I'm all cozy tucked into bed, which is the most comfortable (and warmest) place in the house to sit. I'm watching the Puissance 2009 in London (world cup show jumping) and at the same time watching snow falling steadily outside our window. The Puissance is high-jumping for horses!
This weather is so weird. When I woke up this morning and looked out the window, it was sunny and frigid -- a very thick frost coating everything and ice all over the pavements. Then I went for a long walk with my friend Naomi down the canal path, and there was ice on the canal and really thick layers of ice on the path in some spots (really treacherous). The sun was still shining until we were ready to turn around and walk back, and then it started pouring rain, and it poured all the way back. Just after I got inside the house, the wind suddenly picked up and started gusting against the house, and WHOOSH! just like that, the rain turned to thick snow and it looked like a nor'easter outside! Within five minutes enough snow had fallen to cover the pavements and the roads. It has been snowing for about 45 minutes now, and is begininng to slacken off, but who knows what will happen next!
David is on the bus on his way to Snizort, where he will be preaching during both services tomorrow. We decided that I would stay home for this trip because it is such a long, exhausting bus ride up and back and I don't do very well with the windy roads. We were just up and back to Inverness at the beginning of the week and I need to start cutting back on the amount of time spent traveling now that I'm pregnant. Especially with the amount of exhaustion I've been battling. So poor David is on his way to spend the weekend alone in a huge empty manse. I'm going to be spending a couple nights with my friend Naomi while he's away.
We had a good time in Inverness with the other students, as always. And good curry, and good fellowship. . . Tiring, though. It's always a rather intense couple of days.
I had my first prenatal appointment on Monday and that went really well. Had a scan done and David and I both saw our wee Lachman Ness Monster for the first time! That was exciting and rather overwhelming!! When I have a chance to get a digital copy of the scan, I'll post it. :-)
Saturday, 19 December 2009
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
"pains and diligence"
I have been attending a weekly Bible study with some other young women who are friends of mine. We are going through the Gospel of Luke. It's a very informal Bible study layout -- basically we read whatever chapter we are studying that week, and then we break out the commentaries and go through verse by verse, sharing tidbits from the commentaries or whatever we find interesting and worthy of discussing as we go along.
This week we were looking at Luke 5, particularly the passage in verses 17-26 where a paralysed man is let down through the roof by his friends to be healed by Jesus. I was thinking about what an effort these friends put forth to see their unfortunate comrade made whole by the Great Physician. They were determined and innovative thinkers and they found a way to get to Jesus in spite of the crowd! I happened to be looking at a copy of J.C. Ryle's Exposition of Luke during the Bible study and found these words of application which were very convicting:
This week we were looking at Luke 5, particularly the passage in verses 17-26 where a paralysed man is let down through the roof by his friends to be healed by Jesus. I was thinking about what an effort these friends put forth to see their unfortunate comrade made whole by the Great Physician. They were determined and innovative thinkers and they found a way to get to Jesus in spite of the crowd! I happened to be looking at a copy of J.C. Ryle's Exposition of Luke during the Bible study and found these words of application which were very convicting:
Let us mark, firstly, in this passage, what pains men will take about an object when they are in earnest. The friends of a man, sick with the palsy, desired to bring him to Jesus that he might be cured. At first they were unable to do it, because of the crowd by which our Lord was surrounded. What, then, did they do? "They went upon the house-top, and let him down through the tiling, with his couch, into the midst before Jesus." At once their object was gained. Our Lord's attention was drawn to their sick friend, and he was healed. By pains, and labor, and perseverance, his friends succeeded in obtaining for him the mighty blessing of a complete cure.
The importance of pains and diligence, is a truth that meets our eyes on every side. In every calling, and vocation, and trade, we see that great effort is one prominent secret of success. It is not by luck or accident that men prosper, but by hard working. Fortunes are not made without trouble and attention, by bankers and merchants. Practice is not secured without diligence and study, by lawyers and physicians. The principle is one with which the children of this world are perfectly familiar. It is one of their favorite maxims, that there are "no gains without pains."
