ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 20TH OF 2025

 Morning all it's Friday time to clock the positive moments and silver linings as it is 

So this is a bit of a catch up post, as last week we were away in Rhodes for a 9 day holiday which was lovely.  We returned to the hotel we went to last September as it was lovely and as we know the island quite well there was no need to go racing around trying to see everything before we came home. 

We flew out on the Friday (2nd May) and arrived late evening and checked in without a hassle, the flight over was good.  The weather had looked potentially changeable but other than one cloudy morning the rest of the week was glorious, not too hot around the early to mid-twenties, perfect for me and hubby and with the glorious breeze off the Aegean sea an absolute winner if I'm honest. 

This was the view out of the plane window

This was the second evening but whilst there was evening cloud the day was glorious

A selfie whilst we had a drink before evening meal 

and the sunset the following night was spectacular 

I enjoyed a simple breakfast each morning, 5 small pancakes, fresh oranges that we saw growing on the trees around the island and occasionally the filo custard pastry which was naughty. 

The view from the sunbeds was always beautiful 

We went into Rhodes old town twice.

The first time we spent time walking around the harbour admiring the boats.  

This shows the entrance to the harbour where the Colossus of Rhodes allegedly once stood 

to the windmills which we've never walked to before

They really were stunning

Huge cruise liners visiting the town

The medieval walled town

Inside the gorgeous church in the harbour

Blogger is misbehaving and doing things out of order, hubby enjoyed stone stacking again

The evenings were lovely and as you can see I picked up some colour from the sun

The pirate ship enjoying the sunset

Which I'll be honest I couldn't blame them for (this was our hotel room view)

Beautiful Greek shots as we wandered the old town on the second occasion

The flowers on this plant were huge

I loved the colourful steps

Another selfie

The desserts always get me (sweet tooth) but honestly most of the time I was trying to work out what they were.

I enjoyed mocktails, hubby had asked the the lady behind the bar if she could make them more interesting for me, which was lovely of her. Mine is the sunset cooler on the left, hubby was enjoying an alcoholic mojito. 

We enjoyed reading (the kindles were an amazing addition to the holiday).  We loved chatting and generally just relaxing and I came back feeling so much better in myself (despite the weight gain, but as hubby pointed out I'd put it on quick and it seems to be disappearing as fast which is great). 

Thankfully my colleague at work had suggested I take an extra day of leave on Monday and I'm so glad I did as I was utterly shattered if I'm honest.  It also gave me chance to get top side of the washing, thankfully the weather was lovely when we got home and I was able to get it all done and dry on Monday with one final load on Tuesday which hubby sorted. 

I worked Tuesday and Wednesday which were a little heavy going after the relaxing week away, but I had a lot of work to catch up on. 

We had a thorough clean through on Wednesday night so we could enjoy our time off together.  

Then today I've enjoyed the day catching up with my sister we met in Ikea for a cuppa and then had a wander around, hubby was up to no good - apparently this is a Shakespeare quote

or

'To be or not to be' LOL

My sister was trying out all the baskets that she thought were 'witchy' and had us in hysterics and then we enjoyed a meal which was naughty, but has meant that we didn't need to come home and cook so a win win in my book. 

I hope you've had a lovely week and that you too have had some silver linings and positive moments to enjoy. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 19TH OF 2025

 Morning lovely people tis Friday time for 

Well I'm having to prep this post before I've technically finished my week, so apologies for that, but needs must. 

I have been catching up on my scrapbooking recently, as some of you may know it ground to a halt after my Mum passed away last year and I genuinely struggled to get going again.  However, with the great craft room sort out and hubby's gentle encouragement I've finally started making headway through a fairly epic pile of photographs if I'm honest. 

Here is what I've done recently with a kit I put together, with a colourway that I wouldn't normally choose myself if truth be told, but it was fun to work outside my comfort zone.  These go back to 2023

Stag and hen weekend at Center Parcs

The start of the stag and hen weekend, when the quiz is always critical 

Trip to Stafford a couple of years ago. 

A date night when we were in Stafford. 

and another 

More pictures, this was when my Mum gate crashed the stag party when the girls went to the spa, she hadn't long finished chemo and didn't feel up to it. 

The first none castle based Shakespeare at Stafford, it was good just not as good as the Bridge Theatre one, that one takes some beating. 

On our way to the restaurant at Center Parcs

When we first got to Center Parcs and Mum's mobility scooter wasn't ready so they loaned us a wheelchair, it was hard for me to see my Mum like this, even though we knew things were hard, she loved feeling independent. 

