A few summers ago, my husband and I went to Loch Ness for a holiday. We did a lot of the touristy stuff — monster spotting, a boat tour of the loch, and of course several trips to give shops for Nessie toys and whisky. My favourite bit was simply wandering around near the water,…
Read MoreOlive
We have eight hens, all of different breeds. This is Olive. She’s a crested cream legbar which means she has a punk-rocker hairdo and a giant comb. It also means she’s a bit nervy and doesn’t like to be handled, but we forgive her because she lays the most beautiful blue eggs.
Read MoreBike Inspection
In an attempt to get fit, I brought home a shiny new bike today. The towpath along the canal goes almost directly from my house to my work, so I plan to ride to work two or three times a week. New bikes need a good looking over to be sure they’re safe. Meg is…
Read MoreSunny
My lovely husband bought these for me yesterday — just the thing for getting through the last weeks of winter. Can you believe Valentine’s Day is only ten days away? It’ll be Easter in no time.
Read MoreBoo to Phil
I understand Phil the Groundhog saw his shadow today which means six more weeks of winter. Bah. While it really isn’t too long until spring, winter is beginning to drag. So I’ll think warm thoughts of Highland games and men in kilts.
Read MoreRunning & Running
What a fast week! I have no idea where the time went as I was running like mad to keep up with children and work. I’d really hoped to update more, but time didn’t permit. So please excuse the big paws. Hee!
Read MoreHappy Burns Night!
I’ve my haggis, neeps and tatties ready for tonight! Fair fa’ your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o the puddin’-race! Aboon them a’ ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy of a grace As lang’s my arm.
Read MoreAllandale
Just over the canal from where I live is the tiny village of Allandale. Its main street is lined with red sandstone houses built for brickworks employees in the early 1900s. The Antonine Wall runs through here, and there is talk of a new railway station in future.
Read MoreLanding
I don’t have a favourite room in my house, but I do have a favourite space. The light on the landing is beautiful all day, and the view from the window is spectacular. I pass through this space at least ten times a day and it always makes me happy, especially when there is a…
Read MoreStarburst Clock
I won this clock at an auction a few years ago, cheap! When I finally got round to hanging it on the wall, it had stopped working completely, and clock repair shops are hard to find in this area — I’ve looked. So my lovely clock tells the correct time twice a day, but I…
Read MoreIt’s Good to be King
It’s been a trying couple weeks — burst pipes (plural!), floods (plural again!), a broken dishwasher (!!!), and my taxes are due. I could easily become a giant stressball. Instead of freaking out, I’ll take a page from Logan’s book and just chill. Nothing bothers him, except being held down and smooched on top of…
Read MoreSaturday Drive
We went into Glasgow today to visit our nearly-local Ikea. Had I realised they were remodeling the showroom and there is now 50% less space for people to meander around, I’d’ve given it a miss. The trip wasn’t a total loss, though. We’ve chosen our new kitchen!
Read MoreOut and About
It’s been far too long since the Fig and I got out for a drive. While the snow has mostly melted, the roads are grotty. It’ll be bathtime later this afternoon.
Read MoreMore Snow?
The forecast calls for more snow, but I’m optimistic the weatherman is wrong. The temperature is hovering about 4C and we’re thawing out nicely. My daughter made this snowman back before Christmas when everyone still loved snow and thought it was great. What a difference a couple of weeks can make.
Read MoreThaw
After weeks of bitter cold, ice, and snow, we’ve finally had a tiny warm spell. In such a brutal winter, warm is relative, and 2C feels like summer. The snow is gone from everywhere but the ground, and hopefully that will shift by the end of the week. I don’t think I’ve ever been so…
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