Happy Hogmanay 2013!

 Happy Hogmanay!  

I've got haggis to turn into sausage rolls and my parents have steak pie and roasties ready for dinner.
Here's to 2013, may it bring only good things.

Have a fabulous year!

Happy Halloween!

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

From Wiki:  "Making jack-o'-lanterns at Halloween may also have sprung from Samhain and Celtic beliefs. Turnip lanterns, sometimes with faces carved into them, were made on Samhain in the 19th century in parts of Ireland and the Scottish Highlands^. As well as being used to light one's way while outside on Samhain night, they may also have been used to represent the spirits/fairies and/or to protect oneself and one's home from them."

I remember my Granda telling me just how hard it is to carve a turnip lantern!

Have a safe and fun Halloween!


If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks! Have a fabulous day!

Scotland - Stirling Castle

I realized I hadn't blogged my photos from Stirling castle...from May!  I sorted through them and picked my favourites...

 Looking out to the Wallace Monument

 I love all the cobblestone!

 Inside the castle are lots of these scenes, a view of life in the middle ages

I like to quietly stand next to this guy while the tourists are looking in...then start speaking to them.  Oh such fun watching them all jump back like they've seen a ghost!

 This is what is known as Raploch, one set of great grandparents lived there more than 100 years ago!  The row houses closest to the castle as the original buildings.

 The castle underwent major restorations - the new part is yellow which is what the castle looked like when it was first built.

 A cobblestone courtyard

 Gold crowns glinting in the sun - it was summer in Scotland, which lasted one day

 The windows inside the castle have lots of stained glass

 In case you are wondering what kings put over their fireplaces.

 The details all over the castle are phenomenal, especially the ceilings!

 Unicorns are all over the castle, they are a symbol of purity and strength

 

 Detail on the ceiling

 The Queen's bedchamber

 A castle mouse!

 Outside on the Prince's Walk

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks! Have a fabulous day!

The final piece of the puzzle

You may recall I started the search for a long lost family member more than a year ago.  With a little bit of help from a genealogist in Scotland I managed to find an address for my mom's cousin and wrote to him.  To my surprise, the address that was from a document 14 years ago was still his address and he wrote back!

We have been writing lots of letters working out the details of his family's estrangement from my great-grandparents and it seems we will probably never know the real reason.

I told him I would be in Scotland and made plans to meet.  He came with one of his sons to my uncle's house and we got to sit down for a few hours to talk and learn about each other.  We shared photos and stories and parted new family members and friends.  He is a very lovely man and his son and I got along really well.  In fact, his son lived in Canada with his wife for a while before their daughter was born!

I got home to find a letter from him and we all plan to keep in touch.  His son added me on facebook and listed me under 'family'.  Isn't that nice?!

So there you have it...the rest of the story.



If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

Scotland in photos!

So, I pulled the trigger and booked my ticket to Scotland.  I was quite nervous as I hadn't been away from the Little Prince since he was born and always in the back of my mind was, 'What if something happens to me?'.  Let's be honest, something could happen anytime, anywhere but flying makes me nervous so I was a little ball of stress leading up to my trip!  I did the responsible thing and saw my lawyer to do my will and get all of my documents, bank accounts and passwords in order.  I felt much better but still am not a fan of flying!  I sobbed in the airport while saying goodbye to my sweet, precious little boy and got on the plane with tears streaming down my face.  Sounds glamourous doesn't it!? 

My point?  I used to be a jetsetter...I flew all around the world and never gave it a second thought.  I would fly to London for the weekend, Florida on a whim, Montreal for bagels...and it never once bothered me.  Having a child has made me very, very aware of my own mortality.  Fortunately the guy next to me on the plane was drunk and Scottish and didn't shut up the entire time so he took my mind off things.  We had a good chuckle at the Canadian guy wearing a kilt on the plane *rolling eyes* the only time that's acceptable is when a man has been at a wedding, woke up still in his kilt and has had to race to the airport to get his flight home.

