Hello!

We've been enjoying time with family and friends, including lots of relaxing downtime on our deck.

We've discovered the deliciousness of grilled lemonade (dip the lemons in sugar, then grill, juice, and follow your favorite lemonade recipe). There's a full pitcher of it in the refrigerator right now - delish.

I had a birthday last month, and I think my favorite family gift is The Flight Wall. It's an LED display (we've hung it on the wall, but there's also a bracket if you want it as a desktop) that shows the aircraft flying around us. There are a variety of parameters to personalize what you see - and we spent about half an hour comparing the option before deciding - and you can change an update at any time.

Tony thought the idea was a little geeky, but now that we've been watching it for awhile, he says it's oddly hypnotic. I say it's dangerous for the budget because I'm seeing all sorts of flight going places that I want to go. Check it out - two size (we have the mini), reasonably priced, and lots of fun - perfect for travelers and aviation geeks.

I saw some well-priced cruise rates come through for last minutes 2026 Royal Caribbean itineraries. RCCL is popular with cruises who love high-energy, resort-style cruise ships, packed with non-stop entertainment and lots of variety for a younger demographic (30-50 an multi-gen). If you're interested in a last minute cruise vacation, get in touch, and let's see how we can help you.

Hope you're enjoying your summer!

Mary Jo & Tony

Have You Read:

Blood Orange Mimosas: A Refreshing Twist on a Classic Cocktail Few drinks signal a leisurely brunch quite like a mimosa. The classic mimosa is refreshing, but discovering a new version is part of the pleasure of exploring food and drink. I discovered blood oranges while traveling in Sicily, and enjoyed the mimosas made from them. It’s been a favorite ever since. This post includes a recipe Read story

San Juan Island's Pig War: Visit This Bloodless Border Dispute Tucked into the Salish Sea between Washington State and British Columbia, San Juan Island is known for whale watching, lavender farms, and coastal charm. It is also home to one of the most unusual international standoffs in history—a dispute between the United States and Great Britain sparked by a pig and a potato patch.. Read story

40+ of the Best Traditional Romanian Foods to Try From hearty mountain fare to comforting village classics, traditional Romanian food tells a story shaped by centuries of influences from neighboring regions. Whether you’re wandering through Bucharest’s bustling streets or exploring quiet towns the flavors you’ll encounter are deeply rooted in tradition, built around seasonal ingredients, slow cooking methods, and recipes passed down through generations. Read story

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Here's what else is going on:

Traveling: Gig Harbor

It started as a quick trip to Gig Harbor for Halibut fish and chips at the Tides Tavern, but turned into a sunny afternoon walking along the waterfront and browsing the shops on Harborview Drive. It's a reminder to not overlook places close to home.

Reading: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

A traditional American woman, a “tradwife” influencer, suddenly awakens in the brutal reality of 1855—where she must unravel whether this living nightmare is an elaborate hoax, a twisted reality show, or something far more sinister in this sensational debut novel.

Before it was even published, the films rights to this debut novel were sold to Anne Hathaway, who will both star and produce the movie. The book has spent months on the NY Times Best Seller list, has been popular with books clubs (including GMA Book Club), and is one of the most controversial publications of the year. Messy characters, social media influencer themes, and a few plot twists (I'll admit, I didn't see the end coming). This one is worth a read and discussion with you bookish friends..

Learn more about the book here.

I've finished 89 books this year, so I'm off to a great start with this year's travel reading challenge.

Want to join in the challenge? It's not too late! The challenge is designed for travelers who like to read and readers who like to travel. It started as a simple project with friends, grew into a larger project with friends and friends of friends, and now we have a small community of travelers who love to read. It's self-paced, and while you can read what you want when you want, we hope the prompts encourage you to try some new authors and genres to your reading choices.

You can learn more about the challenge by signing up for our monthly newsletter here. Or join our spoiler-free Facebook group here.

Watching: Enola Holmes 3 (Netflix)

Millie Bobby Brown reprises her role as the title character, sister to famed-detective Sherlock Holmes. Enola (which turns out to be alone spelled backwards) heads to Malta for her wedding, brother Sherlock goes missing, and there's a mystery to be solved.

Not as hardboiled or jaded as many Sherlock pastiches, it's nice to watch an interpretation that focuses on strong female characters. Still undecided if the franchise will extend to a fourth movie, but I'd like to see how Enola grows up and tackles mysteries as a young adult, rather than a young girl

More info here.

Listening: Comes in Waves (Carly Simon)

Newly released, this is the 24th studio album from this Grammy-winning artist, and the first full studio album of original content in 18 years.

Recorded at her home on Martha's Vineyard, and amid a Parkinson's diagnosis, this album feels warm and cozy. If you were already a Carly Simon, I think you'll enjoy it. If not, it may be a good entry to sample the portfolio of a star whose work spans six decades.

Check it out here.

If you feel like I've helped you in some way, or just appreciate personal travel information that isn't AI-created, feel free to "Buy Me a Glass of Wine." More info here.

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