Disclaimer: This post is VERY overdue, as lots of things have been getting in the way since the holidays: workshop planning, moving flats, doggy training, etc., etc. I finally just decided to make time, sit down, & post. This is the second time I have tried to blog (the first was yearsss ago & I wrote about 2 entries & called it quits) & I am determined to keep this one going. Partly as a catalog for myself of the trips that we take, partly as an evolving photo album to share with the people I miss at home, & partly because I would like a hobby that I actually keep up with & I desperately miss writing!
I am aware that the title of this post sounds like a Hallmark Christmas movie, & honestly our Christmas cottage up north could’ve been used as the setting of one. I also may have been drawing inspiration from all of the cheesy, holiday movies that we watched WAY too many of during December (that I am not-so-secretly missing).
Since it was our first Christmas as “The Kirkes”, we felt it would be nice to spend it just the three of us & start some of our own traditions as a family. We drove about 2.5 hours north to Argyll – Kilmichael Glassary, by Lochgilphead & rented a 2-bedroom cottage via Airbnb (we’re clearly BIG FANS). Here’s the listing if you’re ever looking for a sick place to stay in the area.
Heron Cottage is located on a private estate with over 500 acres to explore. There are 30 acres of gardens & 6 miles of private, salmon fishing in their own loch, a forest with loads of deer, pine martens and red squirrels. There’s also a BBQ cabin & MASSIVE hot tub in its own wooden hut. The estate is HUGE & spectacular – so big that we didn’t even make it to the loch on Christmas Eve, because we kept walking for what felt like ages in the rain, with no sign of it & a very muddy pup.
The three of us had the most festive time possible up there. I could go on for ages about the place, but really you’ll need to stay there to get how lovely it is. Before we arrived, the owners put up a real tree from their grounds, with some lights & garland to jazz-it-up. I brought a bunch of our own keepsake ornaments, since my parents have been gifting me one every year I’ve been alive. It’s a really sweet tradition, & each one relates to something that happened to me that year (i.e. cheerleading trophy, first car, engagement ring, etc.). I also brought all of our other decorations from home to make it *extra* Christmas-y because I am unnecessary & NEED to feel like I’m in a Norman Rockwell painting at Christmas. Bing Crosby’s on the record player… & here are some photos of our stay!
Making
pierogi for Christmas Eve has been a tradition in my family for at least five generations (& probably much longer!). My ancestors are from Slovakia, & pierogi is their national dish – they also happen to be my favourite food & absolutely D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S! Trust me. Over the years, I’ve taught Rob how to make them & I’ll certainly be passing down the recipe/skills to our future children as well.
They’re kind of like ravioli/dumplings/etc. – basically dough wrapped in little parcels, around creamy potato filling & boiled, then quickly pan-fried with some butter & breadcrumbs. You can pretty much fill them with anything (cheese, sweet filling, meat, etc.) & make your own mixtures with dips & such, but the plain, potato pierogi with a side of sour cream has always been my fave.
Just as the photos suggest, all we really did was – cook, eat, drink, nap, walk & repeat – exactly what should be done at Christmas time! After a few days back in Glasgow, we ferried over to Northern Ireland for New Years, with our car, pup & gifts in tow. Rob is from the north west coast of NI & his parents’ house is quiet, beautiful & cosy – the perfect place to relax with family & certainly an escape from the city. A
bunch of Game of Thrones scenes are filmed nearby, so as you can imagine, the landscapes are quite dramatic & picturesque. Definitely the most chillaxed NYE we have had in a long, long time, as we’re normally either travelling for a city break or attending a massive party to ring in the New Year!
I see what you did there, Ramore!
Like normal, we visited the lovely town of
Portrush. My in-laws recently purchased a holiday flat with amazing harbour views (photo above), so this time we got to check it out from the top. Definitely the best views of the water in the area. Once spring arrives, my father-in-law’s boat is also docked in Portrush Harbour, which is insanely convenient for everyone. Looking forward to spending lazy weekends here in the summer with an ice cream, a blanket & a book.
When we visit NI we also always spend time in
Coleraine & this time we got to bring our pup along. The four of us took Jude to
Castle Rock Beach for a big, family walk on New Year’s Eve & he had so much fun. He was running, eating, & playing in the sand – Rob even taught him how to play tag with him. Jude’s a city pup who got to run around outside without a leash, or a care, & just absolutely loved it. We all loved watching him frolic about nearly as much.
I introduced my in-laws to the tradition of pierogi years ago & they were such a hit that I make some for them each year at Christmas. This year was no exception, though they were pushed back a week due to our cottage-y Christmas. Pierogi can be a bit finicky to shape, as the dough must be rolled paper thin, but since Rob purchased a top-o-the-line pasta maker 2 years ago this task has been made infinitely easier. I now realise this post is just as much about pierogi as it is the holiday trips we took, & I ain’t mad……. #goodslovakgirl
On New Year’s Eve night, we took it quite easy. Dressed up in our finest (& my sparkliest!) gear, we ate appetisers, shared some Moët & rang in the bells together. We watched the live broadcast of the fireworks show above London as we cheers-ed & hugged. It was one of the most extensive & impressive displays I’d ever seen. They seemed to go on forever, bigger & brighter each minute! We Skyped my parents in Alabama, who still hadn’t even begun their evening. Directly after, stuffed with champagne, hummus (me), chicken bites (Rob), & cheese (everyone), we passed out within an hour of 2018’s start. The perfect end to a lovely, relaxed, & satisfying holiday season. Now, bring on the salads, snow boots, & to-do lists of late-January!
The best family pic we could possibly muster. #puppypouting
Here’s hoping everyone else had a great Christmas & New Years & have flowed seamlessly into their best year yet. Until next year, Santa!
xJess
Can you dig it? 
I love your posts! I have been traveling through for years now! Enjoy life as you only have one. Like Gramma Jane always said “Live, laugh and love.”
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