Our flight left the gate on time and all was looking good until we got out to the runway and we waited and waiting...finally the pilot came on and told us we need to go back to the gate because there was a technical problem and he needed to do some paperwork.  Charming.  Oh and the fuel we burnt off going to the runway and back had to be topped up so we left Toronto an hour late...and I had no way of telling my uncle at the other end because it was 2:30am for him!

You know in every group of strangers, on every flight, every bus, in every restaurant...there's that one guy who can't just go with the flow and has to make a spectacle of himself?  Yeah, he made himself known quite early in the flight by marching to the back of the plane where the flight attendants were busy working on drinks to calm down irritated passengers.  I had prebooked my seat so I had the very last spot at the back of the plane (right next to the washrooms and emergency exit) so I was able to watch this guy make his way from the front of the plane to the galley and I'm going to be honest...he spent wayyyy to much time back there.  I was going to ask if he is an air marshal but I heard him asking the flight attendants if they were going to tell him why we were delayed.  They told him they know nothing and to go back to his seat but he refused to budge.  I even had to tell him to move so I could get to the washroom and he wasn't happy about it!  This went on for most of the flight and just before we landed I heard the head flight attendant speaking to a couple of people a few rows ahead of me about him, letting them know they could file a complaint with the airline.  Hm.  Well this is interesting!

The flight landed and of course everyone jumps up the second the seatbelt light goes off (except for me, I wait until everyone is off the plane then disembark.  My luggage will be waiting for me) and they end up standing there for about 10 minutes before the pilot comes on and says everyone needs to sit back down.  Hm, this is new!  Next thing the annoying guy marches to the back of the plane followed by 3 big bad Strathclyde police officers!  Oh yeah, someone wasn't happy!  It seems the head flight attendant had decided being verbally assaulted, sworn at, called names and being subjected to sexually demeaning comments from a passenger just wasn't a part of her job description.  From what other passengers said, a good amount of this went on at the front of the plane (I should've been an investigative reporter) so I didn't witness it but I did see how much time this guy was spending at the galley annoying the flight attendants and I told the police I felt it was bordering on harassment.  Oh...I told the 5th police officer that...seems three wasn't enough so two more got on the plane.  Finally they let us off the plane to get through immigration, which took forever (I should look into getting a UK passport), and get on our way.  My poor uncle was standing in the airport for almost 2 hours waiting for me!

Now, I don't know if my Scottish experience is the most accurate for anyone travelling there as I tend to be kept in a little ball of cotton wool and never have to deal with reality while I'm there as I am fortunate to have great family in Scotland who never let me out of their sight or pay for anything. I do have lots of photos to share of my adventures so today I am starting with my random photos....

I have no idea how to drive in Scotland but I enjoy the highway signs! 

 One of the streets we walk down to get 'doon the toon'!

My uncle has a crunchy Downtonesque driveway!

No words needed. 

The view from the gate - the house across the street was once owned by an old woman who employed my great-uncle.  Legend is it was a bit of a Lady Chatterley situation and I remember her as being so very nice and I played in that house as a child.  There are secret doors and staircases!  It's now owned by one of the directors of Glasgow Celtic who is pals with my uncle but I didn't meet him when I was there.

The guard dog slash big softie.  We were watching Britain's Got Talent when I was there and every time Pudsy came on to do his dance the guard dog got in a huff and left the room!  I'm shocked the opera singers didn't win! 

A Scottish sunset. 

I love this fuzzy photo taken in the pub in Cambusbarron!  Everyone drinks Irn Bru - young, old and everyone in between!  This same evening I got my photo taken with Kevin Drinkel who used to play for Glasgow Rangers (that's more like it!).

 Why yes I do understand every Scottish granny I've ever met! 

Something I love about traveling is trying new foods or new combinations of foods.  I made my uncle sit and wait while I took photos of his lunch.  This is bacon, brie and cranberry!  The Suburban Prince will be having this for lunch soon enough.

I didn't have haggis when I was in Scotland but I've certainly eaten it enough times in my life.  Before you turn your nose up at it you should find the ingredient list on a package of sausages.   I actually prefer the tinned haggis tho and always have it in the pantry.

Cousin Willie's wife ordered me one of these.  Somewhere under all the cream and marshmallows there was a splash of hot chocolate!  Note the Flake stuck in the top!  YUM!

