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.

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

Autumn Holiday, Part IV: London!

backdated 11 October 2014

I love London, always have.  From my first travels there in imagination by way of Dickens, Austen, Oscar Wilde, Mary Poppins, Ballet Shoes, Peter Pan, and dozens of others in literature and film- I have loved it.  In 2006 when I finally stepped foot on London's streets and in her parks with my new husband, just passing through on our way to Italy, I could have pinched myself a thousand times; it was too big, a gift.  One of my girlish dreams had come true and it was surreal.  I suppose it's completely silly and trite, but I don't care!

This time we drove to London to begin our travels to the Continent and eastward.  And, I am still in awe that we live in Scotland, which is a dream itself, and can drive to London or France and everything beyond (funds pending, of course.)  So, as proper order befits we shall begin where we began: in London.

Buckingham Palace

London Olympics Pool: I have literature, Jonathan has swimming pools.

Big Ben (the bell inside the clock of course.)

Autumn Holiday, Part I: Coventry, England

backdate 10 October 2014

I have to say that Coventry itself didn't charm me but, that is not to say that even the least picturesque towns don't have their hidden gems.  Jonathan had a work conference to attend in nearby Nuneaton and I am always eager to hunt out a list of things to see and do whenever we are somewhere new.  Coombe Country Park looked a quite promising diversion for the children and I while we waited out our Mr.'s absence.   And, it was actually quite wonderful.

The grounds were everything a feminine anglophile would hope for and in-between the whining laments of "I'm so tired," "We've been walking for hours," and "I'm so thirsty" (you would think we were wandering the Sahara rather than riverside paths and golden meadows) I was determined to drag them all onward as Maryanne Dashwood dragged sister Margaret through the wind and rain!

I love that we captured this duck in mid flight- it's absolutely comical.

It was a glorious day and once we finally made it to the playground the children remembered it happily as well.  I've said it before but the UK has such great playgrounds!  And the fact that these lovely estates understand that many visitors are adults and adults are often parents and parents by default have children in tow is just brilliant.  Ideally, I would love to soak in these kind of places in solitude but, that's not possible right now!  So, at least I can bribe my children through the experience with the promise of slides and swings and merry-go-rounds.  Here is an example of some of the fun these playgrounds have to offer-

Dean Castle Country Park

A five minute drive from our house is this little beauty of a spot.  The children and I have come several times but Saturday was a great day to bring Daddy along.  How I love being in the woods in autumn!