Homeschool on the Croft

Lamb Stew

2012-02-09T11:17:00.001Z

I've never followed a recipe for making Lamb or Beef Stew. I mean to say ... Stew is just one of those things that 'mum always made', and you flour some meat, brown it off, onions, chuck in the veg, stock, simmer, blah blah blah.

But yesterday, Katie was making dinner so she checked out a couple of Stew recipes for ideas. I have to say, it was the nicest stew I think I've ever eaten. It was still a basic, old-fashioned stew, but it was well seasoned, had some red wine, garlic, and a tin of tomatoes in it. Into the slow cooker it went, tempting me for the rest of day with the aroma.

I then made dumplings and chucked them in for the last half-hour or so.

Just like Mama used to make!

Oh boy, it was delicious.

Mashed potatoes and Stew.... there just aint much to beat it on a winter's day.

Dumplings recipe:

4oz/100g Self Raising flour

2oz/50g shredded suet

Salt and Pepper

(I doubled the recipe, and I was making it in the slow cooker, so it had been cooking for more than 2 hours)

In a large baking bowl mix the flour with the suet and a pinch of salt. Add 3 tbsp cold water and stir. If the dough is dry add more water until you have a soft, slightly sticky dough.
Divide the dough into 8 and shape into balls with floured hands. Leave to one side.
After the stew has cooked for 2 hours, remove the lid, check the seasoning and add salt or pepper to taste, then add the dumplings, cover with the lid and cook for a further 20 minutes. Serve hot.

Another Blether with Patrice

2012-02-08T18:56:00.001Z

Hi Patrice,

Here we are again with our weekly get-together. You know, you will soon have Spring, wont you? Does this mean we will soon have our chats on your porch again? It's been lovely to sit cozily inside these past weeks, but it will be nice to sit out on your porch again too. I'll begin answering the questions now...

1. Stephanie asks, "What kind of competitions do you prefer to watch: dancing, singing or cooking?"

Cooking, I think. I am fascinated by the artistic flair and the imagination of these cooks. I don't get many - indeed any - ideas from programmes like Masterchef. These guys are in a league of their own, but I still love to watch them, and drool over their creations.

2. My Kid's Mom asks, "Do you work? Are you retired? Are you a stay-at-home mum?

(a) and (c) I guess. I'm a stay-at-home mum, I homeschool the kids, and I work from home translating materials into Gaelic.

3. Empty Nester asks, "What's your favourite thing about winter?"

Oh, I love the early, dark nights. I love that by four o'clock my brain is telling me it's evening and that I ought to be winding down. Of course, it's not so great because dinner still has to be made I can't actually wind down, but still ... I love the feeling.

When we get snow I love that too. I love really cold, sunny days with snow on the ground. We hardly ever get weather like this, so when it does happen, it's extra special.

This was Christmas day last year. It was freezing, and the kids and menfolk went down to the machair for some sledging. Here's Grampa - yes, Grampa - on the sled. I blogged at the time about it.

And here were the kids last year building an igloo.

4. *I* asked, "What do you love most about where you live?"

Oooh, where do I begin? I love the view from my kitchen window ....

... in summer,

and in winter.

But all my reasons for my loving where I live are not visual. I love living where I grew up, where the Builder grew up, where our kids have a dozen cousins within a few miles of them.

I love the security of living here. I love living from day to day and never giving a moment's attention to crime - at least crime that may affect me personally. I don't live with certain things on the back of my mind, as they were when we lived in Glasgow. That is a real blessing.

I love living in what most people in our country would call the 'back of beyonds', 'the sticks'. I don't get in the slightest bit offended when we are referred to as Teuchters, or some similar term (a bit like some others may be termed Rednecks ;). I am quite happy with the millions in our country who live in cities and have never had the privilege of being 'country folk' believing us to be deprived of 'real life' in some way.

I've seen 'real life'. They are welcome to it ;)

5. Did you or your children (grandchildren too) ever have a doll house?

Nope.

Oh, you want more? Well, I never had a doll, so I think the doll's house may have been kind of pointless. Well, hang on... I could have parked my cars in it, and I could have housed my soldiers in it. I would, though, have had to paint the walls a dull camouflage colour, otherwise the soldiers may have felt a little odd. I'm not sure pink walls would have been conducive to good soldiering skills.

I just (as you will have guessed by now) never played with dolls. My girls were (slightly) more doll-y than I was and they did have baby-type dolls, though no Barbies. Oh dear me.... how I, er, dislike these dolls.

((Shhhh. I actually hate them, but I have told my children so often that they ought not use the word 'hate'. As a consequence of this, I am forced to use the word 'dislike'. You may, however, come to your own conclusion about my true level of dislike for these .... things.))

6 Wendell asks, "If horses have blankets, why don't they get a pillow too?"

Wendell, I do believe that's an excellent question. And I think you ought to take this all the way. If you don't get satisfaction with a simple request, take it to the small claims' court. If ALL else fails, our European Court of Human Rights will listen to you.

* * * * * * * * *

Well, Patrice, I'd better dash now and get some work done. We've had some lovely, winter weather this past while, but today we're back to gales. See you next week on your Porch!

Blue Skies, No Wind, and Plenty Photos

2012-02-07T18:39:00.001Z

The girls and I went to the beach yesterday afternoon to take some photos.

The day was sunny, and this was mid-afternoon, so the sun was beginning to set. There was also - and this is noteworthy - no wind.

Well, when I say no wind, I mean no wind by our standards. It was a really lovely day.

They even wore dresses for the occasion, and Catherine swapped her spotty wellies for little pumps.

Not sure why.

Then they climbed up onto a dune, just for the fun of watching me having to climb up after them.

I reached. Eventually. And clearly my daughters were taking this whole photo-shoot-thingy really seriously.

(see our house in the background)

Ahhh ... a nice pose.

Just keep it there girls.

Ahem. That was clearly long enough.

And now you-know-who is in on the action.

Watching Jackson climb these soft-sand dunes was a treat.

An absolutely hilarious treat!

We then headed down to the beach itself...

Jackson had a ball running along the beach, and splashing in the waves.

See him go!

Of course, we couldn't possibly have ventured to the beach without the protection of....

Yes, you guessed it. Our warrior protector was there the whole time.

Fighting battles while we strolled, laughed and clicked the camera to our hearts' content.

I've already posted faaaaar too many photos, so I'll leave you with one of my favourites...

Close up, with the Butt in the background.

And remember: Butt = Top. Thank you

Our Queen's Diamond Anniversary

2012-02-06T13:59:00.000Z

Sixty years ago today, on 6th February, 1952, our Queen, who was then Princess Elizabeth, received the news of her father's death. Her father was King George VI. His death meant she would now be Queen Elizabeth II.

She had left the UK days earlier as Princess Elizabeth; she returned as Queen.

Her husband would no longer be able to carry on in his much-loved career in the Navy - from now on, he would be the Queen's consort. She would never again make decisions for herself that spoke of personal choice or personal ambition.

Her coronation took place a few months later, a very public ceremony marking what she now was: HRH Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.

(Just to be pedantic - she really isn't Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain, because she is the first 'Elizabeth' to be Queen of Great Britain. When Queen Elizabeth I was Queen, Scotland had its own monarch. The two crowns were joined when James VI of Scotland became King of a 'united' kingdom. So, HRH Queen Elizabeth is Queen Elisabeth the First .... really. Not that I'm pedantic or anything ;)

With her beloved horses: our Queen at her happiest ...

HRH has served this nation and the Commonwealth for sixty years. Most of us have only know life in her reign. In our country, even some of the most ardent anti-Royalists tend to have no bad word to say against our Queen.

(Even President Obama, of that Republic across the water that chucked our Monarchy all these years ago, had nothing but praise for our Queen, having met HRH when he visited our shores.)

When Obama was in the UK, in May 2011, I read an article in The Times. Here's a flavour of what was said.

President Obama has spoken of his family's strong friendship with the Queen on the eve of his first state visit to the UK.

In an interview with the BBC, he described the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as "extraordinarily gracious people” and said they represented “the best of England”. The Obamas have kept in close contact with the Queen and the Duke since they first met in 2009, exchanging letters and speaking of the phone.

(I shall excuse the whole 'England' thing ... indeed.)

Apparently, when they met first, at a reception before the G20 summit in 2009, they hit it off immediately. They appeared relaxed together and shared jokes.

After a photocall for G20 leaders, Mrs Obama and the Queen were seen with their arms around each other's backs, with a palace spokeswoman describing it as a "mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation". As they said goodbye, the Queen was overheard asking Mrs Obama: "Now we have met, would you please keep in touch?". They have since spoken on the phone and written to one another.

In the interview broadcast yesterday, Obama said, "They are extraordinarily gracious people. They could not have been kinder to us."

He revealed that his wife and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, rode in a carriage when they were given a tour of the palace during a private trip to London in late 2009. "She could not have been more charming and gracious to the girls," he said. "They actually had a chance to ride in the carriage on the grounds. I think what the Queen symbolises not just to Great Britain, but to the entire Commonwealth, and obviously the entire world is the best of England. And we’re very proud of her.”

