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    • Feb 8thTurks and Caicos January 17

      LeBeef did not want to be in-country for the inauguration, so we booked a trip to Providenciales, Turks and Caicos.  This was EF’s second trip abroad.  The island was very family friendly, had amazing dining both casual and upscale, and a beautiful golf course and expansive and gorgeous flats to hunt bonefish.  The girls’ snorkling trip got canceled due to weather, so we can’t speak to that, but this island really has it all.  The surf was calm most days, and never as rough as the Outer Banks.  It was also probably the most beautiful beach we’ve visited.  If you’re looking to go to the Caribbean, I’d highly recommend TCI.  If you’re just here for the fly fishing write up, please scroll down.

      Waiting to board at an ungodly hour
      Waiting to board at an ungodly hour
      yep, yep, yep, uh huh
      yep, yep, yep, uh huh

      This lil girl was a saint on these flights.  She watched shows on a phone, wore headphones, and napped and snacked like a champ!
      This lil girl was a saint on these flights. She watched shows on a phone, wore headphones, and napped and snacked like a champ!
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      Another Momma and her bebe
      Another Momma and her bebe
      contraband
      contraband

      entertained and well-behaved
      entertained and well-behaved
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      the hotel was awesome
      the hotel was awesome
      the view even better
      the view even better

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      We planned to have a low key first dinner
      We planned to have a low key first dinner

      the beach bar had karaoke
      the beach bar had karaoke
      so we ended up at Opus
      so we ended up at Opus

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      The beach at Turks and Caicos is just beautiful
      The beach at Turks and Caicos is just beautiful
      Our hotel in the background
      Our hotel in the background

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      This was one brave and adventurous lil girl
      This was one brave and adventurous lil girl
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      Rum punch and amaretto pina coladas
      Rum punch and amaretto pina coladas

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      I ate so much conch
      I ate so much conch
      buying turks head beer from the source
      buying turks head beer from the source

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      our haul, FJ was skeptical, but we polished off all three
      our haul, FJ was skeptical, but we polished off all three

      One of the few options for real Cubans
      One of the few options for real Cubans
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      On the way to the Thursday fish fry
      On the way to the Thursday fish fry
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      Provo fish fry for HB's bday!
      Provo fish fry for HB’s bday!
      The fish fry is every Thursday if you go, and you should
      The fish fry is every Thursday if you go, and you should

      omg this jerk chicken and conch
      omg this jerk chicken and conch
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      more conch
      more conch
      So good
      So good

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      dancing
      dancing

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      jes?
      jes?

      nightcap
      nightcap
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      breakfast of champions
      breakfast of champions
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      snack time
      snack time

      The beach had loaner toys, EF loved them
      The beach had loaner toys, EF loved them
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      EF had a blast in the ocean
      EF had a blast in the ocean

      salty
      salty
      How many carbs does Turks Head have?
      How many carbs does Turks Head have?

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      yo ho ho
      yo ho ho

      Pawpaw and EF
      Pawpaw and EF
      nap time
      nap time

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      Infiniti (definitely the best ambiance of any restaurant we visited)
      Infiniti (definitely the best ambiance of any restaurant we visited)

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      The menus glowed like a kindle
      The menus glowed like a kindle

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      Provo had a ton of great dining options, fine and otherwise
      Provo had a ton of great dining options, fine and otherwise
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      what to order for dessert?
      what to order for dessert?

      too many good choices
      too many good choices
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1HSjBVB8Y
      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q1HSjBVB8Y

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      "Apple pie!" (EF for pineapple)
      “Apple pie!” (EF for pineapple)
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      Provo Golf
      Provo Golf

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      I couldn't get anything going, but the course was beautiful
      I couldn’t get anything going, but the course was beautiful
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      IMG_1295

      couldn't putt to save my life, but had a great time
      couldn’t putt to save my life, but had a great time
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      The girls back at the hotel
      The girls back at the hotel

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      Coyaba served the best food we had all week
      Coyaba served the best food we had all week
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      tandoori mahi
      tandoori mahi

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      Coco Bistro
      Coco Bistro
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      lil fam
      lil fam

