ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 13TH OF 2026

 Good afternoon time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days 

So last Friday was the friends open day at Chatsworth, it took an age to get there as there were so many roads that were closed, but we thankfully arrived eventually.

We travelled through some low cloud on the way there, I felt like we were on the set to Wuthering Heights. 

When we arrived, we made our way to the garden, as our tickets for the house were at 12.30pm and we  had arrived early.  As we walked through a guide asked if we wanted to venture up to the top of the Belvedere.  We have done this before but it isn't easy to get access so we jumped at the chance. 

Past the Blue John window (can you believe these were originally risers on a staircase)

Past the floor that has been lifted and placed on the wall, a copy of one from Pompeii

then we got to see inside the theatre, we can't remember having ever seen this before and it is stunning, it was originally a ball room but was converted into a theatre and although it is in poor repair it is lovely to see. 

The views from the Belvedere give you views of the house not normally accessible. 

Then we wandered back down and had a walk around the gardens

Before heading into the house.  My new phone gives better pictures than my old, this is the painted hall

And this is the chapel ceiling

Another from the painted hall 

We had a lovely day, headed home and then went to see Ross Nobel at the City Hall, who was spectacularly funny, laughed until we cried. 

Saturday we had a quiet day and then on Sunday we managed a jaunt to YSP.  We enjoyed breakfast and then got to see 'Cake Crumbs and Lemonade' a bright art exhibition.  Hubby wasn't a fan, but I liked the vibrancy. 

Then we walked down the field past the lambs and sheep and past the chapel, the Kew Oak Tree digital installation has now moved on and we await the next exhibition, I will so miss that one. 

Then to the Weston Gallery for another new installation by an artist called L R Vandy.  This was the piece outside

and then inside, working with rope made at Chatham docks and other recycled items

Then we enjoyed the rest of our trip seeing all the new leaves begin to bloom from their bud

and the catkins

and the riot of daffodils in front of Bretton Hall

before we headed to the Underground gallery as that exhibition is also meant to move on soon, this cat sculpture

when viewed from the side is a coffee pot. 

Tuesday night we went to the arena to watch Greg Davies

he was brilliant

Wednesday evening after a very long and difficult work day I was greeted with a beautiful homemade tea.  

Thursday and I went and bought a new plant for my Mother's day plant pot

and I finished a double crocheted scarf. 

I also completed my 2023 scrapbook layouts, apologies for the Christmas theme but this what I was scrapping.  I actually really enjoyed putting these together. 

Chatsworth

Stir it up Sunday making the homemade Christmas pudding

Sheffield at night

Museum of the Moon at the Minster

The Civic exhibition at the Bright Night's celebration

Present opening on Christmas day

New Year's Eve tray for my first footer

Christmas eve photos 

Chatsworth at Christmas

Mum's trifle, the best trifle I ever did try

Nostell Priory

Chatsworth's snowman display

Christmas day

Christmas tree festival

and that my lovely people is my lot for this week, I hope yours has been good, I will be keeping people in my thoughts this week and sending love.

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 12TH OF 2026

 Morning all, I appreciate that this is definitely not Friday but let us pretend that it is, time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days. 

So I've had the week off (hence the lateness of the post), not that we've been on holiday away or anything, we've just had a lovely week around the home and thankfully the weather has been relatively kind to us. 

Last Friday was the 2 year anniversary of my Mum passing away, it felt harder this year, as the difficult months before she passed away diminish and I remember the better times, I just miss her more and more.  I was grateful to have time with family during the day, it was very much needed.  

Last weekend we mooched into town and had a wander around the shops I was in the need of some material (which I failed to find) but also on the look out for some more books.  We popped to Grimm and Co and their beautiful café, they are a children's literacy charity and I love all that they do and that they stand for. 

Here is some of the magic on their menu - read the descriptions. 

Me and hubby shared a cake, how pretty is this lemon and blueberry cronut. 

We managed an assortment of books it has to be said, most from charity shops, but there is also a second hand bookstall that we found a few books on too. 

Hubby bought me these from Grimm and Co as a 'Mother's day gift' bless him and the book is a wonderful read, a children's tale it definitely ticks the boxes for imagination and the notelets have 3 different designs (from the book) which we will frame and pop on the stairs.  The peg was used to seal the paper bag they came in to stop the magic escaping.  

I completed some pages from a recent kit I put together, these are the layouts achieved and I only used loose sheets of paper from my stash in a bid to reduce this down. 

These are all from 2023, my son and d-in-law's dog Poppy enjoying snow for the first time

One of the RSC plays we went to see

Autumn wreath class with family including my Mum, I so miss her. 

Quentin Blake exhibition at Compton Verney in 2023

Exploring on holiday

Another night at the theatre 

Sezincote garden

Holiday hot tub 

Llandudno

Penrhyn castle

Sheffield Cathedral's digital light display Christmas 2023

Conwy Castle and the wall walk 

Great Orme mine

RSC play for Christmas 2023

Meal out with hubby with his calzone (which looks like a giant pasty)

My Mister Finch moth from my son and daughter-in-law Christmas 2023 - blown away by this

Wentworth Woodhouse light trail around the garden

Christmas wreath class with family again 

Daughter-in-laws 2nd graduation when she became a teacher

Christmas at Hardwick Hall

Christmas meal out with hubby, Mum and sister

Mum's last theatre trip before she passed was the panto at Sheffield. 

My niece's graduation when she became a teacher

My Mum and sister at the wreath class. 

My son, daughter-in-law and grandson came over on Sunday which was Mother's day and brought me these lovely gifts, a cup, a new plant pot, a yarn bowl for when I'm knitting, chocolate, a heart for my heart wall, flowers and a cushion which I didn't include on this photo as it was already on the sofa.  I was utterly spoilt by them and feel very blessed. 

Aforementioned cushion and another completed scarf, this one is a crocheted scarf which I struggled with initially before undoing and setting to again before the penny dropped and I was apparently able to crochet - who knew that was even a thing. 

Hubby made some beautiful hot cross buns. 

I printed a pattern, it is many many years since I last made anything so I'm eager to see how I get on with this.  

We had a blue skies day, pressure washing the decks, hubby cleaned the top of the arbour and we painted all 4 decks with new deck paint. 

We ordered a copy of a book by hubby's old work colleague that she has recently published, so excited to have a read. 

My yarn bowl in action, as I'm using such thick wool the hole feed for the yarn hasn't come into its own yet. 

Another crochet stitch, this one half double crochet

I met up with my sister, d-in-law and Grandson with hubby for an Ikea breakfast on Thursday.  My grandson was adamant that he wasn't going to make eye contact with my sister, only ever on his terms. 

The pattern pieces all cut out, I've already made this task much harder for myself. 

Enjoying the deck the day after, reading, crochet, drinking tea and coffee absolute bliss.  

And then receiving this photo of grandson, how joyous does this make you feel. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week. 

Hugs