Day 8, 100 Happy Days

For day 8, I have chosen my Mother's Day Daffodil Joe grew at School. When I watered it today it made me smile when I realized that once planted it would grow every year, and I will have a little piece of 8-year-old Joe forever.

Cruising with Royal Caribbean, Review

We have been on a 3 cruises with Royal Caribbean International, and have had some amazing experiences. I thought I would write an overview, with some hints and tips based on our experiences. We had cruised with Cunard and Princess prior to sailing with Royal Caribbean, and had thoroughly enjoyed each cruise; I don't think I can fault either.

The Liberty of the seas

We booked a cruise on Royal Caribbean as a friend recommended them, although it looked fantastic on the web site and in the brochures we were not prepared for how amazing it actually was. The first ship we sailed on was the Adventure of the Sea’s; we then went onto to sail on the Liberty of the Sea's.  As soon as we entered the arrivals lounge at the port the experience was exceptional, we hadn't experienced hospitality to this standard prior to embarking a ship before. Royal Caribbean had fresh cookies, and drinks to enjoy while we waited to embark, great when you have bored kids with you. Check-in was easy, the easiest we have ever experienced.

Joe rock climbing

Day 7, 100 Happy Day

Day 7.

Today can only be one thing;  Being a Mum.

It is my favourite Job I have ever done. I find it incredibly hard some days, making the correct decisions that could affect the rest of their lives.  Disciplining when I want to laugh, guiding on the correct path that is not lead by my own dreams, but  centred around their hopes and dreams, and guiding them away from making  poor choices.

 So much pressure  to make them into well rounded thoughtful young men. I think judging by their behaviour,  now trust me I am under no illusions that my children are angels. I really believe anyone that thinks that is totally delusional, because who is perfect?  But they are on the right track to being the Men I hope they one day will be, kind, happy, thoughtful,  healthy, and successful in whatever they want to achieve in life.

My Summer Garden Wish List

Happy Mothers Day.

We have decided we need new garden furniture this summer, 2 years ago we bought white bean bags, big,big mistake you can imagine the state they are in now ! I love the whole concept of garden bean bags they are so comfy to chill on, on  a hot day. 

Our patio set also looks like it has seen better days, so I have been looking for something to replace the lot, but wanted it colourful and fun with not looking to owed the top. I have decided on green as it will match the garden, I have started to compile a wish list.

The patio set and umbrella are all from  the Janeiro range at B & Q we bought a set similar to this 12 years ago and it has lasted really well.

The clock, mirror, cute gnomes(as a rule I am not into gnomes, but these are so cute) ornamental spheres and picnic set are all from Next

And last but not least the piggy green bean bag is from Made.com, and bargain the bean bags are currently on offer at £59.00 so think I will get my order in today.

Day 6, 100 Happy Days

Today I have chosen this picture I took of Joe at Horse riding, he is with Dillon the horse he rides every week. He started riding a year ago and loves it. He is sooo happy when he is on a horse, it is fantastic to see Joe improving and getting more confident every week. He says he wants to be a jockey when he grows up.

Book Review, The Bay at Midnight, Diane Chamberlain

This is the first Diane Chamberlain book I have read and it certainly will not be the last.
This book is set between 1962  and the present day, the main character Julie who's sister Isabelle  was tragically murdered in an accident by the bay of their summer home in New Jersey.
Years later her Mum, sister and herself have gone through life never discussing the incident until Isabelle's ex boyfriend Ned Chapman leaves a letter on his death bed claiming he knows who the killer is.

Julie knows George Lewis; who was committed for this crime and lived his life in Jail was not guilty, so sets out to find the truth. If not only to respect the memory of George, an old friend who had ended his days in jail, but to allow her family to bury the past for once and for all.

The search unearths many painful memories for all involved but Julie is determine to uncover the truth.

I found myself looking for excuses to read this book, and read it at every opportunity. I was so immersed in this book, like I was there with the characters observing the events unfold.  Diane Chamberlain was able to keep me in the dark until almost at the end of the book. A great read of which I thoroughly enjoyed, feeling I had spent some time back in America in the 60's.

