ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 3RD OF 2025

Morning all how are you, tis Friday time for

Well my first grateful of the week was a meet up with my sister at Ikea last week, we haven't seen each other for an age, so it was nice to have a proper face to face catch up. 

I'd actually gone to see my sister after I'd been a blood test, I can't tell if it is just my time of life (perimenopause/menopause) or something else but I had a few health concerns.  My doctor decided a full blood test including one to test for both ovarian cancer markers and inflammation, thankfully all the tests have come back and they all look fine which is a sigh of relief.  They are still going to send me for a scan as I have a fibroid issue but I've had that some time I'm just hoping it is my time of life. 

During the weekend we just hunkered down, the snowy weather had become treacherously icy if truth be known so we decided to stay put and just tootle around the house and it was genuinely good for the soul. 

Me and hubby enjoyed making soups on Saturday, I made a tomato, chorizo and red lentil soup

I whizzed up the soup before adding the chorizo back in

Hubby also tried making sour dough pizza bases for the first time Audrey 3 (the name of his sourdough - a nod to Audrey 2 in Little Shop of Horrors who always cried out 'feed me now' which is something hubby has taken to doing with his sourdough if truth be told).  The pizzas were lovely, very filling though, so the remainder were kept and eaten on Saturday night as well as Friday night, but it was lovely to have fresh pizzas for a change. 

I even treated myself to an alcohol free gin and tonic. 

I also managed to complete my Christmas journal, the book bulging as always. 

I also managed to finish off a lot of half finished layouts, I think I've been inspired by Kate who has been completing lots of half finished craft projects that she has found. It was good for the soul, I think I've been putting them off for fear of getting to the point where my Mum stopped appearing in them, but if that's the case it means my scrapbooking would stop and I genuinely don't want that.  Plus there is a therapy in seeing Mum in these photos. 

I miss her so very much and the conversations that I would have with her, but I know she is close by and I take some comfort in that.

These layouts date back to December 2022, some time ago like I said, for those that read my blog regularly you may recognise some of them. 

The rest of the week has tripped along at a pace thankfully the snow and ice have now thawed with the warmer temperatures that have arrived which has been a blessing. 

I've enjoyed the minestrone soup for lunch at work this week, so feeling grateful that hubby made such a lovely soup. 

I hope you've had a grand week too. 

Hugs

Rocking Your World Friday - 52nd of 2019

Good Evening lovely people apologies for the lateness of this post 

tis Friday time for the very last Rocking Your World Friday of 2019

So the week has fair tripped along and I find myself at post Christmas already, it doesn't take long does it. 

We've had a good week overall 

We went to see Jumanji last Saturday at the cinema and thoroughly enjoyed just sitting and watching and being entertained for a couple of hours.

We also did the food shop for Christmas on the spur of the moment and found the shops full of food and empty of people - note to self be spontaneous next year when it comes to this. 

We went to a lovely local carol concert on Sunday, it definitely fit the bill, telling the story of Christmas interspersed with choir songs and carols for everyone to join in and all by candelight. 

Monday saw me preparing the Christmas table and said 19 year old finishing off homemade gifts. 

And then Tuesday was all about food prep, but not too much and it really didn't take too long so a win win on that front. 

Christmas day arrived in a flurry of wrapping paper and the day went amazingly well, said 19 year old was up at a sensible time, so we had a leisurely present unwrap with lots of little stories to share along the way.  He then popped to see his girlfriend as a surprise as we got dinner well and truly underway. 

Mum and her hubby arrived at 12.30 and the rest of the gang for Christmas dinner arrived a little later. 

We ate and drank and laughed and had rather a lovely time it has to be said. 

Said 19 year old's girlfriend and said niece's boyfriend arrived at tea time whilst we were still unwrapping. 

Everyone had a really lovely time and it was gone 9pm before they started making their way home, I felt immensely blessed if I'm honest and everyone commented that it was the best Christmas dinner yet, which given the fact we've been doing this for years and years was a lovely compliment (even if a little daunting for next year). 

I got some really lovely gifts from people, really thoughtful and everyone seemed happy with what they received, it was a most lovely family day for all of us!  

Boxing day saw us at my Mum's for the annual pig table - not because we overeat (although that does occasionally happen), but we clocked one year that most of the items on the table were made from pork in some way shape or form and so pig table was born. 

We had our fill of beautiful home cooked food, had a giggle at Mum's Christmas present in the form of an Amazon Echo aka Alexa and whiled away several hours catching up and chatting with family once more. 

