Day 5 in Scotland: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries

Day 5 in Scotland: The Stockbridge Farmer's Market, a Scottish Breakfast in Gali and The Great Tapestry of Scotland in Galashiels: https://www.greattapestryofscotland.com.
This day was all about hanging out with Max and Alex. We began the day with a tradition - the Stockbridge Farmer's Market... it sets up every weekend and is a sight to see (and a darned good place to eat if you don't mind waiting in line.) There are yummies everywhere, like pastries...
and pastas... It's really hard to explain a Scotch Egg without seeing one! But the main attraction at the Stockbridge Farmer's Market is the Paella stand!I mean, have you ever seen a Paella like this!? Believe it or not, we didn't partake, we were off to Galashiels and the Great Tapestry of Scotland!Murals are a thing here too! (I think this is Sir Walter Scott - but someone please correct me if I have it wrong!) And while we did stop for a proper English breakfast, I neglected to capture a photo of it's gloriousness. Although, I did get a snapshot of the fun walls of the cafe!Here are Max and Alex, my lovely hosts for the day...Off to the museum!Do click on the link above to learn more about this project. These are not ancient tapestries, these are new works of art created by thousands of stitchers across Scotland, to tell Scottish history, and it is fascinating and beautiful. Did you know that Scotland had tipis? The stitching was AMAZING!

Loved this colorful nautilus!

and this wee vignette!And this little town.
And I bet you recognize this one! LOL!
But I think my favorite (so hard to choose!) was this one about the universities in Scotland.
It made me rather proud to know that I got degrees from two of the oldest universities in the world!
The ride to and from through the Scottis countryside was also lovely as can be. A good day!

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Day 4 in Scotland: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial

Day 4 in Scotland: Connie and Kevin made a feast reminiscent of her days hosting salons - the meal was better than Michelin Star meals I've had in Edinburgh!(This was just the appetizer!)But best of all was my family of friends.These were some of Stan's and my family while we were here. It was so good, and bittersweet, to hear all their wonderful memories of him! It felt like the proper memorial. While the celebration in Rock Hill was lovely, these are the people who knew Stan when he was healthy and full of life. There were a lot of tears and hugs...

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Day 3 in Scotland - in Glasgow!

Day 3 I headed to Glasgow to speak at the Master Keys Conference.This was the whole official reason for the trip, and what my Pearson Excellence in Teaching Award paid for! But first - I had to have lunch at my FAVE Vietnamese restaurant on the planet! Non Viet on Sauchiehall Street!
Now this is a proper bowl of Pho Ga! I can't even tell you how good it was!!! Then on to the University of Glasgow School of Education for the conference. I walked, of course. Which means I saw the Bud Neill memorial statue. And a lost tie to add to my "lost things" collection.I also got the great view of walking towards my alma mater.
Our awesome hangout across the street...And into our building.We had some great speakers who talked about a myriad of interesting topics related to child lit! I enjoyed it immensely, but mostly enjoyed being with friends over dinner and drinks to celebrate our success! Here are Julie (McAdam) and Evelyn (Arizpe)and Cutzi (Quezada) and Sonia (Montes). Afterwards, I caught the subway back to the renovated train station. (Gotta luv that evening crunch to catch the fast train!)And enjoyed the views all the way home.

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Scotland Day 2 - HIGH Tea with friends!

Day 2: The Edinburgh Bookstore, Grassmarket, Victoria Street, St. Andrews Square, and High Tea at The Balmoral with Amandine and Connie! So much love!!

