ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 13TH OF 2026

 Good afternoon time to clock the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days 

So last Friday was the friends open day at Chatsworth, it took an age to get there as there were so many roads that were closed, but we thankfully arrived eventually.

We travelled through some low cloud on the way there, I felt like we were on the set to Wuthering Heights. 

When we arrived, we made our way to the garden, as our tickets for the house were at 12.30pm and we  had arrived early.  As we walked through a guide asked if we wanted to venture up to the top of the Belvedere.  We have done this before but it isn't easy to get access so we jumped at the chance. 

Past the Blue John window (can you believe these were originally risers on a staircase)

Past the floor that has been lifted and placed on the wall, a copy of one from Pompeii

then we got to see inside the theatre, we can't remember having ever seen this before and it is stunning, it was originally a ball room but was converted into a theatre and although it is in poor repair it is lovely to see. 

The views from the Belvedere give you views of the house not normally accessible. 

Then we wandered back down and had a walk around the gardens

Before heading into the house.  My new phone gives better pictures than my old, this is the painted hall

And this is the chapel ceiling

Another from the painted hall 

We had a lovely day, headed home and then went to see Ross Nobel at the City Hall, who was spectacularly funny, laughed until we cried. 

Saturday we had a quiet day and then on Sunday we managed a jaunt to YSP.  We enjoyed breakfast and then got to see 'Cake Crumbs and Lemonade' a bright art exhibition.  Hubby wasn't a fan, but I liked the vibrancy. 

Then we walked down the field past the lambs and sheep and past the chapel, the Kew Oak Tree digital installation has now moved on and we await the next exhibition, I will so miss that one. 

Then to the Weston Gallery for another new installation by an artist called L R Vandy.  This was the piece outside

and then inside, working with rope made at Chatham docks and other recycled items

Then we enjoyed the rest of our trip seeing all the new leaves begin to bloom from their bud

and the catkins

and the riot of daffodils in front of Bretton Hall

before we headed to the Underground gallery as that exhibition is also meant to move on soon, this cat sculpture

when viewed from the side is a coffee pot. 

Tuesday night we went to the arena to watch Greg Davies

he was brilliant

Wednesday evening after a very long and difficult work day I was greeted with a beautiful homemade tea.  

Thursday and I went and bought a new plant for my Mother's day plant pot

and I finished a double crocheted scarf. 

I also completed my 2023 scrapbook layouts, apologies for the Christmas theme but this what I was scrapping.  I actually really enjoyed putting these together. 

Chatsworth

Stir it up Sunday making the homemade Christmas pudding

Sheffield at night

Museum of the Moon at the Minster

The Civic exhibition at the Bright Night's celebration

Present opening on Christmas day

New Year's Eve tray for my first footer

Christmas eve photos 

Chatsworth at Christmas

Mum's trifle, the best trifle I ever did try

Nostell Priory

Chatsworth's snowman display

Christmas day

Christmas tree festival

and that my lovely people is my lot for this week, I hope yours has been good, I will be keeping people in my thoughts this week and sending love.

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 52ND OF 2025

 Morning all the downside of being off is that I genuinely didn't realise yesterday was Friday, so apologies for the tardiness. 

So Thursday 18 December 2025, myself hubby and my sister went to the local college restaurant for a Christmas meal which was lovely. 

We all had a soup starter served in teacups 

Then I opted for goats cheese tart - which looked like a cake when it arrived

and hubby and sister went for the Ham hock terrine with brioche and caramelised onion relish

We all opted for the turkey main which also came with seasonal vegetables 

then dessert my sister and I had the chocolate cheesecake

and hubby had the Christmas pudding

We had a really lovely night out. 

On the Friday me and hubby went to Nostell, we were hoping our d-in-law could come but Doctor's appointments meant she had to cry off. 

We saw the gingerbread room done out in the theme of Narnia

the beautiful Christmas trees

and the dolls house

Whilst it was lovely I was glad it was part of our membership because it really didn't take very long to walk around it I'm honest. 

Saturday and I'd organised for a few of us girls to come together to make indoors wreaths for the home.  We had a lovely time making the wreaths, me, my sister and niece, my d-in-law and her Mum and we roped said 25 year old and hubby in when the lights proved beyond entertaining.  

We also combined it with a belated baby shower and renamed it a 'Hello Baby' party

Here we are all busy

My niece and my grandson

and one of the finished wreaths

Sunday and we headed to YSP we knew there were three new installations.  

The first on the hillside replaces the Robert Indiana 'LOVE' sculpture which I still miss

The second Helen will know well and has been placed in the chapel, we sat for ages, in fact I could have stayed to watch it all day

Back out in the park we wandered to the other side of the lake to be amongst the trees

We spotted the 'Oak King' and the 'Holly King' flourishing side by side

the holly was so vibrant

then the Camellia house was open for a Damian Hirst piece, very similar to the one that used to reside in Chatsworth but slightly different. 

Then we stopped for a latte and a crumble topped mince pie, we sat outside under the big umbrella and it was joyous. 

Suddenly Christmas was upon us 

My sister wanted some advice on icing a cake, she face timed me and had me in hysterics when neither the marzipan or icing fitted the cake, she ended up going and buying more icing and this cake weighed in at 11lb 2oz when completed (I kid you not), I'll show the subtle screenshot I took as opposed to the sweary fingers one that will eventually make a scrapbook page. 

Then Christmas day was upon us, the table was set for 9 people (although I kept setting a 10th place, hubby said it was for my Mum and I almost kept it). 

A photo of us before everyone descended. 

My d-in-law and grandson, look at that smile

And here she is feeding him in the other room. 

then the Christmas day photos my brother's fiancée, my step-Dad and my sister

The rest of us 

and another photo from when we were all eating lunch

the best Christmas present any of us could ask for

Unfortunately my brother wasn't feeling 100% so him and his other half didn't stay too long and headed off late afternoon, then we had a mass present unwrapping, I sorted puddings and hubby flamed my homemade Christmas pudding 

and then everyone headed home around the 8.30pm mark, it had been a very long day, said 25 year old, d-in-law and grandson stayed as my grandson was due another bottle they were here until around 9.30pm then they headed off and we headed to bed, absolutely shattered but my cup runneth over and I feel immensely grateful for such a wonderful family filled day. 

And that is the week that was.