Snapshots of Christmas in Scotland

It’s been exactly a month since Christmas. The holiday season already seems like a long time ago, but it was such a special time that I wanted to dedicate a post to its memory. I don’t have photos of all the bits I want to remember, but this collection of random snapshots captures a lot of what I loved about this year’s sweet season.

Preparations for a girls’ movie night to watch my favorite movie of the year, Far From The Madding Crowd. Lots of laughs.

Simon and his glee over all things Star Wars. (also, his shirt with “homemade thumbholes” which my friend Diane did for him because he wanted one with thumbholes like his brothers)

Daily Christmas readings and coloring Jesse Tree ornaments.

Running a gingerbread man table at a ladies’ craft night.

A winter hike around Crathes Castle with friends.

Kids being silly.

Hot mulled cider.

Baking with my kiddos.

The kitchen covered in treats.

The Christmas tree at Kings College. (and gray December days)

Sharing our favorite Christmas stories with some of our favorite people.

Our two favorites are The Last Straw and The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey.

I made a point of finding some wee ones to read to this year because I do miss having little ones around at Christmas.

Taking my four loves to be around these four little munchkins makes me super nostalgic for those crazy toddler days.

Lemons and lots of lemon zest. For lemon cakes and apple pies.

Making lots of batches of winter punch that could be served to the kids or added to alcohol for adults.

Going to the beach to see the sunset on the shortest day of the year.

Fires in the backyard on cold nights (with marshmallows and whisky).

Taido and his mama having lots of time together this year. (Before she arrived for Christmas, they went on a Danube River Cruise!)

Taido in the kitchen. Doing his thing.

Christmas Morning at church with Harriet and Koko (Taido’s mom and sis).

Jigsaw puzzles on the table.

Taking Koko (my sister-in-law) to Stonehaven for the day.

Seeing a rainbow on the way to the castle.

Sitting in one of my favorite pubs after a misty walk to the castle and back. Warming up with pints + Cullen Skink (a Scottish seafood chowder) and talking for hours and hours.

Also, here’s Koko sneaking over the fence to retrieve her dropped glove.

The white foam on the North Sea looking like snow.

Days and days and days of rain and flooding.

Out for a walk all by myself in the rain, to see how high the river was and to breathe deep after Cole’s departure to America and all our visitors had come and gone.

I’m smiling at you and wishing you a happy 2016, friends.