Morning all it is Friday time to highlight the positive moments and silver linings from the last 7 days time for
So last Friday I met with lovely daughter-in-law to go craft shopping for a hen weekend we are both attending. It was lovely to spend time with her and my grandson and we had fun shopping, so that definitely makes the list.
Sunday we ventured to YSP for a good walk, the skies were blue and the lake was calm and clear
We spotted bluebells on the hillside and couldn't miss the opportunity to get up close
They were simply beautiful. a carpet of bluebells and because the route isn't as well travelled these days since the Art Council rarely put on displays in the Longside gallery it has given the bluebells the opportunity to flourish.
Hubby grabbed this shot of me
and some very atmospheric shots of the woodland
We noted the Anthony Gormley hanging trees are still going strong
The old man is still up on the hillside
and for perspective
up close his face is stunning
and the sphere in the park was looking stunning with the light refraction
Still plenty of blossoms in the park as well
and we stopped at the learning centre for a latte and shared a lemon tart and bakewell, believe it or not cut with a wooden stirring stick - where there is a will as they say.
Then back into the working week this week. On Tuesday night we had a knock at the door and our new neighbours came to say hello which was lovely he also brought gifts that his partner had made which were enjoyed with a cuppa that evening.
Wednesday night we went to town to see Key for Two, a brilliant play done by a local am-dram theatre which we really enjoyed, some proper laugh out loud moments.
And that my lovely people is my week, I hope yours has been grand too.
So what have I been up to the last 7 days, where I can clock the positives and the silver linings in life in general.
Last Saturday we ventured to Wentworth Woodhouse for a few hours and enjoyed a wander around the garden. There were some bluebells out and some of the rhododendrons were in full bloom, I genuinely hadn't realised that some rhododendrons were scented which is weird because I genuinely thought they were all for show.
Photo of me and hubby enjoying the stunning flower display
we spotted what I think is known as a paper hanky tree
I smiled at the lottery logo woven sculpture in the forest of bewilderment
the bear has been moved to a more open place, hopefully it will suffer less damage that way
Sunday we decided to blow off the cobwebs and headed to YSP for breakfast and good walk, it was so much warmer than it has been.
The lake view was lovely
We thought the boat house path was still blocked as they have been putting in new fencing, but it had reopened so we had a wander, enjoying the lime green leaves on the trees as they start to flourish
and the carpets of bluebells
Monday and an extra day off, which was bliss, I had a few hours with my sister sorting some more of my Mum's craft items, said 23 year old came over and gave us a hand for an hour or so, we are making good headway if I'm honest it is just taking time.
Then it was back to work but only a 2 day week this week, which was lovely.
Thursday I caught up with my cousin on the phone and we put the world to rights, which was great and that my lovely people is your lot this week.
A reflection of the positive moments and silver linings of the last seven days.
We realised as we headed into last weekend that we were most definitely burning the candle at both ends, which is quite honestly never a good thing. So we decided not to make it a weekend full of pre-planned activities but instead to just go with the flow. So Friday was very much of a stop and do little day, we just tootled around the house and had a nice day without anything planned.
As we neared the end of the day we realised we might need a mini plan for the rest of the weekend to achieve balance.
We booked to go and see the Lost City film at the cinema and were very naughty and had a McDonald's breakfast before we headed into the cinema.
The film was great, a proper action/romcom film a good laugh and great for a Sunday afternoon when it is released on DVD.
We headed home and chilled for the rest of the day, book reading, tablet browsing and generally not doing a huge amount.
On Sunday we booked for YSP, a good walk to blow off the cobwebs if that makes sense.
The blue skies were awesome and the globe looked brilliant
Selfie with the bluebells which were looking particularly good
They really are the prettiest up close.
Back at work on Monday, I worked from home than Tuesday and Wednesday I was in the office.
Said 21 year old had his final hand in for his final year of his degree this week. Weirdly because he has absolutely chipped away with it week on week, he really wasn't stressed and by Wednesday he had handed in, a full 24 hours early. I cannot explain the pride in the fact that our son has finished his degree, something neither myself nor his Dad had the opportunity to do. Being dyslexic the written word is not always easy for him, but he has persevered and despite this learning disability he absolutely nailed the dissertation. We are incredibly proud, we just hope now that he gets the results we believe he deserves given his work ethic.
The grand plan was to have a day of TOIL yesterday as I'd accumulated a lot of time to take back, but it didn't quite pan out so we ended up in the office until around 1.30pm.
However, we did get home and with theatre booked for last night had time to grab a shower. Hubby called to see if there was any availability for pre-theatre dining and we were pleased to find that they had availability so me, hubby and my Mum headed out for a 5.30pm sitting.
The food was absolutely amazing this was the main which was pork belly
this was my dessert the ice cream was chocolate
Mum and hubby had a warmed bakewell with a raspberry sorbet
The food and the company was excellent, I had a good natter with my Mum which was lovely and we put the world to rights as always and then we headed off to the theatre to watch Last of the Summer Wine which was excellent and gave us all a good giggle.
And that my lovely people who don't visit these days because I've had to make my blog private which means it rarely appears to those, even those that have been invited lol. Is that.