Let us thoroughly understand that pains and diligence are just as essential to the well-being and prosperity of our souls as of our bodies. In all our endeavors to draw near to God, in all our approaches to Christ, there ought to be the same determined earnestness which was shown by this sick man's friends. We must allow no difficulties to check us, and no obstacle to keep us back from anything which is really for our spiritual good. Specially must we bear this in mind in the matter of regularly reading the Bible, hearing the Gospel, keeping the Sabbath holy, and private prayer. On all these points we must beware of laziness and an excuse-making spirit. (emphasis mine!) Necessity must be the mother of invention. If we cannot find means of keeping up these habits in one way, we must in another. But we must settle in our minds, that the thing shall be done. The health of our soul is at stake. Let the crowd of difficulties be what it may, we must get through it. If the children of this world take so much pains about a corruptible crown, we ought to take far more pains about one that is incorruptible.
Why is it that so many people take no pains in religion? How is it that they can never find time for praying, Bible reading and hearing the Gospel? What is the secret of their continual string of excuses for neglecting means of grace? How is it that the very same men who are full of zeal about money, business, pleasure, or politics, will take no trouble about their souls? The answer to these questions is short and simple. These men are not in earnest about salvation. They have no sense of spiritual disease. They have no consciousness of requiring a Spiritual Physician. They do not feel that their souls are in danger of dying eternally. They see no use in taking trouble about religion. In darkness like this thousands live and die. Happy indeed are they who have found out their peril, and count all things loss if they may only win Christ, and be found in Him!"
Knowing that I myself am not as faithful, determined or committed to seeking Christ as I ought, this was a very humbling passage to read. . . and I wanted to share it with my friends so they, too, could be thinking about the benefits of spiritual pains and diligence.
Sunday, 6 December 2009
in sickness and in health. . .
Well, David and I have experienced quite a bit of the "in sickness" part of our marriage vows recently. David has now been sick for a full 4 weeks and his chest cough is still lingering on. He went to the dr. this week and was told that he most likely has been fighting either a nasty cold or the flu. Thankfully the dr. found nothing alarming (no pneumonia, chest infection, bronchitis, or anything like that). He has been a bit improved in the last couple of days, with the exception of not sleeping well at at all because of lingering coughing, but we will be very happy to see him kick this thing for GOOD!
In the midst of this drama, I have been struggling with my own health. On Monday I helped out at the weekly Shettleston children's Bible club, where I taught the lesson and was heavily involved in the games and other "wild" activities. . . . and completely overdid it (need to really be more careful now that I'm pregnant!). I could hardly crawl out of bed on Tuesday as a result, so David put me on bed rest for the day. Then around 2am on Thursday morning I woke up in a lot of pain and shaking uncontrollably (though I didn't have a fever). This continued for the rest of the night and then around 8am I felt faint and nauseous and called David (who was in the other room) and by the time he came in I was passed out face-first on the bedroom floor. The next couple of hours I spent vomiting repeatedly and passing out repeatedly. This was poor David's initiation into "having Katie as a sick wife" (I faint whenever I vomit). He was so good, and it was reassuring to have him there holding me (I have hit my head more times than I can count fainting - this time I always had David there to make sure I didn't!). My mom's reaction was, "Katie, did you scare David out of his wits?" I said, "No, Mom, he did a great job handling it - he only asked me twice if I was still breathing!" We called the dr. because I was terribly ill and we were not sure what to do. I got an emergency appointment and the dr. told me that I had picked up a virus that was going around. She gave me an injection to stop the vomiting, which then stopped the rest of the "vicious cycle" that I was experiencing and enabled me to get some good rest during the remainder of the afternoon. Thankfully there is nothing wrong with the pregnancy, this was just an unrelated virus that I caught! But I am still recovering from it after three days of almost total bed rest. Definitely not back to 100% yet, but we are praying for renewed strength and a full recovery.
I am so grateful to our friends the Harams who were kind enough to pick us up and take us to the dr. for my emergency appointment, and to our friend Parthee who came over yesterday and cleaned my whole kitchen and cooked dinner for us!
We are ready for the drama to be over now and to be healthy again!