I had a snowball for lunch.  I skipped the savory portion of the midday repast and went right to dessert.  Snowballs are a bit hard to describe...the middle is marshmallowy but not like a north American marshmallow.  They are sweet and taste like my childhood...the next time you are in a British shop try one!

Cousin Willie and his wife picked me up and took me to see the Falkirk Wheel.  It's an amazing piece of engineering and it's very cool to watch.  It's used to get boats from the bottom part to the top part just like a lift lock.  You can watch a video of it here.

While out with Cousin Willie and his wife we went for a drive to the Forth bridge.  The wind and rain were out of control and we got out of the car to take a few photos...at one point I thought Cousin Willie's wife was going to be blown away!

The same spot, different direction.  I raced back to the car!

Hamish the Heilan' Coo!

I've got lots of photos of Stirling Castle in my next post about my trip! 

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!


Have a fabulous day!

My Scottish Itinerary...and useful information!

Here is my insane schedule while I was in Scotland...lots of photos and recaps coming!  I get a bit tired just reading about it all again!

May 8 - Leave Toronto and fly overnight

May 9 -Arrive Glasgow and make our way to Stirling. Spend the day getting a few groceries, cell phone SIM card**, go to dinner, take more calls in one evening than uncle is used to getting all week (I'm quite popular in Scotland!), watch Britain's Got Talent then collapse in bed.  Wake up to Skype with the Suburban and Little Prince.

May 10 - Wake up just before noon.  Scramble to get ready in time for Long Lost Cousin coming over with his son.  Spend the afternoon with them, take photos, learn about each other and grow our family.  Introduce a string of visitors to Long Lost Cousin and his son, they both probably wonder if I am related to everyone in Stirling - most likely, yes.  Uncle made dinner so we stayed in and chatted then under the cloak of darkness went to auntie's DIL's house to decorate the front gate for her 40th birthday.

May 11 - Manage to wake up by 11am.  Scramble to get ready and out the door to make it to the local Rotary lunch meeting on time.  Mingle with Scottish Rotarians, have lunch, exchange flags with them, get photo taken for the local paper then get a lift back to uncle's house.  Change into more casual clothes (hello, I'm meant to be on holiday) and get on the road to Edinburgh.  Take Granda's 80 year old cousin to dinner, give her chocolates, take some photos and get back to Stirling in time to go to the pub for the birthday celebrations.  Drink lots of Irn Bru and have photo taken with Kevin Drinkel (former Rangers player and former next door neighbour of uncle).  Marvel and the way dogs in pubs are accepted without anyone batting an eye.

May 12 - Manage to wake up within the 'breakfast' time frame.  Auntie thinks I'm the best house guest ever as I make my own breakfast and tea every morning.  Go to nursing home to visit great-uncle's wife who doesn't remember me but is fine with watching an episode from season 1 of Real Housewives of New York.  Go to Stirling castle for the afternoon as it has been a long time since I was there.  Take lots of photos, guess which country each tourist is from, watch uncle fall down the stairs (spend the next three days succumbing to a fit of the giggles anytime anyone mentions anything related to stairs), watch German tourists pick uncle up and ask if he is ok while glaring and auntie and me.  Get back to the house, auntie went to work for a few hours, uncle played on the interweb.  Walked guard dog to the old village and the post office then come back to make dinner for everyone.  Watch Britian's Got Talent finale...go Pudsy!

May 13 - Up by 10am, breakfast and visit from auntie's son and his family.   Visit garden centre for lunch and shopping.  Quite a fun place!  Auntie went to work and cousin Willie and his wife came to pick me up to to go the Falkirk Wheel and dinner.  After dinner go on a little pub crawl and cousin Willie played the drums at the open mic night.

May 14 - Wake up at 9am (getting the hang of GMT in time to go home!), go to Callandar for lunch and a wee bit of tourist shopping.  Pop into M&S for a few things then home to visit with auntie's other son and his family before going to dinner at the Portcullis, which was amazing! Then home to chat, skype, pack and figure out how I will get everything in one suitcase.  Best game of Tetris ever!

