My evening at the Burns' Supper

Last night, January 29, 2011, my cousin, Diane, and I went to the Burns' Supper sponsored by The 42nd Royal Highlanders. It was from 5:30-10 p.m. and we had a fun filled evening.



* My tartan scarf represents Clan Macpherson and Diane's represents Clan MacAfee.



We arrived at The Trails at 5 o'clock. Upon entering, we signed in, registered for door prizes and were seated. The Pipers were in the center of the room practicing. How fun it was to be surrounded by the music of the bagpipes. Two tapestries hung from a beam in the center of the room. Both with Highland Pipers on them. Another tapestry hung behind the podium with a picture of the thistle. Tables circled around with a path down the middle leading to an opening where there would be dancing later.



The lights were set to a nice soft glow with white lights strung around all of the beams. Blue and green napkins were placed on each table setting; same colors in the 42nd's kilt.





When we started the evening, we had an introduction, a prayer, and then upon standing, The 42nd came out with the color guard. They played our National Anthem, God save the King, and Scot's Wae Hae. We had a prayer and then a lone piper played Amazing Grace.







Red and white wine was placed on every table along with a basket of the Queen's Scones (biscuits). Dinner music was performed by Travler's Dream.


The Presentation! Now, if you have never had haggis or been to a ceremony, the Haggis is a big deal. The Haggis isn't just brought to your table, it is presented. There is a Piper, then the haggis bearer and the trencherman who carried a knife. The procession circled the room for everyone to see, and then went to the front. Mrs. Isobel Stuart Miller took the knife and read a poem about the Haggis, and then stabbed the Haggis.



The first course was Cock-a-Leekie Soup. This is a traditional soup of Scotland and often served at Burn's Suppers. This wonderful broth was thought to have originated in Edinburgh and the Lothians. It contains chicken, leeks, onions, rice, parsley and prunes. This was my favorite part of the meal.




The Haggis is the highlight of every Burns' Supper. It is traditionally cooked in the stomach bag of a sheep. Unfortunately, this is banned in the United States. Here, is is cooked in a muslin bag or a sausage casing. Normally, the contents are oatmeal, sheep's liver and heart, chopped onion, suet, and stock. Neeps, (which are boiled, buttered turnips or Swedes) are the traditional accompaniment. Now, I can say that when I saw the haggis, it wasn't what I expected to see. It looked like a meatloaf, but a little more grey in color. I really liked it. I didn't care much for the turnips, but I did like the Haggis. I am wondering though, how much of a difference between the American version and the Scottish version.




Next, we were brought lamb, mint sauce, and Rumbledethumps. I have never had lamb before, but I enjoyed it. The mint sauce looked like green jelly and I have to say that the lamb dipped in it was very good! Rumbedethumps is from the borders of Scotland is made from mashed potatoes, cabbage, chopped onions, and grated cheese.




Last, but not least, was Dunvegan Trifle. This, I can tell you, was something I could have had seconds on. It reminded me of strawberry shortcake and I was in heaven!



Mrs. Miller, who was born and raised in Glasgow, teaches Scottish dancing here. Her group, The Whole Nine Yards, performed the Jubilee Jig. Then they invited everyone to come out and perform the Friendship Waltz.





After dinner, the entertainment began again with the Highland fling. A lone piper came out with two men from the 42nd who danced for us. They were very good. The poem, Immortal memory, was read and then we had a toast to the lassies and a reply from the lassies. Very funny!!!





We ended the evening by getting into a circle and holding hands while we sang Auld Lang Syne.



This is event that I will be attending again. I loved being able to absorb myself in the Scottish traditions. Every thing was wonderful and I want to thank The 42nd Royal Highlanders for putting on such an exciting event.



For more information on The 42nd Royal Highlanders Regiment, please visit their web site at http://www.42ndrhr.org/. or you can visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/42ndRHR.

Burns' Supper blog

Today, I blogged over at New Kid on the Writers Block about attending the Robert Burns' Supper put on by The 42nd Royal Highlander Regiment.

To read this post, please go to www.newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com.

A fun link to try!

Yesterday was Robert Burn's birthday. I will be posting more on this event on Sunday because Saturday I will be attending The Burns Supper near my home. It is a fundraising event sponsored by the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment. I am very excited! I will give information and post pictures from the night.

But, for now, I want to leave you with this interactive link. It gives, Scottish recipes, facts, and poems by Robert Burns. I hope you will enjoy it.

www.scotland.org/burns-night/interactive/

Exciting News

I woke up this morning, already in a good mood. The kids had a two hour delay and that meant that I got to sleep in. Who doesn't love a morning like that?

The day got even better when I opened my email. I received a letter from literary agent, Marisa Corvisiero of the L. Perkins Literary Agency. She has requested the full manuscript for Highland Dreams. SO what does that mean for me. Well, two things. ONE- she will enjoy the book enough that she will want to represent me. This is my dream. To be represented and published, but even more exciting to be represented by someone such as her. TWO- even though she may enjoy it, she has decided to not represent me.

So, I will take one more peek at it, making sure i have crossed my T's and dotted my i's. Then I will sit back and patiently wait for her to read it and send me an answer. I will keep you all posted as to what happens. I wish I had some Twizzlers. I work better with them...LOL!