In the midst of this drama, I have been struggling with my own health. On Monday I helped out at the weekly Shettleston children's Bible club, where I taught the lesson and was heavily involved in the games and other "wild" activities. . . . and completely overdid it (need to really be more careful now that I'm pregnant!). I could hardly crawl out of bed on Tuesday as a result, so David put me on bed rest for the day. Then around 2am on Thursday morning I woke up in a lot of pain and shaking uncontrollably (though I didn't have a fever). This continued for the rest of the night and then around 8am I felt faint and nauseous and called David (who was in the other room) and by the time he came in I was passed out face-first on the bedroom floor. The next couple of hours I spent vomiting repeatedly and passing out repeatedly. This was poor David's initiation into "having Katie as a sick wife" (I faint whenever I vomit). He was so good, and it was reassuring to have him there holding me (I have hit my head more times than I can count fainting - this time I always had David there to make sure I didn't!). My mom's reaction was, "Katie, did you scare David out of his wits?" I said, "No, Mom, he did a great job handling it - he only asked me twice if I was still breathing!" We called the dr. because I was terribly ill and we were not sure what to do. I got an emergency appointment and the dr. told me that I had picked up a virus that was going around. She gave me an injection to stop the vomiting, which then stopped the rest of the "vicious cycle" that I was experiencing and enabled me to get some good rest during the remainder of the afternoon. Thankfully there is nothing wrong with the pregnancy, this was just an unrelated virus that I caught! But I am still recovering from it after three days of almost total bed rest. Definitely not back to 100% yet, but we are praying for renewed strength and a full recovery.
I am so grateful to our friends the Harams who were kind enough to pick us up and take us to the dr. for my emergency appointment, and to our friend Parthee who came over yesterday and cleaned my whole kitchen and cooked dinner for us!
We are ready for the drama to be over now and to be healthy again!
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
exciting news! :-)
*drum roll please!*
As most of you who read my blog probably already know, from reading my Facebook status, David and I are expecting our first child. I am due at the end of June, Lord willing!! This is very exciting for us, as you can probably guess. . . :-D We have known for a couple of months now, but were waiting to make it public until I was a bit further along.
Thankfully I have been blessed with a very dear friend, Shael, who has been an encouragement and a support to me in so many ways. She has 6 children of her own and is very familiar with the NHS and local midwife services. The Lord has been so good to me in so many ways!
So far, I have had no morning sickness and I do not take that for granted!! My stomach is quite unsettled and uncomfortable at times, and it can be a challenge to find something that sounds good to eat, but so far that has been the extent of my morning sickness drama. I posted previously about a bizarre food craving (tuna) which the Lord was gracious and answered in an amazing way! :-)
On the other hand, I have really been struggling with very low energy levels and a LOT of major back pain. The exhaustion has made it nearly impossible for me to keep up with the housework, which has been a source of major discouragement for me in the past few weeks (especially when I walk into my kitchen and see the mountain of dirty dishes). But David is very helpful and supportive, and is always encouraging me to rest a lot, and to take things slowly and in small chunks, so that I can get things done bit by bit without wearing myself out.
The Lord is good to us and we are praying for His continued protection and blessing throughout this pregnancy. :-)
As most of you who read my blog probably already know, from reading my Facebook status, David and I are expecting our first child. I am due at the end of June, Lord willing!! This is very exciting for us, as you can probably guess. . . :-D We have known for a couple of months now, but were waiting to make it public until I was a bit further along.
Thankfully I have been blessed with a very dear friend, Shael, who has been an encouragement and a support to me in so many ways. She has 6 children of her own and is very familiar with the NHS and local midwife services. The Lord has been so good to me in so many ways!
So far, I have had no morning sickness and I do not take that for granted!! My stomach is quite unsettled and uncomfortable at times, and it can be a challenge to find something that sounds good to eat, but so far that has been the extent of my morning sickness drama. I posted previously about a bizarre food craving (tuna) which the Lord was gracious and answered in an amazing way! :-)
On the other hand, I have really been struggling with very low energy levels and a LOT of major back pain. The exhaustion has made it nearly impossible for me to keep up with the housework, which has been a source of major discouragement for me in the past few weeks (especially when I walk into my kitchen and see the mountain of dirty dishes). But David is very helpful and supportive, and is always encouraging me to rest a lot, and to take things slowly and in small chunks, so that I can get things done bit by bit without wearing myself out.
The Lord is good to us and we are praying for His continued protection and blessing throughout this pregnancy. :-)
Saturday, 28 November 2009
graciousness
Have you ever had a day when you realize that the Lord not only answers prayer, He also knows the desire of our hearts -- even if it's something small and mundane that we haven't even bothered to pray about?
Today was one of those days for me.
In my last post I was indulging in a wee mope about the difficulties of getting used to some things related to the food that is available over here. I have been craving tuna for weeks. I'm used to having canned tuna around the house and using it for sandwiches, etc., but canned tuna is too expensive here for our budget!
Well, the Lord provided for this desire of my heart unexpectedly. Firstly, David and I found canned wild salmon on sale in the supermarket earlier this week -- at a stunningly low price. Normally a product like that would be wayyyy out of sight for us. So we bought some and I was gleeful! Tuna is great, but salmon is a rare treat!
