Shaken not stirred

Things I Love Thursday

There’s just one thing on my list this week reader:
My friend Rachel- today is her birthday- If I tried typing all the reasons this gal is special well I’d never stop typing so instead here are just a few: she’s witty, caring and trustworthy, she has great taste, (I know these are things everyone says about their best friends but that doesn’t negate their validity here).I love her optimism and her creativity, the way she creates her own path in life, she manages to be true to herself and her beliefs no matter what life throws at her. Oh and she’s super humble to boot.
Yes Rach is wonderful but don’t take my word for it go check out her blog. I am glad to be able to call her my friend and even more pleased that she keeps on agreeing to be mine too, happy birthday lovely lady.
In fact this week I am very grateful for my all my friends. I am so blessed by the people I am lucky enough to class as my nearest and dearest.

What a fantastic weekend...and so to sleep zzzz

This conversation between two of my friends appeared on my facebook news feed when I logged on today. They're discussing travel plans for a camping trip we're all going on this weekend.
I've been so tempted to comment 'I love it when a plan comes together'.
I have thus far resisted because they don't need more proof I'm a geek!

Yum
Tempura prawns & veg, sweet chilli dipping sauce and rice

I'm in love ...
His name is Merlin
He belongs to my friend S, who made the cupcake from yesterday. He's a little camera shy but isn't he lovely...

Homemade cupcake from my wonderful & talented friend S- her first time working with fondant icing.

Things I Love Thursday

Thoughtful Tuesday

Today I am taking part in 'Anti-Riot - Operation Cup Of Tea'
I'm also greatly encouraged by this story of a couple from Camden town who made tea for the police who were protecting their street.

"If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty"
Japanese Proverb

"Everybody has to believe in something.....I believe I'll have another drink." -W.C. Fields

It's another lovely sunny day here so my brother's declared it beer o'clock:

I'm sat watching a life sized Bob the Builder singing and teaching the children 'Little fish, big fish, cardboard box'. Lucky I'm at Butlins or I'd think someone had slipped something in my breakfast tea... (I'm still not entirely convinced they haven't).

Things I Love Thursday

Source


Here’s a little list of all the things that have caught my eye and captured my heart recently:

I’d like to start today’s tilt with a tribute to my old teacher, later headmaster, Mr William ‘Bill’ Grundy. Today was his funeral and as I couldn’t attend in person I wanted to make a personal dedication here. I met him in my first week at secondary school- he was a 6ft ex-policeman, with by that time twenty years teaching experiance, and I was a short shy 11 year old. Seven years later I'd learnt that he was a (mostly) friendly giant and I was still a short, quiet 18 year old. Mr Grundy officially taught me geography but I learnt so much over the years about life, the universe and about dealing with other people. I’ll never forget him telling me that if I could only believe in myself and the things he knew I was capable of then the world would have to watch out. A big man not just in stature but also in nature - Goodnight sir, sleep tight, you will be truly missed & never forgotten xxx

Now on to the rest of my list:

Top of my list this week family holidays- currently at Butlins with the family, we’ve been having a great, if a tad exhausting, week so far. It’s just wonderful to spend time together and to see the little ones faces light up in wonder and excitement. Think I’ll have to go on a diet when I get back, far too much booze and food being consumed, feel like an overweight blubber whale!

Similarly, also high on my list are reunions with old friends- Last weekend I met up with a couple who I got to know during my time in Japan. They are in the UK on furlough for a year spending time catching up with family/friends and introducing their daughters to English culture (before this trip, the last time they spent a prolonged period here was eight years ago). It was so lovely to see them and catch up on their personal news and on news about the other members of the team.


I got my hair chopped about a week ago.
From this:
Into this:
Ok I know it’s not actually headline news but to me it is

Best of the rest:

Radio 4 extra has had an large amount of my attention in the last couple of weeks, firstly they ran a series of new Torchwood plays ‘The Lost Files’ but mostly because they are also the home of Cabin Pressure

Refinding a package from a dear friend- Yum forgotten candy cane perfect pick me up treat if a tad unseasonal (Nb. I truly believe life would be brightened up a little if we weren’t expected to wait for 11 months in between installments of such cheer-inducing cuisine as candy-canes and mulled wine)

Groan inducing gags…my current fave-
How does Moses make his tea?
Hebrews it

Watch a Guy Recite Shakespeare With 25 Different Celebrity Impressions As with all impressionists some of his impressions are much better than others but definitely worth a watch.

Over to you reader, what’s making your week sparkle?

Lazing on a sunny afternoon

It's too darn hot. Time for some cold ice cream...
Perfect!

Thoughtful Tuesday

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.
Howard Thurman

The August Break

Well I’m late to join the party again this year I know, or should that be fashionably last minute, but I’ve decided to join in with Susannah Conway’s ‘August Break’ project. It’s a monthly project to post photos, without prompts or goals, just low key no pressure sharing with others, throughout August.
Thanks for the reminder go placidly & living yen – Check out their blogs too, if you aren’t following them already, for what I’m sure will be some wonderful photos

So here is my first offering:

I found Nemo!

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.

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