Perth Kilt Run

We celebrated Queen Elizabeth's 60 years on the throne this weekend! There were celebrations all over Great Britain. LD especially wanted to go to Perth for the Kilt Run. So we went!

{Sebastian's 1st kilt!}

It was a cool and overcast day but we didn't let that deter us. We packed up the car and drove the 1:30hr drive to Perth. The drive alone was gorgeous. So very green and inviting. I'll never tire of the Scottish country-side. It is something to behold. I tried to take pictures from the car, but well...I'm awful at it! It has actually become a joke between LD and me. Anyway, the drive was full of lush green fields, baby sheep, and quaint cottages.

We arrived just in time to catch the parade! In America, parade's consist of many different floats and acts. In Scotland they consist of piping bands! They are the best part anyway, right?!

After the parade we walked around town. This curious village has plenty of special shops. All looked inviting and made me want to sit and stay awhile. I love that the main street's in Scotland are all unique.  The main shopping happens in the town centre.

 

This Diamond Jubilee anniversary bash was all happening in a giant field. It was packed full!! There was entertainment, food, and sign-ups for the kilt run were in full swing. They were going for the Guinness  Book of World Records for the most kilts running at once. Ha!! There were thousand's of participants!

We had a great time! The food was great, but I didn't get a picture. Scratch that. I couldn't get a picture. Sebastian was running all over the field and I was shoving food in my mouth as I tried to keep up. He just wanted to run all over everybody's picnic's! But we ate Scottish beef hamburgers on home made rolls and fresh ice cream. Yum!

The town of Perth is lovely and I can't wait to go back and enjoy more of it!

How was your weekend?

Expat Tips

One of my best friends in the world is moving to Rome next spring. I'm so excited for her to be an expat! She will see a different side to travel than ever before. We met while working on cruise ships the summer of 2001. Christy, of The Departure Diaries, has been to 46 different countries and is by far the most seasoned traveler I know. Here is a little bit more about Christy:

"Hi. I'm Christy. I joined the crew of a Cruise Ship on my 21st birthday and that simple decision changed my life. Ever since, I’ve been hooked on boats, the ocean, photography and travel. These days I work on land as a Corporate Video Editor in order to pay for my travel addiction. My goal isn’t to visit every place on earth; I just don’t ever want to stop exploring.

Country Count: 46. Continents: 5.

Oh, and I’m moving to Rome in T-Minus 11 months. (April 2013.)"

Christy is planning her trip now and has a long list of to-do's waiting. I'm helping her along the way. I made a lot of mistakes when I came abroad and I'm hoping to save Christy the hassle. Each Wednesday Christy and I will be going over different aspects of moving--and living--abroad and the preparation it takes to make such a move. How is it done anyway? You are welcome to join us!

Stay tuned for more on my experiences and Christy's preparations with this new feature, The Departure Lounge! If you have any questions or topics you'd like us to cover please leave them in the comments.

10 Things to Love and Dislike Living in Scotland

I've been living in Scotland for over 4 yrs now. Time has flown by. With everything, there is good and bad and living in Scotland is no different. There is so much to love about living abroad but also much to get used to. I feel I can make a list of the pros and cons of living in Scotland.

EDIT: This post is from my point of view--an American in Scotland. It is meant just for fun. I hope you'll see it that way!

10 things I love about living in Scotland:

1. The Scots average 4-6 weeks of paid vacation per year. They work to live not live to work. Everybody needs a good rest to perform at their best. The British are doing it right guys!
2. Public transportation is amazing. I live a few blocks from our train station and I can easily pop into the city. I love this. Our bus system is also terrific. Everything is available to get to via public transportation. Coming from a country that doesn't have it readily available unless you live in a big city this is a big win for me.
3. National Health Care. There, I said it. We've been blessed to have our medical needs met at minimal cost. We love our Dr and have only good things to say about the NHS {so far...}.
4. Historical buildings cover this country. They don't tear anything down. It is preserved. The Scots have a powerful sense of self. They know where they came from and it is important to not forget. Not to mention that makes for pretty scenery! I love old buildings.
5. I love sausage rolls! The sausage is wrapped in a buttery flakey pastry that melts in your mouth. America, you need to get on board with this.
6. Travel is cheap. It better be since we have all those vacation days to use! Because we are so close to mainland Europe there are always a plethora of flights available on the cheap. We flew to Paris for 4p (7 cents). No hidden taxes or charges. We also flew to Spain for £20 ($32). Love that!
7. We have castles!! Real castles! 
8. It is beautiful here. It is so green and almost fairytale-ish at times. 
9. The weather. We stay pretty mild. Not too cold and not too hot.
10. Deep Fried Haggis. Give me all of it! YUM!

