Sunday, April 08, 2007
Catching Up
Sorry it has been so long since we have added anything to our blog. The last month has been extremely busy so we haven't settled down to post anything. Below are three new posts. Enjoy.
Spring is Here!
We were welcomed back to Aberdeen with beautiful weather (temps in the 50's). We had our coats ready when we left the airport but didn't need them. The trees and flowers are blooming. Daffodils seem to grow everywhere. Sunday was so sunny and warm that we decided to spend some time outdoors. We went for a walk on the beach and tried to see the dolphins, but no luck. Many people were out enjoying the weather. The range of clothing that we see here is so funny. Some people were still in coats. One guy even had a stocking cap on. Others were wearing shorts, t-shirts, and sandals! We are usually somewhere in between.
Trip to the States
On March 19th, we flew back to Arizona for my brother's wedding. Jonathan and Emily were married on March 24th. Our first week back, I enjoyed helping mom prepare for the wedding and did some shopping. We had a list of things we wanted to get while we were home (chocolate chips, hair spray...you know, the really important stuff). Jason spent the week playing with Jake and Bailey, my parent's dogs, and enjoying some TV. The dogs are so much fun. They love to be wherever you are.
The wedding was wonderful. Jason performed the ceremony which made it very special. He did a great job. We enjoyed getting to know Emily's family. We also enjoyed spending some time with Jonathan and Emily on Sunday and Monday, before they moved to Idaho on Tuesday. Emily fits in great with our family and we are so excited that she is now a part of it.
We enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine. It seemed funny to wear shorts and t-shirts. We also enjoyed eating our favourite foods (oops, British spelling) such as Mexican food, Cold Stone ice cream, Pop Tarts, donuts, pizza, and pork on the grill (we were there three weeks so this eating was spread out!) They do have donuts and pizza in Scotland but they aren't the same. It was good to be home and see family and friends. Of course there were many people we didn't see that we would have liked to.
The wedding was wonderful. Jason performed the ceremony which made it very special. He did a great job. We enjoyed getting to know Emily's family. We also enjoyed spending some time with Jonathan and Emily on Sunday and Monday, before they moved to Idaho on Tuesday. Emily fits in great with our family and we are so excited that she is now a part of it.
We enjoyed the warm weather and sunshine. It seemed funny to wear shorts and t-shirts. We also enjoyed eating our favourite foods (oops, British spelling) such as Mexican food, Cold Stone ice cream, Pop Tarts, donuts, pizza, and pork on the grill (we were there three weeks so this eating was spread out!) They do have donuts and pizza in Scotland but they aren't the same. It was good to be home and see family and friends. Of course there were many people we didn't see that we would have liked to.
Crieff, Scotland
The first weekend of March, I went to Crieff, Scotland with a group of ladies from our church for a Women's Retreat. Crieff is about 2 hours southwest of Aberdeen. We drove down on Friday night so we didn't get to see any of the scenery. I woke up Saturday morning, looked out the window of the cottage and was amazed by the view. The mountains were beautiful!
The weekend was spent looking at the Psalms of Ascent. We also had a speaker who shared about how God had worked in the life of her family while they were missionaries in Africa. On Saturday afternoon we had some free time. I went on a hike with two other women and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. On Saturday night we watched the solar eclipse. The weekend was a good opportunity for me to get to know other women in the church.
The weekend was spent looking at the Psalms of Ascent. We also had a speaker who shared about how God had worked in the life of her family while they were missionaries in Africa. On Saturday afternoon we had some free time. I went on a hike with two other women and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. On Saturday night we watched the solar eclipse. The weekend was a good opportunity for me to get to know other women in the church.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Some random thoughts
Here are a few random thoughts about the last two weeks.
1) Our weather can be so different from one week to the next. Last week it rained everyday. Even locals were complaining about all the rain. On Thurs the sun made an appearence just in time for sunset, and Fri it came out for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Except for a couple of hours on Sun night, though, this week has been beautiful. The sun has shown brightly everyday, which makes the day much more enjoyable. Although temps are still cold, primarily because of the winds, it has been nice enough to eat lunch outside. Spring has almost arrived.
2) The days are getting longer. Some may not think much about the length of sunlight in the winter. When we had less than 6 hours at one point, 11 hours makes for a long day. Erin and I both leave and get home in the sunlight now. I see more people on my walk to and from the university now than even a month ago. The birds are starting to make more noise, which is nice but not at 530 am.
3) With more sunlight it also means that the sun comes up and sets in different places. The sun actually blinded me on my walk home today whenever I looked to the west. Also, the sun lit up our back garden for the first time since October.
4) The yellow school bus is a common sight in the States. It marks the beginning of summer and the start of fall. Here, though, students walk to school or their parents take them. But earlier this week, I saw a school bus. I was shocked, and it reminded me of the States.
1) Our weather can be so different from one week to the next. Last week it rained everyday. Even locals were complaining about all the rain. On Thurs the sun made an appearence just in time for sunset, and Fri it came out for a couple of hours in the afternoon. Except for a couple of hours on Sun night, though, this week has been beautiful. The sun has shown brightly everyday, which makes the day much more enjoyable. Although temps are still cold, primarily because of the winds, it has been nice enough to eat lunch outside. Spring has almost arrived.
2) The days are getting longer. Some may not think much about the length of sunlight in the winter. When we had less than 6 hours at one point, 11 hours makes for a long day. Erin and I both leave and get home in the sunlight now. I see more people on my walk to and from the university now than even a month ago. The birds are starting to make more noise, which is nice but not at 530 am.