I was so excited to be back! And I guess I'll let on a little secret to those who read my blog... I had an interview this day. It went really well and I think I was in the top running, but didn't get it in the end. But still... so close!
Anyhow...
I had lunch at Topolabamba with Amandine beforehand. It's ironic, but you can get some really fabulous Mexican food in Edinburgh. The chefs are fascinated by the cuisine and do a darned fine job with it.
So as to not be early, I popped into The Edinburgh Bookstore and ran across the same little kilted teddy bear that my friend Elise has back in the states. I also walked down into the Grassmarket, where I got my first good view of the castle. There you are! (It's hard to miss.)And one of the most picturesque roads in the world, Victoria Street. Afterwards, I met up with Amandine and Connie at The Balmoral for High Tea!Amandine's treat! This is one of those bucket-list type things to do and so fun!!!And it really is HIGH TEA.It's difficult to behave in such a stunning place.We stayed for hours and ate and talked, and talked and ate. What a wonderful, wonderful thing it was.
I suppose I swung a wide, happy path on my way back to Stockbridge via St Andrews Square (the completely other direction but the way I always walked to get home). There, I saw sheeeep. It was an inside joke between me and Stan. Maybe I'll tell it to you over a cuppa one day.

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

Scotland in May - Day 1 - I'm back!

I wrote about this on Facebook, but want to house it here on my blog too.
Day 1: First day back in Edinburgh!My friend Johnny picked me up from the airport and made me a lovely lunch at his country house. I can't believe I didn't get any photos - just shows how tired I was from the flight. His place is very picturesque!
     Johnny drove me as far as he could into the city (the city limits the size of cars allowed on city roads now to help cut down on traffic). So a taxi took me the rest of the way to Connie's adorable Airbnb - which is no longer an Airbnb because the city will only allow sidewalk-access flats to be Airbnbs anymore. Having them in apartment buildings with full-time residents was causing all manner of disruption. So, if you haven't booked your place for Fringe next year, it's going to be more difficult - best get on it!
Anyhoo!

      We went to one of Stan's and my favorite haunts, The Stockbridge Tap, and clinked a glass to him.
It's bittersweet and a bit surreal to be back in the city we loved so much, but it is still just as magical. It's so good to be back!

To read about my entire trip, go to:
Day 1: I'm back!
Day 2: HIGH Tea with friends (and a secret)
Day 3: in Glasgow!
Day 4: Dear Friends and a Proper Memorial
Day 5: Farmer's Markets and Tapestries
Day 6: The Vinnie, The Star Bar, Parting Stones, Tears, and Friends
Day 7: with Maureen in Glasgow
Day 8: Porty Beach and an emotional day
Day 9: Fruit de Mer and Seagulls!
Day 10: Food, Museums, and a Friend
Day 11: Last full day in Edinburgh
Day 12: Last few minutes in Scotland

WU 2023 Graduation

You put a bunch of proud parents and graduating seniors in a bowl-shaped coliseum and it gives you JOY SOUP! I love attending graduations! Even if they are bittersweet. I wish my seniors every happiness and success as they fly from our nest!

The professors had fun too! (If you got a picture with me after graduation - please forward it to me!)

WU Senior Show!

Graduation is always a bittersweet time. I'm thrilled to set my students into the world like birds flying from the nest, but it's always sad to see them go. Even so, the Senior Show is a moment to celebrate. Visual Communications students (Graphic Design and Illustration) set up a Show at Lenny Boy Brewing Company in Charlotte to display their accomplishments. It's a moment to show off what they've created, maybe sell a few things, but also for parents, alumni, and any potential employers to connect. It's not graduation but it is our moment as a department. This class is a special one to me, as well. We've been through some tough times together, and for me especially. These are the students who stepped up, showed up, and mean the world to me. I wish them so much joy and success in life; and I hope they stay in touch - even when they think they haven't accomplished enough to share - they are my kids and always will be!
     In all the excitement and hubub, I didn't get photos of everyone but I did get a few good ones. Here are Erin and Adam... Kaelen, Olivia, and Guye... Sarah and Maggie... Senteria (who was my student assistant for Drawing II this semester - thank you, Senteria!) and Israel... Shaunie... and James (he's holding one of the note cards I write to my seniors)... Not shown are Amanda, William, Ethan, Clay, Will, Hitomi, and David. If you read this and you have a photo to share - please forward it to me and I'll add it to this post!!
     Meanwhile, Kaelen was awarded our Senior of the Year Award. She led the student Society of Illustrators group and was all around an awesome student. They all were! I'll miss all of you so much! Go out into the world and BE AWESOME!!!