100 Happy Days, Day 5

For day 5, I am putting this bottle of pink fizz, I have just got it off my wine rack to put in the fridge to take to our friends Ruth and Darren's tonight. I makes me happy because it has been busy week, and I know I am going to enjoy drinking it, in great company, with lots of laughs. 

It is a light and easy to drink pink fizz, it costs £8.00 from Roaming Roosters,  and tastes great.

The Other Woman,Well; Football Team!

I vowed to keep this a football free zone but at the moment to have 10 minutes without football discussion in my home is impossible.  You see Chris is a staunch Burnley Fan and has been since a child, he follows every move they make, deliberates every decision the team makes like he is the 2nd manager. And the tragedy is this is rubbing off on the boys. 

Getting their first ever season ticket

I am all for having a hobby in life but I almost see Burnley Football Club as the other Woman! Don't get me wrong she is never going to get him to leave me and support her financially, more of a mistress he has set up in a little flat somewhere. 

100 Happy Days, Day 4

For day 4 I have chosen the flowers my Level 3 Hair Students presented to me at our annual hair show, they also wrote me a beautiful card and bought me a pandora charm too.

My Light and Bright Entrance Hall

We have been living in our Home for 3 1/2 years now, when we moved in we thought I was all done up and ready to live in, the day we moved in nearly every kitchen cupboard door fell off in our hands, we then realised this was not the case. As a result we have spent the last 3 1/2 years changing layouts, decorating and gardening. And still we are only half way through. 

Our hallway was awful it had a long corridor wrapped around an office, with no windows (The downstairs of our house is wrapped around the hall). This is all well and good unless you live with boys, who saw the office as a dumbing ground, as an alternative to putting things away.  I spent hours every week emptying the office off things I have previously requested to be put in rooms and toy cupboards. The office, dumping ground had to go. 

It took 1 1/2 years! Aghh ! We started with great intentions and knocked the office walls down, change our steep ladder stairs to turning stairs making them much safer. But then came the biggest hurdle, getting a plasterer, if I had a pound for every plasterer who did not turn up, I would be sat on a Caribbean cruise as I write. It was a nightmare so many agreed to come and look at the job but just never arrived. Eventually we got one, I was so excited when the plasterer finally arrived I think I scared him with my enthusiasm. I could not believe I had a plasterer in my house. 

Day 3, 100 Happy Days

For day 3, I have chosen the Morning Sun, today is probably the biggest day of my year at work,  see Our level 3 journey we have many models to transport and the last thing we needed was rain.  I was so happy to wake up and see the morning sun,  it makes everything happier and easier.

Toby's Dog Tale.

Yesterday 100 Happy Days post motivated me to write Toby's story today. We have had Toby for 14 months now. We got our first dog Edward just before we got married 20 years ago, he was our baby. I treated him like child, he even slept on the end of our bed. When he died at 17 we were devastated and vowed we would never put ourselves through that hurt again of loosing a pet.

Our Lovely Edward, who lived until 17

Then 2 years ago our good friends the Valance family came to stay for new year and brought their dog Yoda.  Clearly I love them all coming to stay we have been friends for many years, however they had never brought Yoda before. I loved him being here, and it hit home how much we had missed having a dog as part of our family. 

Day 2, 100 Happy Days

Today I chose Toby my Dog, he is 2 years old, I have had a busy and stressful (But good) week so far at work. I walked in tonight and he was so happy to see me he made me smile. I love the fact that pets never want anything from you, and never argue back. I look forward to our daily walks. And when life around me is chaos he makes me feel calm.

Testing Blood Sugar Levels

Now we were coming to terms with the concept of Diabetes, we had to get a grip on Jack's Sugar levels, Jacks wonderful nurses suggested we try the Aviva Expert Bolus System, this amazing little machine actually seems to have a brain, it thinks for Jack. Anyone with a teenage boy knows this is priceless.

