Sunday, January 31, 2010

Ode to Robbie Burns

Last Friday, Ashley Stoker put on an evening dedicated to Robbie Burns who was once a famous poet from Scotland. Each of us brought a date and the dinner was full of the finest Scottish foods (including Haggis which apparently is made of lamb lung?). The night started out with bagpipes playing in the background and a recital of poetry from one of the friends who had this stellar Scottish accent. It was hilarious. 
Ashley in her Scottish garb. It's so nice to have her out here.
This picture is way blurry, but I think it's a funny picture. My date Steve (the same guy involved in the rolling car in the parking lot incident) was asked by Ashley to make a toast during the dinner. I must say, he surely pulled a great toast out of the air that included shepherds in Scotland creating the game of golf by putting rocks into rabbit holes (not sure yet if this is really true), Tiger Woods, and Mr. Burns from the Simpsons. It was a really fun night! Thanks Ash! And blessed be Robbie Burns.

Simply Stated: It's a wee bit grand to eat dinner like a Scot!

2 comments:

Jenn said...

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you guys did this! Robbie Burns dinners have been a part of my life since I was little.

madhat said...

Here are the traditional ingredients of a haggis:

1 sheep's stomach or ox secum, cleaned and thoroughly, scalded, turned inside out and soaked overnight in cold salted water;
heart and lungs of one lamb;
450g/1lb beef or lamb trimmings, fat and lean;
2 onions, finely chopped;
225g/8oz oatmeal;
1 tbsp salt;
1 tsp ground black pepper;
1 tsp ground dried coriander;
1 tsp mace;
1 tsp nutmeg;
water, enough to cook the haggis;
stock from lungs and trimmings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/haggis_66072.shtml

(Very tasty - but best not think about it for too long ...!) :D


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Recently, I packed up my Western self and moved out East to a little place called Virginia. My parents relocated out here about 2 years ago, so it was time I check out VA for myself. It is in the DC metro area, so we spend lots of fun time in the city or in the country. I am still working as a pediatric nurse and looking to maybe move towards the non-profit or political side of health care. I gained a new family member in the form of a Chinese exchange student named Donna, and I love being with my parents again. Life is good.