But then, out of the blue, my friend Shael who has already been such a blessing to my heart in so many ways, phoned me and said that their minister had been donated a random collection of canned foods and wanted to give them to us if we were interested. She brought over three grocery bags chock-full of all sorts of canned items plus other kitchen cupboard staples and a few treats as well! And guess what was in the bottom of the last bag. . . SEVEN large cans of tuna!! Not only was the general collection of food a real blessing to us, but the appearance of the tuna just made my day. :-) Isn't is amazing how the Lord provides in the little ways and the massive ways?
We had a fun Thanksgiving dinner with a few friends. We had turkey legs, cranberry sauce, broccoli casserole, lots of mashed potatoes and gravy, and carrots. . . and strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. It was a hit. :-) Next year I am hoping to plan ahead and find a pumpkin!!
Today was one of those days for me.
In my last post I was indulging in a wee mope about the difficulties of getting used to some things related to the food that is available over here. I have been craving tuna for weeks. I'm used to having canned tuna around the house and using it for sandwiches, etc., but canned tuna is too expensive here for our budget!
Well, the Lord provided for this desire of my heart unexpectedly. Firstly, David and I found canned wild salmon on sale in the supermarket earlier this week -- at a stunningly low price. Normally a product like that would be wayyyy out of sight for us. So we bought some and I was gleeful! Tuna is great, but salmon is a rare treat!
But then, out of the blue, my friend Shael who has already been such a blessing to my heart in so many ways, phoned me and said that their minister had been donated a random collection of canned foods and wanted to give them to us if we were interested. She brought over three grocery bags chock-full of all sorts of canned items plus other kitchen cupboard staples and a few treats as well! And guess what was in the bottom of the last bag. . . SEVEN large cans of tuna!! Not only was the general collection of food a real blessing to us, but the appearance of the tuna just made my day. :-) Isn't is amazing how the Lord provides in the little ways and the massive ways?
We had a fun Thanksgiving dinner with a few friends. We had turkey legs, cranberry sauce, broccoli casserole, lots of mashed potatoes and gravy, and carrots. . . and strawberry rhubarb pie for dessert. It was a hit. :-) Next year I am hoping to plan ahead and find a pumpkin!!
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
food woes
Apparently there is no such thing as canned pumpkin to be found in all the United Kingdom!! Well, rumours exist that fresh pumpkins are to be found, if you have specially trained hounds to sniff it down in some remote supermarket or teeny produce shop. . . but I am sure it would be very elusive AND very expensive. So, we are not having pumpkin pie tomorrow at our Thanksgiving dinner. :-( We are having strawberry and rhubarb pie instead (David is happy with that substitution!).
There are also no pre-made pie crusts to be found.
Pickles do not taste like American pickles!!!
I am used to having canned tuna available cheaply, and having it as a sandwich staple. . . . But canned tuna is really expensive over here.
Turkeys don't go on sale over here until Christmas, and even when they are on sale they are quite expensive (compared to the U.S., where you can get a turkey for about 40 cents a pound!). So instead of buying a whole turkey, we bought turkey legs which were cheaper.
It gets a bit tiring trying to find particular foods that are familiar. Sometimes I spend a long time walking in circles around the supermarket (like today when I was looking everywhere for cranberry sauce to go with our turkey!). Sometimes I get really frustrated at the inconvenience of not having available things that I am used to having. "Comfort food" has become any food that is familiar or that I can make successfully using unfamiliar ingredients. . .
Okay, I feel better for having moped and whined a little bit. . . :-p
There are also no pre-made pie crusts to be found.
Pickles do not taste like American pickles!!!
I am used to having canned tuna available cheaply, and having it as a sandwich staple. . . . But canned tuna is really expensive over here.
Turkeys don't go on sale over here until Christmas, and even when they are on sale they are quite expensive (compared to the U.S., where you can get a turkey for about 40 cents a pound!). So instead of buying a whole turkey, we bought turkey legs which were cheaper.
It gets a bit tiring trying to find particular foods that are familiar. Sometimes I spend a long time walking in circles around the supermarket (like today when I was looking everywhere for cranberry sauce to go with our turkey!). Sometimes I get really frustrated at the inconvenience of not having available things that I am used to having. "Comfort food" has become any food that is familiar or that I can make successfully using unfamiliar ingredients. . .
