The Noble Warrender

WeeBox's February Delivery What better way to get in the mood for Valentine's Day than a soft flower scented candle and a book of Scottish love poems that could make you blush!  February's WeeBox was full of love. What to do with this box of goodies? Let's see - the book and candle are now on my night stand, the bracelet turned out to be a little tricky to figure out how to secure it (we really needed instructions, oops) so it doesn't have an owner just yet, and Alex claimed the button that had a cute saying on it. The jar of champagne jam (for breakfast in bed of course) is in the refrigerator and waiting to be taste-tested.  It sounds cliché but getting the WeeBox each month really is like Christmas. You open the package and are excited to see what your loved ones have thoughtfully chosen to share with you. Cross your fingers that they like you and don't send fruitcake or socks. Luckily the WeeBox staff seem to like us!

WeeBox January - Burns Supper Who is Robert Burns? Well this was the month to figure that out.  Robert Burns (1759-1796), who is also known by Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet - known as THE national poet of Scotland. He wrote mainly in Scots language, but also English for readers outside of Scotland. Most people know him as the author of the New Year's Eve song - Auld Lang Syne and as the pioneer of the Romantic Movement. A celebration of his life and poetry - Rabbie Burns Day - occurs each year on January 25th, his birthday. Burns Night supper can be formal or informal in style, but traditionally includes haggis and whisky, as well as someone reciting his poetry. January's WeeBox prepared us for Burns Night with a Burns Supper book (lots of great info in here), a candle inside an etched glass votive inscribed Auld Lang Syne, a beautiful piece of jewelry, some chocolates and assorted literature about the man of honor. Not the best photo, but it's...

Our first WeeBox arrived!! If you haven't noticed, we love everything to do with Scotland. You can guess how excited I was to find that there is a monthly subscription service to receive a box of curated items from Scotland.  Our first month of the subscription, December's WeeBox, was full of items to help celebrate Hogmanay. Scotland's last day of the year, is a time for celebrating, eating, and exchanging gifts. Hogmanay traditions include singing Auld Lang Syne and First Footing, where your first visitor in the home after midnight should bring gifts - including, but not limited to, a lump of coal, some shortbread,  and whisky (of course). WeeBox set us up properly for Hogmanay. They included a warm hat, a flask, yummy shortbread, a book, a bag with coal, and the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne so we don't stumble too much through the song. If you'd like to read more about Hogmanay, I'd suggest this online article .  If you'd like to c...

Never in a million years did I think I'd write a post about whisky or tobacco. I don't drink much alcohol, but if I do... meh... it's whisky (preferably Glengoyne) or a cold pint of Guinness. That's about it. I don't smoke, but I can appreciate the relaxing experience of a good pipe or cigar. If you like whisky and/or tobacco, and (BONUS!) if your name is Jeffrey, we've discovered a place just for you! Jeffrey St Whisky & Tobacco shop* is located in the heart of Edinburgh Scotland on, you guessed it, Jeffrey St, just off the Royal Mile .  They carry their own label, which you can sample. 👍 So much tobacco!  Notice the warning labels. If you're wondering where your whisky comes from, here's a map to help. Fancy Fancy!! *If you'd like to check in with the shop, here's a link to their website.

In my opinion, there's not a bad month to visit Scotland. Having said that, we've only experienced April, May, and now October so our opinions could be wrong. Maybe a cold highland winter will change my mind but I doubt it. One of my favorite places is usually high on everyone's list - Stirling Castle. It's been around since the 1100s and has seen a lot of action. Mary Queen of Scots was coronated there in the 1500s, battles were fought there, Robert Burns (poet, farmer, author of "Auld Lang Syne"), scratched a window at Stirling with his famous Stirling Words: Here Stewarts once in triumph reigned And laws for Scotlands weal ordained But unroofed their Palace stands Their scepters fallen to other hands Fallen indeed and to the earth Whence grovelling reptiles take their birth The injured Stewart line is gone A race outlandish fill their throne An idiot race, to honor lost Who know them best despise them most The castle ceased be...

If an actual local yarn shop (LYS) named Knit World exists, I would be shocked BUT I would gladly tip one of my knitted souvenir hats to them. 😉 My husband started calling all yarn shops 'knit world' while patiently waiting for me to work through my 'knitter's block' at a LYS in San Francisco years ago. The term stuck and became half-joke and half-adventure in finding the next one. As I travel, I always look to take home a souvenir of yarn from a LYS, because let's face it, it's the best souvenir - easy to pack it, can't break it, and whatever you create from it is memorable to the place you found it. Our recent vacation took us to the Isle of Skye where I found my most remote Knit World to date - Isle of Skye Crafts at Over the Rainbow in Portree.  You can find the store's Facebook page by clicking here .  Added to my yarn stash: Sirdar Imagination Moonriver 4 Blend:100% Acrylic  Ball weight:100g  Yardage:174...