Artful Hodgepodge

History and art is something I enjoy together. I took this photo at the National Cathedral in Washington D.C.  spring of 2011. George Washington in our National cathedral with the stained glass window and sunlight adding some highlights!

If it’s Wednesday it must be Hodgepodge. Thank you, Jo!

1. What’s something you think is under appreciated. Explain.  

The work that policemen have to do dealing with people who are mentally ill, drug addicts, and other people who have no respect for their authority is under appreciated. Policemen are important in restraining evil, for the health of our country and the safety of our citizens. I appreciate our Border Patrol Agents in the same way.

2. As winter approaches how do you stay productive?

It helps me to stay on top of things if I have company coming. Winter does make things harder when the snow and ice appear. Keeping my lists and ticking off the items is a good motivation for me.

3. What’s a popular food you don’t like? 

Sushi

4. What do you think is more interesting-art or history? Elaborate. 

Seeing works of art in an amazing historical cathedral is very satisfying to all my senses.

I find history in art very interesting.  It’s enjoyable to connect some historical facts to the places we travel to. Art is more interesting when I know something about the artist. Modern art has no appeal to me.

Children’s story illustrations/artwork are a favorite of mine, too.

5. What advice would you give to someone half your age? 

Don’t put off traveling. Plan the trip and go!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of being productive in the winter, this two have a way of getting me moving…

We had our first sign of some snow in these parts. Addy also lost another tooth!

Thanks for popping by and leaving a comment. You are appreciated!

Scotland Travel Journal ~On the Snow Road

On Wednesday morning, September 18th, our 98 mile journey would take us through a large section of the Cairngorms north and then east to Dunnottar Castle.

We had the buffet style breakfast the Inn provided and then packed up and checked out for our travel day.

The night before I searched on my computer for likely stops along the road. The Lair Tea and Gift shop in Glenshee popped up and sounded like a great place to stop. We kept our eyes peeled along the road and pulled in.

We were the first customers of the day.

The staff were getting ready for a motorcycle group that were arriving closer to lunch time.

We placed our orders and enjoyed our treats. We all were thankful that this little haven popped up the night before and that we could enjoy our time here.

It was fun to check out the gifts for sale. Tempting but we stuck to our snacks and drinks.

This shop appeared along the road and we didn’t think fast enough to turn off the road for a visit. There are not a lot of turn around spots.

A little further along the road we did use a turnout to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery standing still instead of in motion.

These Highland landscapes were very different from what we had experienced already in Scotland. As you can see we had yet another amazing blue sky and sunshiny day, squint, squint. This road would not have been fun in the rain or with snow.

Our next stop along the A93 would be at Braemar which is close to Balmoral where the ‘Royals’ might be seen. That will be another post.

Balmoral is not open to the public in September, typically, so there was no chance for us catching a glimpse. Maybe we’ll return during another season and make some different stops in the Highlands…

Remembrance Day (Veterans Day)

Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Today is Remembrance Day, Veteran’s Day in the U.S.A. We remember with gratitude those who have served us and those who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms in this country and others.

Although we all hope for peace in our world we need to recognize that our greatest need is peace with God. The only way we will have peace with God is through his son, Jesus Christ, and the ultimate sacrifice He made for all of us when he paid the penalty for our sin on the cross. We pray that you will experience new life and peace with God through a new life in Jesus Christ. Is God calling you today? Why not respond and ask Him to forgive you for your sins and receive what Christ did for you on the cross? He will help you start a new life today.

Acts 4:12 (ESV) ~ And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

Romans 1:16 (ESV) ~ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes…

 

My God, I Thank Thee ~ Hymn

My God, I Thank Thee

My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of splendor and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.

I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound;
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.

I thank Thee more that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.

For thou who knowest, Lord, how soon
Our weak heart clings,
Hast given us joys, tender and true,
Yet all with wings;
So that we see gleaming on high
Diviner things.

I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept
The best in store;
We have enough, yet not too much
To long for more:
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.

I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls
Though amply blessed,
Can never find, although they seek
A perfect rest;
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus’ breast.

Words: Adelaide A. Procter, Legends and Lyrics, a Book of Verse, 1858.

Asparagus Casserole

This is a variation on the all time favorite Thanksgiving Green Bean Casserole. I was at the store and noticed a good deal on asparagus and decided to try the dish with asparagus instead of green beans. Here’s the recipe I tried and it was thoroughly enjoyed.

