Elizabeth’s 13th birthday and a Hogmanay ceilidh

Daniel, Elizabeth, and Dione at the ceilidh

Welcome 2023 and happy hogmanay! Yesterday was a crazily busy day. It started early with cake-baking for Elizabeth's birthday. She turned 13 and I finally got to hand over the ant colony which is thankfully still alive. She is still pondering a name for the Queen and her empire. I made a chocolate cake which… Continue reading Elizabeth’s 13th birthday and a Hogmanay ceilidh

When is it ok to trash your family on TV?

I haven't watched the final three instalments of the latest Dynasty family drama on Netflix so this is just all hypothetical and I have no personal opinion whatsoever because I can't comment on something I haven't watched. But I am always interested in hypothetical ethical situations and so what if Netflix offered you £100 million… Continue reading When is it ok to trash your family on TV?

Crochet Audrey 2, Christmas tree, and Daniel is taller than me

Dione holding her crochet Audrey 2 and wearing an Audrey 2 tshirt.

Another weekend disappears. Daniel told me last week that he didn't want to go anywhere for the next couple of weekends as he's studying for exams. He's so studious but then I was the same. He's taller than me now by nearly 2cm. We measured today. That happened very quickly. He's shooting up at a… Continue reading Crochet Audrey 2, Christmas tree, and Daniel is taller than me

We don’t get to choose our ancestors

Yesterday I was pondering on my blog whether any of my ancestors were suffragettes. My mother-in-law told me that one of her ancestors was a signatory on the women's suffrage petition in New Zealand to grant women the vote. She was Annabella Naumann (nee Macaulay, born in Glasgow) and she's even recognised on the New… Continue reading We don’t get to choose our ancestors

The suffragettes and a tartan scarf

I got myself a wonderful tartan scarf in the suffragette colours this week. I was inspired by the woman who was ejected from Scottish parliament for wearing a scarf in the Suffragette's colours. Scottish parliament later apologised claiming it was a mistake but by then scarfgate had taken off and these lovely scarves have since… Continue reading The suffragettes and a tartan scarf

Meals that start from 9 pence per person

Early last month I gave a short talk at Aberdeen Climate Action's Climate Café where I shared my top tips on how to easily and cheaply reduce your carbon emissions. Taking action on climate change can sometimes feel overwhelming or even impossible. Many solutions are just not practical for the individual like putting solar panels… Continue reading Meals that start from 9 pence per person

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle

Glamis Castle is famous for being the ancestral home of the former Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. It has been in the Lyon family since 1372. Princess Margaret was also born in the castle. Perhaps an even bigger claim to fame is as the setting for Shakespeare's Macbeth and also as a film location for some… Continue reading Glamis Castle

Winter, recycled cashmere, and soup

Rachel smiling while wearing her second-hand red cashmere hand-knitted jumper.

We woke to our first frost this morning. It's very late in the season to only be getting a frost now. It has been the mildest autumn since we moved here with most daytime temperatures in double digits still. For the first time I was a little sad when summer ended as I've so enjoyed… Continue reading Winter, recycled cashmere, and soup

Scottish things, foraging, and a haircut

Elizabeth in her highland dance outfit

Where did the weekend go? It's nearly November and autumn is in full bloom. I wish I'd taken some photos today as Aberdeen is looking very pretty in its autumn clothes. My tomatoes are just about dead but there are still a few fruits ripening. Two weekends ago I picked this from the greenhouse. And… Continue reading Scottish things, foraging, and a haircut

Elephants, chopsticks and the economy

Watching the Tory government over the past few weeks has been like watching an elephant try to pick up marbles with chopsticks. It would be quite funny except that we all now have to pay the price of their blunder with higher mortgage rates which are likely to last for years. Just three weeks of… Continue reading Elephants, chopsticks and the economy