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

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

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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

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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:

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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

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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.

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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

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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:

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What about you reader? What are you loving this week

Thoughtful Tuesday

We are all inventors, each sailing out on a voyage of discovery, guided each by a private chart, of which there is no duplicate. The world is all gates, all opportunities.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Things I Love Thursday

Dear reader,

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Here’s my little list of gratitude and loveliness for this week.

ChinaKidz- an organisation I only recently became aware of but from what I’ve read they do wonderful work providing specialist children’s palliative care services for abandoned children. I posted off my package for this Christmas project this week. It’s such a privilege to be able to help with this.

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The fact that I can have hot water just about any time I want. Switch on the tap and water comes out. Fill up a kettle and boil water. Pour it out. How many people in the world get to do that?

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The invisible man (He paints himself from head to toe to blend into whatever background is behind him)-genius

This quote by Virginia Woolf which I’ve needed to remind myself of this week:
“No need to hurry. No need to sparkle. No need to be anybody but oneself.”

What’s making you pleased as punch this week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

You cannot plough a field by
turning it over in your mind.
Author Unknown

Things I love Thursday

Well it’s that time of the week again reader. Hold onto your hat, because this one is chock full of things I love! Just like every other Things I Love Thursday post!

Lots of happy birthday wishes- It was my birthday at the weekend and I was very lucky that the celebrations stretched across the whole of it. I had a great time surrounded by wonderful people and I’m now feeling very blessed.

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Tea –parties- A great big thank you to my beautiful friend Yen who hosted a tea party for my birthday. For anyone who’s interested I direct you across to her brilliant write up of the event here. I’m the one in the spotty dress.

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Drinking Pinot Blanc with edible flakes of gold floating in it (birthday treat from my aunt)

Pearls-If diamonds are a girl’s best friend, pearls are her lover. They conjure up images of Audrey Hepburn, all style and sophistication. More importantly though Pearls are created as a reaction to an irritation, such as a grain of sand or a parasite, they are a symbol of the beauty that can come from something plain, or something annoying.

Best of the rest…crisp winter mornings and beautiful knitted wool scarves, birthday cake with a cup of tea, feeling like a grownup when I run important errands and accomplish things like getting life insurance,
The sitting dance- Donald O Connor and Gene Kelly=sheer perfection:



what about you my darling readers? What's got you bubbly and smiling this week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

The happiness of life is made up of minute fractions—the little soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a heartfelt compliment in the disguise of a playful raillery, and the countless other infinitessimals of pleasurable thought and genial feeling.
-Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Things I Love Thursday

Before I begin my list of things I love, I’d like to take a moment to pay tribute to all those people who gave and still give their lives so that we can be free. Today is Armistice day, or as it’s more commonly known Remembrance day, a day when countrywide people gather together to remember and give thanks for those prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Its ninety two years this month since the end of the first world war described as ‘the war to end all wars’ but in 2010 thousands of British troops are still risking their lives in places not least Afghanistan and Iraq.Today I’d like to share this poignant scene from ‘Blackadder Goes Forth’ in memory of all those who never came back:


So this weeks list:

Fireworks- Remember, remember the 5th of November...As a child I was a huge fan of ‘Bonfire night’ and as I’ve grown older the love has not really abated. This year I celebrated at a local display with a couple of friends we ate toffee apples, played with sparklers and were wowed by the pretty pyrotechnics.

Tequilla Salmon for dinner tonight- after a dull afternoon and with the encroaching darkness of a wintry evening outside I found the splash of colour from the salsa on my plate brightened my day.

Google Map directions –these have been cropping up all over my facebook news feed while not as hilarious as some people claim they have managed to help me raise a smile on grey rainy mornings…Google directions from Japan to China and look at direction #43. (Similarly, map directions from New York to Taipei, and look at #30 and #141.)

Having plans for meeting up with some of my favourite people over the next month.