Ingredients:

  • 2-3 Tablespoons of butter
  • 1/2 cup diced onions
  • 2 cups asparagus pieces (I used fresh aspargus)
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 1 (10-3/4 oz.) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (2.8 oz.) can French-Fried onion rings
  • 1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Melt the butter in a large skillet.
  3. Saute the onions in the butter.
  4. Boil the asparagus in the chicken broth for up to 10 minutes and drain.
  5. Add the asparagus, mushroom soup, and onion rings to the onion mixture.
  6. Stir well.
  7. Pour into greased casserole baking dish (approx. 8×8 square).
  8. Bake for 20 minutes.
  9. Carefully top the casserole with the grated cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until casserole is hot and cheese is melted.

I didn’t add any extra seasoning because the broth, mushroom soup, and the cheese added enough salt for our taste. You could and probably should double this recipe and use a 9×13 baking dish because it vanished quickly.

The Presidential Election 2024

To keep my blog in historical context and to have some of the historical facts found here when I look back I’ll join many and our current President, Joe Biden in congratulating the next president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

In a historic victory for the American people, President Trump just won a resounding mandate for commonsense.

With a massive victory in both the popular vote and the electoral college, the American people spoke loudly and clearly. They want:

  • To lower prices and restore the American Dream
  • A trade policy that puts American workers first.
  • Tax relief for working families.
  • To unleash American energy.
  • Peace through strength.
  • A secure border.
  • To rid our streets of illegal alien criminal gangs.
  • To support law enforcement

Donald Trump finds himself in rare company, joining Grover Cleveland as the second chief executive of the United States to be elected to nonconsecutive terms. Grover Cleveland was our 22nd and 24th President.

According to the final tally, Trump won 312 electoral votes to Harris’s 226 in Tuesday’s presidential election, comfortably surpassing the 270 electoral votes needed to claim victory. Trump also led the popular vote with over 72.9 million votes, compared to Harris’s 68.2 million votes.

May God bless our country, our current President and our next President.

Comments are off for this post.

Scotland Travel Journal ~ Blair Athol

Just five miles up the A9 from Blair Castle and Gardens is this cluster of buildings, eateries and shops that is a ultimate shopping experience in the Scottish Highlands, House of Bruar. It’s such an easy stop with a huge free car park and easy in and out. The food court was amazing. There was a separate savory pie shop, a fish and chips shop, and a whisky shop. The inner food court had choices I’ve never seen in a buffet style eatery. Walls of shortbread, candy, Scottish Tablet, and other treats filled a large section of the main building. Highland clothing in the men’s shop and a separate shop for Women’s clothing and accessories. My only disappointment was that all the slippers with the lambs wool lining were not made in Scotland or any part of the United Kingdom.

Before we started our shopping we got a savory pie from the pie shop and ate outside in the courtyard. It is always good to have a full stomach before you shop.

After checking out all the shopping areas, we paused to enjoy some treats. That jug in particular has a meaning attached to it in memory of Dear Grandma Wilma. Cheers!

On the way back to Pitlochry we searched out The Atholl Palace Hotel for a quick stop. This would have been a fun place to stay but it was booked for our dates. Check out the link. The interior is so cool.

One more stop before we dropped our car off at our Inn.

Blair Athol distillery is a Highland single malt Scotch whisky distillery located on the south edge of Pitlochry in Perthshire, near the River Tummel in Scotland.

Set in open moorland south of the town, in the foothills of the Grampian mountains, Blair Athol’s ancient source of water – the Allt Dour – flows through the grounds from the slopes of Ben Vrackie, contributing to the whisky’s, mellow quality and smooth finish.

The description sounds nice and we’ll have to take their word for it because we didn’t sample any.

After this stop we took the car back to our Inn and freshened up a bit before walking down the main street of Pitlochry for a little shopping and for dinner. My Pharmacist found a Chemist to purchase some products for me to ease a sore throat and other symptoms that were developing. Night Nurse to the rescue!

We went back to the Old Mill for dinner on this night. After dinner we sat out on the patio of our Inn and enjoyed a little time before settling in for the night. Tuesday the 17th of September was a full day.

On Wednesday after our breakfast at the Inn and checking out, we would head northeast on the Snow road through the Cairngorms to our next lodging on the coast of the North Sea.

Thank you for traveling along with us.