Mr Obama was asked about his conversations with the Queen, who has met every one of the 12 US Presidents since she came to the throne in 1952, with the exception of Lyndon Johnson.

"What you find is that there's a lot of wisdom to be found if you're willing to listen," he replied.

Can you imagine? She has met every US President since 1952 (except Johnson). How many people have come and gone, and she has been an unchanging feature of our nation's life. No wonder President Obama had to say that there was 'a huge amount of wisdom to be found in her'.

*** *** ***

Throughout these decades she has seen a great deal of change in our nation - economically, socially, morally; she has lived through turmoil and personal grief; and in every situation in which she has found herself, she has given her time, her energy and her commitment to the nation over which she is monarch. She has never been heard to complain even when the national press printed page after page of articles criticising her and her family, vilifying them, and mocking them. Throughout it all, she has carried herself with dignity and grace wherever she has gone.

I think few could have failed to notice her sheer joy on the day of Prince William and Catherine's wedding. Surely most observers felt a real desire to share in her quite evident joy at seeing the outpouring of affection and support from the crowds of onlookers. She was delighted! And I, for one, was delighted for her! I hope that day gave her some idea of just how much we appreciate her, and yes, her family too.

Her Majesty's official Diamond Jubilee message, released today, is as follows:

Today, as I mark 60 years as your Queen, I am writing to thank you for the wonderful support and encouragement that you have given to me and Prince Philip over these years and to tell you how deeply moved we have been to receive so many kind messages about the Diamond Jubilee.

In this special year, as I dedicate myself anew to your service, I hope we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighbourliness, examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign and which my family and I look forward to seeing in many forms as we travel throughout the United Kingdom and the wider Commonwealth.

I hope also that this Jubilee year will be a time to give thanks for the great advances that have been made since 1952 and to look forward to the future with clear head and warm heart as we join together in our celebrations.

I send my sincere good wishes to you all.

ELIZABETH R.

I can assure Her Majesty that, seeing as actions speak even louder than words, we know her dedication to our nation to be without reproach.

I can also assure HM (not that she reads my blog, you understand ...) that the support which was so apparent and public over 2011 was but a public display of how we feel.

God bless you, our dear Queen. My greatest prayer for you is that you would know the King of kings for you, like us all, will one day bow the knee to the Eternal King.

Big Brother and a Big Birthday

2012-02-04T20:26:00.000Z

Last night, the Builder's family came together to celebrate a rather significant birthday, for a rather significant Big Brother.

We love this guy, don't we...

... especially when he smiles ;)

So, apparently is was a Big Birthday for Big Brother yesterday.

And here are the seven siblings.

The Builder is looking positively small in this photo. Big Brother is looking a bundle of laughs. Baby Brother is just looking handsome as ever. ;)

After our meal, we came back home where the nieces and nephews were waiting for their favourite uncle.

Here they are surrounding him. They think they're in line to be in his will.

We know they're in line to be looking after him in his old age.

Big Brother surprised us by indicating he would make a speech. Turned out, however, that he'd taken the wrong speech along. This one began: 'On behalf of my wife and I......'. Aye, it would appear that he can fold that one away carefully for another wee while.

(Unless there's something we don't know...)

(Oh, and you didn't believe the whole BB-was-gonna-make-a-speech thing, did you? If you did, you really don't know this guy.)

One of our nieces decorated this cake for him. Don't you love it... sheep, fencing, feeding troughs (even the obligatory sheep poo on the grass!). Yep, this made him feel right at home.

Here's Katie and Catherine's flock of Blackface sheep, again made in honour of the Right Honourable BB.

His siblings' main present to him was this fabulous camera.

And we got this painting of Bruce and John Wayne made for him.

Today's Visit with Patrice

2012-02-01T11:08:00.000Z

Good morning, Patrice. Here we are again for another chat. We've had the loveliest weather over the past few days - you may have seen something of our blue skies in my last post. Beautiful.

1. Joyful Keeper asks: "What makes you smile a happy, content smile in the course of a day?"

This Wee Guy....

who talks non-stop, except when he's engrossed in a book,

This young lady, who renders me helpless with laughter with her accent imitations,

This other young lady, who rushes through life with a smile and turbo-charged energy,

and this fellow, who keeps on lovin' his Mama.

These guys at any time of the day can make me smile the most contented of smiles. They are fun, and loving, and loud, and sweet, and energetic, and funny.

And did I mention I love them? To bits...

2. My Kid's Mon asks: "Are you married, single, or divorced?"

Married, since 1991, to this man...

Did I mention I loved him too? To bits...

3. Empty Nester asks: "Do you have any home made remedies for allergy or the common cold?"

Not really. Everyone laughs at my remedy for... well, for almost everything: good food and a good sleep. None of us suffers with any allergies, thankfully, so I've never had to look into remedies for these. We have been blessed with good health, and apart from the usual colds or coughs, which come occasionally, we tend not to be ill very often.

4.Stephanie asks: "How many different addresses did you have growing up?"

One! I lived in the same house all my life until I left to go and study and marry. The house now belongs to my sister-in-law and her husband, but to me, it'll always be home.

5. I've just recently realized that ____________

Mmm ... Where do I begin?

I haven't just realized, but I do realize anew, every day, the amazing joy and privilege being a mum is. Being a homeschooling mum just adds to the joy and to the privilege so much, and I am realizing that more and more as time goes on. Maybe as I see the kids getting older, and knowing how little time we have with our kids, makes every day seem more precious to me.

I have realized this year the benefit of following a Bible Reading Plan. I'm following Rev R.M. McCheyne's plan: I was late in beginning it, so I'm still playing a bit of catch-up, but I have found it a really useful tool. What I do most days with some of the readings is listen to the Bible being read whilst reading along. We've had Scourby's CDs for years, and now I've put some of the tracks on my ipod.... This means I can plug in the ear plugs, sit with my Bible and listen and read at the same time. I've also not tended to follow day by day but, rather, week by week. So, I may read six or seven chapters of Matthew in one sitting, rather than one chapter per day. The following day, I may read three or four chapters in Genesis, and so on.

I'm not sure how much sense any of this is making, but I really have been enjoying this reading plan, especially with Scourby's company.

And I guess - related to that last point - that I realize more and more how little of the Bible I actually know. Dearie me, twenty-five years of being a Christian, and I have but touched the surface of God's Word.

And so, Patrice, I'd better go and get cracking with my day. The Wee Guy has just finished his Maths for the day; DR is studying over in Stornoway; Katie is working on her Language; Catherine is ...er, somewhere in the house.

Jackson is curled up on his bed, half-asleep, but alert to any sign of his morning walk being given him.

Yesterday's Walk

2012-01-31T07:52:00.000Z

Catherine took her camera on her walk with Jackson yesterday.

I like it when she does this because I feel like I've been on a walk without having to move from my home.

The beach, taken from the machair

...and taken from the dunes area

My one-year-old boy in the dunes,

...and in the sea.

Jackson's paw prints

Some swans enjoying the sunshine and blue skies. This was before Jackson noticed them.

This is them escaping, after Jackson had noticed them.

And here's the Birthday Boy, enjoying the fact that he showed them who was Boss.

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

2012-01-30T11:49:00.000Z

My wee baby is now 1.

This was the day we took him home,

and one of his first ventures outside.

This was when he loved sleeping on someone's foot,

and this was him posing.

These were the days when we spoilt him rotten. He has been through so many beds since he had this one. Labs love to chew - did y'all know that?

Here he is playing with one of the dozen shoes he had in the garden,

and here is his ~~intelligent~~ dozy look.

Like ourselves, he sometimes forgets where his allegiance lies,

...except when it comes to this allegiance. He never gets this one wrong.

Here, he is reminding me that 'His ancestors retrieved grouse for Royalty'.

...Er... does this look like a Royal Mutt to you guys?

This was the day I looked for a new home for him.

This was his first snowy playtime. He absolutely loved it.

And here he is trying to befriend John Wayne and Bruce Willis. They were having none of it.

Their loss, I tell him.

Happy Birthday, Jackson!

Don't let anyone tell you you're Goofy, Dumb, Dozy, Stupid, or Bonny-but-Dim.

We know otherwise.... Don't we?

Today ...

2012-01-27T19:37:00.000Z

Today began with a beautiful sunny and frosty morning.

I had to head over to town, so I took a couple of photos while I was there... just because that's what bloggers do, isn't it?

Lews Castle, and...

the harbour.

In all the beauty of the day, my heart was heavy. Today in Ness, the funeral of a 16 year old boy was taking place here.

After the church service, the cars all passed our house on their way to the cemetery. Over a hundred cars went in past us. It was a beautiful late afternoon, but for those who were mourning the loss of their son, their brother, their grandson, their friend, I doubt they saw much beauty around them.

