Silent Sunday 26.1.14

Flashback Friday - Knightmare

Knightmare

Welcome, Watchers of Illusion .....

...... to the Castle of Confusion

Whether you watched it way back on ITV in 1987 or as recently as last weekend on Challenge TV Knightmare will never get boring.

I grew up with it, and now that it's being re-shown my boys get to grow up with it.


Knightmare was a fantasy adventure game show created and produced by Tim Child. More recently a capmaign to bring it back has led to a one off new show created for YouTube's "Geek Week" and a live show.

Cross Stitch Crazy Review, March 2014 issue 187

Please note that I get this magazine on a UK subscription so free gifts/ charts may differ from those in the shop/ overseas subscribers.

Free Gifts

Teapot chart (sorry no pic as I forgot to take one).

This is a smallish chart (44 stitches wide x 44 high) of a blue teapot with flowers.  It's certainly different.... not my cup of tea (if you'll excuse the pun) but I can see its wider appeal.

Notebook

I loved this notebook and immediately got my (sadly lacking) stitching bug back by turning it into my Blogging notebook.  There are designs further through the magazine tho if you'd rather use a ready made pattern.

witty wednesday 22nd January 2014

tuneful tuesday - Copacabana (At The Copa)

A great song to cheer you up after Blue Monday...... Barry Manilow's Copacabana (At The Copa)

Silver Foil Rocket

One of Ben's books this week from school was "Silver Foil Rocket".  In it Biff, Kipper, Chip and co. build a large rocket out of oil drums and silver foil for the carnival.  This gave me a fantastic idea for a Make..... a silver Foil Rocket.

We saved the toilet rolls this week (I MUST make that junk box I keep meaning to) and had some lids left over from when I used the silver foil trays for Rocky Road.    Here's how we did it....

Ursula Michael's "Lets Trick or Treat" - Progress Update 19th January 2014

Progress is slow on this piece as I am rather addicted to Lego Marvel on the PS3 and spend most of my spare time playing that when I'm not blogging.   I am, however, trying to dedicate 1 night a week to stitching.

I am itching to get this piece finished tho as I want to crack on with the boys DC superhero afghan that I started ages ago ... tho I really ought to see if I can find an Iron Man, Spiderman and Hulk to put on it as they are the favourites in this house at the moment.

International Book Giving Day - February 14th 2014

What better way to show your love for a child than by joining in with International Book Giving Day.

International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books.

In 2013, International Book Giving Day was celebrated by people in Australia, Canada, South Africa, France, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, Macedonia, Malawi, Hungary, Malaysia, Israel, Denmark, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, China, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria. We hope that people around the world will think about the best ways to help children in need in their communities.

Flashback Friday - Muppet Babies

Muppet Babies

When your world looks kinda weird and you wish that you weren't there 

Just close your eyes and make believe and you can be anywhere 

tuneful tuesday - Sk8er Boi

Tuneful Tuesday - Avril Lavigne "Sk8er Boi"

This song always takes me back to Saturdays working in Boots and my a friend who kept me sane for 3 years (sadly we lost touch when I left Uni).  We used to have a radio in the stockroom and this song would always get us both running to 'find an item' (aka dance around singing loudly) ........ you can only imagine what we were like when it played on a night out.

For those of you who have never heard here it is, the lyrics for Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi".  
If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

Silent Sunday 12.1.14

Weston Park and The Ponderosa

Weston Park Museum and The Ponderosa 

We took a little break from the set downloadable walks this week (due to it being freezing and very wet) and went to Weston Park Museum instead.  We do this maybe every couple of months and, only at the end of last year, realised we could walk 3/4 of the way home by going through the Ponderosa.

It's really easy to get to.  You can get the tram to the University Tram Stop and walk (10 mins ish) or get the number 51/ 52 bus which stops outside the door.   You can drive but it has no designated car park, the area can get really busy so it's not guaranteed you will be able to park close by.

My Bookshelf

I have decided to make better use of my Bookspot tab so am going to keep my ongoing list of what is on (and off) my bookshelf here.

