Flowers and Canons

It's been a weekend of 2 halves, both absolutely brilliant and full of getting to hang out and see friends.

Winding back a little, Friday was a trip over to the House of the Binns for the long awaited photoshoot of my eldest neice in her prom dress. I am not at liberty to share them here, but trust me when I say that she looked absolutely stunning.

The fact that one of her friends has turned one of the photos into a mock cover for Vogue is far more flattering to my photography skills than I care to admit!

Saturday was a rather last minute outing with my friends to Scone Palace and their Garden Fair. My Inverness friend came down for the day and we came to realise just how incredibly twee we have become in our old age! After a few hours admiring the competition gardens (Missy and I liked the one with cake best) and looking through the plant stalls (I was good and only adopted one peppermint plant), we found a nice shady area and chatted away. 

There was a few shady walks and also dash around the maze. Missy got us absolutely lost in the maze, which only added to the fun. 

And then it was time to get going. Once back in Edinburgh, I briefly saw my brother for a slice of cake for his birthday. We have adventures planned to celebrate which I will tell you about next week. 

Sunday was an absolute 180. From house and garden and calmly mooching about neatly mown lawns with peacocks to being back in Duncarron for thier Pirates event.

It was Missy, hubby, a good friend and myself who all went. Our friend had been lamenting the lack of Renfairs in the UK, so we told her this was probably the closest thing we could get. And it was an absolute success, we did the archery, the axe throwing and watched the displays. For lunch we hid in the shade of the pirate tavern and Missy got so much attention. We humans did too as we had also dressed up, but as always Missy went into tart mode and we all made fast friends with everyone we met.

The absolute highlight of the day was best dressed pirate. As with the Viking show, we decided it would be funny to enter Missy except.... 

She was the only entrant. The heat and lateness of the day had driven off most of the little pirates I had seen running about earlier. Fortunately, Jack Sparrow ran off and rounded up all the kids he could find and we had a competition. There were introductions and Missy got her time honoured laugh. Then the judges all huddled together to pick a winner. I did hear a "it's gotta be the dog" followed by a "ye cannae have the dog win! It's gotta be one of the bairns!" which gave me a good giggle.

We all clapped when the kid beside us won a little shield and sword and then Jack Sparrow stood upon a barrel and announced that Missy had won runner up. We were handed his autobiography (a dvd of one of the Pirates films) and a jar of dirt (tastefully put together). At that point, the lass running the kitchen ran over with a hotdog which was proudly presented to Missy. 

There was much laughter as it was immediately gobbled down! An excellent end to the day. 

And so, Missy will always remember the day that Captain Jack Sparrow gave her a hot dog! 

Pokémon Masters - Unite!

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

Catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Teach Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

Pokémon!

It's the long awaited weekend, where pokemon masters across the UK gathered together to... eat cake and celebrate the youngest Nephews birthday! My nephew had specifically asked for a pokemon magic show for his birthday from my hubby and, being incapable of saying no to the niblings, of course we had to make that happen. The last few weeks have been spent secretly building props and rehearsing fun ideas and, I'm pleased to say, I think it paid off. 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Firstly was the worst drive down to Manchester I've ever had (I blame my eldest neice who tagged along for the ride with us and my mum, she's jinxed!). Between people forgetting things, a crash on the M74 and overnight works shutting the M6, it took us 6 hours to get to Wythenshawe where we were staying. 

On the morning of the party I took Missy a nice walk and then we all got kitted up and made our way to help set up the party. Yep. We. Through inside contacts and a stretch of the truth of Missys status as a therapy dog, she came along as a real life houndour. I was a bit worried people would feel we were overindulgent about bringing her, but it was an absolute success. I have several wonderful photos of kids grinning away in gatherings about her, but I won't post them here on the Internet out of respect to the fact I don't have permission. 

The magic show went brilliantly. From Alakazams collapsing wooden spoon to pulling a scorbunny from a hat and a pokemon race that saw the birthday boy being the winner, it went great. The scorbunny was claimed by the birthday boy and I was pleased at a day well done. 

