Fire-works from last night's display from the bridge.
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The month of December saw us going from one party to the next. Perhaps the highlight was the Friends of Cognac party during which Don and I appeared as Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can see photos on the blog for December 9th. (Click on Blog Archive on the right side of this page and then click on December 2007 to scroll through the month's blogs.)
Our weather has been quite changeable: for a while it was cold with freezing fog and frost, which was beautiful (photos on December 21st), then it became quite mild with temps in the high 40s and low 50s but there was rain. We had an entire day of icy pavements during that cold spell but otherwise, it hasn't been bad for December. Don has been able to play golf most days. We hear, however, that snow is coming our way on Thursday of this week.
We spend most afternoons at home. Don usually fits in about an hour-long drumming session and I try to fit in about an hour of piano-playing although I don't manage it as regularly as he does. Last month I promised you photos of our respective musical instruments but didn't get around to doing so until this month (see blog for the 28th).
I haven't gotten a lot of quilting done but did make bookmarks to give to members of the So and Sews at our Christmas luncheon and also for members of my book group at that luncheon. You can see an array of the bookmarks on the second blog post on the 4th. I also made a small quiltlet on the 28th for the anniversary card I made for Donald (see photo in post for the 30th). Can you believe we both almost forgot our 28th anniversary on the 28th? We would have forgotten it completely if friends hadn't dropped off a card on the 27th.
You might have noticed on the first blog post on the 4th that Don came in first that day in the Comrie Senior's weekly match. On the whole, his game has continued to improve. You might say it's experienced an upswing. Okay, maybe you wouldn't say that…but you might.
Last night was Scotland's biggest night of the year, Hogmanay. Comrie is unique in that it has continued an ancient pagan ritual, the Flambeaux torch parade through the village to drive away the evil spirits. The photos below are some Don took at the parade. The ones at the top of this blog he took at the fireworks display at the bridge by the White Church which was held earlier (from 7:15 to 7:30). It was an amazing display for a small village. We enjoyed watching the parade and seeing the pipe band leading the whole procession. The torch bearers came next followed by home-grown floats depicting a few topical issues, among them, Donald Trump's highly unpopular bid to build a huge golfing resort and housing complex near Aberdeen. As usual, the floats took a sardonically humorous point of view.
If you'd like to learn more about the Flambeaux, which has gone on each Hogmanay in Comrie from ancient times, visit the Travel Scotland site: http://www.scotland.org.uk/features/comrie_flambeaux_191202.htm .
We saw the new year in at a first-footing party at the home of Christine and Jimmy Hepburn. Drinks were accompanied by a stovie supper (a chunky hash made from potatoes, onions, beef, and beef drippings) along with sandwiches and shortbread. As this was an open house event, the cast of characters changed almost by the minute. It is a great way to see the new year in with a wide variety of folks, some of whom we knew well, some of whom we knew slightly, and some of whom we got to know last night.
We didn't leave there until 3:30 or after and so it was a short night. We had our traditional popovers breakfast late this morning to the strains of Viennese waltzes. Otherwise, we will have little more today than a nibble or a nosh before going at 6 tonight for dinner with Syd and Lorna Peedle. These are the folks who own Comrie Cottage which we used to rent when we'd come to Comrie on vacations.
We hope 2008 will be a good year for you and yours. Your cards, letters, and e-mails have been wonderful to receive. Again, thank you for keeping in touch.
Love,
Lynn and Don
The month of December saw us going from one party to the next. Perhaps the highlight was the Friends of Cognac party during which Don and I appeared as Santa and Mrs. Claus. You can see photos on the blog for December 9th. (Click on Blog Archive on the right side of this page and then click on December 2007 to scroll through the month's blogs.)
Our weather has been quite changeable: for a while it was cold with freezing fog and frost, which was beautiful (photos on December 21st), then it became quite mild with temps in the high 40s and low 50s but there was rain. We had an entire day of icy pavements during that cold spell but otherwise, it hasn't been bad for December. Don has been able to play golf most days. We hear, however, that snow is coming our way on Thursday of this week.
We spend most afternoons at home. Don usually fits in about an hour-long drumming session and I try to fit in about an hour of piano-playing although I don't manage it as regularly as he does. Last month I promised you photos of our respective musical instruments but didn't get around to doing so until this month (see blog for the 28th).
I haven't gotten a lot of quilting done but did make bookmarks to give to members of the So and Sews at our Christmas luncheon and also for members of my book group at that luncheon. You can see an array of the bookmarks on the second blog post on the 4th. I also made a small quiltlet on the 28th for the anniversary card I made for Donald (see photo in post for the 30th). Can you believe we both almost forgot our 28th anniversary on the 28th? We would have forgotten it completely if friends hadn't dropped off a card on the 27th.
You might have noticed on the first blog post on the 4th that Don came in first that day in the Comrie Senior's weekly match. On the whole, his game has continued to improve. You might say it's experienced an upswing. Okay, maybe you wouldn't say that…but you might.
Last night was Scotland's biggest night of the year, Hogmanay. Comrie is unique in that it has continued an ancient pagan ritual, the Flambeaux torch parade through the village to drive away the evil spirits. The photos below are some Don took at the parade. The ones at the top of this blog he took at the fireworks display at the bridge by the White Church which was held earlier (from 7:15 to 7:30). It was an amazing display for a small village. We enjoyed watching the parade and seeing the pipe band leading the whole procession. The torch bearers came next followed by home-grown floats depicting a few topical issues, among them, Donald Trump's highly unpopular bid to build a huge golfing resort and housing complex near Aberdeen. As usual, the floats took a sardonically humorous point of view.
If you'd like to learn more about the Flambeaux, which has gone on each Hogmanay in Comrie from ancient times, visit the Travel Scotland site: http://www.scotland.org.uk/features/comrie_flambeaux_191202.htm .
We saw the new year in at a first-footing party at the home of Christine and Jimmy Hepburn. Drinks were accompanied by a stovie supper (a chunky hash made from potatoes, onions, beef, and beef drippings) along with sandwiches and shortbread. As this was an open house event, the cast of characters changed almost by the minute. It is a great way to see the new year in with a wide variety of folks, some of whom we knew well, some of whom we knew slightly, and some of whom we got to know last night.
We didn't leave there until 3:30 or after and so it was a short night. We had our traditional popovers breakfast late this morning to the strains of Viennese waltzes. Otherwise, we will have little more today than a nibble or a nosh before going at 6 tonight for dinner with Syd and Lorna Peedle. These are the folks who own Comrie Cottage which we used to rent when we'd come to Comrie on vacations.
We hope 2008 will be a good year for you and yours. Your cards, letters, and e-mails have been wonderful to receive. Again, thank you for keeping in touch.
Love,
Lynn and Don
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