My heart is so heavy tonight. I weep for the boy. On a human level, I weep for his mother... I keep wondering, How? How does a mother lay her son's body in a grave? Oh, the pain of letting him go.

Teach us, Lord to number our days.

This was posted to my Facebook wall today:

What a blessing death is to those for whom it is but the opening of the gate into the presence of our Saviour. But, oh, what a dread, if we have lived our lives without Christ, and are being ushered into a Christless eternity.

"Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near."

Just Life Here at Home

2012-01-26T10:38:00.001Z

The Wee Guy is on his break. He has finished his Maths and headed out the door, shouting as he went: "Can't you see the fear in the eyes of the British Redcoats?".

"Oi!", I call, "You are British!".

"But today, I am fighting for freedom!".

You know what? I reckon that boy is learning right enough.

I'm just not sure our guys have quite made up their minds as to where their hearts are.

...British?

...or across the Pond??

* * * * * * * * *

For lunch today, we're having Courgette soup, made last summer when our courgettes were coming thick and fast. All the veg that were made into soups in late summer and in the autumn are now being appreciated by all.... (well, by me in particular, because I am enjoying them without having to make them). Soups in the freezer are the best thing ever.

When we go from this...

to this ...

and then to soup on our plates... Yep, it makes the work worthwhile

* * * * * * * * *

This morning, we read this in Jeremiah:

"Seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not." Jer 45:5

... I thought they were striking words.

* * * * * * * * *

More Chatting - with Dreams of the Perfect Climate

2012-01-25T09:09:00.000Z

Hi Patrice! I wasn't able to join you last week, but it appears you weren't around yourself either! Sadly, I missed the visit with Wendell .... How could I?!

Today's questions have been set by a variety of Patrice's readers, so here we go...

1. Kimberly asks: How long have you blogged?

I had to go back and check my posts for this one. I began in March 2010, which means I've been blogging for almost 2 years. I could hardly believe it! Off the top of my head I'd have said about a year.... time flies when you're having fun, it would appear. Like you, Patrice, I vaguely remember planning something for my One Year Anniversary, but it didn't happen. In fact, let me go back and see what I did blog about a year on from my beginning....

Found them! I had the post of the Boys on the Beach - some photos I took of DR and his 'Mini-me', and on the day before that, I had a Jigsaw we'd made. I hadn't told our readers at that stage, but we already knew we were going to get a certain Mr Jackson.

2. Lana asks:What is the most difficult part of taking care of chickens?

I wouldn't know the answer to this one having never had chickens. I do keep telling myself that's gonna change, and we do plan to have some in the future. For now though? I'll allow the chicken-keepers to answer this question.

3. Susannah asks: Would you prefer to live where it's hot or cold?

Oh, that's easy!

Or is it? My first thought is to shout out, 'Somewhere warm of course'. But my idea of warm is lovely temperatures in the 80s or 90s, with a delightful, but gentle, sea breeze to keep the air fresh. Then my summer would roll into Autumn and the leaves would turn brown, yellow and red, and the evenings and the morning would turn cooler, but we would still be enjoying some 70 degree temperatures through the day. And then, one late-November morning, I would waken up to frost on the ground, and know that winter had arrived. Oh, the skies would still be blue through the day, and starry at night. In December and January, beautiful white snow (er, is there any other colour??) would fall, blanketing the ground in bright beauty and the children would have a wonderful time sledging, building igloos and snowmen and having snowball fights.

(Of course, in this wonderful world, nobody will even get hurt by a snowball hitting them on the cheek. Oh no! They wont feel the burning cold sensation on their toes, when the pain only subsides when numbness sets in. And the numbness subsides only to be replaced by chilblain agony. Dearie me.... No! Who spoiled my dreamland?!)

Well, I guess you can see by my ramblings that a place with the four seasons would suit me best. But, then again, who wouldn't choose that? Warm, but not unbearably hot, summers, and winters with snow and frost.

Wikipedia says about our weather here:

In the Outer Hebrides the average temperature for the year is 6°C (44°F) in January and 14°C (57°F) in summer.

I know it's not the worst kind of climate, but seriously... wouldn't you opt for warmer summers and colder winters?

I do, however, love the changes in daylight we have. I love having long, almost endless, days in summer, and very short days in winter. Some other places in the world that are at our latitude, and so have similar day/night patterns as we have are:

Naknek, Alaska;
Togiak, Alaska;
Stikine Region, BC;
High Level, Alberta;
Churchill, Hudson Bay, Manitoba;
Tobolsk, Siberia

Any of you from anywhere around there? Any of you ever been to any of these places, or places close by? I'd love to hear if you are, or have been.

4. Farm Girl asks: What sort of things are you looking forward to in 2012?

Oh.... erm... well... Can I say, 'More of the same'? I love seeing our kids growing and developing. Of course, with teenagers, that 'growing and developing' comes with its own challenges, but on the whole, I love it. We have no holiday plans for this year (though DR does!), but we do have other plans in the pipeline ... if they come to fruition, you will hear of them!

5. Dreaming asks: What's for dinner?

Mince and tatties. How Scottish is that! Our mince came from cattle bred by people we know, just a few miles from here. Our carrots, turnip and potatoes all came from the plot. So it really felt like a home-grown and home-made meal.

Laughter

2012-01-23T12:40:00.001Z

This article, The Christian's Great Interest, on Tim Challies' blog last week, gave me food for thought.

It convicted me, but I have mixed feelings about my convictions. I am aware that we have been given different personalities, and that laughter and (outward) joy appear more easily to some than to others. I believe, looking back, that the Christians I knew as a child who had the greatest impact on me were those of a joyful personality to whom laughter came easily. I think of some of the elders who came to our home and who always had a word (and a sweetie) for me. I think of our local minister, here in Ness, who is still one of the Godliest men I know, but whose face in my mind always smiles. I think of the Christian ladies who visited us often, and I associate them with laughter and with Godliness.

Yes, they laughed often ... but never about spiritual and eternal matters.

And I think this is the difference. Matters of the soul, whilst often joyful - indeed, so joyful that I could almost burst - are never amusing.

I have had times - thankfully they have been relatively short-lived - when I couldn't laugh. My providence at the time wrapped everything in a blanket of greyness. I found it difficult to look at our wonderful sunsets and see any beauty. The beauty of the sea seemed masked. The awesomeness and the wonder of the creation surrounding me didn't seem able to move me at all. All was dull, and grey, and drab. I was sad, hurt, tearful.

When these times passed, I was so thankful for joy to be my portion once again. The sound of laughter, and the ability to laugh, were such blessings to me. Had I not gone through these times, I think I would see things differently now, but I have had times like these. I feel sure that I will go through times of little-joy and no-laughter again - probably times of harder and deeper grief - but, for now, I cannot but give thanks for the times I have of joy and laughter. My laughter is almost always supplied by my children, for whom I thank God every day. I know that our children can bring heartache as well as laughter; sorrow as well as joy. For this reason, I count our times of laughter as great blessings and wonderful gifts from my loving Father.

My children, though, know that there are some things of which I can never laugh. Matters of the soul - eternal matters - are never funny.

Never, ever, ever.

If I laugh at sin, I pray I repent of that, and that my children are aware that this, in itself, is sinful. When I see sin in myself, in them, or in others ... I can never laugh at that. Sinning against a holy, omnipotent, omnipresent God can never make us smile. If it does, I pray forgiveness for this.

And so, back to the original article. I am glad Tim published it, and glad I read it. It is helpful for me to question myself, and to bring myself to a more 'centred' position if I have gone too far to the left or to the right.

And just to say to you all: in all my laughter, levity and fun, there are certain things that are true, and maybe I don't speak of them often enough...

We have all been given life. One day, we will all die. We have a soul which will never die. We will spend eternity either in Heaven or in Hell. Salvation in this life, and eternity in Heaven is possible in only one way, and that is through Jesus Christ, who is "the Way, the Truth and the Life". If you don't know Christ Jesus as your own personal Saviour, I urge you to seek Him with your whole heart. The Gospel (which means 'good news') is that 'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners' (1Tim 1:15).

When Christ is your Saviour, your Comforter, your Constant in this ever-changing world, you find that the best kind of laughter - the laughter that is able to rejoice in the world and gifts God has given you - comes more easily.

You will also find that tears come more easily: tears for those whom you love who are still outside of Christ; tears for those who mourn; tears for those whose lot in life is so different to what the sovereign God has given me.

And tears of joy - when the emotion of knowing what Christ Jesus has done for me .... 'that saved a wretch like me'; of knowing that when my time here comes to an end, the beginning of an eternity with my Saviour begins. When I think of these things, I may not laugh outwardly, but my soul overflows with joy, nonetheless.

(Today, my heart is sore for the family of a boy who passed away at the weekend. He was Catherine's age. None of us knows how we would survive this kind of heartache, and for now I 'mourn with those who mourn'. And I give thanks for the providence God has ordained for me which, today, is so different from what another mother is going through.)