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Spooks
This week was the finale and oh what a finale…the drama and Oh, poor mixed up potentially evil Lucas Thorntonski-spook. What more can I say without revealing too many spoilers reader? Well as Internal Affairs Specialist Alec White said to Harry ‘No-one wants to believe these things of the people they’re closest to’

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Warm drinks -When it’s cold and damp outside there are few things better than wrapping one’s hands around a mug of something steaming hot and delicious.

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What things do you love this Thursday?

Thoughtful Tuesday

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
-Paul Valery

Things I Love Thursday

“And on the seventh day He created Things I Love Thursday. And he saw the post, and it was good.”

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Staying positive (even when I don’t feel like it).
It’s been one of those weeks really. Everyone has them where all the little things just seem to go wrong. The straw that broke the camels back was when I received a letter confirming what I already suspected- that I didn’t get a job I applied for –but I did get some great feedback. I decided that rather than getting upset, that it must not have been right for me and that something else will come along. Que sera sera etc.

This week I also love my cousin having a safe labour despite baby being a few weeks early. On October 31st, the world welcomed a brand new member of my family. He’s gorgeous and the twins (his older brother & sister) love having a new baby at home.

Mumford and sons-

A friend sent me a link to this song, following an msn conversation we’d shared the previous night, quoting these lyrics at the end of her email:
And there will come a time, you see, with no more tears
And love will not break your heart but dismiss your fears.
Get over your hill and see what you find there
with grace in your heart
and flowers in your hair.
– “After the Storm” by Mumford and Sons

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Also: Candles, the First Squeeze of New Toothpaste, potato wedges with sour cream and sweet chilli sauce, beginning to get organised for christmas (I’m making a list and checking it twice…), persimmons

What about you reader? What's making life sweeter for you?

Thoughtful Tuesday

If you do not feel yourself growing in your work and your life broadening and deepening, if your task is not a perpetual tonic to you, you have not found your place.
-Orison Swett Marden

Things I Love Thursday

These people (I’m the baby)

Last Saturday (23rd) would have been my grandfather’s birthday, the first since he died, and today is exactly one year since my grandma passed away. It’s perhaps only natural then that the last few days have been a time of reminiscing and nostalgia. I’ve been reminded how lucky I was in the grandparent stakes. All four of my grandparents were positive forces during my upbringing. They were remarkable people full of life experiences which they were only too happy to share. I am so grateful for their influence in my life and the different things each of them taught me both about the world and about myself.

What else?

Eyup lads an lasses I’m only being followed by gaffer and the Tetley tea folk over on twitter. Ear worming tinie tempah-Yen, everytime I hear it I think of you (it’s a blessing and a curse). Thick tights and winter coats. Cool, clear sunny mornings with beautiful blue skies

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T.v.
Spooks, still, so far its been a brilliant and frustrating series. Avoiding spoilers but I spent much of the latest episode shouting at the television- almost making me lose faith in team thornton-spookski. However I was very excited at the return of a certain old face
Also Agatha Christie adaptations including a new Poirot

Stephen Fry Kinetic Typography – Language:

Dear blank please blank- I particularly like:

Dear Ninjas,
It's so funny how they think we hate each other... Dinner on Monday? I'll bring the rum.
Sincerely, Pirates.

Dear Wicked Witch of the West,
I understand. It's not easy being green.
Sincerely, Kermit.

Dear Brutus, I didn't realize you were being serious when you said it would be a killer party...
Sincerely, Julius

what about you reader? What's making your week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Those who cannot feel the littleness of great things in themselves are apt to overlook the greatness of little things in others. ~ Kakuzo Okakura

Things I Love Thursday

Welcome to another week, and a week that I've got a lot of things to love!


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This week I am so grateful for my friends. You cannot put a price on having people who love you, care about you, and want the best for you. There are a handful of people in my life that I thank God for everyday and honestly do not know what I’d do without. It’s just a shame that my nearest and dearest are spread out across the country. As one of my wise friends said recently -‘A pox on geography!’

Afternoons spent baking, crafting or just chilling out and chatting over a cup of tea.
Cold Weather Cooking- I’m looking forward to a season of delicious soups and other warming winter food. What did the miners in Chile say on their shirts?

