Train To Isle of Skye... Friday Fences

 

Looking through my train window, I caught this view of a fence. My daughter and I were on our way to the Isle of Skye.

I'm sorry to say, that I have not written more posts on our October Holiday to Scotland. Now that Christmas is over, I will spend more time editing all the hundreds of photos.

 

 

Another Friday Fence, looking through the train window.

 

If you travel to Scotland, you must try Scot Rail. It is an excellent way to travel. They are clean, on schedule and very modern.

 

Meggie

 

Linking with Friday Fences

Click HERE to read Jan 'n Jer's last weeks' Friday Fence.

 

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

 

.....from the Prairie.

Meggie

Celebrating Christmas in a Small Texas Town

PEACE 

 

Here is a community that goes all-out in decorating their beautiful courthouse for Christmas.

 

The daily town traffic travels around The Town Square, with the 1897 Courthouse sitting in the middle of the square.

Each side, of the building, displays one of the four weekly themes of Advent.

 

 

HOPE

 

 

LOVE

 

 

JOY

 

 

A life-size display of the nativity....

 

 

Our Advent journey is almost complete. Today we light the Candle of Love, sometimes referred to as the Angel Candle.

 

Meggie Mac

 

 

Linking today with A Pause in Advent

Lighting The Candle of Joy...Third Sunday in Advent

 

The reflection, in my mirror, shows the pink candle is now burning with two purple . The Candle of Joy is sometimes referred to as The Shepherd Candle.

 

Meggie Mac

 

linking to A Pause in Advent

 

 

Guess Who Came To Town....on a Choo Choo Train!

 

Are you surprised?

Not the usual transportation for St. Nicholas.

 

 

This wonderfully orchestrated event happens every year, in the small town near where I live.

Click HERE to read my post about the Historical Depot.

 

 

Can you hear the train horn tooting and the signals clanging as the train approaches the Depot? And there is Santa, standing on the front, waving to the wide-eyed children.

 

 

The excitement begins as Santa steps off the train.

 

 

HO! Ho! Ho!...and, jingle all the way!

 

 

One of Santa's helpers.... showing him the way.

 

 

The group of children, with parents, follow Santa into the train depot.

 

 

The boys and girls line up inside, eagerly awaiting their turn to sit on Santa's lap.

(The view is looking through the depot window)

 

 

"Have you been good this year?"

Meggie Mac

 

If you love animals and a pet parade, click HERE to read my post from this time last year. 

Inspired Sunday...Second Sunday in Advent

 

Today marks the Second Sunday of Advent.

 

Last year I wrote about this historical church, known as one of The Painted Churches. Click HERE to read more about it.

 

 

Advent begins with lighting the first purple candle (Candle of Hope). This Sunday was the lighting of the second purple candle (Candle of Bethlehem or Candle of Preparation).

Meggie Mac

Joining today with Inspired Sunday

Click HERE

 

A Soup-er Kind of Saturday

 

I was looking for a quick soup recipe to keep me warm today. How about a bowl of Zesty Bean Pasole ?

 The Pantry Raid recipe is in the December issue of Better Homes and Garden. Click HERE to see recipe. Most of the ingredients come from jars and canned items from your pantry shelf.

 

I did add a few other ingredients that were fresh..like parsley, bits of shredded cooked chicken, and, a little cumin.

Bundle up this week end. It will remain cold here in Texas.

Meggie

Brrrrr!...34 Degrees and Still Dropping

 

Where do I write most of my posts? Most are written while I sit in my Cozy Reading Nook,  at the top of the stairs. This morning I can see the flickering flames in the fireplace, located below in the main living area. The warmth travels up the stairs to keep my toes toasty.

 

Do you have a favorite spot you call your own?

 

 

Meet Frasier....he followed me home yesterday, after shopping at "Hobby Lobby".

 

 

He will be keeping watch by the fireplace.

 

Stay warm, my friends...

Meggie

Simple Pleasures in a Busy Week

 

Meggie

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas...Everywhere You Go

 

One of my favorite places to photograph is on The Bluff. Click HERE to read other posts about this historical landmark, located just a few miles from where I live.

 

 

The Texas Park is gearing up for it's annual Festival of Lights.

 

 

Decorations are in the process of being installed and strands of lights are ready to dazzle us in the evening.

 

 

Red bows accent yards and yards of garland.

 

The Kreische Historial Home will be open on the week ends before Christmas, with lights burning brightly.

 

 

A rear view of the old Smoke House.

 

 

The park is a photographers' feast...

 

 

Natural stone dots the countryside.

 

 

One lone summer flower holds on, after near freezing weather this past week.

 

 

Shrubbery, with red berries, add to the Christmas atmosphere.

 

 

The Bluff rises 220 feet to give this magnificent view. The river winds its' way through the small community below.

 

 

Beautiful views each step of the way.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed my afternoon on The Bluff.

And to think...there is no admission charge!

Meggie Mac

 

 

Wallace Monument near Stirling, Scotland

 

Although it has now been a few weeks since my daughter and I have returned from Scotland, the posting of these photos brings me right back to the day I was standing here.

 

The trip was more than a holiday...it was meant to fill a space in my heart that connects to my ancestors. And, it did just that....

 

The next few photos are some of the details on the outside of the monument tower.

 

 

The Wallace shield embellished with the knotted rope. Atop the shield is the Scottish Thistle.

 

 

Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland

 

 

The monument, designed by architect J D Rochead, was built in the Scottish Baronial Style.

 

 

The knotted rope, again, around the windows...

 

 

If you click on the photo, you can see Stirling Castle, on a distant hill.

 

 

Here is the beginning of the winding steps that lead to the overlook. All I wanted to see was the first level where Wallace's sword is displayed. When I made the first turn on the narrow stone steps, I knew I could probably make it. It was the return trip down that worried me. One slip and my holiday would be over.

 

In the gift shop, I spied a tee-shirt that said... "I've climbed the 246 steps".

 

 

In the end, I photographed the shirt and tweaked it with my computer...

 now you know,

the rest of the story !!

Meggie Mac