ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 24TH OF 2026

Good Morning lovely people tis Friday time to clock the positive moments and silver linings from the last 7 days

So last Friday we were out and about hunting down food for a tea party for my sister's birthday, once purchased we enjoyed the rest of the summery day sat reading (and crocheting) out on the deck which was lovely, I'm really enjoying using our outdoor space. 

Saturday was our food preparation day and despite hoping it wouldn't take all day, it did, myself and hubby aren't fans of ultra processed food so wherever possible we like to cook from scratch. 

The food theme this time was Greek, so we marinated chicken and pork and put them on skewers to grill on the day. 

We made homemade flatbreads, tzatziki dip, a whipped feta with chilli, a new dip called tirokafteri which is made with feta, roasted red peppers and red pepper flakes and a home made houmous.  Whilst it might not seem a lot when you are preparing for 10 people it took time. 

Sunday and we got up, hubby extended the table and we laid the same with a witchy theme for fun

My daughter in law had also been exceptionally busy and had taken the making the sweets on with gusto

She had made cupcakes which she'd decorated with witches brooms and witchy hats and they tasted as good as they looked

This was the birthday cake, how amazing does it look, it was a chocolate cake and so very moist. 

We struggled to find appropriate candles so turned a 9 upside down to look the part and we all sang her happy birthday

Everyone was in fine form, we enjoyed the family catch up (despite the noise as so many of us were talking together).  We enjoyed time with family and enjoyed cuddles with our grandson.

We managed to get everything cleared away as people were leaving and enjoyed a few hours relaxing before bed. 

Monday and the start of my work week, I've worked two days at home this week so managed longer days which is good as I'm still on major catch up and at the moment fatigue is my enemy as I await results of blood tests which we think are going to show an iron problem (again). 

Tuesday evening hubby cooked a roast pork dinner and our son, d-i-law and grandson came for tea, we've started doing this on a Tuesday and it is an absolute joy if I'm honest.  Our grandson 'de-tree-ed' the broccoli we were getting him to try but was much more enthusiastic with his Yorkshire pudding and gravy dip as he has started his weaning journey. 

Wednesday and I was in the office, I'm grateful for the amazingly supportive staff that I work with, the day flew and I left early for the aforementioned blood test, which was something of a trauma as I had a student nurse take my blood.  Now we all need to learn and I get that but I did leave feeling something of a pin cushion after trying both arms and eventually succumbing to the nurse taking it from the back of my hand.  So why is this on my grateful list, well the grateful part comes from having a wonderful sister who is also a nurse who confirmed that my lumpy arms that occurred in the evening were as a result of the trauma in the area of the blood test and she didn't feel anything to worry about, recommendations elevated arms and cold compress on them and by Thursday morning they were much better albeit somewhat bruised from the needles. 

And that is my lot this week, I'm writing this early Thursday so will catch you up on the day next week. 

I hope you've had a splendiferous week. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 15TH OF 2026

 Good morning finally it is a Friday I'm managing to post on, time to find the silver linings and positive moments from the last 7 days. 

So last Friday I had decided in my infinite wisdom that I could make a dress in a day, now when I say that I don't mean just running a dress up, I mean sticking the printed pattern together, cutting the pattern, reading the instructions, cutting the materials and then making the dress and I will be honest none of that would have been possible if my lovely hubby had not helped with the sticking and cutting of the pattern and the cutting of the material then giving me a 3 hour run at making the dress and completing it before tea time.  Why the urgency, well the tea party was on the Saturday for my daughter-in-laws birthday on the Sunday, thankfully I'd chosen the right size (and definitely the right style) for the dress and here she is showing off the finished item and yes it is a Toy Story dress and yes it was made from a duvet cover

We had people over on Saturday for a birthday tea and this was before they descended, unfortunately my brother and his fiancée couldn't make it but we had a lovely afternoon nonetheless

the table matched the Easter flowers I'd received

I also wore a new dress that I'd made, I'm not sure I pulled the style off if I'm honest, but I had fun making it, the pattern is the Marauder's Map from Harry Potter and this too is made from a duvet cover, my dress is floor length.  

Hubby decided it needed a bow at the back

This little man was amazing on the day an absolute joy to be around and yes he is wearing a Toy Story outfit. 

