New Floors, day2

Yesterday the Gary arrived to lay our new wooden floors, seems a really nice guy and we had attempted to get the house ready for him--he said it was fine.
Got myself and the Wonder Dog organised and set off to go and visit the girls calling at Sainsbury's on the way. Delighted in the superstore to see English asparagus for the first time this year bought some and some for the family.
Over to the girls, had lunch then popped over to the allotment for a wee space,
played with Bella, took garbage to the bin, did some weeding!
Back to theirs waited for Graham then home. Hall and half the sitting room done with the wood looking good.
Made asparagus risotto for dinner with salad and olives--tasted delicious! Tired to bed. Goodnight.
Thursday hopefully second and last day of laying the new wooden floors. Down to the shore with Ruaridh had a lovely walk on the beach, then over to the girls and to the allotment. Took our lunch with us and managed to get lots of work done especially the onion sets planted! Enjoyed lunch and played with Bella. Home to theirs Graham came and we set off for home. Wooden floors look amazing.
Tired--Goodnight!

Tomato Soup

Yesterday we packed up at the cottage!! the family left a couple of hours before us we left around 1400h. We had an uneventful journey to say it was a bank holiday Monday the roads were fairly quiet and we arrived back in the city around 1800h!
Smoked haddock quiche, new tatties and peas for dinner, we the had to start to empty the sitting room as come Wednesday Gary is coming to lay the new wooden floors! did quite a good job and will finish it tomorrow!
Tuesday-- a Bella day arrived at theirs around 0930h with the Wonder Dog. Bella still in her PJ's, however spent a fun day with Bella today. We played in the garden, then a walk to the playpark where Bella resignedly let me take her photo on top of the climbing frame.

On the way to the playpark we bumped into one of LLP's neighbour's and her grandson who told us they had made tomato soup for lunch at 0800h this morning!!

On our way home I asked Bella what she would like for lunch tomato soup was the reply! So at 1330h we started to make the tomato soup. Managed to remember LLP's recipe and although I do say it myself, it was delicious eaten with toast sat outside.
In the afternoon Bella and moi went down to a neighbours of the family and I sat and chatted to the 'granny's' whilst Bella played very happily with the two children!
Stayed at the family's for dinner pasta and pesto with salad, then very tired so to bed!

Easter Bunny!

No Blog on Saturday Bella noted no tattie scones so we set to to make them from scratch.
Rest of family got up and we enjoyed the tattie scones along with a big fry up for breakfast--tasted really good. Layla made hot-cross buns for Easter Bunny Day I can say they do look delicious.
Layla set to and made delicious pizzas for dinner which we all enjoyed.
Easter Day and we awoke to rain, the Easter Bunny had managed to leave some wee eggs for Bella on her breakfast plate, she was delighted. The Hot-Cross buns went down well they were delicious. Late morning the sun came out, the Easter Bunny was seen running up the lane and when Bella went into the garden lo and behold what treasures she found.
Great to see the excitement on her face as she discovered the treats that he had left.
Joe, Layla, Bella, Ruaridh and moi decided to go and find some seals, Graham had hurt his shoulder and stayed at the cottage.
Enjoyed the walk and rocks at the ferry, sadly saw no seals but enjoyed ourselves.
Graham had done some painting when we returned--looking good.
Layla once again the chef, lovely chilli and rice with homemade flatbreads, yogurt and avocado with tomatoes--what a feast!
Last night at the Glen--to bed. Goodnight.

Picnic, Paddle and Fun Day!

Yesterday dawned bright and sunny, Bella awoke in good form we had our early cuppa's then breakfast when we all got up.
Had a wash then made some bread, whilst Bella and Grandpa went fishing down at the river. They came back after seeing lots of fish and an eel but did not catch anything possibly due to the bright pink fishing net and a barking dog!
Lunch then messed about. Baked potatoes with various fillings for dinner. To bed as we were all rather tired!
Friday dawned--once again bright and sunny. After breakfast I washed my hair and then we decided to have a picnic on the beach, so got the food and drink organised and set off to the east beach found a lovely spot and had a lovely time running in and out of the sea which as usual was very cold! Ruaridh enjoyed jumping for stones, then had our picnic which was delicious. Then home as Joe was arriving this evening.
Weather very hot and a certain wee lassie was very tired, eventually she fell asleep as I sang to her sat in a deck chair on the deck.
Joe arrived around 1830h pasta al forno with a salad and homemade bread for dinner. Followed by a fruit crumble!
Bella and her daddy went to find Sprite to give him a carrot. We chatted then I went to bed. Goodnight.

