Sunday, December 28, 2014

Christmas Eve

Though quite chilly out, the wee bit of sunshine had to be taken advantage of.  We walked up to the pond and fed the ducks and swans a christmas dinner.


When we got back home we warmed up with cider and biscuits and then it was time to tuck in to our own festive meal.  We weren't able to source any tamales but did pretty well in keeping with our Texas roots despite!


 After dinner we attended our congregation's carol service where the children participated in their last nativity play.  They got to open their Christmas Eve jammies and Jon and I finished up the wrapping.


Christmas Day

I understand that other peoples families are never as interesting to watch as one's own, so this video is really for the grandparents, though anyone else may feel free to watch if so inclined.  


We've really tried to simplify Christmas this year and I think we did pretty well.  Two "big" gifts to share between them:  I found an old wardrobe in a charity shop for only £15 and repainted it to fill up with other charity shop/ebay costume finds (I'd been on the hunt since October.)  The doll play sets were found as a lot on gumtree!  We pooled our funds with the grandparents and made these presents from all of us.  The children could not have been more pleased with the result.

Our Christmas day was spent mainly in our jammies, with the exception of the children, who were costume chameleons-changing every ten minutes throughout the whole day.  



We had the missionaries over for brunch and a game of Scotland Edition Monopoly.  And in the evening enjoyed a family Christmas feast complete with paper crowns and crackers.


Jon calls this collage "Blended Traditions."  You take a classic British dinner of yorkshire pudding, beef and mash then smother it in left over Christmas Eve queso- lots of queso.

A British Christmas

I've been excited to incorporate as many British traditions and holidays as I can while we live here.  Not only is it fun to explore new cultures but, I would like to to leave this country feeling like we have a bit of our own small claim to it by having life here become a part of us.  So here are some of the British Christmas traditions- some of them welcome additions, some we'll just leave on this side of the pond. Click on the pics to make them larger and more legible.










And just for fun here is a great little video to sum it all up for you!





(I came across the video on another great Scottish Expat blog: marydebastos.blogspot.com)

Saturday, December 20, 2014


We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, often known as Mormons or Latter Day Saints.  I'm not here to preach to anyone or push our faith, but I must acknowledge that this faith, this church, has given me a knowledge and understanding of our Savior Jesus Christ that I would be devastated to have to live without.  It is because of Him that I celebrate Christmas.  It is His life of love, mercy, teaching and atonement that I hope to help my children to cherish above any other temporal gift.  And I hope you too, whoever you may be, know that He is your gift too.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Christmas Goings On




Our Tree
Since our first married Christmas it has been our goal to make the tree a celebration of our journey as the Matthews Family.  We have tried to find an ornament for every place we've lived or traveled to as well as one for the big events in our lives, like the births of our children or that Christmas in El Paso where you couldn't escape the sound of some family member or other shouting out "What does the fox say!"



This year our December calendar has been packed with nativity's, church and school parties, lots of  secret parcels in mail and card making/giving.  I have really enjoyed the lack of separation between church and state here; though I know it must be exclusive to those of other faiths, as a Christian it has been so welcome to have the children learning Christ inclusive carols at school as well as performing in and viewing school sponsored nativity plays.  Logan and Jude will walk to the nearby church with their classes, during school, to attend a Christmas service this week as well.  And, maybe these are just silly traditions for some, with Jesus as much a fairytale as Santa Claus.  But, for our family I've been grateful for the daily opportunities that surround our children with the true meaning of Christmas.



Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Edinburgh


After living only an hour away from the capital city, we finally made it out to Edinburgh- and I wish we hadn't waited so long, it is wonderful!  I can not wait to come back again and again to discover all of its nooks and crannies and bookstores and cafes and buildings.  This time though we came to visit the famous Christmas Market and see the castle.



The market was packed full of people. Most of the wares were charming though a bit overpriced for our tight budget and, unfortunately for the children, we were pretty miserly when it came to any rides in the Santa Land.  But, some things are worth spending a bit extra on . . . like authentic Liege Belgian waffles covered in chocolate and sprinkled with cinnamon sugar or reminiscing on our trip to Austria with cheese filled German sausages for lunch.



