The Auld Country (9.20.26)

"This trifle, and your ginger ice cream, are my favorite desserts," Jonny said, as he finished my berry trifle on September 20, 2026 .  The trifle was completely homemade, from cake to custard to berry filling.  We had a Scottish dinner to celebrate Camille's return from a trip through Scotland with her daughter, Sophie.  After their tour, Camille dropped Sophie off in London for a BYU semester abroad.  We were fascinated as Camille described visiting Scottish sites that are part of the Spendlove and Ebert family histories.  They included Cawdor Castle, where the Calders' ancestors once ruled, and the gravestone, near Stirling Castle, of the coachman for the Scottish ruler, whose son wrote the Christmas carol, "Far, Far Away on Judea's Plains."  He is an ancestor of Camille's husband, Steve.

I used the doorstops I bought in Scotland as table decorations.  Predictably, Jonny's Thomas reached onto the table to snatch the highland cow even before dinner began!  He adores "plushies."

The dinner began with oatcakes and cheese.  The entrees included salmon, baked chicken served over carrots and parsnips, potato casserole, and even "fake haggis".  My fake haggis recipe included ground beef instead of ground lamb innards, and it was baked in a glass dish rather than a sheep's stomach.  Still, it had the traditional haggis flavorings, including lots of pepper, coriander, and allspice.

Bryce brought two friends who had served with him in the Hungary Mission.  Camille joined the discussion of Eastern Europe, which she drove through several years ago.

Steve and Mia accompanied Camille.  Mia is a senior in high school and will soon be off to college, just like Sophie.

Mike recently came home from his latest trip to Central Asia, and his family was very glad to see him.

I can't always catch the best expressions on my subjects.  Next time, I'll snap Henry with his eyes open!

And I'll take a photo of Alyssa when she's not right in the middle of a deep thought!