"The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it." - Henry David Thoreau

Independence Day

Today is Israel's Independence Day, marking the day that David Ben Gurion declared the Independent State of Israel. Once declared, the United States was the first country to recognize the state of Israel -- just 11 minutes after the declaration.

Side note: If you ever fly into Israel, you'll likely fly into Tel Aviv's Ben Guiron Airport.

Just In Case

Just in case you haven't been following the life and times of my sister Hilary, you really should. Here's her blog: This Is Your Life.

Warning: She has an entertaining, exciting life. You might get jealous and have to do something crazy and zany after you read up on her.

The Only President with a PhD

"Scholarship, in a country like ours, is a branch of statesmanship." - President Woodrow Wilson at the Princeton Club in 1906

No Food Network?

So I may not get the Food Network over here, but a close second has come to my attention: Devour TV. And I'm not even blocked from watching it in the UK. Amazing!

{Above Eggplant Pasta Dish was inspired by Pioneer Woman. Recipe here.}

I'm .....

Itching to go somewhere!

Will it be here?

Or here?

I'm not sure yet ... but will keep you posted!

(Let me know if you have any recommendations!)

Oh friends! What a meal we just had. Matt and I ate like a king and queen for dinner. What, you ask, was this meal? Let me just tell you, you mustn't judge until you try it. Furthermore, you must withhold judgment on the basis of the name. Just try the dish and you'll agree with me. It's divine!

What did we have?

Cottage Cheese Pancakes.

Divine.

I was practically eating them as they came off the griddle. I just couldn't wait!

Now the details: the recipe can be found in Joy of Cooking. So pick up your copy and get to searching. You'll thank me later.

