Please copy and paste the questions at the end and add your answers to the mix!
Where was I? Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Montenegro, Albania, Kosovo (whew!)
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
January: Baguettes and Many Steps
February: In Like Minnesota; Out Like Hawaii
March: Wet and Wild
April: My Life is in Ruins, and Beaches Too
May: Al Fresco
June: Tales as Old as Time: The Christianity and Wine Versions
July: Quick and Dirty: the Baltics and the Balkans Adventure
2. What did you learn last month?
Holy smokes, I cannot even recap this as it is so deep, so I will just say one thing that is shallow. I saw these "candy bars" in the refrigerated section of the supermarkets in the Baltics, like next to the yogurt, and I was puzzled by why they were there. So of course I had to buy several of them (for research purposes!) and see what they were all about. The translation came up as "quark bars" which I had no idea what that meant, even in English!
I tasted them and they basically tasted a little like cottage cheese or cheesecake, with a chocolate layer on the outside. Anyway, turns out that quark IS a cheese, and is something between yogurt and cottage cheese, and since I love yogurt and cottage cheese (and cheesecake), I was a big fan. I have not seen this anywhere outside the Baltics though.
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3. What was the weather like where you are?
It rained a lot, and then it was very, very hot (95 F/35 C), and then it rained.
4. What event last month was your favorite?
I cannot choose just one, but I really enjoyed the hiking! However, I also rented a bike a couple of times and had some great rides, I swam a couple of times, I met up with people and ate and drank and was merry! It was a good month.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
Book: The Beauty of Your Face
Movie/Show: N/A
Podcast: All The Hacks: 18 Tactics for Booking Award Travel
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
In 2010 I went to Albania, and their currency is the Lek. As you do, I took out too much cash and had some left over when I left. I tried exchanging it in Montenegro, then Croatia, then Italy, but nobody wanted it. So I still had this cash, and I brought it with me on this trip so that if I went back to Albania, I could use it.
On my hiking trip, I hiked through Albania for a few days, but my plan had been to camp the entire time. However, I checked on the exchange rate, and it turns out I had about $75 worth of Lek, so I decided to go hog wild! I stopped and bought a bunch of food, had lunch in a national park, then got a room in a hut, and I still had some left over, so I bought myself three glasses of wine! It was like going on vacation! Oftentimes after 15 years, the currency will be reissued, so the old stuff will have no value (and this was true for one of the bills, which was worth about $3) and so I have lost a lot of money by not using up my cash before I leave a country! This time I was not going to let that happen again!
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
I am looking forward to learning more about the history of the Balkans, trying the food, and doing some more hiking (probably just day trips mostly). Also I have three countries coming up that I have never been to before which is exciting.
Your turn! To copy/paste, highlight the text below and click CTRL-C, then put the cursor in the comment box and click CTRL-V.
JULY:
1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
2. What did you learn last month?
3. What was the weather like where you are?
4. What event last month was your favorite?
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
6. Tell us one funny recent story.
AUGUST:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Bonus question! Have you ever heard of quark? Have you ever tried to use money that you had left over from traveling and they would not take it because it was too old? [FYI this has happened to me a lot!]
Quark! It was very popular in my crowd back in the early 90s but I have no idea why. Maybe it was low fat? Low calorie? There was some food related trend back then. Must have been low fat. Anyway, I do remember quark, but I literally have heard nothing about it since the 90s, and I forgot it existed until this very moment. I'm excited for your Balkans trip - we are thinking of going next fall. We'll see! We have a few trips in the idea phase. You were in so many countries last month!
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? I LOVE SUMMMMMMERRRRR
2. What did you learn last month? My husband was RIGHT to dig up the second zucchini plant.
3. What was the weather like where you are? low 30s and sunny!
4. What event last month was your favorite? I can't say Birchie, because that was August. Just general good summer vibes.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? Shark Heart was the dark horse I didn't expect to win!
6. Tell us one funny recent story. Oh god I never know how to answer these. I'll get back to you.
Hahah! Your answer to number six is always the same! I am glad that you have been having a good summer! Low 30s and sunny sounds wonderful. It has been in the mid/high 30s where I am, and it is hot. But it is especially hot when you are outside a lot, like hiking etc.! HOT. I can't remember who else liked Shark Heart (Lisa?) but I have it on my list, so am interested to hear that you enjoyed it!
DeleteQuark is a German staple, taste of my childhood in its many guises and various fat contents. Mostly as a butter substitute, a slice of bread with quark and jam is still one of the best things ever. Quark is the secret ingredient of the excellent German cheesecake varieties as well as what is called "Käse-Sahne-Torten" (cheese-cream-tarts). AIso, as a savoury dish mixed with fresh herbs, as staple with new potatoes. I've seen quark versions overseas but nothing beats the real thing.
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? Surgery and recovery, hurray!
