Rocking Your World Friday - 26th of 2019

Good Evening lovely people

I apologise profusely for my tardiness but it has been one of those days if that makes sense.

Anyway without further ado it is time for 

So said 18 year old had his show at the local university building (it's new so the college made use of it).  It was fantastic to see all the different work from the students, not just on the course said 18 year old is doing but also the level 2 course, the foundation degree course etc. 

As you will recall said 18 year old's piece actually looks awesome at night

It looked fundamentally different in situ, although we giggled as he left all the lights on, so they would have flashed away until the batteries flattened

His other piece ended up with people joining in and filling out the discs, it will be interesting to see its return when he collects it this week (together with his results)

Said 18 year old's girlfriend had done a final piece around Japan and decided on textile art.  The fabric really was stunning, she'd used a puff paint for the writing through screens and it was so effective.

I also loved these pieces by another student, such an eclectic mix of materials to create the items 

We went up to YSP last Sunday which was brilliant, I spotted this piece of art created by an artist in conjunction with a local school.  The intention is that the wax bricks will be chipped away until the pieces encased are 'rediscovered' although I'm wondering if the 30 degree temperatures tomorrow might scupper that idea somewhat. 

Hubby went on a pre-retirement course at the beginning of the week, it raised more questions than answers and as he is 10 year's older than me it is going to be a mighty long time before I can join him.  Mind you I don't think I will ever retire as I probably won't be able to afford to. 

The rest of the week has been a mix of work and sorting.  We finally have the loft cleared.  There are a few items that need to be sorted and I'm digitally archiving some items which is taking forever, but I'm making progress and it is fun to read letters from 30 years ago.  

I hope you have had a fabulous week, if you fancy joining in do a post, pop back link up and we can come and visit. 

Rocking Your World Friday - 25th of 2019

Good Morning and a Happy Solstice to those that enjoy this festival, today being the longest day of the year. 

time for 

So first up is this another fantastic night out at the theatre, we had a brilliant evening with pre-theatre dining.  The local production was really well acted and left me quite teary in places.

A dry enough day to hang a washing line out.

Hold up a minute

Sorry another washing line moment, another line out as the sun is shining brightly today and I need to catch up with the hefty washing pile

First up grabbing some quality time with hubby, we just stopped and grabbed a coffee and had a chat despite the fact it was rather wet and dreary outside

Next up a fabulous craft day with my Mum down at our local craft store.  It was lovely to have a natter and a catch up 

We were supposed to create one of each but I took the spare tags from the industrial binder we made and some chipboard hearts to keep me busy (it slows me down as I'm a speedy crafter).  These were the order in which we made them and strangely.

Sunday and it was Father's day 

Said 18 year old arrived with gifs as we were sat drinking tea in bed, he was off to work bless him 

We then decided to venture out to the newest additional to the National Trust, Wentworth Castle, unfortunately you can't go around the house (it is a college for adult's re-entering education).  But the gardens are always worth a wander.

The story is that the entitled heir of Wentworth Woodhouse (which is on our doorstep), did not inherit Wentworth Woodhouse and it was given to a cousin.  In direct rivalry the rightful heir bought and extended Stainborough Hall renaming it Wentworth Castle.

 

fantastic views

across beautiful countryside

and blue skies

The original Victorian conservatory was renovated a few years ago and brought back to life.  In its heyday it actually had electricity installed before Buckingham Palace and was said to glow at night with fairy like lights inside. 

The plants inside have still been cared for

The fernery still pretty, but the stumpery a little overgrown.  The rain started when we were wandering but the tree cover helped. 

We managed an atrocious selfie.

We sat a while to enjoy the Earl's seat, in the valley below the Argyll statue built by the owner of Wentworth Castle as a tribute to his Father in Law, on the skyline Keppel's Column built by the rival cousin as a folly at Wentworth Woodhouse, it must have smarted!

At the top of the grounds is Stainborough Castle, built by the owner of Wentworth Castle as a playground for his four children, a miniature walled castle, with four towers and a miniature grand hall.  Now in ruin, it is still an amazing sight!

So we had a fabulous visit and I'd love to go back to sit and sketch or paint one day during the summer. 

The rest of the week has been busy with work and sorting items from the loft, so not very interesting, but very necessary. 

I hope you had a brilliant week, if you fancy joining in pop a post together, pop back and link up and we can come and visit. 

