Author Archives: Ellen

Scotland Travel Journal ~ St. Michaels Golf Club

On Friday September 20th Josh was able to tuck away a goal by playing a round of golf in the country where it is said that the game of golf originated.

Golf in Scotland was first recorded in the Scottish late Middle Ages, and the modern game of golf was first developed and established in the country.

After a nice early breakfast at our lodgings, Josh and Laura drove the very short distance to St. Michaels Golf Club. There was a one track bridge with limited sight to cross to get into the club where you were directed to honk so that you wouldn’t meet another vehicle head on.

Laura kept Josh company getting some great photos and adding thousands of steps to this 22,000+ step day!

Borrowed clubs and cart in tow, he set out on the course.

The owner of the lodge we were staying in gave Josh a bag of golf balls for his game.

Yippee for the one and only red squirrel that was spotted on our trip. Well done, Laura!

Greg and I enjoyed a leisurely morning in the lodge while Josh golfed. Josh and Laura returned before noon for our afternoon in St. Andrews, just a short distance from our lodgings. As you can see this was a rare cloudy and overcast day that we experienced on our Scotland travels.

Our Scotland Travel Journal serves to keep our memories alive and to remind us of God’s care and provision in our travels. Thank you for traveling along with us.

Scotland Travel Journal ~ Glamis

On Thursday the 19th of September we had a very nice breakfast at our B&B meeting some of the other guests. One of the couples was from Washington State! We had a nice chat. We paid up and headed for the coast road for our 42 mile drive to Glamis Castle.

On the way to A92 we passed this farm and saw this gigantic pig. The photo is fuzzy but that pig was real!

We had more picturesque views and soon we were driving up the long drive to the castle. We were there right at opening.

Glamis has been the ancestral seat to the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since King Robert II granted the Thanage of Glamis to Sir John Lyon in 1372. Once host to Mary, Queen of Scots, Glamis is said to have inspired one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, Macbeth. Glamis also has a deep connection to today’s Royal Family as it was the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and birthplace of HRH Princess Margaret.

The Timeline of history of the castle can be found here.

We joined a tour of the castle but no photography was allowed since part of the castle is still a residence. You were not allowed to roam around this castle without the tour guide.

When our tour was completed we enjoyed a little snack in the Castle Kitchen. The Castle Gift shop next to the parking area was on two levels and we found some goodies to buy.

This castle had a Royal Connection and you can read the history here. This is the Coronation program from Queen Elizabeth’s ceremony in 1953 and the wedding programs from Prince Charles, Lady Di, Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

From Forfar we drove about 18 miles to the coast to the Carnoustie Golf Links to see if there was any chance of Josh getting a tee time. We found out that wouldn’t be possible and he’d have to look for another option but we enjoyed a nice lunch in the Rookery. It was at the Rookery that I had my first taste of Cullen Skink. I really enjoyed it!

Welcome to our restaurant at Carnoustie Golf Links. For as long as anyone can remember, crows have made their name in this area. In fact, legend has it that the old Scots name, ‘Craws Nestie’ is where our much-loved Carnoustie got its name. Over the years these resourceful, community-minded birds have made their home in our coastal town, as, like golf, they belong in this challenging and formidable place. They call it home. We call it The Rookery.

Cullen skink, one of Scotland’s most famous dishes, is a hearty soup traditionally made with smoked haddock. The name of this soup comes from Cullen, a small town in the northeast of Scotland. Skink is the Scottish term for a knuckle, shin, or hough of beef, so most soups made of these parts were called skink. When people in northern Scotland were unable to find scraps of beef due to economic strains but had plenty of fish to cook with, and smoked haddock was found everywhere, meat stews transformed into fish-based soups, but the name skink stuck.

We checked our maps and saw a golf club closer to our lodging for the next two nights and we swung by to see if Josh could get a T-time here, St. Michael’s Golf Club. While Josh talked to someone in the golf shop we walked through the cemetery next door.

