The MacDonald Years ;)

Being a mother means that your heart is no longer yours; it wanders wherever your children do.

We took D back to university yesterday because a severe weather warning had been issued for today. So the lot of us piled in the car and headed for the city. The G & S family circus hits the road with the usual built in screams, wrong turns and ‘are we there yet’ symphony.

We did some food shopping en-route which compensates for the ferry fare. The estate car groans and suspension checks its insurance under the weight of enough supplies for D to feed the Indian sub-continent. He’s a big lad!

We stopped to eat at Macdonalds. This is G’s nemesis. He makes no secret of his view that

‘when the history of the decline of the human species is told there will be a chapter all to itself titled The Macdonald Years’.

But where else can we go on a rainy Saturday where S can run around the play area while we watch and eat.

On G’s nausea factor scale of 10 this was peaking at 9.5 it having some formidable features of heavy rain, many damp and screaming children and queues that could have queued for Scotland.

'The emporium of bad food where the inedible meets the uneatable.'

and 'Bun wrapped misery with no chips' he muttered darkly. I kid you not! lol

I enjoyed us all being together and we did have a few giggles along the way as well as a few mumbles but that’s what being a family is all about. ;)

So far today we’ve seen snow, sun, hail and gusty winds- typical Scottish ‘can’t make my mind up’ type of weather.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

This morning l got a bunch of flowers and chocolates handed to me in bed - wonderful! We all had a few chocolates before breakfast :) Wee S made a beautiful card and some clay moulds- a love heart and dish! Mel has promised me a massage for later- looking forward to that! I am just taking it easy today and will be visiting my blog friends to see what’s been happening in their part of the world.

Later on G is making dinner- I saw his ‘menu’---

Wild Scottish Salmon drizzled with lemon sauce on a bed of saffron rice with sideservice of wild mushrooms and honey toasted potato. Wine –Italian chilled Barbera d’Alba Vigna 2003 - a Rose wine to enchant. Afters – Profiteroles with Cornish Clotted cream from Helston with a bittersweet hot orange and chocolate sauce – and a little Muscati to sip.

I think he is still trying to prove a point about MacDondalds-lol.

Total brownie points however> 1,000,0000!!

S keeps saying prayers for snow and throwing God kisses. Instead of finishing his prayer with ‘Amen’, he says ‘Amanger’, in one word (from the song ‘Away in a Manger’)-lol. He keeps going in and out the back door and l can feel the cold air sweeping though the house, finding it’s way under my desk and wrapping itself around my legs- brrr. I’m off to put on the kettle and make a cup of tea.

Keep warm all.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May love and laughter light your days, and warm your heart and home. May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam. May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures. May all life's passing seasons bring the best to you and yours!~ An Old Irish Blessing

My maiden name is Irish. My dad’s name starts with ‘Mc’ and my mum’s ‘Mac’ so l’m a ‘Mc-mac’ (sounds like mic-mac). The popular belief is that Mc is a distinctively Irish prefix while Mac is exclusively Scottish. I think it has as much to do with religion and whether your family spoke Gaelic- 'Mac' meaning ‘son of’. While doing family research l have found that the spelling of a name can change through the years- from Mc to Mac and then back again. Even the end of my father’s name changed with his grandparents from ‘ie’ to ‘y’.

Half my father’s family were from Ireland as were my mother’s side. Dublin, Banbridge, Seapatrick, Cork etc., just some of the places the family were from in Ireland. I call myself Scottish as l was born and raised here but know that my roots are Celtic.

When my mum’s granny came over from Ireland as a wee lass she performed her Irish dancing for Queen Mary at Stirling Castle. Her name was Sarah Neill and her mother was Sarah Finlay.

Sarah Finlay married William Neill on 31 Aug 1872, St. Luke’s Church of Ireland, Belfast, County Antrim. Sadly out of ten children, at the end of this Sarah’s life (54 years), she only had 3 children near her. Infant mortality was high in those days – l do not know how she would have coped. Four of her children had died as infants another wee girl at only 8 yrs. Later two of her daughters, Annie and Fanny emigrated to America.

