O Christmas Tree

We found a beauty this year!

The boys started with their collectables from Mims and Gramps.

And Charlie took his role of chief decorator seriously.

Angus is just thankful to have his domain back.

I think this might be one of my favourite days of the year.

Scruffy

Check this out.

Is this one of the cutest puppies you've ever seen? We had the privilege of keeping 10 week old Scruffy for the weekend and man oh man, is he cute! The boys and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am not so sure about Scott or Angus!

Monachyle Mohr

For our 15th Wedding Anniversary, Scott surprised me with a trip to this country house hotel for a landscape photography course.

http://mhor.net/mhor/

We traveled through the beautiful snowy hills northwest of Glasgow and ended up in this remote, winter wonderland. Situated on Loch Voil, Monachyle Mohr transports it's guests to another world. With 14 cleverly appointed rooms and one award winning chef, it is a boutique hotel like none other. Add to that an award winning professional photographer and it made for one of the most relaxing and rewarding getaways to date!

We arrived early Sunday morning to start our course. We studied our camera and it's capabilities. We learned about exposure, composition, shutter speed and much more. After a delicious lunch, we began the practical work. With 3 other participants, we wandered out onto the hotel property in an effort to put our theory to practice. I think Scott is a natural and I am a slow learner! It was fun to practice though, especially with this stunning scenery.

We enjoyed drinks in the tiny bar after the days' work, and we shared a table with another couple on the course for dinner. It was one of the best meals I've had in a long time. The food is all local and the flavours were amazing.

The next morning brought too much fog for a sunrise practical session so we headed back to the classroom shortly after breakfast. I think taking your camera off automatic takes lots and lots of practice. And lots and lots of time to delete all of the not so great photos off your camera!

Unfortunately, our time was cut short on the second day because a snowstorm hit Glasgow and we received a call from the babysitter to say she could not make it to the school. And once we spoke to other parents back home, we decided we needed to get on the road. (Some of our friends were stuck on the motorway for 12 hours)

http://www.heraldscotland.com:80/news/home-news/chaos-on-scotland-s-roads-as-blizzards-batter-country-1.1072840

So the course did not end like we'd hoped and we missed our last practical session, but it certainly wet our appetite to learn more about our camera! But we cherished the 36 hours we did have. And we have a new favourite Scottish hotel.

We made it home safe and sound. And the boys walked home from school after no one was able to collect them. NICE.

Monachyle Mohr, we will be back!