This is Rowan. She's a Scottish fairy who lives in the garden behind the McDougals' House. She is the star of the children's book "Rowan and the Charm Cake".

Learn about Scottish customs and traditions through the adventures of Rowan and her woodland animal friends.

Saturday, October 31, 2015

Halloween!!


Halloween has it's origins in early Scottish Celtic culture.  Originally a turnip Jack O Lantern was carved (pumpkins are a North American plant and were substituted for Jack O Lantern's when the Irish and Scots settled in the new world.) A larger Swede turnip, indigenous to the British Isles would have been used.  The purple and white variety are also native to America.

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Tartan Week!!

This is Tartan Week (April 6th - 12th).  An official celebration of Scottish heritage begins on April 6th because that is the date the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.

Find out about America's relationship to Arbroath here: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2009/jul/05/declaration-independence-arbroath-wordsmiths

And more about Tartan Week in New York, here:
http://nyctartanweek.org


Thursday, March 5, 2015

Today is World Book Day

It's a perfect time to read a fairy story!  A Scottish fairy story would be even better!  And here's where to get it:  http://www.storystudioh.com


Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Christmas Cake



Speaking of cakes, and traditions, and Scotland, (UK) here is Santa -- or Father Christmas as he is sometimes called -- with a traditional Christmas 'pudding', though it's really a cake.  This cake has been a strong Christmas tradition at least since Victorian times in Scotland and England.  The Christmas Pudding is made of fruits, spices, eggs, and some rum or stout beer.  It is traditionally rounded in shape and decorated with a sprig of Holly.  The cake is usually prepared about a month in advance of Christmas by boiling the mixture in a cotton cloth for a few hours.  Then it is left to sit so the flavors are well blended.  When it's time to serve, the Christmas Pudding is doused with rum and set on fire!   A specifically Scottish version of a boiled fruit cake or pudding is called a Clootie Dumpling and it is very similar, but is usually served with cream or custard.

This link is for a Scottish Clootie Dumpling recipe.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/clootie-dumpling/

This link is to a recipe for Christmas pudding on the BBC website.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmas_pudding_41498

Or, since time is getting short, here is a 'classic' Christmas cake recipe with fruits and spices that does not need to be made weeks in advance.  If you give it a try, why not add some charms!! Maybe even devise your own Christmas meaning for them?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/christmascake_2359
Nollaig Chridheil!!-Scots Gaelic for Merry Christmas!!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

It. Is. Here. And you can get it!

Hello!  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, our book, Rowan and the Charm Cake, is finished!  And it's available here:  http://www.storystudioh.com








Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Tavish

This is Tavish and he is goofy, a little clumsy, and sweet.  He accidentally gets Rowan into trouble, but then he also helps her out of it!  Find out what happens starting September 22, 2014.  Books will be available.

We will have a website soon, but if you can't wait (and we hope you can't) just email us from this page and we can help you buy one!