Boiled Potatoes With Ground Meat Sauce Recipe

24 October, 2015 | Food blogger | 13 seen

Welcome everyone to just another food blogger post series - today we will prepare a very simple recipe - Boiled potatoes with ground meat sauce. 

It's just that time of the year when I found myself more in kitchen just eager to cook something, and after a visit to the local market I decided I want to prepare something simple, tasty and something I could photograph for my digital photography school project. As I believe a successful food blogger should take sharable and pinable pictures (share them now!)

This is one of the simplest foods I can actually name - I was like a 5 or something when my grandmother taught me how to prepare sauces, and I really love sauces. It took me more time to learn how to actually boil potatoes.

What ingredients will you need?

Potatoes, just obliviously, ground (minced) meat, carrots, onions, salt&pepper, a little bit milk (I prefer sour cream, but milk is just fine)

For how long should I cook?

About 25 minutes

Cooking directions

Peel the potatoes and place in a saucepan

Now add water and potatoes until they are soft

• Tip: You can add already boiled water to make this process faster

Take two onions and two carrots

Now take your cutting board and chop some onions. That's actually the thing I enjoy the most - chopping onions. Don't forget to grate carrots.

Grate carrots; chop onions

Now preheat your pan, we will add both carrots and onion to it in few seconds.

Add grated carrots and chopped onions to the pan

Fry until onions get that brown skin

add ground meat

Now you should fry that ground meat together with carrots and onions. Fry until it looks that meat is cooked enough.

Add 4 spoons of flour once meat and vegetables looks done. Flour will help to create a lovely mass

Add some water - until it covers meat

Heat it but don't allow it to boil. Stir until you get a coherent mass.

Cut dills

We will add some dills to the potatoes

Boiled potatoes with dills

Serve - for a better taste add some pickles to the serving

Now, just share, pin and enjoy your boiled potatoes covered with ground meat sauce!

First Barbecue Festival in Our Newly Inherited House

22 October, 2015 | Home Remodeling | 6 seen

While there is a good reason to visit a barbecue festival in Armenia, in this post I will provide some details on the first barbecue festival (OK, it's actually a party) we held in our recently inherited country house, where some serious home remodeling tasks are performed.

Throwing up a barbecue party is a must have to fully enjoy all the good works and intentions you are doing while performing such a routine tasks, like fighting a grass (and I had fight with it all Summer along), figuring out how to change that leaky roof, or doing some paint job. This was a special party, there were not many people invited (just 3 and a dog) but it got us amazing feeling of happiness. Hey, we are on the right track.

Preparing table for a barbecue set

We did find some old table inside the house and covered it with a linen tablecloth and got a really lovely place to serve barbecue

Simplified grill 

Overgrown territory starts to look alike a lawn

I have used both a scythe and a trimmer, but latter I hired a trimmer guy who did all the hard work for us (expensive, but worth of cost). 

Grill is ready for some meat

I used apple twigs for grill charcoal

Chicken meat grilled together with tomatoes

Our dog - German shepherd Bob we inherited together with a house

Meat is ready

Meat is served

Return to National Bank of New York

Yes, another inherited thing - sacks with such lettering - I will not disclose information about content of them. But seriously speaking I was surprised when we found those sacks. But hey life is full of surrealism.

So we sat on our sacks with lettering Return to National bank of New York and enjoyed our first barbeque at our newly inherited house.

During the summer we held many, countless barbeque parties like this. Honestly speaking I hadn't eaten so much meat like never, even in Georgia.

Hiking in Borjomi (Georgia)

21 October, 2015 | Outdoor Activities | 9 seen

A group of four Georgia Expat Photographer club members visited Borjomi on September 20, and we did a lovely hike here. I took my camera, Map My Ride app (great for recording trekking routes) and here is the result.

During this route which took us some 3 hours we visited 2 lovely monastery sites, discovered an open air sulphur pools, spent some time in Borjomi mineral water park and of course took that lovely Borjomi cable car

About route: In total this route was 8.25 km long, took about 3 hours to finish (we did have stops, and I paused app there) and burned 2707 Kcal.

Route map

We started our route by taking Borjomi cable car to get uphill. 

Borjomi Spring water Dome house (taken from cable car)

Our hike started here (well actually few meters bellow we entered that Borjomi cable car). 

• Ticket price per ride - 3GEL

View to Borjomi

So the cable car got us up, and we took our chances to shot lovely photos like above

Acorns in Borjomi

Mountainous road in Borjomi

We took a mountainous road Borjomi - Baghi - Tba - Tsemi by foot and headed to Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov

​

At Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov place

After a little walk (some 1.5km) we were on site. So basically you can find here a small and lovely church and some wood architecture. Read more: Temple of Saint Seraphim of Sarov (Borjomi/Georgia)

Entering Qveda Sadgeri village

We continued our walk to the Church of Saint George

Vineyards in Qveda Sadgeri village

Haystack in Borjomi 

Church of Saint George

Read more: Saint George Church and Monastery (Borjomi/Georgia)

View from Church of Saint George

Georgian cow

Pretty standard scenery in rural Georgia

Wrecked car 

Haystack and a barn

Cleaning carpet on... asphalt

Georgia will never end to surprise you

Open air sulphur pools in Borjomi

Didn't tried them actually, but I was surprised to see such a great thing and made a separate article on Open Air Sulphur Water Swimming Pools in Borjomi

Borjomula river in Borjomi

Newly constructed and old wooden bridge in Borjomi

Rocks on the bend of Borjomula river in Borjomi

Waterfall in Borjomi

Borjomi mineral water park

Read more about Borjomi Mineral water park

Photographer meets photographer in Borjomi

The Bottom line:

This was a very interesting hiking route, offering a lot of scenery views from whom I made a lot of photos. This hiking route is pretty easy and you don't have to be an experienced hiker to complete it. You should although have some good climbing boots/sneakers at least and don't forget to take a bottle of water and some snack at least. Latter you can enjoy your meal in one of the many Borjomi restaurants.

