We've made it through another year... .

          Should Auld Acquaintants Be Forgot
and ne'er brought tae mind... . these are the words written by our famous bard, Robert Burns, the opening words to that great song "Auld Lang Syne" when all peoples around the World stand hand-in-hand and lift their voices in song and, no matter the language, we can all understand the words and feelings that are remembered, as we sing our hearts out.
So, A Final Hello for 2014 to all you fabulous Bloganistas, it is that time of the year again (seems to come around every year at the same time) so, let me welcome you to my front door and tell you a little about the past year.  It has been a year of ups and downs, tears and laughter -- although my health wasn't up to snuff, I went home for a couple of months in May and June.  Visited with my wonderful Aunt Emily, my Mother's younger sister.  She is 88 years young and we got up to as much mischief as we could.  Such a wonderful lady whom I admire so very much, no matter how poorly her health is she never gives in,  as the auld Harry Lauder song goes "...keep right on to the end of the road, keep right on to the end, tho y'er tired and weary still journey on... ." and she does.  She has such a twinkle in her beautiful blue eyes.  Her garden is her pride and joy; also spent time with my Cousin Harry, her son, and his family with whom I  had a great time visiting their home in Glasgow and at their home in St. Andrew's, such a treat.  No that's not his house that's the Old Course Club House at the 18th Hole.


While with Aunt Emily and family, lifelong friends of mine, Margo and Joe Farrell came through to Glasgow to see me and also brought a school friend of ours with them, Frances Freer.  Heavens, it has been decades (no, I'm not telling you how many) since Frances and I had seen each other -- we went to Oscars Restaurant in Newton Mearns and had a wonderful meal and, as you can imagine, talked our heads off.   That's me with my arm around Joe, Margo directly across from me and Frances across from Joe.
 I also spent time with my Cousin Grace McLaren (nee Divers) and her husband Eric and their two daughters Lorraine and Katrina, their respective husbands Frank and Bryan and their children, what a wonderful visit. I stayed with them for 3 days and Grace drove me around the Glasgow we frequented as children, ooh, lots of changes.  This is Grace, Lorraine and Katrina.

I spent the last week of my holiday with my sister and her husband and enjoyed winding down before my flight back home to Pittsburgh -- coming through immigration, well that's a horror story for another time.  
Once back to reality we had the little gremlins for Hallowe'en,  Bob enjoyed the candies as much as the kiddies;  then we celebrated and enjoyed the Thanksgiving Holiday and as usual ate too much Turkey and all the trimmings.  
For my Christmas my husband and son asked me what I wanted from Santa, after much thought I decided I sorely needed a new faucet and spray for my kitchen sink, really,  but that's what I need.   So with that and gift cards to buy myself a new stack of clothes, I'm as happy as a wee dog with two you-know-whats... .
Hard to believe Christmas has come and gone and we are now preparing for Hogmanay, (New Year's Eve) and the start of a New Year 2015 - let's hope it is a very much kinder and peaceful year to all of the peoples around the World.                                               
Whomever you pray to, or not,  let us pray and hope for Understanding, Peace and Good Health to be THE GIFT for all mankind around the World.  As the Scottish poet, Robert Burns once wrote "...man's inhumanity to man, makes countless thousands mourn... ."  Please let us turn this around and have it read as "man's humanity to man makes us more tolerant of each other and shows us how to live in peace... ."
So, if you have read the foregoing, Bless you, --  let me wish you all a Good Night, toodle pips, cheerio, au revoir and all that jazz and let me share with you a picture of George Square on Hogmanay in Glasgow.
Catch up with you all next year, Corey chips in as well; he's snoring away on the couch beside me (for those of you who don't know who Corey is, he's my wee dog who celebrated his 14th birthday on Christmas Day,  so ta ra for now!!!

Happy Thanksgiving Turkey Day... .

Gobble, Gobble, Gobble -- Happy Thanksgiving to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training -- also, to my friends in other countries who do not celebrate this great holiday as is the tradition here in The United States of America.   It is full steam ahead this week getting the Turkey ready and the oh so good Stuffing and Gravy, Green Bean casserole, Sweet Potatoes topped with Marshmallows, Pumpkin-Cheesecake, Pumpkin Pie and all the trimming etc., ready for this upcoming Thursday, 27th November.  Those of you who are not familiar with the tradition of this Holiday, why not Google, or DuckDuckGo it - the history really is very interesting and goes back to the arrival of the British and European Pilgrim Settlers here in the New World.