Truth for Today #121

Thursday November 7th

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! 

1 John 5:13-15

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. 14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

From Janc

“Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done.” Phil. 4:6

A Bold Hodgepodge

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It is time again for Wednesday Hodgepodge. A good distraction this week! Thank you, Jo.

1. What is one good thing you often take for granted? 

There are so many good things I take for granted. Electricity is something that comes to mind especially this time of year. At our country bungalow, electricity is the power source for everything including the pump on the well. If it goes out, besides lights and heat and hot water, we don’t have water any running water.

2. What’s the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? 

My bold days are long behind me. I had to go look and see what I’d consider the boldest. I’ve got nothing for you unless black is bold!

3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate. 

Even with common interests or common values people will clash. Those aren’t the key to getting along. Pride and selfishness are strong in our post Adam world. This verse is one that can help me if…I stop and consider it.

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

That doesn’t mean I’ll condone values that go against the clear teachings of the Bible just for the sake of getting along.

4. November 6 is National Nacho Day…do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out? 

Nachos are not generally on my radar. We never order them at a restaurant. Once in a great while when a snack is on his mind and there is nothing else, Greg will make a quick small plate of them in the microwave.

5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.?  If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you’d like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice? 

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I have been to Washington D.C. twice in my life, once when I was in college and then in May of 2011. In the 70’s the average citizen could be trusted to get closer to the building. My best friend, Heidi, and me in the summer of 1971 in the photo above.

This Ecuadorian mother insisted on being in the picture with me far from the Whitehouse in 2011. Her son finally persuaded her to step away so he could snap a solo photo of me, too.

I really enjoyed my visit to D.C. in 2011. There is so much to see and do. The monuments, the museums, the National Cathedral, Arlington National Cemetery. It is rich with history and worthy of a good visit.

Politics as a career choice has made a lot of people rich and unpopular. We still need good people as leaders and I hope we have a pendulum swing from the status quo.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Korean War Memorial was one of the most stirring for me. He’s looking right at me…

In this Temple

As in the hearts of the people

For Whom he saved the union

The Memory of Abraham Lincoln

Is Enshrined Forever

On the left is a tucked away staircase in the crypt of the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. On the right is a painting we own that was painted by a friend of ours. We knew she was inspired by this scene and when we visited the cathedral we were on a quest to find it. It was a joy to see the original. It makes us enjoy our painting even more.

Thank you to everyone who visits today.

Scotland Travel Journal ~ Blair Castle and Gardens

From the Queen’s View we headed back to the A-9 for our second stop of the day, Blair Castle and Gardens. Blair Castle was our only white castle on this trip. We were still marveling at our wonderful weather on this Tuesday in September, the 17th. Atholl Estates is one of Scotland’s best-known Highland estates. Its history dates back to the 13th century, but throughout the ages, it has adapted to the times.

750 years of history, in the heart of the Scottish Highlands.

If I was going to pick a theme for the Cairngorms and for Scottish castles I would say antlers!

Over 19 generations, the Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl have backed winners and losers, fallen in and out of political favour, won battles and lost them. They have almost all, in one way or another, left their mark on Blair Castle.

The story will take you from Mary, Queen of Scots to the Civil War, and from the Act of Union to the Jacobite cause and the battle of Culloden, and from the Isle of Man to Queen Victoria’s love affair with the Scottish Highlands and her presentation of colours to the Atholl Highlanders.

Blair Castle has been the home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. The castle has had a diverse history, witnessing both turbulent and peaceful times, enlarged and adapted over 750 years. Home to politicians, soldiers, agriculturalists and entrepreneurs, the family history is brought to life against a backdrop of fine 18th century interiors and Scots Baronial architecture, in 30 rooms.

Did you know there is a language of the Fan?

After our self guided tour of the interior of the castle we headed out to walk to the gardens. While outside we enjoyed a couple of Scottish Highland treats, a bagpiper and Highland Coos!

Laura managed to capture this shot of the Coos tongue in it’s nose!!

From the castle and the coos we drove a short distance up the A9 to have the ultimate Highland shopping experience at House of Bruar. That stop and the rest of our evening will be another post.

Jumping to the present:

Remember Remember the Fifth of November holds a different meaning in our house. It’s not about Guy Fawkes but it is about Greg. Today marks 2 years since his stroke. We thank God for His providence and how well Greg is doing since that day.