After that was a tidy up and a trip to the playpark before everyone, exhausted, ended up at my sisters for left over sandwiches and birthday cake. Nephew opened his pressies and I was delighted that the Espeon I made went down so well! Neice has commissioned. E for a female pikachu, so that's her birthday organised! Then we thieved off with some board games and introduced my eldest neice to Latice back at the Airbnb. 

Today was a meet up for the playpark and lunch before we set off back up the road. A short trip, but worth the effort. As I said to my hubby, it's days like this weekend that become core memories - this 6 year old pokemon party will be fondly remembered for thr longest time.

Missy is sleeping off her newfound fame (I often forget how smitten the extended family on that side are with her) and we're having a well deserved quiet evening ahead of work tomorrow.

Until next time - Gotta catch 'em all! 

A Viking Victory

It's been a very quick weekend! My brother dropped off Pouty McPoutface on Thursday before going off on his Eurovision adventures, and Maisie quickly settled into the routing. I think she's stayed with us enough times now that she knows the routine!

I had the girls over Thursday and, it being the first time they've met Maisie, I'm pleased to say that first impressions we're good! Friday was a relatively quiet day with us all working and then the weekend was upon us. 

So, originally my friend was meant to come along to Duncarron, but cancelled, then I asked another, who also cancelled. I was set to just go myself when hubby (who was working) suggested my nephew to help dog wrangling.

And so I went with my nephew who was pleased to have gotten out of a day hanging about his parents office bored. He gets in very well with Maisie, so was happy to wrangle her for us! We still took turns with the archery and the axe throwing and my nephew qualified for the competition. At 5ft 11, he was made to compete with the adults, and came joit second, so to say he was pleased is selling it short!

We paused the day to take a walk around the reservoir and let the dogs cool down and then we were back in the fort for more viking shenanigans. They had a best dressed viking competition, which I put Missy in for as a joke. The Viking who was doing the announcement broke character and nearly fell over laughing at Missy. Whilst she got the loudest cheer, the prize rightfully went to one of the children (although several people came up afterwards and told me they thought she should have won.)

And that was the day. All done. 

Sunday was a quiet one to recover. Much sewing was done and, whilst Maisie dislikes the overlocker, she allowed me to use the sewing machine. 

Then my brother arrived to pick up Maisie, filled me in on his Eurovision adventures and that was that.

A pretty good weekend. 

A Catch up for the Coronation

It's been... A bit up and down the last few weeks. So, I'll start at the beginning:

The ups? Caught up with friends and we've started a new campaign boardgame called the Animals of Baker Street. It's super cute aesthetically, it has a great game mechanic and we all love our characters. I'm really looking forward to working through the campaigns over the next few months! 

Hubby and I went to see The Ocean at the End of the Lane in the theatre, as a belated anniversary date. 

Just go. Go and see it. You will thank me. 

Then after that, my Manchester based sister managed a sneaky trip up for the bank holiday. She's had a lot in her plate, between the after effects of covid and ill health in the greater family, she really needed a break where she could hand over the car keys and put her feet up for two days. She wanted to have a quiet day at mine, and then spend the second one giving the wider family a surprise visit. 

I had the family come here, neice and nephew leapt out from under the table and there was delight all round. I showed them round the House of The Binns, which is where I'm planning my neices photoshoot of her prom dress.

Then sister went home, visiting Stumpy at the Five Sisters before leaving (I was in work at that point, jealous isn't a strong enough word!)

So, the downs? I'll start with the biggie - after the bug surprise get together, my mum messaged to say she had covid. So I've spent half the week as a headless chicken trying not to panic at all the vulnerable people I've been about. (My mum is fine, otherwise that would have been the primary concern!) 

No, back to the start. Missy injured her shoulder - nothing serious, but it's been short walks and bed rest for 3 weeks now, and she's getting frustrated. Her health behind the scenes isn't spectacular, but it's being monitored and I'll update when I know what's going on. The vets assure me it's nothing serious, but it's hard not to fret. 