If you would like to repeat such tour with me or any other Georgia Expat Photographer club member, please join our group on Facebook for further information.

Lawn Mowing with a Trimmer

20 October, 2015 | Home Remodeling | 5 seen

Right, this post is like and extended version for my previous post in home remodeling series on lawn mowing with a scythe. After a tough fight with grass using old school tools like scythe it was enough for me. And I mean it - no more scythe for me.

Having a house in rural Latvia teaches a very important lesson, you have to own a trimmer, or it will be a very costly for you to fight the grass. Since some serious trimmers cost a lot and we hadn't actually planed to spend a money on it, we found an owner who could rent us out his trimmer for a six pack of beer.

Author of this blog captured in action fighting grass with a trimmer

Gosh, what an experience - during my first trimmering  I learnt I know nothing about trimmering grass - first of all - I was very afraid of this machine, second I had no idea how it is actually working - well I learnt that latter (I have a whole grass fighting story during our first year of home remodeling) 

Our fish pond completely overgrown in grass

I actually did something wrong with this trimmer, so I had to buy new details for it. So my first experience of lawn mowing with trimmer cost me some extra $40. And I actually didn't trimmered a thing. But I was on the right track - now I knew - trimmer is a must have tool.

So now being back in Tbilisi, I decided that a trimmer is a must have purchase for the next Summer. I actually decided to setup an improvised whiteboard holder using a metal stairs and write on it - Home Remodeling: Trimmer, since recently I launched another personal project - 365 photo project - I thought hey - I gone submit such photo as my day 5/365 - after experimenting with a photography for some hour or something - here is what I got:

Improvised whiteboard holder

Unfortunately this photo didn't end on my 365 day photo chalenge project page, this one did. 

Now, back on the trimmers - there is a great article How to Use a String Trimmer Like a Pro covering few simple secrets on becoming a trimmer pro.

Now, back to the home remodeling and challenges - I believe it's one of the fun ways how to run like any project - you have your goals, like to finish your home remodeling or finish your photo project, so there is that stage when you make a decision to act, and then there is the middle game, and only then there is a finish. I cant see a finish for home remodeling tasks like in next 5 years, I can still see finish for my photo challenge - and I already can see - I will publish pictures from home remodeling tasks on it.

You are kindly invited to join my project on Flickr.

10 Popular Sony Vaio Laptop / Notebook Models To Choose From

19 October, 2015 | Laptop Reviews | 308 seen

I wouldn't call myself the biggest evangelist of Sony laptops, as I believe more popular are ASUS, DELL, HP and other brands, but that doesn't mean Sony doesn't have some powerful laptops to deliver for basically all consumer needs. 

VAIO was originally a brand of Sony Corporation, aka Sony VAIO . A couple of years Sony sold its PC business to the investment firm Japan Industrial as part of a restructuring effort to focus on mobile devices. Sony maintains a minority stake in the new, independent company, which currently sells computers in the United States, Japan, and Brazil as well as an exclusive marketing agreement. Sony still holds the copyright trademarks for the VAIO brand and logo.

In this article, you will find some of the latest and popular VAIO laptop models, alternatively see: Top 5 VAIO Laptops 2020

A quick note: This article contains affiliate links to Amazon.com, by clicking on links on this page and by making a purchase on Amazon site, I will earn an affiliate income at no cost to you. Prices for laptops listed on this page are retrieved using Amazon Product Advertising API and is updated daily. For actual prices please refer on the product page on Amazon.

VAIO SX14 - Intel Core i7-8565U Laptop | 16GB Memory (RAM) | 512GB PCIe SSD | Windows 10 Pro | 14.0-Inch Ultra HD 4K (3840x2160) Display | Brown

The VAIO SX14 is the newest laptop from VAIO. This laptop has a BIGGER 14-inch display, available in 4K Ultra HD. This laptop is LIGHTER by utilizing a new UD carbon, eliminating 30% of weight from the top cover. This laptop is FASTER with the latest Intel 8th generation quad-core processor enhanced by VAIO TruePerformance. Plus the convenience of every port you could ever need, including USB Type-C, while only weighing in at 2.32 lbs and approximately 0.59-inch thin.

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VAIO SX12 - Intel Core i7-8565U | 16GB Memory (RAM) | 512GB PCIe SSD | Windows 10 Pro | 12.5" Full HD (1920x1080) Display | Black

The VAIO SX12 might be diminutive in size but it's certainly not lacking in performance. This notebook features an Intel 8th generation quad-core processor enhanced by VAIO TruePerformance and every port you could ever need while only weighing in at 1.97 lbs and approximately 0.62-inch thin.

• Intel Core i7-8565u
• 16GB memory (RAM)
• 512GB PCIe SSD
• 12. 5" Full HD (1920x1080) Display
• Approx. 1. 97 lbs

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VAIO SX14 - Intel Core i7-10710U | 16GB Memory (RAM) | 1TB PCIe SSD | Windows 10 Pro | 14.0" Ultra HD 4K (3840x2160) Display | Black

The VAIO SX14 is the newest laptop from VAIO. This laptop has a large 14-inch display, available in 4K Ultra HD. By utilizing UD carbon, this laptop only weighs 2.34 lbs and is approximately 0.59-inch thin. This is the FASTEST laptop yet featuring the latest Intel 10th generation processor enhanced by VAIO TruePerformance. With Windows Hello and a finger print scanner, security is built in. Plus the convenience of every port you could ever need, VGA, LAN, USB , HDMU and USB Type-C.