10 things I dislike about living in Scotland:

1. The weather. While the amount of rain really isn't the problem, the lack of sunshine is. When you aren't used to one day of sunshine per month your body goes through a physical shock. A lot of expats experience seasonal affective disorder. It's taken a long time to get used to.
2. Lack of family and friends close by. This is an obvious one but still. When you move abroad you are the one that needs to keep relationships going. You'd be surprised how much too.
3. Convenience is a thing of the past. Stores close early, tumble dryer's take forever, and not having a car makes quick trips a things of the past. 
4. The weather. I'm adding this one again for emphasis. I don't care if you love the cold, rain and fog. It will be an adjustment. It is different than anything you've experienced before.
5. Cultural differences are hard to get used to. You find yourself always having to change to accommodate your new country and the people in it. You must or you couldn't function in another country. It is hard to change the way you've always done things and see things a different way. This is also an adjustment period.
6. Real estate is expensive. Not to mention the size of property you get is...let's just say miniature.
7. The NHS. This one is on both lists. There is always a waiting list. For everything.
8. Everything is smaller here. The flats, cars, washing machine, and even our refrigerator!
9. Petrol (gas) is $10 a gallon. This is why public transport is a must. 
10. Lack of Mexican food. I guess they're too far from 'the border' to know what it is. This is a travesty. 

{You can see more Things to Love and Dislike posts here}

So, Why Are We in Scotland Anyway?

 

I get a lot of questions asking why we are in Scotland. So, let me tell you the story.

Luis' parents are from Portugal. They moved to Venezuela when they got married at the age of 19.  They lived there for 50 years and had two sons. 7 years ago they went back to Portugal to visit family, and called their sons in Venezuela and told them they weren't coming back. Luis was 32 and his brother was 43. They took the next year and packed up their belongings, and tried to sell their homes, get their paperwork, and moved to Portugal.

The reason they left Venezuela was because of all the political uncertainty there. Venezuela is a socialist country.  I don't know what it is like to live in a Dictatorship. But he does.  It is a scary place to be right now.  They wanted a better life. So they moved back to their homeland of Portugal.

Luis spent about 6 months looking for a job in Portugal with NO luck.  He is the only member of his family to have a college degree and had supported the whole family financially prior to moving.  He wasn't having any luck.  So he broadened his horizons and found work in Scotland.  He packed himself up in just ONE bag, and moved to Scotland.

Luis and I began to chat online about this time. He hadn't been  living in Scotland very long. His English was a hoot! We did the online dating thing, traveling back and forth as much as we could afford, for about a year when Luis asked me to marry him.

He had a good job here in Scotland and I had a good job in Utah. Where would we live? We looked at VISA options.  Getting a VISA to come to the USA was a lot of work.  We'd be lucky if we were married in the next year or two, and the cost was HUGE.  Something we just didn't have at the time.  So, it was a lot cheaper and easier to get a Residence Visa for me here in Scotland.  I was excited for the new adventure.  I moved to Scotland 3 days after we were married. I brought only two bags with me.

When we first moved here I honestly thought that we'd only be here for a year or two max. Then we'd go to America. Live a life there. I never in a million years thought we'd make this home. But we have. Luis has a different job now and we live in a different city too. We have a baby now! We have a life here. Are there times when I think about living in the USA? Sure. Though with every passing year I think of it less. Scotland is home for now.

Recipe:: Potato Salad

 This Potato Salad might just be LD's most favorite thing that I make.  It is my mom's recipe, that she got from her grandmother.  It has been passed down to all of us girl, and I'm going to pass it on to you.  It is amazing!!  To say the least.

I make this with steak or bbq Chicken on the grill, and some fresh corn on the cob. YUM!!  LD makes me make a HUGE pot of it so he can eat on it all weekend, or at least for a few days! It is the perfect item to bring to a picnic with family or friends! ENJOY!!

Photo courtesy of my sister Katie and her self made cookbook: Everyday Gourmet

 Serves: 6-8
Prep Time: 30 Min
Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS:

6 Potatoes
6 Eggs
3 Slices of Bacon
1/2 Large Onion, Diced

3 TBSP Mayonnaise
1 TBSP Dijon Mustard
1 1/2 TSP Dill Mix
Paprika (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS:
1. Peel and cube potatoes. Boil until tender, drain, and put in large bowl with sliced boiled eggs.
2. Fry Bacon and set aside on paper towel.
3. Saute onion in bacon grease.
4. Mix mayonnaise, mustard and dill together. Stir into potatoes and eggs. May need more mayonnaise while warm.
5. Sprinkle with bacon bits and paprika.

Recipe:: Sausage Balls

Sausage Balls are a family favorite around here. We make them every holiday season. But more than that, they are THE easiest little appetizer out there! You can also bake these ahead of time, and just warm them up on the day.  Helps make party prep  a bit easier the more you can do the day before.  I love me some sausage, and Scotland makes some FANTASTIC sausage! Enjoy!

Photo courtesy of my sister Katie Drake

Serves: 6-8
Prep time: 10 min
Bake: 20 min
Oven: 350 F

INGREDIENTS:

1 LB Sausage
1/2 Cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 Cups Bisquick

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix all ingredients together in large bowl with hands. Add water if more moisture is needed.
2. Form into 2-inch balls and place on cookie sheet (I use wax paper)
3. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes.

What's YOUR favorite Appetizer?