3) With more sunlight it also means that the sun comes up and sets in different places. The sun actually blinded me on my walk home today whenever I looked to the west. Also, the sun lit up our back garden for the first time since October.
4) The yellow school bus is a common sight in the States. It marks the beginning of summer and the start of fall. Here, though, students walk to school or their parents take them. But earlier this week, I saw a school bus. I was shocked, and it reminded me of the States.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Crathes Castle
Well, we finally got out of town again, so we have something to write about. Most of our days are the same routine, so writing about them is boring for both you and us. But after a week of rain, this last Sat we decided to venture out to Crathes Castle, about 45 min by bus. The Castle is a 16th century tower house. The side part was added in 1970s to replace an 18th century three story addition that burned in 1966.
The land was rewarded to the Burnett family in 1323 by Robert the Bruce because of their service in the wars for independence. The castle contained several original pieces of furniture, including a bed dated 1594. Because it is the winter season, we had a guided tour, which gave some good details about the castle. It was too rushed, though, since we are only able to spend about 5 minutes in each room. Plus, we couldn't take any pictures inside. They said it was security reasons, but I think they just wanted more people to buy the guidebooks. 
The land was rewarded to the Burnett family in 1323 by Robert the Bruce because of their service in the wars for independence. The castle contained several original pieces of furniture, including a bed dated 1594. Because it is the winter season, we had a guided tour, which gave some good details about the castle. It was too rushed, though, since we are only able to spend about 5 minutes in each room. Plus, we couldn't take any pictures inside. They said it was security reasons, but I think they just wanted more people to buy the guidebooks.
The gardens were not in bloom, but they were still neat. Some of the yew hedges were planted in 1702. The first picture overlooks part of the gardens from the top window of the castle. The second picture shows how tall some of the hedges are.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Scotland Coast
Last Sat. some friends took us about 30 miles north to the coast. On the way up we stopped at Fyvie Castle. We could not go inside because the castle is closed during the winter. The castle dates back to the 13th century. The five towers were built for each of the major families that owned the castle.
How about that for a front door?
From there we traveled up to the coast and stopped at a couple of sea-side towns. These towns, Gardenstown and Pennan, are built right on the North Sea at the base of the cliffs. The roads are very steep and narrow. We met another car on the road and almost exchanged paint colors.
Around the corner from Gardenstown is Crovie. One can only walk between the two when the tide is low. The inhabitants of Crovie have to park their cars at one end of the town and walk to the other end if they live there.
Pennan, which is completely hidden as one drives towards it, is a single row of small houses, probably about 20 houses. We enjoyed lunch at the Pennan Inn, which is the main attraction of the town. The town draws tourists because the British movie Local Hero was filmed there. We even saw someone surfing that day.
From there we drove through the countryside to the east coast. Here we stopped at Bullers of Buchan. The high cliffs were amazing, although slightly scary. No handrails, muddy paths, and a strong wind: all this makes looking over the edge fun. If the pictures look blurry, that tells you how strong the wind was. We couldn't even stand still. Pictures just don't do justice to the beauty and steepness of the cliffs.
Located about 3 miles away is Slains Castle, which Bram Stroker used as inspiration for Dracula. Although the castle lies in ruins now, it was fun wandering around trying to imagine what it looked like in its glory. The castle sits right on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the North Sea. It is an amazing view.
How about that for a front door?
From there we traveled up to the coast and stopped at a couple of sea-side towns. These towns, Gardenstown and Pennan, are built right on the North Sea at the base of the cliffs. The roads are very steep and narrow. We met another car on the road and almost exchanged paint colors.
Around the corner from Gardenstown is Crovie. One can only walk between the two when the tide is low. The inhabitants of Crovie have to park their cars at one end of the town and walk to the other end if they live there.
Pennan, which is completely hidden as one drives towards it, is a single row of small houses, probably about 20 houses. We enjoyed lunch at the Pennan Inn, which is the main attraction of the town. The town draws tourists because the British movie Local Hero was filmed there. We even saw someone surfing that day.
From there we drove through the countryside to the east coast. Here we stopped at Bullers of Buchan. The high cliffs were amazing, although slightly scary. No handrails, muddy paths, and a strong wind: all this makes looking over the edge fun. If the pictures look blurry, that tells you how strong the wind was. We couldn't even stand still. Pictures just don't do justice to the beauty and steepness of the cliffs.
Located about 3 miles away is Slains Castle, which Bram Stroker used as inspiration for Dracula. Although the castle lies in ruins now, it was fun wandering around trying to imagine what it looked like in its glory. The castle sits right on the edge of the cliffs overlooking the North Sea. It is an amazing view.
Sunday, January 14, 2007
Weather Woes
Our parents informed us of all the bad weather in the US right now. So, we just thought we would share in your misery. Here are the high temps for some cities:
Kansas City: 22
Sedona: 33
Fort Worth: 28
Houston: 60
Aberdeen: 6
Oh, wait, that Aberdeen temp is Celisus, so that is actually about 43F. We have enjoyed nice, mild weather most of the winter. The Christmas break was the coldest so far. The locals say that the worst weather comes between Jan and March, and this week is suppose to get colder. But, for now we enjoy the nice weather while our friends and family suffer.
Kansas City: 22
Sedona: 33
Fort Worth: 28
Houston: 60
Aberdeen: 6
Oh, wait, that Aberdeen temp is Celisus, so that is actually about 43F. We have enjoyed nice, mild weather most of the winter. The Christmas break was the coldest so far. The locals say that the worst weather comes between Jan and March, and this week is suppose to get colder. But, for now we enjoy the nice weather while our friends and family suffer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
