Thanksgiving in Scotland

We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time this year. Ok, so we had no where to go because we're in Scotland where our American Thanksgiving is rarely heard of. But, that's beside the point.

And, to our dismay, I didn't take any pictures. You're not surprised, are you? I still fail miserably at that photography thing...

My sister-in-law and I spent hours upon hours in the kitchen whisking, beating, mashing, blending to our little hearts' content. But really, we wanted to.

Peter baked a leg of lamb, Ruby dressed the turkey. Together we pulled together 10 pounds of mashed potatoes, 5 pounds of sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans, jello salad, carrot thyme soup, pumpkin pie and apple tarts.

Oh, carrot thyme soup. That Pioneer Woman. Remember I mentioned I was on a kick? Well give this a whirl. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in-between.

Anyhow, we whipped up an American Thanksgiving and showed these Scots (well, and a Bulgarian and Englishman) what it's about.


Food. Well, and thanksgiving, of course.

[chicken] corn & cheese chowder

I missed the boat on The Pioneer Woman's blog when she made it big years ago. But I recently discovered her recipe for Corn and Cheese Chowder and have been on a Pioneer Woman kick ever since. 

(I added chicken for my carnivore husband, though the original recipe doesn't call for it).

Easy to make, delicious enough to die for, piping hot and served in a bread bowl. Corn, cheese, bread. 

What more could I ask for?

I dare you to try it.

New Father's Network

Reading Week

This past week was Reading Week-- essentially a week-long break for first years, and a catch-up time for subsequent year students. We took advantage of the break ("break"? Ok, from classes. Life still spins a little fast over here) and headed to Edinburgh for a couple of days.

The bus ride was long (yes, we actually took our newborns on a bus. I'm going to keep a record of all the crazy things we've done with them. They might appreciate it one day), and we received stares from every row as we trudged to the back of the bus-- each of us with a baby in-hand (well, in-arm). I can imagine the thought of a 2+ hour bus ride with two children aboard and no way out could be quite intimidating, but they didn't make a peep. In fact, the rumbling engine was so soothing that we were even unsuccessful in waking them for their feeding.

Enough of that. A few pictures!

St. Giles Cathedral - made us want to get remarried

 

All to the memory of Sir Walter Scott

Parking Space No. 23 (ok, so it's cut out of
the picture. Oops) - John Knox's burial place is
now a parking lot behind the Cathedral.

Arthur's Seat, overlooking all of Edinburgh.
We will definitely hike to the top on our next visit.

Behold, Edinburgh.

David Hume, his 3 sons and unmarried daughter
are all buried here.

And what do you know, Edinburgh is occupied, too.

Sebastian & Katharina discover the sea. . .

. . .again. This time with Aunt Ruby.