• Intel Core i7-10710U
• 16GB Memory (RAM)
• 1TB PCIe SSD
• 14 0" Ultra HD 4K (3840x2160) Display
• Approx 2 34 lbs

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VAIO S Laptop - 13.3" Intel i7-8550U | 8GB Memory | Windows 10 Pro | 512GB SSD

The VAIO S provides all the functionality that you could need in a business laptop including a full suite of connectivity ports and features. However the VAIO S is still incredibly thin (0.59 inch-0.70 inch) and impossibly light (2.34 pounds) while providing all day battery life.

• Intel Core i7-8550U
• 8GB Memory (RAM)
• 512GB PCIe SSD
• 13.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Display
• Approx. 2.34 lbs

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VAIO Z Laptop (Intel Core i5-6267U, 8GB Memory, 256GB SSD, Full HD Display, Windows 10 Home)

Leveraging a long history of creating compact products, VAIO engineers have miniaturized the motherboard by utilizing high density component placement. This engineering feat opens up additional space inside the VAIO notebooks for a larger battery and fans eliminating the need to enlarge the chassis. As a result, VAIO notebooks offer high performance without sacrificing battery life or portability.

• Intel Core i5-6267U (4MB Cache, up to 3.30GHz)
• 8GB LPDDR3 1866MHz
• 256GB PCIe SSD
• 13.3" Full HD (1920x1080) Display
• Up to 15 hr and 30 min*, Maximum Memory Capacity: 16 GB

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Sony VAIO T Series SVT13134CXS 13.3-Inch Touchscreen Ultrabook (1.9 GHz Intel Core i3-3227U Processor, 4GB DDR3, 500GB HDD, Windows 8) Silver

Sleek, responsive performance and extreme mobility meets the power of a touchscreen. Designed without compromise, it’s the ultimate travel companion and workhorse for purely business or simply pleasure. With a brushed aluminum shell, the latest storage technologies and long battery life, the only thing missing is you behind it.

• Intel Core i3-3227U Processor (1.9 GHz)
• 4 GB DDR3 RAM
• 500 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• 13.3-Inch Screen, Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Windows 8, 5-hour battery life

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Sony VAIO VGN-NW240F/T 15.5-Inch Brown Laptop (Windows 7 Home Premium)

• 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo T6600 Processor
• 4GB DDR2 800MHz Memory
• 320GB Serial ATA 5400RPM Hard Drive, DVD±R/RW Optical Drive
• 15.5" (1366x768) Widescreen LCD Display, Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 4500MHD
• Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)

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Sony VAIO SVF15A16CXB 15.5-Inch Touchscreen Laptop (2.0 GHz Intel Core i7-3537U Processor, 8 GB DDR3L, 1 TB HDD, 8GB SSD, Windows 8) Black

Say hello to the touchscreen laptop that's the perfect blend of features, speed and style. Smartly designed with a thin, aluminum body, you'll also be wowed with options like Full HD displays.

• Intel Core i7 3537U 2.0 GHz
• 8 GB DDR3L SDRAM
• 1 TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive, 8 GB Solid-State Drive
• 15.5-Inch Touch Screen, Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Windows 8

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Sony VAIO Fit 15E SVF15412CXB 15.5-Inch Laptop (1.7 GHz AMD A8-5545M Processor, 4GB DDR3L, 750GB HDD, Windows 8) Black

• AMD A8-5545M Accelerated Processor 1.7 GHz
• 4 GB DDR3L SDRAM
• 750 GB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• 15.5-Inch Screen, AMD Radeon HD 8510G Graphics
• Windows 8

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Sony VAIO Pro SVP1321ACXS 13-Inch Core i5 Touchscreen Ultrabook (Carbon Silver)

At just 2.34 lbs. the carbon fiber VAIO Pro 13 Ultrabook offers exceptional performance, a FULL HD TRILUMINOS Display for mobile with 10 point touchscreen, all day mobility in a sleek design. Get even longer battery life with the optional extended sheet battery. Equipped with a 4th generation Intel Core i5 processor, card and 4GB of memory, and with a high speed PCIe solid state drive the VAIO Pro is an ideal solution for your mobile computing needs.

• Intel Core i5-4200U 1.6 GHz
• 4 GB DDR3
• 256 GB Solid-State Drive
• 13-Inch Touch-Enabled Screen
• Windows 8

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Sony VAIO E Series SVE17137CXB 17.3-Inch Laptop (Black)

• Intel Core i7-3632QM Processor (2.2 GHz)
• 8 GB DDR3 RAM
• 1 TB 5400 rpm Hard Drive
• 17.3-Inch Screen, AMD Radeon HD 7650M
• Windows 8 Consumer

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Sony VAIO T Series SVT13112FXS 13.3-Inch Ultrabook (Silver Mist)

The VAIO T Series Ultrabook is expertly designed to contain all the connectivity ports that other Ultrabook laptops may lack without adding extra heft to the ultra-smooth, full flat design. You can have it all and do it all with this thin and light Ultrabook that you can easily take it with you anytime and anywhere.Keyboard Feature: Keys: 82, Type: Standard Notebook Keyboard, Stroke: 1.2mm and Pitch: 19.05mm.

• Intel Core_i5_3317U Processor 1.7GHz
• 4 GB DRAM RAM
• 500GB 5400rpm Hard Drive, 32 GB Solid-State Drive
• 13.3-Inch Screen, Intel HD Graphics 4000
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

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Sony VAIO Flip SVF11N13CXS (Silver) - Intel Pentium N3520 2.16GHz - 4GB RAM - 128GB SSD - Webcam - Win 8.1 - 11.6-inch (1920x1080) Touchscreen

• Sony VAIO Flip SVF11N13CXS (Silver) - Win 8.1 - 11.6-inch (1920x1080) Touchscreen
• Webcam - Backlit Keyboard, Digitizer Pen - Intel High Definition Audio with Clear Audio+
• Intel Pentium N3520 2.16GHz - 4GB RAM - 128GB SSD
• (2) USB 3.0 (1 Charge) - (1) HDMI - (1) Headphone-out - (1) Microphone-in
• Full HD LED Triluminos Touchscreen - Intel HD Graphics - 802.11 b/g/n, NFC - Bluetooth 4.0 + HS