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A couple of months ago I posted a video of one of the old spice adverts from their 'the man your man could smell like' campaign. It seemed only right then to share this here…the Sesame Street Grover interpretation:



Last but certainly not least- Beautiful for me by Nichole Nordeman



What's making your list this week reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication
-Leonardo Da Vinci

Things I Love Thursday

It feels like just yesterday that I was writing my last Things I Love Thursday post but, sure enough, it was a whole week ago so here's my list for this week....

John Barrowman in concert. I went with two of my favourite ladies (really reader, was there any chance this wasn't going to be a winner?) Sequins & showtunes huzzah!

Birthday cake- yum
On a related note I'm a cream cheese frosting convert. I've always been a bit of a traditionalist birthday cake equals royal icing but after using it for the raspberry and white chocolate cake I made for my mother I'm sold- it was quick, easy and delicious.

Adventures to museums and afternoons filled with craft, chatter and cups of tea

Back to the future on the big screen

What's hitting the high notes for you this week reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Faith is taking the first step even though you don't see the whole staircase
-Martin Luther King Jr

Things I Love Thursday

It's Thursday and once again time to share those things that make daily life sparkle. Here's a few things I'm loving this week:

Autumn - I love those sunny crisp days although we don’t seem to get many in recent years. Yes autumn days when the grass is jewelled and the silk inside a chestnut tree= perfick as pa Larkin would say (Oh and Rach- ever since you mentioned them over on your blog I've been wishing we had pumpkin spice lattes too, they sound scrummy).

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My mum – she’s utterly wonderful and makes my list not just this week but every week. Yes that’s all very schmaltzy well and good but why am I singling her out specially this week I hear you ask reader (oh okay I don’t hear you but I’m going to tell you anyway) - Saturday will be her birthday and it thus seems an appropriate time to celebrate and be thankful for her. In typical my mum fashion she has told us not to worry about ‘presents or fuss your presence is gift enough’ but papa & I have planned a few hopefully nice surprises over the weekend. Nb. She shares her birthday with John Lennon. He’d be 70 this year my mum slightly less but I sharn’t reveal how much less (don’t you know it’s rude to ask a lady’s age reader)

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hearing that the letter I sent made someone’s week, obsolete units of measurement -A hobbit anyone or perhaps a batman…, managing to avoid being rained on, this:




what about you reader? What's making your week?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death.
- Albert Einstein

Things I Love Thursday

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Being woken by my body clock instead of my alarm, taking some of my youth group to a great youth service (God moved in a major way), Shattered Clock- order in chaos, watching the sun sink slowly, turning my music up when I’m home alone and singing at the top of my lungs, Chocolate Marshmallow Cookie Treats, this Nirvana & Michael Jackson mash up- it shouldn’t work but it does:

What’s making your week shine reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Neither a lofty degree of intelligence nor imagination nor both together go to the making of genius. Love, love, love, that is the soul of genius.
— Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Things I Love Thursday

Welcome to another wonderful Thursday. It’s a bit of a bumper edition this week I was away last week so didn’t have chance to post.

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Cornwall- I spent most of last week day-tripping round Cornwall. I’ve been down a couple of times and really enjoy visiting*. There’s something charming about Cornwall though, magical almost, endearing definitely. As the actor Martin Clunes once said:
Each time I go there – it’s my fourth time in Cornwall – I love it a bit more. It gets under your skin.

Gorgeous girl & little man aka my niece & nephew- They are a recurring theme on my tilt list but I can’t help it, never would I have imagined the absolute joy of watching them grow, learn, walk, and talk. One of the reasons I was in Cornwall last week was for my niece’s christening. The service was touching and it was an all round lovely day.

Wearing my grandmother’s ring- After my grandmother’s death just over a year ago my aunt presented me with my grandmother’s engagement & wedding rings telling me that she and my Grandma wanted me to have them. Up until recently they’ve mostly been sitting in my jewellery box. I’m not sure what stopped me wearing them; whether it was because of the reminders they hold of my grandparents or the fear of losing them (their value is mostly sentimental) maybe a mix of both but gorgeous girl’s christening felt the right occasion. It felt like reuniting the generations somehow, a symbol of her being there in spirit. Gran would have been the proudest great-grandmother in the world and not behind the door about telling people so (she certainly did at little man’s).