The home screen option on the Aviva Expert

The machine has to be set to know Jacks ratios of insulin per meal, Jack is on slightly different ratios for each meal, then he is able to put in the correct amount of carbs he is about to consume from his carbs and cals ap, This clever little machine is then able to work out his ratio, coupled with his current blood sugar level to give him an exact prescription of insulin he needs to inject.

Day 1, 100 Happy Days

When my friend Donna from Home is where the tart is .com decided she was going to take up the 100 happy days challenge I couldn't wait to sign up too.

I am so excited as I have decided to celebrate the little things that make me happy, to be honest I am easily pleased so it will not take much, but there are things we take for granted every day. Those are the things I am going to concentrate on.

The concept is to take one photo everyday for 100 days and post to Instagram or twitter or Facebook, adding the tag #100HappyDays.

Day 1 The Tree on my road, I walk past it every day it is so beautiful all year round. I use it as a marker some days, when I am out walking on a quick walk, when Joe is on his scooter I tell him the ride to the tree and wait for me. I didn't realise how much a part of my every day life it is.

Boots Clinique Bonus Offer

I haven't used Clinique for years; it was great when my younger skin was oily. Mmmm those were the days, and to think I moaned.  Anyway yesterday I went to the Trafford centre for moisturiser and came across this offer in Boots.  I will be totally honest I was dazzled by the cute tin, I spoke to the consultant who told me Clinique did anti ageing products too, so I thought I would give it a try. I usually Clarins product but came across this offer on the way to the Clarins counter, so I will see how it compares.

I purchased 

Comfort Cleansing Cream;

Youth Surge Night Cream

And got the list below free

30  ml Rinse-off foaming cleanser

30  ml Dramatically different moisturising lotion

3.5 ml High impact mascara

15  ml Even better foundation

7   ml All about eye's eye cream

7   ml Super-balm moisturising lip gloss

And cute strawberry tin. 

A great offer and all products I will use. 

Holy Island, Northumberland.

This photo takes me back to Holy Island near Bamburgh, although the sun was shining bright it was Easter 2007, it was freezing cold that day. I was not at all keen about visiting Northumberland, I could not see what it could possibly have to offer me. However I fell in love with it! the unspoiled beauty, friendly people, quaint villages and beautiful beaches.

Holy Island is cut off from the world twice every 24 hours a day when tide is high,there is only one road in and out which during high tide is completely covered, thus cutting Holy Island of from the rest of the world.  It is the quintessential English village with stunning views, tea rooms and quaint winding streets.

I think this is a place we will visit again and again throughout our lives.

Chris and the Boys on Holy Island Beach.

Touche Eclat at Debenhams.

I came across this little pack whilst shopping in Debenhams, a great little offer. 

Touche Eclat is £25.00 pounds, however this pack was the same price and also contained a mini Baby Doll Mascara and 3 ml tube of forever youth liberator eye cream.
It is always nice to get a freebie and a bonus if they are products you will use rather than gather dust on your dressing table.

New Background

Thank you to Dotty Dot Dot for my free Pioneer lace design background, for some reason my shabby blog one disappeared over night. Cant work out why.

Beef Wellington

I decided I would cook Beef Wellington yesterday, I have made it once before and it was delicious so thought would make again to see if it was just beginners luck last time.
I have listed the ingredients below, I used the recipe from BBC good food, which I have added beneath.

You will need;

A Beef fillet of about 250 g I bought mine from Roaming Rooster's Higham the best butchers ever, I asked for a fillet big enough for two people.

3 tbsp of olive oil

250g chestnut mushrooms

50g butter

100 ml Dry white wine(And a glass to drink, the most important part of recipe)

12 slices of prosciutto

500g puff pastry

2 egg yolks beaten with 1 tbsp water.

The Tempest Arms, Elslack, Skipton.

Yesterday we went to the Tempest Arms, in Elslack Skipton, set amongst the rolling hills of Yorkshire.  We booked an impulse break at £70.00 for bed and breakfast. Great value for the quality, service and atmosphere you find there.