The other thing I was grateful for this week was the amarylis gift that I got provided with at work, we'd ended up with them in centre and one of my colleagues passed it to me, I thought that I would have a go at growing the bulb eventually, little did I realise it had already been potted and because it had been put in my warm utility room it had decided it was time to grow so when I went out there the other week it's flower head was peeking out the side of the box, it genuinely made me laugh and think of Audrey II in Little Shop of Horrors.  

So I got it out of the box, watered it, found an plant pot (albeit that the outer pot is designed for a much bigger plant) and popped it in the window and it has loved it ever since.  

I've genuinely no idea if it will come back again (I need to check them out as a bulb) but it has been lovely to see it happily enjoying it's window position and has definitely raised a smile. 

I've also loved reading recently, it has been such a joy to escape into a book if you know what I mean, both me and hubby are having a fab time reading currently. 

I hope you've had a grand week too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 18TH OF 2025

 Morning all tis Friday time for

Well I'm going to do a photo catch up because I couldn't share any last week which was very annoying. 

As I mentioned last week we had had book club and our art journal session which was fun. 

These were the layouts I did, I definitely felt like putting a spout and handle on this one

I'd already prepared the background page, so it was fun to play with the batty characters. 

Then I couldn't work out whether this was bat, spider or a cloaked man with a strange hair style. 

I definitely don't think any of the above are ready but I had fun playing in my art journal which is the main thing I'm sure you will agree. 

I also didn't mention these that hubby made can you guess what they are? 

Home made hot cross buns and genuinely the nicest I've ever had, light and fluffy and had some fresh apple in them as well. 

Now onto last week we had the fence put in for the section missing in the back garden, next door neighbours had fencing installed, but with their garden being higher than ours it looked pretty awful, we've attempted (and failed) to create something to cover but alas it didn't weather well, so I decided I wanted fencing putting in.

And then the day after we painted it in keeping with the rest of the garden, a big shout out to said 24 year old who popped over to allow us to swizzle one of the panels as the fencing company had put it in the wrong way around, it meant that it is now finished.  Hubby also found a bit of feather lap to add to the top so we don't see any of the other fence (only post tops) and it now brings the garden together. 

We then put down the slate we had bought in readiness and moved some of the pots around to a better position and it is starting to feel more 'done' now which is great. 

We enjoyed a day on the deck on Sunday which was lovely. 

On Wednesday (after a very busy work week) we went for pre-theatre dining, which was loving and then off to see Black Coffee an Agatha Christie 'who dunnit' which was very good done by a local theatre group we had a brilliant date night out which we both enjoyed. 

Thursday and we headed out to sort a few things, included some new footwear for both of us, sandals for me from Clarks if I'm honest, it is pointless me going anywhere else and hubby got some casual shoes as he was down to just trainers without other options if I'm honest. 

And that my lovely people is the week that was. 

I hope yours has been grand too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 17TH OF 2025

Good afternoon lovely people, I'm late to post, but at least we are still on Friday, time to clock the positive moments from the last 7 days.

Well last Friday was our 27th wedding anniversary, we took ourselves off to Brodsworth for a wander around, the sun was shining and it was a lovely spring day.  We enjoyed both the house and the gardens for a few hours.  

You will have to forgive me on the lack of photos, unfortunately our main computer is doing a major update and it is running pretty full tilt if I'm honest. 

In the evening we went out for a meal together, which was lovely and I drove which meant hubby could have a beer. 

On Saturday we had our first book club meeting as well as an art journal session.  Both of which were great.  We had read the Pumpkin Spice Cafe which I've read before but others hadn't and we all owned it.  It really was a lovely read.  

After we had an art journal session for a while, in between the boys were enjoying 'pub club' basically they'd gone for a beer.  So everyone was busy which was great. 

Sunday being Easter Sunday we caught up with said 24 year old and his Mrs and then we had the joy of an extra day on Monday before returning to work on Tuesday.  Busy couple of work days and then I worked from home on Thursday, hubby was good enough to go and sort lots of things that needed doing, so progress was made which was great. 

I hope you've had a good week too. 

Hugs

 

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 16TH OF 2025

Okay so I'm officially late but let's ignore that

Last Friday we had a lovely day chilled out and sitting out on the deck in the spring sunshine.  We read for hours which was brilliant.  We enjoyed a pot of coffee

and the sun was shining

With some lovely blue skies overhead

On Sunday we went to YSP, we wandered up to this Robert Indiana sculpture

We saw new woven artwork in the chapel, which was stunning

we also walked down to the Weston and saw another new art exhibition with giant pottery all in hues of blue

and the lovely lad in the gallery asked if we wanted a photo together, which was great of him. 

We enjoyed a lovely spring walk, admiring the blossoms on our journey. 

Monday came around and a busy work day, as was Tuesday and Wednesday. 

Thursday we had a 'doing' day basically making some headway on a significant list of jobs to do, but it was good to get some of them out of the way. 

