2/21/2012

Another Chat, and This Time I'm On Time!



1. What's your favourite kind of salad?


I had never had Caeser salad until 2001 when my Mum and I visited Canada. Ever since then, it's been a real favourite. Of course, we don't really live in a 'salad climate', so it isn't the priority on our menus. Normally, we would think of ... our favourite Stew; our favourite Soup; or our favourite Pudding. 


Actually thinking of Salads can often make me want to go and put on another cardigan, or add another peat to the fire.


Figuratively speaking, as we have no peat fire. But ... Watch this space. That's all I'm saying.


2. How old were you when you learned to cook?


Oh, I don't really know if that's a question I can answer with a specific age. I think I just learned bits and bobs over the years in Mum's kitchen, and since I've been married the learning goes on and on. I am learning so much over these past few years. Now that I don't have the busy-ness of babies, it does give more time for browsing and trying new ways of cooking. Catherine and Katie are very keen cooks, and love to try out new foods and cooking methods. They are teaching me loads, and so the learning goes on and on.


3. What's your favourite kind of store? (grocery, garden, department, cooking, bookstore, etc)


Oooooh ... I can scrub the grocery one first. No, no, no.


Garden store: yep, I enjoy this, and especially if I'm able to actually buy something.


Department store: Not really. I'm not keen on shopping in this way at all. I think my years in Glasgow gave me my fill of these kind of shops. I have no inclination to go to the mainland for department store shopping. In fact, I'm getting a headache just thinking of it.


Cooking store: Ahhh, that sounds gooooood. I could browse in one of these all day but, like Patrice there is the possibility I would be driven mad with desire!


Book store: Oh, Patrice. Now you are talking. A bookstore with a coffee shop and comfy sofas ... really and truly, I think this must be my idea of an almost perfect day out.


4. If you could have lived during another time in history, what era would that have been?


I think I would be in the era of the Pioneers. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, because had I been in that era, I'd have been here in Lewis, living a life of a great deal of hardship, but I love reading of the Pioneers and their journeys Out West.


They really touch my heart (as do many others), but I often think of some of the Scottish Highlanders who lost their homes during the Clearances, many of whom made their way across the Atlantic out of necessity. Because of their lives of hardship 'back home', they would have been used to tough times, and would have thought little of travelling west to look for better pastures. I think of them praising God that, though they had been thrown out of their homes and off their land in the Highlands of Scotland, yet God had a better plan for them. Many Scots made good lives for themselves and for their families in America and Canada. They took their strong faith, their work ethic and their commitment to their families across the ocean, and 'all things worked together for their good'.


And for the good of America and Canada, I believe. Of course I'm biased, but I do believe that the Scots who went across to these lands in past centuries gave these countries more than possibly any other group of people.


Maybe that's too skewed, and too biased. I'm willing to be corrected if I'm wrong, and I'd love to know what other Americans, Canadians and Scots think. 


5. I'm looking forward to _______________ .


The Plot!


I have work I must get done in the next few weeks before I 'allow' myself to begin planting seeds, but I can't wait to get my hands dirty again and to begin to see seedlings popping up out of the soil.


I. just. can't. wait...


These were Thyme seedlings from last year. I'm excited just looking at this photo.



11 comments:

  1. I have been watching the show "Downton Abbey", season one, just stick me right there if you please before any wars. As for shopping, thrift stores, treasures galore and my money stays locally here in Canada eh ;-

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  2. Love reading all the neat answers to the questions Ms. Patrice throws out each week!!! Visit me if you get a chance!!!

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  3. I have yet to do my Wednesday post. I left something for you on today’s post http://cathykennedystories.blogspot.com/2012/02/ive-been-double-tagged-awarded.html. Hop over to see what it is! ~Cathy PS: I'll get my chit-chat posted tomorrow morning.

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  4. I happen to think the Scots contributed greatly to Canada and especially to this Island (PEI)! Many of our best statesmen, entrepreneurs, inventors, and Christian leaders are Scottish or of Scottish descent. I'm only a little biased, not being a Scot myself (my family is English), but I am married to a man of Scottish ancestry!

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  5. I am so ready to get out in the garden! Can't wait.

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  6. Yes....I so agree that the Scots contributed positive influences on our culture.

    Your responses on "shopping" were very similar to how I would have answered. Altho', I would have to add a flea market or an antique store to visit in order to find some kind of rare treasure that someone thought was junk at a bargain--especially an old out of print book!

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  7. We seem to have a lot in common. I have begun buying seed packets and my hubby is finding it more and more difficult to hold back the reins to keep me from starting my flats. It's still a bit early!
    I'm a 'just in time' shopper. I only go out when I must pick up something. But, like you, book stores, garden shops and cookware stores are my favorites if I must browse.

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  8. The Scots who settled in Canada, explored Canada, became member of the first Canadian government all had enormous influence in shaping what Canada became. Culturally, politically, and in ways hard to describe but nonetheless important - work ethic, endurance, thriftiness, hardiness. How many of us who read this blog also know the Anne of Green Gables books? L M Montgomery came from pioneer PEI stock, who came from - Scotland! The Maritime provinces have hung onto their cultural heritage with great determination and many speak Gaelic, there are ceilidhs both the paying "for show" kind for tourists and the kind in someone's kitchen. The folk music of the region pays tribute to its Celtic origins in Scotland and Ireland and their are bagpipe festivals in Cape Breton and PEI. Fraser River (Scottish explorer), Mackenzie River (Scottish exploreer), Sir John A MacDonald - first Prime Minister of Canada (and Scottish). My husbands ancestors have a deed from George III entitling them to a portion of land on PEI, dating from 1779, when they came from Scotland. I think the Scots had a big influence on New Zealand as well, as evidenced in their place names, common surnames and the blessed sheep!

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  9. I'm looking forward to our plot too! I also like the bookstores with comfy couches to relax. Thanks for joining in the chat. It's always more special with you there.

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  10. America & Canada are made better by our European forefathers and being from Irish...or maybe even Scottish descent then I will have to agree with you. This country was shaped by many good men & women across the pond on distant shores.

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  11. Even though I'm quite a bit older than you, I know we could be good friends! Stay away for department stores and sit and relax in a good book store! But what we have most in common are my Scot ancestors. My grandmother was a McMillan. We've traced her family back to the 1700's and I, for one, am very grateful for their faith contribution to my family. If they had stayed in Scotland, I would have liked to live on your island. I have a small twinge of envy each time I see your pictures of the sea! Thanks for sharing your life with us.

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