I’m a dog person, and this video is inspiring —

Dog and Escalator

November 3, 2010Leave a comment

I’m a sucker for a cute mutt. You can see more animal fun here.

This doggie was confused by the escalator:

A Drive On Nevsky Prospect

October 12, 2010Leave a comment

Here is some shaky video of my drive up Nevsky Prospect today. I need to figure out a way to reduce shaking. Any ideas?

Almost every time I drive on Nevsky, I am thankful for and amazed at the life God has given me.

It’s in several parts. Enjoy —

From Leitiny Prospect to the Fontanka River

From Fontanka to Gostiny Dvor

From Gostiny Dvor to Kazan Cathedral

The Winter Palace (Hermitage Museum) and Palace Square

Over the Neva River and onto the Split of Vasilevsky Island

Three Minutes in Finland

October 1, 2010Leave a comment

I took a drive in the countryside a few days ago, in perfect weather, on a back road between Hämeenlinna and Hauho (apologies for the shaky video):

Cute as a Button

September 29, 2010Leave a comment

Psalm 23 recited by a two year old —

One Happy Russian

September 28, 2010Leave a comment

Olga (like most Russians) loves to hunt mushrooms. However, most Finns do not. So, while it can be hard to find mushrooms in Russia (since everyone is hunting mushrooms) there are a LOT of mushrooms in Finland.

We took the boat across the lake, and Olga hit the jackpot. Here is the evidence of her success (video and pictures):

Lovely Koppero

September 20, 20101 Comment

Here’s a video of the little cabin (koppero means ‘hovel’ in Finnish) where we stay when we visit Finland. You’ll see the main cabin, a smaller cabin and the sauna. It’s simple and a very real blessing.

And you see our little car, which has bravely been all over Europe, from Montenegro to Russia.

A Toast at Dacha

August 30, 2010Leave a comment

Nine years ago on August 28 I proposed to Olga. We were at dacha (a Russian country house) celebrating her grandmother’s birthday.

A couple of days ago, we had another birthday lunch under the apple trees at dacha. Russians love to give toasts at special occasions. Orest Grooten, Olga’s grandfather, gives a toast to his wife:

And here is Orest walking back into the house.

The Ferry at the Bay of Kotor

July 12, 2010Leave a comment

I flew into Dubrovnik, Croatia a few days ago on my way to Montenegro. On the drive to Podgorica we passed the bay of Kotor. It’s always a beautiful drive.

Here’s the view from the middle of the Bay of Kotor, looking toward Perast.