2. What did you learn last month? Recovery is less boring than expected.
3. What was the weather like where you are? Cool and rainy in between summer heat.
4. What event last month was your favorite? Leaving the hospital 48 hrs after surgery.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? Read Twist by Collum McCann, watched The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Listened to the Lab Detectives podcast.
6. Tell us one funny recent story. Life was nice and mellow but not funny.
Thank you for the quark info! I love it, and I don't know why I had never seen or tried it before! It is my new favorite thing. Of course, it doesn't really work well as a "protein bar" for hiking, which is what I though that they were at first. But quark and jam sounds right up my alley!
DeleteI am glad that your surgery went well and is over, and that your recovery was not as boring as you thought it would be! I just looked up Lab Detectives and it sounds intriguing! Are you enjoying it so far?
I need to catch up on my monthly summaries. Right now I'm on the second to last day of vacay, so today is not the day, but basically July was a grind. Sucky work, and too hot to leave the house. Books were stellar with What Kind of Paradise, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Heartwood, and One Good Thing.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a lot of international travel plans, but now that I know about those candy bars I need to go to the Baltics ASAP. And yay for 2010 Kyria for treating 2025 Kyria to a Lek splurge! My closest story to that doesn't even compare. When I was going to Canada for work in the late 90's, my dad gave me his stash of CAD from his work travel days. It included a handful of twoonies ($2 coins), which had fallen by the wayside. Anytime that I paid with a twoonie, everyone did a double take. The company rep that I was working with bought out my stash so that he could give them to his grandkids. After my Canada work thing ended, I was left with a late 90s $5 bill, which I did not spend until I went to Pelee Island in 2023. It was in great condition, and when I used it to pay my admission at the Pelee Island museum, the person who I paid it to said "wow, that is an old bill" and was very interested in it.
Hah! That is funny, as I also brought my old CAD with me last year and got the same comment, because it was an old paper bill, not the ones they have now which are shiny! I think the comment was "haven't seen one of these in a while" but they took it! I also remember toonies, but did not have any this time around, but did have lots of change, which I tried to dump quickly as it was heavy! I also went to a loonie memorial when I was riding through Ontario! I feel like you could use an old USD pretty much anywhere still too.
DeleteYes! Very familiar with quark, but haven't had any in years. I think I'd love those bars.
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? July = All the Summer Stuff (lake time, hot sunshine, sleepaway camp for the kids, corn on the cob)
2. What did you learn last month? That my body is slowly relaxing to its core after 4 years of intense stress.
3. What was the weather like where you are? HOT! And, unfortunately, DRY.
4. What event last month was your favorite? The week John and I had home alone. It was perfection. Love the kids, also loved the kids being happily engaged for a week at sleepaway camp.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? Hmmm. Best thing I read was probably (*pauses to go look at book summary on my blog SINCE I ALREADY FORGET). Fiction: Horse (runner-up Heart of Winter and Isola) and Non-fiction: Memorial Days.
AUGUST:
7. What are you looking forward to this month? QUITTING MY JOB! September and October is my crazy time and so I think knowing that I'm transitioning out of the role will feel like a relief.
What the what?! You decided!? Good for you! Yay and congrats!
DeleteI am so glad that you and John enjoyed your week alone. I think that should be mandatory; every year one week (at least) without the kids, not because you don't love them, but because you need a regroup time! My friend K always says that she gets so much more done when her kids are away at their Dad's place. Miss them, but don't mind being alone for a bit, right!?
I have never heard of quark! It sounds like something I might like since I love cottage cheese!
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? The theme was travel that didn't happen (which I was not sad about since I was supposed to travel 3 weeks in a row).
2. What did you learn last month? I learned that I had a pre-cancerous polyp and that colonoscopy prep is pretty God awful.
3. What was the weather like where you are? It was pretty hot and humid and sadly it was smoky at times due to wildfires in Manitoba.
4. What event last month was your favorite? Spending time with Amber, Kelly, and Kelly's family!
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? I really enjoyed The Four Seasons! I technically finished it in August but watched most of it in July. I really enjoyed Jordan Chiles memoir since I'm a gymnastics superfan.
6. Tell us one funny recent story. I'm coming up with nada unfortunately.
Well dang, your thing you learned doesn't sound super fun! I am glad you got it taken care of and the polyp was found early! I have too many people in my life who have died of colon cancer because they didn't get checked early enough! So I am proud of you for doing the hard thing, and am glad that you are being smart about it!
DeleteUg, the wildfires! I heard from Bugsy (hiking buddy) that he was in St. Paul and the smoke was really bad. I hate wildfires and it makes me cringe as I know that beautiful lands are being decimated. I recently saw that there are fires in Bulgaria and Montenegro right now too! Were there always so many fires and I just wasn't aware or are they happening a lot more frequently in recent years?