Which brings us to today which has been a quiet laid back affair.  I managed to catch  up with my Christmas journal and make the beginnings of some Christmas cards utilising the left over Christmas cracker paper (although I'm not sure if I will manage it fully) and then I've been sat reading my new book on making memories and starting to feed Christmas gifts into their new homes. 

I hope you have had a blessed Christmas and that your new year brings a time to reminisce and celebrate whilst also looking forward to the new clean blank page that is 2020. 

If you fancy joining in, Mr Linky below

ROCKING YOUR WORLD 2ND OF 2017

Good morning lovely people, tis Friday (already I hear you cry) and I find myself yet again sat in front of the computer working out where the week has gone and what has been making the silver linings sparkle this week. 

It is time for 

So first up is the completion of my journal for Christmas 2016, its a bit of a strange one, as the thoughts looking back were that at times it was actually hard work (Christmas not the journal), but I think I've managed to hit it with a 'rocking' head on, which means it is actually very positive and upbeat and in the fullness of time it will become the Christmas that happened rather than just the one  I wrote about, if you know what I mean. 

The album, is once again pushing the bolts a little - it isn't splayed out for decorative purposes - it's that full! 

It contains the days out and the trips - the Harry Potter decorations, the new trees, the day, the lull between Christmas and New Year, it includes the cards that I got that had extra messages from loved ones, so that's probably why it is creaking a little. 

I've decided next year I'm going to try a different format, for no other reason than I've done two years with the same sized album and so the pages almost felt repetitive in the process.  

Next up has to be the enthusiasm of said 16 year old, mocks started this week and he was given the topics for his final art piece on Friday last week.  He'd already decided on the theme before he got home on Friday night, I love the variety of all the options, I think its a shame that they've homed in on very famous artists and that there appears to be an over emphasis on the fashion designers and creating fashion pieces, bearing in mind that they've never actually been taught how to put clothing together.  

Needless to say it won't be an item of clothing that he is making and it is still very early in his thought process.  Although he has clear ideas on what he doesn't want to do, as he has reflected on a couple of pieces from previous years. 

This photo was him maxing the internet connection to find some artists that fall within his remit. Hubby was confused where the "mind mapping the art" statement came from - I obviously added it to the photo!  

Then I have replenished my birthday card stocks.  I did lots and lots and lots of art last year around the Sheffield Herd and didn't do anything with them, I also did a batch of quirky paintings based on weird looking art dolls, you'll be pleased to know that they have been converted into birthday cards.  I started out using a wet glue which wasn't fun, so I charged up my new cordless glue gun (bought courtesy of hubby for Christmas) and blitzed my way through (using up a large quantity of glue sticks in the process - whoops)

Although I'm not sure who'll want a Zombie Nurse Art doll card or a Zombie elephant come to that!  I might have to do a label for the back, so people understand their origin! 

I also finally managed to put a counterfeit kit together, I think it was rebelling against all the red and green layouts I'd been doing over Christmas, plus the colour scheme is so me! 

The week has fair tripped along, bumping into my niece with her friend in the local shopping centre last Friday night was lovely.  Buying a few new magazines was a good start to the weekend, enjoyed spending time reading them this week. 

The weekend disappeared all too quickly, but I enjoyed watching Romeo and Juliet over the weekend in preparation for said 16 year old's English exam.  It's ages since I've seen that version - I'd forgotten how quirky it was and how young Leonardo DiCaprio was in it! 

Work has been busy busy - mind you juggling jobs will do that to you.  I've got some significant pieces of work coming up and intend on spending a little time on each of my jobs today, getting my head around what I need to make progress (or better still making progress). 

I also had a catch up with my cousin on the phone, initially last Friday - we put the world to rights for about 2 hours! 

And then again in the week when she had a concern/issue, thankfully it was quickly resolved, but I was glad to be around for her when she needed me.  

I'm going to make a concerted effort to have more communication this year, whether it be written (yes letter writing is coming back), mail art - my favourite, re-establishing links I've lost (I've already managed one of those in January when a friend from years ago managed to track me down - I can't begin to tell you how fantastic it has been to touch base again)!  Or just calling people (the two hour phone call last Friday)

I'm also giddy as I know the lovely Donna is sending me some mail art (squeal), we collaborated on a journal a couple of years ago and had such fun! 

