Scotland Theater

While in Edinburgh we took advantage of the fantastic theater available. Many London West End shows travel to Edinburgh for limited performances. We were so happy to be able to attend a couple of these.

We saw two shows at the beautiful Edinburgh Playhouse. Jersey Boys was an amazing show! It is the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. A great performance and lots of songs. The performers were remarkable actors and singers. We also attended A Vision of Elvis. It was a sing-along with a Scottish Elvis impersonator. Fun!

And we also went to the beautiful Festival Theater for opening night of Top Hat. It is the remake of a 1930s movie starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Again, the actors were very talented dancers and the sets were incredible. Since it was opening night we were invited to wear Top Hats and tiaras. Of course we did!

Scotland Food

Max and Deep Fried Mars Bar

With two growing teenage boys, it should not be surprising that we spent a lot of time eating and exploring food in Scotland. We ate at a variety of establishments -- from local pubs to the Queen's cafe at Holyrood Palace. It was an adventure to try haggis (a spicy pudding of sheep heart, liver, lungs), and Iron Bru (a soft drink), and Deep Fried Mars Bar (just like it sounds!).

Fish Pie

But mostly we ate fish -- Fish and Chips with tarter sauce and mushy peas, Fish Pie made with salmon and cod, Cullen Skink (a chowder made with smoked haddock), and more Fish and Chips.....

All mushy peas are not alike! Family recipes!

Scotland Reunion

This past week we traveled from Doha to Edinburgh, Scotland for a fun-filled week of activities. Over the next few days we will share some of our adventures!

One of the things that drew us to Edinburgh was the opportunity to visit with an old friend. Daryl was Tim's Best Man at our wedding in 1988 (26 years ago!). Tim and Daryl were in the Air Force together and we haven't seen him in 18 years. Daryl and his family moved to Edinburgh in 1999 where Daryl now works as a Social Worker in the Scottish Prison System. His wife, Ruiqing, is a nurse on a cardiology unit in a local hospital.

We had some wonderful time with Daryl and his family: a delicious meal and lots of laughter at their home; a drive through the Kingdom of Fife; a walk along the water in Musselburgh; a taste of St Luca ice cream; a walk on the Royal Mile in the rain; and a peek at Edinburgh Castle. Wonderful memories!

Allergies

Last spring Max had two serious bouts of bronchitis. After trying a variety of medications and the change of climate in Nova Scotia, our pulmonologist recommended allergy testing to try and decipher the trigger.

Max was tested for a variety of trees, molds, pollen, animals and insects. Max only mildly reacted to one item -- and it was not Muppy!! Mugwort (a pollen) is a very common cause of hayfever. Thankfully Max's reactive airways do not inhibit his swimming or basketball activities.

Adventures in cooking

As always, the return to Doha means adjusting again to the unique brands of food available here. Products are flown in from around the world and so we really want for nothing. One morning a week Lisa usually goes to work late so that she and Vergie can try a new recipe. Both cooks look forward to the adventure -- although last week's Thai coconut chicken soup was not a very big hit with Max, Simon, and Tim!

This fall we were pleasantly surprised to find a shelf full of new Japanese products! So this week Lisa and Vergie made sushi! Using a Youtube video and products by the Yutaka company, Vergie was pleased with this new experience but then thoughtfully stated "we're no experts".

The Summer Summary

Once again, the summer flew by and our return to Doha has been full on! But as we settle back into school and work routines we take time to remember the highlights of spending two months with our family and friends. These pictures are some of our favourites -- not the "official" photos of Summer 2014, but wonderful memories.

Finding a baby turtle on the beach at the cabin

Hanging out on Canada Day

Sharing a meal with the McNally's

Reading in the hammock

Visiting Alan and Tricia in South Carolina

Making breakfast on the wood stove

Max getting his Beginner's License

Eating again -- with the Dykeman's

Cutting the cake at Selig Family Reunion

Being silly in Lunenburg with the other Dykeman's

Saying good-bye to another summer

 

90 years

Brett, Simon, MacKenzie with Mildred

Simon and Lisa are home in Nova Scotia and had the privilege of attending a family celebration on July 2nd. Mildred is Lisa's sister's mother-in-law. Since Shelley and David married 17 years ago, Mildred has been a part of our Nova Scotia family. This summer she is 90 years old. About 100 people were at the party which included a buffet lunch, delicious cake, gorgeous flowers, happy speeches, and Mildred's promise that there will be many more birthday celebrations! Congratulations Mildred!!