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Sony VAIO Duo SVD13213CXW 13.3-Inch Convertible 2 in 1 Touchscreen Ultrabook (Carbon White)

• Intel Core i5-4200U 1.6 GHz
• 4 GB
• 128 GB Solid-State Drive
• 13.3-Inch Touch-Enabled Screen
• Windows 8

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Sony VAIO Pro SVP13213CXS 13.3-Inch Core i5 Touchscreen Ultrabook (Carbon Silver)

• Intel Core i5-4200U
• 4 GB DDR3
• 128 GB Solid-State Drive
• 13.3-Inch Touch-Enabled Screen

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Borjomi Mineral Water Park in Georgia

18 October, 2015 | Tourism objects | 173 seen

Borjomi mineral park which is located in town on Borjomi, some 120 km from nations capital Tbilisi, is a lovely place to enjoy a lazy day, preferable for slow walking and enjoying beautiful aroma coming from pine cons.

This park (and Borjomi town) has been on my most favorite destination list in Georgia for many years already (well, I first visited this place in 2011). This park was in our Borjomi hiking route, during our recent hiking tour organized by Georgia Expat Photographer Club. If you are a solo traveler or group of indies - here is a tip how to get to Borjomi for cheap - Tbilisi - Borjomi Transfer by Marshrutka (Minibus)

As a rule of thumb there is some small entrance fee for entering Borjomi Mineral Water park (some 0.5 GEL or 1.00 GEL), but during our hiking trip we enter this park from the other side and save up that money. So the pictures I will post bellow are from the other side of park.

Borjomula river in park

Waterfall and a monument in Borjomi Mineral Water Park

The is another interesting angle you can see this waterfall from above, but then you should take Borjomi Cable car, which is located just in the front before entrance gates of the park

Borjomi mineral water park

There are some attractions for kids available in Borjomi mineral water, like there ae a pirate ship, roller coasters and other.

Borjomi mineral water park

This probably the most famous place in Borjomi mineral water - a place were free Borjomi water comes out of the spring. Those arches are actually great for taking portraits.

Free Borjomi water from a tap

Compared to those ones you buy at a store, this one tastes strange, but you can use it for medical treatment instead of drinking this water. 

Billboard in Georgian and English

Borjomi Mineral Water park

Borjomi Mineral Water park

There is a free Wi-Fi available in parks territory, brought to us by Beeline. Read more how I once made a bank transfer here using my phone; Borjomi Short Trip - Roundup 

Borjomi mineral water park

Borjomi mineral water park

A lovely installation to make a selfie with

Golf cart for lazy ones 

According to written on that A4 paper - it's 2GEL for a drive in park, and 4 GEL for a plateau. Lovely.

About Borjomi Mineral Water Park

Borjomi’s mineral water park occupies a narrow, wooded valley and is a lovely place to walk. This was where the original mineral spring was discovered, and named Yekaterinsky Spring after the governor’s daughter, who was cured here. The park itself dates from 1850. To reach it, cross the little Borjomula River just east of Borjomi Park station, turn right along 9 Aprili and go 600m. Warm mineral water flows from taps in a pavilion straight in front of the entrance (you can fill bottles with it). Most of the park’s facilities – cafes, funfair attractions, a cinema and a cable car (1 GEL each way) which will carry you up to a hilltop Ferris wheel – only operate from about late June to early September. If you walk about 3km upstream through the park, you’ll find a small, natural, spring-fed swimming pool with a constant temperature of about 27°C.

A second public mineral-water spring (this one cold) emerges inside a metal cage over the Borjomula River just outside the park: cross the footbridge opposite 9 Aprili 46, then go left for about 40m. The Borjomi bottling plants draw their water from other mineral springs – there are about 40 in the area.

Lawn Mowing with a Scythe

17 October, 2015 | Home Remodeling | 22 seen

Welcome to the second post in home remodeling series, today I will write about thing called - lawn mowing (I prefer using word grass) with a tool called scythe. It has been a while before my first post about our new property - a house, a really bad managed house we inherited. The thing why it took us so long is - it took us some 2 months to decide - will we seriously do anything with this house or probably let's just leave as it is and come back to Georgia or any other destination in the World?

After 2 months of intensive thinking, arriving on site (our house) everyday, drinking coffee on it's so called porch - we finally get a grip and decided - yes, let's do this, let's build our dream house. Although our minds were busy figuring out how to change a roof for this place, there was another obstacle - the grass.

Home front overgrown with grass

Ahh, those 2 months of us trying to figure out what should we do next were excellent time for grass to grow and overgrown.

A scythe

All we had at that time was pretty old but in working condition scythe and my childhood memories of remembering that I have seen this tool in action.

and we have a huge territory to move that grass

We barely can see our car parked at the end of the road

Did I just said a road? I cant see any road there! Ahh, it's just overgrown with grass.

First results of moving the grass

Looks much prettier,right? 

Author of this blog captured in action - moving grass

The bottom line

Moving grass (lawn) with a scythe is a damn hard work to do. As one guy latter told me - buddy, it's 21st century and you just don't use scythe, there are other much modern tools to get rid of the grass.And he was right, but I must say - moving grass with scythe at our rural house just led me to fell in love with this house just more, after this lovely experience we stopped to doubt, do we really need this property. We just not only need, we must do our best to upkeep this place.

How To Make Nadugi - Traditional Georgian Snack (Fresh Cheese With Mint)

16 October, 2015 | Food blogger | 451 seen

When I first arrived to Georgia back in 2011, I was immediately taken to one of the lovely Tbilisi restaurants. Since I had no clue what so ever special of Georgian Cuisine I asked my friend could he suggest me some common and typical Georgian food? We ordered Ojakhuri and Nadugi. 