Inverness!

No Blog yesterday--another lovely sunny day. Up quite late again in fact so late we had a brunch, however before this I managed a bath and hairwash! Christine arrived over with all the clean linen thinking I required it for Joe and Layla however I have other linen for them and had made the bed and 'cot' for Miss B up yesterday. So she stayed for a chat.
After she had left we got ready and went down to the village shop before heading out for the beach, lovely walk in the sun along the beach.
Back home Graham made leek quiches for dinner which we had with boiled potatoes and peas, tasted delicious! Finished watching the last episodes of 'Deadwood'.
Up early this morning and after breakfast and a wash and with Ruaridh in the car set off to pick up the girls in Inverness.
Had a good journey and got to the station in good time as their train was delayed for 30 minutes.
Lovely to see the girls as usual Ruaridh was beside himself. Once we were all in the car headed over to Highland Industrial Supplies as we required some things, decided to have lunch there in the cafe.
After lunch set off for home, stopped at the canal for Ruaridh to have a walk then off we go! Talk of 'Nessie' got quite intense as we drove along by Loch Ness and we did see two 'Nessies' at Drumnadrochit!
Arrived at the cottage and settled ourselves, Bella is always happy to be 'Up North'.
Pasta with veggie meatballs in tomato sauce, salad and homemade bread for dinner--delicious.
After dinner set off for a meander down to the river, saw bats catching flies and fish rising to catch the same flies, also heard the owls hooting--so we decided to return home. Bella was very happy. Tired to bed. Goodnight.

The Sun Shone!

Attempting to catch up on a backlog of Blogs. Sunday up and about Christine came over just as we were having a fry-up breakfast she didn't want anything to eat but had a coffee. We chatted and caught up on things, thanked her in person for the cleaning she had done. No gossip from the Glen!!
Ruaridh disappeared thought he had followed C home so stripped the bed of the visitors and took the linen to C to wash as our machine is kaput and awaiting a new pump!!
Found the Wonder Dog chasing furry things at the house C was delighted.
Back home cuppa, then the Wonder Dog decided to rid us of all things furry, he ended up covered in mud, so much so we had to bath him in the wheelbarrow after which he went into a huff.
Parsnip soup and tinned salmon sandwiches for dinner. Followed by watching more of the 'Deadwood' series--very good. Bye.
Monday up with the wee fellow then crashed out again--lovely. Up and had breakfast, had a wash stacked a few logs, made bread--did very little, a lovely hot sunny day. Got the deckchairs out on the deck, and sunbathed for most of the afternoon-superb. Even managed lunch al fresco!!
Noodles and vegetables for dinner--followed by another dose of 'Deadwood'. To bed. Goodnight.

Logs

Yesterday we drove up to the cottage, beautiful day and we had a great journey arriving safe and sound around 1500h. The house looked lovely, Christine had been over and cleaned and lit the stove- a lovely welcome thank you C. F and R arrived about an hour later bringing a load of logs for us from Edinburgh!
Had a light meal then sat around chatting and getting to know R a wee bit better as we haven't met her before! Also brought their dog Mina a Staffie who had a great time playing with Ruaridh and Misty!
We had roasted vegetables and pasta with salad and bread for dinner, sat up chatting for a wee while tired so to bed. Goodnight.
Awoke Saturday morning with the wee fellow made an early cuppa then back to bed for a couple of hours. Up to make breakfast for the visitors then a few logs were split before they left for a night of wild camping.
Graham carried on sawing and splitting logs, whilst I stacked them and stored them in the greenhouse.
Ruaridh went off on his adventures as is his want when he is 'Up North'. We had a cuppa.
Vegetable risotto and salad for dinner. Watched some episodes of 'Deadwood' excellent then to bed. Goodnight.

Bluebells!

Busy day as tomorrow as we go to the cottage. Up and about breakfast then a wash before going with the Wonder Dog to the woods--must say I got a surprise to see how many bluebells had suddenly appeared in the woods. They look lovely spread on the ground like a carpet--had a super walk.
Home into the car with Ruaridh gathered my belongings then a trip to Waitrose and Sainsbury's to get the remaining messages for 'Up North'.
Back home had lunch, then strimmed the grass at the front of the house. Made a quiche for dinner and did roasted vegetables to take to the cottage for dinner tomorrow evening as Fergus and his partner are bringing us a load of logs!
Tom then delivered the wood for the new floors in the lounge and hall chatted so long, that Graham was half way home when we went to meet him!
Had a cuppa then finished dinner smoked haddock quiche, roast tatties and peas--lovely.
Did the ironing then packed, to bed tired. Goodnight.