On our way up to the castle we browsed a woolen mill shop complete with a kilts through the ages   display.  And can't you picture yourself in that dress, wind blowing your hair as you peer over the cliffs edge at the foreboding highland loch?  Oh, come on, you know you want to.
Jonathan was happy to find his ancestor's clan tartan and is still debating on whether he will leave here with a kilt or not.





We ended the day with fire juggling street performers, deep fried Mars bars and window shopping.





Wednesday, December 3, 2014

In the Girls' Room/Playroom

I have been itching for  project lately and have wanted to have a go at putting my own style on the girls bedroom--which also serves as everyone's playroom--since we first saw the house.  It's a lovely room and I couldn't have wished for anything closer to the dreams I had in my head of what our home here might look like.  

These photos are of what it looks like now (the previous owners also had a little girl) and though Logan is all about rocking the hot pink I would like to make it a bit more neutral and traditional.


And, with the "traditional" in mind, I knew I wanted the girls to have white iron beds with ruffly cream bedding.  We have had to furnish the house ourselves and have been so lucky to find some real affordable gems on gumtree (uk craigslist) and in charity shops.  I found the bedding at TK Maxx- nope not a typo, it is totally owned by TJ Maxx so I have no idea why they changed the one letter! Either way, I'm quite happy the UK has one.


I'm not a huge fan of the red/pink tiles on the fireplace or the red carpet, but some things you can't change when renting and others you have to choose what is worth spending money on.  But, I do have an idea for the fireplace that I'm dying to bring into reality ;)


The coffee table turned toy chest was also a gumtree find.  It is super heavy and sturdy and works perfectly for my OCD tendencies toward toy organization.  Each drawer pulls out in either direction and has a divider in the middle, making for 10 individual cubbies.  Unfortunately, the handles keep coming off so I'll need to replace them at some point.


Here is what I would love to do to the room:  

  • muted mauve to replace the hot pink
  • light gray stripes above the chair rail
  • neutral rug
  • gilded gold frames filled with children's art over the fireplace
  • red tiles covered up with a board of painted plywood and heavy velvet curtains hung across to make a faux theatre stage where the children can give rockstar concerts or costumed plays.




Saturday, November 29, 2014

A Scottish Thanksgiving


One of the girls Jonathan works with, a fellow American PA, hosted our Thanksgiving this year.  And, what was originally planned as a small get together, ended up being a ceilidh (pronounced kay - lee) with half her small highland village.  It was such great fun!  The schoolhouse turned hall was decorated in festive bunting and fairy lights and merry introductions were made as everyone trickled in to the kitchen with their contribution to our harvest feast.  Annie, our host had provided Indian headbands and Pilgrim hats and bonnets which our newest Scottish, English and Irish friends embraced heartily.  And, it was amusing to point out that, after all, the Pilgrims were English themselves.

We ended the night with traditional puddings (desserts) though some were surprised to find that the sweet potato dishes covered in sugar and marshmallows were part of the main meal and not dessert.  And, finally went outside to send off floating lanterns into the frosty evening sky.  It was a magical end to a wonderful day.





Jon and and I were in charge of a turkey, our first- which turned out perfect by the way, yay!  While it was roasting we wandered off to the shores of Loch Fyne in search of the Old Castle Lachlan ruins, 14th to 18th century home of the Clan Maclachlan chiefs.  It was such a dramatic spot; trapped between gray sky and gray water, the knarled and twisted trees standing guard over the ruins, ancient and eery.






Thursday, November 27, 2014

St. Andrews Day


The Scotts may not have Thanksgiving, but St. Andrews Day keeps November festive and opens up the winter season leading to the other main Scottish holidays of Hogmony and Burns Night.  It's been quite interesting and fun to experience the Scottish culture through their festivities and discover new to us traditions on old favorites such as Hallowe'en and Christmas. 

Jude had a homework assignment this week which allowed us to learn more about the history of St. Andrews Day and why it is such an iconic Scottish holiday.  Arden will be wearing her red tartan dress to the nursery school party on Friday ( the actual day is 30 Nov.) where they will do some Scottish dancing and sample traditional fare.




   
Here is the story- such a fun video!




In other words, an excuse to party and celebrate all things Scottish!  So get out your kilts and bagpipes, eat some haggis and dance the night away.



Out with Arden- Dean Castle Country Park, Kilmarnock