When I first seen Nadugi I thought its form looks like cone of ice cream, and then my associative thinking turned on and I thought - strange they eat potatoes / meat stew together with ice cream? Then I tried that little snack and in next second I just felt in love with that small Georgian snack Nadugi. 

Now I know - Nadugi is nothing related to ice cream - it's actually some kind of fresh cheese blended with mint and wrapped in thin Sulguni cheese plates

Nadugi is a snack in the shape of sacks, made of thin sulguni cheese flat cakes with the filling of nadugi, light milk product with a delicate taste of cream, and mint.

It was my blog's second anniversary when I was offered to prepare some special dish to celebrate this major milestone and choice was made in favor for nadugi. All ingredients were bought on local Tbilisi Dezerteer market (Bazroba).

Ingredients: 10 thin sulguni cheese plates, fresh mint, pomegranate, fresh cheese

Ingredients for Nadugi 

Fresh mint, sulguni cheese plates and fresh cheese

Mix fresh cheese with mint

Take a pomegranate and divide it

Well this actually does not comes in original recipe, it's just a way I like my Nadugi served, with pomegranate seeds

Pomegranate seeds

Wrap that fresh cheese blended with mint into those sulguni cheese plates

Your Georgian style snack is ready and you can serve it.

Georgian traditional snack - nadugi

The Bottom line

Nadugi's are super easy to prepare, all you have to do - get those super special ingredients, you can get them either in Georgia, either by stopping nearby to your local Georgian community in your town/country.

Deer Park "Rudiņi" in Latvia

15 October, 2015 | Farms | 58 seen

Lovely things happened on June's late evening, we most probably traveled back from Riga to our wolf's lair and noticed a strange construction - The Bridge to nowhere, after I took few photos back there, we continued our drive and suddenly second surprise - deers, a lot of deers.

Now being back to Tbilisi I feel a bit awkward for two reasons - first I'm not 100% that this place actually is called Rudiņi deer park (In Latvian - Rudiņu briežu parks), second - I didn't had that telephoto lens I do have now.

Deer park in Latvia

A runaway deer

Now  - a telephoto zoom would probably done amazing close shots of wildlife in this situation, but unfortunately i didn't have such back then

P 121 asphalt road connecting Tukums - Kuldīga

Bridge To Nowhere (Latvia)

14 October, 2015 | Tourism objects | 18 seen

It was a late June evening and we most probably returned from Riga to our wolf's lair when suddenly we noticed very interesting object - The Bridge To Nowhere.

The bridge reminds of the intended construction of Tukums-Kuldīga railroad, which was started already during the first independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1930-ties. However, in the minds of the people, it is instilled as a German wartime commemorative site, because the German rule during the 1940-ties tried to continue and complete it, but they did not succeed. The bridge has remained intact in the middle of a meadow up until the modern day. Read more: Bridge to Nowhere

Bridge to nowhere

P 121 asphalt road connecting Tukums - Kuldīga

Open Air Sulphur Water Swimming Pools in Borjomi

13 October, 2015 | Health & Wellness | 74 seen

Georgia will never end surprise you (at least me), so did happened during our recent hiking/trekking tour in lovely parts of Borjomi - Kharaguli National park. After a visit of Saint George Church in Daba we headed back to Borjomi Mineral Water park (You can find a Borjomi Cable car here) and we decided to take some shortcut. Huge was my surprise when I noticed following scenery:

Open air swimming pools in Borjomi

I couldn't believe what I was seeing, it looked like some oasis in the middle of dessert - completely new (Ok, as I learnt latter it's actually renovated old) clean and super exciting place located just on Borjomi hiking trails.

Borjomula river

It's just amazing what a humans hand can actually do (build)

Open air swimming pools in Borjomi

Tsar's Sulphur Baths

According to written on this banner  -

The source of water possessed such magical and useful features, that the Romanovs in the 19th century ordered to arrange a pool in dense forest. The track leading to she spot was paved. The Borjomula river was spanned by bridges, each of them was of different construction and adorned with various handrails. People gave them names: Kasoi (Oblique), Gorbati (Humpback), Malenkii (Little one), Andreevski (Of Andrew), Sadgerski (Of Sadgeri)m Mikhailovksi (Of Mikhail) and so on.

Walking through the rich alley and taking bath with warm, soft, pleasant and healthy water was the delight and privilege og high society.

During the Soviet era, the consumption of thermal sulphur springs for medical purposes greatly increased, they were well-used in the form of bath - for the treatment of locomotor or/and nervous systems and some other aliments.

Reconstructed bridge over Borjomula river

Just for the history it seems locals have kept how it use to was crossing Borjomula river

The Bottom Line

What are you still waiting for? Georgia is awesome land which offers rich history, beautiful scenery and an open air swimming pools in Borjomi. You will definitely fall in love with Georgia!

Skrunda Open-Air Stage and Park

11 October, 2015 | Entertainment | 10 seen

I just love Skrunda, like I have dedicated a lot of posts to this lovely small Latvian town in Western Latvia. So today is no exception - meet another tourist attraction in this marvelous town - Open air stage and park. You will just love this place.

Skrunda park with an open-air stage and the viewing platform. The park is developed on top of the Skrunda castle mound and features four public art objects made by wood carver Ģirts Burvis – seats of the first Couronian kings Ērmanis Pilāts, Jākobs Sigitars, Veisens and Santiķis. The sculptures were dedicated to the 750th anniversary of Skrunda being mentioned in historical sources. A scenic view over the River Venta opens from the viewing platform located in the park.

Skrunda Open air stage

Skrunda Open air stage

Park in Skrunda near Open Air Stage

Embankment of Venta in Skrunda

It's just wonderful how they have built everything here in Skrunda. Go discover Skrunda now! (Better in Summer time)

Two Year Blog Anniversary

10 October, 2015 | Blogging | 6 seen

It was just yet another Autumn evening, when back in the October 10, 2013 I registered my domain name www.ReinisFischer.com, but in fact I started my blog some 7 days earlier on October 3rd, 2013. I had my blog been setup and it already was filled with a few articles, before it was actually launched. Yes, such strange behavior probably can be explained that geeks do geek things, though I don't see a geek in me.

