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Saturday, August 22, 2009

The Blue Door

Mel and Angus went for a walk at a lovely little river trail called "The Blue Door Walk". It is named this because at the beginning of the trail is a stone wall with a blue door. The walk goes along the River Esk through the Glen Esk. Entry to the walk goes through.....The Blue Door.

The drive to the walk goes through some beautiful countryside.
It is about 30 minutes from our house in Banchory.

Panoramic view from one of the hills.

The drive took us through some Highland hills covered with heather.

In typical Scottish fashion--it rained. Our Scottish motto is:
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, its about learning to dance in the rain."

If we postponed our adventures and waited for the rain to stop,
we wouldn't get out much. We have determined that when we have something planned,
we will go, rain or shine--but mostly rain.The roads through the mountains and the countryside are often steep, narrow, and winding.

Back in Angus--it feels like going home. (We live in Aberdeenshire)

The Blue Door--the start of the walk. Who is that old man?

The Door.

The River Esk cutting through a small canyon.

A side trail down to the river.

A beautiful view of the river going under a bridge.

One of the bonnie Scottish lassies that I came across on my travels.

The river narrows going through some large rocks.
The river rushing through the cut in the rocks.

The River Esk.

The salmon use this river for spawning.
There are also some large brown trout in the holes.
One of the many iron colored pools on the river.
The river has such an ancient feel to it.
The moss colors the trees.
Roots growing along the trail.
The woods along the trail.

There she is again--I think she is following me.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

I'm Engaged!!!




This as a picture of me and my fiancee Shannon. She is from Pleasant Grove, Utah. We are getting married on October 15 in the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Sorry this is a fast post but I'll add more details and pictures later.

Happy Birthday Snort!

Happy Birthday Daughter Dear!
27 years old . . . man you're old!
Beautiful Mom
Married to a wonderful guy, who thinks she's swell.
A very happy little girl who loves her mama.

As she ages, she gets more and more like her mother.
When her brother reminds her of that he gets slugged!
What's up with that?
She has always been a daddy's girl!
As a little girl she would go to the dairy with her dad;
I would have to hose her off with the garden hose before she could come into the house.

She loves her little brother greatly, although I wonder why sometimes.
Word of warning - don't hurt her brother or she will come after you!

Misty, her little sister, I mean horse.
She loves her horse, she even gave her horse baby doll bangs once.
I guess we should of recognized the signs of things to come . . .
Cosmetologist!
She said to me one day,
"Mom, let's color your hair purple."
Eek!!
"Okay if you promise to fix it in a speedy fashion if it goes south!"
My scalp was purple, but since my hair is dark you couldn't tell it was
purple, unless I was in the sun.
Here is her favorite little guy. They are best buddies!
Here she is trying to teach him to fish, just like her dad taught her.

Before the digital camera age,
I had tons of photos of her and her cat, Princess.
They would always be napping together,
especially in front of the fireplace.

She even raised a herd of registered Angus cattle
with her dad and brother.
I wish I was there to wish you a happy birthday.
I would sing to you - YIKES!
I would make you your favorite meal,
and then I would give you 27 spankings
and a pinch to grow on!

Love You!

Friday, August 14, 2009

1st Anniversary

I just realized that today is the 1st anniversary of us blogging. I remember my first post, I had no clue as how to blog well (still don't.) I had to get tips from nieces and friends who have wonderful blogs. It took me hours to post that first post. I couldn't get the writing to line up with the pictures like I wanted, couldn't get the pictures in the order I wanted, etc. I wasn't sure I was going to keep blogging if it was going to be so difficult!

So here I am a year later. 95 posts later and over 9,300 visitors. Not very many visitors but to me it is amazing that someone wants to look at my blog. I know it is mostly family and friends but still . . . ! I love reading all my family and friends blogs. I think it is the easy way to keep in touch and let others know what you been up to. Especially for someone who lives on the other side of the world!

Speaking of the other side of the world, MY DAUGHTER BETTER BLOG AND POST SOME PICTURES OR I AM CUTTING HER OUT OF THE WILL! It has been over three weeks. My grandson had his birthday party and I need pictures. If you see her, please shame her into doing this! Thank you. No excuses Snort!