      I did a lot of research about the bonefishing options before our trip.  There are two main outfitters down there, and both have decent reviews.  The American-born/non-local guides seem preferred based on tripadvisor reviews, but when you book with a larger company they don’t guarantee you a specific guide.  The reviews were pretty hit and miss overall depending on guide.  I read about an independent guide/one man operation down in Provo named Darin Bain.  A quick googling of his name provided several articles (found here (written by a fellow Virginian), here, and here) from fly fishing publications that spoke to his skills, qualifications, and reliability.  He even guided for Jimmy Buffett.  I decided to take a chance on a local entrepreneur, and emailed Darin Bain.  He quickly responded with his availability, and I put down a deposit.  I only recently got into fly fishing (last couple years), and definitely did not have the casting skills to guarantee bonefishing success.  Before heading down, I watch hours and hours of casting videos.  Read about bonefishing, and practiced.  When I still didn’t feel confident, I booked a casting lesson with Rob Snowhite.  After the lesson, I’d learned a lot, but still wasn’t quite there.  I watched a Lefty Kreh casting video in which he said to haul (double haul) harder, and not try to cast harder to increase distance.  Armed with this information, I took my cast (in moderate wind) from 40 feet max out to 60.  Now that I could cast plenty far enough, I focused my practice on accuracy and speed.  I finally started feeling like I might be good enough to land a fish.  I let Darin know about my experience and casting ability when I contacted him, but he said he had yet to be skunked on a full day trip.  My dad and I woke up early to meet Darin in our lobby, and were cautiously optimistic…

      sunrise
      sunrise
      Darin was right on time
      Darin was right on time

      Heading out of the harbor
      Heading out of the harbor
      I noticed spinning gear in Darin's boat.  I figured that was plan B if our casting was prohibitively poor.
      I noticed spinning gear in Darin’s boat. I figured that was plan B if our casting was prohibitively poor.

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      anxious about my first cast to bones
      anxious about my first cast to bones

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      covered in clothes, buff, hat, and dermatone
      covered in clothes, buff, hat, and dermatone

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      Darin put us on fish pretty quick, but I scared most of them away with bad casting
      Darin put us on fish pretty quick, but I scared most of them away with bad casting

      But I hooked up, had a few runs, and landed one!
      But I hooked up, had a few runs, and landed one!
      strategizing
      strategizing

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      on the hunt
      on the hunt

      Darin liked the spawning gotcha best
      Darin liked the spawning gotcha best
      I like to be over prepared
      I like to be over prepared

      setting the hook
      setting the hook
      fighting
      fighting

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      landed another!
      landed another!

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      eyes peeled
      eyes peeled

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      FJ landed an absolute monster.  4 runs to the backing.  It was incredible.
      FJ landed an absolute monster. 4 runs to the backing. It was incredible.
      headed back
      headed back

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      Celebrating a day we'll never forget
      Celebrating a day we’ll never forget

      As you can see, we both caught fish.  I was ecstatic.  We motored out to a few atolls/small islands and were put on bones pretty quickly.  I fished first and managed a scare a bunch away.  I also quickly realized that my biggest weakness was speed.  Bonefish are predators and constantly on the move.  When Darin called out, “11 o’clock, 30 feet”, it would take me too long to get my fly out there.  By the time I did, the fish had moved, and Darin would be yelling, “more left!”, but it was often too late.  When I did cast in the right direction, my cast would often be too short to be noticed by the fish, or so long that the floating line hit the water above the fish and spooked them.  Finally Darin saw some bones near the shore and for once I was able to see them as well.  I cast about 3 feet short of them, and started stripping immediately.  Darin yelled, “strip faster!”, I picked up the pace and felt a strike.  I strip set just by franticly stripping and was on.  The bone took a second to figure out he was hooked, and then he was off like a bullet.  After a run or two I got him close to the boat, and Darin showed me how to land and safely handle a bonefish.  After a quick picture, I put the fish back in the water and watched him swim away.  I was euphoric, but I knew FJ still needed to land a fish for the day to be a success.  FJ had taken the casting lesson with me, and practiced some, but was still having trouble with the double haul and distance.  He fished a few times before lunch to no reward.  At lunch I could tell he was feeling a little down and frustrated despite the interesting political discussion with Darin.  After lunch, he protested when Darin and I said it was his turn to fish, but quickly capitulated and picked up his Orvis 8wt.  At this point in the day we were about 20 miles from Provo in Middle Caicos.  It was a beautiful spot, and things looked fishy.  Darin called a fish about 30 feet off the port side.  FJ casted out, stripped, and was on.  This fish made the reel sound like a circular saw.  It was immediately clear it was a monster.  I was excited, but also apprehensive as I’d lost three hooked fish earlier.  One to a mangrove which snapped the line, and another to my inexperience when I reeled while the fish was still making a run and snapped the line.  The last lost fish was when I had a tangle in the line at my feet.  Darin ran forward to try to clear it as the fish ran, but it was sucked up into the reel and the line popped before the tangled could be fixed.  A comedy of errors, but a great lesson in what not to do…  FJ let the bonefish take off, reeled it in, and repeated as the fish made run after run.  I started videoing halfway through it was so epic (videos below).  FJ brought it in close, I grabbed the leader, and he grabbed the fish.  WE BOTH LANDED BONEFISH ON OUR FIRST TRIP!!!  FJ’s was a monster, probably twice the weight of the 2-3 pounders I caught.  FJ doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, but I could tell he was elated.  I think Darin expected us to be more excited to land such a monster for FJ’s first fish ever, but to be honest, neither of us knew how big this thing was until I got home and saw that there were only a couple pictures of bigger fish on Darin’s website.  Our success had a lot to do with our preparation, and certainly some luck, but there is no way we could have done it without Darin’s expert guiding.  I can’t thank or recommend him enough.  If we caught fish with Darin, you can too.  As inexperienced as we were, it was definitely a risk to pay so much for a day of fishing.  I had tried to prepare myself for a nice sunrise cruise, and a learning experience without fish, before I booked the trip.  My dad and I both landing bones our first time out was definitely the highlight of the trip and an experience I’ll never forget.  I’m definitely hooked on bonefishing.  Next time I’m in TCI, I’m calling Darin Bain for sure.

