Loch Lee and Edzell Castle

On Tuesday, I drove about 45 minutes south to a little village called Brechin to meet up with a colleague of mine from Singapore. Gail grew up in Brechin, went to university in Aberdeen and we meet while we both worked as physios for the same clinic in Singapore (her husband's job also brought them Singapore). It's so crazy that I would go on to live in her home country but it's great because it's almost guaranteed that we'll keep in touch and see each other once or twice a year when she comes in for summer and Christmas.

We started our day with a walk to Loch Lee. Almost immediately into our walk we passed the ruins of Invermark Castle. It's very small my castle standards but wouldn't it be great turned into a B&B or weekend cottage?

We then came upon a beautiful waterfall on the side of the mountain and eventually the loch. I continue to be amazed how picturesque this country is (even on dreary, rainy days). Since we had other things planned for the day, we only walked halfway around the loch. I would love to go back to see some of the other 'hidden' waterfalls.

A walk is not a walk in Scotland without seeing some farm animals!

Can you see the waterfall?

 We stopped for lunch and then headed over to Edzell Castle ruins.

This is not my picture (source). I am still wondering how I didn't get a picture of the outside of the castle!

 

 

"Edzell was home to the Lindsays. When they acquired the estate in 1358, the lordly seat was a timber residence beside the ancient church. During the 16th century, they built a brand-new castle a short distance away – the one we admire today. The ‘icing on the cake’ of their new residence was the wonderful ‘great garden’, added in 1604.

The Lindsays were a gifted, turbulent and tragic noble family. They were known as the ‘lichtsome [carefree] Lindsays’. Their head became Earl of Crawford and one of the most powerful men in the realm. In the mid-1400s David, the 3rd Earl, made Edzell a separate inheritance for his younger son, Walter, and the castle remained with this junior branch for the rest of its days as a Lindsay residence.

For a time in the 16th century, this junior branch also held the earldom of Crawford in the person of David, 9th Earl. It was he who began building the new residence. It was centred on an impressive tower house, with state apartments in the gatehouse range, and additional family rooms along the north side of the courtyard. The family’s most famous guests were Mary Queen of Scots, in 1562, and her son James VI, in 1580 and 1589.


Alas, the family fell on hard times. In 1715 they were forced to sell Edzell because of mounting debts. With their departure from the scene, Edzell’s days as a noble residence were over.

The family’s greatest building achievement at Edzell was the wonderful walled garden. It was added by the 9th Earl’s son, David, Lord Edzell, in 1604. The present garden layout was recreated in the 1930s. However, the garden’s most arresting and original features are its four enclosing walls, which display a series of unique carved panels. These portray the Seven Cardinal Virtues, the Seven Liberal Arts and the Seven Planetary Deities. Sir David’s intention was clearly to provide a stimulus both for the mind and the senses. His garden is unique in Europe and gives the castle a distinctive place in the art history of the European Renaissance." (source)

A beautiful peacock welcomes you to the grounds.

You can't see the carvings from the picture but you can when looking down from the watch tower.

And also tells you good-bye!

It was a fabulous day with Gail and I am looking forward to seeing her at Christmas. It was great to catch up and actually start to become more friends than colleagues since we have more than work to talk about now!

Angus goes to Fyvie Castle

The weather in Scotland has been a little blah since we've returned from the states. I am pretty sure it has rained at some point during the day, every day since we've returned. And the past few days have just been a steady drizzle. Needless to say, you can get a little antsy being stuck inside all day which is why in Scotland you don't stay inside, you put on your rain gear and get outside. Angus and I have had a wet run every day this week. He doesn't mind it and I really don't either (though, I am thinking I need another pair of running shoes so my other ones can dry out!)

Luckily on Monday the forecast showed rain but it was just overcast and little windy. My friend, Nary, and I were both wanting to get outside and Angus needed some fresh air as well. So, Angus and I chose to forgo our morning jog for a 3 mile walk around Fyvie Castle.

Fyvie Castle dates back to the 13th century and is recognized as one of the most stunning castles in north-east Scotland. Like many castles in Scotland, it is said to haunted. The story says that the skeleton of a woman was discovered behind a bedroom wall during the 1920 renovation. The day the remains were laid to rest in Fyvie cemetery, the castle residents were plagued by noises and unexplained happenings. The Laird was fearful that he offended the woman, exhumed the skeleton and replaced it back behind the wall in which it was found. The haunting ceased. (source) Spooky!

