Pretending to be Scottish

Anyone who knows me and/or anyone who frequents "The Butt" (aka The Scuttlebutt)...

has probably figured out by now I like to go really random places.

I'm a nerd at heart, I love exploring, and I have a strange appreciation for people who like to "go all out".

What does that mean?

Well, you know the types...

these are the people who spend their weekends taking part in Civil War reenactments,

or go to the Renaissance Faire in full costume,

or recreate Colonial Williamsburg.

I'm not sure what I love about these things. Maybe it's just I appreciate the attention to detail.

And since I love reading historical fiction, some of the time it gives me a chance to pseudo-experience the books/time periods I've read all about.

Take for example this weekend.

Dani (a former Civil War reenactor) and I decided to head out to Gresham, OR for the annual Highland Games.

A giant, all-day Scottish Festival...featuring men in kilts, lots of plaid, bagpipes, and bangers and mash.

We had an absolute amazing time, and for anyone who has read the Outlander series (if you haven't you should)...clans Frasier and MacKenzie were out in full force.

I spent the festival scoping out the crowd for potential Jamie Frasiers.

I highly recommend visiting the Highland Games in your area.

Look it up. I promise you have one.

The dancing, music, food and atmosphere makes for an awesome day.

The man in the kilt who made our necklaces.(Don't mind my crazy hair!)

And if you happen to be lucky enough to have a friend who appreciates this kind of thing as much as Dani did, consider yourself lucky and get out there!

That's right...bff necklaces...we're that cool.

Where will your next adventure be?

Dear Summer,

I'm obsessed.

Please don't ever leave.

I don't care that we only get a few days of sunshine at a time, I'll take what I can get.

I savor every second of your warmth and endless days.

The long winter is a distant memory.

Everyday is filled with hikes, meals on the balcony overlooking the river, late nights, and barbecues.

Not to mention the s'mores

It's funny, summer.

As a child I never appreciated you. California sunshine overflowed year-round.

Honestly, I didn't really notice you.

But now everything has changed.

One 9 month winter in Portland and I finally have learned to appreciate you.

I feel like I need to get in all of my summer loving that I never did as a child.

So please don't leave.

At least not for a few more weeks.

I promise not to take you for granted.

Love,

Allison

Dear blog readers,

I'm sorry I've been gone so long.

I haven't found time for anything lately besides work and enjoying summer.

There has been precious time with an old friend.

Hikes.

Gorgeous views.

A beautiful wedding.

Wine tasting in the Oregon countryside.

A rodeo.

Enjoying Portland's many microbrews.

And plain old summertime.

I promise I will be back, but for now it may not be as soon as we all would like.

I'm just too busy enjoying my new found love of summer!