Where are these weeks going to - honestly it does make you wonder, blink and I'm at Thursday night again reflecting and taking stock and finding the positives, I've had a hard day so having a good think about the week might improve my mood - let's see because it's
Well let's see last Friday night saw operation history homework commence, the task to make a castle - well that's what said 12 year old had decided on and I saw fit to open my mouth and say - well we did do a gingerbread castle once didn't we and that was it the seed was sown and there was nothing we could do about it. So Friday was baking night, for anyone who hasn't created elaborate gingerbread buildings before let me tell you it's hard work, but work he did, he managed the first batch of gingerbread pretty much on his own rolling and cutting the templates out. However, recutting them when they were out of the oven and still scolding hot however was a no go area so me and his Dad did that. Four hours baking I tell you that's some serious dedication!
Saturday was not surprisingly spent assisting said 12 year old with construction, first off he had to make the 'glue' to stick the building together which is a mix of egg white and icing sugar - this is him enjoying the fact that there was more icing sugar in the air than in the bowl!
then gluing the sides together - I know it looks like hubby is covered in icing but I can assure you that he is actually wearing what we call painting gear and the white splodges are actually old emulsion paint that won't wash out!
Then we were happy to leave him to it, armed with plenty of sweeties and some coloured icing he spent the remainder of the weekend, decorating and tinkering including his jelly baby army!
You'll have to forgive the rather macabre look of the castle - but after all he is a boy!
He also had to make a book detailing how castles were used and for this we used the many photos we've got of us at castles looking at various attributes on the same, I left him to it on the book and let him loose with papers and stamps as you can see. He did the write up on the computer and cut it out!
And here it is all finished!
Next rocking moment - we managed a bit of a sort around in one of the rooms on Saturday which has meant the house flows better. We actually moved one of my craft cupboards but now it's been moved I think I'll have to sort it again because I can't actually find anything in it!
Sunday I tootled around the garden, cutting and mowing and strimming and tidying and it felt a lot better for it, now with all the rain we've had it'll be due for another cut soon - oh well it was the thought that counts and I really did enjoy just spending a bit of time outside, it's amazing what a bit of sunshine can do for you!
Monday was gig night - we dragged said 12 year old along to the Thunder/Whitesnake/Journey gig, had a great evening didn't stop for the final act (Journey) as it's not our cup of tea and said 12 year old had school the following day! We came out very happy singing away and very very deaf!
Tuesday was Operation Castle Move - when we had to get gingerbread castle from A to B in one piece, with lots of instructions from said 12 year old when I was driving like "mind that pothole, Mum" we pulled up at the school gates with castle in box and still intact. The positive from Tuesday was the positive response that said 12 year old got from school, his history teacher thought it was fantastic and brought another history teacher down to have a look. Said 12 year old was made to do his presentation first, so win win overall and after all the presentations were finished after Wednesday's lesson - they ate it! Thank goodness for that - I warned him not to bring it home!
Wednesday saw a hospital appointment for me with my tablets continuing for two more months which is what I wanted albeit that I am tiring of the side effects but hopefully I can see light at the end of the tunnel!
Said 12 year old had a school friend over for tea on Wednesday, it was fantastic to listen to them chatting in the TV room playing on Xbox, the laughter was unbelievable, its great to see him forging stronger friendships.
Another Rocking moment was catching up with my sister by phone, she's busy doing assignments for her 2nd year at uni and I haven't had a proper catch up in ages so it was good to have a proper chat with her.
Thursday well it's been a funny old day weather wise and said 12 year old has been on a geography field trip but managed to dodge all but two rain showers. He was however, very low when he got in as one of the girls he's got to know really well has decided to move to a different school, he was quite teary when he got in, but held it together at school and why has this made my Rocking list, because it means he can still be emotional and have a good cry and tell his Mum and Dad, when he needs to.
And now I have a day off to look forward to on Friday - mmmm now what can I get up to?
I hope your week has had some silver linings and positive moments to make it that bit special, it's always amazing when you look back at how many positives exist in our lives if only we would take note of them. If you fancy joining us in our Rocking post then just pop a post together, come back, link up and we'll come and visit, we love new people to join in, it doesn't have to be every week, it doesn't have to be a long write up like mine, bullet points are fine, if it reminds you then that's what counts and it doesn't have to be on a Friday !
