ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 1ST OF 2025

 Morning all, well Friday came and went every day has turned into some day, just not sure which day, so I'm sat on Sunday morning preparing a post which is now technically two days late.  Time for

So last Friday we went to Wentworth Woodhouse, for the postponed trip (from the high winds), with hubby, son and daughter-in-law.  It was a really lovely evening, they picked us up and we headed to the venue, had issues getting in as the automatic electric gate had closed and they were struggling to open it, thankfully it was resolved. 

We got to see the mice on the 'Twas Night Before Christmas' trail in the house itself

The beginning of the trail 

The snowy corridor

The beautiful marble ballroom

Got this lovely photo 

And one of the guides asked if we wanted a group shot so got this one

The dining room

The bed on the stairs

The trees in the alcoves

Outside we enjoyed their festive light trail 

And then stopped for hot chocolate drinks and hubby enjoyed a mulled wine. 

It really was a beautiful evening together which I really enjoyed. 

On Monday we headed to YSP for a good walk, it was quite breezy so we ensured we were wrapped up warm and after a drink and a sausage sandwich we headed off around the park.

Selfie time

We didn't think there were any new sculptures to see, but came across this piece by Barry Flanagan which is stunning

Here you can see the perspective of the piece next to hubby

Then we found these two sculptures with French names meaning Queen and King

Took a selfie in front of the Queen one

and got hubby to take a photo in front of the king one

We then came across this, initially I thought it was a real chicken, alas it was not to be, although I'm sure Helen would agree that it has similar colouring to goldie!

I've loved my Christmas break, the reading, the down time the plotting and planning, all very much appreciated and definitely needed. 

We had a quiet night on New Year's Eve, hubby let the New Year in as a first footer this is his tray that he brought in. 

Coal for warmth

Salt for flavour

Money and silver for prosperity 

Whiskey for good cheer

Bread for food in the home

It was raining heavily that evening, so he quickly headed out of the other door and back in the main door as soon as the clock struck midnight. 

New Year's Day morning we enjoyed pancakes for breakfast courtesy of hubby, it was nice having something simple after the richness of Christmas food. 

I had a mass sort out of photos and a sort out of poems, I've put in a photo order and ordered the first poems book for 2024 as I continue to work through the remaining poems for the second book (too many poems for one book alas). 

I also enjoyed making some birthday cards using up some craft supplies. 

I hope you've all had a great week. 

Hugs

Rocking Your World Friday - 1st of 2020

Good Morning lovely people tis Friday time for

We had a fabulous trip up to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, much needed to blow off the cobwebs and get some fresh air if I'm absolutely honest.  We took my sister and managed a 14,000 step walk, going up to the old man on the hill side, down the field and then past a few new sculptures before an impromptu stop at the cafe for a butty and some naughty chips.  Then down through the park and along to the Weston Gallery past the huge Damien Hirst pieces, it was cool,but the wind was quite still so we didn't feel overly cold when we set off.  A lovely day was had, chatting about plans for 2020 and reflecting on the year that was. 

We saw a new sculpture called Vulcan

And another one that didn't have a name on it

Me and hubby had a final jaunt to Chatsworth together, just the two of us again.  We thought with it being a Monday it might be a little quieter - we were wrong.  The car park already heaving when we arrived.  We enjoyed the trip nevertheless and then enjoyed a beautiful blue skies day outside wandering the gardens, definitely another positive day for me and hubby. 

New Year's Eve arrived and we enjoyed a quiet night in together, said 19 year old and his girlfriend were out with her family, but they did facetime us just gone midnight which was lovely. 

New Year's Day was a slow day, not through alcohol as I don't drink, but the late night doesn't do me much good so we had a significant lie in.  In the afternoon we headed to an ice hockey match, it was a grand match despite losing and we enjoyed a walk to and from the stadium. 

So overall a really good week although I seem to have caught someone's dreaded lurgy at the ice hockey which I can really do without, this winter is turning into wall to wall colds unfortunately so I'll be hitting the multi-vitamins and plenty more walks. 