The smell in the air immediately after a humongous storm- Thunder and lightning may be ‘very, very frightening’ but afterwards it’s so refreshing.

New recipes -Malaysian chicken, yum, and it was from the weightwatchers cookbook which means I can eat seconds without feeling any guilt.

Autumn TV-
Spooks: The BBC’s drama about MI5 is entering its ninth series. Almost a decade of the antics of Harry and his team on the grid, though it hardly feels that way. Sometimes I still miss 'grumpy has issues spy' (Tom) and 'Pretty Boy Spy' (Adam) but the brooding wonderfulness that is Lucas North aka THORNTON!SPOOKSKI (the latter christened by my lovely friend goplacidly) more than makes up for it.
Merlin: yes we return to Camelot for another series of the BBCs interpretation of the Arthurian legends and it is indeed a silly place, extremely silliness in fact, but that’s sort of why I like it. Having studied Arthurian literature as part of my degree it took me a while to get into Merlin, however I soon got over that and now as we enter the third series I love seeing how they make a nod to some aspect of Arthurian legend and then totally reinterpret it. Even though Merlin is a bit hammy, Saturday night TV would be much better if there was more Merlin and less X Factor.

Agatha Christie- the 15th September was the 120th anniversary of the birth of the queen of crime fiction. I, along with literally thousands of others worldwide, have been a lifelong Christie fan** and can’t see that changing. So although I couldn't post on the actual date I wanted to make a little tribute here to a woman who has provided countless hours of entertainment and inspiration (and that's in my house alone). I haven't read all of her works, she was such a prolific writer, but I love all those I have read and would happily recommend them.
Happy belated birthday Dame Christie

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The Tetley Tea folk are back-The Tetley Tea Folk are animated characters that were used to advertise Tetley Tea from 1973 to 2001. I’ve always had a soft spot for them, their no nonsense Yorkshire accents and their penchant for motown classics, and remember quite fondly my grandma collecting the figurines of the lovable chaps and their teapots that tetley gave away in the mid-nineties.In the new ad a spilled drop of 'steaming Tetley tea' awakes Gaffer, Sydney and the rest of the gang from their slumbering prison and reinvigorates them [I can relate]. "We're back!" exclaims cheery boss Gaffer and for me it’s not a moment too soon.

More here, here & here

10 Sky photos you’ll never forget- just gorgeous

what about you, lovely readers? it's nearly the weekend and what little (or big) things are bringing you big big smiles?

Footynotes:

*Just visiting though in the words of my Cornish sister in law ‘The Cornish are not all a bunch of weirdo's, despite British televisions best efforts to portray them as such, but sometimes their attitude towards emits can be a little scary’.

** My mother got me hooked at a young age

Thoughtful Tuesday

If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.
George Bernard Shaw

Things I love Thursday

“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.” ~Daisaku Ikeda


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Bienvenue, Chere! ♥
Well it’s another week. This week seems to have flown by, although I blame that partially on the fact that I’ve spent most of this week unwell in bed but enough of that, this is time to focus on things I love!

Feeling well and being generally healthy (today is the first day this week that I haven’t had to retreat under my duvet- little victories-I am also thankful that horrific as it can be my discomfort was only in the short term), actually going to bed early instead of just saying I will, discovering forgotten bits and pieces in my room, Seeing birds fly in unison, Nutella (Thank you WWII chocolate rations and Italian innovation!), The discovery that the eighth month of the Tibetan calendar of Kalacakratantra is ‘Khrums’ (Nothing to do with biscuits, sadly), misleading diet news of 1969: "Weightwatchers need cheese. There are no stodgy carbohydrates in cheese!" , Finding out ‘It's My Party’ had a sequel song, Judy's Turn To Cry (shame it's not called ‘Johnny's A Fickle Tosser’):



Et vous, mon jolie lecteurs? What are you delighted about this week?