I'll leave you with a layout, because I can this one the closing stageset of Macbeth that we saw and were naughty getting a quick photo at the end after all the actors had left the stage - Macbeth's head on a stick (very apt given the macabre castle) and then said 12 year old's lego version!
Morning, afternoon, good evening, Rocking Your World Friday, time to take a breath step back and appreciate the last 7 days and the silver linings and positives contained therein because it's
So let's see what has happened since the last time we met?
Well Friday last week was a day off work which is always a blessing although these days I struggle to fathom out what I'm supposed to be doing which makes it hard work, but a day off is to be celebrated no matter what.
Saturday saw us at the theatre to see Taming of the Shrew performed by the Propeller theatre group. This is about the fourth play we've seen performed by this all male cast and it has to be said they get better and better. They make Shakespeare completely accessible, understandable, flamboyant, vivid, enlightening and most of all thoroughly entertaining. I really cannot praise them enough, so if you fancy a good afternoon or evening at the theatre and they are playing anywhere near you I cannot recommend them highly enough - book those tickets you will not be disappointed!
Sunday and we set off to Wentworth Castle to see an art installation. When we were there at Christmas for their fayre said 12 year old painted a wine glass for the art installation
and last Sunday we got to see it with all it's pals in a glass sculpture in the Rotunda (which is a follie and was originally built as a summer house for the castle).
Inside we found this
And I adore this photo as the glasses look like they are hurtling towards you!
We enjoyed the walk over, admiring the sculpture and chatting to the glass artist who is doing 12 of these follies for follies. This one being the third one at Wentworth Castle, we've got three more to go at Wentworth Castle, the next of which is at Halloween where she's hoping to coincide with the relaunch of the renovated Victorian Conservatory and she's hoping to use some of the original Victorian glass - watch this space!
The rest of the week has been a blur which I blame work but amongst the days I've managed
Arriving home earlier on Monday than normal, not quite a 12 hour day.
Adhoc making of scones when we fancied something sweet by hubby
Eating of said scones with cream and jam, most naughty although said 12 year old had already almost emptied the can of cream!
Going to the dentist on Wednesday and getting a clean bill of health and some clean teeth to boot!
Managing a bit of arting Thursday evening in a steampunky kind of way
Other positives include Sarah being so understanding over her missing circle journal in the collaborart, Donna and I (mainly Donna I might add) are doing our utmost to recover!
Getting to spend a little bit of time with my sister when we went to the theatre on Saturday, I've really missed her whilst she's in the throws of Uni assignment writing!
Hubby for putting up with my crazy ideas for adding pull out racks to a cupboard in the kitchen and finding subsequently that it works a treat, I now have a tray for the herbs and spices and one for bread!
Said 12 year old for making us a cup of tea the other night without prompting - twas truly lovely!
A Jamie korma curry (not something hubby would usually entertain as not usually hot enought), but Mr Oliver likes to add a green chilli so that was hubby happy and a lovely curry for us to enjoy!
Hubby overall for listening, I seem to need to talk a lot at the moment and him listening has been a true blessing.
Seeing a jay in the back garden even if we didn't get the photographic evidence!
So there you go people, you start by thinking, well I haven't done a lot, the week has just been full of work but then by taking those few moments you realise that a whole lot of positives has happened for which I truly am immensely grateful.
And lastly to all those that happen by here and read and those that join in whether it be once in a while, once a week, once a month I always feel truly blessed that you take the time to enjoy something that has become a weekly ritual. I love to come and visit and find out what positives have occurred in your life, so if you fancy joining in, blog it head back here and link it and then we can come and visit.
Good Morning, good evening hello one and all, tis Friday already and on my calculations it's the 19th Friday of 2013, nineteen Fridays that we've been reflecting, thinking about what good things have happened! Remembering the silver linings and the positives of the last 7 days.
so what have I done since the last Rocking Your World, well we had a fantastic bank holiday weekend, unusually for this country we managed 3 dry days, 3 days to enjoy family, have some down time and just be together - utterly bliss. We managed a barbecue, an outdoor fire, visit to Harewood, enjoyed a play event at Harewood, got to see Red Kites up close, breathed, had time and fun and ooooh it was lovely - again again
So here's a flavour of our weekend. Dearest husband getting oh so giddy about Paul Hollywood's Bread book, he watched the series and has the book so time to put it into action. Now hubby has never ever made bread before we it's always been an irritation for him because he loves cooking! But he is no longer a bread making virgin. I got up to this on Saturday morning
which in turn became this
Then he decided he needed to make biscotti, not just one variety oooh no he had to do two! Blueberry and Pistachio in one lot and Raisin and Almond in the other, which went from this
to this
to this
and finally this - biscotti are so named apparently because you bake them twice, therefore they are very dry and very hard but delicious with a hot cup of coffee!
