A Vintage Christmas Party for our Elderly in Sheffield

I stumbled across this lovely idea last week and contacted Sarah with an offer of help from me and my boys.  We'll be popping along to set up and support through the evening and the boys have a huge stack of cardboard ready to make some Christmas cards to take along.

Woking in the public, elderly, sector I come across those who are alone not just at Christmas but during the year. They love to talk and share their experiences, I can't contemplate how hard it must be to spend Christmas on your own with no family or friends.

If you are in Sheffield and free on the 13th December, please consider volunteering your time to help Sarah.

There are also limited spaces left for guests, so if you know of an elderly person who may be spending Christmas home alone who would like to attend please get in contact with Sarah,

Halloween

This year saw the return of Out Of This World to Sheffield city centre, the boys love to have their faces painted so I got the face paints and asked what they wanted.

Noah went with someone very close to his heart, someone that suits his personality down to a T .... Sadness!!

Ben wanted Iron Man, I've done this a few times now so getting a little better at it - but I always need to copy an online example to get it right.

Made In Sheffield: El Toro

Hidden away in Broomhill, Sheffield, is a little gem of a Tapas restaurant called El Toro.  I recently got talking to Eddie, the owner, about Tapas as we're not generally a family who are that adventurous.  If it's not plain and simple then picky 1, 2 or 3 will refuse it.  Eddie assured me we'd not be disappointed and invited us to go and see what they have to offer.  He also took the time out to chat to me about the business and his menu inspirations, and provided a lovely giveaway.... read on to find out more.

Made In Sheffield: Theatre Deli, Sheffield

Tucked away in the old Woolworths building is this little gem of a cafe, the Moor Deli or Theatre Delicatessen to give it it's full name.  This building feels far more than just a cafe. it feels like a community hub.   It's just soo relaxed,  no airs and graces, and no feeling like you have to go the minute you've finished. ....totally my sort of cafe.   And while it's pouring with rain outside where best to sit in the warm with some Lemon and Ginger Ice Cream?

Children are more than welcome, not only is there is a ping pong table and a pile of games you can play if you wanted to wile away a wet afternoon but you are actively encouraged to draw on the (chalkboard) tables!!  I want chalkboard tables at home!!!  ............ ok so mummy may have had more fun here than the kids did!!

The Theatre Deli team have already had great success in London and when they found this building they could see it's potential with it's "atmosphere, [with] secret corners and dark rooms".

Review: Sizzling Pubs, The Park

We love this restaurant, and generally if we are going out for a family evening meal this is the pub of choice.  You may remember a couple of years ago I actually voted it one of my favourite places to eat.  I was therefore eager to try them out for breakfast when I found out they had started to do it.

Me and my son got there around 9.15 today (Thursday) and were the only ones in the place. We ordered our meals (a small brekkie for me and pancakes with strawberries in syrup and fluffy cream) at 9.20. 20 minutes later it arrived!!! Now granted it was fresh but even I can cook 1 sausage and 1 piece of bacon in less than 20 minutes. Heck I could have walked to the local shop, bought it and cooked it in that amount of time.  In fact I am sure our last evening meal came faster!!   I can only assume they didn't have any hot plates switched on or prep done.  The toast turned up dry and when I tried to ask for some butter the one member of staff had vanished. The next time I saw him was very briefly as he went past us into an office when we were leaving.  We were never asked if we needed anything (other than cutlery), whether our food was ok, or offered an apology for the length of time it took.

Classic Breakfast:  egg, bacon, sausage, half tomato, hash brown, baked beans, toast with butter.  £2.49  + Cup of tea (£1)

Made In Sheffield: Marco's

I remember in March 2014 when I found out Sheffield was getting a Marco's, a family-friendly New York Italian restaurant by celebrity chef, Marco Pierre White.  Despite many many hints at my husband he didn't take the bait and over a year later I am still trying to persuade him to take me.  You see he's picky ... really picky - if there is a danger food may have any flavour to it you can be pretty confident it'll be too posh for him.  So when Marco's asked us to join them for their Share Sunday's launch I was like an over excited child (not least of all because I love roast dinners, especially one's I've not cooked myself), unfortunately for him he couldn't get time off work which meant more amazing food for me and the kids.

Marco's has taken the notion of sharing good food with friends and family from across the seas and bringing it to the UK.  They are combining great fine dining with bringing people together over a British favourite - the much loved Sunday roast.  It was a really great opportunity to talk to the kids.  Sunday Dinner at home is the only night in the week the 4 of us sit around a table.  Unfortunately this has the downside of being in the evening when daddy gets in from work so it's very much a rush job before bed.  We were in Marco's for approx an hour and a half, it was relaxed but not a slow service.

From the minute we entered I was a little concerned, although I have taken the boys to eat out many times this restaurant was something else and I was really worried about the kids getting bored and showing off.  Fortunately though Marco's was buzzing and there were plenty of children around enjoying sharing a Sunday platter with their families.   Despite a packed restaurant service was quick and pleasant leaving the boys very little time to debate their next course of mischief.  They were also given colouring pictures and pencils to keep them occupied and loved designing their own Pizzas.

Let me take you through their Sharing Platters from the beginning.......

Bradfield: Damflask Reservoir walk

Saturday was another lovely sunny day and once again ideas for places to go were not coming to mind easily.  I'm more than happy with walking  but everywhere I found that I fancied took between 1 and 2.5h to get to on public transport (I hate not having a car sometimes).  Then Bradfield came to mind.  It's only half an hour up the road and not a place we've ever really been exploring at, we've had a quick walk one wet day and been to the pub for tea when we first moved up..... oh and we've  been round it on the bus when we went to Our Cow Molly Farm last year.  But making a day of it, never.

