Elisa's Daily Scoop Top 5 Things to Buy in ScotlandHello! OMG - I cannot tell you how happy I am today to have my little Punkin back home, safe and sound with our family! We went to get our little fur baby last night around 7pm from Ruff House Rescue in Freeport, as she was spayed earlier yesterday. As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, we brought her in Thursday night to Ruff House to stay overnight. It was awful leaving her. Well, I cannot tell you how excited our gang was to see our baby! Punkin was a little disoriented at first and when she realized it was me, she started crying and licking me. It was an amazing reunion!!  At Ruff House Rescue, on the Nautical Mile in Freeport (c)travelincousins.com  Punkin safe & sound in our car ready to go home (c)travelincousins.com  Punkin with her welcome home present - a little stuffed moose (c)travelincousins.com We found out a few things about our pup last night. First and most importantly, she is in good health! Secondly, she is about 6 months old, not 4 months as we had thought. And lastly, she is still the sweetest thing in the world. When we got home, she walked right up the steps and into her crate in my room. Poor thing, was bushed. So, I just got in bed myself and decided to hang out and keep her company, and do some work in bed. I wanted her to get a good night sleep. She was moaning here and there, because I guess she was still a bit uncomfortable from the procedure. But, overall, she was amazingly mobile and moving around. Ahh - so relieved!! However, it was not an easy night. She had to go outside several times during the night to do her business. From about 1:30am till 8am, I didn't get much sleep. Who cares! She's home.  Moving right along... Today, Tanya will be heading back to the States! Wow, did her trip fly! I LOVED telling you guys all the great things about the places she visited on her Magical Anniversary Trip. From London to Paris and onto Luxembourg City to Rome and Copenhagen and all through Scotland, starting in Edinburgh to Iverness and lastly, to the Outer Hebrides - what an adventure!! Here are a few visual highlights (you would have thought this was my trip! How starved am I for a European trip!!!)  National Gallery, London (c)travelincousins.com  Look at that London phone booth! (c)travelincousins.com  Tanya on the Avenue des Champ-Élysées, Paris (c)travelincousins.com  Luxembourg City (c)travelincousins.com  Piazza Navona, Rome (c)travelincousins.com  Copenhagen (c)travelincousins.com  Melville Castle, Edinburgh, Scotland (c)travelincousins.com  Loch Ness, Scotland (c)travelincousins.com  Outer Hebrides, Scotland (c)travelincousins.com I do hope our blog over the past few weeks has inspired you to visit these amazing destinations!! Now, since it's Saturday and shopping is always top of mind - I thought I tell you the best things to purchase in Scotland, in honor of Tanya's last day. "Hey Cuz, we want to hear what souvenirs you purchased in Scotia!" - the name Scotland is romantically called! TOP FIVE THINGS TO PURCHASE IN SCOTLAND  (credit: greatscottintl.com) 1) Scottish Woolens High-quality cashmere, lambswool, tweeds, and tartans are the most popular purchase when visiting Scotland. Sweaters, gloves, hats, scarves, jackets, socks, kilts (not sure if any of your male friends will wear these, but, hey, it's an option!!) and wraps, as well as blankets are the most common purchases. Sweaters range from thick and ropy fisherman’s sweaters to cozy lambswool and slinky cashmere.  (credit: caskers.com) 2) Scottish Whisky Did you know that the Scots invented whisky (there is no "e" in Scotland!). That's right - and there are numerous distillery tours available, after which, you can purchase the good stuff to bring home with you. A few of the Scottish whisky brands include: Cragganmore, Dalwhinnie, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Pittyvaich, Auchroisk, and Teaninich just to name a few.  (credit: uksouvenirshop.com) 3. Golf Souvenirs Since golf was invented in Scotland, there is an abundance of stores selling all types of golf souvenirs, particularly at golf destinations like St. Andrews Items such as imprinted gold ball markers, hand-made golf clubs, golf hats and much more.  (credit: telegraph.co.uk) 4. Scottish Food Yesterday, I filled you in on some of the most famous Scottish dishes and eating specialties (Top 6 Scottish Dishes). Why not bring a little taste of Scotland home on your next visit! Bitter orange marmalade, Scottish shortbread, and many choices of chutneys make deelish souvenirs. Believe it or not, haggis, the national dish, can even be purchased in a canned to bring home!!  Scottish Thistle (credit: heritageofscotland.com) 5. Scottish Jewelry Celtic jewelry is quite lovely and quintessential Scotland. Traditional Scottish themes include the Luckenboot, which is a pair of entwined hearts topped by a crown (representing the desire for an independent country), clan symbols, and Highland thistles. Many of these patterns are featured on a variety of jewelry for men and women, including necklaces, tie tacks, cuff-links, earrings, rings, brooches, kilt pins, and watches. Well, my dear peeps - I'm gong to rest a bit since I didn't get much shut-eye last night with my little post-surgery puppy. Enjoy your day - be safe if you are on the east coast of the U.S. - Hurricane Hermine is northbound this whole weekend! -E xoxo  | Tanya's Daily Soop |