Last Blog I told you I was making a tray of stuffed shells, so here is a picture of them before they went in to the oven.  They were so tasty and Bob was a happy camper when he helped himself to seconds.
Not too much to say today so I'll have "Sweetie Pie" here to wave you all adieu - so to those of you here in the States and all U.S. ex-pats living abroad let me, Bob and Corey wish you all a very Happy, Safe and Blessed Thanksgiving - take time to think on all the big and small things we need to give thanks for.  All-in-all when we look at what's happening in the World, we need take a moment and be Thankful for what we have and we can find this best in our Families and Friends.  Also, those of you in other countries who follow my Blog, please let me include you as my Friends - add your pictures and names.  So, for the time being, cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir and all that jazz.  Again,  Happy Thanksgiving.
Love to all, "E"

Precursor to Thanksgiving... .

Well, Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
By now you've probably come to the conclusion that with me and my Blog, that it is either feast or famine.  Not to worry, just keep on checking-in with me -- never too controversial, but I'll always try to keep it interesting.

How do you like Fred and Ginger???   I named them after Fred Astair and Ginger Rogers (you know, they were movie actors in fancy dancing  movies of the '40's, 1940's that is, when you could sit through a film with your Granny and not be embarrassed) -- by now some of you know that I collect Salt & Pepper Shakers.  This time I decided to make these for my collection -- aren't they adorable?  I have them sitting on my kitchen windowsill so that I can see them when I am being industrious in the sink.  I have some other pieces in for firing and you'll see them soon.
Back in August when I celebrated my birthday, my sister and brother-in-law, knowing how I enjoy my garden, bought a one-way ticket for my own traveling garden gnome, whom I have named "Barney" here's his picture to the right.   

He enjoyed the Summer weather out on my front porch keeping an eye to some of my Cacti (I know it's not Cactuses) but somehow that sounds better.  
I hear he likes to travel around the Globe, but since he only had a one-way ticket purchased for him, he's stuck in Rennerdale.  Now that the colder days are nudging their way in, he's safely ensconced in the front hallway amongst the plants, where he is happiest.  Handsome li'l Bugga isn't he?

Okay, feast or famine needs to get a move on - for dinner tonight I'm making Stuffed Shells in a red meat sauce - no I don't have any pics just yet - maybe if the casserole looks half decent I'll take a pic of it and add it in my next Blog which will probably come around Thanksgiving the last Thursday in November. 
So, it's time for me to say  cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir, arrivederci and all that jazz.  Corey send his love to you all, oh yes, he's sleeping on the sofa, really... .  "E"

Happy Hallowe'en 2014

Hello again to all you Fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
Once again I have been busy at ceramics, a little slower this time since I have missed many sessions due to my back/legs etc., what I mean is that I haven't been able to walk very well and the studio is up a very steep stairway, but not to worry, I've never died of Winter yet, nor am I likely to;  
My Chiropractor is slowly, but surely working wonders and Babalooee (Bob) bought me a special chair with a physio ball in it for the seat and it is really great. 
So, let me introduce you to The Ghosts of Hallowe'en, my Three Stooges, Larry, Harry and Mo these little guys were so much fun to make, each one has his own personality and are quite happy amongst the other pieces I have been making over the years. 

This picture to the right is one of my scenes that I have in the main hallway of the house.  If you scroll down to last Hallowe'en you will see Helga and Casper the Friendly Ghost.   I also made a serving dish that looks like the inside of a Pumpkin- Bob really likes this one since it gets filled with candies - okay, time to get ready for the wee Goblins who will be running up the front path to ring the door bell and get their treats.

So different from when I was growing up in Glasgow - when my cousins and I would go out Guising (trick or treating) we would have to sing a song or recite a poem before getting our treats, we also had to Dook for Apples - I think here in the states it's called Bobbing for Apples - anyhow, it all adds to the memories, all of them so good.
Okay, ta ra, cheerio, toodle pips and all that jazz.  Corey says to say Hi... .
Take Care and be Happy - "E"

The Aumun Leaves Drift By My Window... .