Flashback Friday - The Poddington Peas

The Poddington Peas

Down at the bottom of the garden,

Among the birds and the bees.

There live a lot of little people,

They're called The Poddington Peas

There's Cre-Pea, Black Eye-Pea and Dum-Pea.

Keep it a secret now please.

Theres Zip-Pea, Hap-Pea and there's Sweet-Pea

And all the Poddington Peas!

The Poddington Peas!

Tuneful Tuesday - Alanis Morissette "Ironic"

Tuneful Tuesday - Alanis Morissette "Ironic"

I loved Alanis' songs, the majority that were out in my mid tean years (late 90's) were such feel good happy songs that you couldn't help but join in with and sing along.

We were watching "The Internship" the other day that starts with "Ironic", I cannot hear this song without singing it.

For those of you who have never heard here it is, the lyrics and a randomly selected youtube video for Alanis Morisette's "Ironic".  

If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

Easy Cheesy Muffins

Although I have loads of chocolate in the house that really needs eating up I just could not bring myself to make chocolate muffins (but guess what i now REALLY want sat here writing this post?!).  Instead we turned our attention to Cheese Muffins.

Silent Sunday - 5.1.14

Art in the City

Art in the City

Continuing our weekend walking we headed into the city centre this week for a spot of culture, and to pick up my new diary from John Lewis :) .  It's amazing how you can live in a city and not even realise what you are part of.  How many times have I walked past the Winter Gardens and not noticed 'walking man'?  How did I not know the silver balls outside the Winter Gardens were actually a commissioned piece called 'Rain'.

This walk is taken from the ramblers.org.uk website (which you can sign up to for free).  It allows you to download walks based on your postcode which makes life MUCH easier for someone like me who barley knows one end of Sheffield from the other.

Route in hand (detailed below but available to download here I made the boys their 'treasure map'.

Maps and route in hand we set off for the tram and headed into a very busy, sunny, city centre.

First stop...... Town Hall.

Flashback Friday - Pigeon Street

Pigeon Street

The Programme that got us talking about Flashback Friday wayyyy back in 2013 - Pigeon Street.
So here's a bonus Flashback just for you @IHaveCards and @jessikart.

If you lived in Pigeon Street,

Here are the people you could meet,

Here are the people who would say

Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye

Every day

Flashback Friday - Raggy Dolls

Raggy Dolls

It's not much of a life when you're just a pretty face,

Just to be whoever you are is no disgrace,

Don't be scared if you don't fit in...

Look who's in the reject bin!

I used the love the Raggy Dolls in the 80's and 90's (and still do as we have some of the DVD's).  Following the adventures of rejected toys from Mr Grimes' factory and their adventures.    It taught children to respect people who were different.

The Raggy Dolls consisted of 112 animated episodes and ran from 1986 - 1994.  Each 5 minute episode was produced for Yorkshire Television.

Witty Wednesday 1.1.14

Flashback Friday

Do you yearn to watch Raggy Dolls, Knightmare, Henry's Cat, Children's Ward or Playdays (or even Playbus or Playschool?).

Would you rather listen to "Vogue" then "Frozen"?   Do you still have an Ace of Base song hidden somewhere?

Have you found yourself hunting high and low for an out of date board game (Thomas the Tank Engine, Market Day) just because you had it when you were little?

Would you rather be playing Dizzy, Booty or Gauntlet instead of Call of Duty?

Tuneful Tuesday - Auld Lang Syne

In typical New Years fashion, todays Tuneful Tuesday has to be that scottish classic "Auld Lang Syne" .

Here are the lyrics to trigger your memory.

If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

And the award for worst shop to exit with a pushchair.............. Aldi

I've never really been bothered about Aldi but when a new one opened near me I decided to venture into store....... it will be my last time!!



The store is laid out nicely tho I would suggest their products are no cheaper then other stores own brands.  Nothing really took our fancy - and this is a mummy with 2 (very stressful) children who was trying to decide what to cook for Tea at 3pm a Sunday night.

So empty handed we went to leave.

When is it ok to wear a onesie??