      Back at the beach
      Back at the beach
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      Celebrating our fishing success at Da Conch Shack
      Celebrating our fishing success at Da Conch Shack
      This is a less expensive option that was very very delicious
      This is a less expensive option that was very very delicious

      I'd definitely check this place out
      I’d definitely check this place out
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      The Perfect Storm
      The Perfect Storm

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      Best cigar of the trip, Trinidad Fundadores
      Best cigar of the trip, Trinidad Fundadores

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      EF in a hole
      EF in a hole

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      built in lighter holder
      built in lighter holder

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      windy lunch
      windy lunch
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      my loves
      my loves
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      Got a little sandy that day
      Got a little sandy that day
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      finishing off some rum
      finishing off some rum
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      I told Dave I'd be wearing this and some lil draws on the Seas the Day this summer
      I told Dave I’d be wearing this and some lil draws on the Seas the Day this summer

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      EF and CiCi
      EF and CiCi
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      I'll miss this walk
      I’ll miss this walk

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      Uppy!
      Uppy!

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      one last swim
      one last swim
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      finishing off the rum
      finishing off the rum
      packed up
      packed up

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      back in USA, #burgertime
      back in USA, #burgertime
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      missing the TCI; we'll be back
      missing the TCI; we’ll be back

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      "Apple Pie!"
      “Apple Pie!”

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      #mood
      #mood

      There was something special about the TCI.  I’ve been to a lot of islands, and this one stands out.  I really think we’ll be back soon.

       

       


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Dec 29thBirthdays, Thanksgiving, and Etc.

      We’ve been busy.  I cut a bunch out, but this will still be a long post.

      Fancy rum and Cubans with Dave in Gtown
      Fancy rum and Cubans with Dave in Gtown
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      Getting decorations and goody bags ready
      Getting decorations and goody bags ready
      Two!
      Two!
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      OMG nom
      OMG nom
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      4MR
      4MR
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      Sticky Basalmic Rabbit
      Sticky Basalmic Rabbit
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      OMG
      OMG
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      fam
      fam

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      Brisket
      Brisket
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      Suffering Bastards at Peking Gourmet Inn
      Suffering Bastards at Peking Gourmet Inn

      FJ's bday
      FJ’s bday
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      laid back
      laid back

      Xmas tree shopping
      Xmas tree shopping
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      patrons of the theater
      patrons of the theater
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      CK's thesis reading
      CK’s thesis reading


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Jul 25thNostos Tysons

      We went to Nostos in Tysons for some upscale Greek.  Everything was great.  They had some incredible swordfish, and EF tried everything.  Definitely check it out.

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      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Jul 25thAlabama White Sauce, from Garden and Gun

      I saw a recipe for Alabama white sauce on twitter, and though I’d heard of white bbq sauce, I’d never had the opportunity to try it.  I wanted to smoke some chicken on my weber smokey mountain, and decided to whip up a batch.  I’m a pretty big fan now.  I pretty much followed the recipe, but it did up the spice level a bit.