Rocking Your World Friday - 24th of 2019

Morning lovely people, tis Friday time for

So first happy for this week has to be my crazy plant in the bathroom.  I bought three succulent plants last year in Ikea and they have loved being in the bathroom window despite the fact they are struggling for room on the windowsill.  A few weeks ago, one of the started with a tiny flower inside the plant and it has since grown and grown and grown to what we see today.  Each tiny flower, opens just a smidge and lasts a few days before dying off and then the one above starts to flower, it really has been quite fascinating! 

Next up was my Mum saving me last Friday, I set off for a jaunt to the nearest shopping centre.  However, mistakenly I hadn't checked the traffic report and the nearby junction of the M1 had been closed which meant utter chaos in the surrounding areas.  It took me in excess of an hour to reach my Mums (having abandoned the idea of the shopping centre).  Thankfully there was a cuppa ready when I arrived and we had a good natter.  My sister also arrived and we had a catch up and then she advised of further escape routes to miss the traffic and she was absolutely spot on. 

So happy days I got home without too much more hassle, but what a palaver!

Next up a meal out to celebrate my sister's birthday, 'twas a fabulous evening for all, the lighting was pretty abysmal so the photos aren't great but they did document the night.  With one exception, the birthday girl was missing when we took the photos which means yes you guessed it we didn't get any of her.   

Said 18 year old's girlfriend and said 18 year old on the left

Said niece's boyfriend and said niece on the right!

It was lovely to see the youngsters nattering away!

The meal was lovely and very reasonably priced.   I was very naughty and had pudding, tiramisu (well sort of nearly almost, it was relatively deconstructed in my opinion, but nom none the less). 

Saturday saw us having a mass sort out of bedrooms.  Which meant lots of help from said 18 year old and hubby to move sizeable pieces of furniture, but they did good and it is looking so much better in the office. 

I now just have to sort the other bedroom and we should be able to cater for a decent sized desk for said 18 year old which is the main goal! 

Sunday was overall a quiet day, but I caught up on washing and me and hubby enjoyed some time just sat reading in the garden. 

Now don't ask me what is happening to our summer, I mean this is literally unheard of, but yes this week we have lit the fire on more than one occasion. 

It was actually really lovely curling up and book reading! 

Monday and I was back at work albeit from home.  Hubby had a hospital appointment which were in all honesty a bit worried about, but thankfully everything checked out OK and there was a real spring in our step as we headed out of the hospital.

Busy at work again this week (nothing new there I hear you cry), however, I was off on Wednesday for yet another family funeral.  They seem to be such frequent occasions these days.  It was however a beautiful send off for a beautiful Great Aunt.  We didn't manage to go to the wake afterwards (parking issues) and so it raised a smile when I got home and was scanning some cards that I'm soft filing (keeping a digital copy but disposing of the original) to find a card from her from a couple of Christmases ago, it was like a little nod from her.  Thank you Aunty June. 

And that my lovely people was my week, I hope you've had a fabulous week, if you fancy joining me Kate and Lisca, pop a post together pop back and link up so we can come and visit. 

Rocking Your World Friday - 23rd of 2019

Afternoon all from a very wet Yorkshire it's time for 

So first up was a lovely weekend weather wise. 

We had a great night out at the theatre again this time seeing a comedy about a bank robbery which was brilliant although not quite as funny as the other one we saw of theirs.   

I always feel the need to read Terry Pratchett's Masquerade after I've been to this theatre. 

We managed to have our first barbecue of the year

These little chaps make me happy as they seem to be so smiley, I do so love violas

We've had a few new meals this week, there was one that was particularly tasty, a bean and tomato salad and dressed jersey potatoes

We even enjoyed the garden one evening when the lights come on

It was my sister's birthday this week, I went to my Mum's house determined to stay on plan and bless her she'd made a cake I could point.  It was delicious made with black beans rather than flour and 5 points per slice made it practical. 

Hubby did a day volunteering at work, he was absolutely filthy at the end of the day, but had a fun day nonetheless. 

The boss had both of her Bedlington dogs in this week, they love playing with each other and tormenting one another, the office was a little crazy for a couple of hours. 

It's been overall a quiet week, but I've enjoyed it.  Things are calming down (and getting tidier) since said 18 year old finished his final piece at college.  I hope you've had a fabulous week, if you fancy joining in pop a post together, pop back and link up so we can come and visit.