With a T-time and the promise of a set of golf clubs to borrow Friday morning we set off to find our home away from home for the next two nights.

Pinewood Country House was easy to find and it was our favorite lodging of our whole trip. The owners put us up in the Red Squirrel Lodge which was behind the large country home. We chose Pinewood for it’s close proximity to St. Andrews.

The lodge was two stories with the main living area, full kitchen and a king size room and bathroom and upstairs was another king size bedroom with sitting area and a bathroom. I didn’t take photos of all the areas.

Here is the link to Pinewood and we would recommend staying in the main house or the lodge if you are ever in this area of Scotland.

We settled in to our lodge and relaxed until it was time for dinner at the close by St. Michael’s Inn. The owners of the Inn were having dinner at the same restaurant this evening celebrating their anniversary. We didn’t have reservations but slipped in under the radar and had a nice meal despite a hectic start because of some kitchen issues.

After dinner we drove into St. Andrews to find a grocery store to pick up a few items for our next couple of days.

Thursday was another picture perfect blue sky day for us. You can see in the last photo some clouds forming. Friday would be a full day with golf and ruins as the theme in St. Michaels and St. Andrews.

We were again thanking the LORD for taking such good care of us in our travels.

Who Are These Like Stars Appearing ~ Hymn

Who Are These Like Stars Appearing

Who are these like stars ap­pear­ing,
These be­fore God’s throne who stand?
Each a gold­en crown is wear­ing;
Who are all this glo­ri­ous band?
Alleluia! Hark, they sing,
Praising loud their heav’n­ly king.

Who are these of dazz­ling bright­ness,
These in God’s own truth ar­rayed,
Clad in robes of pur­est white­ness,
Robes whose lus­ter ne’er shall fade,
Ne’er be touch­ed by time’s rude hand?
Whence come all this glo­ri­ous band?

These are they who have con­tend­ed
For their Sav­ior’s hon­or long,
Wrestling on till life was end­ed,
Following not the sin­ful throng;
These who well the fight sus­tained,
Triumph through the Lamb have gained.

These are they whose hearts were riv­en,
Sore with woe and ang­uish tried,
Who in pray­er full oft have striv­en
With the God they glo­ri­fied;
Now, their pain­ful con­flict o’er,
God has bid them weep no more.

These, like priests, have watched and wait­ed,
Offering up to Christ their will;
Soul and body con­se­crat­ed,
Day and night to serve Him still:
Now in God’s most ho­ly place
Blest they stand be­fore His face.

Words: Theobald H. Schenk, 1719.

Scalloped Potato Bake

This recipe does not include flour so it is gluten free.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 2 Tablespoons butter plus enough to butter the casserole dish
  • 2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch thick slices
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup grated white cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  2. Caramelize diced onion in 2 tablespoons of melted butter in a saute pan.
  3. In a saucepan, heat up the cream with a sprig of thyme and chopped garlic.
  4. While cream is heating up, butter a casserole dish.
  5. Place a layer of potato in an overlapping pattern and season with salt and pepper, sprinkle some of the caramelized onion on top.
  6. Remove cream from heat, then pour a little over the 1st layer of potatoes.
  7. Top with some grated cheddar.
  8. Repeat this for 2 more layers.
  9. Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes.
  10. At this point if you desire you can top the baked scalloped potatoes with a little more cheese and broil until the cheese browns.

Since this recipe used heavy cream instead of making a white sauce this dish is gluten free.

Scotland Travel Journal ~ Stonehaven

After our time at Dunnottar Castle we found our B&B just 6 miles south and checked into our rooms. Before we set off for Scotland, we had some recommendations for places to visit and for restaurants in Stonehaven. Our B&B hosts recommended the same restaurant so it was confirmed where we would have our evening meal. Truth be told, there weren’t many restaurants to choose from.

We would highly recommend Chapel of Barras B&B if you find yourselves in this part of Scotland.