Like most people I got a onesie for Christmas .......... ok I got 2 and inherited my husbands one that was too small for him :)

I said I would never be in the onesie club but I caved, sometime around November and bought one and eeekk it is sooo comfy!!  so for me these were the BEST Christmas present.
My favourite one.... my eeyore one - complete with head and tail.

Silent Sunday 29.12.13

   

Saturday Caption ..... 28.12.13

Saturday is Caption Day ............... what is my Noah thinking?

Ranty Friday - the price of theatre tickets

After having cbeebies Panto on every day (at least once a day) since the 20th December I thought it would be nice to take the boys to the local one.

I remember as a child my mum used to take us regularly to the theatre (she used to work in one) and it was amazing.  yes I got some celebrity autographs but mainly the memories of just queueing, sitting, eating ice cream in the interval, it was just magical and I would LOVE my children to have the same experiences.

Unfortunately the 'big name' panto starts from £18 a ticket!!  That's just short of £80 for the 4 of us by the time you factor in interval ice cream.  Even the amateur one is around £15 a ticket (if you want a seat with a chance of seeing any of it).

Well that rules that experience out then.

Witty Wednesday 25.12.13

Happy Christmas

Happy Christmas (eve)

101 (ish) things to do with the kids..........

Whilst visiting a farm on holiday with the boys I can across the National Trust's 50 things to do before you are 11 and 3/4.
One of our local schools also has a list ..... 100 things to do before you leave primary school.

OK so my boys are only 2 and a half and 5 but when I look at these lists I can tick off hardly anything already which is quite disappointing. I am therefore going to make 2014 a year of DOING.
Some of these challenges are definitely aimed at older children (so I have missed them off for the time being).  I won't be disappointed if we don't manage everything on this list but even if we can tick off 52 of them in 2014 I'll be a happy mummy.

So through a combination of these 2 lists and some of my own here is my "101 (ish) things to do with the kids" list.

Why don't you join us?? Perhaps choose 4 or 5 a month to achieve?

We've already done some this year which I might link up to, and may complete some more this year if I can (but with so much going on it won't be a deliberate effort).  Some of them I am sure will be ticked off numerous times in their childhood.

silent sunday 22nd December 2013

   

Rivelin Valley Walk

I'm determined to get out and about more (well more than I already do) with the boys in 2014.  I have my 101 (ish) things to do with the kids challenge which will hopefully motivate me.   Noah now wants to be out his buggy all the time which is scary when you want to go for a longggg walk as you never know when he will decide he's had enough and either start winging or worse....he roots himself to the spot and will not be moved.

However it does make walks in the woods a much easier experience, and only living a stones throw from some of the most beautiful woodland in Sheffield, Rivelin, we thought it was high time we went exploring properly.

Witty Wednesday 18.12.13

Christmas Rocky Road

I feel very privileged to be writing this blog post for Attachment Mummy as she settles into her crazy Christmas with her (now 3) lovely children.   When she requested Christmas themed posts I knew I had to share my favourite treat with you all .... Rocky Road Bites.

Yes sure, you can buy it from that well know high street bakery or your local supermarket but there's something special about making your own, not to mention you get a lot more for your money.

Out of everything I make this is the one that gets requested time and time again by small boys and husband alike....not to mention my work colleagues and (as of today) the builders putting our new windows in.

Twas the Night Before Christmas .... A Soldiers Tale

This poem was written by a Peacekeeping soldier stationed overseas. The following is his request. I think it is reasonable:
"PLEASE. Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of theservice men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe. Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
Please, do your small part to plant this small seed."

T'was the night before christmas,

He lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house,

Made of plaster and stone.

Tuneful Tuesday - Jingle Bells

Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas without the sound of Sleigh bells which have become synonymous with the arrival of Father Christmas or Santa Claus.  The song, "Jingle Bells" captures this excitement and is loved by children of all ages!

Here's a reminder of the lyrics and a randomly selected youtube video.

If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

Silent Sunday - 15th December 2013

   

Ranty Friday - Taking credit for other people's ideas

This is one of my pet hates that is right up there alongside stealing peoples pictures from their blogs.  So I thought why get mad.... when I can #RantyFriday about it.