I do wonder sometimes if I should revert it back to public in the (I should not be defeated), but to be honest. The privacy it provides does give me some solace mentally so for now it will remain hidden.
Morning lovely people, tis Monday already and it greets us a little on the dull, grey and overcast side this morning, but nevertheless I've been up since 6am and done my morning walk. Subjected myself to the sad step (aka the weighing scales) to see what damage a week's holiday can do - let me just say for the record - the answer is a lot!
Nevertheless, back on it today and back to work with shorter hours (and less money but hey shorter hours). Working in finance means these next few weeks are going to be off the chart when it comes to the work that has to be done but it also means that I will be really busy and the days should hopefully trip along at a merry old pace!
My three layouts this morning are another one from the family visit to Chatsworth last year, these crazy chairs in the main hall reminded me of an oversized spinning top. We did have to laugh as my niece refused to 'use' the chair properly for fear of falling off!
Next up I used the negative from the layout above to create the centre of the layout below.
Piccie of family checking out the massive resin seat that was backlit, inspired by the huge piece of smoky quartz on show at Chatsworth!
And finally a layout documenting last years bluebells in the local ancient wood, it has become something of a tradition to head there and check out the display when it is in full bloom as it were.
Good morning, did anyone just blink and find themselves on Thursday? Yep me too - what is happening to these weeks at the moment - absolutely crazy!
Now you may be thinking 'I've seen this photo before' it is a pity I didn't realise that I'd already scrapped a first day at school photo for this school year - sigh, but I'm not throwing it away - so we shall just put up with two of them!
Next up - was a 'take a seat' in the Chatsworth exhibition from last year, it was I think the only one outside, right at the front of the house, it was there the first time we visited - it was gone when we went next, so this is probably quite a rare photo!
Once said 15 year old settled himself on the same - all he could say was that it was 'odd'
And finally bluebells last year in a local wood, they are so prolific when they flower in the area and despite them being near a busy main road and housing estate, once you are in the wood at that time of year you could be a million miles away!
Hope you have had a good week, see you tomorrow for my Rocking post!
Morning all, well to say it's had a bank holiday in this working week it has felt mighty long!
Well it really has been something of a roller coaster week for me if I'm honest. But let's try and focus on the positives.
The first positive is that we had a long weekend, which is always lovely and I managed to squeeze some time out on Friday last week so a very long weekend for me.
Friday was spent catching up with family - which was awesome, we had a wander around town, checking out a few vintage shops, browsed the bookshelves of a two storey Waterstones - now I really could have spent all day in there. We even managed to grab a gorgeous meal before heading home, having nattered our day away - utter bliss!
Saturday, forecast rain, rain and a bit more rain so we decided to head to the cinema to see Avengers, a very long film and an element of it really frustrated me - but hey the boys enjoyed it! When we came out we were expecting grey rain laden clouds - only to find brilliant sunshine so we ventured to the local ancient woodland to see this miracle of nature
We even saw the wild garlic flowering!
It was a little muddy underfoot so we went with hiking boots - can you see said 14 year old literally growing before your very eyes!
Carpets of purple!
A family selfie
Monday was forecast as the best day of the whole weekend weather wise, so a few phone calls around and we decided to venture to Chatsworth for the day for a posh picnic!
We finally got said 14 year old to try out the crazy spinning chair!
Enjoying a sit down in the Chapel
Trying out the 2D chair - which my Mum stated really wasn't very comfortable!
A truly awesome day! The biggest sadness of the day was that my sister was too poorly to come with us!
And the spring gardens are looking quite honestly spectacular!
So overall a fantastic weekend.
Tuesday wasn't so great as we'd had a poorly child all night and it continued into the day time.
He went back to school Wednesday but was sent home with another ailment and as we speak is still suffering, I'm grateful school reacted quickly, I'm grateful hubby could extract himself from work to collect said 14 year old and I'm hoping with fingers and toes crossed that he is now on the mend.
Tuesday night was a difficult night to say the least as I had some big decisions to make about my current work situation, I am grateful for the amazing support of hubby, lil sis and the WW girls who helped me when my head was feeling a little crazy. I'm grateful that I was brave enough to take a step back and make the right decision for me and I'm grateful to family and work colleagues for being positive when I really needed it! My work life balance is set to change in a couple of weeks, but it really is the best decision for me. So I'm also grateful that for once I actually put myself first.
Thursday was another tough day, after what felt like a difficult morning, I ventured to my other work place only to be faced with an issue that I wasn't expecting. Given the fraught week I've had it proved a little too much for me to be able to deal with if I'm brutally honest and emotions got the better of me. I'm grateful that hubby took the time to have a chat with me when I got home. I'm grateful that Friday is a brand new day and I'm off for a chat with work colleagues and ex-work colleagues alike!
So from a fabulous amazing weekend the week has been a hard and tedious one - but I'm getting there. There have been positives in amongst they are just harder to spot, hubby just stepping up to the task of cooking for the week without batting an eyelid for example. Cuddles on the sofa. Feeling relaxed with my boys around me. Having some lovely meals - all positives in amongst the detritus of the day!
I hope your week has been as positive and fruitful, if you fancy joining in then pop a post together, pop back and link up. Your positives can be a selection of photos, or just a list or even bullet points - it doesn't matter how you mark the positives just make sure that you do!
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