2010 Year in Review

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
Ate Chestnuts roasted on an open barbecue *ahem* flame,

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I seriously cannot remember my resolutions for 2010. I don’t think I actually had any. I don’t want to make any formal resolutions for 2011, then feel a sense of epic fail when I don’t keep them, instead I’m making a list of things I will try to do/be better at (more thoughts on that in a later post).

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes my sister-in- law gave birth to my gorgeous niece in January and in October my cousin gave birth to her 3rd child Euan.

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No but this year it seemed that a lot of my close friends lost someone.

5. What countries did you visit?
I mostly travelled around within England this year

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
focus towards future stability (to feel less like an eternal teenager while all my friends ‘grow-up’)

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
18th January My niece was born
3rd July Yen (and the hubster’s) wedding-the wedding was beautiful, meaningful and simply perfect. There was practically everybody I loved in the same room, and me running around like a kid in a sweetshop MADE OF FRIENDS;

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
This year has been one of little victories rather than big achievements

9. What was your biggest failure?
Nothing major but I wish I’d taken up an opportunity to explore a bit more of the world (although I didn’t because of very sensible ‘grown-up’ decisions).

10.Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing major

11. What was the best thing you bought?
Train tickets/petrol money to visit friends

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
The older siblings of the babies mentioned in my answer to question three. Little Man, my nephew, despite initially being a little unsure about the idea of having to share mummy “forever” now loves being a big brother (and the adulation he gets from aforementioned baby sister). Similarly the twins, baby Euan’s siblings, have adjusted very well to their new arrival. A whilst very proud to be a big brother to his new playmate, lost some interest once he realized Euan couldn’t play cars with him yet. Twin sister E however, whilst initially unsure about having another brother, soon realised she had a supportive role to play in helping to keep baby happy and shower with kisses!

13. Whose behaviour made you depressed?
A lot of the things I read about in the newspapers. Not sure I’d say depressed but I was certainly perturbed by Julian Assange’s. Good intentions on paper, strange egotistic execution.

14. Where did most of your money go?
It never leaves a note. If I were to hazard a guess …this curious business of living, I reckon

15. What events did you get really, really, really excited about?
My niece’s birth, my wonderful nephews 3rd birthday.
Yen’s wedding
Lots of visits and visiting- my social life keeps me sane

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i.happier or sadder? Happier (last year was ‘the- year -which –shall- not- be- named’)
ii.thinner or fatter? thinner
iii.richer or poorer? Poorer.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Taken more pictures and written more down

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
fretting and its nasty little synonyms

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Christmas day was spent at my aunt & uncles house with the family.

21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with? Tan

22. Did you fall in love in 2010? no

23. How many one-night stands? None.

24. What was your favourite TV programme?
New in 2010 favourites included Sherlock, Downton Abbey, & Glee. Oh and Misfits- yes I know late to the party but better late than never ey? I also thought Matt Smith made an excellent Eleventh Doctor

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word. I try not to hate anyone

26. What was the best book you read?
The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer- thanks Rach

27. What was your greatest musical discovery or rediscovery?
Mumford & Sons, Cee Lo Green and a beautiful musician called Kerri Arista

28. What did you want and get?
opportunities to spend time with the people (family and friends) I love most in the world

29. What did you want and not get?
to be at least a little further on the Planning My Future aspect of things

30. What were your favourite films of this year?
I didn’t get to the cinema much this year but I enjoyed ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1’ and saw it twice in the same day which I think makes up for my lack of attendance at other times.

31. What did you do on your birthday?
I had a lovely weekend of celebrations including a tea party with friends and a birthday meal with family

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I seem to give this answer a lot but it’s still true- having my nearest and dearest a little nearer in geographic terms

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
Layers as a wise friend pointed out to me it’s all about the layers. Tres fashoinable for the snowseason don’t’cha know!’
During the heavy snowfall at both the beginning and end of this year I have abandoned all hope of glamour and sophistication in an attempt to not catch hypothermia.

34. What kept you sane?
The immeasurable support of my friends and family. Oh also tea, wine and chocolate.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most/least in 2010?
The usual suspects, can’t think of any 2010 specific crushes off the top of my head although Eoin Macken /Gwaine (I still want to type Gawain) in ‘Merlin’ wasn’t too difficult on the eye.

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Liberal Democrats’ magnificent political u-turn, also a host of cuts to public services and the effect that will have on my friends is enough to make me want to rage.

37. Whom did you miss?
my grandparents

38. Who was the best new person you met?
My coffee morning conspirator (and fellow new pcc-er) J. I technically already knew her as an acquaintance but got to know her as a friend this year.

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010:
Adulthood is not a prize to be conferred for being a good child; it’s not a merit badge to be earned once and then you can coast forever. It’s a process that never ends…something I knew in theory but seem to keep being reminded of.

40. Sum up the year in a song lyric/quote:
“Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you’re kind, amazing things will happen." - Conan O'Brian

Things I Love Thursday

Source

Hello again reader, hope you’re having a happy Christmas Eve eve. Welcome to this tinsel coated edition of things I love Thursday.

