Married Life

Hello everyone!

Today is our One-Monthiversary! Jessie and I are growing closer to one another every day. We are learning about each other, from our past experiences to our current habits and preferences. And I love my love more and more the more I know about her.

I love this one

Nicki, Jamieanne, Megan, Jessie, Jessica, Jennamarie, Josyln, and Lani

David, Sam, Me, Andy, and Chase

Jackie, Larry, Ivan, Lynnette, Mary, Jessie, Me, Jennifer (mama), Jamie (pop), Marilyn, and Paul

In celebration of this occasion, we thought it might be a good time to share one of our favorite aspects of home life:  food! Ah, food, one of the great unifiers in this world. And eating time is such a good bonding time. We have been eating really well over here, with a good balance of sampling local restaurants, pubs, cafes, etc., while still eating quite a bit of home-cooked meals. I think you've heard of all the biggest and best restaurant stories (haggis), but we really enjoy cooking together as well. It is a good time to not only explore and experiment in the kitchen, but also a great time to work together (which we do pretty well) and talk some more. We have made quite a range of dishes, from Chinese beef-and-broccoli, to chili baked potatoes, to pork chops with our own special rub of various herbs and spices (whatever we happen to have in our pantry, really).

Lovely Jessie excited about some stew

Mmm porkchops (wrapped in bacon)

Chili on chips (Scottish chips, of course)

Beef-and-Broccoli

Jessie and I are so alike sometimes. That can be good, such as when we both love learning or when we share political and religious views. It can also be comical, however, considering how directionally-challenged we both are (no trip is complete without at least one u-turn), or how clumsy we both can be. On the topic of cooking dinner:

Jessie and I cooked pork chops the other night. Along with the chops, we made our own garlic-toast, and sauteed asparagus and green beans. It was a really delicious meal, if I may say so myself. Everything was plated beautifully, fresh from the stove, and we sat down to eat. It struck me that we needed to take a picture for your enjoyment, but we didn't have the camera in the kitchen with us.

Isn't that pretty?

Let me take a detour from the story to let you know that Scotland seems to be hyper-sensitive to fire danger, especially considering how wet the climate is. Nearly every door, in almost every building, has the same standardized labeling, which reads: "Fire door keep shut." Such a sign is on the door to our kitchen, which is separate from the rest of the flat.

EVERYWHERE.

We do keep the door shut. Always. Whether we are cooking or not. The only time that door is open is when we are going into the kitchen or coming out of it. And we never dilly-dally either. We are good listeners.

So anyway, I go get the camera, so I can take a picture of this wonderful bounty, and no sooner than I sit back down at the table, the fire alarms starts to blare. No way. But... but... my chop is warm now. We stare at each other for a couple of seconds: No, there's no way that was us. The door was open for mere seconds while I shot out to grab the camera. We grab our garlic toast to munch on, grab our shoes and coats, and get outside where a small gathering of neighbors has already collected.

A few minutes later, and the fire patrol comes down our street with two trucks, sirens wailing and blue lights flashing. They go in, and I hear an exchange inside. Something about the third floor. That surely isn't us. We are on floor "C," but that doesn't necessary mean third floor, right? Few minutes later, and the fireman comes out and talks to the guy in the truck, who smiles. They then start calling out for the residents of flat C12. Darn it.

Got a picture from the flat

As we learned, not just smoke or steam, but even heat is enough to set off the alarms. We are told to be more careful, and to enjoy our pork chops, and then everyone goes on their merry way. Of course, now Jessie and I have to worry about assassins in the night, hired by our neighbors to seek revenge. So we were embarrassed in front of our neighbors and the fire patrol, and our lovely dinner was chilled when we got back.

It's all good, ATKS (that's "as the kids say"). At least Jessie and I love each other.

We love you guys, too.
~Jacob and Jessie Wilkerson