We are all geared up for the biggest party of the year here at our house! Hogmanay-which most of us know as New Year's Eve-is the only time of year that Ian gets homesick for Scotland.
He loves Kansas for some crazy reason (he will tell you its because we actually have a SUMMER;) and most of the time he's happier here than he was back home, but no one else in the world understands how to bring in the New Year like Scotland does. They even have TWO official government-recognized days off every year to recover!
So on Hogmanay we throw a party at Hall House complete with family, friends, Celtic jam session and bagpipes. One year we had 5 pipers on the lawn at midnight-and yes, they were louder than the fireworks!!
This year we are making it a bit more special. My beloved grandmother passed away just before Thanksgiving. She was 93 and had lived a long full life but we will miss her!
She always said she didnt want a sad funeral, but a joyful celebration when she went. Last year she was the guest of honor at our New Year celebration so we decided to make this the "Bethel Tucker Memorial Jam Session" and sing a few special songs to celebrate her life as we say goodbye to 2009.