And I've made a start on my Wanderlust 2017 class - made a start - by watching the videos not by creating I'm hoping to sort week 1's today if I'm honest - I'm struggling to find images to use and have to track down a journal! 

I'm looking forward to the second class but hoping it isn't as long as I am somewhat impatient.

I hope you have had a fabulous week, if you fancy joining in pop a post together, pop back and link up so we can come and visit - ooh I had an extra Rockette last week - Michelle joined me, Kate and Lisca - which made me very happy - hope all you ladies are well! 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD - 3RD OF 2015

Good morning lovely people, 'tis Friday which means it is time for Rocking Your World post

So first up is completing my Journal Your Christmas album for 2015, here it is fully completed.  I used an 8" x 8" album as a base and had great fun working with it. 

Next up was said 15 year old tucking into a hot chocolate he'd made himself complete with squirty cream and marshmallows - it was running down the sides!

Then a romantic meal for two with hubby, sometimes we forget that the simplest of things can be great fun, we were enjoying the freedom of food before setting out on a diet on Monday.  Said 15 year old laid the table with all the lights as a surprise whilst we were out of the room.

Next up flowers from the supermarket a blend of new ones and last weeks making a really big positive display.

A close up of the flowers - I love roses!

Then said 15 year old making pasta at home for the first time!

He'd made pasta at school as part of his DT food class in the week and decided to put his Dad's unused (for several years I might add) pasta making machine through its paces, as school didn't have this fun contraption to play with! 

Next happies, said 15 year old having a good afternoon on Saturday with school friends bowling.  We dropped him off and he had several hours of fun before making his own way home (making us parents feel slightly redundant - but I think that's the point isn't it). 

Doctors for actually listening to hubby - rather than just handing out tablets!  Those that read this frequently will be glad to know that his follow up blood test was normal meaning the tablets were the culprit, so the plan now is 8 weeks of dieting and it is proper dieting (limited calories), but there's a reason for hubby to do it (medical) which has spurred me on to join him as I really do want to shift this weight but a slow methodical pace just doesn't cut it for me at the moment so we are going for it - pretty big time if I'm honest, I will update you on how things are progressing next week.  

First job for being busy and positive and second job for being crazy mad but the day flies by which I love! 

Scrapbooking my evening enjoyment - I did some Christmas cards last weekend and then started on (and now completed) 18 new layouts - yay!!!!!  I've started scrapping in chronological order (which is a first for me) but there is a reason I want to start getting the layouts in albums and as I file them chronologically I hate having to re-jig albums to fit new layouts in! 

I hope you've all had a good week, if you fancy joining in then pop a post together, pop back and link up!

Rocking Your World Friday - 50th of 2015

Good Morning, well here we are at Friday once again and it's time for 

Well my phone has saved these in reverse, so first up last night at the Panto - we went to see Cinderella at the local theatre (which was brilliant if I'm honest), it also marked one whole year since my Mum was diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer, here she is one year on - isn't she amazing!  So I'm on the left, Mum in the middle and little sis on the right, people say we look alike but I honestly can't see it! 

I snook a photo inside the theatre before it started and this year there were new seats - ooohhhhhhhhhhh so much more comfy than the old ones! 

Then a secret santa gift going down well, I made a mini book for said 15 year old to give to his team leader from Lesotho - apparently she liked it which made me very happy!

Then part of the Journal Your Christmas was to document Christmas treats, thankfully on the day a work colleague brought these into work, so I grabbed a photo and tried one!  They were a little strange but hey it's Christmas 

Next grateful - is a new and improved work diary - I really really really didn't like the 2015 one - the 2016 one is mildly improved!

Then a Christmas tradition - grabbing the Christmas Radio Times - we've all set too with highlighter pens, it's made for a fun evening! 

We received this Christmas card at work which I photographed and sent on to a poorly 15 year old at home to raise a smile, I thought it might remind him of his trip to Africa!

Then real Reindeers last weekend, such a magical creature to see and all the children being so happy to see them! 

We had a fab time at Kelham Island's Christmas market, I love the giants 

And this sculpture on a scissors stall - how amazing is he! 

And this fabulous sign in the main building 

We jaunted around to the Christmas tree festival as well, we didn't get a proper look unfortunately because they were about to start carols, but we did sneak a good look at a few - I loved this decoration 

And this one

And the outdoor nativity, the lighting is harsh - sorry, but you get the gist as it were. 

So it's been a fabulous week, enjoying time with family, enjoying the build up to Christmas and taking time to enjoy the season.

I hope yours has been as positive.