The castle is surrounded by beautiful woods and peaceful loch that, on a gorgeous day, would make a lovely backdrop for a picnic.

We finished our walk with a yummy lunch at an inn/pub in Newmachar. I love that you can find little gems in just about every little Scottish village you drive through.

Trip Home Recap: Cajun Country

The last week of our trip 'home' we headed to south Louisiana to visit our good friends, Jason and Alaina. Ryan knew Jason when he lived in Lafayette and we all became friends when we lived in Singapore and took a trip of a life time to New Zealand last spring. We hadn't seen them in over a year and they welcomed a sweet baby boy in May so we knew we couldn't get that close and not go see them! The boys had a great time cutting up (they are a mess when they get together) and fishing together while Alaina and I had some good girl/baby talk while oooing and awwing over precious Graham (Not sure why I didn't get any pictures of sweet Graham!).

And being the awesome friends that they are, they arranged a babysitter for Graham so they could take us to New Orleans to enjoy a delicious meal and soak in some New Orleans' culture. This was my first time to New Orleans and it was the perfect fast and furious trip. I enjoyed a hurricane from Pat O'Brien's while singing along with the piano player, a delicious dinner complete with turtle soup from Dickie Brennan's Steakhouse and then topped off the night with beignets from Cafe Du Monde. We had a little time before dinner to stroll around Jackson Square and Bourbon Street and did we see some interesting sites (some not appropriate for this blog ;-) I am already looking forward to the next time when we can fit in a lot more site seeing and good south Louisiana cuisine!

Jackson Square

Yummy beignets!

Jason and Alaina are the model hosts and I hope we can return the hospitality when they (hopefully) come visit us in Scotland!

Trip Home Recap: G+L Wedding

Let me give you a little back story on how I know the couple and how they became to be husband and wife...

Laura and I were sorority sisters at Texas Tech and became great friends her last year (I did a victory lap). We stayed close after she moved to Dallas to work and I finished up at Tech and then continued schooling in Galveston. She is always the life of the party and it's a guaranteed fun time when we get together.

I met Griff shortly after I started dating Ryan. Griff was good friends with Ryan’s good friend, Nick and we all quickly became friends since we were all hanging out with the same people in Houston. One of the first times I hung out with Griff, I instantly thought that he and Laura would be great together. They both have a passion for life, Texas country music and Texas Tech like I’ve never known.

All these pictures were taken at a Tx Country concert and with our Guns Up :-)

It wouldn’t be until 2 years later at Ryan's and my wedding that they would finally have a chance to meet. I had told both of them about each other but only briefly. So, knowing that they would both be at my wedding, I encouraged them both not to bring dates. Griff listened, Laura did not. Laura had been off and on with a guy and brought him to my wedding after I strongly advised against. Luckily, she and this guy were on the way out so she didn’t completely sabotage my match making.  I knew from almost the first time I met Griff, they would hit it off and they spent both nights of my wedding weekend talking by the campfire and folks...the rest is history.

The G+L wedding 'weekend' started Wednesday when Ryan and I arrived in Houston. It wasn't 30 minutes later that Laura and I were off getting wedding mani/pedis. Courtney (bridesmide and BFF) and her little boy Easton arrived late Wednesday night. (I am so thankful I was able to spend a couple of extra days before the wedding with my girls and little peanut! I cherish our time together; we never skip a beat!) We hit the ground running Thursday morning, preparing the goodie bags for the hotel and trying to get all the last minute things completed.

The bride, me and Easton. He's a good little helper!

They were married on June 23 at Briscoe Manor in Richmond, Texas. It was absolutely perfect and everything went off with out a hitch! The ceremony was performed by Laura's uncle and he made it very personal. He asked Laura and Griff before the wedding what they loved about each other and it was my favorite part of the ceremony. My eyes welled up with tears as I was once again assured that these two are perfect for each other.

The yellow shoes were the perfect touch.

Girl time before the ceremony!