Tempest Arms Elslack

The pub and restaurant is quaint yet stylish, with little nooks and crannies to sit in, and two open fires to sit round. As soon a you sit down you feel chilled out and comfortable. The hotel reception has a huge variety of up to date magazines to suit all reading tastes and daily newspapers. They also have delicious cake free to take to your room should you feel peckish.

Tempest Arms Bar Sitting Area

From Babies to Boys

Being new to the blogging community I have spent hours reading and following other peoples blogs, and have been struck by the lack of people discussing life with older Children, there are reams and reams of lovely blogs writing about toddlers and babies. I have not seen many talking about older children, and teenagers. 

They must be out there surely; I just haven't found them yet. I have read quite a few Mummy blogs about younger children and they are great, bringing back many happy memories. Isn't it funny how you see sleepless nights, and potty training through rose tinted glasses when it over.

I think I must have spent those years in autopilot, however now I have survived them I look back at them fondly wondering where the time went.

International Day of Happiness

I have just received an email telling me today is international day of happiness.

A profound shift in attitudes is underway all over the world. People are recognising that ‘progress’ should be about increasing human happiness and wellbeing, not just growing the economy. All 193 UN member states have adopted a resolution calling for happiness to be given greater priority and March 20 has been declared as the International Day of Happiness. #happinessday

What makes you happy? Simply upload a photo to social media using hashtag #happinessday – e.g. via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook

My Family Make Me sooo Happy

My New Pink Diamond GHD's

About a month ago my ever faithful GHD,s of 8 years gave up on me. Now as a hairdresser you would have thought I could have managed, but no I went into a absolute panic, I had visions of me going about everyday life with over frizzy mushroom hair. 

My hair is actually naturally curly I embrace my curls 5 days a week, and let my hair go curly and at times completely wild. Don't ask me why but for 2 days I like controlled sleek, shiny and smooth hair. 

Click here for GHD website

So I was sent in a spiral of panic at the thought of not being able to follow my usual hair styling routine. Quite shallow and selfish when you consider other issues going on in the world I know, but as a hairdresser I have been brainwashed that  it is totally unacceptable to have a day off styling your hair ever! 

To top it off it was college holidays so my usual avenue of supply was completely closed aaghhh. 
Fortunately my friend Kelly from scissors Hair Salon Burnley came to my rescue, she had in stock a set of pink diamond GHD,s even better, £10.00 of every pair sold go to breast cancer charity. Something GHD endeavor to do every year to support this worthy charity. 

The pink diamonds are so stylish and the difference between these and my old faithfuls is noticeable. The plates are much smoother, and as a bonus they look absolutely fantastic. And they are now dual voltage, a huge benefit as my old faithfuls never ever worked in America, as this is my favourite place in the world to travel; it means I won't have bad hair days, most days, next time I visit. Also check out the new pastel styler and wonderland styler.

Cecelia Ahern, How to Fall in Love

I love Cecelia Ahern, her book are so easy to read and I love her imagination, she taps into the unreal/fantasy fairy-tale yet still makes her stories believable. 

In How to Fall in Love Christine is struggling with life in a rut, she lives her life in self help books. No matter what the life problem, she has a book with a solution.  Until one fateful night she stumbles across Simon on the verge or suicide, the fact that she is unable to save him has a huge impact on her life, she knows she needs to change but has no idea how! 

Until she gets a second chance with Adam, who she finds on the edge of a bridge ready to jump, determined not to let lightening strike twice she talks him down and promises to show him how to love his life. Adams agrees, but gives her 2 weeks until he reaches his 35th Birthday to turn his life around.

Christine soon starts to realise it is not only Adam that needs to learn to love his life and they set off on a journey together of discovering life, all others around them suspicious of the others intentions.

This is a beautiful heart warming story, that I struggled to put down. I finished the book feeling I knew Christine and Adam so well and loved the way the story concluded.