Back in 2009 I was having a look around the internet when a stumbled across a  fantastic idea - putting £1 a day into a jar and then taking out the money when you wanted to to spend on a treat.

You wouldn't miss £1 a day but think how great it would feel to have £50 to spend on that handbag you'd been looking at without feeling guilty, what else would you have spent that £1 on?

At the time I was very active on Money Saving Expert, I looked for a thread the same but there wasn't anything, so I started the £365 in 365 day challenge.  By the end of 2010 there were over 200 people signed up to the challenge.

the post with no name

Been a bit on a blogging drought since moving.  I have posts I have started, things I really want to blog about but just can't find the motivation or the words.

I want to let you know everything that went pear shaped while moving house and how blundells are still making everything a big deal and twice as complicated as it needs to be..... but everytime I sit down to blog about it I get really annoyed and have to stop myself getting really angry... then I lose enthusiasm to write it.

I want to keep you posted with the Elflings activities, heck I want to have the motivation to let the elflings cause mischief every night.  I want the energy to carry out the Elflings challenges every day with the boys.... but my spirit seems to have vanished.

Tuneful Tuesday - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

Because it just wouldn't be Christmas without Rudolph!!

For your enjoyment, the lyrics and a randomly selected youtube video for "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer"
.  
If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

What's YOUR favourite Christmas song?

£365 in 365 days..... the 2014 challenge

I started this challenge in 2010 over on Money Saving Expert, but every year a few months in something happens, be it an unexpected bill or a family holiday and the money has to be opened.

But 2014 - new house, new me..... I WILL achieve the £365 target.

The aim: to put in £1 in a day from 1st January 2014- empty it on 31st December 2014 and spend spend spend in January 2015 sales.

Is being a SAHM a job?

Chelsea Mamma lit the touch paper and let it burn......read her post here.  Is being a Stay At Home Mum (whatever the circumstances) a 'job'??

I know there are many different reasons for being a SAHM, you may have had circumstances forced on you, you may have chosen to give up your job.
No ones life is the same and I am sure there will be many SAHM's who will disagree with me entirely and argue their life is far more challenging than ours however this is MY LIFE I am talking about.   I am making no accusations about anyone else's life  am simply outlining how I see it as a working mum and my experiences and observations on/ with my SAHM friends.

Make Christmas Magic.... Portable North Pole (PNP)

Another December in our house means another trip to the Portable North Pole.

We LOVE PNP in this house.

Every year I log into the PNP and ask Santa to send the boys a message.

To Do List 6th December - 12th December 2013

We're all moved and settled in..... but thats a blog post for my to-do list. I have got soooo much to do between now and Christmas it's rediculous but new house, new beginnings and I need to stay on top of things.

Pizza Hut Party........... eventually I can give you an update!

Readers to my blog/ twitter may remember Ben's disastrous birthday party at Pizza Hut... you can read it here if not?

Well after over a month of chasing the complaint up and being told it was being investigated ... just to find out they had no record of having received it..... I have a response :)

Pizza hut have apologised to both me and Ben (in seperate letters - nice touch).  They have sent gift cards to the value of £95 (£30 refund and £65 so Ben can go with his friends in the new year).

Well done Pizza Hut, thank you.

Tuneful Tuesday - Alma Cogan "Never do a tango with an Eskimo"

This is the boys most requested Christmas song, so I thought I'd make it this week's Tuneful Tuesday hit.

For those of you who have never heard here it is, the lyrics and a randomly selected youtube video for Alma Cogan "Never do a tango with an Eskimo"
.  
If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

What do Greg James, Andy Jordan, Rick Edwards and Grimmy all have in common??

......... They love to check their Bauballs.

Photo A Day (November 2013) (#PADN)

I have decided I need to build myself up gradually to the "Photo A Day for a Year" competition next year, so (as if I don't have enough going on this month) I am challenging myself to take a "Photo A Day" (for a Month - November) (#PADN)

I'm hoping this challenge will capture the joys and stresses of moving, the enjoyment of childhood and the ever changing colours and weather of the autumn season.

Silent Sunday 1.12.13