As 2020 stretches out in front of us, a new clean fresh page as usual there is lots to look forward to, a trip to Cornwall already in the pipeline, a few theatre trips already booked and a few more on the list to book.  I can highly recommend this book, I got it as a Christmas gift and polished it off over New Year - now here is to making it a reality! 

Plans for the house (nothing major, just little bits of progress).  Key birthdays this year, my Mum's 70th in February, my sister's 40th in June and my niece's 21st in July.  

So lots to look forward to, I hope you've had a beautiful and blessed Christmas and New Year and are looking forward to a new year.  

Thanks to Kate and Lisca for joining in each week and Helen for wandering and commenting regularly, it is always lovely to hear from you.  

If you fancy joining in pop a post together come back and link up and we can come and visit. 

LOVE

New Year's eve 2016 - throwback time to niece and her friend heading on our for the night all glammed up and ready to enjoy the night!

2013 A YEAR IN REVIEW ...

Well I'm feeling contemplative (nothing new for New Year's Eve if I'm honest) and thought I'd sit and ponder the year that was (2013 that is).

It has been a mighty tough year in certain respects and in these respects it isn't one that I want to repeat. But in amongst the nonsense, anguish and at time frustrations there have been some amazing people and amazing times to celebrate.  So this post is my round up of some of the positives that have occurred this year.

Well there was the snow (and the lone post person), but snowy walks are beautiful and exhilarating!

I also started out with a fabulous intention to read these books, I didn't manage them all, but some, intending on making headway into the remainder in 2014.

 There was the refuelling stop on a snow walk in order to be able to walk back!

 And learning to sculpt sand at Harewood!

 A trip to the seaside is good for the soul!

 And catching up with friends was good fun too!

 Welcome trays at Easter!

 And trying purple potatoes!

 Discovering Mr Watt

 And genius barbecue eating meant setting up a tent home!

 Visiting Castles

 And joining in fabulous collaborart swaps!

 Having fun at paint a pot!

 And discovering the art of catching the flying icing sugar in your mouth!

 Mischief one and mischief 2

 Said 12 year old becoming said 13 year old!

 Discovering Northumberland!

 Making happy cards

 

 Family holidays

 spent enjoying each others company!

 And the joy of winning a minion!

 Outdoor theatre of the Shakespeare kind!

 Enjoying arting in the visitors book!

 Wandering around the beyond limits exhibit at Chatsworth

 And enjoying the autumn sunshine!

 Trip back to Stratford for October half term and the Mad Museum!

 Which is fabulous!

 Seeing the Coca Cola truck!

 Visiting Narnia!

 And seeing my sister enjoying tea with Mr Tumnus!

 Christmas preparations!

 These two mad women who have kept me sane this year!

My niece whose growing up not only into a beautiful young woman, but also one with a fabulous sense of humour and personality!

Joining in Secret Santa swaps - first on UKS 

 And the second via Carmen's blog!

Being asked to be part of the Wear Crafts design team - utterly amazed I was and having so much fun! Jen thank you - I hope you know by now what it means to me! 

Also to Lesley who is also part of the Wear Crafts DT, fabulous getting to know you hun!

And then there are the friends who have kept me sane this year, let me rant, cry, chat, download, you name it!

Carmen

Sarah

Jo

Sami

Susie

and of course my sister Melanie!

Being blessed with an amazing family, my hubby who is my rock and always has been, my son, for continuing to be an absolute joy and pleasure to be around and for making us very very proud.  My cousin for being there for me this year. 

I hope your year has been kind to you, but if it's been a hard one I truly hope that 2014 brings happiness, prosperity and joy to you and your home.  I'll leave you with an Irish Blessing that my Grandma used to say to us 

"May your days be many and your troubles be few.  May all God's blessings descend on you.  May peace be within you may your heart be strong.  May you find what you're seeking wherever you roam!" 

Until 2014 my good people...