I started this blog thing with a goal - To blog 365 consecutive days and when I launched I was looking to reach about 6,000 monthly users by the end of my first blogging year. The fact is, after 365 days of consecutive blogging I reached just 3,364 monthly users (September 2014), what was about just above of half of my goal.

6,000 users, buddy? It's nothing! I hear you, you are right, 6,000 are not much, but it was worth of it to reach and crack that milestone in November 2014 (9,096 users).

As you can see - I did have my goals defined even before I launched, and that's what I can recommend to any one looking to dig in into this amazing thing called blogging - set your goals and work out hard to reach them.

Traffic (October 10, 2013 - October 9, 2015)

Blog Traffic for two years Data source: Google Analytics

Two years and 261,335 users, two years and 400,921 pageviews, two years and 296,545 sessions. The most valuable data for me are unique users, instead of pageviews or sessions, because they are the lowest ones, I always prefer to look on lowest not highest numbers. Wait, did I just said a quarter or million of unique visitors to my blog? It's about the same population in French Polynesia. OK, me too first heard of such place just now. Better let's keep on that a quarter of million thing. Wow.

The real growth happened in second year of my blogger carrier, take a loot on following image:

Blog traffic - first year vs second year (Data source: Google Analytics)

• During my second year of blogging I have reached some awesome growth - 1,547.00% growth. In my first blogging anniversary I reached pretty humble 14,966 user audience, then in my second year it is already 245,490 users. It's 16.5 times more traffic in second year compared to the first year.
• The blogs traffic have grown from 39 user in October 2013 to 36,668 in September 2015.

Does it's a good traffic? It's hard to answer. Obliviously 30K per month in far better than just 30, but it depends on many other aspects. 

Top 10 Countries

Top 10 visiting countries (Data source: Google Analytics)

• Native English language speaking countries (United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia) dominates on my blog. Well India as well is English speaking country.
• Georgia - That's the country I have been living for the almost past five years, I share a lot of articles on Georgia related topics.
• Lithuania is a surprise for me on this list, but I actually got a ton of Lithuanian traffic on article about minimum wages in European Union
• Germany - I probably sound German (my surname at least)
• Spain - I have a lovely travel guide series on Spain and Andorra, as well my article on getting a pre-paid sim card in Spain is among TOP 10 articles (see bellow)
• Netherlands - Probably some Drupal related stuff and Dutch people most probably are searching for information in English.

Monetization

Monetization is important part of my blog's life, every month I do income reports to cover details I have done and how did it went last month.

It took me some 3 months to start thinking of my blog monetization and I started simple  - choosing Google AdSense, and in first month I earned very serious  24 dollar cents. Well, on the other hand 12 months latter I ended with more than two thousand dollars (which under this day is still my best result so far). During last 24 months I have tried both display ads (Google AdSense, Amazon CPM, Svorn) and affiliate marketing (Amazon Associates, Bluehost, ThemeSnap, Booking, Linode and some others)

• Affiliate marketing was a game changer for me. Those last two years have earned me more than $10,000 already 
• In my first blogging year I made $457,53, which equals to about $1.25 per day, now the second blogging year helped me to earn enormous almost $10,000 ($9,903.55 to be correct) which equals to $27.13 per day.

As you can see there has been some important growth both for traffic and income during last 12 month

Articles

During last two years I have published in total 947 articles:

• First year: 478 articles
• Second year: 469 articles

As you can see the difference is very small, it has been just 9 articles less in my second blogging year.

Top 10 Articles on My blog (October 10, 2013 - October 2015)

The following top 10 articles have generated about 41.97% of my blog total page views. 

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Nine out of ten articles from this top has been created back in 2014, just one article is made on the 2015 (current year), no posts from 2013 has reached TOP 10.

Beyond the Blog

Blog is a very important part of my life, and thanks to it I have developed some other interests, made some money so I have to invest in.

Probably the most important thing beyond the blog to mention now - is a new project called home remodeling, in which I spent 6 months this year, and probably will spend another 5 years one. Travels take a lot of my time as well. Exactly travels made me to think about developing my photographer skills. So recently I started another new project - 365 days photo challenge (You can track my success or failures on Flickr).

Day 16/365 - Turning 2

I created above HDR image in frames of my 365 day photo challenge to celebrate this blogs second birthday.

Here are some interesting travel guides I have done in my second year of blogging (all is covered on blog)

• Spain and Andorra (October 2014)
• Germany and The Netherlands (April 2015)
• Georgia (Almost every weekend for the last 5 years)
• Armenia, then and now
• Latvia (Summer 2015)

Actually recently I started a new travel guide notes on US trip I did in Summer 2013 (before launching blog)

I'm still doing Drupal development on freelance base, but during last year it has been more consultancy, less actual programming, and by now I feel that I'm my biggest customer (This blog is built on Drupal from scratch)

Plans and goals for third blogging year

• Traffic - I'm looking to break 500,000 user milestone for a next blogging year (October 10, 2015 - October 9, 2016). It would mean to double traffic I did in the second year, or about 41,166 users/montly. Since I have ended both August (2015) and September (2015) with more than 30K monthly users I believe this is a reasonable goal and could be achievable.
• Monetization: I would like to average about $1,000 per month or $12,000 for next blogging year. Although I believe there are a lot of opportunities to double that figure, in money things I'm very humble and cautious. Things can go wrong overnight. 
• Selling Royalty Free Stocks - I have a plan to sell my photography. I already have some ideas on that.
• Write an eBook - yes, I feel mature enough to start teaching other how to ...and sell for $29.99.  Have some ideas, but I'm not so sure about this. It's more 50/50

Screenshots for history (Turning 2)

Front Page of Blog (October 10, 2015)

Category pages as on October 10

Travel Map as on October 10, 2015

The Bottom Line

The second year for this blog I can describe with one word - Growth. It has been a year of growth, traffic, money and most important growth of me as a person. That said, I would like to thank you for being with me for last two years and lets make another two together.