Big sister is struggling with a full plate owing to I'll health in the wider family and her own health. Sound familiar? Unlike my other sister, big sister doesn't take time out for herself and then ends up off loading to you in a 2 hour long phone call. Every attempt to get her away from the house to have time to herself doing something she wants gets cancelled because of the family. 

Which included today. I did not intend to do very much with the Coronation today (we have my friends coming tomorrow with the neice and nephew to have a Coronation themed lunch), but I did want to do something a little more than being stuck in my same four walls again.

So I ended up having a sewing day and listened to the Coronation on the radio. It was a productive sewing day (grand unveil next week) and I got some magic props made for my nephews party. I cheered up in the end, but it's been an odd run for me.

Still, adventures are planned for next week when Missy should be fully recovered (she already is, but the vet said to give her a week longer than we feel she needs). We also have a certain little Pouty McPoutface coming for a girls weekend, so even if it all goes wrong, there's bound to be a funny story to tell! 

Lady of the Manor

Just a quick one this week! Hubby was working, so Missy and I met up with a friend at Newhailes for market day. We both went in promising to be good and not spend any money and, well, two sets of cashmere wristwarmers and a slice of cake later, I'd broken my vow. Missy got herself some goats ears and a snuffle ball and my friend got herself wristwarmers, a hat, a headband, a cake and some bread - so I think we broke even! 

Needless to say, there was some great stalls at market day. 

My friend and I had lunch together, and a nice walk before finding some deck chairs in the sun and chatting away. It was good to just catch up and hang out. Missy seemed to be a minor celeb, she conned the dog stall out of (almost) all of thier free samples as she looked similar to a dog they once had. Then a very small, very tiny little toddling baby wanted to say hi as we relaxed in the lawn. Missy (after the parents asked permission to approach) ate the proffered grass much to the babies absolute delight and allowed the child to pat her. Then we had an older group of kids (about 8/9 years) ask to say hello. The Main Girl and her two token boys quickly formed a wee circle about Missy who just lay there and enjoyed the hugs. The girl told me all about her old dog (who Missy looked just like) and then told me about her cats. The boys piped up about thier cats too and, as swiftly as they arrived, they were off again.

I'm very used to this now, but my friend still gets caught off guard now and again about the magnetic powers of a quiet, relaxed dog bedecked in Disney. (Missy was not in her token pink, for Spring I've had her in her Winnie the Pooh collar and it was the Disney dog lead I had picked up that morning).

We laughed about it and carried on solving the riddles of the universe sat on pink deck chairs, holding take away tea and Missy snoring in the sun.

Sunday was a Lead the Way walk at Murieston. Despite 5 tickets sold, only one person arrived. I handed over the goody bag and explained the usual choices of lead or no lead and was told that Gizmo, the rescue Jack Russell, was fine so long as Missy didn't really approach at him or bark or anything. 

And I knew at that that they would get along brilliantly. Gizmo, a classic Jack Russell in size and appearance, was immediately enamoured with Missy who played hard to get, passively sniffing in his direction now and again whilst he steadfastly followed her and sniffed every blade of grass Missy sniffed. 

The hour was over in no time and, with promises of more dog walks, we went our separate ways. 

I spent the rest of the day in the garden. April is a busy time where a lot of industry is done with not very much shown for it! Still, the potatoes and peas are showing thier little heads, and I have a dozen little tomatoes huddled up in the greenhouse. All is going to plan! 

There was another friend visiting that evening and board games were played. Truly, a perfect little weekend! 

That's a Wrap on Easter!

It's been a very strange week. Firstly, the in laws arrived on Monday for the theatre (the Music of Harry Potter) on the Tuesday. They stayed until Thursday which was meant to be my day to reorganise the house for our friends and thier twins to come stay.

Except on Monday we found out one parent had covid, and by Wednesday, so had the other. So our action packed weekend with the neice and nephew was cancelled. I won't lie, I'm absolutely devastated for the kids, they were so excited to come over, but after the in law visit, I was gubbed, so a long weekend to myself to get on with jobs was just what I needed. 