Dreamer!

Lovely day today apart from suddenly getting a sciatica type pain in my back!
Yesterday Des came to start putting the new doors in, we had all been up early Graham away on the bus at 0840 but Des didn't arrive until 0930h!!
He started on the back door first so Ruaridh and moi went to the shore where it was a beautiful day. Had a lovely walk and met up with Lesley her son B and dog Dudley.
The traffic on the way home was horrendous so left Ruaridh with Des and walked to Sainsbury's.
Spent an uneventful day sat upstairs! Went to the dentist he couldn't do my crown as my tooth is still infected!!
Des here again today to do the back door so away all day! Ruaridh and I had company at the beach today LLP and Bella joined us for a walk/scoot along the prom!
At first the wind was quite cold but Bella never daunted had a great time picking up sea shells and sea glass. She also threw lots of stones into the sea for Ruaridh, who loved this.
Coffee from the cafe and a biscuit for Bella, and a poopbag (clean) full of treasures:) Back to theirs for lunch, first I called at Asda to get most of the messages as we head up to the cottage on Friday! After lunch over to the allotment where we got rid of more rubbish in the bin! Layla and Bella planted the parsnips! Drove back to theirs, where we played in the garden then I drove home as G was in Glasgow for a meeting until late.
Made vegetable soup for dinner G arrived home around 2015h we had the soup followed by a salmon sandwich. Both tired to bed. Goodnight.

Busy Day

Today was a very busy day! LLP, Bella, moi and Ruaridh spent a lovely day together!
First some business to attend to in town.
Ruaridh left at the studio whilst we went for a swim. This was great fun, especially the man swimming in one of the 'lanes' who thrashed the water so hard it was going over everyone:)
Then to Dr Bell's cafe for a delicious lunch, before heading back to pick up Ruaridh.
We then drove with G to look at some wood for the floors.
After which us 'girls' headed to the allotment, when the showers stopped and the sun came out.
Bella planted dwarf broad beans and radishes, we then looked at the very thin leeks and decided they needed to be picked as they weren't going to get any bigger.
Back to theirs and Bella made her own soup for her dinner using some of the said leeks!
I used some in our leek and pea risotto--delicious!
After such a busy day tired to bed--Goodnight!

Aberdeenshire

Up early Saturday morning and after a shower and breakfast hit the road for Aberdeenshire to visit our old chum Liz and her family. Had an uneventful trip up in lovely warm weather. Arrived safe and sound in time or lunch and a chat. Lovely to see Liz and the Basset hound Peggy!
After lunch over to visit Justine, Stephen and Cammy lovely afternoon sat out having a drink and catching up on the gossip. Cammy just got a new mountain bike--putting it through its paces! Walk in the woods behind the house with Ruaridh, Peggy and their three dogs--Archie, Charlie and Tiggy who does amazingly well on three legs after breaking one and severe infection setting in--so it had to be amputated.
Lovely visit--thanks for the drinks!
Fish, chips and peas for dinner followed by creme brulee-Lovely wine more chat then our hostess was dozing so to bed.
Awoken by Justine bringing Tiggy the dog to stay with her mum as they are going to Glentress for the week! Late breakfast then setting out to walk to Fetternear Estate when Jack and his girl friend Cheryl arrived. They decided to come for a walk with us! lovely trip down memory lane. Ruaridh had a ball in the woods and the wee burns, great to see the Bishops Palace again.
Back to Liz's cool drinks and snacks it was 23C outside! then we got ready to come back to Edinburgh. Lovely to see everyone again, thanks for having us.
Home with a lovely piece of hot smoked wild salmon which we had with cream and pasta, salad and bread. Delicious!
Watched an episode of 'Deadwood'--very good. Goodnight.