Jackson... and unwanted Jowls

2012-01-20T08:52:00.001Z

Here's my boy looking out our kitchen window the other morning. Just after this photo was taken, he noticed his auntie (in the red jacket) to his left. His interest, mind you, was in the two collies she had with her.

The sock was dropped, and the 'bright, intelligent' look appeared.

Holding my head up high... If it wasn't for the jowl, I'd look a million dollars.

Seriously, the jowl...

Here's him without it. Doesn't he look gooood?

My velvety ears, and soft eyes. Gorgeous.

This photo is worth showing so you can see that we do, occasionally, have blue bits in our sky.

Blue bits and even shadows.

And my wee baby silently looking on...

More Gaelic for you to Listen to...

2012-01-19T12:12:00.000Z

If you want to hear more Gaelic being spoken (without the bonus of seeing me in the flesh), you can click on this link. I was being interviewed for a short time on a Gaelic radio programme yesterday about homeschooling. The slot begins at 20:05 mins and lasts until 34:40.

Happy listening!

Just a Thought...

2012-01-17T23:58:00.000Z

An online friend of mine was being criticized the other day for having online friends whom she'd never met, and may never meet (this side of heaven, anyway). When we got talking about it (online!), it got me thinking...

I have been so incredibly blessed by some people whom I've never met, and will probably never meet this side of eternity, through online sermons, lectures and blogs. I have also been blessed beyond words by online friendships God has placed in my life. I have friends for whom I pray, and who pray for me - and I don't just mean that we give each other a mention on our knees before God. I mean true, burdened prayer. Folks who've not experienced the kind of bond that can exist outside of the normal face-to-face meetings may wonder at how genuine, how helpful, how real such bonds can be. In many ways, I don't blame them - I'd have been rather skeptical myself, had I not been blessed with such things in my life.

My friend, the other day, was being warned by her friends that, 'you may not even like them if you met them in real life'. This made me think of my dear friend, Mr Spurgeon. You see, I am blessed by the words of this man again and again. His words are an encouragement to me. They warm my heart, make me see more of the beauty of my Saviour. They make me love Him more; hate my sin more.

But the truth is: I have never, and will never, meet him on this side of eternity. Had I been alive at the same time as he was, and had I met him 'in real life', I may not have liked him that much (I'm quite sure he wouldn't have been too 'taken' with me...), but the truth remains - through his words, whether on the page, or on the screen, he is a great source of blessing and encouragement to me.

So, the next time any of you are questioned about the possibility of online friendships being true, worthwhile or 'real', maybe you ought to think of some godly writer who 'being dead yet speaketh'. In eternity, when we do finally meet, there will be no sin, and no possibility of us not liking each other, and we will rejoice that God used the one to bless the other.

And to those of you who have been an encouragement to me over the past year or so; and to those of you who have truly become dear friends, and who are ever before me in my prayers.... even if it's God's will that we never meet here on earth, it is true that both emotionally and spiritually, y'all have been a great blessing in my life.

And if God wills it that we do get to meet here.... I do pray we like each other too ;)

You Needing a Laugh?

2012-01-16T20:35:00.000Z

Those of you who follow Homeschool on the Croft on Facebook will already know that we were without internet from Saturday morning until this morning.

We almost had to call 999 for our kids. After all, Saturday night had been set as a plan-the-next-holiday-to-America evening for DR and, er, someone else. And when America is on some people's minds, well, it aint the time for the internet to be dying on us.

If you follow Homeschool over on FB, you will also know that last Wednesday evening was designated split-your-sides-over-Anne's-fashion-twenty-years-ago night.

I seriously can't believe I'm doing this, but I don't want my blog readers to be disadvantaged in any way. Just cos y'all don't do Facebook, it doesn't mean you ought not to risk dying laughing at me.

Okay, are you guys ready for this? In the following video, at 16 seconds, I'm the one wrapping the parcel. I seriously am not going to comment on the hair, nor on the fashion.

Not. one. word.

And then at around 1:24, I am coming up the escalator.

I really oughtn't be doing this to myself. But if you need to feel good about yourself, or if you really, really need a good laugh, have a watch.

Spurgeon's Daily Reading for Yesterday

2012-01-12T22:20:00.000Z

Do any of you read Spurgeon's Morning and Evening? (It's online too.) No matter how many times I read it, I never tire of the wonderful warm and encouraging word this man of God has for my soul. Surely, he is one who, 'being dead, yet speaketh'.

Yesterday (Jan 11th), he was speaking on, "I have prayed for thee" - Jesus' words to the beloved disciple, Peter. How glad I am that Peter was a disciple. How thankful I am that God's Word didn't give us an account of perfect men who never put a food, or word, wrong. And how merciful God was to Peter, in his sin, his pride, his fall. Merciful. And kind. And tender.

Oh the tenderness of our Saviour!

Here is what Spurgeon had to say yesterday:

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter - "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but"... but what? ... "But go and pray for yourself" - that would have been good advice but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mishcief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, He does not say, 'Satan has sifted you, and therefore I will pray', but 'Satan hath desired to have you.' He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for you." No, but "I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made." O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope and confidence.

As Spurgeon says here, how little we know of what we are kept from because of the prayers of our Saviour, our eternal intercessor.

"Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek." (Ps 110; Hebrews 5:6)

The last (added, I believe) verse of the hymn Amazing Grace says,

When we've been there ten thousand years,

bright shining as the sun,

We've no less days to sing God's praise

than when we first begun.

Praise God this is so! For we will never run out of reasons for which to praise our Saviour.

Back Chatting with Patrice. It's Been a While

2012-01-10T23:32:00.000Z

Well, Patrice, I have missed our weekly chats so much. Now that life has returned to some level of normality, hopefully I'll be back with you each week, and I'm delighted to be joining yourself and the other ladies today.

We were just having a laugh here just now: The Builder was asking the kids what LOL stood for, and Catherine was telling the story of a lady who texted her daughter to let her know her great aunt had passed away. The text read:

Auntie Marie has passed away. Lol x

Her daughter phoned her that evening and asked her to read out the text she'd sent her earlier on. Mum read it: Auntie Marie has passed away. Lots of love x

Just shows you.... Make sure you know your abbreviations. It could be a matter of life and death!

So to today's questions:

1. How often do you wear a skirt or dress?

Well, as y'all know, my favoured attire is...

... though believe it or not, I wore a skirt to town today. Flat brown boots, and a knee length skirt. Er, no, not these boots. Town is not worthy of them.

I wear a skirt or dress to church, so that's twice on Sunday, and to our midweek meeting. Apart from that, I have to be honest my skirts don't get too much of an airing. Much to my mother's horror. Sorry Mum...

2. Did you feel unmotivated after Christmas and New Year?

Well, our holidays were so busy - that wonderful busy-ness that comes from being blessed with a home, family and friends, and visiting and food aplenty. Blessings indeed. We began our 'real life' yesterday, and so far - a long 48 hours later - I feel totally motivated. (I'm glad I'm not answering this on Friday!)

I tend to get spurned on to 'better things' at the beginning of each term, and have to fight to keep it up as the term goes on. So for now, I'm feeling pretty motivated.

Now all I need is to reacquaint myself and the treadmill.

Patrice, quick - ask the next question. Quiiiiick!

3. What was the last thing that made you say "Wow"?

The other day, I saw an incredible wave crashing over the Butt, and definitely said "Wow!". (And yes, I called the kids to see it too. And they obliged :)

The waves the other day made the waves in this photo seem like something a child would make in the bath. I love the way it all seems to happen in slow motion. The best of the wave the other day was that the sea was coming in towards the Butt, but the wind was from the North, so it was pushing the sea spray in the opposite direction. It was fabulous to watch.

Was my answer predictable?! (At least it wasn't a sunset....wrong time of year for that!)

4. Do you shop with a list, or do you 'wing it'?

Oh dear. Me and my lists. I faithfully write a list before I head off to town every single week.

And one of two things happens:

a) I may leave the list on the kitchen worktop. This is a very common occurrence.

b) I may reach the last aisle in Tesco and remember... The List. I go sporghail (sorry, no English word.... just imagine some very elegant searching in a very neat and tidy handbag... ahem) in my ~~sack~~ bag, only to give up and hope the essentials were all remembered. Of course, the essentials always include these essential items that others may not class as essential. Essentially, they consist of chocolate. Other essentials may be overlooked, but one's sanity and well-being is too important to be forgotten. Anyone else find this??

Fortunately we have a couple of local shops here in Ness (where would we be without them!) for my inevitable 'forgets'. I ought to make a New Year resolution to do with lists, or essentials, or something ...

'A' New Year resolution, Anne?? Plural, methinks. Plural.

5. What questions would you like me to ask on our Chat?

Oh, Patrice, you know my imagination is rubbish! Have we spoken about holidays - in the past, in the future, or in our imagination? New Year resolutions? What you love most about where you live? What you'd change about where you live?!