I have never heard of quark! I love that you got to have a little Kyria shopping spree with your money, hehehe.
ReplyDeleteJULY:
1. The Best of Times, the Worst of Times
2. That I have access to Google Photos through my Chromebook (I was emailing photos to myself to add to my blog posts, which always took SO MUCH TIME.)
3. Hot, humid, and rainy - we broke some weather records
4. My three-day vacation with my mom!
5. Best thing I read was Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
In August... I am not sure what I'm looking forward to. It'll be a low-key month. Maybe the return of PSLs on 8/26!
Heck yeah! Found money = free, right? I still count it as spending but really it would be worth nothing if I did not spend it so it's basically free.
DeleteUg, your answer to number one needs explanation! Do you mean because of all of your medical stuff? Or maybe I need to go and catch up on your blog (SORRY!).
I love your answer to number two! Haha. I can actually add photos straight from Google Photos into my blog, and I find it easier to make an album on Google photos (named "Blog") because I have the option to add from an album instead and that is way faster. Not sure if you already knew that or have that same functionality!
Atmosphere! I have had it on hold for months and I still have a long way to go...😒Glad to hear you enjoyed it but now I want it even more!
When you go to Hungary, you’ll find another version of the quark treat! Turo Rudi!
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C3%BAr%C3%B3_Rudi
Oh good! Thanks for the tip! I probably will not go to Hungary this year, but will be in the Balkans, and they have it too! Yay. I will put it on my "when I go to Hungary" list (or "must do in Hungary" list) for later though!
DeleteHuh, Quark??? That's interesting! I don't think I learned as much as you did last month (although- maybe I should start paying closer attention to what's going on and I might learn a few things!) My favorite experience of the month was my trip, specifically the two days of driving with my son.
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I read was The Correspondent by Virginia Evans. And, in August I'm looking forward to the start of football!!!
Just watch, now you are going to see quark EVERYWHERE! I am so glad you had fun with your son and that football is starting soon! Go Niners! :)
DeleteJULY:
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that?
Do I Really Hate Winter?
2. What did you learn last month?
That I should start charging for therapy sessions even though I am not a licensed therapist.
3. What was the weather like where you are?
Hot and dry and repeat.
4. What event last month was your favorite?
Rick's birthday party at the local brewery with the whole family.
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month?
A lot of cello music for calming; some really terrific articles in The New Yorker magazine on topics I would never have thought to dive into on my own; loving The Gilded Age on HBO Max and were blown away by the acting in Adolescence on Netflix.
AUGUST:
7. What are you looking forward to this month? Theo this weekend; more time at the lake; making my own quark (just kidding on that last one)
Can you actually make your own quark? I mean, I have made my own yogurt and not to pat my own back, but it is delicious. So maybe I will make my own quark (even if you were joking)! That is a great idea Nance! I am glad that you are getting some good quality family time this summer and yes, you do hate winter and you are glad it is summer, even if it is hot. Summer is not just the weather, it is family time and outdoor eating and much much more. It is a state of mind! I got a watermelon the other day and it had seeds! And I sat and ate it and spit out seeds and thought of my family in the 80s, eating outside with the flies and the meat bees trying to get our hamburgers, spitting seeds at each other in the heat and loving it. That is summer.
DeleteIt's a bit like making your own paneer, but using buttermilk. Lots of videos and recipes online.
DeleteThanks! I might try it. The only issue is when I am traveling, the kitchens are not always fully stocked, and of course using Google translate to figure out labels can be a little tricky, but I am sure I could do it! I will be in one place for the month of September so maybe that is a good time to try!
DeleteJULY:
ReplyDelete1. What is the name of your last month's chapter or the theme of your last month if you prefer that? Nonstop
2. What did you learn last month? I learned that it's OK to need a break from a child who is challenging and that I shouldn't feel guilty from taking a break
3. What was the weather like where you are? we had both crazy hot weather and flash floods, and then a week of mild temps that was so delightful. Sunny but no AC, just pleasant and perfect weather to bake treats
4. What event last month was your favorite? probably the relaxing 4th of July when Coach took the 3 youngest to visit his brother's fam in SC, but also I really enjoyed the 6 days I spent at Curly's b-ball tournie
5. What was the best thing you read, listened to or watched last month? We watched a movie about a plane crash from the early 70s - I'd never even heard about this and some of the people survived for months. It was really compelling and heart breaking. It's called Society of the Snow.