Beach Again

Up and about as per usual, lovely sunny day so the wee fellow and moi set off for the shore and beach. We had a great walk and Ruaridh is getting to be an expert at jumping for thrown stones, he can leap quite high now!
Home via the supermarket as I needed to get some messages, and to await the arrival of Layla and Bella. Layla has an appointment this evening and as Graham and Joe are working Bella is staying with me. Made the sauce for tonight's dinner.
The girls arrived then Graham arrived home from Dundee, us girls went for a walk in the woods with Ruaridh--Bella showed her mum the den she had played in last week, then home again. Layla left for her appointment, Graham, Joe, Bella and moi had our dinner veggie meatballs in tomato sauce with pasta--salad and homemade bread.
Graham and Joe left Bella and moi played and read some stories.
Layla arrived--had her dinner we had a chat then she and the wee one left.
Very tired up early in the morning as we are heading to Aberdeenshire--Goodnight.

Night Out

Up quite early as Layla and Bella are here for lunch, Layla has the dental hygienist and Bella is staying with Ruaridh and me. Took the Wonder Dog a walk in the woods then back home the girls arrived and Bella wanted to go to the playpark so of we trot.
Back to us for lunch after which the girls left, I saw to Ruaridh and took him a quick walk in the woods as tonight was my night out as this year I decided not to renew my registration as a trained nurse and officially I have retired!!
Met up with twenty other people at Pizza Express in the West End and a great night was enjoyed by all. Great to see lots of people I have worked with over the past twelve years and enjoyed doing so!
A few of us went on to the pub, I then got the bus home after what was a lovely night.

Warm wind a Blowin!!

Today awoke once again to the rain lashing down, though with a temperature of 18C!!, however on checking the weather saw it was meant to become very sunny around 1200h. After G left for work had a wash then did some business stuff before doing some knitting, poor Ruaridh kept looking at me to see when we would be going a walk!
Eventually the sun came through so into the car with the wee fellow and down to the shore and beach! Super to be walking on the beach with the warm wind disturbing my curls.
Decided to walk alongside the River Almond, attempting to find a path that leads/led to a friends parents house. Think I found it but over the many years it has eroded, needless to say the dog and I clambered up exposed tree roots to have a look no joy! Coming down was another matter --nuff said!
Over to see Layla and Bella had lunch and then over to the allotment, got a wee bit of work done and played with Bella, Ruaridh attempted to empty the compost bin!!
Back to theirs waited for Graham then home, fish and rice with dill for dinner-lovely!
Tired--Goodnight.

Attempted car Clean!

Today when I awoke it was raining, got up had breakfast then after G left for work, had a shower and washed my hair. The rain ceased so decided now was the best time to take the wee fellow for his constitutional. Another lovely day and walk, finished the walk through the meadowland the old quarry stone gleaming in the sunlight and the gorse/broom bushes coming into bloom!
Back home made the dinner for this evening as the family will be here. Shepherdess pie, also cook the apples for the apple crumble. Attempted to clean the inside of the car got some done then the rain started!!
Had lunch then it was time to meet Bella, into the car with the wee fellow and off we go, had a walk in the park and Ruaridh had a play with a greyhound cross! Off to meet Bella who was very chatty on the way home. We played then went to the shop to get ginger biscuits to be told these are not a 'seller' anymore ?? Well we like them so will have to try the Supermarket!
Back home Bella made the crumble part of the apple crumble then Grandpa came so she played with him and watched a 'Charlie and Lola'.
Then Joe and Layla arrived so dinner was served Shepherdess Pie with peas followed by apple crumble and ice cream -- lovely!
The family left, tidied up then more catch up blogging--bed. Goodnight!

Monday

Awoke this morning and felt good even though I knew I was going to have a busy day. Set off with the Wonder Dog for the morning constitutional, had a lovely walk before heading home.
Did some business calls, then over to Sainsbury's to get some messages, started to rain on the way home got soaked!! Started the cleaning gave the bathroom a good clean, then the hall and stairs. Had some lunch and listened to the afternoon play about people saying farewell, I was also knitting and lost the gist of the play!!
Caught up with some ironing, then took the Wonder Dog for his afternoon walk. The woods were so pretty, the wild garlic very pungent after the rain and the daffodils so bright in the afternoon sunlight.
Back home waited for Graham to arrive before having a cuppa. Graham had made a lovely curry yesterday for dinner tonight, so I did the rice the Iranian way--boiled then steamed with potatoes at the bottom that roast in oil and are known as tadiq ? along with yoghurt and chapattis delicious.
Attempting to catch up with Blogging. Goodnight.

Lazy Weekend-Mother's Day!