Okay, I feel better for having moped and whined a little bit. . . :-p
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
birthdayness
Since I last posted, David and I traveled back up to Inverness last Monday for his classes. On Tuesday he had a systematic theology exam in the morning and a dreadfully long committee meeting for the remainder of the day, and then we came home on Wednesday evening. Thursday we were so exhausted and David was still struggling health-wise. . . so we were very lazy!
On Sunday David preached at a local Glasgow congregation in the morning and we were both thankful that his voice held out long enough for him to get through the sermon. David is just now beginning to feel like he might be "kicking" this nasty cold and lingering chest cough that has gripped him for more than two weeks now.
My birthday was yesterday. I was awakened by several felicitous birthday texts on my mobile phone! :-) Around noon I left for Shettleston as usual to help with the children's Bible club. When I arrived at church, I found that our minister and his wife had left a beautiful bouquet for me. :-) After the Bible club finished I got the bus home. David had done the dishes for me while I was out, and bought pizza for dinner so that I didn't have to cook! And he bought a delicious Bavarian chocolate torte for dessert - yum, yum! I am spoiled to have such a wonderful husband! Sometime in the next week or so when the weather is clear we are planning to enjoy a day trip to Edinburgh, too.
I am planning our Thanksgiving dinner. . . I think I am going to fix turkey legs (not a whole turkey - partly because of my small oven, and partly because in the UK turkeys are not so affordable at this time of year!) and mashed potatoes, and broccoli casserole, and pumpkin pie (of course!). We are just having a few friends over, wanting to keep it a small and simple gathering.
Thankfully we will not be traveling anywhere for a couple weeks at least. It's a welcome chance to rest, and David needs time to thoroughly focus on his studies and the dissertations he has to write this term. Our schedule has been so unpredictable since we moved here due to preaching obligations and frequent travels.
On Sunday David preached at a local Glasgow congregation in the morning and we were both thankful that his voice held out long enough for him to get through the sermon. David is just now beginning to feel like he might be "kicking" this nasty cold and lingering chest cough that has gripped him for more than two weeks now.
My birthday was yesterday. I was awakened by several felicitous birthday texts on my mobile phone! :-) Around noon I left for Shettleston as usual to help with the children's Bible club. When I arrived at church, I found that our minister and his wife had left a beautiful bouquet for me. :-) After the Bible club finished I got the bus home. David had done the dishes for me while I was out, and bought pizza for dinner so that I didn't have to cook! And he bought a delicious Bavarian chocolate torte for dessert - yum, yum! I am spoiled to have such a wonderful husband! Sometime in the next week or so when the weather is clear we are planning to enjoy a day trip to Edinburgh, too.
I am planning our Thanksgiving dinner. . . I think I am going to fix turkey legs (not a whole turkey - partly because of my small oven, and partly because in the UK turkeys are not so affordable at this time of year!) and mashed potatoes, and broccoli casserole, and pumpkin pie (of course!). We are just having a few friends over, wanting to keep it a small and simple gathering.
Thankfully we will not be traveling anywhere for a couple weeks at least. It's a welcome chance to rest, and David needs time to thoroughly focus on his studies and the dissertations he has to write this term. Our schedule has been so unpredictable since we moved here due to preaching obligations and frequent travels.
Saturday, 14 November 2009
chicken noodle soup and feasts
David was away from Monday until this afternoon at the Evangelism Module in the Inverness area for the seminary students. While he was gone, I stayed in Glasgow but I was able to spend the week with my friend Marjory Jean so that I wouldn't be alone in the house. MJ lives just over two miles from my house - it takes a little more than 30 minutes to walk. I did a LOT of walking this week! There wasn't a day that I walked less than 2.5 miles, and there were a couple of days where I walked more than 5 miles total! That coupled with late nights visiting with friends has left me rather exhausted by week's end, but I am sooooo thankful to have David back! I did all the shopping and housecleaning yesterday so that everything would be in order when he got home.
David's been struggling with a nasty cold all week, and he is still growling like a lion because of all of the congestion in his throat, and today was really rainy when he was coming home. . . so I decided to make chicken noodle soup, his favorite. It turned out really well and David was so happy - he immediately proclaimed that I was his "favoritest" wife. That's reassuring. . . ;-) I made a huge pot of chicken noodle soup so that David can keep enjoying it for the next couple of days. It's so warm and filling!
