St Andrew's Day 2012

Here we see fireworks lighting up the night sky over St Andrew's Cathedral, Inverness.



Jesus calls us over the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless, sea;
Day by day His sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow Me!”

As of old Saint Andrew heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love Me more!”

In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love Me more than these!”

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies,
Saviour may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thine obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all.



Happy Feast!

Papa Stronsay Calendar 2013

No doubt you will soon be thinking about buying Christmas presents. I would like to suggest that you purchase some of the wonderful calendars published by the Transalpine Redemptorists who live on the Holy Island of Papa Stronsay - which is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of Scotland.



Our photo shows the brothers in their Chapel on the Feast of the Assumption 2012.They remind us of the truth that:

"Next to grace TIME is the most precious gift of God. Yet how much of both we waste. We say that TIME does many things. It teaches us many lessons, weans us from many follies, strengthens us in good resolves, and heals many wounds. And yet it does none of these things. TIME does nothing. But TIME is the conductor of all these things which God does in TIME. TIME is full of eternity."

For those living in the UK, the cost of the calendar is £5 each (plus postage and packing). In order to purchase, click the link on this blog to the Transalpine Redemptorists and then you will be able to purchase direct from their blog site. But be quick before they all go - I have just ordered 5!

This is the fourth year I have purchased these wonderful calendars. They have some lovely photos and provide useful liturgical information. You will soon find yourself celebrating Christmas twelve times a year - not just once!

Bloggers Dinner

I was in London for a few days at the weekend and attended a bloggers dinner.



I joined John and Liz Woodhouse (of The Organist Librarian fame) at Il Posto in Victoria. We enjoyed a delicious supper and discussed other blogs, in particular The Hermeneutic of Continuity.

They were both in great form. John and Liz are both altar servers at Westminster Cathedral and are studying at Heythrop College, London. Their second grandson was Baptised on the Feast of Christ the King and John was due to be in court all this week - on jury duty - or so he claims!

I have happy memories of them staying with me in Inverness in June 2009.

Taste of Scotland - 37

I am completing this brief series of posts on Tunnock's with an independent review of their milk chocolate teacakes for you to view.



Our reviewer hadn't had a Tunnock product in rather a long time, but was glad that he picked some tea cakes up again today, even if they aren't actual tea cakes, as they really are very nice.

One of their ways of standing out among biscuits with marshmallow in them, is that they use fresh egg whites rather than gelatine, making for a much creamier and less jelly like consistency and taste. They come individually wrapped in foil, and come in packs of 6 in Asda at least. He bought his for 90p, but prices will vary depending on where you buy them.

Nutritional content per tea cake is as follows;

106 calories
1.2g of protein
14.9g of carbohydrates
Of which sugars 8.6g
4.6g of fat
Of which saturates 2.5g
0.6g of fibre
0.05g of sodium
0.12g salt equivalent

Perhaps you would like to try this Taste of Scotland!

Taste of Scotland - 36

Here is a fine Tunnock's van!



You can purchase a model of the Bespoke Tunnock's Van for £9.99

The limited edition Tunnock's Morris LD Van is based on the 1950 and 1960s edition used to service shops and cash and carries throughout the central belt of Scotland. The sales men would sell boards of pies, cakes, teabread and strawberry tarts to corner shops and also deliver biscuits to the wholesalers and supermarkets. The vans were fitted with racks at the back to accomodate the boards and space at the front for cases biscuits. The LD was a loyal servant to the company.

Feast of Christ the King

We keep this final Sunday of the Church's Year as the Feast of Christ the King.



At the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow,
Every tongue confess Him King of glory now;
’Tis the Father’s pleasure we should call Him Lord,
Who from the beginning was the mighty Word.

At His voice creation sprang at once to sight,
All the angel faces, all the hosts of light,
Thrones and dominations, stars upon their way,
All the heavenly orders, in their great array.

Humbled for a season, to receive a name
From the lips of sinners unto whom He came,
Faithfully He bore it, spotless to the last,
Brought it back victorious when from death He passed.

Bore it up triumphant with its human light,
Through all ranks of creatures, to the central height,
To the throne of Godhead, to the Father’s breast;
Filled it with the glory of that perfect rest.

Name Him, brothers, name Him, with love strong as death
But with awe and wonder, and with bated breath!
He is God the Savior, He is Christ the Lord,
Ever to be worshipped, trusted and adored.

In your hearts enthrone Him; there let Him subdue
All that is not holy, all that is not true;
Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power.

Brothers, this Lord Jesus shall return again,
With His Father’s glory, with His angel train;
For all wreaths of empire meet upon His brow,
And our hearts confess Him King of glory now.



Happy Sunday!

Taste of Scotland - 35

We have plenty of snowballs in the Highlands of Scotland! 2010 was a great year for Tunnock's - their 120th Anniversary Year.



The 120th anniversary coincides with Scotland’s 2010 Year of Food and Drink, which celebrates the Scotland’s larder with a 12 month programme of events. First Minister Alex Salmond visited Scottish biscuit maker Tunnock’s to help staff mark the 120th anniversary of the family-run firm. Mr Salmond toured the factory, met staff and viewed the production lines that makes Scotland’s favourite Tunnock's teacakes, caramel wafers, and snowballs.

Mr Salmond said: “This year the family business celebrates its 120th anniversary and I am delighted to help mark this milestone in Tunnock’s long and proud history. The company employs more than 550 people, produces more than 10 million biscuits each week, and exports its products to more than 30 countries. This year marks Scotland’s Year of Food and Drink and Tunnock’s is one of the many brands that have helped to secure Scotland’s international reputation as a land of delicious, quality produce.”

Tunnock’s managing director, Boyd Tunnock ,said: “I am delighted that the First Minister is visiting our factory. This year we have installed a new caramel wafer wrapping line and a robot packing line for teacakes at a cost of £4 million, all to satisfy our customers worldwide.”

And to celebrate … well, it has to be a cup of tea and a Tunnock's Teacake.