Catching up…

I cannot believe that we’re over half-way through November!  I feel like time is literally whizzing by and Christmas is around the corner.  My blogging has been so inconsistent lately – I don’t think I had any idea how much I was reliant on my computer.  So here’s a quick update:

The burglar has been caught!  Yes, the man who broke into our flat and stole my laptop, ipod and American cash, has been caught.  Apparently he had been apprehended for a series of house break-ins and was out on bond while the police assembled their case against him.  It was during that time that he targeted our place and they were able to place him at the “scene of the crime” with a fingerprint he left on our front door.  That means he was hauled back into jail and is now sitting there awaiting his court date.  I actually feel kinda bad for the guy.  I have no idea what his story is or why he steals, but I can’t help feeling like it’s pretty empty justice. 

My two jobs that I was really enjoying have both come to an end.  At the end of October both stores shut their doors and stopped trading.  It was sad for me even though I only worked at both places briefly because I had really enjoyed the work and the people.  One of the jobs is continuing in a different form as a catering assistant.  My first gig was this past Saturday and it was a lot of fun and completely exhausting.  Melanie, the lady who ownes the catering company, and I headed out to this huge country estate down in the Borders where we were cooking for an intimate birthday party.  Melanie has catered a few events here before but they’re usually for parties of 100-200.  This was only for around 35 people.  We started cooking around 1:00PM and weren’t done until midnight – which basically means standing on our feet for 11 hours, chopping, lugging around huge pots, frying, sauteing, assembling, washing.  I browned 11 pounds of cubed beef, skinned and deboned about 25 chicken breasts, sliced raw pheasant breasts, and baked duck breasts.  I think that the two of us worked really well together and everyone was very complimentary.  I also got a recipe for a chocolate hazelnut torte that is amazing! 

On Friday night Scotty and I attended an event at the famous Usher Hall for the first time!  While I was volunteering at the book store last week a lady came in and offered me two tickets to the performance!  I was excited to plan a fun date-night with Scotty and it turned out to be a great evening.  We had dinner at Stac Polly, The Scottish Restaurant.  The performance of Rachmaninov’s First Symphony was amazing!  The Royal Scottish National Orchestra was splendid and the applause following the first piece lasted about 4 minutes – which is a long time.  The conductor, Rossen Milanov was lively and fun to watch.  The second piece was Rachmaninov’s musical adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Bells; very dramatic and featured the 120 member RSNO chorus.  Usher Hall is a beautiful theater and it was a lot of fun to be a part of the audience that night.  I think that now we’ve discovered it, we’ll probably be back in the future.

Finally, the German Christmas Markets are being assempled along Prince’s Street.  With all of the street being torn up for the construction of the trams, it’s not quite the quaint sight that it has been in years past but it’s a fun reminder that Christmas is around the corner.  Here’s some pictures of the construction:

Prince's Street Chaos

Erecting the Christmas Tree on the Mound

I have a couple of recipes I’m excited to share with you – but no time right now to post them.  Sorry!  Will do that soon.  Thankfully Scotty finally got his computer back today so that should make things a bit easier.

 

Reading List

As Scotty and I are both computer-less and have been for the past two weeks, I’ve been doing a lot more reading.  A lot.  Here’s what’s been piquing my fancy:

The Brothers K by David James Duncan

I had been wanting to read this book for about two years, ever since I finished Duncan’s hilarious The River Why.  In The Brothers K Duncan tells the heartwarming and heartbreaking story of the Chance family.  At turns laugh-out-loud funny, shockingly irreverent, and tear-jerking, Duncan follows this big, loud, opinionated family as it wrestles with failure, the turmoil of the sixties, political and personal disasters along with the usual joys and challenges of a large family.  I think that coming from a large family myself made this book especially relatable.  The loudness, the diverse opinions, the shouting to be heard, the frustrations of never being able to have a quiet moment to oneself, the loyalty, the great feeling of returning home and having more than half-a-dozen people greet you with hugs and kisses, the sense of belonging.  Duncan is able to capture all of it.  He was also able to relate to me the absolute chaos of the 60s.  I knew it was at time of social revolution, the Vietnam War was tearing the nation apart, I knew it was rough.  But I also think I fell under the illusion that it was a lot more civil than the reality.  In the Chance family the Vietnam War makes a huge impression, nearly destroying two of the sons.  The social changes pose a serious challenge to the mother’s Seventh Day Adventist fundamentalism.  It also draws the family together in most unexpected ways.  This book is definitely not light reading, and at 656 pages, it requires an investment of time and the willingness to be challenged.