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      Transparent Pie
      Transparent Pie
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      Leftovers
      Leftovers
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      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Apr 17thSmoke Off ’16

      R2D2, JD asked for a ride, but didn't specify how much stuff he had to bring...
      R2D2, JD asked for a ride, but didn’t specify how much stuff he had to bring…
      It was a lot, but we made it
      It was a lot, but we made it
      Breaking in a new sausage maker
      Breaking in a new sausage maker

      we made three or four kinds, all delicious
      we made three or four kinds, all delicious
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      HB was a pro
      HB was a pro

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      mmmmm pork belly
      mmmmm pork belly
      It was in the teens in the morning
      It was in the teens in the morning

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      so delicious
      so delicious

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      My team's ribs disappeared the fastest (won the popular vote), but failed to secure the judges victory
      My team’s ribs disappeared the fastest (won the popular vote), but failed to secure the judges victory
      JD burning down CW's garage
      JD burning down CW’s garage
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      upcycled xmas tree
      upcycled xmas tree
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      fire finally died down
      fire finally died down
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      decorating for a bebe shower
      decorating for a bebe shower
      bottle swap
      bottle swap


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Apr 17thSt. Martin January ’16

      In January we went to St. Martin to escape the cold and get lil girl her first passport stamp.  This post is long overdue, but as you can see, there were a ton of pictures to sort.

      Getting packed
      Getting packed
      You would not believe how much planning went into international bebe travel
      You would not believe how much planning went into international bebe travel

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      First plane ride
      First plane ride

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      First meal in St. Martin
      First meal in St. Martin
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      KHGO2212

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      Might have got a little lost...
      Might have got a little lost…

      This is the life
      This is the life
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      jes.
      jes.
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      floatin with aunt CC
      floatin with aunt CC
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      This is how close we were to one of the island's best restaurants
      This is how close we were to one of the island’s best restaurants

      Astrolab
      Astrolab
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      Mommobile rental
      Mommobile rental

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      Trying to fly fish in high winds and high seas
      Trying to fly fish in high winds and high seas

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      Grand Case
      Grand Case

      Miss Manners
      Miss Manners
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      Carnival
      Carnival

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      IMG_8036

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      nom
      nom
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      IMG_8047

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      IMG_8059

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      IMG_8064

      This was unexpectedly amazing
      This was unexpectedly amazing
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      I've recreated this at home
      I’ve recreated this at home
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      IMG_8073

      IMG_8077
      IMG_8078

      time to wake up
      time to wake up
      IMG_8087

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      LeBeef tipped out way into reserved oceanfront cabanas
      LeBeef tipped out way into reserved oceanfront cabanas

      ripcurl
      ripcurl
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      IMG_8109

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      IMG_8128

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      IMG_8134

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      Like father
      Like father
      Like daughter
      Like daughter

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      Marigot
      Marigot

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      IMG_8245

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      IMG_8247

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      IMG_8271

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      cheeseburger in paradise
      cheeseburger in paradise

      slippy
      slippy
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      IMG_8310

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      Get Money
      Get Money
      Get Paid
      Get Paid

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      Woke up early one morning and went out for a walk before anyone got up
      Woke up early one morning and went out for a walk before anyone got up
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      feeling the breeze
      feeling the breeze

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      Enjoying my last moments in St. Martin
      Enjoying my last moments in St. Martin

      Packed up for home
      Packed up for home
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      family selfie
      family selfie
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      IMG_8605

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      resting her body
      resting her body

      Here are some videos from the trip:


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Apr 16thOeufs Cocotte à la Jacques Pepin

      When we were in St. Martin (post/write up pending but four months late), we had the most amazing meal of oeufs en cocotte.  We were at a restaurant on the French side of the island, and nothing particularly stuck out to me on the menu.  I had several great meals of fish that trip, but I was feeling something different that evening.  When I saw the egg dish, I thought of Ian Fleming, and his propensity for egg dishes while abroad.  I’d not heard of Oeufs en cocotte, but ordered them anyway.  Its hard to explain how two runny eggs with some cream, cognac, mushrooms, and seasoning could be so delicious, so I’ll try to let my videos and pictures do the talking.  My sister recently got me four cocttes for my birthday and I watched a few videos of Maître d’Oeufs Jacques Pepin making Oeufs Cocotte.  Here is the first link, which I mostly closely followed.  The second video is provided below.

