Happy Hogmanay and New Year 2013

//Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas - a wee quick Blog before the Bells at Hogmanay (Midnight on New Year's Eve) -- saying this has been a year and a half would be putting it mildly, however, we seem to have survived it one way or another -  but when all is said and done, "...here's tae us, wha's like us, damned few and they're awe gone awa... ."  I'm still here, this pic is me at 3 months old, many moons ago.
So, as we prepare to close out 2012, let me say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra and all that jazz - Buddy and Corey join in with me in wishing each of you All The Very Best for 2013 - Go Far and Travel Safely!

I hope this works, double click on the http:// below and  let's hope it works.

Should auld acquaintants be forgot... .

Highlight this link below - click on it and turn up the volume!!! 

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Christmas Time at 16 Tomey Road.

Ho, Ho, Ho, to all you fabulous Bloganistas -- well, it's that time of the year again, and love it or dread it  we can't escape it try though we might, so let's enjoy.  We have our tree up in the living room and all the decorations inside and outside so we are now able to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labour. 
A couple of Blogs ago I promised I would post some pics of the new ceramic pieces I have been making - no need to introduce you to this guy.           I also made myself a chip/crisp and dip set, really feel quite chuffed with it - a Pink Poinsettia and the glazes turned out really well, all FDA approved so it is safe for food - it comes in two pieces.

Here you can see Santa's House is being visited by Carollers and a couple of kiddy winkles sledding down the hill, of course Old St. Nick is standing guard keeping an eye on things (he'splastic, I didn't make him.

Glad to say that I have finished my shopping, mailed off the parcels that I can't deliver personally - feels like I can breathe more easily now that this is done.  This year I was a wee bit lazy, I sent out electronic cards, really nice ones though.  
We are having such a warm spell of weather just now, cold in the a.m. and in the mid to high 40's (7 Celsius) during the day, long may it last.   
Buddy and Corey have their stockings hanging on the fireplace mantle and keep checking each day to see if Santa has been here yet - 12 days and counting. 
This is the time of the year when our thoughts go back over the years thinking on our loved ones, those who are with us and those who have passed on, leaving wonderful memories present and past, so take a moment to reflect and give thanks for all that we have and the people who, over the years, have blessed our lives.   However you, yourself, celebrate at this time of the year, let me wish you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy Hogmanay (New Year's Eve in Scotland) and New Year 2013.  May all your wishes come true.  Will check in next year - let's pray it will be a good, healthy one.

The last days of Summer... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas... .  Here we are at the end of Summer and I want to share this pic with you -- '...tis the last Rose of Summer left blooming alone, all Her lovely companions are faded and gone... ."   Her name is "Montezuma" not necessarily as in His Revenge... .I planted Her in my front flower bed on the 30th of May this year and she has done quite well.  I look forward to seeing what she has to say next year.  The garden flowers and veggies have wound down for the season and look a wee bit shabby and tired, however, I have memories of the lovely flowers and veggies that I have enjoyed over the growing season.  I have become very domesticated these past couple of years and causes me time to think, hm!.. .  Out of my veggie patch I am left with a truck load of green tomatoes, so, in order to utilise every wee bit of the gardens products, I will be making a Green Tomato Relish this weekend  (first time for me - I have really become very industrious in  this aspect of the kitchen, heavens to murgatroid... .)  We are having a lovely spat of weather these past few days so let  us enjoy while the good days last.  We usually get our weather from west to east, so we'll see how long this lasts.

Halloween is coming up fast -- if you want to read about how Halloween was started/celebrated, go to my Blog for last year.  You will also be able to see some of the ceramic pieces I've made. 

Well ladies and gents, time to call it a day and say toodle pips, cheerio, au revoir, tar ra and all that jazz -- P.S. Buddy and Corey send their love.  Bye for now, Luv to all,, Elizabeth xox xox

  

Follow-up to the Veggie Patch!!!

