Spain!

Ruby and I recently returned from a full adventure. We went to Spain! I am lucky enough to have been to Spain numerous times. I have visited (some more than once) Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Ibiza, Toledo and Cuenca and my Spanish is ok so, I felt confident to take this trip with Ruby to visit some friends.
Here are some highlights from our trip.

Ruby ready for takeoff (our flight was at 7am) - super early! but, everything was super smooth.

We landed! Hola!

1st day in Barcelona. We stayed a 5 min walk from Gaudi's La Sacrada de Famalia. I first visited this masterpiece in 1997 and with numerous visits since then... it changes every time. Including the build of a playground! Perfect for Ruby.

Our main reason for visiting Barcelona is to see my wonderful friend Kika. We met in London and she lives there now. Here we are at a contemporary art center after lunch off of Las Ramblas.

The following day, we hopped on a train for about 2 hours to get to Girona. An amazing city with winding streets and beautiful back alleys covered in flowers to get lost in.

Pottery in Girona.

Streets of Girona... didn't climb these steps.. but, I thought about it!

Even managed time for some ice cream.. YUM.

More to come in my next post... :-)

A spring visit from Grandma Jane

How lucky are we? About 3 months ago my mom was debating and debating about whether to come to Glasgow, the weather, the increasing prices on airfare... oh my! Then in February she just said.. forget it! and booked her ticket. It was a completely relaxing 10 day visit with us. The last time she was here was when Ruby was born mid-Jan-mid-Feb (needless to say, not the best time to travel for weather - most places)... and this visit she got to see the best of Glasgow in the sunshine.

We had a very relaxed time. Took a day trip to the seaside, Edinburgh and spent loads of time at Ruby's favorite place, the playground. Ruby is very verbal and luvvy lately (loads of hugs and kisses from the moment she wakes up, to animals in her crib on her own at naptime, to saying goodnight).. all in all.. super fun to be with. Thank you for the visit Grandma Jane. Mwwwaaaa!
Here we are at the seaside in Ayr. We had an amazing Sunday lunch as well.

Look what's on the menu at the local fisherie shop... mallard? say it ain't so!

Here we are at the Burrell Collection. A lovely cafe inside a beautiful museum within gorgeous and MASSIVE Pollok Park in Glasgow. Did you know that Burrell was one of the largest collectors of Degas and Rodin. Yes, and in Glasgow.

Pollok Park also has hairy coos on the massive grounds.  Here we are at the swings in Pollok Park.  The park also had a zipline for kids.. it was very cool.

Saturday was our friend Finlay's 1st birthday party (my how they've grown!) at my friend Kim's family's house. Mom and I had a great time. They even had a bouncy castle - more photos here. Here is myself, Ruby, Kim and the birthday boy (we are all leaving for a trip to Barcelona on Saturday - I am bursting with excitement.).  In preparation, we are headed to a Spanish playgroup in Glasgow tomorrow.

Look at those suspenders. Smashing!

More time at the playground by our house. Relaxing and fun.

Love you mom.

A trip to the Western Highlands

Last week, we were having super warm 65-70 degree days... Brent was about to start his spring break so one Thursday night I said.. right.. we need to get away.. I immediately went online, rented a car for the following day and booked a Hotel.

We took a trip to the Western Highlands via Fort William (about 1 hour south of Inverness). Last spring, we went towards the Northern Highlands and the Isle of Skye. I booked an amazing B&B right on a Loch close to Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK. We drove for 3 1/2 hours - it only takes around 40 minutes to get out of the city limits, then you are on mountain roads so, the drive was lovely. Then we were at our arrival. Here is a view on the back porch -- we enjoyed a drink and the views.

We had a lovely dinner in the dining room. The rear doors look over the view above. 

Ruby enjoyed the tartan carpet.

Mmmmm... Fresh caught Fish-n-Chips. Ruby liked the peas.

The following day, we drove home a different route along the coast. 

Before we hit the North Sea.. we stopped at a river crossing.

and viewed a gorgeous castle.. in the Highlands.. you are never short of castles.. 

this is 1 of 4 or so we drove past.

We also stumbled upon the Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary.  Loads of interesting fish, otters, seals, a seal rescue and more.. Super interesting and educational on local wildlife.

Then we headed home and stopped in the seaside town of Oban (seafood capital of Scotland) along the North sea for some fresh scallops and Scottish Lobster. Ruby also had her very first taste of ice cream.. you think she enjoyed it?

A trip to the Museum

A few days ago visited the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh which was recently refurbished..

all I can say is WOW! It is just an amazing museum. One of the most beautiful I have ever seen. Loads of light, glass, a gorgeous atrium.. and the best cafe I have ever eaten in..
Ruby learned a new noise when we were in the cafe.. super cute at first.. and always to me.. but after a few minutes, I realized she needed to pipe down.

Mothers Day

Happy UK Mothers day!
This past weekend was UK Mothers Day.

On Friday we went to the Center for Contemporary Art to see a performance piece by our friend Diane. There was also a video installation that Ruby enjoyed.  She seems to enjoy video art more than painting.

The weather was amazing. I had ambitious plans for a day trip but, instead we hung around the neighborhood - went for a family jog, to the playground and out to lunch.

It wouldn't be mothers day without my lovely Ruby - here's another video from her birthday celebration.


I realize that my blog has turned far Ruby focused in the past few months.. this is mainly because our lives have been pretty stagnant since Christmas - as the weather is a bit rubbish and we cannot justify taking trips in  bad weather. I also have been busy with work.  Maybe it proves we are very at ease with our surroundings and feel at home.. that said, I now see people I know everywhere I go.. every time I go out.. and I do not even know that many people. Regardless, it is really heartwarming and makes me feel a part of a community here. I promise to put more Scottish posts in the upcoming weeks..

Family picture on a windy day

Taken near the art gallery by our flat on top of a hill with a gorgeous view. We were there to see a new show.. some of which was video.. Ruby absolutely loved the colors and really enjoyed it.. a true affection ado.

Top Billing!

Check it out! Our good friend Diane had top billing at a social night at a fab Scottish restaurant by our flat.  The talk was on What is Scottish Art? Ruby was excited too! but a wee bit tired from an afternoon out.