This weekend is the communion season for our congregation here in Shettleston, which meant that they have extra services last night and tonight as well as the usual services on the Lord's Day with the additional celebration of the Lord's Supper. For those of you who aren't familiar with the idea of communion seasons, it's still the way things are done over here in the Free Church, harking back to the days when ministers rode circuits and so the Lord's Supper was celebrated about twice a year in each congregation - to give time for the ministers to travel to all the different congregations. Nowadays communion seasons may occur anywhere from two to four times a year in each congregation. A communion season will often involve extra services on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday nights - and a lot of visitors from sister congregations will travel from all across Scotland to fellowship. There is true spiritual and physical feasting during these special times.
David's been struggling with a nasty cold all week, and he is still growling like a lion because of all of the congestion in his throat, and today was really rainy when he was coming home. . . so I decided to make chicken noodle soup, his favorite. It turned out really well and David was so happy - he immediately proclaimed that I was his "favoritest" wife. That's reassuring. . . ;-) I made a huge pot of chicken noodle soup so that David can keep enjoying it for the next couple of days. It's so warm and filling!
This weekend is the communion season for our congregation here in Shettleston, which meant that they have extra services last night and tonight as well as the usual services on the Lord's Day with the additional celebration of the Lord's Supper. For those of you who aren't familiar with the idea of communion seasons, it's still the way things are done over here in the Free Church, harking back to the days when ministers rode circuits and so the Lord's Supper was celebrated about twice a year in each congregation - to give time for the ministers to travel to all the different congregations. Nowadays communion seasons may occur anywhere from two to four times a year in each congregation. A communion season will often involve extra services on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday nights - and a lot of visitors from sister congregations will travel from all across Scotland to fellowship. There is true spiritual and physical feasting during these special times.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
. . . eh.
So David and I have been in "collapse and recovery" mode since returning from our 600+ mile trip. David is fighting not to drown in a bottomless sea of seminary studies, upcoming papers, sermon preparations, church responsibilities, and other activities. My life is quite a bit simpler than his but still exhausting.
I'm always wracking my brain to think of something exciting I can make for supper that is very cheap and filling and yet very nutritious. It's so hard to get all three of those at once. I'm learning that dried beans and legumes are excellent inexpensive ways to make filling, warm food in the winter. And it's protein! Yay. Tonight I made a yummy thick soup with sausage, lots of vegetables (red bell pepper, zucchini, spinach, carrots, onion, mushrooms), and cannelli beans, seasoned with red wine vinegar, thyme, basil, and so on.
We had dinner guests on Saturday - a homeschool family with six children (ages nine to 7 months). That was a lot of fun! The children played very nicely in our back garden (we have lots of grass and bushes) while we adults visited in the living room.
Here's an amusing story: I knew that there would be ten of us for dinner, so I had prepared a large casserole. It wasn't in a normal 9"x13" pan, but something slightly larger, maybe 10"x14". Anyway, I got the casserole all put together and ready to put into the oven - and it WOULDN'T FIT! It was just barely too big to fit into the oven, no matter which way I turned the pan. I started to panic and called David. You should know that in our house, David is the trouble-shooter and problem solver. He sized up the situation and managed to move the oven rack in such a way that there was just enough room to squeeze the casserole in so that it could bake! Unfortunately, it wasn't quite level, so during the baking process the casserole dripped all over the oven and turned the kitchen into a smokehouse! Then, when it was finished baking, it took such an effort on David's part to pull the casserole dish out because it was WEDGED into the oven! So now I know, for next time, that if we are feeding a crowd, I have to fix a meal in three small casserole dishes instead of one big one! :-D
Tonight is Guy Fawkes Night, and there are lots of fireworks going off even though it's quite wet outside.
I'm always wracking my brain to think of something exciting I can make for supper that is very cheap and filling and yet very nutritious. It's so hard to get all three of those at once. I'm learning that dried beans and legumes are excellent inexpensive ways to make filling, warm food in the winter. And it's protein! Yay. Tonight I made a yummy thick soup with sausage, lots of vegetables (red bell pepper, zucchini, spinach, carrots, onion, mushrooms), and cannelli beans, seasoned with red wine vinegar, thyme, basil, and so on.
We had dinner guests on Saturday - a homeschool family with six children (ages nine to 7 months). That was a lot of fun! The children played very nicely in our back garden (we have lots of grass and bushes) while we adults visited in the living room.
