ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 50TH OF 2025

 Good morning, our 50th Friday of 2025 and I spend time clocking the silver linings and precious moments of the last 7 days. 

First up last Friday we headed to Sheffield as we had tickets to the opening show of Aladdin at the Lyceum.  

Our first port of call was at the Cathedral as they had a Christmas tree festival on and were showing a new Pete McKee artwork called the Nativity 

We loved the trees, when we first saw this festival they used artificial trees, it was so much better with real trees

I loved some of the decorations that were on the trees

This one was my favourite with the organza ribbon enhancing the snowman all the way down the tree. 

the new artwork was at the end of the Cathedral and there is plenty of merchandise to help raise essential funds for the charitable work they do.  

then we were off to the panto

and Damian Williams as the Dame was magnificent once again! 

we were hoping to walk the artwork around town, but the weather was appalling so only managed to grab a couple of shots of the cathedral whilst we waited for a tram. 

Saturday we popped to a local Christmas fayre which wasn't great, we had met up with said 25 year old, my d-in-law and grandson, given how poor it was we invited them back to ours for a cuppa and some pancakes, an offer they couldn't refuse and we had a delightful afternoon chatting catching up and spending precious time with my family - nothing finer - I am most very blessed and they are very very loved. 

Sunday and we headed to my nieces for a get together which was lovely, it had been her fiancé's birthday midweek and so she decided to have a get together to celebrate on Sunday.  We sat had some food, chatted, drank tea and sang happy birthday. 

Monday and we headed to Hardwick Hall for all things 'The Lord of Misrule' we grabbed a selfie outside

There was a story trail to follow and poetry (my favourite)

the story continued inside and the story was about how The Lord of Misrule had upset the Holly King so he had turned the house 'icy' this was the entrance hall

the white theme followed us through the house 

until the story unfolded and the Holly King forgave the Lord of Misrule. 

Here is the yule log decorated with the red ribbons

Hubby dressed as the Holly King with his Lord of Misrule t-shirt

He also enjoyed playing with the shadow puppets

and then the chapel looked fabulous with the coloured roof. 

It was a thoroughly lovely trip to Hardwick that we enjoyed.

Tuesday and Wednesday I worked (although I left early on Wednesday due to excess TOIL).

Then on Thursday we had a 'tootling around the house' day, also known as the never ending to do list.  Although I've declared that there is an end, also known as 'not making another list' until after the New Year. 

My sister popped over for a few hours and my d-in-law and Grandson followed and finally our son. 

It was a lovely afternoon nattering and chatting, me and my sister are struggle to find our Christmas spirit (we think it might be due to us missing my Mum), thankfully our daughter-in-law is absolutely full of it so it was infectious to spend time with her.  

I feel very blessed to have such a wonderful family.

I hope you've had a grand week

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 50TH OF 2024

 Tis Friday time to clock those silver linings and positive moments it is time for 

So last Thursday night me and hubby had a date night and this year I've discovered the idea of 'firsts' where the first time you do something is always the most memorable, even if you repeat the activity it never has the same impact as the first time.  However, when you reach this many years into a relationship it isn't always easy to find 'firsts', so when I spotted a cake decorating class, I thought it was something that neither of us have done before and would make for a great night out. 

In the local town there is a charity for children which centres on literacy, I've admired it from afar for a while, so it was lovely to be able to attend, they've been moved several times in the town where they are based but hopefully are now in their permanent home which is a converted church. 

It has a wonderful shop and a fabulous café and the décor is truly stunning

Roots growing through the ceiling

We had a fun couple of hours, we were given a cake made by their chef which was already covered in marzipan, we were taught to add the icing (and how to smooth it) and then given free reign to decorate it. 

Our finished cakes mine on the left, hubby's on the right. 

And we got a date night photo so definitely win win

On Friday we went to a preview show of Snow White at Sheffield's Lyceum, we were in the balcony on the front row, I wasn't overly keen on how high we were, but they were great seats. 

We were encouraged to take photos at the end, Damien Williams has been the Dame at Sheffield for 17 years and never fails to raise a smile! 

Saturday and hubby is continuing to feed the Christmas pudding as well as the Christmas cake

Said 24 year old returned this advent calendar recently, I made it for him in 2008 and it was beginning to look a little the worse for wear, including having a match box missing, not that we could locate another one, so I had to make one from scratch.

Here it is recovered and restruck, I haven't done a brilliant job with it, it is now quite old and definitely creaking but it was made with love and repaired just the same way.

Saturday night and my works do, it was held in Leeds, work had put on a minibus there and back, the meal was lovely and it was great to see people outside of work, but as a none-drinker and the minibus back being 10pm (when the meal was 6pm), the loud bar left a little to be desired if truth be told.  Added to that the bus was held up in traffic and when we finally got picked up around 10.25pm I was the last drop off, 11.35pm before I walked through the door, so despite the lovely evening if it is in Leeds next year I will be avoiding it, I like my sleep too much at this age. 

Weirdly enough said 24 year old and my d-i-law went to visit my niece and her fiance on the Friday and took photos in the very spot I walked past on Saturday - talk about weird.  Anyway this photo was taken of said 24 year old and his Mrs and I thought it was lovely so thought I'd share.

Busy work week, had a big meeting on Wednesday which went well and on Friday morning have a board meeting and AGM to minute take, so preparing this in advance. 

I hope you've all had a good week. 

And that my lovely people is the week that was. 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 51ST OF 2023

 Good morning can you believe we are on our 51st Rocking post of 2023, tempus fugit 

Thursday night last week we went to the local college restaurant for a Christmas meal with my Mum and sister and had a lovely evening catching up, the food was beautiful and we were mighty full when we left, despite the portion sizes being tiny.

Friday and we headed to Sheffield for the panto with my Mum, it was Beauty and the Beast and Damian Williams the dame was fantastic as always.

Saturday morning and we headed up to National Trust property - Nostell Priory to wander their pretty Christmas rooms, the queue for Santa were extensive, last year he just wandered around saying hello and waited for people to show an interest, this year he had an extensive queue of young people to chat to, but that will happen when he happens to be 'free'.  Anyway I'm sure the young people will have enjoyed their chat and we enjoyed walking the house, the gingerbread room was wonderful, the aromas spectacular. 

If you look closely you can see the man himself. 

The rest of the day was spent getting on with jobs that we needed to do, similarly on Sunday morning, getting things done. 

Sunday evening we headed to Wentworth Woodhouse for 'The tale as old as time itself' a story set in a deserted mansion, very apt for the building, but with a group of 4 of us it was difficult to keep up with the story if truth be told, we probably needed a written leaflet to aid us. 

We headed outside for a wonderful lights trail in the garden and enjoyed a very festive hot chocolate together and to be honest it was definitely time that we needed together. 

Monday and we had a meeting in work to try and get things resolved, Tuesday whilst things had techncially resolved this wasn't tested, so another sleepless nights.  On Wednesday the world realigned, we had a chat and things are back on an even keel again and so we set too as a team and packed 50 Christmas hampers and got them distributed to families in need, whilst tiring it was just what we needed to remind ourselves of the season and what it really means. 

Thursday and the hampers were finished, the last of the reports was written and at two minutes past four I said goodbye to the work place for the last time this year, we've got a single day in over Christmas to cover foodbank but that is technically in the new year, so I'm going to down tools and enjoy family and friends and all things festive. 

I hope everyone else is fairing OK in this run up to Christmas, I hope you have a beautiful and blessed Christmas.

Much love