Rocking Your World Friday - 35th of 2020

Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for 

Well first up a massive thank you to hubby, I've been struggling a little bit over the last couple of weeks, nothing serious just feel a little bit meh so hubby decided to surprise me with a night out on Friday enjoying tapas.  Tapas Revolution have reopened in the local shopping centre so we booked a table and ventured.

We had a lovely evening enjoying good company, good conversation and lovely food.  Here is hubby 

and the fabulous story of tapas

And yours truly

And the lovely bar area

Hubby enjoyed the two for one offer on the gin and tonic and I had the lemonade which is freshly made.

So a great start to the weekend. 

Saturday was a bit of an odd one, in that we had no specific plans despite aspirations to do just that, but we did get hubby's shed ordered (which has been on our to do list for a while) and booked not one but two week's holiday (fingers and toes crossed that we actually manage to go on them). 

We also did a homemade tapas tea which was lovely.  In an effort to ensure we had some plans for the weekend, we invited my Mum to come with us to Yorkshire Sculpture Park. 

Here is a photo of the three of us with a Damien Hirst sculpture in the background

and here is the sculpture 

I also grabbed a photo of hubby enjoying a view over the lake

We stopped and enjoyed a cuppa and a cake and took my Mum in to see the art in the underground gallery which she loved.

Back home and I've made a start on the 2019 scrapbooking and managed 3 layouts on sunday afternoon whilst hubby watched a film and we made a quick and easy tea, so all was good. 

Monday arrived all too quickly but it was a positive day, I managed to get some online training done which was great and we managed to get the deck painted that the new shed is going on.  

The rest of the week has tripped along at a merry old pace hubby bought me some flowers the other day

which are beautiful and a favourite colour combination 

My Mum had a trip to the hospital on Wednesday and whilst the cancer in her back has stayed the same there is a little fluid on her lung which is a cause for concern, so if everyone can offer up an extra prayer for her whilst we are waiting on results that would be awesome. 

Wednesday night we went over to help (we being the royal we I mean hubby) finish off a few kitchen bits, he has installed her an extra piece of worktop and a set of shelves which has made such a big different to the area she has to prepare food.  She really seems to have enjoyed making little changes in the kitchen which have made a really big difference for her, she is already plotting and planning her front room so watch this space and that my lovely people is the week that was, I hope you've had a grand week, if you fancy joining in pop a post together come back and link up so we can come and visit. 

Rocking Your World Friday - 34th of 2020

Good afternoon lovely people tis Friday time for 

So what have we been doing over the last 7 days that we can count our blessings for, the silver linings the positive elements that just make life that bit nicer, easier and more fun. 

Well last Friday I had volunteered to go and help my Mum to paint her kitchen she'd been fettling cupboards and drawers for a couple of weeks and was at the point where it could be spruced up, so I headed over with paint supplies and we set too.  It was mighty warm which slowed us somewhat but we plodded our way through the morning and into the afternoon.  Hubby arrived after he had finished work and sorted out a few jobs around the kitchen that needed doing, which she was most grateful for.  She still amazes me in more ways than one, she was up and down climbing on tables getting the ceiling painted as she went - crazy lady, she may be 70 years young, but she isn't letting life slow her down any time soon!

I must admit when Saturday arrived I did feel a little broken climbing ladders for a day, painting ceilings with my dodgy back, neck and frozen shoulder meant that we had a very slow, laid back and relaxed weekend after the rather busy Friday. 

I had plenty of scrapping time, which was great as I hadn't managed any in the week as I get closer to the end of the 2018 photos, I'm giddy to get it finished and get them filed, although scrapbook albums are mighty expensive these days and no one seems to do the cheap as chip ones that I've bought previously, so I'm thinking of a cunning plan where I make my own, watch this space on that one. 

Said 19 year old is away at his GF at the moment so the house is much quieter, I catch up every day with my Mum on Facetime usually morning and evening, I even managed a catch up with my sister this week which was nice. 

The weather has been somewhat changeable this week if I'm honest, but we have managed an evening walk most evenings which has been good for the mental health.

Well that my lovely people will have to be your lot this week (like I said mighty quiet), so I'll leave you with a few layouts that I photographed. 