There are some blogs that I follow. I don't know them but I find what they do interesting. The Pioneer Woman - the story about her and her husband courting kind of reminded me of Bud and me. We didn't meet at a bar but he was a cowboy and I was a city girl. He was all wranglers and I was designer jeans. Needless to say, I can now brand a bull, work the shoot, doctor cows, ride a horse and I don't freak out if I get some manure on my face!

I also follow Paddling Upstream and his wife Almost American. I came across Paddling Upstream's blog and was amazed at the artistry of making wooden canoes. He also has a funny sense of humor. His wife's blog is being about an expat in America. I am about an expat living in the U.K., where she is originally from. I like seeing her thoughts about living in that foreign country of America!

Tova Darling. I like reading her blog because she started publishing it anonymously because her mother-in-law was using her former blog to criticized and judge her. Tova wasn't good enough for her son, etc. I love the idea of Tova being able to express herself in a environment that we all know is secret to her dear mother-in-law. Kinda funny. I can't relate. I loved my mother-in-law. She was a fabulous woman and I miss her. She passed away a few years ago but she was so good to me and taught me many things a young bride didn't know - like how to can fruit and vegetables, how to reset a mouse trap, (and get rid of the dead mouse. You evidently just fling it off your back deck) and how to help a sick baby, etc.

There are several others that I follow just because I either like the photography or the travel narratives. Seeing the world through someone else eyes. I also check out the friends and families of blogs that I follow from time to time. Just kind of fun.

Anyway, thanks for blogging and making the world more interesting.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Fettucine Alfredo

One of Bud's favorite meals to eat is Fettucine Alfredo with Chicken. I like it too, except for all the calories (although that has never stopped me from eating it - I just feel guilty about it.) I have never bothered to learn to make it because we had so many good restaurants back home where we could go get some when the craving struck. Alas, as I have lamented before, we are having a hard time finding a place that serves good Alfredo. Unlike Mexican food, I think that you can probably find it here I just haven't discovered where. That being said, please someone send me a good recipe for Fettucine Alfredo!! I know I can surf the internet and find one but that is trial and error. I know that a lot of you who read this blog are great cooks. So I am looking for a recipe that you have actually made and you love it and it is one of your favorites, etc., etc. I know this is a very simple recipe but I just want something tried and true.

I tried making it for Bud this past week. He has been under A LOT of stress these past few weeks with work and I thought I would be a good wife (surprise) and do something nice. I saw a jar of "white lasagna sauce" at the store and thought that would do. There was no Alfredo sauce. Well can I say, "Blek!" I have never tasted something so tasteless. I added salt, pepper, butter, Parmesan and even some chicken bouillon to try to doctor this sauce. Bud was a good sport and ate it all but I am sure he hated it as much as I did. I threw the leftovers away!

So be a good sport and send me your recipe to:
Farnsworthclan [at] gmail [dot] com.

Thanks!!

P.S. I have found 4 different ways to spell Fettucine. All are equally represented so I am not sure what is the correct spelling.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Balmoral Castle

It was my birthday at the end of July.
(Who is that fat broad?!!)
Did I say it was my birthday?
My good friend Sydnie took me out to lunch.
After lunch we drove down the road to Balmoral.
Balmoral Castle is the summer home for the royal family.
The castle is beautiful.
It is open for touring just a few months of the year.
You can only tour the grounds and the ballroom.
The royal flag with the family crest on it.
The Scottish Thistle on top of the castle tower.
The thistle is the official flower of Scotland.
A view of the castle from the gardens.
I can see why the royal family like to escape to Balmoral.
The grounds have such a peaceful feeling to them.
A fountain which is in the garden by Queen Victoria's bedroom.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the property in 1852.
The Rose Garden


I love Daisies.




A visitor at the garden.
A thistle waiting to bloom.

Sweet Peas climbing a trellis.
Being in the Highlands,
the gardeners have to protect the plants from frost.
The growing season is shorter in the Highlands.
The garden provides fresh flowers and food for
the royal family when they are staying at the castle.


These carnations smelled marvelous.
Lupines
Peony