What about you? Do you have a blog? How did it felt turning two? Are you still on your way on that? Leave me a comment!

Saint George Church and Monastery (Borjomi/Georgia)

10 October, 2015 | Churches and Monasteries | 22 seen

I was not familiar with the name of this place, until during a recent hiking trip in Georgia and latter at home using Google Maps I learned this place is known as Saint George Church.

The name I used to knew it - was something like this - there is that lovely women monastery up there in Borjomi. And I'm still preferring this name of describing this place instead of Saint George Church. 

The Sadgeri St. George Church is the XV century monument. It is located in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region, in the village of Sadgeri in Borjomi municipality, on the high bank of the river.

Tourist sign indication direction to this monastery complex

I still haven't learned Georgian script, but I believe it says - it's 50 meters and there will be Saint George church

Monks house

The Mother Monastery currently operates in the temple area. The church territory is surrounded by a curtain wall.

St. George's Church

The church is a hall type and it has no apse. It is covered with a cylindrical vault of uneven outline. The temple is built of grey ashlar. Between the stitches is a thick layer of solution, that is bordering the squares like a frame. The facades are adorned with twisted shaft trims, which environs reliefs and apertures. There are two entrances, from the west and from the north. Both entrances are decorated with a framed double-twisted shaft with a rectangular outlined portals and the relief image of the cross at the top of the apertures.

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St. George's Church

It's located on the edge of cliff and fenced

There is a rectangular window on top of both portals, which is environed by a triple twisted shaft and on either side of which are relief images of grape clusters. So is the east window. The south window is arched and without decorations. The longitudinal walls are partitioned with pilasters and the vault- with straining arches. The church has a three-stage pedestal. The reliefs are scattered on the facades without any system. Near the north entrance, in a semicircle outlined by double twisted shafts, a dragon is depicted, that is killed by the St. George. On the same side is depicted St.Estate, who throws a bow at the deer. On the facade, in the western part of the ლავგარდნი, there are relief images of the Caucasian tur, the chained dragon and St. George slaying the dragon. The interior is currently plastered, although this is the result of a later reconstruction. An update trace appears on the slopes of the roof. The initial and remade declension of the slope of the roof is noticeable. Cornices of both periods are still preserved. The churchyard was surrounded by a strong curtain wall with castles, made with ashlar. 

Borjomi Gorge

Hot coffee and sparkling Georgian mineral water

We took our short rest here before heading back (hiking) to Borjomi

Bakuriani Hotels - Enjoy Your Winter Holidays in Georgian Ski Resort

9 October, 2015 | Hotel reviews | 21 seen

There are a few simple reasons I enjoy Bakuriani as my winter holiday destination in Georgia (I have spent two Christmas here) - the scenery mountainous views, holiday feeling and during Western Christmas time (December 24-26) there are not too many folks (Georgian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January 7). 

Read more about how I have celebrated Christmas in Bakuriani, or learn the way I believe that Bakuriani is among Top 16 places to visit in Georgia

There are a few hotels I really like in Bakuriani, and among my favorite, I can call the Hotel Trialeti Palace. 

So if you feel confident enough about Bakuriani as your next winter holiday destination, take a look at these lovely hotels and apartments in this fabulous Georgian ski resort. 

Alternatively, see: 

• 6 Best Value Hotels in Borjomi, Georgia
• Ultimate List With Top 10 Gudauri Hotels (Georgian Ski Resort)

A quick note: All hotels listed in this article contains affiliate links to Booking.com, and if you will click on them and make an actual booking I will earn an affiliate income from that at no cost to you

Snow Plaza

Located in Bakuriani, 1.9 km from Bakuriani Ski Resort, Snow Plaza has rooms with free WiFi access. A fitness room is available for guests. Guests can make use of ski-to-door access.

All units in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. Rooms are fitted with a private bathroom with a shower, free toiletries and a hair dryer. All guest rooms will provide guests with a wardrobe and a kettle.

A buffet breakfast is served every morning at the property. Various dining options including European and Local dishes are available at the on-site restaurant.

Snow Plaza offers a terrace. The area is popular for skiing, and ski equipment hire is available at the accommodation.

Price: ~ EUR 73 Book now on Booking.com

Villa Garden

Villa Garden provides barbecue facilities, as well as accommodation with a kitchen in Bakuriani, 1.2 km from Bakuriani Ski Resort. Free WiFi is provided.

Each unit is fully fitted with a washing machine, a flat-screen TV, a sofa and wardrobe, as well as a fireplace. A fridge and kettle are also featured.

The villa offers a children's playground.

Guests at Villa Garden can enjoy skiing nearby, or make the most of the garden.

Price: ~ EUR 261 Book now on Booking.com

Art Villa Bakuriani

Featuring a garden with BBQ facilities, Art Villa Bakuriani is located in the historic building in a quiet green area of Bakuruani, close to the winter ski resort. It offers ski-to-door access, ski storage and full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner. Free Wi-Fi is available.

The simply decorated rooms come with satellite TV and DVD player. The private bathrooms offer a shower and free toiletries. Some rooms have balconies.

Art Villa Bakuriani has a canteen with local cuisine. Other cafes are a 10-minute walk away. Laundry and ironing services are available. Bakuriani Train Station is a 10-minute walk away. Kutaisi Airport is 184 km away, while Tbilisi Airport is 205 km away.

Price: ~ EUR 39 Book now on Booking.com

Villa Mtashi in Bakuriani

Featuring free WiFi throughout, Villa Mtashi is located in Bakuriani. This property offers heated houses with a fireplace and views of the surrounding mountains.