And of course, it wasn't all work and no play - I scheduled in several nice dog walks. Firstly was the House of the Binns. This site has been on our radar for a long time (I mean, bins? So what, is there a wheelie bin collection or something?). But it hasn't been advertised as dog friendly, until now. My friend works on thier social media team, and informed me that dogs were allowed, on lead, and they had to be good with livestock. 

Missy checks those boxes, so I met up with her on her lunch break and she got some nice photos of Missy for use in the future socials. After a short walk, I said cheerio and did the 1.5hour parkland walk. 

Absolutely worth the effort. Stunning views (who doesn't love a folly?), a good solid walk somehow new for Missy, and now I have ideas to pass onto my friend for site improvements. A very good day! 

After our solo adventure, hubby joined me on Saturday to the National Museum of Rural Life. As with Fridays adventure, dogs had to be on a short lead, good with livestock and not permitted within buildings. It finally happened, I started to feel "Eastery" (like Christmassy, but for lambs and bunnies and the start of nice weather).

I had lost my springtime zest with the cancellation of our neice and nephew (like Christmas, children really make the occasion), so was delighted to be cheered in the soul again. This site offered a working farm (yes, I triple checked the number of piglets, Missy was besotted, as always) with a historic farmhouse set up as in the late 1800s which hubby and I took turns to look about. The farm cat kept a close eye on Missy, and we joked about having her show that her pockets we're empty - no piglets or lambs had been smuggled away. 

Then at the other end of the site was a farming museum of the area, which again, we took turns around. My visit was brief in the museum, but there was lots of interesting things to see and read. My favourite was a wall mounted row of horse drawn ploughs, the further away the more modern it was.

I think all my neices and nephews would enjoy this one, so I expect we'll be back again! 

Lastly, today was Traquair House, my brothers suggestion. As above, on lead and not indoors, but with less emphasis on farmlife (although there was a pig, which Maisie did not like and barked at whilst Missy nearly took my shoulder out its socket in her earnest desire to say hello to it). My mum also came along and sat out of some of the dog walking in favour of visiting the house.

My brother was initially disappointed that all of the Easter events were for kids (I agreed, I think a grown-ups race through the maze for eggs would have been hilarious) but at the same time, didn't take it to heart.

We did get in the maze towards the end of the day, and it was definitely a highlight. Probably one of the best hedge mazes in Scotland (which dogs were allowed in, always a bonus! Maisie tried to swim in the river and took umbridge at the Easter Bunny (a very tall man in taller stilts), barking at him once his back was safely turned towards her.

And that's it, that's the week! I did get on top of the house, and the grass has had it's first cut. The greenhouse is packed with tiny pots of mud full of potential, eagerly awaiting the summertime. 

Not a bad rescue of the weekend, it I do say so myself! Although I think I'll take Easter Monday off to recover! 

Until next time! 

A Paws for Prom

Well, we did it. Two Sundays (and about 2/3 hours during the week), and the impossible happened:

Neice got *the* prom dress she always wanted. 

It's satin. It's teal (the bluest shade of teal, but it's definitely green in certain lights). It has lace up back. It has a sweetheart neckline.

Insert your favourite fan girl meme or gif, because we had it. Eldest neice is absolutely delighted. 

It was a bit too big of a sewing challenge for her, so I did do the bulk of the sewing, but neice cut the pattern and the fabric and had a good try at sewing before admitting defeat at the slippery texture of the satin. So I'm calling it a win.

With the in-laws due next week, my evenings have been spent tidying up all the odds and ends of projects I have lying about, which is the most effective form of cleaning! Missy has been well and, with the arrival of the sun, has relocated herself to permanently sunbathing. It's funny watching her magically appear, panting away before flopping on the cool carpet whilst outside is barely above 6C. I don't think it'll be long before her fur goes red again!

Wee Ben was certainly more pleased to see her than she him today. I think she's worried we'll have him for 2 weeks again (whereby she doesn't get bed privileges on the slow mornings)! He soon swayed her round and they were cuddled up sleeping on the sofa together.

Although, judging by the photo below of the fright he got from her, I'm not sure he'll be so pleased next time! 

Until then!