Source

My brother and family having a safe journey up north for Christmas despite snow and blizzard threats. I hope that everyone who needs to travel to spend Christmas with family make it home safely.

Source

Early Christmas meals with darling friends and then the unexpected opportunity to spend an afternoon with some more of my favourite friends. I am so grateful for my friend’s seasonal hospitality this weekend. Also I am grateful to the nice men & women who cleared the motorways on Saturday morning so we were able to visit.

Source

On the last Wednesday before Christmas a group of us from my church hold a sort of mini carol service for the elderly who live in a couple of the local sheltered accommodations. We sing carols, there’s a reading, a short message and then afterward we drink sherry and eat mince pies. It’s lovely to see the smiles of the residents who attend. Those souls who’ve seen much more of life than I have and who haven't stopped living or rejoicing. At the first home one dear woman held my hand as we were leaving, I squeezed her hand back and wished her a merry Christmas and God bless.
‘Oh He does, sweetheart, everyday.’ she answered.
I left that home with a choked up throat and a smile from ear to ear.

Also: Finding someone the perfect gift, seeing sparkle everywhere, the cheap nail polish I bought from the chemist (it didn’t chip for two whole days!), singing along to christmas songs, hot chocolate, hot buttered rum with my dad,

Source

What’s making the last week before Christmas magical for you reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Don't be fooled by the calendar. There are only as many days in the year as you make use of. ~Charles Richards

Thing I Love Thursday

I’ve been feeling a bit stressed out today but looking back, this was a good week. All the more reason to celebrate my list of things I love this thursday

Source

Christmas songs as the perfect soundtrack to getting anywhere in the jolliest of spirits, chocolate (keeping me sane), Living in/near a city-with Christmas fast approaching and the threat of more snow here in Blighty I’m really appreciating the convenience of being able to get supplies practically on my doorstep or without having to risk life and limb (well except for the hardcore Christmas shoppers…some people will do anything for that final packet of mince pies), damnyouautocorrect.com,

The digital story of Christmas:


Also I am perhaps a bit too amused by this …Harry Hill - Ken!
For those unfamiliar with British soaps Ken Barlow is a character, the only remaining original cast member, in Coronation Street. The soap has recently celebrated it’s 50th Anniversary and this song, described as “a Spaghetti Western-inspired paean to Ken Barlow”, was released this week to coincide with the occasion.


Also this:

Source

What about you reader? What has you happy and delighted this week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.
– Henry Miller

Things I Love Thursday

Source

Harry Potter
For reasons mostly too boring to blog about, but lets just say it was largely in the interests of peace-keeping, I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow’s Part 1 twice yesterday. The film itself was beautifully done, of course there were little niggles if you choose to be pedantic but it captured the essence of Rowling’s novel particularly the themes of isolation and desperation in an increasingly Orwellian culture with its echoes of Nazism. The book is in no danger of being eclipsed by the film but on the whole I thought it was a great adaptation.


Finding the perfect home made Christmas present ideas- I’m making a hamper of treats for some family friends. I came across this recipe for Nigella’s chilli jam which sounded ideal, particularly for the husband of the couple. I gave it a trial run tonight. It’s a pretty simple recipe although I would advise making it in a well ventilated kitchen otherwise your house might smell like a chip shop for the next few hours. I felt a bit like a witch with her potion, too much Harry Potter, as I stood over the ruby brew watching it boil and waiting for it to cool/set. I’m pleased with how it’s turned out I’m just waiting for the taste test.

Source

Jon Schmidt’s piano/cello arrangement of ‘Love Story Meets Viva La Vida’ A beautiful arrangement dedicated to his little 7-year-old daughter:



Also: Dancing around the kitchen to Pulp, Lunch with darling friends, love, respect and support to all the peaceful protesters demonstrating today/night, sending off home-made cards, this Mastercard advert

This tilt is brought to you by the colour red and the smell of vinegar which is making my eyes sting a teensy bit but what’s making your eyes twinkle this week reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

After the game,the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb

Things I love Thursday

It’s already December-I could hardly believe that it’s Thursday already again, and I should be writing my Thursday post, let alone that it’s December and there are less than 30 days to a new year.
Things I’m loving this week

Source

Advent –it’s always been one of my favourite times of year. The excitement of the countdown to Christmas and the chance for reflection. The 28th November was Advent Sunday when churches across the world lit the first candle in the advent wreath, the candle that symbolizes hope. I think the message of hope is a poignant one for many this year, I know it is for me reader.

On a related theme I love the video for ‘If today was your last day’by Nickleback.

Merlin- The first part of the two part finale was fantastic fun, cheered up a sad Saturday for me no end.
The BBC released a trailer for the two-parter so here’s a taster:

Or perhaps this would be a more tempting taster…

As a friend put it ‘Ladies, meet the knights your men could smell like

Also-sending off homemade post filled with messages from the heart, feeling fit, the book I'm reading (Unseen Academicals- very topical as today was the results of the 2018 world cup bid), these posters:

Source

What about you reader? What are you loving this week