 

We arrived before dinner service started so while Greg and I sat in the downstairs lounge area of the restaurant, Josh and Laura checked out the harbour.

Still enjoying the need for sunglasses on this great weather day!

Another shot as the sun was retreating.

We could see the tide going out during our dinner time upstairs.

Here comes the moon…

Time to eat and try some new things.

After dinner we enjoyed conversation with a local and then had some time for taking in the gorgeous moon and sunset as we walked along the harbour.

Goodnight to a long day on the road. Wednesday September 18th was complete. On Thursday we were heading south with some stops before our next destination in St. Michaels.

Truth for Today #123

Thursday November 21st

On Thursdays my posts will include verses that stood out in my readings from the Bible during week. One, two, three or maybe more. If you have a verse/verses that you read during the week and would like to share, leave it/them in the comments and I will add it/them to the post. Let’s dig deep in God’s Truth again this year!

The verses that you share are appreciated and so encouraging, I’m thankful for them and for each of you! 

Next Thursday is Thanksgiving Day so we will resume Truth for Today on the following Thursday. 

Isaiah 42:5-9

Thus says God the LORD,
Who created the heavens and stretched them out,
Who spread out the earth and its offspring,
Who gives breath to the people on it
And spirit to those wo walk in it,
“I am the LORD, I have called You in righteousness,
I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You,
And I will appoint You as a covenant to the people,
As a light to the nations,
To open blind eyes,
To bring prisoners from the dungeon
And those who dwell in darkness from the prison.
I am the LORD, that is My name;
I will not give My glory to another,
Nor My praise to graven images.
Behold the former things have come to pass,
Now I declare new things;
Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you.”

From Vera:

“Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.”
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭29‬:‭10‬-‭13‬

From Leonard:

Psalm 144:2

“He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him.”

From Willow:

“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain,
to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and praise!”

Rev 5:12

From Karen:

James 1:19

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Hometown Love Hodgepodge

 

After today, there are only 5 more Wednesdays in 2024 and the last Wednesday of the year is Christmas! Thank you, Joyce, for the Hodgepodge Questions again this week!

1. What was your favorite part about growing up in your hometown? 

My hometown was a melting pot of people from many cultures that opened up my eyes to the world. Besides friendships with other Russian-Americans like myself, there were many Mexican, Jewish, Japanese, and Armenian Americans in my friendship circles. The photos are from a mini-reunion with some high school friends.

2. Do you prefer ‘material’ gifts or ‘experience’ gifts? If you answered experience, tell us about one you’ve received and truly enjoyed. 

At this stage of life I’ll say the experience gifts are the best! The gift of our whole family being together is always so so good. Our 50th Anniversary weekend in Walla Walla with all our kids and grands and our Scotland trip with our oldest and our dear DIL were priceless!

3. Is brown a color featured prominently in your home decor? Your wardrobe? What’s a favorite brown thing you own? Of the brown foods listed here which one is your favorite and/or most often consumed… brown sugar, brown rice, pretzels, coffee, dates, cloves, German chocolate cake, whole wheat bread?

Shades of brown do play a dominant roll in our home especially since all of our wood furniture and chairs and sofas are brown. Our walls are Khaki Shadow. As far as foods go, it’s coffee for me.

4. Which ‘Charlie Brown’ character do you relate to most? If you’re not sure, you can take a fun quick quiz by clicking here-Which Charlie Brown Character Are You?  or the one found here-Charlie Brown Quiz. I got the same answer on both. 

I got Linus and Marcie and I’m really not an introvert. I don’t need a security blanket, either. 🙂

5. What’s a favorite item you’ve purchased this year? 

This ‘Coo’ print we picked up at Hobby Lobby to remind us of our Scotland travels is a favorite. This Highland Coo puts a smile on my face each morning as I walk from our bedroom to our living area for my cuppa black (dark brown) coffee!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Here’s a real Highland Coo…

This one is a baby.