Now Annie and Fanny became Mormons. My Mum remembers driving back from a Mormon funeral with her parents. Mum’s dad, Charles Mackenzie though it was strange that during the funeral they chanted, ”There she goes and here she comes!” as a sort of valediction. Being that the Mackenzie’s were Brethern they thought this was quite hysterical and mum remembers her parents giggling at it on the drive home.

Sadly l have found it difficult to go as far back with my family history on the Irish side and really need to visit to do a bit more research and therefore proceed further.

My own dad attended the Belfast Bible College in the late 1950's where he was head boy.

Have a great day and don’t forget to ‘drown your shamrock’!

This takes place on St. Patrick's Day, when the shamrock that has been worn in the hat or lapel is removed and put into the last drink of the evening. A toast is proposed and then, when the toast has been honoured, the shamrock is taken from the bottom of the glass and thrown over the left shoulder. Sláinte!

We few, we happy few, we band of sisters.

PROMO PICTURE

Band Bio:

At first it was a rumble, but in case you haven’t noticed, a roar of anticipation has been sweeping across the 'Blogosphere'. The legendary INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF 'W' LOVERS has arrived, bringing their special brand of Bluegrass, Rock & Roll, and Good Time Blogitiville party music to sold out venues from site to site, leaving audiences dancing in their ergonomic I.T. seating! Swivel time!

This is a band who refuses to be pigeon holed; whose credo is found in the joy of the moment, refusing to let anything get in the way of the music, the friendships and the audiences they draw their energy from. An International Jet Set on the way to the next level!

CD COVER

P.S. BAND MEMBERS

I hope you do not mind the results as l did my best in time permissible- matching heads with different bodies-lol. l am a bit embarrassed that l am in the centre of the top promo pic. but found that it was the only place that worked. It's a bit of a juggling game taking in different head angles, pixels per inch, shades, hair styles, etc. I think it looks like we are all looking at the same photographer for the shot though.

The promo pic is a mix of different background images with borrowed bodies so don't look too close.

At one point l had us all with different hair colours and Connie with funky earings but then my photoshop crashed on me- arghh!

Anyway l can't tell you l did not giggle at least a few times during the making. l think we all look quite hip :)

Enjoy the weekend!

It's all about building memories

Wee 'S' isn't well today so l can't get around to visiting. Would love to but he needs me just now. Quick post below.

Bests.

Welcome to the band Winsome Willa aka Lorraine. l hope that is all members in because l finished the promo picture and CD cover last night. Will reveal all tomorrow for Friday Frolics ;)

My daughter, 'M' had her dress design picked for a fashion show. The old post and dress HERE. Well done love!

'D's' PC finally arrived! He is coming home this weekend to collect it and visit with me for Mother's Day :)

I am missing my Mum. She has been over in Germany visiting my sister for a while (my youngest sis who just had her first wee baby). She will be there for Mothering Sunday this coming weekend. It seems appropriate that they should be together for this. Picture above is of Mum with wee 'S'. Mum is just the best with the wee ones. She worked as a Nanny when younger and has a wonderful touch!

Mother's Day has been celebrated in the UK on the fourth Sunday in Lent since at least the 16th century- that’s March 18th this year. I'm aware that it is different in other places because my other sister celebrates it in May.

'S' has been busy making me something at nursery. It is quite funny when l go to pick him up because he quickly steers me to the cloakroom deliberately avoiding the wall where the Mother's Day display is-lol. He won't be there today though.

l am glad that l will have 'D' home this weekend- all the kids at home and safe - that is the best l could ask for!

'M' will be away doing her nursing before l know it- time passes all too quickly when you are raising a family. l am so very aware of how precious this time is.

I have been planning a camping holiday for this summer to Mull, Iona and Staffa. Plenty to do there and l have always wanted to take the boat out to Fingals cave with the kids, where there are Puffins - my favourite bird (very old post here on the Whirring Winged Wonders).

It's a bit sad when it is cheaper to holiday overseas (not if you want to go overseas of course). This trip will cost a fare bit- mostly because of the ferry costs! Just to Mull with the car it will cost £50- and that's not including passenger fares!

As my granny used to say, "Buying right is buying dear- unless fae the gerdin!" Meaning, 'Quality is never cheap- unless it grows naturally!'

