Hieroglyphics

Last week we had a new milestone.  For the first time ever both boys started drawing things that actually looked like they represented what they were intended to be.  (Sort of!)  Here are the "ants":

And the "campfire":

Last of the Season

We had a fun morning out at the blueberry farm with our friends Kristi, Isaac, and Vivian today.  The berries are starting to wane, as is the boys' interest in picking!  We have our sights set on a pie or galette this weekend, so I might have to go back myself for some more serious harvesting.  All the same, it was a good outing with our best buddies from Felida!  

still growing

We are gardening this summer, even with a very limited amount of sun.  Some things have been plentiful: peas, beans, artichokes, potatoes, green tomatoes.  Some have been mediocre: carrots, beets, peppers, chard.  Some things have been pathetic: zucchini, pumpkins, lettuce, squash.  How on earth could I NOT grow zucchini?  Most people can't get rid of all their zucchini!

Edinburgh in the rain.

As we drove north to Edinburgh the weather turned sour.  The wind kicked up and the rain started to come down.  Heavily.  We had the top down on the convertible we had rented and there was no exit off the freeway for some time.  Thankfully we were going fast enough that hardly any rain got into the car, but it was pretty funny.  From that point on I wore the same sweatshirt, jeans, and scarf for the rest of the trip.  And sandals.  Because it is August for heaven's sake!  My advice; you might as well go to Edinburgh in the winter and definitely bring your wellies.  

Face time and/or Skype on the phone with the boys.  Love that technology.

The summer flower beds in Edinburgh are full of the most astounding begonias I've ever seen.  They thrive beautifully in the land of little sun. 

Tourists.  

The view from Edinburgh Castle down the Royal Mile and the ocean beyond.

St. Margaret's Chapel, the oldest standing part of the castle.  

Hotel Missoni.  Fun and somewhat psychedelic modern decor.

Yowza!  

August 2nd.  Seriously?

Holyrood Castle.  Residence the the Queen and site of the reception for the royal wedding of Zara Phillips,  held on the same day as Niall's wedding.  We just missed it!  They were taking down the enormous party tent in the central courtyard of the castle while we toured.  

Ruins of ancient Holyrood Abbey.  So, so beautiful.

This is the church up the street where the wedding was held and the flowers were still adorning the outside.  Inside was really beautiful and different than anything I've ever seen before.  All white with all the woodwork and pews painted dark sky blue.  Stunning.

White roses and hydrangea with green and blue thistle (the symbol of Scotland).  

Greyfriar's Bobby.  The true story of the most loyal dog.

My cute husband having a pint.  

Gastro-pub called The Dogs.  Matt is eating lamb with haggis stew and mashed peas.  I'm having fish pie with a whole sardine peeking out to say hello.  To be honest, the haggis was delicious and the fish pie a little too fishy for my liking.  

Local yarn shop.  

Local cheese shop.

Drinks and late dinner at the famous Balmoral Hotel.

 The ladies bathroom at the Balmoral.  Super prim and proper.

The illusive fish and chips, ever popular HP sauce, and crisp cider.  And peas.  Everywhere in Edinburgh you get peas.  Let's just say, they are not as good as the ones we grew at home and not even as good as frozen peas!  

And that is all.  The end.

Attire.

Yes, I wore a fascinator.  Bought in Oxford, so as to be authentic.

a proper English wedding...

And now, the happy occasion that was the impetus for our trip across the pond.  The beautiful wedding of Niall and Jo Baker at the Inn at Whitewell on July 29, 2011.  

 At the moment I snapped this picture, Doug turned and so sweetly smiled at Elaine as the ceremony began.  It instantly brought tears to my eyes because in that moment I saw in him a glimpse of my grandfather.  My dad and Doug don't resemble each other a whole lot, but they are both reminding me more and more of Grampie.  (Sorry guys, you're getting old I guess!)  However Doug's oldest son Niall does look an awful lot like my dad, which Jo thinks is hysterical.  

Below is Elaine's gorgeous hat.  I didn't get a proper picture of her dress, but it was gorgeous.  She had the dress, a wrap, and clutch made from fabric she brought back from a trip to India.  Lovely.  

 The happy couple.  They both looked stunning.  Only one small slip up, Niall's "button hole" (or boutonniere as we call it) had been mixed up with the cake topper!  You can see in the picture below it was quite large and had a spray of greenery that was tickling his neck!  When they came into the reception tent the cake was bare and everyone had quite a laugh.  

 The vicar called Joanne and Niall, "Joanna and Neil" throughout most of the ceremony.  Her poor mom (or mum as it might be) cringed every time but eventually people just started laughing and it became the joke of the night in all of the speeches later on.  

 Rent the church and get the six old ladies and gents in the choir for free!  Comical.  

 Jo's dress was really beautiful and her hair piece was gorgeous.

 Everyone participates in the wedding photography and follows the whole process to witness the fun.

 The weather was pure perfection for the wedding day.  It was far and away the best weather we had over the entire trip.  And the location of the church and the Inn at Whitewell was as if in a story book.  

 Cousins Fiona, Stephen, and Fiona's husband, Chris.

 After the ceremony and photos, Pimms cups on the lawn.  Because we are at an English wedding, of course! 

 The view from the reception.  Not bad, eh?

 Pimms and a new wedding band.

Lots of yummy food, drinks, dinner, dessert, AND later "bacon butties" and "chip butties" and traditional wedding fruit cake and Madeira cake made by Elaine.  (Butties are sandwiches on buns and the chip buttie is a bun with french fries inside.  This is basically 'keep the party going' food that comes much later in the night.)  

 "Speeches" play a big part in the reception and are longer than our toasts and mostly somewhat jabbing roasts of the couple.  

The sun setting but the party still going.  The wedding ceremony started at 2pm and we finished the night with the bride and groom and about 20 of their friends in the bar at around 1am.  Epic!

Many congratulations to Niall and Jo and many thanks for including us in your celebration!