 
Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas!!!
It's me again, Buddy, overseeing Mum making dinner -- so let's begin -- it's been a while since I last checked in keeping you all up-to-date on what's been happening here in Rennerdale.  Last time we spoke my big brother Corey and I were showing you Mum's veggie patch which she had just planted and was chasing the wee critters who were feasting on the tomatoes etc.,  She took care of that problem (we won't go in to details).  Mum was complaining that the veggies were not ripening, well I told her "...be careful what you wish for... ."  lo and behold, one morning there was an explosion of tomatoes, zucchinis, cucumbers, banana peppers, cabbage and so on.  This pic is only a few of what happened.  Now we have sweet pickled cukes spiked with chili flakes, peppers frozen for further recipes and of course, the zucchinis are now in small cubes in the freezer to be made in to relish next weekend.
Hard to believe the last long weekend of the Summer, Labour Day, has been and gone - next fun day will be Halloween when the ghouls, gremlins and goblins will be out and about.  This will be out first Halloween at our new forever home (been here almost 6 months now) and we are certainly spoiling Mum and Dad who, by the way, is out cutting the grass.  Mum is going to get the dinner prepared for this evening, so I'll let my big brother Corey say, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra, and all that jazz.  Until next time.  Luv to all xox.  I know, we look like twins... .

Veggie Patrol... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas -- all of you on the East Coast, how have you survived this heatwave - cooler today so that is good.
Mum took this pic of me, Buddy and my brother, Corey - how do you like our scarfs celebrating Independence Day on the 4th.  We are out looking at the veggie patch - so far we've picked 4 Cucumbers but I fear the rabbits are feasting on the tomatoes, Mum's ticked.    Well, this is just a little update showing you all how gorgeous we look with our Stars and Stipes scarves.  So, time to check-out and say cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra and all that jazz.  Luv to you all, Buddy and Corey xox 

Well, Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas -- Mum is busy right now (typing) so I thought I would introduce myself, Buddy (I'm to the right of the picture) and my brother Corey he's closest to the 'fridge, go figure... .
As I said, my name is Buddy and I am a young, playful 9 year old and my big brother Corey is 10 years young too.  We are just out of the bathtub after getting our bath and our toenay nails trimmed - that's why we look so gorgeous and fluffy.
For the past year and a half we were living in a Foster Home amongst other dogs, always vying for food and a crate in which to sleep  - although people came to look and admire us, they all said we were too old to adopt.  So we just hung in there with the kind lady who had been taking care of us as best she could.
You all probably know that Mum and Dad lost their two doggies, Nessie and MacTavish and they were so lonely without their wee pals.  As luck would have it, one day after Mum came home from Scotland, she was browsing through the internet and found us at www.petfinders.com (great site). Well, here we are 3 months later, gained weight, smell like, well, we'll leave it at gorgeous, and now have soft puffy pillows, sofas, beds, great food and treats, you name it and oh so much more -- more importantly, lots of love and healthy attention.
Well, it's time for Corey and I to get 40-winks up on the sofa before chow time tonight, so as Mum would say, cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra and all that jazz.  Luv to all, Buddy and Corey xox

Early Summer News

Hello again to all you fabulous Bloganistas - well Summer will really be with us on the 22nd June, however, I believe Mother Nature forgot to tell the weather forecasters (well, they are always off the radar anyhoo).
You all know that my favourite hobby is Ceramics (see my Halloween Blog for other pieces) - let me introduce Mr. Walter Wobbly Legs - since his toeny nails are painted Fire Engine Red,  Bob calls him Alice, don't ask me why.  I'm busy with a couple of other projects and will show them to you as they are finished.  Personally, I think Mr. Walter is a real humdinger... .

I planted my wee garden with various tomato plants (9) lots of Salsa this year; Cucumbers (4); Banana Peppers (4) great stuffed and baked in crushed tomato sauce; Butter Squash (2) (one looks a wee bit straggly); Leaf Lettuce (2) from Anna; Spinach (2) & Chives (from my friend Anna); and, Cabbage (2) - not enough to address the World hunger situation, however, it is enough to keep a smile on my face, keep me busy and off the streets, oh well.  Here's a pic of the tomatoes and cukes and you can see the Banana Peppers in the lower front right.  
Because of the problem I am having just now with my back, my good friend Anna did most of the planting, also brought me loads of mulch and Black Gold (smashin' black compost).  Tonight we will be having a salad from the Leaf Lettuce, Basil and Mint herbs we bought at Bedner's a wonderful garden centre.  Will keep you up to snuff as the tomatoes and veggies ripen.
About my back - will be having a Spinal Injection (Epidural) on the 26th let's hope it gives me a lot of relief from the pain and I can be up and at-em again.  Until then, toodle pips, ta ra, cheerio and all that jazz.  Luv to all, "E" 