Thank you to all who visit here and double thanks for leaving a comment.

Scotland Travel Journal ~ Dunnottar

After lunch at the Flying Stag in Braemar we continued east on the A93 to a slugroad for a coastal route that would take us to Dunnottar Castle. GPS is a wonderful thing.

The history of Dunnottar castle can be found here. I also found more of it’s history here that I’ve quoted below.

Perched atop a 160 foot rock and surrounded on three sides by the North Sea, these dramatic and evocative cliff-top ruins were once an impregnable fortress of the Earls Marischal, once one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

Scotland has some magnificently located castles. Think no further than Stirling Castle or Edinburgh Castle, both built on top of rocks that allow them to dominate the landscape for miles around. But if we had to pick just one to trust with our lives in a time of great danger then it would without any doubt be Dunnottar Castle. No other Scottish castle comes close in terms of a sense of sheer brooding impregnability. This is a castle which looks across to the nearby coastal cliffs and whose presence, even today, conveys a very simply message: “Don’t mess with me.”

At this point we could see we would have a long downward descent before we reached a steep climb to get to the castle grounds!

Down, down, down and then soon we’d be going up again!

Given Dunnottar’s obvious defensive qualities, it is no surprise to find that it has been home to fortifications of one sort or another for most of the past two thousand years and probably much longer. The very name “dun” is Pictish for fort and it is believed that St Ninian came to Dunnottar in the late 400s, converting the Picts to Christianity and founding a chapel here.

In 1715 the tenth Earl Marischal backed the losing side in the Jacobite uprising and was condemned for treason. His estates were forfeited and Dunnottar Castle was sold to the York Building Company, who removed everything that was transportable and usable. The difficulty in accessing the castle probably saved it yet again: it seems likely that if it had been readily reachable by cart, far more of the structure would have been demolished and taken away.

The drawing room was restored in the 1920’s.

Dunnottar’s darkest moment came in May 1685 when 167 Covenanter prisoners, 122 men and 45 women, were locked in the Whig’s Vault below one of the buildings in the Quadrangle. Some died of starvation and disease, while others were killed after trying to escape. The survivors were transported to the colonies as slaves (where most died of fever) after two months in the castle.

We made it with time to spare before closing. Thank you, Lord, for our timing, the weather and the strength to walk and climb and descend all the stairs!

We headed a little south along the coast to find our B&B for the night, to check in and get a recommendation for dinner. The day wasn’t over…

Colville Catch-Up

It’s time to share some happenings right here in our neck of the woods. We had a Big foot sighting in early November.

Our Colville family all together on a beautiful fall day.

At our Country Bungalow we had our Monday fun time with JJ.  He enjoyed some time with marbles before our outdoor time pulling and running down weeds with his big wheel.

On their mountain both Addy and JJ had a time to climb up to the tree stand and see a different perspective of their property. Both were very brave.

On Saturday we enjoyed Addy’s Basketball game time in town.

While we were sleeping on Saturday into Sunday our higher elevations got a nice dusting of snow. Nothing stuck to the roads or lower elevations.

I took the photos on the way to our church service. On the 17th we had our first Sunday with two services. Our sanctuary has been overflowing so this was our only option for now. We gathered at the 8:30 am service. Our second service starts at 11 am. In between we have Sunday School. It will take a little time getting used to this new schedule.

Hope you all have a good week ahead.

Sunday Prayer ~Knox

You Only Give Us What We Need

We give you thanks, Lord God, for all the benefits we continue to receive from your generous hand.

You not only give us what we need in this life, but in your free mercy you have fashioned us anew into an assured hope of a far better life —declared to us in the gospel.

So we humbly ask, heavenly Father, do not let our affections be so entangled or rooted in these earthly things that will not last.

Instead may we always have our minds directed to you on high, always watching for the coming of our Lord and Savior, when he will appear for our full redemption.

To whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honor and glory, forever and ever. So be it.

(John Knox in Grace from Heaven)