Here's an amusing story: I knew that there would be ten of us for dinner, so I had prepared a large casserole. It wasn't in a normal 9"x13" pan, but something slightly larger, maybe 10"x14". Anyway, I got the casserole all put together and ready to put into the oven - and it WOULDN'T FIT! It was just barely too big to fit into the oven, no matter which way I turned the pan. I started to panic and called David. You should know that in our house, David is the trouble-shooter and problem solver. He sized up the situation and managed to move the oven rack in such a way that there was just enough room to squeeze the casserole in so that it could bake! Unfortunately, it wasn't quite level, so during the baking process the casserole dripped all over the oven and turned the kitchen into a smokehouse! Then, when it was finished baking, it took such an effort on David's part to pull the casserole dish out because it was WEDGED into the oven! So now I know, for next time, that if we are feeding a crowd, I have to fix a meal in three small casserole dishes instead of one big one! :-D
Tonight is Guy Fawkes Night, and there are lots of fireworks going off even though it's quite wet outside.
Saturday, 31 October 2009
we experienced more than one ferry crossing. . .
. . . so here's some more photos of scenery from ferry crossing! These were taken during the middle of last week when we sailed from the port of Ullapool, in the Highlands, to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. This is a three-and-a-half hour ferry crossing through The Minch. This particular crossing is notorious for frequent bad weather and rough waves which can really make the passengers miserable. We had been told numerous horror stories and boarded the ferry armed with "sea bands" (acupressure bracelets) and motion sickness medication. And I think we must have been blessed with the absolute smoothest crossing this entire year! It was utterly calm and very beautiful. You could hardly even tell when the ferry steamed out of the loch and into open water, there was only the very slightest swell. Our later crossing of the Little Minch (which I've already posted photos of) to Skye was noticeably rougher and less happy on the stomach in comparison (and yet a "regular" informed us that he thought it was a fine, smooth crossing!).
Anyway. Enjoy the photos! Thank goodness we have no more ferry trips until January! :-)
Anyway. Enjoy the photos! Thank goodness we have no more ferry trips until January! :-)
The view as we steamed away from the pier:
The view to our left -- Ullapool harbour.
Ullapool behind me (this was at the back of the boat, to the left). I've heard stories of what the housewives go through to keep their front doors shut during the gales that blow in!
David and Ullapool (this view was to our right).
the view to the right as we turned out of Ullapool harbour and steamed up the loch.
Another view of the mountains beyond Ullapool, from whence we came.
Silhouette of David
David took this shot of the deck from which we were enjoying the view.
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
castles!
These are photos of Inverness Castle in Inverness.
The following photos are of Lews Castle, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis.
Proof I was there: :-)
I took the photo below and it's my absolute favorite!
David took these shots of the castle grounds:
photos!
These are photos that David took during our ferry crossing from the Isle of Harris to the Isle of Skye yesterday morning. It was early to mid morning and quite windy and cold, so I stayed down below resting, but I still was able to enjoy the view!
Dozing in the lounge. . .
This photo was taken from the bus. The ferry docked in Uig, Isle of Skye, and we then took the bus all the way from there back to Glasgow (8 hrs).
More photos to come. . . :-)
Monday, 26 October 2009
home again, home again, jiggity jig
follow the link to exhaustion. . .
This link will take you to a map showing our journeys during the past 7 days. First, 3 1/2 hrs by bus from Glasgow to Inverness; then 1 hr by bus from Inverness to Ullapool; then 3 1/2 hrs by ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; then 1 hr by bus from Stornoway to Tarbert, Isle of Harris; then 1/2 hr by car from Tarbert to Leverburgh. Our return journey was 1/2 hr by car from Leverburgh to Tarbert; then 1 3/4 hrs by ferry crossing from Tarbert to Uig, Isle of Skye; then 8 hrs by bus from Uig to Glasgow! We covered WAY more than 600 miles during the week.
Now we're finally home and both David and I are utterly exhausted. I will post lots of photos within the next day or so, as soon as I've had a decent night's sleep! In the meantime, hopefully this will keep you occupied and interested. :)
This link will take you to a map showing our journeys during the past 7 days. First, 3 1/2 hrs by bus from Glasgow to Inverness; then 1 hr by bus from Inverness to Ullapool; then 3 1/2 hrs by ferry crossing from Ullapool to Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; then 1 hr by bus from Stornoway to Tarbert, Isle of Harris; then 1/2 hr by car from Tarbert to Leverburgh. Our return journey was 1/2 hr by car from Leverburgh to Tarbert; then 1 3/4 hrs by ferry crossing from Tarbert to Uig, Isle of Skye; then 8 hrs by bus from Uig to Glasgow! We covered WAY more than 600 miles during the week.