The Rich are Different by Susan Howatch

I first read Howatch’s Glittering Images almost a year ago.  It was my first Howatch novel and in the intervening ten months I think I’ve read four more of her works.  Howatch is an extremely talented writer, primarily for her psychological insights.  She’s able to create characters and story lines that suck you in and actually show you something about yourself.  I know that more than once I have felt literally chastised by her description of a character when I suddenly realize she could be describing me.  She seems to be able to tap into those universal neurosis, fears, obsessions, prides and lay them out for all the world to see.  She does all of this while being compassionate to her characters.  I remember reading Vanity Fair and thinking that Thackeray has absolute disdain for the people he was writing about.  He judged, ridiculed, mocked and derided the characters he created.  Howatch doesn’t do this.  She seems to see them as fragile, broken, and incredibly human.  Characters that need honest assessment but also care.  I would probably recommend all her books – even though I haven’t read them all.  She’s worth taking the time to explore and I would recommend starting with Glittering Images before tackling the 700+ pages of The Rich are Different.

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

I had some trouble with this book because it is a gorgeous love story.  Set in Australia, London, and Malaysia during and after World War II there are so many things to like about it.  The central figure is a strong, vibrant woman who defies the expectations of her day.  The narrator is lovable and the other characters and interesting and well-drawn.  The problem I ran into was the British sense of supriority.  I know that this book is set in the 40s and was written in the 50s but the portrayal of people of cultures outside the Empire is startling.  I also know it’s authentic; Australia has had a terrible record with the Aboriginal people groups.  The imperialistic attitude of 19th century Britain was not one that recognized the value of the cultures they were too busy subduing.  I think it just came across so strongly for me that it really detracted from an otherwise great story. 

Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

Ok, I know this book is really popular right now and that it’s a “fable” but I had a really difficult time with it.  If you want to hear more just email me and I’ll fill you in on my thoughts. 

So that’s what I’ve been reading.  Have you read any good books lately?  I’d love to hear about them!

 

World map of daily flights

The following shows a time lapse of large-carrier flights around the world on any given day.  It’s fascinating and was shared with us by our friend Derek.  I think my dad and Uncle Chris will find it especially interesting!

 

Color

Since moving to Edinburgh I feel that I have been more aware of color: bright, vibrant colors.  As someone whose wardrobe consists almost entirely of neutrals (brown, blue, black, denim) I’ve been trying to integrate more color into it via fun scarves, bright socks, and some patterned items.  I don’t necessarily think I’ve been all that successful in creating a vibrant wardrobe but I do like the few colorful things I’ve added.   There is something about a colorful scarf that helps ward off the dreary weather blues.  Today I came across these on etsy.  Definitely not at the place where I could pull them off with confidence but they would add color.  Could you wear these?

Here’s some other fun things I’ve found.  They’re all great ways to add a pop of color to your home or person.

 

If you want to learn more about any of these handmade/homemade items, just click on the picture and you’ll be taken to the appropriate etsy.com store.  Have a fabulous weekend!

 

Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day here in the UK and Veteran’s Day back in the States.  In memory of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I on the western front.  Today, throughout Britain memorial ceremonies were celebrated by two minutes of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – the time with the Armistice was put into effect.  At these ceremonies poppy wreathes are layed in front of the many monunments to fallen soldiers found throughout the United Kingdom.  On my way up to school today I passed two of them. 

Memorial to the members of the Black Watch who died in the South African War 1899-1902

And this one to those who fell in in the war in Spain between 1936-1939.

In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day people pin poppies to their lapels as a tribute to the fallen soldiers.  I find it a poignant reminder of the steep price paid for our liberties, especially at a time of war such as we find ourselves in now. 