Back Home from being Back Home... .
Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and to you Bloganistas in Training.
It's hard to believe that I have been back home in The Burg 4 weeks now. After all the build-up and  preparations prior to going Home, I now find myself back in the Land of Reality.  The picture to the left is Glasgow City Chambers at George Square (one of the very few unchanged sites)
My flight from Pittsburgh to Glasgow had me stopping over in Newark International Airport in New Jersey.  Really nice International terminal - later I will give you my opinion of the domestic terminal - I promise to keep the adjectives etc., clean.
I arrived in Glasgow International on the Friday morning around 7a.m. and took a taxi to my Aunt Emily's house - cab driver was a great guy and we talked non-stop (not a difficult task for me).  Aunt Emily was waiting at the front door for me and after the tears, hugs, laughs and over talking one another, we settled down with the teapot and McVitie's Digestive biscuits smothered in butter and jam, I was enjoying it all so much that my jaws were in cramps (joking.)  On Sunday the 4th of March we went to my Cousin Harry and Susan's house for a fabulous evening.  Monday the 5th saw me taking a guided bus tour through the East End, one of those tours where you can get on and off the bus.  My favourite place was the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (picture to the right)                  

 On the 6th I took a trip through the West End where I grew up in The Calton - pic to the left shows the Poor Man's Umbrella at Bridgeton Cross.

I met-up with my Cousin Grace and her husband Eric, sad to say we did not have very much time together, however, what time we had was great, we just picked-up where we left off centuries ago.

On the 13th I went by train down to Portpatrick in Wigtonshire (still in Scotland) and had a wonderful visit with my friends Margo and Joe Farrell - what a beautiful village they live in sitting on the Irish Sea.  This pic is  of the village and shops at the harbour.

My next sojourn was down south to England where I wrapped up my holiday with my sister and her husband - late nights and wine flowed the 5 days we were together.  They took me for a belated birthday lunch at The Duke of Cumberland Arms in Southwest Sussex - what a beautiful restaurant and part of the country.
On Wednesday 21st I flew back up to Glasgow and stayed at the Holiday Inn Express at the airport - very comfy room and really nice staff.  Got up at 4a.m. on the 22nd and was at the airport by 5:30a.m. had my last Scottish breakfast (until next time) boarded the plane at 7:30a.m. and flew out at 8a.m.  Now, getting back to Newark's domestic terminal -- putting it as politely as possible - I had heard horror stories about this terminal, however, there are no words in the English language to do justice to what I saw and experienced - putting it as simply as I can "...never in my life have I ever experienced such a congested, conglomeration of degenerates in all my life... ."
All in all, my holiday was fabulous and I packed a lot in to the 3 weeks and have wonderful memories to add to my life's collection.
Okay, Bloganistas, time to get on with things so for now, toodle pips, cheerio, ta ra and all that jazz.  Take care and enjoy life - Love to all, Elizabeth xox

                                                                                                                   

Up, Up and Away... . (With United)

Hi to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those in training -- Here I am getting ready for my trip back home the 1st of March to Glasgow, Scotland,  to visit with my Aunt Emily.  I'll also be visiting with my cousin Grace Divers (McLaren) haven't seen her in years but I know we'll drink lots of tea, eat digestive biscuits and catch-up on all the years.  Aunt Emily and I will get out and about while I am with her, but only as she can manage.  I hope to get down to Portpatrick for a couple of days to visit with my  friends Margo McGuire (since grade school)  and her husband Joe Farrell - then it would be back up to Glasgow, I will then travel on  www.FlyBe.co.uk  Airlines (el cheepo flight connection but watch out for the baggage fees - I went for the "naughty kilo baggage" e.g., 23 Kilos or, as far as I have it worked out, at 46lbs as we here in the States know it, down to Southampton where my sister and her husband will meet me and take me back up to where they live - it will be absolutely fabulous to spend time with my sister (living here in the States is so far from her - there are lots of you out there in the same boat - what can I say) 
I am so proud of myself, made all the reservations online, flights with United/Continental from Pittsburgh to Glasgow International, Scotland and return - routing through Newark, New Jersey, inland UK and the hotel at the Holiday Inn Express the night before my return trip to The Burgh =  on the 22nd, Bloody Brilliant although I say it myself.  Not to worry, I am absolutely thrilled with all that I have accomplished -- so here we are, and I will keep you up-to-snuff in all the goings on in my wonderful travels back home with my family and friends- until then, toodle pips, cheerio and all that jazz -- what can I say -- Luv ya all -- "E"