And they were the positive moments and silver linings in the last week. 

I hope you've had some too

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 15TH OF 2025

Morning all tis Friday time for 

 

Friday last week was a strange one, hubby was over helping said 24 year old fit his new kitchen and so I was home alone and with an imminent birthday party looming, I decided to make the most of the time and get baking.  I managed to make two cinnamon cakes, a lemon drizzle cake and an orange drizzle cake and once cooked I wrapped them to keep them for longer.   I also made a chilli which I put in the slow cooker. 

Saturday was said daughter-in-laws 24th birthday, however, we had all volunteered to help my niece as it was her moving day back to the locality with her fiancé, so we had a very busy day assisting them moving, it was a full on day and included two journeys up to Leeds to empty their old house and a final return journey for hubby to return the van that had been hired. 

We were well and truly shattered at the end of the day as you can imagine but it was worthwhile to see them settled and we had managed to make the house look relatively homely by the time we'd done, with the bed rebuilt by said 24 year old, a kitchen table and benches built.  The TV room set up in readiness for an evening of chilling. 

Sunday and daughter in law's tea party, I'd set the time for 1pm thinking me and hubby would manage fine, but then said 24 year old called on hubby's plumbing skills due to a small leak and I was left to fend for myself and pull off a tea party, not the easiest of tasks on your own, but I think I did OK. 

Not only did I have to get the food ready (nothing major only jacket spuds and hot dogs, I'd cooked the chilli on the Friday so it was just a warm through in the slow cooker), but I also wanted the room to look the part for a tea party.  I don't think I did bad, I'd even bought some pretty paper plates and napkins that I found that were spring themed. 

And here is everyone around the table enjoying the catch up. 

It really was lovely we all had a fabulous afternoon laughing and chatting and putting the world to rights.  With the return of my niece we have decided to set up a book club and decided on our first book being the Pumpkin Spice Café, mainly because we all own it.  The lads not wanting to miss out set up their first date for meeting for 'pub club' you have to laugh. 

So that is something to look forward to later in the month. 

The rest of the week has tripped along at a merry old pace it has to be said.  I worked from home Monday and Tuesday and had a couple of meetings in work on Wednesday, but I shorted my two working days on Tuesday and Wednesday as I have a lot of time in hand and I can see some big tasks looming if truth be told.

Wednesday afternoon me and hubby returned to the craft room, I genuinely think I'm almost there on the inventory side of things which is good, I need to sort the spreadsheet out, but just having it all photographed makes a big difference. 

We then headed out for a couple of hours, I wanted some new garden lights as I'm fed up with the solar ones failing every year so we picked some up.  I also got a small backpack and some tiny cups for impromptu coffee breaks on walks, a couple of lanterns and some solar hanging lights (only four as they really are pointless) for the old bird feeder that we still use for ornamentation. 

Thursday has proved a busy day in the spring sunshine.  Up to now I've painted three decks and hubby has been building a step up to his shed (the step down being far too big) and cutting some wood for my distress inkers.  

I hope you've had a lovely week and that you are managing to enjoy some lovely weather. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 14TH OF 2025

 Morning lovely people time to clock the positives and the grateful moments from the last 7 days, tis Friday time for 

Well last Friday was a day of catching up following our break away, I was on with the washing whilst hubby was tootling doing a few jobs outside.  I also had a lovely catch up with my sister online which was lovely and we saw said 24 year old twice in one day which was also a bonus. 

Saturday and a slow start, cuppa in bed and spent the rest of the day attempting to inventory my craft room, I always had a good idea of what I had because I'd bought it but since I've attempted to absorb some of my Mum's craft items I genuinely haven't got a clue what I've got, so I've decided to document it whilst sorting in both written and photographic format, it is going to be a long job but hopefully worthwhile. 

Sunday it was lovely to have an in person catch up with my sister, which was great.  Said 24 year old was away with his lovely wife for the weekend, so I didn't get to see him in person, but he did send me Mother's day wishes. 

Monday and back to work and many many emails, thankfully I got through a good amount on Monday and finished it off on Tuesday at home which was good, we then went out for a meal with said 24 year old and his wife on Tuesday as a belated Mother's day treat.  We had a lovely meal and catch up and I got a whole bag full of gifts which was lovely but very naughty of them.  

Wednesday was my only physical day in the office this week and when I left I got home, had some tea which hubby had prepared which was lovely and then we headed to the theatre in Doncaster known as Cast to see a touring production of Dracula with my sister. 

The production was very good the only downside is that we had someone by the side of us wanting to whisper through the play which wasn't really a whisper.  We attempted to cajole them to stop whispering but at the interval asked if there were other seats available which there were so we headed to them and had a much better second half. 

I hope you've had an awesome week as well. 

Hugs