Of course, the poppies are a tribute to Lt. Colonel John McCrae’s beautiful and haunting poem In Flander’s Field.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

Weird and wonderful WWW

For those of you who normally read my blog and are wondering why the sudden influx of comments from people you’ve never heard of, my little entry Monday was featured on the WordPress home page.  And to all of you who clicked the link, a big huge thank you!  It was so much fun to get all of your very kind comments – you really made my day.  This little weblog thingy has been a fun hobby and I’ve been doing it for the family and friends I’ve left in the States and yet it’s expanded my relationships and I now have fellow “bloggy” acquaintances around the world.  Isn’t that weird?  And wonderful?  I like how the blog world works that way.  Most of the people who left comments yesterday are complete strangers to me.  Yet, they took the time to let me know they stopped by and liked what they saw.  I think that is remarkable.  And it makes me realize that I should do a better job of leaving comments on those blogs I read that brighten my day.  Anyway, I had a couple people comment on the sudden activity and thought that an explanation was in order.  Thanks for sharing my little 15 minutes of fame with me.

 

Glorious. Absolutely amazing.

This morning our computer problems took a turn for the better and thanks to very generous parental donations, we will be able to repair and replace our laptops soon!  Whoopeee! 

My walk up to school this morning was amazing.  I woke up and had a feeling it was going to be pretty cold.  Last night we had returned late from a fantastic dinner party (more on that later)  and there was a definite bite in the air.  It was truly cold.  And then it dawned bright and sunny and in November this generally means cold…dense cold.  I pulled out my long winter coat (for the 1st time this year!) and made my way up the Mound.  It took me quite a bit longer than usual because the sun was shining its brilliant fragile winter light.  And there was a heavy frost when coupled with the sunlight was dazzling. 

The winter light here is so clean and bright. Coupled with the mist rising from the melting frost, it has this soft, hazy quality.

Frost on the playground beneath the castle.

Again, the light. Isn't it amazing???

I love this photo.

Further in to Prince's Street Gardens the sun hadn't yet begun melting the cold away. It was dark, quiet, very wintery.

Tiny frost crystals on a bench. So thick it almost looks like snow.

Frosted benches in Prince's Street Gardens.

Had to capture these gorgeous leaves while they're still around. After this frost they won't be around much longer.

The frost had already melted on this beautiful plant but it was still lightly misted with tiny water droplets.

I loved how the frost brought out the details of the leaves and each blade of grass. It is amazing to be able to see every individual blade of grass as opposed to the general impression of green-ness.

Approaching Ramsey Lane

Looking back toward the West End from high up in the Gardens. The sunlight was behind the castle so I was in the shade but looking west you could see it coming around the castle and illuminating the buildings.

Cannot get enough of these sorts of pictures.

A different angle on the castle.

 

Spotted

on my way home from the book store yesterday…it’s always good to be reminded of hope.

 

Cold, cold, cold

October was unseasonably warm.  It was actually a really pleasant month.  We only turned the heat on a few times – mostly when we had guests staying because it’s just plain bad manners to let guests freeze.  Now that November has arrived the mercury is dropping.  Most of the colorful leaves have fallen and the remaining ones are dingy and look very weather-worn.  As we had a visitor in October who doesn’t normally experience the change of seasons being a Floridian and all, we took a walk one day and spotted some beautiful colors.  Since most of these are now gone, I want to post them as a reminder that this gorgeousness does exist…and remember that as we head in to the dark, cold days of an Edinburgh winter.  You probably won’t believe this but right now at 4:18PM it is getting dark…so much so that cars have their headlights on because it’s pretty much dusk.  So, here’s the gorgeous, bright, cheery color.

 

Pumpkin Carving…

I know that Halloween has passed and we’re in November now and stores are donning their Christmas finery (makes me want to scream, especially as the book store has been hawking their Christmas cards for a whole month now…) but I though I’d post these pictures from our fun Pumpkin Carving Party hosted by the Browns.  Katie made some delicious soup and we all (or almost all) got working on our pumpkin carving adventure.

 

Pretty good pumpkins, huh?

Little sweetie hard at work!

Scotty trying to come up with something inspiring.

Joe, Amanda, and Sean digging right in.

 

The Whole Gang...or should we say The Scotty Manor Band? Doesn't it look like Scotty's the lead singer of some motley sing-along band.