Billy, candles and Chianti

What to do and where to go? Each year we try to make our anniversary a bit special and something just for us. Some years we have gone out, booted and suited to some place full of people and chatter. Not this year. This year we decided to go to the best restaurant we know. Our own place. OK maybe it isn’t Cordon Bleu but the real fun is in the doing and sharing together.

So there we were – candle-lit dining room with open kitchen accompaniment. I do like to see my food being prepared and cooked!

Envisage - gleaming array of steel knives, implements and gadgets to make husband chef feel suitably mechanical. Pans a-gogo, herbs lined up in waiting and olive oil in attendance.

We are having Angus steak – Scotland’s finest in a whisky sauce. Amidst clattering, rattling, chopping and the odd savoury curse there is steam and sizzling. Angus steak is the finest in this part of the world – Welsh lamb and Scottish Angus beef beats all comers.

Table set for two with large candles and a posy of flowers from the garden and cooling is some good ‘ruby rich Chianti from the sun kissed slopes of Tuscany’ it says on the bottle. G.will tell you that it is no use buying cheap Chianti because when it is good it is very very good wine and when it isn’t – cook with it but don’t try and drink it.

More frantic clattering with added steam followed by anguished discovery!

G. has forgotten to buy a slightly important ingredient for the whisky sauce – the whisky.

Wife to rescue. Frantic scrabbling in the back of dusty cupboard and an ancient bottle of son’s Jack Daniels Tennesee gets dusted down and begrudgingly employed. ‘Should be Scotch from Islay’ is the dark mutter but it’ll do!

Within seconds there is a triumphant yell as flames leap up high and half a cup of whisky vapour singes the ceiling ( it really did - I saw it!). I don’t know how G. made the whisky sauce but I have to tell you it was the best of the best and if you want the recipe let me know and I will get it off him!

The waiting is over and I am seated, plated and there here we are – Angus steak in whisky sauce, large forest mushrooms and minted baby potatoes. In the background is Billy Holliday jazzing it quietly and the Chianti warbles happily in the glass.

Our own bit of romantic heaven in the best restaurant in town. Billy, candles and Chianti – perfect moment.

Colours of the Garden

Tonight l read this quote below from my friend Kris's blog~ it just seemed to fit my mood lately so l added it to this post.

I also just found out that we share the same wedding anniversary- how wonderful is that!

I’ve learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I’ve learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you’ll miss them when they’re gone from your life. I’ve learned that ‘making a living’ is not the same thing as ‘making a life.’ I’ve learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I’ve learned I still have a lot to learn. I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

-- Maya Angelou --

Rewinding the week

Today is our wedding Anniversary and l am just spending the day pottering around the house- catching up with washings and a bit of tidying. The family are all out working, the sun is shining and l have a chance to breathe after a very busy week past. Around about an hour ago a lovely bouquet of flowers was delivered to the house; it was from my husband, G. It’s a beautiful arrangement of flower and colour and sits with pride of place at the front window. Thank you my Love! This weekend we are planning to enjoy a quiet meal together and go for a drive – lets just hope the weather holds out.

Yesterday hubby and l went to have our first parents visit at S's primary school ~ had the talk and tour. The staff were all very friendly and the school has a welcoming and vibrant atmosphere. We highlighted the features we were looking for when we visited schools earlier in the year – things like:

The learning ethos – creativity, progression and challenge.

The behaviour ethos – how children are taught to relate and respect each other and their surroundings

The development of responsibility – developing the ability to decide, evaluate, and tackle problems with confidence and assuredness.

But above all - will it be fun, exciting, interesting and make memories to cherish.

We are sure that S will do well there come August. Photo to the side is of 'S' this past month at nursery.

On Wednesday l took a close family member across the water and up to the airport. On the way back home l stopped off to buy S's school uniform and some messages (food) from the larger superstore. The prices are so much cheaper across the water and it makes sense to buy supplies whenever we ferry over. I should add that l am already missing this family member very much!!

Tuesday brought the best news of all- my sister in Australia had her wee baby- his name is Noah and you can read more about it HERE. Big congratulations to Sis, Jo and family!

On Monday S had a visit to his new primary school. He got a chance to meet the teacher and new classmates. He got to sit at the desk and do some work, he listened to stories and got to play outside; all in all the day was a real success for him and l just know that he is ready and hungry enough to lap up this new year of learning.

Everyone has been so kind with the comments lately and l plan to get around to visit will you all over the weekend.

I am also going to start putting pictures up on my other blog to share with family abroad.

Picture below is of the view out the window where my computer sits now. I love working away up here.

Bests to all.

Transition

This past month has been a month of change. M got into university as you know and D has now returned home for the summer holidays. Neither M or D are really on break though as they are working long hours to save for next years expenses.

The bedrooms have shifted around and boxes are stacked, some up in the attic and some not worth unpacking between now and September. M is working two jobs as a waitress and D works shifts at a call centre working orders for a dozen companies. They are happy and doing well.

Wee S starts primary school this year in August and so yesterday he and l went to have his uniforms measured and pre-ordered; how time flies. In truth this summer 2007 will be the only time when all of my children will be out of school, that is, until wee S turns 18 –again another time of transition.

My computer is upstairs now and hubby has fitted a Router to network both his and mine together, which means we can now go on the internet at the same time – handy when we both need to get work done. The view from my desk is just fantastic as it looks out over the water and I can sit here and watch the shipping and fishing as l type- wonderful! Even more wonderful though, is when the sun breaks though on a cloudy day, as it is now and shines down on the water – well then it just sparkles (a silver morning) and all seems right with the world.

Lots to get on with today. We are busy putting in a new shower unit and our friend will be arriving shortly to help with installing a new ring circuit. Also arriving soon will be my sister’s baby. l am just waiting here for the phone to ring - always a worry when we live so far apart.

Below is a photo of wee Charlie, my youngest sister’s baby. This photo was taken when he was only weeks old. He is a darling wee boy.

I wish l had more time to blog at the moment but my days seem to be filled before l even put a foot out of bed.

Bests all and hope you are keeping well.

Don’t forget it’s Father’s Day tomorrow!

Return of the native

I wish that l could say l’ve been on some exotic holiday or that l’d been spending my time creating another blog to be premiered with a roll of the drums and twitch of the curtain but - no. Nothing of the kind!

Truth is ‘life has just got in the way’, as my dear friend Merle once said. A seemingly endless parade of people, events, calamities and celebrations all intervening and intertwining to tie up the hours into days and days into weeks.

Firstly, heartfelt thanks to all my friends who left their kind thoughts and wishes during my absence. Much appreciated friendship is precious and warming.

But happy I am to be back in the land of the blogging l will regale my recent happenings in reverse order – just to be different.

So here tonight is a photograph of my daughter ‘M’ as she left the other evening on her way out to her Prom. Here is also a snatch of video from the Ceilidh.