If you fancy joining in pop a post together pop back and link up (whilst Mr Linky is still working) so we can come and visit. 

Rocking Your World Friday - 33rd of 2020

I know I'm late - sorry I've had a rather busy day and I swear it was only a day or so ago that I did the last post, is anyone finding that the weeks are speeding up again or is it just me. 

It is time for

So last Friday I spent the whole day cleaning, I mean really cleaning, I scrubbed the tiles in the bathroom and got down on my hands and knees to clean the floor.  I fettled and tidied and moved the universe, I washed bedding and towels and line after line of washing, but oh did it need it.  It's a while since I last had such a thorough clean and I think it was definitely overdue but it has felt so much better since. 

Saturday was actually spent picking some bits up from shops, not that I'm a big lover of shopping at the moment but we needed to pick a few things up, so we headed to B&M for random item like coconut milk and looking for some oven gloves that I can cope with (I detest the giant ones with all the padding because I always worry I'll drop things, I tried silicone ones but didn't get along with these either, so I've got some magic gloves (I bought two even though they only sell them as a single glove) which is knitted and they are absolutely brilliant. 

We also had a little wander in Hobbycraft, but that really was devoid of anything I fancied and a brief wander around the Range where we bought a giant bottle of washing up liquid, I did find a couple of things for using in scrapbooking so overall a productive venture out. 

We popped to my Mum's on the way back and had a cuppa, it is always lovely to have a chat and catch up.  Hubby volunteered to sort my Mum a little bit of tiling out in her kitchen which she was most pleased about and when we got home he did the bit behind the fridge which we've been meaning to do for ages but haven't got around to it, whilst I made us a curry. 

Sunday was our day of rest and we decided to head back to Wentworth Woodhouse gardens, this time with the intention of sitting and enjoying a coffee and reading rather than trudging around.  It was a little on the cool side, but we still had a lovely time.  

When we walked through the gardens we found these beautifully painted stones

I had taken some watercolours and set too trying to paint what is a particularly complex building (why oh why do I do this every time).

We walked through the forest of bewilderment and saw the addition to the sculpture (I'm not sure it is bringing anything to the party)

We also saw giant versions of the flock birds, a giant art installations that will happen in the future, I have a blank one at home that needs painting 

The house did look stunning

The other side of the giant bird, you can see the tiny ones behind (I'm hoping they will be more impressive). 

We had a lovely few hours chilling out, enjoying a coffee, reading and painting - definitely good for the soul. 

Monday soon arrived and we were back to work, I had two days at home and then two days at work.  We shopped for my Mum as normal on Monday night and hubby did the tiling he had promised.

Tuesday night and we went back over to finish the tiling (royal we, hubby did it but I am immensely grateful)

The rest of the week has been busy, but I've enjoyed the evenings with hubby.

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

Rocking Your World Friday - 32nd of 2020

Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for 

So what positive moments, silver linings and happy times have occurred over the last 7 days 

Well on Saturday we had our first venture to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, as most of you know it is one of my most favourite of places, but as a registered charity that really struggles to balance the books and relies heavily on its food places around the site and its shop you can imagine that the toll due to the pandemic has been great added to which it is classed as a museum so needed the green light from the government to reopen as a museum.

We were there bright and early, they like everywhere else have set up a booking system which worked like a dream and before we knew it, we were heading off down through the sheep field towards the cascade bridge, the cool refreshing breeze made me feel a little giddy to be out with my soulmate enjoying time outside walking hand in hand.

So this was the fabulous view we enjoyed on our way down, on what was Yorkshire day

I managed to grab a selfie (to prove we were there again in the wide open space)

We saw the Sean Scully piece at the bottom of the valley with the Damian Hirst sculpture in the background.

The breeze off the water was beautiful as we headed off into the wooded area past the well 

And the shaded dark waters

Up the 71 David Nash steps before walking along the top past the Andy Goldworthy hanging tree sculptures and the maize field enjoying the glorious sunshine

We past the old man on the hillside and the highland cows before heading down the field and left towards the boat house sculpture

Back towards the bridge and up towards Sophie Ryder's hare next to the Camelia house. 

