ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 51ST OF 2025

Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for

Well last Friday saw our second trip to Chatsworth, if I'm honest it was definitely touch and go on the Thursday as to whether we actually went, but my d-in-law inspired me to just take hold of each day and enjoy the season so we did. 

We headed off to Chatsworth got there just before our house entry and decided to enjoy the house rather than take photos, in fact we only took this a couple in the house (to prove we had been again). 

The first was a sentiment that someone had left which I loved

the second was a selfie of the two of us

We really enjoyed the second visit embracing all the beautiful things in the house.

Afterwards we enjoyed some food and a cuppa before heading out into the Christmas market.  The sun set and the market really came alive, it was lovely. 

Then we headed back inside for the lights trail around the garden. 

The fairies in the conservatory

the beautifully lit trees

The 'root' lights which I loved

and the gorgeous digital light display on the house

Flora's temple was also lit up and looked beautiful

It was so hard to capture how pretty the trees looked

We didn't get home until late but we didn't mind, plus it meant we didn't get caught in the crazy traffic so win win.  

We had a quiet weekend tootling doing a few jobs, getting final gifts sorted, wrapping a few presents and some reading. 

Soon it was Monday and back to work, but a short week of just Monday and Tuesday and achieved all I'd set out to do which was good.  Found a glitch at the last minute, so came home started with fresh eyes and a calmer mind and resolved within a short space of time. 

Wednesday was my first official day off work, we were very busy.  First thing I sorted a wreath design for a family get together this weekend, it had been playing on my mind and I've spent a fortune on 'bits' to make it but I'm fairly happy with the finished design and hope everyone enjoys it. 

Then me and hubby spent the afternoon cutting and then putting marzipan and icing on the cakes.  We are definite amateurs on this but were pleased once we had completed it, albeit that it took all afternoon. 

Then I started to do a 12 days of Christmas, I don't know why but at the moment, we have very little booked into our diary for the time I'm off.  This isn't necessarily going out and 'doing' things but embracing the season, I'll let you know how I get on with it.  What do you do over the festive break?  

Thursday we went to the cinema to see Fackham Hall a typical British farce which we thoroughly enjoyed, lighthearted good humoured and just what we needed. 

And finally my lovely daughter-in-law has now announced officially the birth of our grandson back in September.  Her post on Facebook made me very emotional and she has given me permission to share photos, so be prepared for this becoming a regular feature. 

There are soooooooooo many photos of him but this is by far my favourite so far, he just looks so happy and content and definitely as though he knows something we don't. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week.

Hugs

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 - 49TH OF 2025

 Good morning lovely people tis Friday time for

this is my moment to take stock and reflect on the last 7 days for the positive moments and silver linings that have happened. 

Last Friday we travelled to up to Sheffield for a walk around the Christmas markets.  Hubby and I travelled on the tram and when we got there is was torrential rain, my footwear turned out to be completely unsuitable but more to the point my waterproof rain jacket started to fail.  We headed to the millennium galleries as an area that was at least dry and I attempted to dry off my coat using a hand dryer which improved things a little.  We were meeting up with said 25 year old his lovely wife and our grandson, they were travelling by car and thankfully by the time they arrived the weather had backed off and we were able to browse the market without pouring rain. 

My d-in-law treated me to a hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, it was a lovely wintery treat even if it was very naughty. 

We walked all the way to the bottom of the Moor and then wandered back up, hubby treated us to our tea from the German sausage vendor which was lovely, we all enjoyed it and were mighty full afterwards.

I managed to grab this shot of the three of them, their first proper Christmas outing.  It was a joy to spend time with them and my grandson was as good as gold, they had timed the feeds well. 

On Saturday they came over again and despite the rain we walked around to the local church for the Christmas tree festival, I have never seen so many people make a bee-line for a baby before and my d-in-law had to explain his age and adjusted age when you consider that he is premature, it made my heart sing to see so many people making such a fuss of them all.  

Here is a lovely shot of the inside of the church, each of the real trees are decorated by local groups and they are sponsored by local businesses. 

This was our favourite tree this year, decorated by a local charity. 

We had a restful day on Sunday and then I was back into work on Monday.

I did however take a break at lunchtime for a physio appointment, which fingers crossed is going to help my poorly feet. 

On Tuesday I was in the office, I asked a couple of my colleagues if they could identify a few of the things in the kitchen that needed sorting, I only wanted their verbal input but they helped me give it a good fettle and between us we had it looking spic and span, I didn't take a before photo, but let's just say the after photo is a marked improvement.  

Wednesday evening after I'd finished work we headed to Sheffield for our first Christmas theatre trip.  This time to see A Christmas Carol, it was very good and definitely gave us a little of the Christmas spirit. 

Whilst we were walking around Sheffield we came across this light installation on Graves gallery, work by Pete McKee, it was fabulous to watch, I'm hoping to see the other two in Sheffield before they finish. 

Thursday and we had a tootling sorting things in the house day, I had a lengthy to do list, hubby painted a wall in the porch, I made some very specific cards for some events coming up, I caught up with my journal, me and hubby did a tag team in the kitchen making various meals for the next few days and my sister popped over for a catch up which was lovely, she is genuinely struggling at the moment so it was good to catch up.  

She came bearing gifts, a bunch of flowers and a colour co-ordinated book which I'm very much looking forward to reading, I was so surprised and very grateful to her for such a thoughtful gift at this time of year.  She is a star. 

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

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 48TH OF 2025

 Good Morning I know it is not Friday but hey let's pretend 

So what have been the positive moments and silver linings from the last seven days. 

So last Thursday we met up with said 25 year old and his lovely wife and our beautiful grandson for a wander around the local garden centre and all their Christmas decorations.  Honestly it was so lovely to spend time together and just enjoy him being home. 

Friday we had a busy day around the house and then we headed to Barnsley for their Bright Nights light switch on, we never go for the actual switch on and the traffic was fairly heavy but we do go to have a wander.  Said 25 year old, his lovely wife and our grandson came too, I was worried it would be too cold for him, but he was toasty in his pram and I always think the fresh air is good for little ones.  He was as good as gold and slept throughout our wander.

The water display at the college was reacting to the music  

The Cooper gallery had some metal artwork outside that cast stunning shadows. 

The town hall was lit up with its trees in front. 

Over by the civic were lanterns in the shape of animals

Giant stars in the Glass Works square were stunning, although the sound effects were so loud that we didn't hang about as definitely didn't want to wake the baby. 

On Saturday we had a wood order delivered but it was just one bag to top up so didn't take us long to shift. 

We also started putting up the Christmas decorations, I know it is early but because we put up a lot it takes quite a lot of time to sort. 

This is the dining room tree, I've added more gold baubles since we finished it so it looks better. 

This is the first tree in the TV room 

and this is the other tree in the TV room 

On Sunday it was stir it up Sunday, this year I prepared two puddings 

and my sister and niece had popped over, so they were able to have a stir and put in some wishes. 

as did we

Monday through to Wednesday work as usual, I did finish a little earlier on Tuesday which was nice and we went out for a game and fish night at the local college which was lovely. 

Then on Thursday we headed for our first Christmas visit to Chatsworth, this year's theme being Enchanted Woods.  The house is as always very pretty. 

The house seemed quite dark which was actually quite cosy

All the trees are so beautifully decorated

Hubby managed to capture a couple of photos of me as we wandered around despite how busy it was

I loved the interaction with artists, this copper mistletoe really was beautiful

and the wire fairy guy had done some giant dandelion clocks in the sculpture hall

and that my lovely people was my week, I hope yours was grand too. 

Hugs