The reception was a blast. Laura was able to fulfill her dream of having someone play a Wade Bowen or Stoney Larue song acoustic for the first dance. Bo Brumble sang Wade Bowen's Who I Am and it was perfect. The rest of the night,  tunes were turned by a great DJ and we spent most of the night on the dance floor and catching up with our friends.

Great times with great friends!

The couple was sent off by the remaining guests to start their wonderful life together!

Congratulations, Griff and Laura! I am so blessed to be a part of your wonderful love story. Wishing you a lifetime of love and laughter!

Happy 236th Birthday, America!

It's the 4th of July!!! It's my favorite holiday of the year! It's everything American and Summer rolled into one day. You don't have to worry with presents or preparing a huge meal that takes you all day; it's simple things that make this holiday so great and I truly think it's the one I miss the most. Our fourth of Julys were always full of family, friends, hanging out by the pool or lake, watching a baseball game and enjoying a hot dog or hamburger and of course, ending the day with a firework production (my favorite). Such great memories associated with this holiday! In Singapore, the American Association of Singapore put on a fabulous celebration full of music, food and fireworks. There are no 4th of July celebrations in Scotland but I will show my American pride here on this little 'ol blog.

I took the following video at the Rangers' post-game fireworks show (to 80's music!!!) a couple of weeks back, while I was home, knowing that I would need my fix come July 4th! Enjoy, especially you Americans who are not in the US of A this 4th of July!



 If the video isn't working click here to enjoy the show! (sorry for that!) And I apologize for my singing in advance :-)

I'm also linking up with Michelle at the The Vintage Apple again for Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!

Source: occasionallycrafty.blogspot.com via Katie on Pinterest

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Caylin on Pinterest

Source: potterybarn.com via Shayna on Pinterest

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Meghan on Pinterest

Source: media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com via Veronica on Pinterest

Source: myhomesweethomeonline.net via Veronica on Pinterest

Trip Home Recap: Rangers' Games

Ryan and I laugh at the fact that we grew up huge Rangers' fans (his dad doesn't miss a game on TV and Rangers' games used to be my family summer "staycation"/Mom's birthday celebration; and we figured out shortly after we started dating that we were both at the game that Bo Jackson's line drive smacked Nolan Ryan in the mouth (1990)) and it wouldn't be until we moved overseas, thousands of miles away, that the Rangers would be contenders for the pennant! We still root for them from thousands of miles away but when you grow up in practically the backyard of The Ballpark in Arlington, it makes you a little sad when you are too far away to attend a playoff game after years and years of waiting! So, we were determined to squeeze in a regular season game (or two for me) while we were home.

I went the Friday night after I got in to watch the Rangers beat the Houston Astros. I was accompanied by my baby bro and my cousin's husband, Jeremy. I usually don't get to spend much quality time with my brother while I am home so it was nice to spend some time with him. And not only did we get to see the Rangers win (and Yu pitch) but there was an amazing fireworks show afterwards. Since I haven't been home for the 4th of July since 2009, it was a treat!

The Wednesday night before we left to head back to Scotland, Ryan and I and both of our parents headed back to the ballpark to watch the Rangers vs. Detroit Tigers. This was a high scoring game (on both sides unfortunately) but the Rangers came out on top and we saw several of them knock it out of the park (I think Murphy had 2 homeruns in a row!).

Not sure why Dad's not looking at the camera. Ha!

Best parents in the whole wide world!

We had a really great time! I didn't realize how much I miss baseball, it's pretty much non-existent in the UK!

Trip Home Recap: Birthday Celebration/Welcoming Me Home

The day after I flew in was my baby brother's 28th birthday (I can't believe it because this means I'm almost 30...eeek!) so, my mom decided to have a little celebration for the birthday boy and me (because I was in from Scotland and that is a BIG deal ;-)). Jeffrey joked that it was my party since there were far more people there than would probably be at his birthday party (doubt it, maybe just different people) but it was fun none the less and I don't think the birthday boy was shorted one bit!

Making a wish

See, not shorted one bit...I didn't get a cake ;-)!!!

The Fam

Miss this guy!

Papa Bear

Mom and The Birthday Boy

It really was a great celebration; my mama knows how to throw a party! Happy Birthday, Brudder Cake and thank you for sharing your day! LOVE YOU!