She looks fabulous from a distance

But even better close up

We then queued at the learning centre for a cup of tea, a cold drink and we shared a sandwich and a flapjack as we hadn't had breakfast. 

I was surprised to see the Underground gallery open, but they'd worked a one way system that worked and although we'd seen the display before it was still brilliant to be in among the artwork. 

I still find the crocheted pieces mesmerising

Overall a brilliant trip out to one of my favourite places which I subsequently recorded as a poem (scroll on past if you aren't fussed)  

We set off hand in hand
Heading down towards the gated bridge
The bracing breeze dances across the water
Warm air beats our ears with taunts of summer

Churned shimmering waters contrast the blue skies
Wildflowers decorate the bank sides
Old poets would know their names
in swathes of purple and yellow yet I know them not

The air is fresh and freeing
Mr Nash ascends seventy-one in number
The bench uppermost a welcome place to stop
Views of the lake smothered by natures green foliage

Tree roots exposed criss cross our path
Some are not what they seem
A hint of bronze the only giveaway
Maize fields frame Mr Goldsworthy's hanging trees

The old man gazing out on this Yorkshire day
We delve into the wooded glade
A circular build with no door
Dazzles our imagination perhaps the entrance to another realm

Soon passing the Highland cattle
We stop awhile to imprint our mind
With pictures of green farmland and towering sculptures
Drinking in the world around

A straight path we do not tred
Walking along the lakeside
Dappled shade blackens the water
Despite the pretty green overhang

We rediscover the shell grotto
A Victorian pleasantly
Devoid of all but the fewest of shells
Almost hidden amongst the ivy that marches on

Three man boat ready to spin should the water return
A leaf floating down the stream
catches our eye
Its shadow reveals just how low the levels are

The park is busier as we rejoin the bridge
stonehenge the sequel (also referred to as the leftovers)
hunkers down low on the hillside
The shining spike reflects the beauty of the day

The camelia house sits, currently closed
With Sophie's creation knelt beside
A couple sit soaking up the view
The sound of children laughing breaks the silence

The cafe beckons
We don our homemade masks
Jack and Sally
Keeping us and others safe

Tea and a cold refreshing drink
A shared sandwich with my beau
Fruited flapjack to finish our much needed brunch
We gather up supplies

Contactless essential in these Corona virus times
We stand to sort sugars and teabags
You use the wooden stirring stick to finish your tea
Then prod your mask looking for a way to lick the same

A sign of the Times
Like glass wearers wearing contacts
Push invisible spectacles up their nose
We giggle for the craziness of the day

We are amazed that the underground gallery is open
A single trail through keeps us safe
We stop and soak up sculptures
The hanging knitted giant my favourite

My mind awash with happy moments, shared
Embracing the time we walk hand in hand
The smiles and that look never grow old
And for the beauty of the world around, forever grateful

Sunday dawned and it was Jess's birthday and my Mum had decided to do her a party in her garden again with the giant marquee

My niece and her BF

Niece's BF and my step-Dad

Said 19 year old and his GF

One of the glorious cakes made by my Mum

My Mum and my sister

Jess and my lil bro

And the amazing chocolate cake made by my Mum (it was even better warmed through)

 And hubby and me

As part of her birthday gift I made Jess a unicorn and skull minibook - who knew there was such a thing

Monday arrived all too quickly and Tuesday saw me and hubby celebrate 30 years since we met 

I know most of you saw this photo of the night we met on our Facebook page

And as a gift for our anniversary, hubby made me this beautiful necklace

And I captured a photo of us, we were going to head out for something to eat, but I'll be honest it still feels rather alien, so we bought a meal deal and sat and enjoyed that.

The rest of the week has tripped along at a merry old pace, I'm still chatting to my Mum daily on facetime, currently trying to get her motivated with sorting her kitchen, although I'm sure on the glorious day we are having today that she will be enjoying her garden and tending to her plants in her greenhouse. 

So that my lovely people is that. 

I hope you've had a fabulous week, I'll put Mr Linky below for those that fancy joining in, write a blog post, come back link up and we can come and visit.