Hands-on learning

Firstly l'd like to introduce you to new band member 'Waddling Willoree', aka Betty from Country Charm. I have been inspired by Sue's suggestion of a virtual photograph ;) Perhaps for next weekend.

As for the blog's new look, l am glad you find it easy on the eyes. Lorraine made me laugh when she said it was 'like reading chocolate'. Perhaps l was subconsciously swayed on my decision when choosing the template?

It's been a busy morning so far. l've been sweeping out back with 'S' and organising some of my old garden tubs. Giving them a quick clean out and some fresh soil- ready for planting.

'S' and l have been also been growing Cress indoors. His big sister 'M' helped him paint his 'Scooby Doo' pot.

All my children have enjoyed gardening with me. Gardening can be a great experience for children, teaching them about responsibility, satisfying work and reward! Mostly though introducing them to the joys of nature. The older two, 'D' & 'M' used to love planting sunflowers. Wee 'S' has grown carrot tops with his dad too- carrot tops are very simple to grow.

Try to use a carrot that shows some sign of a shoot on the top.

Slice about 2cm off the top of the carrot and place this on a saucer with a small amount of water in it. Then just leave in a light place like a windowsill making sure to continually top up the water. In a few days leaves should start to appear from the top of the carrot.

'S' loves his time in the garden- he isn't afraid of getting dirty, he loves all the bugs he can find etc. Now there's a thought - l'll give him a bucket to help collect the snails & slugs this summer :) Here is an old post on my bug problem-lol.

When you teach your kids to garden, you're teaching life-long lessons.

I'm away to get back to work now- lots to do.

Bests all

“It doesn't hurt to be optimistic...

... You can always cry later.”It is Monday and the sun is shining which makes all the difference. I have a list the length of my arm to get through today but first a little blogging.

Thanks for all the comments on my last post about 'S'- he is such a comic.

The 'W' Band so Far:

Pea ~ Wailing Wacko

Sue ~ Warbly Werdna

Kerri ~ Wheezy Winifred

Connie ~ Wiggin Wanda

Horizon ~ Windbag Wooly

This is an International Jet Set .

If you want to join feel free to add your name :)

Over the weekend l dabbled with a bit of XHTML/Markup. l got as far as building a single web page linked to three other pages. Nothing fancy to look at but that's the next stage. From humble beginnings, great things will evolve! lol

l could use browser software (quicker and easier) but l am actually enjoying the challenge of learning how to build the site from scratch. l'll let you know when l get it all up and running- hopefully l will be able to link it to my blog site as well. :)

If you want a Scotsman to do something, tell him it cannot be done.

'Canna be done' means he'll do it or 'he'll die tryin'!

Friday Frolics with the Band

Ahh- it's Friday! Thought l'd bring a smile with our local band pictures- a family group no less! (lol).

'M' with her beautiful hair had her brother in fits of giggles pulling funny faces- too good not to blog;) That first photo of 'S' peeking out reminds me of Alien or Cousin Itt from the Addam's family!

I have to say that wee 'S' is just a dab hand at pulling funny faces- he can always make me laugh. Do you have a favourite? Can you think of any names for these band members? Wacky Weasley- Wanton Wilma Wise or Willoughby Wild- Wanna join the band? :)

Enjoy your weekend!

And so the story grows

On the way back home from Rothesay on the Isle of Bute we passed by Loch Tarsan. This is a Hydro Electric Loch with a dam at the west end. I've heard there is good fishing here (brown trout). What l have also heard is that there is a village under this dam- the village was flooded when the dam was built (1953). It is said that if you stand on the bank on a Sunday morn. you can still hear the church bell chime- or so the story goes :)

The ferry home

Tarsan Dam

Loch Tarsan with the drowned village under :o

Loch Riddon & Loch Ruel

Another farm

Kyles of Bute-if we had driven on to Tighnabruaich this is the view we would have had.

Nearly home folks :)

Henge Happenings

Yesterday l went for a drive to the Isle of Bute again- one of my favourite places to visit. There are so many things still to see there- l never tire of the place.

