Why Not Have a Big Life?

I checked weather.com for tomorrow's sunrise and sunset. Depressingly, the sun will rise at 8:28 am and set by 3:40 pm. And when the sun sets here, it. is. dark! With such little sunlight, I decided I need to wake up with a new mantra.

I WAKE UP EXPECTING THINGS!

I want a big and glorious life even if the sun doesn't join me!

Plans for Today

Matt just called and informed me that the weather outside is amazingly pleasant. Soon I will be headed out the door to galavant around the entire city, enjoying the weather, and trying to soak up the sun before it sets around 3 pm. My "to do" list today includes a little Christmas shopping at the Ethical Fayre (Edinburghers love calling things 'ethical'), the German Market, and charity shops in Stockbridge. Strangely, I did not buy one unedible item in Paris. I was too busy looking around at all the sites and trying to catch the spirit of France! I guess making a purchase in Chloe or Louis Vuitton would count as catching the spirit of France, but since that was not plausible, soaking in the sites of Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Basilica of the Sacre Couer did the trick!

Paris J'Taime

Our friends' flat was about a two minute walk from here -- amazing!





Matt Playing with Sweet Baby Cora



On Top of the Eiffel Tower



Isn't Paris Lovely?



Notre Dame



Matt in L'etoille - a yummy little restaurant



Champs d'Elysees





Isn't she the cutest baby?



Matt and I had an absolutely fantastic time in Paris! It was lovely to visit our friends, the Helm family, and to have a break from Edinburgh. We managed to pack a ton of fun into three days! The highlights include climbing the Eiffel Tower, visitng Notre Dame, exploring the Pantheon, walking Montmarte, eating in cute little French cafes (I'm now officially addicted to au pain chocolat and intend on finding the best French bakery in Edinburgh starting tomorrow), taking pictures atop the Arch de Triomphe, perusing the shopping district, and dining in fantastic brasseries.

Good News!

An article in our local newspaper has just reported that Edinburgh has been voted the "best" place to live in the UK. After a survey of all 434 UK cities, Edinburgh was determined the "best" on the basis of its' galleries, museums, restaurants, impressive education results, and low crime rates. While I have been especially happy to discover the musuems, galleries and restaurants -- and Matt has obviously discovered the education to be of fine quality -- I am especially glad to hear of the low crime rates! After assisting criminal defence attorneys here in Edinburgh, I was a bit curious about the criminal activity!

Princes Street at Night with the Christmas Festival going on in the Background -- It truly is Magical!



In Front of St. Giles Cathedral where John Knox the reformer Pastored. We had just taken part in an Advent Service, and it was amazing! The University of Edinburgh Chamber Choir performed with several Norwegian musicians. So special!



Mom, Dad, and Matt at Costa Coffee - an Italian Roaster



Dad at the Elephant House

Thanksgiving in Scotland

Friday, November 19th, I anxiously awaited my parents arrival at the Edinburgh airport. I could not wait to see them! I had to coordinate two different buses to get to the airport, and I was afraid I would be late! Can you imagine landing in another country and your daughter not being there to pick you up? Yikes! What would you do?

My parents arrived a few minutes late from their flight from London which worked out to the good since my ride to the airport was during commute ... and we went arduously slow through a massive office park. When I finally saw my parents, I hugged them and did not want to let go! I think I kept my mom on my arm for a good half of the day. Once my parents arrived, they were mega-troopers! They did not come back to my flat to sleep ... they kept going! After lunch at Monster Mash, a british diner serving Shepherds Pie and the like, Mom was ready to hit up Ikea and help make our flat a bit more homey! Later that evening we decorated the Christmas tree and hung the stockings with care.



Saturday was a full day -- we took my parents to the Farmers Market, a walk on the Royal Mile, lunch and coffee at the Elephant House (where J.K. Rowling penned the first Harry Potter book), shopping, and tea with Mom at the National Gallery Art Museum.

On Sunday Hilary arrived and the gang was complete. We had Sunday Roast at the local carvery, which was a fantastic Scottish thing for the family to experience. As I've stated previously, Sundays are treated like true holidays here in Scotland. Families open their homes, have feasts, and lounge in living rooms with tea and biscuits for hours after the completion of the meal. The local carvery served turkey, gammon, roast, eight different vegetables and a bar full of sauces and gravies. Matt prefers the mint sauce while I am enjoying a tartar sauce --- and the Scots put it on everything: the meat, potatos, and vegetables. I have to say, I'm enjoying the sauces and gravies! After lunch we took Hil in to town before the sun set - which is at the late hour of 4 pm (today, I think the sun is setting at 3:49 pm). After a quick tour, we retired to to the flat for take out chinese.

The rest of the week included visiting museums, dining on fabulous food, spending time with my loved ones, visiting French and German markets, having Thanksgiving dinner (we had chicken from my local butcher and not turkey -- we didn't even need naps after our dinner), attending an Advent service with a chamber choir and Norwegian musicians at St. Giles Cathedral (where John Knox the reformer pastored), enjoying coffee and tea at every turn, and hanging out at the flat. We had a blast! Unfortunately dad was a bit under the weather for most of the week, but he too was a trooper and got out there and enjoyed Scotland.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

The week with my family has been great! We're about to head out the door to the Christmas markets that open today. Updates to come!