Thankfully, we've got lots of company today, so ask the others... they'll have good ideas.

It's been so good being back with you on the porch - well, inside, I know - but we still like to call it the porch, don't we? I hope y'all have a great week, and have the joy of the Lord, the peace that passes understanding and a greater love for our Saviour than we've ever had before.

Wouldn't that make it a great week...

Food. I May be Becoming Obsessed

2012-01-09T13:42:00.000Z

Maybe this has been common knowledge throughout the rest of the Western world, and if it has been, I don't know why nobody ever told me. Thank you to a lady from our village who told me just a couple of weeks ago that she always chopped up her carrots, leeks and turnip, bagged them and froze them. No par-boiling; no blanching. Nothing. Just straight from the plot to the freezer.

Today, I added another four bags of chopped turnip to the half-dozen already in the freezer. This is so handy for when I'll be making Scotch Broth with little time.

No, not with a little Thyme, but with little time.

Bags of chopped turnip, ready to throw into a pan of Scotch Broth at a later date.

And seeing as I'm talking of my vegetables (I know, you've missed hearing of them), here are some of my peeled and chopped veggies from Saturday.

All from The Plot.... yes, I did say it (and not just once):

'It's so amazing. Ah-ma-zing!'

Well, it is!

Now, y'all will be thinking I'm obsessed with food, but I have to show you this...

Dawn's carrot cake.

These are not the days on which to be making New Year resolutions. Unless the resolution is to eat as much cake as possible.

Of every cake I have ever eaten, this is simply the best.

The Best.

If cakes were actors, this would be Colin Firth in that scene.

If cakes were cars, this would be the Land Rover Discovery (not that there are many apparent similarities, but they are both my favourite in their respective classes).

If cakes were holidays, this carrot cake would fly me to Vancouver, take me East across Canada, through the Rockies, over the Prairies, all the way to the fishing villages of Nova Scotia.

It would then drive me south into the USA, through the New England coast, and keep driving until we reached New Jersey. There, it would allow me to wallow in the luxury of 'our seaside home' (remember it?) for a while, before heading me into Virginia....ahhhh, Virginia, land of Mr Jackson (you remember him?), into North Carolina, across the Blue Ridge Mountains..... Ahhh from where we'd head West and drive into the sunset day after day after day.

Into the Wild West....

Er... I seem to have got slightly carried away here. Food does that to me.

And this old favourite, PW's Chocolate Sheet cake, sat on the counter on Saturday, waiting to be remembered. Even cakes aren't keen on being usurped by bigger, better ones.

'Chocolate sheet cake, I can assure you, you will not be forgotten.'

We shall not cease to bake you. Over and over and over. If you guys have never tried it, make it. You wont regret it.

Though your waistline may...

Our Visitors. All the Way from England. That weird Country...

2012-01-05T01:44:00.001Z

Remember I told y'all we were having some Sasannaich coming to stay.

Yes, remember we were gonna teach them about life in the wilds.

So, the first thing we did was have a few round for some food.

After all, that's what we do bestest on the island.

Eat.

Some of the guys filling plates. And stomachs.

Food,

and fellowship. What more can one ask for?

However, I did want the Sasannaich to go without them getting their hands dirty, so to speak.

I got J to do some vacuuming....

R to dry some dishes,

and DR to mop.

DR mopping!! The floor didn't know what hit it.

(No, not because it was DR mopping, but simply because it was being mopped.)

But the best is yet to come.

The other day, in 60mph winds, and in a windchill of -6 degrees, these hardy, intrepid folks jumped into the sea.

Yes they did. For some inexplicable reason, they decided it would be great fun to jump into these waters in these conditions.

Give me strength! I can't bear to go into these waters above my ankles during the Summer!

But here they are, with DR underwater.

He's alive!!

J now dives in...

then R,...

And now the incredibly brave, if somewhat mad, LJ.

Mad I tell you, mad...

And now we know that these Englishers are "a hardy, intrepid race" as well as us Scots.

Oh, hang on, these guys are Scots.... ;)

The Builder and I took a Drive...

2012-01-04T01:22:00.000Z

The Builder, kind man that he is, took me for a wee drive yesterday.

When we arrived at the lighthouse, some sheep were sheltering at the wall,

and then I saw them turn round to admire the crashing waves.

These photos are taken from the other side of the lighthouse. The sun came out, and you can see my shadow is falling over the cliff.

A gull on the rock... not feeling the cold, apparently.

These photos are taken at Stoth. I loved the way the sheep looked at me, as if to ask what on earth I was doing on their patch.

I think the sheep closer to the edge is testing my nerves.

Don't do it, sheep. Don't!

And here, on our way home, was Eoropie machair with a sleet shower fast approaching.

The Last Review of 2011's Posts

2011-12-31T01:49:00.001Z

In September, we had a fank where the Wee Guy was able to keep Big Brother right.

and we had a look at Jackson's fall from the heady heights of his ancestry.

Of course, along the way, we captured a sunset or two...

And, of course, September is the month of remembering that day in 2001.

And then into October, when we celebrated Reformation Day with fellow homeschoolers,

and I had a look at some pretty awesome sights.

I had an announcement for all you Americans, though sadly, few of you seemed to take it too seriously...

In November, we celebrated Bonfire night,

remembered our fallen heroes of past wars on Remembrance Day,

and celebrated my birthday with a photo session.

Okay, with a photo.

This month, I have spent most of my time reviewing the past year, though poor Jackson did have a post where he welcomed the rams back to their field, but was not rewarded with any gentlemanly behaviour from them.

Not so much as a Hello.

I cannot believe we are now just a day away from the New Year. We were blessed tonight to have a crowd of young folks in our house after they'd been 10-pin bowling. We ate some food then sat and talked.

Listening to over a dozen young folks speaking about the things of the Lord was such a blessing.

What a privilege it is to have the Lord's people in our home once again. What a blessing to end our night with the singing of Psalm 122.

I joyed when to the house of God,

Go up, they said to me.

Jerusalem, within thy gates

our feet shall standing be.

...

Now, for my friends' and brethren's sakes,

peace be in thee, I'll say.

And for the house of God our Lord,

I'll seek thy good alway.

Psalm 122 (first and last verses, Scottish Metrical)

My prayer for Jerusalem would be that peace may indeed be within her walls (v7). My prayer for all my friends and brethren is that they, and I, would all grow in love for our Saviour, and that we would grow in the love that brings us together, whether we are separated by seas or continents.

I pray that I would continue to be blessed by friends, near and far; by bonds that have been created over miles with people whom I've never met in the flesh, but who are indeed my 'brethren'; and that those whom I love in the world but who are still outside of Christ would come to know Him as their Saviour. This is my greatest desire of all.

As Paul said of Israel, 'my heart's desire and prayer is... that thy might be saved'.

Ramblings.... (what I do best)

2011-12-29T01:28:00.000Z

Just when I thought it couldn't get any better, my delightful little cowboy has now taken to tipping his hat, with a quiet, 'Ma'am' every time he passes me.

I don't know where he saw this gesture, but just when I thought he couldn't be a more perfect cowboy.... he discovers this.

Here's my Cowboy with his Cowgirl. Aren't they the cutest pair...

And here they are with Buzz Lightyear. So cute.

*** *** ***

To add to my delight over Christmas, the Builder bought me perfume. Now, those of you who follow Homeschool on the Croft on Facebook already know this, but to the rest of you, this will be shocking news.

It isn't?

Well, it ought to be. Twenty years it took, but he finally bought me perfume. And I love it.

I believe his shopping experience went something like this:

He walks into Chemist and finally reaches the front of the queue. To the shop assistant, he said, 'Ahhh, perfect. You're the very person to tell me what perfume my wife will love.'

Those in the queue behind him laughed, but the shop assistant asked a few questions and once she'd established what kind of person I was (tall, slim, cute, fashionable .... ) she recommended Hugo Boss. Pour femme. Naturally. And thankfully.

*** *** ***

Now, to me, the joy of this whole time of year is of being surrounded by family and friends. On Saturday, my Mum and Dad came with us to see the kids opening their Christmas presents. I think I spoke recently about Grandparents and how we ought, if at all possible, to treasure them and to try and include them in our children's lives. I can tell you that a gift of a million pounds wouldn't mean as much to my folks as what they had on Saturday - the pleasure of being with the kids, seeing them open their gifts, and have them show everything off to them. I reckon if we're able to give grandparents anything, let it be the gift of our time and our company. I'm thinking most grandparents would choose this over any other gift.

...although here...

they seem more concerned with what is in their bag than with any of their grandchildren.

*** *** ***

Today, we were expecting some visitors. These visitors are friends of our kids - friends DR made whilst in America last summer, and who have kept up the friendship via Skype. (Did I ever tell y'all I loved the internet?)

Well, these Englishers, these city-folks, are coming to stay. They were supposed to be here today, but our Gale Force 11 winds meant the ferry did not sail today. All being well, they will arrive tomorrow. Over the past months, while our kids made excited plans with these city-folks, the Builder and I planned on how to make their holiday as much of a culture shock as possible.