Then wanting to prove he was on a roll and also wanting to take a picnic to Harewood he made this olive foccaccia
I tell you he was baking all day and thoroughly enjoying himself and before you ask yes they were all gorgeous and yes my waistline can tell!
Next up Harewood it's about an hours journey from our house if traffic is good and about 50 miles away, we had a straight run up and arrived a little after ten, as well as paying to go around the grounds there was also a fantastic play event on. Initially we thought most of the things would be too young for said 12 year old but we found plenty to do.
From maze wobble boards
To space hoppers
Watching graffiti artists start with this
into this having got some children to help with the artwork
and the Harewood flamingoes
But the favourite had to be the sand sculpting here they are with their very own Dolphin!
Then a visit to the bird garden to see this little guy
and these guys
Before having a wander around the formal garden and getting a glimpse of these little guys chasing each other around the archaeological dig at the bottom of the field below the gardens
And also seeing these beautiful red kites up close they really are spectacular, we could see two pairs during the day when we had our picnic but as we got back to the car at the end of the day we counted 28 yes I repeat 28 Red Kites - 14 pairs - amazing to see
And finally we loved the lego version of Harewood in the Lego tent
what do you think?
Monday was spent tidying up the garden, having a barbecue and an outdoor fire.
We bought said 12 year old a new swingball and I got some solar lights for the garden, eco friendly and they look awesome am hoping to pick up some more this summer.
The rest of the week has been a blur of work, sleep and a bit of down time but other gratefuls include
Game of Thrones on DVD
Da Vinci's Demons
Tivo box because we can fast forward the adverts
Starting to tattoo the house again, it has been a long time since we did this with the house in Stafford so we thought we'd put our thumb print on this place too!
On line shopping for food (I hate supermarkets)
The Watch another DVD watch this week, I shouldn't have giggled really I shouldn't but I couldn't help it!
Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meal book - really is our current life saver on the tea front
My Fitness Pal app on my phone, I've had it an age, only just starting to use it but making for an interesting use of my phone - loving the bar code scanner bit!
So that's it my lovely people, I hope your week has been blessed and fruitful and full of positives, if it has and you fancy sharing pop yourself a blog post together and head over here to link up so we can come and visit.
In the meantime a quick layout for you another sculpture layout from Beyond Limits at Chatsworth last year.
Tis Friday again, the first in the fifth month of the year, fifth month??? How did that happen? No really how did that happen, that's crazy stuff anyway, time to take stock and offer up the grateful moments that have occurred this week as it's
Blue skies
The birds sounding happy in the garden
The cat several doors up from us finding a field mouse and chasing it around, the mouse got away - the cat looked confused - made me giggle watching her!
A trip out with hubby and son last weekend to the local English Heritage place enjoying our first visit of the year Had a fantastic time just enjoying the sunshine and the time with each other.
Me and said 12 year old - hadn't realised it was going to be a close up - we were miles away!
Just enjoying each others company
5. Giggling at said 12 year old revisiting his 'youth' he was way too big for this!
6. Spending time crafting, completely filling my desk with pretty much anything and everything, is it just me that waits until I'm working on a 2" square part of my desk before deciding it needs a tidy?
7. Taking a few days off when I fried myself at work, even if it did take me one of those days to adjust.
8. Hubby giving me strict instructions to craft and leave everything else!
9. Listening to relaxing music in our bedroom after I've had a soak in the bath
10. 'Chatting' on line to lovely crafting people loving the groups I'm part of on there.
11. Game of Thrones - just started watching this series and thoroughly enjoying.
So there you have it - there have been other positives along the way but these are my main ones
I'll leave you with a layout and Mr Linky so you too can join in with a 'Rocking' post if you fancy, we are a small band of people who acknowledge the silver linings in our week and are always happy to meet some new rockers/rockettes so join in if you fancy and pop back and link up.
A photo from the Beyond Limits exhibition at Chatsworth last year, I loved this particular sculpture!
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