Hello to all you Fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
Well, it is that time of year again -- tonight around 10:30p.m. Pittsburgh time - 3:30a.m. Glasgow time will see us in to the first day of autumn.  Halloween and all the Goblins, Gremlins and Ghouls will be getting ready to come out in force looking for their sugar-fixes at the end of October.  The stores have been bombarding us with Halloween "stuff" as a matter of fact, the other day when I was in Kohl's (my favourite hang-out for spending me pennies) the decorations etc., were all on sale alongside the Christmas decorations, oh boy. We'll spend our weekends raking up the leaves - when I say "we" I really mean Bob.
Nothing too much going on in Rennerdale, same old same old.    
Had Corey to the vet last week and he is doing well considering he'll be 14 on Christmas Day so he is slowing down a bit - not that he was ever an active, exciting wee dog, however, he's just my speed. The Vet told me that Corey has a heart murmur so he needs to be spoiled even more than before   With his legs being so short, Bob built him a ramp from the kitchen down in to the family room, this helps him get down and out through the doggy door to take care of Paisley and the surrounding areas.   This is him swaggering down (Bob had already put in a half-step for our wee McTavish who also had trouble a couple of years back getting up and down the "3" stairs") however, Corey needs the Full Monty - notice it even has carpet on it.  He has the best time toddling up and down at least 50 times a day.

I'm glad to report that the back surgeon said he will not operate on my back (this is great)  he sent me to a Chiropractor (the Witch Doctors of the medical profession -- I believe his manipulations etc., are helping a little - time will tell.
Well, until next time, Corey and I bid you a fond farewell, cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Be good, Be Safe.  "E"

Planning my trip Back Home to Glasgow... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas and those of you in training... .
This is a picture of The Pittsburgh Incline and the Point at the Three Rivers (Allegheny, Monongahela flowing into the Ohio.) 
Finally getting ready to buy my ticket to head across the Pond and visit my auld stompin' ground, Glesca (Glasgow) .
I had originally planned on going home this past March, unfortunately the pain and agony wouldn't allow - I have seen so many specialists that I am ready to scream (hear the lion roar).   Will be going for a series of injections on the 5th and 12th of May and, God Willing and meds permitting, will be up, up and away on United Airlines on Tuesday the 13th.  I'll be home for a number of weeks and the best of it will be visiting with my Aunt Emily, a very special lady, can you believe I've known her all my life... .  She's my Mum's sister.  Will also visit with my cousins, both on my Mum's side of the family and also my Dad's, also my sister and brother-in-law.
Everyone here at 16 Tomey Road is keeping in good health -- we planted a few more trees this past Easter weekend, Cleveland Flowering Pear Trees (no fruit, only flowers) - the warm weather always brings out the weekend warriors and come Monday it's Ben Gay time for the aches and pains.
We had a bad scare on Easter Sunday with Kya, our son Robert's dog, she underwent emergency surgery, and we are waiting the pathology results sometime this week - she will be in doggy hospital 'til later this week - so far, so good.
Well, time to get a move on and have another cup of tea, Taylor's of Harrogate (Harry, recognise the name!!!) 
So time to say cheerio, toodle pips, au revoir, ta ra and all that jazz.  Corey says to say hello.  Love to all, Elizabeth, "Liz", Beth and a few other names we won't mention. Bye!

Fun in frozen Pittsburgh... .

Hello to all you fabulous Bloganistas, here I am again - just took this picture of Babalooee (aka Bob) trying to clear our driveway - he looks the picture of happiness and bliss.   Last year our son, Robert, bought this snow blower for his Dad to use and we didn't have much snow - this year is another story.  We would have brokey backs if we didn't have it and had to use the shovel.  What was it the weather forecasters named it, The Polar Vortex, cold was putting it mildly.  We had to shovel the snow out back where wee Corey takes care of Paisley (business) and he was quite pleased 'cause the snow came up over his back so couldn't risk him getting lost in the frozen white canyons of Tomey Road.  
This upcoming week warmer weather should be coming in, around 40 farenheit, like a heatwave.  To warm Bob up I got out my slow cooker and made a lovely big pot of Chili - not bad Willis, not bad.

and he has the cheek to say I don't cook, ha. 
So, a good meal was had by all.
Well, it's that time again when I am planning another trip back home, need an infusion of Haggis, Black Pudding, etc., and etc.,  Will probably be going the 4th of March getting back the first week in April.   I know the weather won't be all hot and humid in March, but let's face it, you don't go to Scotland to get a suntan, you go to see family and enjoy the unbelievable scenery.  Once I pick up my ticket this weekend, I'll be adding more info.   So until next time, Corey says to say Hi and Bye - cheerio, toodle pips, ta ra, au revoir and all that jazz.  Take care and be good, well, don't be too good.  "E"