The Noble Warrender

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...

January's Universal Yums box took us to Greece!! Lots of goodness in this box! Totti's Bread Chips - Just like croutons! Yum! Sesame Pasteli with Almonds - they date back to 1450 BC!! Parthenon Green Olives with Fennel & Coriander - "Olives rule Greek life!" Bergamot Jelly Candies - Like Earl Grey tea, but in candy form. Serenata Dark Chocolate Wafer - The most popular wafer cookies in Greece! Totti's Oregano Chips - Potatoes, popular in Greece since 1829. Bliss Cocoa Toffee - Cacao is the "food of the gods". Derby Chocolate Bar - light, airy and better than most US brands of bars. Our picks for Best Yum - Serenata Dark Chocolate Wafer, Parthenon Green Olives with Fennel & Coriander, and Derby Chocolate Bar. So much to choose from! What else did we learn about Greece this month? Well, do you ever say "jinx!!' or "pinch, poke, you owe me a coke"? If you're in Greece an...

The Boston Public Library was established as the first large free library in the mid-1840s at a relatively small building (a schoolhouse) in Boston. But, impressively, it had outgrown itself before opening. Right away plans were made to move the collection to the current, massive, and amazing location in the 1890s, and it's kept growing to the twenty-six branch system it is today. The design is that of a palace surrounding a courtyard. It's one of those places where you think you've seen it all, but then you walk through a doorway to another wing or another study room. The library seems endless. This statue adorns the front steps of the main entrance. It is titled "Art" and was created by Bela Pratt (1867-1917).  Bates Hall is the perfect place to do research or just grab a book and read. The lamps, the busts, the ceiling and dome at the end. It's inspiring. Two lion sculptures greet visitors who pass between them on the staircase. Th...

Our Kindness Elves, Merry and Pepper inspired us with a note:  "Bring some kindness by leaving wishing pennies at the fountain" 💦Make a wish!💦 💦 May their wishes come true! 💦 *If you'd like to get in on the action, visit the Kindness Elves  website . I'm not affiliated with them or getting paid for my post. I just love this wonderful idea of spreading kindness!

Why do you travel? To get away. To spend time with friends or family. To see new places, meet new people, and learn about another culture besides your own. Yes, all that and, of course, to try new foods! With all the monthly subscription boxes out there, this one caught my eye. It's the Universal Yums  box and each month, we receive a box filled with snacks from another country. To feed the travel bug, we can try goodies from around the world regularly!  This month's box was a combination of several items from Czechoslovakia, Colombia, Germany, Australia, Jordan, Korea, and England. Look at all these goodies! Czechoslovakia - Garlic Straznicke Bramburky (chips) Colombia - Brevas con Arequipe (figs with sugary filling) Germany - Golden Flake Dill Pickle Chips Australia - Hillier's Mini Christmas Puddings Jordan - Jabri Baklava Korea - Yugwa Candy (rice and honey) England - Mince Pie Candy (meat and fruit candy) Also includ...

The New England Holocaust Memorial was dedicated in 1995 and stands quietly just past Quincy Market. I'd been in that area a dozen times and didn't see this down the street, so when I looked up places not to miss in Boston and the memorial was listed, I added this important stop. I would suggest visiting the website to read more about the memorial, but in short, it was built in remembrance of local Boston Holocaust survivors and of World War II itself. The memorial is rightfully placed along the Freedom Trail of Boston. As you approach the six pillars, you will see this: "To remember their suffering is to recognize the danger and evil that are possible whenever one group persecutes another. As you walk this Freedom Trail, pause here to reflect on the consequences of a world in which there is no freedom—a world in which basic human rights are not protected. And know that wherever prejudice, discrimination, and victimization are tolerated, evil like the H...

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.