We thought we'd feed them...

yep, the Guga. Read about it here and you'll see why our citified friends will ~~not~~ come back again.

We thought we'd threaten to take them here...

to the peats.

Or to do this...

with the sheep.

But of course, it's the wrong time of year for these.

However, it seems the experience they're gonna have has been taken out of our hands.

Winds of up to 80 mph today meant their ferry didn't sail. They're stuck on the mainland, just across the Minch overnight.

High winds tomorrow and a sea still raging in the aftermath of today's gale will give them a .... er, slightly choppy sail tomorrow.

Oh the joys of living on an island.

Our electricity has been flickering on and off in the high winds. Over the next week, there is every likelihood that they will experience a power cut. Life with no electricity: how will city folks cope?!

But the best is yet to come. Today, we lost our water supply. No kidding. We have no running water. The water company supplied us today with bottles of water... so we have water with which to cook, and we have water to drink. We don't, however, have the capacity to shower.

Seriously, we did not want to show our English friends this. We did not want to go this far back in time.

Never mind the Londoners.... I can not cope without running water.

2011, Review III

2011-12-27T11:05:00.001Z

In July, our eldest had his birthday. He insists it was his 18th, but as there are only a few short years since I gave birth to him, there is clearly some mistake here.

A blogging friend, and her lovely daughter came to visit. All the way from Pennsylvania to the Our Beach.

We had the Barvas Show, and here a really well-known, even famous, guy admires a Highlander. Her rump.

And in the pen, you can also see Adam Henson, who some folks seem to know too. They said he was on the telly or somethin', but the other fella is much more famous.

In our neck o' the woods anyway.

Enough of your rump - that's the bonny side of ya.

In July, I also said Goodbye to my friend, Laurie.

Yes, she of the pea planting,

and getting-boots-soaked-in-the-peats.

And her of THE Coffee Cake

I don't like Goodbyes. At all.

Of course, being July, we celebrated ~~our~~ your Independence Day.

In August, we had an unexpected incident in our garage,

took a wander down memory lane,

and I celebrated twenty years of marriage to this guy...

Cowboys don't come Cuter than this...

2011-12-24T22:37:00.001Z

This was our cute little waiter tonight ...

...sitting patiently after the meal...

... and not so patiently.

Waiting. Waiting for...

...this!

And now we have the cutest cowboy in the West.

The quickest draw in the West.

As I say, the cutest, noisiest cowboy...

to ever say, 'I love you Mom so, so much'.

2011, from April to June

2011-12-20T11:52:00.000Z

In April, we had a new addition to our family

Our very cute, Jackson, became part of our family.

Sometimes, I wish he was still that size...

We also had a Homeschoolers' get-together to celebrate the Queen's birthday, but the day was so lovely, we spent most of our afternoon at the beach.

Here, we have to take advantage of the weather when we can.

During April we had the very joyful event of our Royal marriage, our day tinged with some sadness, of which you can read here.

In May, we looked at Harris Tweed in a number of posts, and in this one, we met a friend who weaves on a traditional loom.

And, began our look at the fruit and veg for this year's plot.

Finally, for this post, we have a little skim through June.

I answered some of your questions in this post

and we had a look at Big Brother shearing some sheep....

...with a little help from a (little) friend :)

Beginning our Review of This Year's Posts

2011-12-19T17:47:00.000Z

We're coming to the end of another year and here's the first look back at 2011 on the blog.

In January, we looked at the reason for sheep. I was glad we studied this topic, because I did know there must be a good reason for them.

In February, I took a walk along the beach...not our beach, but the beach to which we went when I was growing up.

In March, the girls and I went to the mainland,

we drove to Harris for the day,

and both Catherine

and Katie celebrated their birthdays.

As we enter our final week before Christmas, I realise that those of you who have the gift of organisation are more fortunate than you'll ever know.

Those of us who are not, are thankful that we are loved despite what we are.

In the next review, we will look at some posts from the next three months of the year.

On the Flightpath

2011-12-16T23:00:00.000Z

Every time I looked up yesterday, I seemed to see one of these...

I took this photo up at our local Post Office. I was thinking as I took it of the many, many emigrants who left our shores to go where this plane was going.

They, however, did not have the luxury of a plane journey. And those left at home did not have the luxury of a telephone like the one in the photo. They would never hear the voices of their loved ones again.

Here is our local Post Office. It may be cute, but it is also the handiest thing ever. I know that many communities had their Post Offices closed down over the past few years, but I am so thankful we still have ours.

Last year, when DR was going to Canada and the USA (er...did you hear he went across the Pond? His siblings have never stopped hearing it... don't you just love brothers?!) I ordered money in dollars from here. The money comes from the mainland, but I had it at lunchtime the following day. Great service!

As I said, every time I looked upward yesterday, these planes seemed to be passing.

....Mocking me.

Another one gone, and we're not on it.

These photos are taken looking south over the Ness moor, with the sun setting in the South. I'm about a mile South of our house, with the sea West of me, and the moor, with its expanse of peat, stretching for miles.

Friends Reunited

2011-12-16T01:01:00.000Z

Ever since November 5th, when the rams went on their holidays, I've sat here day after day after day, wondering when my friends would be back.

I mean, how long can any one holiday be? How much fun can any two rams have on a holiday?

Don't I look sad? All alone, no one to talk to.

And then, out of the blue, last Saturday afternoon....they arrive home.

I had a good look at them. Thought they'd lost a bit of weight. Looking a bit peeky, I thought. Tired, I thought.

Clearly, their holiday didn't do them much good. I must tell Big Brother not to let them go on that kind of holiday again. I just know the rams would thank me for it in the long run.

I waited for them to come and speak to me.

Nothing.

An hour passed...

Daddy, why don't they come and say Hello?

Mum....Is there something wrong with me?

All they're doing is eating.

All day long. Munch, munch.

Oh, hang on, Mum. He's coming over...

It's Bruce and he's coming to talk to me!

....Or maybe not...

More food.

That's it. I'm no bothering with them any more.

Even I don't eat all day long.

Yes, I know it's because Mum and Dad don't let me. I've heard them saying how fat Labradors can get, and how they'd never refuse food, and how they'd eat all day if they could, and how the vet says owners are always duped by the pathetic, hungry look on their pet Lab's face.

I hate the Vet for saying that. They'd have been totally duped if he hadn't spilled the beans.

Beans? Did someone mention beans? That's food, isn't it?

Another Lovely Visit, and it's Getting Close to The Big Day ...

2011-12-14T23:43:00.001Z

How lovely to have a little time out, Patrice, and to come and chat with y'all. Are things as hectic with all of you as it is here? I just don't have a minute, and even my poor blog is not seeing as much of me as it ought.

I'm glad we're inside too. The days here are so dark. When it's raining and cloudy at this time of year, we really feel like it doesn't brighten up at all. The official sunset is at 3.30pm, but even around midday, we need the lights on. Never mind, warm homes, plenty of food, and good health... certainly no reason for moaning.

And so to your questions:

1. Where is your favourite place to think, reflect, or pray?

Well, every lunchtime, I go into our lounge, and sit in a very comfy chair in the corner. In summer, this corner will have had the sun all morning, so it's nice and warm. It's also close to the radiator in the room, so at this time of year, it's nice too. This hour is my hour, and the kids know not to come and fetch me unless someone is bleeding really badly, or the house (or garage!) is on fire.

This is when I read and pray - my quiet time. Although I pray in the mornings, I am much more relaxed during this hour, and am able to spend time in God's Word and in prayer.

2. Did you believe in Santa as a kid?

No, I didn't, but I don't think any of the kids around me did either. I never remember it being an issue. When our own kids were young, they always knew the pressies came from us, but we had to warn them every winter not to dare say that to other kids. Parents would be absolutely irate and it's not my kids who'd get it... it'd be ME! Other mums scared me!

3. What's your favourite kind of Christmas cookie? You can add a recipe if you have time.

Is a 'cookie' a cookie? ... like a chocolate chip cookie, like this

...or are cookies any little biscuit-type-cakes?

I haven't, traditionally, had Christmas cookies, and muffins aren't something we normally do for breakfast over here, but I saw a wonderful recipe the other day for Breakfast muffins. I'm thinking they'll go down a treat at the holidays. The recipe is for Apple Muffins, and it can be found at Cooking for Seven's blog.

I can almost smell them through the screen. Apple and cinnamon ... Yum!

Oh, Wendell, I think you'd love them, so next week I'll bring some round for you. (And shhhh, don't tell anyone - I'm only gonna share them with you ;)

4. Did you grow up around any of your grandparents?

Both my Dad's parents lived until I was into my twenties, but my Mum's dad actually lived with us until he passed away when I was nine years of age. I've written about him already here. My every memory of him is precious, and even now, 35 years after his death, I tear up thinking of him.

I absolutely. loved. him.