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      I made the recipe my own, as one does.  I used two eggs per cocotte as I prefer American portions.  I also used some herbs de provence and garnished with parley.  I may have made a mistake or two…  I had my water too high and it boiled over and slightly poached the eggs.  I just poured out the excess water at the end.  I also took too long getting my kitchen torch to light so my cognac never lit, but that just made the finished product have even more of a rich brandy flavor.  Jacques would probably not be impressed, but its hard to mess up this dish.

      jacques

      This video provides further insight:

       


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Mar 29thEaster ’16

      This easter the Lil Butt is walking, so we did a lot more than last year.  We saw Grandma and Grandpa, did the FCC Easter Egg hunt, ate at Nana’s and Papaw’s, and went to a decadent brunch at Sequoia.

      Lil Girl and her GrandDaddy Caddy
      Lil Girl and her GrandDaddy Caddy
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      She made the putt
      She made the putt
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      Thunderdome
      Thunderdome

      Shopping for Easter prezzies
      Shopping for Easter prezzies
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      Farmer's Market Dark Chocolate Bunnies
      Farmer’s Market Dark Chocolate Bunnies
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      Garden and Gun's Moravian Sugar Cake for Easter.  HB doubled the topping and spices and it was delicious.
      Garden and Gun’s Moravian Sugar Cake for Easter. HB doubled the topping and spices and it was delicious.

      FJ's Easter Prezzie
      FJ’s Easter Prezzie
      Sequoia.  OMG.  Nom.
      Sequoia. OMG. Nom.

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      The white peach mimosas were amazing
      The white peach mimosas were amazing

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      Not a huge fan of the Easter Bunny
      Not a huge fan of the Easter Bunny

      But she loves rocks.
      But she loves rocks.
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      Cheers!
      Cheers!
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      Is somebody jelly in his belly of LeBeef's buffet skills?
      Is somebody jelly in his belly of LeBeef’s buffet skills?
      Jes he is.
      Jes he is.

      Cheers again!
      Cheers again!
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      CHOCOLATES!!!
      CHOCOLATES!!!

      Some videos of LB’s first putt, the egg hunt, and shopping for prezzies:


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Feb 5thLuzmary / Luz&Mary Falls Church Review

      We live pretty close to Luzmila’s, so when we heard the owners sold, and then opened up a new place on 29, we decided to stop by for lunch.  We started with chicken and beef Salteñas, which were spectacular.  Then we shared the mixed fajitas.  It came with shrimp, beef, and chicken.  I have to say that generally I find chicken pretty bland, but it was the standout here.  It was well-seasoned and incredibly juicy.  We can’t wait to go back.

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      And as a bonus, I’ll include a picture of choripán, recently voted best international sandwich by bon appetite.  Very easy to make and delicious.

      IMG_7104.JPG


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • Jan 1stPSA: Don’t forget your cabbage and black eyed peas for prosperity in the New Year

      My Mamaw made boiled cabbage with carrots and celery salt every New Year’s Day.  Its hard to say how far that tradition goes back, but I’d reckon its pretty far.  We also like to make some black eyed peas.  Last night, we were at my buddy HW’s house for a New Year’s party.  HW is about the most Virginian guy I know.  He made a New Year’s punch from a recipe off Garden and Gun.  He kept talking about country ham all night and how hard it is to find around here.  I’ve had country ham biscuits sold by church ladies in Smithfield VA, so I know a thing or two about country ham.  Long story short, I had to have some country ham.  I figured it would go perfect with my New Year’s cabbage and black eyed peas.

      Chatham Artillery Punch
      Chatham Artillery Punch

      Savoy and green cabbage, for extra luck
      Savoy and green cabbage, for extra luck

      best biscuit in America
      best biscuit in America

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      Our new New Year's Tradition
      Our new New Year’s Tradition

      paired with a bourbon soda
      paired with a bourbon soda

      LB getting down on some country ham
      LB getting down on some country ham

      Thanks again to HW for the inspiration.  Mason Dixie, please submit spokesbaby inquiries to rusty.shacklefordiv@gmail.com.  Now its time for some football.

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      Haystacks!
      Haystacks!


      by rsiv with no comments yet
    • ‹ Older Posts

      Good Old Fashioned Hand Written Code by Eric J. Schwarz

        Bon Vivant VAA blog about living the good life in and around the Commonwealth of Virginia

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