Each house has 1 double bedroom, 1 quadruple bedroom, and 2 bathrooms with a bath or shower and free toiletries. Towels are provided.

There is a living space with a sofa bed, flat-screen TV with cable channels, and dining table, while the kitchen is equipped with a microwave, fridge, toaster, and electric kettle.

Bakuriani Train Station is 2.7 km from Villa Mtashi, and you can find a restaurant and indoor pool 500 metres away. There are many shops and cafés within a 10-minute drive of the property.

Price: ~ GEL 500 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Hotel Villa park in Bakuriani

Offering a children's playground, terrace and sun terrace, Hotel Villa park is set in Bakuriani in the Kakheti Region, 16 km from Borjomi. There is a games room on site and guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site.

All rooms come with a TV with satellite channels. Certain rooms feature a seating area for your convenience. Certain units have views of the mountains or garden. Extras include slippers and free toiletries. Hotel Villa park features free WiFi throughout the property.

You will find a 24-hour front desk at the property.

You can play table tennis at this hotel, and the area is popular for skiing.

Price: ~ GEL 300 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Mgzavrebi Bakuriani Apartment

Located in Bakuriani, Mgzavrebi Bakuriani Apartment offers self-catering apartments and free WiFi access in common areas.

Each apartment includes a flat-screen TV with cable channels and a sofa. Each also comes with a private bathroom.

You can prepare meals using the apartment’s kitchenette, which is equipped with a refrigerator and kitchenware.

Activities in the surrounding area include skiing. Free public parking is possible on site and the centre of Bakuriani is 1.5 km from the property.

Price: ~ GEL 250 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

K2 Bakuriani apartment

Featuring free WiFi, K2 Bakuriani apartment offers pet-friendly accommodation in Bakuriani. There is a restaurant and bar and guests can have fun at the games room. Borjomi is 18 km away.

There is a seating and/or dining area in some units. There is also a kitchen, equipped with a refrigerator. Towels are available.

Guests can enjoy a meal at the on-site restaurant.

You can play table tennis at the property, and the area is popular for skiing

Price: GEL 240 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Amadeus New House in Bakuriani

Free Wi-Fi, breakfast and a 24-hour front desk are offered by this hotel in the picturesque ski resort town of Bakuriani. New House Amadeus is located just 100 metres from the ski lift.

Bright rooms at New House include a TV, work desk and private bathroom with free toiletries. Each one is individually furnished and features wooden floors.

Buffet meals are served in the restaurant. After dinner guests can relax in the lobby lounge, which features a flat-screen TV and a fireplace.

New House Amadeus is 2 km from Bidvelli Mountain, and it is 200 metres to the city park. A bus stop is located 250 metres away, providing connections to Tiblisi and Batumi.

Price: ~ GEL 102 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Cottage Sun Valley in Bakuriani

This 3-star holiday home is located in Bakuriani, and offers guests stunning forest and mountain views. There is a balcony to relax on, and a cosy fireplace for guests to enjoy. Free WiFi is available throughout.

With a garden and terrace, this modern and spacious property features a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The bathroom comes with a shower, free toiletries and a hairdryer.

Meals can be prepared in the fully equipped kitchen which includes an oven and a fridge. There are some cafes and restaurants within 20-minutes of Cottage Sun Valley.

There are plenty of activities to be enjoyed in the surrounding area, including hiking, cycling and skiing, or try snowmobiling.

Free parking is available at the property and Shirak International Airport is 150 km away.

Price: ~ GEL 600 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Crystal Hotel & SPA in Bakuriani

Crystal Hotel & Spa is located is located in a picturesque area, within a 5-minute drive from Bakuriani Train Station. It features a spa centre and a swimming pool. Free Wi-Fi and free private parking are provided.

All bright rooms come with a flat-screen TV, a kettle and a minibar. Some boast a spa bath and a balcony with mountain view.

The on-site restaurant serves various European and Georgian dishes, and guests can have a drink in the elegant lobby bar.

Crystal Hotel & Spa offers various treatments and massage services. Guests can swim in the indoor pool, work out in the gym or relax in the sauna or the hot tub. It is possible to ski or to play billiards. For the youngest guests there is a children’s playground.

The Kokhta 2 Ski Lift and Didveli Ski Slope are less than 1 km away from the property, and Borjomi Train Station is 20 minutes’ drive away. The distance to Tbilisi is 182 km

Price: ~ GEL 386 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Mariam Crystalville Apartment in Bakuriani

Mariam Crystalville Apartment offers accommodation in Bakuriani. The unit is 17 km from Borjomi. Free private parking is available on site.

The kitchenette features a microwave. Towels and bed linen are provided in this apartment.

Price: ~ GEL 80 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Rooms in Orbi Palace Bakuriani

Located in Bakuriani, Rooms in Orbi Palace offer an access to the indoor pool and a spa and wellness centre. The rooms feature free WiFi.

The accommodation will provide you with a TV, air conditioning and a balcony. Complete with a refrigerator, the dining area also has an electric kettle. Featuring a shower, private bathrooms come with a bath or shower. You can enjoy mountain view and city view. Extras include cable channels.

At Rooms in Orbi Palace you will find a restaurant. Other facilities like a games room, ski storage and ski equipment hire are offered. Activities in the surrounding area include skiing, cycling and hiking. The property offers free parking.

Price: ~ GEL 300 Check current price / book online on Booking.com

Paradise Apartment in Bakuriani

Paradise Apartment offers accommodation in Bakuriani. The property is 16 km from Borjomi and free private parking is offered. Free WiFi is featured .

The kitchenette comes with a toaster and there is a private bathroom. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is provided. Other facilities at Paradise Apartment include a terrace.

You can engage in various activities, such as skiing and hiking.

Price: ~ GEL 354 Check current price / book online on Booking.com