To young folks who have their grandparents, my advice would be to make as much use of them being there as possible. Speak to them. Ask them questions. Get to know them ... I mean really know them. Drag information out of them - remember they come from a generation which didn't blow their own trumpet, and that's why we have so few stories from their past. I never heard my Grampa talk of his years in the Great War; nor his years in New Zealand; nor even simply of his childhood. How I'd love to have these stories!

To those of you who are grandparents, my advice would be to be a grandparent, not a parent. Never go against the wishes of grandchildren's parents - that's a no-no - but at the same time, I reckon you can spoil them a bit. Sit with them. Read to them. Talk with them. Have fun with them. Their memories of their times with their grandparents will then never be forgotten. That's my experience anyway.

5. What's your favourite winter sport - skiing, skating, sledding, other? If you are in a warm place, what is your favourite winter sport to watch when the Winter Olympics are televised?

I think we qualify as a warm place!

We don't get a lot of snow, so I'll have to answer this as I live vicariously through the lives of these madmen who zoom down mountainsides at crazy speeds. We love the Winter Olympics, but I spend half my viewing time squealing and screaming because of the dangers these guys are in. I think they're mad. Mad, but I love watching it (even if it is from behind part-covered eyes half the time!)

Well, once again, Patrice, thanks so much for our lovely visit. This time next week... oh, I don't even want to think of it. I know y'all will find it so hard to believe - me being the ultra-organised person I am - but I am so incredibly disorganised. Seriously. Even by my (very low) standards, this year is bad. Real bad.

Today's Newspapers

2011-12-09T23:15:00.000Z

The dramas in Europe happened too late for today's newspapers. In Europe last night, Prime Minister David Cameron vetoed a treaty change, and has left the United Kingdom 'out in the cold' in the EU.

Methinks I shan't be losing too much sleep over that particular isolation.

Terry Smith was interviewed on Radio 4's Today programme. His blog is here, and you can read the full transcript of his interview on the blog. Here is a snippet:

JUSTIN WEBB: Presenter
Is it a good result for the euro? The markets, Robert Peston was telling us a few minutes ago, have not been too impressed, at least in their early thoughts. Let’s go to Terry Smith who’s chief executive of Tullett Prebon and Fundsmith, and what do you make of it, Mr Smith?

TERRY SMITH: Chief Executive, Tullett Prebon and Fundsmith
What I make of it? I’m not sure that this leaves Britain isolated, we’re still members of the European Community. But if we are isolated, we might be as isolated as somebody who refused to join the Titanic just before it sailed.

JUSTIN WEBB:
It’s still the Titanic?

TERRY SMITH:
Yes, it’s still the Titanic. I mean, there is nothing that guarantees that the euro will survive at all, or in its current form in this. The essentials that would be needed to make that work just aren’t obviously present in the deal that’s being done.

'...as isolated as somebody who refused to join the Titanic

just before it sailed'

This has got to be the line of the year!

Anyway, onto today's papers.

This wind turbine was caught on camera going on fire in the hurricane winds that tore through Scotland yesterday. Winds of 150mph were recorded in the Cairn Gorms.

This headline follows another item of news earlier in the week which claimed that 40% of cancers could be prevented if people stopped smoking and overeating, limited their alcohol intake and exercised regularly.

The Daily Telegraph reports on an undercover investigation they have been involved in. The Telegraph has recorded this chief examiner boasting about how little content is in the Geography GCSE and how easy it is.

Oops.

And finally...

The Times has a photo from yesterday's strong winds, but leads with more on the Euro crisis. Notice the right-hand side column. "American 'cowboys' blamed for NHS fiasco". Somehow, I don't think it's the Tim Cox type of cowboy of which they talk.

More Chatting... This Time, We're Inside

2011-12-07T22:51:00.000Z

Patrice, I'm delighted we're chatting inside today. The thought of a warm drink and a cozy corner sounds wonderful.

All that and great company.... What more could we ask for?

1. Have you ever had a blog slump?

Well, Patrice, I think I'm there now. I'm not sure I have a blog slump, as such, but I do feel that I'm going to end up writing about the same things over and over. I keep thinking of stuff to blog about, and then I think, 'Oh, I've said all that before, and I've shown similar photos before.... the readers will be bored seeing all this again.'

But another blogger said recently that blog-readers come and go frequently. That means that there are probably readers who weren't with me this time last year, and so all this is not second-hand for them.

Maybe every blog needs, at some stage, to decide in which direction to go. I may need to give it some thought...

2. What's your favourite way to serve hot chocolate? Marshmallows on top? Whipped cream? A cinnamon stick?

I actually don't drink hot chocolate, but our kids love it. DR loves it with all of the above, and bells on top. Catherine is a plain Jane; the Wee Guy likes cream but not marshmallows; and Katie is a cream person too, I think.

I do love the thought of hot chocolate, and love my kids having it when they've come in from a cold, wintry day. But it aint my cup o' tea...

3. How do you handle it when you see someone you think you know, but cannot place? Do you approach them and ask, shy away, or just go home and hope you don't think of it at 2am?

Oh, Patrice, you must have had me in mind when you asked this question. This happens to me all the time. I see a face, I know I know the face, I know I've seen the person before.... but where? and when?

Do I know them from way back when I was hairdressing? Er, that's nearly 25 years ago.

Do I know them because I met them at a church service somewhere?

Do I know the face because they look like someone else I know?

Or do I simply know her face because she served me once in Tesco?

As for what I do...well, that depends. If the person comes up to me and talks, then I have no choice. I smile, and take my cue from what she's saying to me of course,

"Hi, Anne! I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Oh, Hi! No....not for ages" I smile, a thousand thoughts racing through my head. Church? Tesco? The salon? Glasgow? Someone's mother? Someone's daughter? My cousin?

None ring a bell.

"So, how are Mum and Dad?"

"Oh," I smile...here's a clue. She knows my parents. Scrub Glasgow. Scrub the salon. "They're fine, thanks. Yes, really good." I'm playing for time. Should I ask her how her parents are? Maybe they're not living. When did they die? Twenty years ago? Then I have no excuse for not knowing. Two weeks ago? I could have her in floods of tears....

"I haven't seen them for ages. Tell them I'm asking for them."

This is the point at which I ought to say, 'You know, I know I know you, but I just can't put a name to you', but I'm terrified in case I know her really well, and she may be hugely offended. She may be my cousin. Or someone in whose company I was only five days ago. Oh Anne, get a grip. Think!

Talk about the weather.... something neutral, but it'll give you time, Anne.

"Isn't the snow lovely." Oh, I think...mention that you've driven from Ness. Then she might say where she's driven from. "The roads from Ness were clear though."

"Oh," she says with a wave of her hand, "I don't know how you people can live in a place like that. I'd hate to live out of town."

She's a townie. And all of a sudden I've decided I'm not bothered. How dare she 'not know how anyone can live in a place like Ness'.... Huh! All that effort. All that panicking lest I offend. All these palpitations....

for a Townie.

4. What was your position in your family? Were you the eldest, a middle child, the youngest, or an only child?

I was the middle child of three. This is why I'm scarred for life.

Actually, I'm not scarred. Er...no, I'm not!

I definitely do think a person's position in the family makes a huge difference though. I'm not saying that the eldest always ends up thinking he's boss, or wanting his own way. And I'm not saying that the youngest is always the cutest and grows up knowing this to be true. I'm not saying it's always true, but ... I'm just sayin'.

5. How do you handle accumulated possessions (stuff)? Are you a pack-rat, a minimalist, or somewhere in between?

In my dreams I am a minimalist. Oh, talking of dreams - last night, I was in Toronto, and we were in a huge stadium waiting for the Ness football (soccer) team to turn up. They were going to be playing and we were there to watch. We hadn't, though, flown out just for the game - we seemed to be there anyway, but thought nothing odd of the Ness team coming all the way out to this huge stadium in Toronto to play.

And two nights ago, I was in South Dakota. Now, I've never been to South Dakota, and I know nobody from this state. It is, however somewhere I'd love to go (....along with the other 49 states, right enough), but I dreamt I was in SD. On a ranch.

There were horses and everything. But thankfully, no one made me ride one.. Phew! Even in a dream, that would have been too much.

What were we talking about, Patrice? Oh yes, 'stuff'. I have it all over. Loads and loads of it. And then I have a purge, and I fill a dozen bin bags, with some going to charity, some to friends, and some to the bin. My greatest problem is that I have to begin the process and see it through before the Builder comes home. If he so much as sniffs a black bin bag, he trawls through it 'in case I'm throwing something out he wanted to keep'. I'm not kidding. The whole exercise has to be well and truly over before he gets a whiff of my day's work. And so, I am destined to live in a guddle.

And that's yet another reason, Patrice, I love to spend some time with you and the other ladies each week. Just a wee while chilling and chatting. Drinking tea and eating cake (we do have cake, right?). Ahhhh, bliss.

Our First Snow

2011-12-05T11:19:00.000Z

This is what we woke to this morning.