On another note, I sent my novella, Heaven Sent, to The Wild Rose Press, and the editor, Fancis Sevilla, has asked for the full manuscript. That has been sent already and I also wait to hear back from her. The novella, if accepted, would be in e-book form only. I will keep you posted on this outcome also.

Here's to keeping my fingers crossed!! =)

Im at NKOTWB

Today it is my day to blog over at New Kid on the Writers Block and I am blogging about my favorite books. I hope you will stop by and check it out. You never know, maybe we read the same things!

Go to www.newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com. to see my post, My favorite books.

Celtic Links

I am a member of Celtic Hearts Romance Writers and I have to tell you that this is a great group of ladies. Here, you will find pre-published and published authors. The two things we do have in common are anything CELTIC and researching information. We all share a common goal; to write the best books we can and to do that, we need the best and most accurate information we can. The ladies in this group are wonderful at sharing the information they have found with each other.

I wanted to share a few of the links being passed around our group, with you. I hope that you will find the information helpful. If you are an aspiring author or a published author, I hope that you will join us at CHRW. You can visit the site at http://www.celtichearts.org/. We refer to ourselves as a clan, and the bonds that we have formed are wonderful.

So, without further delay, here are your links. The first three are for housing.

http://resourcesforhistory.com/celtic_round_houses.htm.

http://www.torcherburn.com/.

http://www.gallica.co.uk/celts/house-pan.htm.

The next set of links are for arisaids.

www.marariley.net/celtic/scotland.htm.

www.mistythicket.com/womens/outfits/morrigan.html.

Here are two links for Celtic music.

www.ceolas.org/instruments/

www.ceolas.org/ref/what.is.celtic.html.

Enjoy! And good luck in your research! I want to thank Jody Allen for the links listed above.

"Ooh Girl!" - An Honest R&B Song

This was posted in the class I am taking by Nicole North. It is too funny and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

I'm a winner! AGAIN!

I found out today that I won prize at Alexa Bourne's blog. My prize is a gift bag of goodies, with something special from Scotland. Alexa went there to celebrate Hogmanay.

To win, all I had to do is follow her blog and comment on her new identity. If you would like to learn more about this author and find out why she has chosen to get a new identity, go to www.alexabourne.blogspot.com. I think you will enjoy it!

Boxing Day

I was looking at my calendar the other day, when my child asked my what BOXING DAY was? I just looked at him and shrugged my shoulders. I hd no idea. Of course, he wanted to know if people were celebrating the sport, and I informed him that I seriously doubted it, much to his dismay. This got me to searching out the reason for the holiday.

Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on December 26 in the United Kingdom, Ghana, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Greenland, and the Netherlands. In South Africa, the day is called Day of Goodwill, and in Ireland, they call it St. Stephen's Day or Day of the Wren.

It is believed to have started in the Middle Ages, though it's origins are unknown. Some say it was started because servants were required to work on Christmas day and to ensure that their holiday went without a hitch, they promised the servants the next day off, December 26. As the servants left the house to go visit with their families, the employers would give them gift boxes.

Another theory is that Church left out alms boxes for parishioners to deposit money into. On December 26, the clergy would distribute the coins to the poor.

December 26 is also known as St. Stephen's day in Ireland. He was one of the original seven deacons of the Christian Church. The deacons were ordained by the Apostles to care for the poor and the widows. It is said, that for his preaching and his devotion to Christ, he was stoned to death by a mob. As he lay their dying, he begged God not to punish his killers.

When I asked a friend who lives in London, what Boxing Day was, he advised that on this day boxed gifts are presented to people of public service, such as the mailman. I think this is a wonderful holiday and wished that everyone would celebrate it. I can say that for as long as I can remember, my parents always gave gifts to the trash man and the paper boy at Christmas time. That has carried over and I know that my brother and I do the same thing still.

Most people work hard for a living and I don't see anything wrong with letting them know that they are appreciated. So, the next time you see your mailman, tell him "Thank You!"

My New Year's Resolutions

Today is January 2nd, and I have been thinking about the things I want to do in the New Year. As most people, I want to start getting healthier, and I hope that my family has luck and love in the coming year. But those are personal goals. I am here to write about my writing goals.

Now that I have a year under my belt, a year of being a RWA PRO member and a Celtic Hearts member, it has been very exciting. I have learned so many things within these groups. The people have been friendly and so helpful and my first resolution is to remain in these groups and continue to learn and grow. I have taken four classes so far and plan an taking many more.

I have joined a critique group called Celtic Critters and the ladies there are very knowledgeable and as we work together to critique each other's I continue to grow. I am very thankful to have joined this group and met these ladies.

I plan to start querying agents again for my finished manuscript, Highland Dreams.

I am going to finish my second novel. Hopefully by the end of March. My two novels are related, having both HEROS being brothers. I am thinking of writing a third and making it a series.

I wait patiently to find out if my novella, Heaven Sent, will be accepted by The Wild Rose Press. Fingers crossed!!

I think the main goal is to just keep writing. There isn't much I can do if I don't have anything to show for it.

So, I want to know, what are your New Year's Resolutions? I want to wish you good luck in what ever you decide to accomplish!

Happy New Year!

I want to wish you all a Happy New Year and send best wishes for lots of luck, love, and succcess in your future. Thank you for stopping by and supporting me and my blog!!