6. Tell us one funny recent story. Oh, hmm. This is tough, because when the big kids are home there are so many things going on -but in early July my writing group took a selfie. I tried to share it with Mini, because she wanted to see it. There are 6 of us in the group, and I accidentally cropped the pic so that only a few of us showed up (like I highlighted it when I held my finger on the photo without realizing it). Anyway, what I sent was a photo of me with an older gentleman behind me and he resembles Santa complete with beard, etc. Well, the angles and the expressions combined with arms that were not visible leave the photo looking as if 'something' inappropriate is happening. When I sent it to Mini, I was like, Oh wait, that isn't the whole photo (but I didn't really look at it). Then I tried again, but in the meantime she sent it to Coach. We were watching a movie and let's just say Things were said, and Questions were raised, and Coach was like "Where's Santa's other hand, and why are you smiling like that?" and we were watching a movie, but I could not watch it because I was cry laughing.
AUGUST:
7. What are you looking forward to this month?
Bonus question! Have you ever heard of quark? Have you ever tried to use money that you had left over from traveling and they would not take it because it was too old? [FYI this has happened to me a lot!]
I have not seen that movie, but I recently read the book Alive, about the same story. Maybe you would like it? I will put that movie on my wish list! Also your story of Santa is funny; I guess things can look bad when (literally) taken out of context! Haha!
DeleteI was so into trying to relay my story that I forgot to answer what I'm looking forward to this month - Um, Kay starting school. Is it OK to say that? I'm sort of looking forward to bringing Reg to school tomorrow, because it's always fun to meet the other parents at the colleges and I know he's really gonna love it there and he's waited a long time to go to college. But! I'm also gonna really miss him. He's a huge help at home. (when he's not forgetting to pick a sib up from practice). I was also really looking forward to my annual trip to Lake Geneva with my two older girls, but we just arrived home yesterday. It was so much fun, per usual.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of quark. I've never had money not work anymore, which is a relief. I'm glad you were able to use that 'found money.'
I don't think it is bad to say that you are glad that Kay is starting school. We don't have to love everything about everyone! I love my Dad (hi Dad!) but likes to "DO STUFF!" all the time, and is a list maker and box checker, and sometimes I need to sit in my corner and read and ignore him. That is life.
DeleteI love the idea of Quark! I will not try to make it myself.
ReplyDeleteJuly was a good month, our 32nd anniversary and then we went to visit family in Portland, which was awesome.
I think I may have some French francs laying around here from my honeymoon way back when, but I don’t even want to spend them. I’m thrilled that you got to spend your money from back when.
Our weather has been SO NICE. We had 4 or 5 days of hot, but otherwise it has been PERFECT. You know how it is around here.
I am so glad that you had fun in Portland with your family. Did you ever end up finding accommodation that was not as expensive? I miss Portland, usually I do at annual (or sometimes 2x a year) trip, but this year I will not be doing that. I also have some French francs! I kept one of each just for fun!
DeleteWell, bonus questions first: YEEEEES. My favorite dish is with quark: https://www.craftaliciousme.com/boiled-potatoes-with-quark-and-linseed-oil-a-traditional-lusiatian-dish/
ReplyDeleteAlso had those quark bars – you can get them in stores and even discounters here.
Here are some more answers:
What did you learn last month?
What was the weather like where you are? – so much rain. I saw a statistic from Germany and in July Berlin had the most precipitation. Now its is so so hot. Middle ground would be nice. Climate change for real.
What event last month was your favorite? – traveling to Wroclaw, hiking with my mom
Tell us one funny recent story. – well it didn't happen in July but August but I fell into the river when I tried to elegantly clean my feet and then get into the jeans. I was wet the jeans were dry. Everyone on the beach had a good laugh. I did too because it was funny and stupid and my mom kept telling me you will fall down.
I am picturing you standing on one leg trying to put pants on and falling into the river! I don't know if that is how it went down but in my mind that is what it looks like! Thanks for the quark recipe; do you just buy it in the section where the yogurt is? Is it in a tub or a packet? And do you call it quark in German? So many questions!
DeleteWell, you pictured it perfectly. That is what happened. I was so confident that I can stand on one leg since I had been practicing this for months...
DeleteYes quark is where yoghurt, cream, sour cream and stuff is. It comes in 250g and 500 g packs. they are plastic with a foil lid. Like this one: https://www.edeka.de/unsere-marken/produkte/gut-guenstig-speisequark-magerstufe-4311501114148/
There is Magerquark – less fat and the one I usually get. And normal one with more fat. There are also seasoned options with herbs which are usually found in the cheese section I guess.
And yes we call it quark. It's a staple in Germany. In Austria (and sometimes souther Germany) it is called Topfen.
Come to Wisconsin; one of our localish creameries makes Quark! (I have had it, in Germany, as Tobia notes above.)
ReplyDeleteMy July was very Not Fun, and August isn't looking that great, either. I am holding out hope that September will maybe, possibly improve. That said, reading about your wonderful adventures takes me out of my head and I so appreciate that. Thank you for sharing so much with us. <3
I went to Wisconsin and nobody told me that! I am so sorry to hear that your July and August are not fun and I really hope they turn around soon! If you need some Dad jokes, I have a few good ones up my sleeve.
Delete