Simply lovely...

Katie and Calum went for a little stroll in the road.

Everything looks so lovely in the snow, don't you think?

This is not the tracks of a car losing its way, but the footprints of my kiddos....

This fella absolutely loves the snow...

This is his first meeting with the white stuff, and when the Builder opened the back door for him today, he really didn't know what to make of it. He crept along the few inches of pavement right up against the wall of the house - the only black part! But, by the time Katie and Calum had him outside, he loved it so much he wouldn't come back in for them!

He was having so much fun. Let's hope this isn't gonna be our snow quota for the year.

For Sale

2011-12-03T20:22:00.001Z

Today, I decided this daughter...

... is for sale.

Actually, I take that back. She's free to a good home.

Why?

Because, whilst I was merrily minding my own business in another part of the house today, she allowed this...

to happen.

She not only allowed Jackson, aka destroyer-of-all-things-his-mouth-finds, to find, grab and play with my boot...

... she quite happily stood and took photos of the said event.

All this knowing that this dear mutt destroys anything he can get his paws on, and his teeth into.

The photo below shows the moment I walked through the door.

Caught!

And next is a rather disturbing looking photo, of an apparently disturbed dog.

Give me my boot!

So, all in all, you can see why the aforementioned daughter is today Free To A Good Home.

Offers in writing please...

Too Good not to Share

2011-12-01T13:35:00.000Z

There are some things too good not to share.

Tell me... Does this picture not just do something to your heart?

I had never seen nor heard of Tim Cox until this week, but his paintings blow me away. Maybe those of you in the US know him well. His website is here.

The link originally came to me from CA. I reckon himself and DR need to head West next time they cross the Pond. I can see it now:

Crofting Boys take on Wild West.

They wouldn't know what hit them.

(I'll leave it to yourself to decide who the 'they' are!)

This one is called As Good as it Gets

...this one, Heart and Home.

And have a look at this one, called If Looks Could Kill

Could anyone tell me what's happening here?

These paintings are seen through my eyes, but they touch my heart. I'm not a horse owner, never have been, but these paintings touch a chord somewhere inside of me. There is something so beautiful in the sight of a horse and his owner. I think it's true of the sight of any man with an animal he cares for.

Something very, very special.

It's Getting to That Time of Year Again

2011-12-01T00:35:00.000Z

I'm guessing, Patrice, that we'll definitely be inside for our chat today. We certainly would be if we were meeting at my place. As I type here just now, we have winds of 75mph, and hail showers banging on the window.

It sure makes you thankful for warm, secure homes.

Apparently, tomorrow will be December. I say 'apparently' because I'm not too sure it's true. You see, two weeks ago, it was September.

Wasn't it? I have no idea where time went this year. Let's get blethering, Patrice, and then we'll have a lovely cuppa and a cake. Sound good? Yep, it does to me too :)

1. What is your favourite day of the week? Why?

Mmmm... I think I have two. I love the Lord's Day. I love that the Builder can rest on that day, because he really does need the bodily rest that day gives us. I love that I can spend so much of the day reading or listening to sermons. My soul needs that. And, of course, I love that we're able, as a whole family, to go and worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. I love Sunday evenings, when we have pancakes and then sit in the Lounge. We all have our books and we alternate between reading and talking. It's a really relaxing time for us.

I also love Fridays. There's definitely something about 'that Friday feeling'. The Builder is normally home earlier on a Friday, so there's that to look forward to. We are able to eat together and then spend the evening together. We may make it a 'movie night' - that means guzzling chocolates whilst snuggled on the sofa. Or we may just sit and chill, and talk about our plans for the following day. Whatever we do, or don't do, I love Friday evenings, and I love the anticipation of it all day.

Yes, I definitely have a spring in my step on Friday.

2. What's your favourite Christmas movie?

Oh, Patrice, I think these Christmas questions are going to be a nightmare for me! I'm Scottish. I'm a Highlander. I'm an Islander. I'm Scottish Presbyterian, so give me a break!

Christmas movie?? I've just asked the girls if they know of any Christmas movies. I got blank looks and shrugging shoulders.

3. Is there a Christmas carol that's special to you?

Eeek! I may just give up on this and return in January! A Christmas carol? Er...nope.

Quickly, give me another question:

4. Is there an art or craft you'd love to be able to do?

Oh, phew! I'd love to be able to sew well. I've only ever sewn curtains. I'd love to be able to make little nicknacs, cushions and such like for the house. I'm in awe of those folks who can chuck some pieces of material together, dab on a couple of buttons, and Bob's-your-uncle, you have a lovely handmade gift. I look at it, with my jaw touching the floor, and their response to that reaction goes something like, 'Oh, tut, that's nothing. That's so easy to make.'

Er... speak for yourself.

I'd love to decorate cakes beautifully. I'd love to be able to make nice cards, but I have the artistic ability of a hippo, and the imagination of a crow.

Not that I wish to insult hippos, who may be wonderfully artistic for all I know. As for insulting crows... to be honest, I don't mind doing that. I really don't like crows. I mean, I know they're wonders of creation in their own way, and maybe (just, maybe) they may have something beautiful about them... I know all that, but I just don't like them. They don't look nice. They don't sound nice. They just aren't nice, and I've decided I have a better imagination than them. So, I take back all I just said, and change it to me not having the imagination of a sparrow.

That's better.

5. Do you have a live Christmas tree or an artificial one?

When we were growing up, we never had any type of tree. Since I married, and because the Builder always had a tree, we do have one. It's artificial, and it's the same one we've had for years! I'm not into Christmas decorations in a big way, although I do love the coziness of fairy lights, and the greens and reds and golds of the garlands and wreaths. As y'all know, I love the winter months, the cozy evenings, the dark nights (er, and days!), so the decor at Christmas time really suits me.

It's now time for me to hit the sack. The girls have been so busy all week painting their bedroom. They spent all of today cleaning the floor of splashes of paint, and generally cleaning and clearing up, ready for the furniture going back tomorrow. They've done so well - I certainly wouldn't have known where to begin painting a room at their ages. I'll show you some photos of the newly painted bedroom in the next couple of days... the whole expedition (that's what it felt like!) has been quite an undertaking!

Hope you all have a great week, and that we'll meet next week again on Patrices porch swing. Or in her house, as the case may be.

Looking forward to seeing you too, Wendell :)

Good News

2011-11-28T17:29:00.000Z

There is a blog I always read, even in my busiest times. It's called Spilled... because my cup overflows, and Davene, its author, has such a wonderful way with words. She also has four gorgeous wee boys, and often has photos of them, and writes of what they have said. Yes, this is a definite attraction for me.

Wee boys = delight

Well, recently she announced she was pregnant again. Would you believe me if I said that...

- I wasn't jealous in the slightest bit;

- I didn't feel broody;

- I didn't sigh and say, 'Ahhhh, if only....', before I caught myself, gave myself a mental check, and thanked God for the four blessings I have been given.

Well, back to Davene and her boys. These boys are cute. Really, really cute. Delightful. A pleasure. They are blessings. Adorable.

It's got to be said that a mother is not lacking much when she has Christ, a wonderful husband and four gorgeous sons.

Well, as I said, Davene is pregnant again, and she has just announced she's expecting ..... a girl.

A Girl!!

Now, nobody could love wee boys more than I do, and I never looked at her blog and pitied her because she had all these boys and no girls, but I have to tell you that I squealed in delight when she told us she was having a girl. I was so excited for her that I really wanted to jump up and down and hug her - a lady I've never met! The whole thing got me thinking:

I was delighted when she announced she was pregnant, but why was I ecstatic when she told us it was a girl?

I know it wasn't because I prefer girls to boys.

I know it wasn't because I loved to dress girls in pink.

I know it's not because I loved to play with dolls with them.

I think it's because I have the blessing of having both. I am the mother of sons, and the mother of daughters. Both experiences are so precious to me: one is not better than the other, nor more precious to me. But they are different experiences.

One experience is not better; nor worse: not greater; nor lesser. Just different.

And now, God willing, Davene will be able to experience the blessing of being mother to a daughter as well as being mother to sons. I would wish for every mother to experience both.

I sure wouldn't swap either ... not for the world.

But I also wish for every dad to experience both. For Davene's husband, being the father of a daughter will be a whole new experience too. What I have seen of fathers and daughters gives me to believe that this relationship is truly special too. And if I were to ask any father who has been blessed with having a little girl what he thinks.... I reckon he wouldn't swap that for the world. Yes, Mr Spilled... all being well, this little bundle is gonna change your world. You are going to discover emotions of protectiveness you never knew existed.

Oh boy! Look out anyone who doesn't treat this little girl right! Look out, I say!

And so, to Davene and to her husband, I wish all the blessings and joys that having a daughter can bring.

To the little girl? Well, don't tell anyone I said this, but what I honestly wish for her is that she may, one day, have a sister.

Shhhhh. I said don't tell anyone I just said that ;)