Now we're finally home and both David and I are utterly exhausted. I will post lots of photos within the next day or so, as soon as I've had a decent night's sleep! In the meantime, hopefully this will keep you occupied and interested. :)
Saturday, 17 October 2009
it's "autumn" here! :-)
During the past couple of weeks, autumn has arrived in Scotland. The display of colour is typically more subtle here than in the States, but it is no less beautiful. These are some photos I took this morning when David and I went for a relaxing stroll down the Forth & Clyde Canal path, which is just 5 minutes walk from our house.
These roses are in our front garden. And no, they are not a product of my (non-existent) gardening skills!
It's been a quiet weekend here. :-) I'm now able to find my way to, around, and from the supermarkets by myself and can do the shopping without having to drag poor David along with me! Amusingly enough, we have found that shopping together can sometimes be one of the most challenging and stressful parts of newly married life, but we're getting better at it. :-)
Today I spent several hours baking banana bread -- three loaves of it, so that I can take some along to Inverness next week as thank-you gifts to dear friends. I have varied between washing piles of dishes and making food, which then creates more dishes to be washed, and then another round of food to be made, and more dishes, to infinity and beyond. . . That's the story of my life. :-) David, meanwhile, has diligently locked himself away in his study for the past few days, preparing sermons. He is preaching twice tomorrow in Shettleston.
5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens;
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
6 Your righteousness is like the great mountains;
Your judgments are a great deep;
O LORD, You preserve man and beast.
7 How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
Psalm 36:5-9
Friday, 16 October 2009
more. . . newness.
Hello, dear ones.
I have started this blog just for you. . . specially for those of you who would love to open your inbox and find an email from me, specially for those of you who begged me to send descriptions and photos faithfully when I set off on this grand adventure, specially for those of you who might be tempted to come visit me (!) if I describe my surroundings and experiences in terms glowing enough. :-)
The trouble is, that having started this new blog, it's very. . . new. I'm tired of things being new and unfamiliar! I have spent several hours navigating my way around Blogger, blundering my way through the layout of this blog, and wracking my brain desperately trying to think up a clever, pithy title. SEE TITLE. Haha. Got any clever, pithy ideas? Please share. I'm all out of clever pithyness.
And just to make sure we are all quite clear, I'm not starting this blog so that I can rant and rave about current events, politics, religion, my opinions on stuff, or anything else that you don't want to know and I don't want to write about. This blog is simply a tool that helps me do two things at once: 1) conveniently keep in touch with all of my very dear peoples worldwide without forcing me to write twenty-five emails per day to keep up with correspondence to each individual; and 2) conveniently keep in touch with all of my very dear peoples worldwide without falling behind on very essential housewifely type activities such as laundry, dishes, and cooking three full meals a day.
So I hope to share with you some of the laughs and adventures and amazements that grace my day, some of the ways the Lord richly provides for and faithfully guides my husband and myself, some of the struggles that confront me in a new environment, and some of the stories that I'd like to remember in the years ahead.
I have started this blog just for you. . . specially for those of you who would love to open your inbox and find an email from me, specially for those of you who begged me to send descriptions and photos faithfully when I set off on this grand adventure, specially for those of you who might be tempted to come visit me (!) if I describe my surroundings and experiences in terms glowing enough. :-)
The trouble is, that having started this new blog, it's very. . . new. I'm tired of things being new and unfamiliar! I have spent several hours navigating my way around Blogger, blundering my way through the layout of this blog, and wracking my brain desperately trying to think up a clever, pithy title. SEE TITLE. Haha. Got any clever, pithy ideas? Please share. I'm all out of clever pithyness.
And just to make sure we are all quite clear, I'm not starting this blog so that I can rant and rave about current events, politics, religion, my opinions on stuff, or anything else that you don't want to know and I don't want to write about. This blog is simply a tool that helps me do two things at once: 1) conveniently keep in touch with all of my very dear peoples worldwide without forcing me to write twenty-five emails per day to keep up with correspondence to each individual; and 2) conveniently keep in touch with all of my very dear peoples worldwide without falling behind on very essential housewifely type activities such as laundry, dishes, and cooking three full meals a day.
So I hope to share with you some of the laughs and adventures and amazements that grace my day, some of the ways the Lord richly provides for and faithfully guides my husband and myself, some of the struggles that confront me in a new environment, and some of the stories that I'd like to remember in the years ahead.
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer." Ps. 19:14
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