WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

We're going on a bear hunt!
We're going on a bear hunt!
We're gonna catch a big one!
We're gonna catch a big one!
I'm not afraid!
I'm not afraid!
Are you?
Are you?
Not me!
Not me!

This is just one of the fun songs we sing and things we do while we're in the mountains--the Tatras in Slovakia. Actually, we're in a valley between the High and Low Tatras in a village called Huty. We drive together--DM, LG, KF, and me--first to Liptovsky Mikulas in the Liptov Region of Slovakia, arriving at dinner time on Tuesday. DM's eaten here before and enjoys good food, so he recommends we have dinner at Atlas.

DOVALOVO - The Krupa Family Cottage

MK loves Dovalovo like no other place on earth. Her best childhood memories are centered here in this valley between the High and Low Tatra Mountains. The cottage her family owns was built by a Slovak farmer--his blessing for his family is enscribed into a beam in the ceiling of the main room.

MK's parents have been seriously renovating the cottage for almost two years, and this next June DM and MK will move their family here for a few weeks while DM coaches the Slovak National Baseball Team in the European National Tournament in Belgium. And, all their household belongings are moving to Dovalovo, as they relocate to Orlando, FL for a year.

I'd not been to the cottage since our first visit to Slovakia in 2001, and I'm quite impressed with the renovation and changes. There's plenty of storage, 1-1/2 additional floors with a ton of sleeping space, a new kitchen, two full bathrooms... It's very lovely.

No matter where D+M's family lives in the years to come, Dovalovo will always beckon them to return. And, they will.

SPINACH QUESADILLAS

Since I've been in Wheaton four times very recently, I've eaten at Front Street Cocina three times... And, eaten the same entree twice--spinach quesadillas with mushrooms and onions. Good thing I included that food idea on the list I made of "What to cook in Slovakia" because with early jet lag my mind was blank.

Yesterday I referred to my list, saw that item, and today MK and I have a very fine lunch. We use the LaTortilla Factory white corn tortillas that I managed to fit into my suitcase (actually managed to fit in 4 packages, and it won't be enough once DM tastes this new treat).

We make three quesadillas, each serving a portion of 1-1/2. MK mentions these would be good for breakfast and in a flash I warm up frying two eggs--plopping one atop each of our remaining whole quesadillas. Ma-Ma-Mia! Perfection.

LG is at školka today so after KF and I visit the playground and Tesco, we go to LG's school--I've been assured that KF can take me to the appropriate classroom, but once there she claims, "I know nothing." A bit of sign language and a mention of LG's name works eventually.

Both girls entertain themselves all afternoon watering their special "hole" in the backyard. MK is a very, very patient and understanding mama.

MONDAY, in Chrovatsky Grob

 

Spinach quesadillas for lunch.

 

With eggs! Great idea.

 

Absolutely delicious!

 

This is the spot that requires so much water and attention.

 

THE CHILDREN ARE NESTLED ALL SNUG IN THEIR BEDS...

It's the quiet part of the day. This is the first night I've been awake long enough to take full advantage of being up late and alone. I've faced-off jet lag, and finally won.

There's a missing drive in DM's MacBook--can't download photos directly from my photo card to his laptop, so dozens of great photos are languishing in my camera. I did bring the cords along, so at some point I'll figure out what to plug in where and download away.

Other than a walk mid-afternoon with LG and KF, I've been at home all day. A gorgeous day--a bit hazy toward the Carpathian Mountains, but 60s+ and sunny. The girls have been seriously watering a hole in the backyard--trying to goop it up and striving for a puddle. So far just a lot of very wet grass, but they're working on it. It's kept them happy and busy. They're cute in their pink Wellies with their green watering cans, diligently about their chores...

NJ is an impish beauty, mostly quietly going about her business, investigating and climbing. She can open drawers and confiscates anything left within her long reach. Today she happily claimed a 300g Milka chocolate bar that was gifted to me.