kids have spent hours online browsing through books and DVD’s before making their choice and pushing the “send” button. The expectation builds each day as they watch for the mailman and the “big blue bag”. 3-4 weeks after ordering it arrives after swerving through Sweden.
This is our 4th “blue bag” that we have received while here in Istanbul from our SoCal beach buds & buddettes….Thanks, you have given us a little bit of home this week.

A Very Exciting Day

Under pressure from several fronts on my recent attempts to strain the dregs of my satirical soup, I was disinclined to acquiesce and post second-rate updates until today’s mutiny. So, with little pleasure, I bring to you our “day in pictures”…the product of anarchy in our home and the responsibility of the juvenile delinquent members of our crew.



That pretty much sums up our day. Exciting Hmmmm?