Our Facebook Page

I posted some pictures of today's weather's events to our Facebook page.  You can check it out at www.facebook.com/newholme.

If you like it, then please 'like' us!

Snowy Stirling

I've waited and waited and finally we've gotten more snow!  Maybe it's because I'm from California, the land of perpetually moderate weather, that I love the snow.  I love the cold, I love the inconvenience  and it's always great to go on a dog walk when there's snow because the dogs all go crazy.  We had a lovely snowy week at the beginning of December so I was hoping for a white Christmas this year but we had another abnormally warm December which was a bit disappointing.  

Anyway, we've got some snow now and we're expecting a bit more at the end of the week!  All I can hope for now id that it gets really  really cold so there will be some ice skating on the Lake of Mentieth!

Snowman in the garden

Oscar at the quarry

A very snowy quarry walk

Stirling Castle blurry with snow

My 6 Year Anniversary

Of course we're looking tan, we're in Nice in the picture!

I moved to Stirling in January 2007 and it's 6 years down the line.  It's been a hard adjustment, I miss my friends and family and funnily enough, thought that this would somehow get better but it doesn't and there are times when I miss my sister so much that I'm just bereft.  It's difficult coming in as the 'new guy' in your late thirties.  You have no history with anyone, no stories to share that anyone will 'get' and you sit around and listen to the countless stories that everyone else share with each other - normally really funny stories which are great but you never know who the people are or where the places are and, well, you understand what I mean.  

That said, David's friends have all taken me under their wings and include me as one of their own and you couldn't ask for better people. 

The reason I'm writing this little blip this morning is because last week when I was walking into town, I ran into some friends who were on their way back from the farmer's market and then immediately when I left them I saw a little puppy that needed some petting and when I looked up it was one of my former work colleagues at the University and, as we were having a chat, the nurse from my doctor's surgery walked by and then as I finished my final stretch into town, I ran into the lady who works at Sainsburys who I always chat with.  It was the first time that I've felt that I was part of the Stirling Community and it was amazing.  I've always referred to America as my home and it always will be but now it's really quite nice to actually feel that I've got a new one here.

The Festive Season

It's the day after Thanksgiving and, yes, I realise that I'm in Scotland but I will never be giving up my expat Thanksgivings.  Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday...all about food without the stress of having to buy the perfect presents for everyone. Needless to say, I've got a full belly and am thinking about everybody back home in California.

When I was still back in California, Thanksgiving marked the kick-off of the festive season and when we were younger, the day after Thanksgiving was not spent shopping but rather we all piled into our pick-up truck, drove an hour to a Christmas tree farm and chopped down our Christmas tree.  I loved this because I love the festive season.  But you should see the looks I get from folks over here - it's like I'm on the crazy train when I mention Christmas decorating and trimmings.  Is the end of November really too early to start the holidays?  Aside from the shopping, I love Christmas time - people are generally in a better mood, you make time to get together with friends, and the joy flows a little bit more this time of year so why not stretch it out a bit and start a tad early?

We have guests that will be arriving for Christmas and I can't wait to decorate Newholme.  It's a big beautiful spaces with so many mantles crying out to be adorned with greenery and bobbles.  The drawing room is the perfect spot for the Christmas tree with plenty of space to open pressies while drinking coffee and hot chocolate with a fire rumbling in the back.  I'll be posing plenty of pictures so stay tuned and until then have a lovely festive season!

26th October...the first snow!

Okay, so there is no actual snow on the ground but it was fluttering and that's really all you need.  Funny that one second we are out on a clear afternoon walking the dogs in the delightfully chilly autumn whirlwind of leaves and 10 minutes later it's snowing.  It didn't last very long but just long enough to give me great hope that winter (a proper one) is heading back to Stirling.

Here's question for you...snow, is it a blessing or a curse?

Me:  Blessing!  I totally dig it!