Things I love Thursday

It’s Thursday so without further ado here’s my gratitude list…

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God, feeling challenged and reinspired, Spending time with friends I haven’t seen in a while (I’m so glad we were all able to meet together), a fantastic weekend, laughing until my stomach hurts, long recovering sleeps, two course Chinese lunch that I can technically class as work (I love youth work), beautiful smiles from strangers; collecting lovely moments of sunshine all week,

Well, that’s what was wonderful in my week. I’d love to read your list, too! What was special about yours reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Respect your efforts, respect yourself. Self-respect leads to self-discipline. When you have both firmly under your belt, that’s real power. – Clint Eastwood

Things I Love Thursday

Just a short one this week my loves as I'm setting off for Greenbelt festival soon! Are you ready for the weekend?

Flowers I pass when walking-beautiful unexpected splashes of colour, meeting tiny children (I should probably clarify at this point that I mean very young rather than borrowers) with impeccable manners, plans for a weekend of fun times with some of my favourite people, Packing victory- I have managed to get everything I need for the weekend all in one bag, aftersun- last week I mentioned that had managed to get sunburnt. Yes whilst the rest of the uk seemed to be snuggling up in their winter woollies I was doing my best impression of a lobster. This feat is made more impressive at the discovery my companion that afternoon didn’t even start to tan. Thank goodness for aftersun which on Friday and Sunday my skin was absorbing as quickly as I could slather it on.

What about you reader? What's making your week glow?

Today…

…it would have been my grandma’s birthday. It’s the first one since she died, last October. I’d be lying if I said today wasn’t a little bit tough but it has also been a wonderful opportunity to remember good times we shared together.

…is also the birthday of another remarkable woman, my dear friend Rachel. Happy birthday beautiful I hope you’ve had a great day filled with fun and as the Irish say ‘may the best of your today’s be the worst of your tomorrow’s’.
There are so many things I could tell you reader about how amazing she is but instead I’ll just encourage you to discover them yourself by checking out her blog.

…has been a fantastic reminder that I have been so blessed with the people in my life, particularly those I am lucky enough to call my friends and family.

Thoughtful Tuesday

We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize.
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Things I Love Thursday

Being a “Lady who lunches” (I met up with a fabulous friend today lots of laughing, smiling and reminissing ensued), Sunshine (not loving, however, the resulting sunburn I’m experiencing after sitting in aforementioned friends garden in it), Chai lattes, how to win Rock-paper-scissors every time, THE secret to success. this is IT. for reals.
Also this super-cute short song by Tom Felton. Yes, as in Draco Malfoy from the Harry Potter movies:

Last but certainly not least the lovely, intelligent and charming people that read this blog and whose blogs I read... because without you, my life just wouldn't sparkle quite the same!

What's making your list this week reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Always be a first-rate version of yourself, instead of a second – rate version of somebody else.
- Judy Garland

Things I love Thursday

...& bears oh my

Today marks the 71st anniversary of the mgm musical The Wizard of Oz. I’ve loved the film since childhood.

My brother and family visiting- Little man (my nephew aged 3) is a delight to be around, full of fun and giggles, and gorgeous girl (my niece 6 months) seems to grow more lovely each time I see her (yes I know I’m biased reader but few things melt my heart like a happy healthy smiling baby). I love being an Auntie. I also enjoy seeing my brother as a parent.

Sherlock-the BBC's contemporary adaptation of Conan Doyle's detective- lots to love here …the whole series (well-shot, well-acted and a sheer delight to watch), great finale, the confirmation of a new series (hooray!), interactive elements (Sherlock’s website or perhaps John Watson’s blog anyone?)

making to-do lists (few things in life are as gratifying as crossing list items off), read the printed word (I couldn’t agree more),

What's making your week wonderful reader?

Thoughtful Tuesday

Time you enjoy wasting, was not wasted.
-John Lennon

Consuming Fire

This weekend one of the activities in the program was a campfire. I love fire, not in a dangerous or illegal way (honest officer), but I think there is a sort of ethereal beauty to it.

The way the flames flicker, the sparks pop and shower,

feeling the heat and hearing the crackles, the embers glowing

its mesmerizing