May 15 - Wake at 6am, finish packing and get dressed.  Make sure I have everything, eat some tablet ice cream (blech, it can't compare with my Gran's tablet), get on the road to Glasgow.  Catch flight, settle in for 7 hours, try to read, watch movie, doze.  Arrive at Toronto to be greeted by the Little Prince running up to me with flowers.  Home sweet home.

**If you are traveling somewhere you will have roaming charges, here is a tip...have your cellphone 'unlocked' before you go. For help with that let me know.  When you arrive in the other country go to the local mobile shop and get a SIM card, load it with some data/text/call dollars and put it in your phone.  This is what I did the moment I got to Scotland and it meant I could use my own phone, with my own contacts, email etc and gave me a Scottish phone number I could give out.  It cost me 15 GBP and saved me probably hundreds in roaming fees.  When the plane landed in Toronto I just switched the SIM cards and got back on the system I use here**

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Have a fabulous day!

My view for the next week....

My uncle lives very close to the castle...anytime I walk 'doon the toon' I pass right by it.  I am looking forward to a week of Irn Bru, fish & chips with mushy peas, visits with cousins, big burly accents and Coronation Street in real time.  I'll miss my guys 'sae muckle' but it will be nice to not have to cook or clean up after anyone for a few days.

Royal Ribbons will be 'closed' until May 17th.  I will be answering emails but not printing ribbon until I get back. 

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!


Have a fabulous day!

Happy Luke Skywalker Day!

 May The Fourth Be With You!

Happy Friday!

I leave for Scotland on Tuesday and with any luck I will have a chance this weekend to write a few posts for while I'm gone.  Prepare to be bored to death by my photos of castles and pipers!


Have a fabulous day!

If you can, please leave your comment here instead of on Twitter. Thanks!

Robert Burns Day

Every January 25th we celebrate the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet.  He is known as Robert, Robbie, Rabbie, Scotland's Favourite Son...but never Bobby, or Rob.

One of these years the Suburban Prince will make it to the Burns supper put on by the local Scottish society but usually he ends up at the Scottish club in the city.  Fortunately, it's not as bitterly cold as it usually is so his knees wont take the brunt of the evening.

Winter - 1781

The wintry west extends his blast,

And hail and rain does blaw;

Or the stormy north sends driving forth

The blinding sleet and snaw:

While, tumbling brown, the burn comes down,

And roars frae bank to brae;

And bird and beast in covert rest,

And pass the heartless day.

"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"

The joyless winter day

Let others fear, to me more dear

Than all the pride of May:

The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,

My griefs it seems to join;

The leafless trees my fancy please,

Their fate resembles mine!

Thou Power Supreme, whose mighty scheme

These woes of mine fulfil,

Here firm I rest; they must be best,

Because they are Thy will!

Then all I want-O do Thou grant

This one request of mine!-

Since to enjoy Thou dost deny,

Assist me to resign.

Have a braw day!

My own little Downton Abbey

While going through stacks of old photographs I found quite a few of my Granda from childhood right up to the end of his life.  He was born in 1916 and lived in Scotland at the same time Downton Abbey is set.  Since season 2 started last night I thought I would share some of his photos.

As a little boy with his mom (on the left) and her sister.

I am guessing this was taken in 1918, with his parents, my great-grandparents.

Again, 1918.  I can only assume there was a certain affluence as they had a camera.

Possibly 1918 again.  The sailor suit got a lot of use!

As a grown man with his grandparents, my great-great-grandparents.

My grandparents - It's hard to tell when this was taken...the clothes didn't change an awful lot through the years.  They would've worn the same clothes until they fell apart.  Very preppy indeed.

My Granda with his father.  Both were Cameron Highlanders.

Army buddies.  The one in the front must've been a good friend as he appears in quite a few photos.

With military buddies.  I suspect the one in the middle was very popular with the ladies.

Being sent home from WWII - their packs are dirty and they are holding discharge papers.

Here is our handsome soldier on the left...doesn't he look like....

...Doctor Clarkson

Two of my great-grandfathers were train engineers.

My great-grandfather.

I love this photo!  2 inch cuffs!

My Granda as a grown man.

My great-great-grandparents and great-grandparents.

Have a fabulous day!