Had a very lazy Saturday though we were awake drinking an early morning cuppa around 0630h, dozed and read, up around 0800h with the Wonder Dog then back to bed an
d crashed out until 1100--great!
Graham made toast and marmalade with an Americano lovely. Got up had a shower and washed my hair then out with Ruaridh to the woods, we had a lovely walk in the sunshine.
Back home caught up with my Blogging and generally lazed.
Made pancakes from the left over mixture, Graham made mushrooms in a white sauce as a filling then the filled pancakes were covered with a tomato and then a cheese sauce before later being baked in the oven for dinner with a salad--delicious.
No more of 'The Killing' as we found out who 'dunnit' last Saturday, the programme will be missed by me. Apparently BBC 4 have bought another one look forward to it starting!
Sunday up and fed Ruaridh then back to bed, fell asleep awoken with a cup of tea then dozes for a wee while.
Up and washed, then had breakfast. Over to get Ruaridh's food then down to the shore still quite chilly, had a good walk. On the way back bumped into Layla's chum/colleague Caroline out for a walk with her mum and dog Archie, nice to see them.
Back home had cheese and biscuits and a cuppa, Graham made soup for dinner. I caught up with some Blogging. Phoned mum to wish her Happy Mother's Day she was having a lovely day!
Had soup for dinner lovely, followed by sardines on toast with another big cuppa!
Watched TV--no joy there! watched episode 12 of 'The Boardwalk Empire'. Then a new programme about 'The Borgias'---Goodnight.

The Den

Missed my Blogs on Wednesday an Thursday!
Wednesday was a busy day, Layla arrived after taking her car to local garage she accompanied the Wonder Dog and me on our walk to the woods. Then we picked up her car had a coffee at ours then she left to pick up Bella and I went to Sainsbury's and to take Ruaridh via the studio to have his hair stripped!
Left the car with G and walked the wee fellow to the 'groomer's'. As I was on my own decided to have lunch out, I was heading to town to get some messages so popped in to the Broughton Deli had a lovely sandwich of hummus and salad with a side salad and a ginger beer--it tasted so good!
Went up to John Lewis bought a new saucepan, a coffee grinder and hoover bags for the Miele vacuum cleaner then back for Ruaridh and to meet Graham as I am getting a new iPhone!
Picked up Ruaridh he looked rather 'fluffy', over to get some fish for the dinner then to Ocean Terminal to get my iPhone--didn't happen! Got wine at M&S
Had a lovely dinner courtesy of G poached halibut, pan fried scallopsver to attempt to get and dill rice with parsley sauce. Watched one episode of 'Boardwalk Empire" Bye.
Thursday to the woods with Ruaridh, home made the sauce for the diner as Layla and Bella are staying! Then over to attempt to get the new iPhone--met up with Graham this time success!!
Popped into Sainsbury's on the way home to get additions for the dinner.
Layla and Bella at ours, had my lunch then up to the Library for Bella to get her books.
Layla went to the dentist, the rest of us walked home via the play park had a go on one or two things then home.
made pancakes for dessert.
Layla and Graham arrived I made dinner veggie meatballs in tomato sauce, olives, salad and homemade bread! lovely.
Bella decided to stay the night as I am looking after her on Friday morning.
All to bed. Goodnight.
Awoken by Bella and Ruaridh Friday morning, gave Bella a drink then she watched 'Nog the Nog', in bed with Grandpa , I gave the wee fellow his breakfast.
We had breakfast cereal and pancakes, Graham left for the studio (without his lunch) Bella and I got ready to take Ruaridh to the woods.
What an adventure we had--we climbed hills and run down them and then we found a 'den' in the woods. Needless to say Miss B was delighted and quickly set about making the wee fellow a bowl and filling it with pine cones and sticks for him to eat, she loved it.
After leaving the den we picked pine cones and fallen daffodils. As we walked by the pond we saw Mr/Mrs Heron preening himself/herself--I threw a stone into the pond and he/she took off in flight. Bella was amazed at the size of the bird in flight.
Back home made and ate more pancakes, then Layla came. Got ready to go to the 'Guilty Lily' for lunch with Graham and Joe, Hilda also there. Had pitta bread, hummus and pesto with a latte coffee-lovely!
Up to town to get my coffee grinder from John Lewis, also to have a peep at the toys!
Never seen as many 4x4's in the parking lot with some obnoxious drivers!!
Back to theirs played and read to Bella then G arrived and home via Waitrose.
G made a lovely dinner butternut squash risotto with broccoli in garlic.
Both very tired. Goodnight.