Spring Lambs

Look who we saw on our walk today, you know spring is here when the spring lambs start to appear. There is something so magical about seeing newborn lambs following their Mums around the field. 

I love hearing them when I am in the garden and watch them get braver and start to leave their Mums to run round the fields. 

New Lamb Grazing with his Mum

Build a Bear Workshop, Customer Service Review.

On Christmas morning Joe was lucky enough to receive a Build a Bear Workshop voucher as a gift from my Mum and Dad.  It was lovely, Santa had delivered it a mini Build a Bear, house box, It came with a gift card but and a mini booklet to join the on-line club.  You know what its like on Christmas morning; wrapping paper and gift bags everywhere, not to mention toys and gifts.

Chris and I are quite obsessive about the house being tidy, if I am totally honest, Chris more so than me.  Now the benefit here is that we have a lovely wood-burning stove in our lounge to burn rubbish on.

As our boys are such heavy sleepers they never wake up early on Christmas morning. Usually the fire is lit, sausages in the oven, coffee made, Christmas dinner started and camera ready before they even surface. And even then we still have to wake them up.  This year it was 9am; I know I sometimes wonder if they are normal!  As children my brothers and I were always up by 5.30am, our poor Mum and Dad trying their hardest to keep their eyes open for the rest of the day.  Lots of our friends say. "You are so lucky, having children that sleep in" but it does have its drawbacks, even the dog could not take the excitement this year as he waited for them! Any way I am waffling, back to the point.

Camo Bear from Build a Bear Workshop

Once the boys had been dragged from bed the 30-minute frenzy started, opening presents and trying to frantically, keep up, recording who had sent what to Santa.  We were left with the ever-familiar mound of waste paper and ribbon.  Before we ate breakfast, we gathered all the rubbish and put it on the log burner. At last organisation we could now enjoy the rest of day.

Bridge Town Barbados

I have always taken lots of pictures and love the memories they create looking back at them, so I thought I would record some of them. One day hopefully my Family will look back at them and smile. 

This was a whistle stop tour of Barbados we were on our first ever cruise and Barbados was our debarkation port.  As a result we only got to spend about 4 hours in Barbados but what we saw was beautiful.  When I took this picture we had just seen a sea turtle pop his head out of the water, Jack was 7 and Joe was 2, they were amazed at the sight and so excited.

I remember the hot sun on my face, Chris's Mum & Dad and some friends were there with us, and the Barbadian people were the warmest friendliest people, we felt so at ease. I wish we could have stayed longer. 

I love this photo, delusional I know but I often look at it and think it looks like a picture out of a travel brochure.

Bridge Town, Barbados

Suzie's Christening Cakes

Last month I was so lucky and honoured to be asked to be Godmother to my lovely friends Louise and Paul's little girl Suzie. 

I offered to make cup cakes but was limited for time as Louise had invited lots of people, and I had a busy week planned myself. 

Louise came up the idea of buying ready iced cakes from Asda to decorate. This was a great idea and the colours fit in perfectly with the theme of the Christening.

Pre iced cup cakes, Asda

The cakes cost £5.00 for 18, bargain yes the icing did not taste as good as home make but they did still taste good. 

Mother's Day Wish List

I have seen a few articles recently on Mother’s day gift ideas, I love buying gifts, and hope I get it right most of the time. I like to think about the person I am buying for, and what their hobbies and interests are, or what special treat they would really enjoy. 

However today I am thinking about gifts I would like to receive. Indulgent I know but it’s nice to indulge every now and then. Don't get me wrong I wouldn't ever expect to get it all; just one would be nice, but what ever I get will be fab as my Boys will have chosen it.

Hotel Chocolat Fizz Signature Collection, I don't eat much chocolate as I put a pound on just looking at it, but I do love a nice box as a treat every now and then.

Social Media Icons

I love my new social media icons thanks to Every Little Polish.com for free templates and tutorials. And lots of help from Jack. There are lots of tips and advice on changing your blog, I can't wait to try a few.