Where The Orange Blossoms Grow...: Our First Annual Highland Festival!

Friday, May 14, 2010

Our First Annual Highland Festival!

~1st Annual Highland Festival~

After overcoming some Blogger problems, here, finally, are the pictures of our 1st Annual Highland Festival! Better late than never, I guess....;)

Invitations were sent....

The menu was carefully planned....

Props were created.....

Costumes were made....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And finally.......the greatly anticipated day arrived!!!

Abby's Apple Pasties

Our wonderful (and quite talented) Daddy putting together a rotisserie a few hours before the party...:)

Callie making our Scotch shortbread

Happy helpers.....

Hehe! Another happy helper! ;o)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let the Festivities Begin!!!

Mrs. Pam and Mrs. Graves enjoy each others company:)

Our dear Grandma Sue

The jolly host and hostess:)

Deeda and Callie pose with "Bloody Claverhoose" ;)

Daddy, Mr. Waldman, and Mr. Graves wondering about Ben's sanity.....ummm, I mean enjoying one another's company:o)

Mr. and Mrs. Franklin are always willing to pull together a great costume!

"Hey look at these cool sheep shearers!"

"Hmmm....I think you are in need of a haircut...." ;o)

Go Emilie!!

Yay, Zach!!

My lovely Mama and Grandmama. :o)

Daddy and his Grandfather

Mr. and Mrs. Stevens occupy the non-costume corner....;o)

Ben and Sam being good sports!

Egg and Spoon Race anyone??

Ready, get set, GO......:o)

The valiant men and lads in their Highland garb!

"Hey, buster! What do the Bucs have to do with Scotland??!!" :o)

Matthew, another non-costume-ite....:o)

Sadie and Abby having a good time:)

Mr. Doolin throws the fencepost.
(Hmmm....my captions are getting more and more original by the second.....)

Mr Waldman gets into the game with great enthusiasm!

"Whew! This is definitely not authentic weather!"

Ryan tosses the "cannonball."

And so does Daniel :o)

Our Menu for the day.....

The feast! :o)

Happy people:)

More happy people...:)

Dig in, buddy! ;o)

The tremendously well-preformed skit,
"WHO STOLE ME HAGGIS?!"

"Twas I, sir, who stole yer haggis, but twas the best haggis I had ever tasted!! Have mercy!"

The talented cast! ;o)

Abby presents "Scots Wha Hae," or the Scottish National Anthem.

An...ummm...interesting picture of the "Bearer of the Scottish Thistle??" (I bet this Florida thistle would make any Scottish Thistle blush!)

Ahhh! The sun sets as we all sing great hymns of the faith and reflect upon the sacrifices made by the Covenanters and other Godly men of vision and faith. We are so blessed to live in a country where, because of these men, and God's abundant mercy, we can worship our Creator freely and without persecution.
All glory and honor to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah, praise Jehovah, oh my soul Jehovah PRAISE!!!

In His Service,

7 comments:

The DischersMay 15, 2010 at 1:19 PM
Like always you presented a wonderful post Mary.
We are wishing we could have been there. The costumes were great,the food looked delicious and I'm sure the fellowship was precious. The BIG question is -------- Who threw the fence post the farthest?
Uncle Eddie
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The Stricklen FamilyMay 15, 2010 at 1:36 PM
Haha! Thank you, U. Eddie. :o) I believe Mr. Waldman threw it the farthest, then Daddy, then Mr. Doolin. :o)
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Farming FamilyMay 15, 2010 at 4:35 PM
Looks like you guys had tons of fun!!!
I loved the idea of letting the younger boys throw the "Cannonball"...
Blessings-
Samantha
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The Miller FamilyMay 15, 2010 at 7:51 PM
So much fun! Wish we could have been there. I know the boys would have loved throwing the fence post!

But getting them to wear a kilt...I wish!!!

Love,
Aunt Katie
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BonnieMay 16, 2010 at 2:43 PM
Mary, it was truly a wonderful day! Everything went so well, you could tell you all had put your heart into it. I think the most precious part for me was Abigail singing "Scots Wha Hae". The words always make me choke up!

Thanks for a wonderful event and sweet memories through your post.

Love,
Grandmother
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The Graves FamilyMay 19, 2010 at 2:10 PM
Hey Stricklen Family!!
Thanks so much for the awesome post. It was an incredible day. You all did a great job!!
I have to admit that I would pay big money to see R.G. and Robert in a kilt!! Don't know where I would find the $$$ but it would be worth it!!
God Bless You all!!! Can't wait for the 2nd Annual!!
Love, The Graves
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ElisabethJune 1, 2010 at 6:17 AM
You all look like you had a lot of fun and that you put much time and effort into it. A last minute rotisserie? Your husband is very ingenious. The skit sound as if it gave everyone a good laugh, too.

Elisabeth - http://homeschoolblogger.com/timbuck2mom/

P.S. I couldn't use any of the profiles for leaving a comment. Is there one that you can put your name and URL?
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The Orange Blossom Song

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the ocean breezes blow,
I want to cast my line on the falling tide,
Where the tarpon swim below.

I love the sunshine and the beaches, where the palms sway to and fro,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the Spanish moss hangs low,
Where the gators swim through the Everglades,
And the grand old live oaks grow.

I love the wildwoods, and the cities, and the friends I've come to know.
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

I want to wake up in the morning where the orange blossoms grow,
Where the sun comes creepin' into where I'm sleepin',
and the song birds say hello.

I want to wander over yonder, Pick the fruit that's hanging low,
I want to make my home in Florida where the orange blossoms grow.

Here Is Home

Here is home, my blessed home.
Florida is her name.
God’s Providence has brought me here,
So here I will remain.

Here is home, my beautiful home,
Where God's creation sings
About the mighty power and grace
Of Jesus Christ our King.

Here is home, where in the Spring
The orange blossoms bloom,
And fill my senses to the brim
With their sweet perfume.

I love to hear the honey bees
Buzzing with all their might.
I love the clear, blue, cloudless sky,
And radiant stars at night.

Here is home, where Summer comes
With its burning heat,
Relentlessly providing us
With bugs and burning feet.

But when the Lord provides us
With a gentle shower,
It lifts the weary, wilted head
Of every wildflower.

Here is home, where in the Fall,
I don my scarves and sweater,
But really I don’t need them.
Cotton would do better.

No Autumn leaves are falling.
The trees are still quite green,
But a crisp, cool breeze is blowing,
And the days grow short, it seems.

Here is home, where Winter comes.
It's not so very cold,
But how I love to dig in the sand
My numb and barefoot toes!

In wintertime I love to eat
An orange from the tree.
Such a sweet and sticky treat.
Quite a delicacy!

Here is home where I am proud
To be a humble part
Of Florida's great, rich history,
And hold it near my heart.

The land on which I've tromped and played,
The Spanish settlers roam'd.
They called this place the “Land of Flowers,”
And here they made their home.

When war broke out between the States,
We proved our loyalty
To the precious Southern cause,
For God and Liberty!

Some folks call us “Florida Crackers.”
I'm proud to hold that name.
My ancestors were proud as well,
To call themselves the same.

Here is home, My home, sweet home,
Where life is at it's best.
Every day I thank the Lord,
For I am truly blessed!

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Friday, May 14, 2010

Our First Annual Highland Festival!

7 comments: