I love the bagpipes...and other random thoughts

One might think I'm making this up, but I swear, I can hear bagpipes outside of our house.

It's Tuesday afternoon, and I'm a little stir crazy: Kort's napping (crazy, I now know what it's like to have a child who takes 2(!) one and a half hour naps--it's heavenly) and Andy's at work (coming home soon-yay!). It's a typical Scottish day, alternating between beating sun and cold rain, with dramatic clouds constantly in the sky. Aside from the drone of the dryer (the rain is keeping me from hanging laundry today, and it's going to take FOREVER to finish drying a set of sheets in our strange washer/dryer), the house is quiet.

But every once in a while I hear bagpipes. I've heard the music periodically before, but can't tell where it's coming from. Maybe some kid who's learning how to play and practicing after school? Or maybe people are practicing as the season of Highland Games and pipe contests is coming? Not sure, but it sort of reminds me of living in New Orleans, when every once in a while, you could hear a few kids practicing the trombone or trumpet in the 'hood.

Since living here is still so new and Andy's been taking the car (I'm still not quite ready to drive all over town--mostly just in the quiet evenings to the gym) and Kort is becoming much more independent, it seems I have much more time on my hands than I did in Houston. When we're not out exploring, I'm trying to take on some new hobbies...but it seems like I'm specializing in being a housewife*#)*$@&$%)__?!?


This is totally new for me--cooking (Andy's always been the better cook) and cleaning (I've always loved my cleaning ladies). I've even been trying out baking! It's been fun to experiment with some traditional Scottish recipes--the restaurants are few and far between (and very expensive and not so good), so we're better off cooking at home. So far, we've tried lamb, pork and chicken recipes, and I've made a funky-tasting gingerbread and a pretty yummy rhubarb crisp. Who am I?? I know many of my "stay-at-home-mom" friends have been doing this for quite a while--and I applaud you. It's still very new for me--I'm sure the novelty will wear off soon!