What To See and How To Get There

"People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

~~~~

We had a lovely, relaxed weekend. Friday night we dined with friends at the Caley Sample Room. Saturday I made fried matzo for breakfast, then worked the morning away so that we would have time to see the film Genova at the Filmhouse early that evening. Our friends Scotty and Rebecca came over later for dinner and then our high-brow taste in film was lavished on Nacho Libre.

Sunday morning Matthew and I visited Palmerston Place Church. The church is orthodox and the people were friendly. (And the building was gorgeous -- built as a replica to some church in France -- just beautiful). We'll return!

We also enjoyed beautiful weather yesterday afternoon and today. We've spent as much time as possible outside! On an afternoon walk yesterday we sauntered through several charity book shops and made several amazing finds. As we didn't have spare change on us, we had to go around and pick up our finds this afternoon. I picked up a copy of Touring Britain and Ireland for 50 p. Matt picked up a Karl Barth book for 50p, a Biden, and several Brunner books. I wish I could tell you that they were all 50 p -- but alas, I cannot. But finding great used books makes our world a very, very happy one!

I just finished up a long work day ... contract work with the firm in the US, instructing duties for Liberty, drafting a contract for a Nashville client ..... and now we're about to watch a BBC show on a family that inherited a castle and estate ~ and ~ a $6 million tax bill. Interesting!

Did you know the word 'mischievious' is not actually a word? According to Oxford University Press, the actual word we should all be using is 'mischievous.' And, apparently, we're all saying it wrong, too. Who knew???

Well, last night I made a vegetarian Indian dish from scratch. When we were picking up groceries last night, Matt was curious as to why I hadn't picked up a jar of curry paste. Making something from scratch -- even if it takes hours and is a bit too spicy -- is oh so satisfying. I made Roasted Potatoes and Cauliflower -- recipe here and here. Of course, I made my own derivation because grocery stores in Britain are not guaranteed to have all the ingredients one needs. So different from America! We stopped by two grocers on our way home -- neither of which had red chili peppers. So, we settled for a jar of minced red chili peppers, which I do believe might be spicier than having fresh peppers. Let's just say, the dish had some kick. I'm glad I made plenty of yogurt sauce!

Speaking of a small difference between the US and Britain -- have you ever bought wrapping paper like this?



I've never seen wrapping paper sold in rolls in the UK. Only as sheets as shown in the photo above. Interesting eh?

"I am one of those who always thinks it fun to be in Scotland." - Hilaire Belloc in Places

Snapshots from the Weekend

Fettes College

Corner of Princes Street and Lothian Road
{FYI: there's a castle atop an inactive volcano in the background!}

Did You Know?

Did you know that parents can be held legally liable for the destructive acts or theft of their children?

For example, in Ohio any owner of property may maintain a civil action to recover compensatory damages not exceeding ten thousand dollars and court costs from the parent of a minor if the minor willfully damages property belonging to the owner or commits acts cognizable as a "theft offense." (See ORC Ann. § 3109.09).

I Love the Sun

What a weekend folks! I did not feel one rain drop, nor did I step in one puddle, the entire weekend -- miraculous -- no -- glorious. I loved it!

Matt and I hosted two dinner parties this weekend -- each was edible and fun. Friday night I ridiculously decided to cook Mexican for an authentic Mexican. And my version of Mexican is more like Southern Living meets Tex-Mex. (Not very authentic!)

Then we also hosted an Easter dinner for an assortment of friends, and it was delightful. Do you want to know what made it so delightful??? A crock pot! When we got home from church, I assembled the roast in a crock pot, and then I was out of the kitchen and off to another fun soiree at a friend's home. I love non-stressful cooking - amen???

Lord of life and power, through the mighty resurrection of your Son you have overcome the old order of sin and death and have made all things new in him. May we, being dead to sin and alive to you in Jesus Christ, reign with him in glory, who with you and the Holy Spirit is alive, one God, now and forever. Amen.

The Royal Monarchy

The earth shattering, breaking news in Britain last week was Michelle Obama hugging the Queen. Some were shocked, others outraged, and then others could not care less. However, it was the news. While some were arguing that the hug made the Queen more human, others were arguing that the Queen is not human. Instead, she's wholly other -- she's the Queen!

I'm pretty indifferent to royalty. I love a good tradition, but royalty still mystifies me. It's odd but is intriguing nonetheless.

If you've ever been curious about the British Monarchy, you can check out their official website here. It's a website where you can learn interesting things. For example, the Queen and her husband share the same great, great-grandmother. Who knew??? I sure didn't.

"So long as we have any doubt about the truth of the major premise, the conclusion cannot be trusted." - Percy Marks

Are You Glad to be Back?

The past several days have been spent getting settled back into life in Edinburgh. I've been busy with work, trying to get acclimated to walking everywhere, buying groceries on foot, dealing with the rain. There's a different rhythm to life in Edinburgh and after having spent several months in America, it takes a smidge of adjustment to return and get settled.

In one sense, I'm glad to be back. I'm thrilled to be with Matt. Thrilled to see the gorgeous historic buildings everywhere. Thrilled to watch the fog lift from our little village. Thrilled to walk along our little cobble stone street. Thrilled at the adventure just around the corner.

But, it's always a life of mixed emotions when you live so far from family and loved ones. And without a car. (There. I said it. Life without a car gets to me. Such confessions ....) And without your own kitchen. One day, I will be thrilled to be back in America, in the land of good kitchens and good bathrooms, and have every utensil I need to prepare a meal. I'm not missing melon ballers, I'm missing more of the basics. Such is life and one day this adventure will be over.

So - until then, I'm enjoying my own adventure - the good bits and the interesting bits.

“Affliction is often that thing which prepares an ordinary person for some sort of an extraordinary destiny.” C.S. Lewis

Happy Birthday Hilary Lynn!

Happy Birthday Hilary! I hope you have a fabulous birthday in the Big Apple. If I was there, I'd take you to Max Brenner for a little celebration. Love you!

PS-{April 6th is one of my favorite days all year long}

I'm Not Lost!

I'm just getting settled back into the neighborhood!