Links to old posts here:

Trip to Rothesay- Isle of Bute

Notes from the bay

Rothesay castle

G. had work on the Island so after l dropped him off ‘S’ and l did a bit of sightseeing and shopping. We nearly made it to the standing stones at Blackpark [Kingarth], a lovely drive to the southern tip. We passed the little village of Kerrycroy, but unfortunately, given the time we had, had to turn back just before the turn off to the stones. I plan to go there on our next visit.

Pictures below are from the trip to Rothesay yesterday. I'll post the trip home tomorrow :)

A few days back l showed you photos of a farm, post called ‘The Green Door’. What l did not tell you was the feeling that the place gave me when l was there. Firstly l should tell you that l’m not into any type of Spiritualism. However l did comment to my husband, ‘G’ as we left about the ‘enigmatic feeling” of the place and asked him if he had felt anything strange or unusual. His response was quite funny at the time given the fact that he spent his time shovelling manure. :)

When ‘G’ had been busy with that, ‘S’ and l had walked along the fence at the back of the property enjoying the view and crisp fresh air. At this time l felt a different atmosphere about the place – not scary but something tangible, something old. I don’t wish to sound ‘airy-fairy’ but I knew l was picking up on something. I did in fact tell ‘G’ at the time about the place feeling like a ‘very very old place’. He said he felt like an old place anyway. But seriously, have you ever had a feeling like this?

Anyway we left and l thought little about it until we were talking with a lady who had spent time there (horse-sitting). Incidentally l mentioned nothing about how l had felt on location. We were talking about who the land had once belonged to and learned that it had been the historic clan seat of the Currys’. This person then said that there was an old stone circle in the field right behind the house. How strange is that! :0

Rothesay Bay

Victorian Homes

Gatehouse - Mount Stuart- check this place out!

Walking by water

Kerrycroy Bay

The bonny broom

Under a Marmalade Sky

Picture yourself in a boat on a river

With tangerine trees and marmalade skies.

Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly

A girl with kaleidoscope eyes.

~ The Beatles “Lucy in the sky with diamonds"

The photos were taken last night (around 6pm/sunset)as we drove back home.

I love to go a wandering

Yesterday felt like a ‘day and a half’ to me! A regular days load plus a few extras thrown in for good measure.

Early morning l had to drop boxes off down at G’s work - unfortunately there was a torrential downpour at the time! That woke us all up :)

Next ‘M’ had an appointment at the dentist to get her braces put on - first appointment of the day. Later they fell off! I am trying to get in touch with the dentist this morning.

Around 9:30am yesterday- ‘S’ and l went to the supermarket and he wandered off down his favourite aisle to get his ‘luckybag’ but then took a wrong turn at the end and couldn’t find me again! Two minutes later there was an announcement for ‘S’s’ mum to come down to the service desk- arghh. He was fine and happily talking with some of the ladies that he and l knew well. Perhaps this happening was a good thing- he will think a bit more before leaving my side and l was pleased that he knew how to ask for assistance.

It was still pouring outside as we packed the ‘messages’ into the car.

The afternoon was just as busy but easier going. I drove my mum around as she got her errands done and we went to the market. I was pleased to get some fresh fish for dinner. The catch came down from Fraserburgh at 4am and it was delicious!!

Although there are around 280 ports, harbours and creeks around the UK where fish is landed, the major fishing ports in the UK in terms of value of fish landed are:

1 Peterhead - chiefly haddock, cod, monkfish, mackerel, nephrops, herring.

2 Lochinver - blue ling, ling, nephrops.

3 Fraserburgh - haddock, herring, mackerel, nephrops.

Later on l bought an old nautical parallel ruler for chart plotting. It’s a nice older piece that l thought would look good beside our shelf of boats. I looked it up online and found the same one HERE. Surely they won’t get that price though?! The ruler just needs a good scrub as does the bookcase :) It's on my list of 'things to do'.

In honour of St. David’s Day, l have posted a photograph of my first wee daffodil.

Waving hello to my Welsh friends, Marion & Weird Bunny!!

Keep well all.

The cheerful harbingers of spring ~ they brighten up your borders, containers and spirit with their nodding heads.

The poem by William Wordsworth HERE is an old one but a good one ~ a favourite of my Dad's and mine :)

Happy Birthday Dad!