Another one. . .

We came back from our vacation to find that there was a new pooch added to the mix while we were gone.

A family staying here rescued a pup that was wandering in the middle of the road. They didn't want to take it back to the States, so we now have another little one.

However, it won't stay little for long. We don't have a name for it yet (we're still trying to adopt her out and don't want to get too attached) though she is really cute and very smart.

She's a pit-bull/lab mix and should get to be about 50 pounds or so.

So, if anyone out there is looking for a very smart jungle pooch, just let us know!

Friends in Costa Rica. . .

Here we are with Mike and Mona, our friends

now living in the Chicago area. This is at Bella Verona, where we had another outstanding meal.

Mike and Mona are true world travelers, having been to more places in the past few years than we have in the past 10.

It was great to have them down this way (they also visited us in Hawaii) and we're looking forward to meeting up with them again in the future; though if the pattern holds, it will be someplace warm!

Placing the order. . .

Here is everyone trying to figure out what they want to order. There is a huge variety on the menus and, of course, seafood is a specialty throughout the city.

Luckily, there are menus in English, Spanish, German and French as well as Italian and everyone was happy with the food.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since this is a day of eating a lot and giving thanks, here is a picture of Mom and Dad Eidson chowing down in Venice.

This is from one of the numerous sidewalk cafes that are along the main drags of Venice. This is from our first meal with everyone (Mom, Dad, Mark, Kiyomi and us) where we had a great lunch.

My dad's calzone (basically a stuffed pizza) was so large, that a German couple came over to our table to ask if they could also take a picture.

The pizza in the forefront is all mine.

Again, thanks to the Tokyo Bureau for providing the picture.

Strolling along. . .

Here we are, heading back to the apartment in Venice. Lucy is on the left, Mark (Tokyo) in the middle and me on the right.

Kiyomi, Mark's wife, snapped the picture as we were winding our way through the side streets and alleys of Venice en route to the place.

For those who have not been, Venice is an amazing city, though it is very, very easy to get lost in. You can take one turn and end up in an entirely different part of the city that you had intended. That is part of the fun.

Thanks to the Tokyo branch for the pictures.

Back in the jungle. . .

We have returned. Actually, we returned a week ago, but between jetlag, colds and incoming guests, we have laid low in the blogging world for a while.

We had a great time in Venice with Ma and Pa Eidson and Mark and Kiyomi from Tokyo. We explored the city, rode the gondolas, water taxis and vaporetto (basically on the water). We ate some amazing food and checked out Verona while we were at it.

The Art Department has some really great shots that will hopefully be showing up here soon.

We're getting ready to ramp up to another busy season with plenty of guests, so it will be interesting.