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

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 47TH OF 2025

 Morning all tis Friday time to clock the positive moments and silver linings in the last 7 days

So last Thursday evening (as I wrote my last post during the day time), we headed off for a pre-theatre meal again and then we went to see Blackadder III at the local theatre, we had a lovely meal (again) at the local college restaurant

We had pulled pork bon bons on a pear puree with hot honey for starter which was lovely

For main hubby went for the chicken and leek pie on root mash with braised greens and a madeira sauce

I had herb crusted cod with chorizo and tomato sauce with crushed new potatoes and samphire.  I've never tried samphire before, it was odd, very chewy and wouldn't be something that I would buy but I enjoyed it with the meal. 

For dessert I had lemon meringue pie again

and hubby had sticky toffee pudding, with salted caramel sauce and clotted cream ice cream

Friday morning and we were over at my sister's house to sort out a repair on her dishwasher, that will be the royal 'we' because obviously it was hubby who sorted it out, because he is a star and it went swimmingly well he was done within an hour.  We had a brief but good catch up, she is currently very busy at work and has been moved onto a winter ward temporarily (she's a nurse) which is proving different. 

Then we came home and hubby fitted a new kitchen tap, we've recently had a water meter fitted given the extortionate water rates bill we received and as soon as it was fitted developed a leak on the sink, I think they call that sod's law, thankfully hubby was able to replace and sort in a couple of hours. 

Saturday and we had the aerial sorted at last, although it cost significantly more than I had intended on spending it is now done and we finally have a decent signal. 

Sunday and we were hesitating about going to YSP but eventually decided to go and we were both grateful for a decent walk if truth be told, we also got to see the next exhibition that I mentioned last week. 

The paintings were lovely this one done with gouache paints which I've never tried. 

and this one

then there were woodcuts

and finally his main body of work which was all done with acrylic

I loved the pink on this

and the dark foreboding sky on this one

and the deep purple colour on this

this was probably my favourite and was already sold

I also liked the colour way of this one too. 

It was lovely to see the artist splitting the income from selling his artwork between himself and YSP.

Outside the water was rushing at the bottom of the hill following all the rain we'd had in the past week.

We extended our walk slightly in a different directly as we didn't fancy doing the area which we knew would be really muddy taking a photo of this sculpture on our travels. 

Monday and back to work, working from home both Monday and Tuesday.

Wednesday I was in the office, but decided to finish early as I'd managed to complete the main tasks I had on and have a lot of time in hand at the minute, my boss agreed it was fine so at around lunchtime I finished early and headed home. 

Me and hubby went out for a walk in the daylight which was good and then came home.  We had tea and then got a 'Dad can you help' call from said 25 year old whose keys had been locked in his car.  Thankfully we had a spare and so we headed over to sort and then came back home and got changed into pyjamas and then very late on we heard said 25 year and his lovely wife coming down the drive, they'd promised to pop but we honestly thought it was too late for them. 

In they came and guess who they brought with them 

yes you guessed it my grandson is finally home and I got my first cuddles with him.

Honestly to have him out of the hospital and said 25 year old able to take his paternity leave and spend some time in their family bubble is just wonderful news. 

I hope you've had a great week too. 

Hugs

ROCKING YOUR WORLD FRIDAY - 46TH OF 2025

Morning all tis Friday time for 

So time to clock the positive moments and silver linings for the last 7 days. 

Last Thursday after we'd been to see our grandson at the hospital we headed into town and had a meal at the local college's restaurant.  

We both opted for the same starter, which was pheasant breast on sourdough with pickled blackberries which we both enjoyed. 

For main I had the fresh made parpadelle pasta and a beef ragu with parmesan crisp

whilst hubby had chicken and leek pie on a root vegetable mash and braised greens

dessert we both went for the same lemon meringue pie with forest fruits and a sugar coated mint leaf that we both enjoyed

 

and then we headed over the road for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at the theatre which was fabulous. 

Friday and we decided to have a crafting day, I was behind on the two homemade gifts that I make for an old schoolfriend's children and hubby hasn't done any metalwork for a while, so with Alexa blaring out tracks for company we had a fun creative day. 

My view from my desk as hubby was busy. 

and my desk view

In the evening we lit the woodburner and sat and read which was great.  Hubby has moved this lamp into the TV room recently, I love it when it is lit up, so very pretty

and the aforementioned woodburning stove

Saturday and I was determined to finish the two journals in readiness so this is the first

and this is the second

I think I'm safe to pop them on here as I don't think my friend reads my blog. 

Hubby had bought me some roses a couple of weeks ago and they are still going strong.  

I find that the mixed bunches simply don't last, is that just me or do others find that.  I had a bunch with carnations in recently and the roses didn't last the week. 

I also spent some considerable time over the weekend doing my Herald newsletter, it is something I've done for years and whilst 'round robin' letters are very much out of fashion I think I would have a stampede to the front door if people didn't receive it.  I've been told by quite a few that it is the mark of the start of Christmas for them, which I think is very sweet.  It takes a lot of time to pull together and I was going to shrink it back to the 4 sides of A4 but I've kept it at 6 sides (extended it last year after my Mum passed away as I wanted to add in extra stories of her). 

Sunday morning and we headed to YSP as it was dry-ish.  We had a breakfast sandwich and a cuppa and then a great walk.

We also spotted some new artwork on the walls a nudge to a new display coming soon. 

They'd put their Christmas decorations up in the main centre. 

We spotted these in the cafe

Outside the grey clouds were tumbling in but the walk remained dry although a little muddy under foot. 

We stopped at 11am and held a two minute silence by the lake given that it was remembrance Sunday. 

We walked down to the shell grotto which we haven't been to for a while and I grabbed a selfie. 

Then back along and up through the park we had a coffee at the learning centre before meandering up past this statue which was shining in the sunshine. 

Sunday afternoon was definitely a relaxed affair.  We watched a little TV, read a little and relaxed and had homemade minestrone soup and homemade granary rolls for tea which were lovely. 

Monday and I was working from home, hubby did the food shop and I worked until very late as I have some things that needed sorting. 

Tuesday and Wednesday I was in the office, I had a productive and positive meeting on Tuesday but it still left me with a 'to do' list. 

Another busy day on Wednesday with 3 meetings and then I headed home to try and resolve the spreadsheet.  It is almost there but at 5.30pm I decided I'd done enough and will pick it up again on Monday with fresh eyes. 

Thursday and we've been for a good walk, had a tasty breakfast and are off to the hospital this afternoon to see our grandson. 

I hope you've had a splendid week. 

Hugs