We also managed a walk on the day look at those blue skies

The rest of the weekend was quiet, we enjoyed reading, I enjoyed scrapbooking, we spent time outside, we spent time in front of the woodburner and I managed to complete a couple of books, the first is the book 'Eat Pray Love' I'd seen the film but was intrigued to read the original book, it was a joy to read

and then 'The Grapes of Wrath' this is a book my Mum read and declared that neither myself nor my sister would be able to read.  On reflection we have no idea why, we think she might have been trying to stir the competitiveness in us so we could discuss in detail, but unfortunately it didn't happen whilst she was still with us.  I did however complete the book and what a read it has to be said, such a harrowing tale of humanity but also one where being determined to survive the day is essential, I enjoyed it immensely. 

And that my lovely people is my lot for this week, I hope you've had a good week too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 40TH OF 2015

Ok so the year really is getting silly now - 40 Fridays - really??? and it's October - what is happening to the world.

First up a blue skies day off, I ventured to a local heritage centre, had a wander and enjoyed a cup of coffee outside with these beautiful blue skies.

Then I met up with hubby and had a coffee with him inside the coffee shop (as the sun had dropped a little lower in the sky and it got significantly cooler as a result).  I spotted this beautiful rose on the table and had great fun playing with Instagram to create this picture later on, we had a lovely half an hour, chatting putting the world to rights and enjoying each others company!

Next on the happy list is said 15 year old.  We had a mammoth shop to do last Friday for his expedition to Lesotho which is looming and he didn't bat an eyelid, he knew I wanted to get pretty much it all out of the way on Friday night to leave the rest of the weekend to have fun so we set off as soon as he was home and changed from school uniform and didn't arrive home until nearly 9pm - but a good shop was had by all and we managed to get pretty much everything we were after, which I am extremely grateful for!

In amongst the dashing around the shops I happened across some hearts that had been created to celebrate how long the shopping centre has been open and so I was keen to find them all.  They will be returned to their original groups once the display has finished and then the groups can choose to keep them or auction them to raise funds.

These are the ones I managed to photograph, the first one is the main hospice in Sheffield

I loved the halo on this one!

Beautiful colours

I don't think there is anything finer than sculptures whilst you shop!

This meant that on Saturday we could enjoy our matinee trip to the theatre to see Romeo and Juliet, it was quite honestly fantastic.  I really really enjoyed this show, it wasn't done in traditional dress and had a 70's/80's feel to it and the stage set reminded me of West Side Story which thinking about is, is quite apt.  We also smiled at the mix of accents, but thankfully the script was kept to its original and it was a magical piece of theatre, it brought a tear to my eye at the end and was incredibly well done by what is (apparently) a relatively young cast.

And to make me even happier I managed to get a photo of said 15 year old and hubby sat waiting for it to start - most happy with the result and don't you just love the bench, they hadn't realised there was a display board behind the bench when I took it!

We then did a mad dash from the theatre back to the shopping centre and grabbed a Yo Sushi tea, which was a first for said 15 year old.

And then we dashed over to Cawthorne for a torchlit wander around the Maize Maze.  It was the last evening we could do this as they only run the evening ones in September on a Saturday night.  We had great fun looking for the clues and grabbed a cuppa (and burger for said 15 year old) when we finished.  Another great family evening.

Sunday was tea party time at my Mum's for my brother's birthday.  We had a lovely spread of jacket potatoes, chilli and bolognese.  Here is my Mum and sister

 

Here is hubby AKA Mischief 1 starting the fire off

And said 15 year old and my niece

And the fire in full blaze later on - forgive the blur they wouldn't sit still!

And this is the birthday cake my Mum made complete with jam and squirty cream topping, we were confused as to why the jam was on the top, but she said it was fine as she'd put it on the inside as well! 

Monday soon arrived and we've had some really foggy mornings, the only positive is that I got a lovely photo of a spiders web earlier in the week, thankfully the foggy mornings have turned into blue sky days!

We've had a hectic week and are dashing off in a moment (Thursday) for mass at school pending said 15 year old's expedition to Lesotho!  I hope you've had a great week and if you fancy joining in  then pop back and link up so we can come and visit and find out what you've been up to this week!  The benefits of taking stock and reflecting on the positives really does make for a better outlook on life, don't believe me? - Why not give it a whirl and you'll see!