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Destinations, Dreams and Dogs - International adventure with a fast-track family (& dogs) of Old World values, adopting the Russian-Italian-American good life on the go…!

Travel

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Ways to Sleep in Your Coat

For those anticipating any type of late winter/ early spring travel to cold weather climes (no, we’re not talking warm beaches…), you will need some lessons in sleeping in your coat.  Maybe you miss a plane, or your Russian apartment (make that Ukrainian apartment-!) has no heat, your car is stranded in a snowstorm on…

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Savvy Souvenirs

Spring vacation brings thoughts of getting away for a few days.  One thing leading to another, the souvenir issue then presents itself:  where to find the coolest souvenirs at the best prices? A friend just returned from a couple of days in San Juan.  He hoped to buy a little something for his teen daughter…

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Fabulous Felt

No, I’m not selling one-of-a-kind felt purses.  But I could.  Or I should.  I just love them. These are ours.  Actually, they’re the girls’. I surprised them with these and they probably cannot fathom their cool-quotient, so I’ll have to focus on fulfilling my own fashion needs in the future, since they only pull them…

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Bon Voyage Adoption Baskets

This is a fun idea that you can use for an adoption shower, or gift for a girlfriend traveling abroad to meet or bring home her child.  Tailor it to a couple, family, or single and be creative-! I put this together for Ivanka who was newly adopting from Ukraine last summer.  She and her…

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Saluting our SEALs

When the US Navy SEAL Team 6 swooped in to rescue American hostage Jessica Buchanan and Dane Poul Hagen Thisted from Somalian pirates, all I could think of was “God Bless America”.  We do not let our own languish behind enemy lines. Why in the world these kind of do-goodniks go to such rough and…

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Kids’ School Lunches

Please tell my kids that they are not normal when it comes to weekday lunches.  I try to relate the splendor of peanut butter and jelly, but they’re not buying.  Anyway, that may be a thing of the past, since many schools have outlawed the protein-packed nut spread. The four of them believe it’s normal…

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Is It Safe to Travel to Russia?

Protests over Putin and an upcoming election year make people think twice when considering travel to Russia.  If you’re undertaking an adoption or other necessary travel there, brief yourself ahead of time, and follow some of these easy travel safety tips. Reporters bill the protests in Russia’s streets as “the largest in Russia in the…

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My Men and Their Ancient Jewelry

In my opinion, women should wear the jewelry in the family, and men should pay for it.  At least, that’s how things should work.  I don’t like the idea of multiple chains, or rings, or anything too flashy on a man  However, my husband and oldest son like having a discrete and classic piece or…

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Eight Years Ago…

We met our first son, Petya, in Russia, eight years ago this week.  Silently falling snow wrapped Moscow like a blanket.  We sipped steaming borsch on a high hotel floor overlooking Red Square. St. Basil’s, jewel-like and picturesque, created the magical scenery outside our suite.  What a contrast when we arrived to our region, hours…

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Travel During Strikes

Sciopero. The word was prominently displayed at the autostrada rest stop, striking fear into the hearts of all tired travelers. Strike. Translated into any language, it meant no restrooms and no caffeinated beverages.  Molto strano.  Almost bordering on the uncivilized for Italy. The workers were restless.  More pay, more vacation time, more pasta or pace,…

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