So I got to googling and there are loads and loads of different walks to printout and follow.  I choose the circular walk around Damflask Reservoir as at 3.8 miles it was about right for the boys to either stop for a rest half way or go all the way around in one go.   Another picnic packed and I told the boys we were off on a Famous Five adventure (that's really what it felt like) and even nipped to Morrisons for some Ginger Beer :)

Mad Hatter’s Party – Children’s Activity Day - 14th March 2015

We're really looking forward to attending the Mad Hatter's Party on Saturday ....... if you live in Sheffield would love to meet you there to celebrate 150 years in Wonderland and the Children's Hospital Charity.

With it being the 150th years anniversary of the Alice in Wonderland book, what better reason is there to have a wonderland themed event?!

In The Picture

I was one of those mums, those who think I know best and that I can take great photo's of my boys.  But you know what the older they get the harder it is... I always end up with the back of a head or a silly face.  I love the natural look, don't get me wrong, but sometimes you want a really great photo for the grandparents and the wall.

I've had various professional photo's taken in the last 6 years and to be honest have been really disappointed in a lot of them.  The only ones that have ever made me go 'wow' are the ones from In The Picture, I'd not go any where else and recommend them to anyone who asks for suggestions .... but I'm rushing ahead.... let me fill you in....

It was a few years ago now, 2009 that I was first approached by In The Picture and offered a really fantastic offer that, as they say, I just couldn't refuse.  A 12x8 colour portrait for just 99p.  Well with Ben at only 7 months old how could I refuse this.

I headed to the studios on York Street, Sheffield and a week or so later collected this amazing picture of my little boy.

Frozen Family Fun Day - 22nd November 2014

With something Frozen themed so close to home how can we not support it?  Me and the boys will be there ........... will you?

Local enterprise raises money for The Children's Hospital with Frozen family Fun Day

Saturday November 22^nd sees Frozen Princess Elsa bringing an extra touch of sparkle to Wadsley as she offers her support to a grand afternoon of Frozen themed fun and games all raising money for the care of babies and children at Sheffield's Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and The Children's Hospital.

Made in Sheffield: Out Of This World 2014

We have just got in from the most fantastic time in town at Out Of This World.  A relatively free event run by Sheffield City Council with input from loads of places.

As far as I gather the events we saw today differed slightly from yesterdays but we had so much fun,

We started the morning down the Moor watch the Hype Dance Company (with some kids as young as 5 or 6) showing off the dances they had been practicing.   I know Ben would love to do something like this but like most things I'm worried I'd pay a lot and have him give up after a few sessions like he did at football.

Following on from Hype came Titan The Robot.  WOW this guy sure could bust some moves - the boys were hypnotised, must admit mummy was pretty impressed.
  Ben and Noah loved his rendition of Gagnam Style and his crying.

Books for sale............

I know tree-books are in decline but I love them farr more then electronic ones.  

I've listed these on Preloved, I've tried local sites and ebay with no responses.  Some are on read it swap it but to be honest I just need them gone.

Collection is from Sheffield or I can post (tho this works out pretty pricey now and I probably can't beat Amazon - thanks royal mail!).

So I'm going to put them on here for a little while and see if any of you lovely people fancy them......

Prices start from just 50p and all can be seen in this album

Dubious directions from Google....

So I've been sat trying to work out what we can do over the next 2 weeks.  There are sooo many places I want to go but we can't justify the price of hotels so it looks like as many 1 day trips as possible.  This really means a maximum of 2 hours each way (anything longer than an hour gets hubby swearing).

So I wondered just how long it would take from Sheffield to Windermere, so I could go back to my uni haunts.

Last time I used google it didn't have trains on it so I was surprised earlier on to find you can now look them up on it (and it's great cause it tells you the trains destimation, vital for departure boards).  however after these directions I'm beginning to reconsider......

"There's 2 Kippers mummy!"

I took the boys to Meadowhall today as I found out Kipper the dog would be at Waterstones.  This was greeted with lots of "yays" from the boys who dislike the Meadowhall crowds as much as me and can normally only be got through the doors with bribery of going to the Lego shop.

They ran to him and said "hi", some hi-fives and a picture opportunity and went away happy...........

Dreamz Ice Cream Parlour

This ice cream parlour has been open virtually on my door step for almost 2 weeks now and I'd not set foot in the door............ until Monday night.

Spoilt for choice is not the word .... not only do they have a hugeee selection of ice creams but also milkshakes, smoothies and coffee.

It took me a lot of choosing, and mind changing before I finalised on ...........

Made in Sheffield: Flurt (frozen yogurt)

It's not often I get excited about 2 hours out of the house..... ok it is.... tis a very rare occurrence and as Flurt pointed out on their facebook page, yes I probably WOULD go to the opening of a crisp packet!

But this excitement was something else, a night to meet some bloggers and local independent businesses as well as having my first ever 'Flurt' frozen yogurt experience (I know now what fro-yo stands for and be warned I will be using it!).

The Tour De France ... or Le Tour D'Pain in the buttocks as it has become fondly known in our house

I promised a post on the Tour De France, after all living in Sheffield who could ignore the fact "It's coming" on the the 6th July.

The city is covered in yellow bikes and bunting....

There are t-shirts and mugs and any other merchandise you could want for sale.....

Rivelin Park.... Water Splash

We went to our own, closer to home, water splash last week to see what it was like.  I love the fact it is virtually on our doorstep, has a wood, cafe and playground as well.  See here for my last Rivelin review.  

We did the usual, picnic, play and went for a REALLLY long walk, I think it was around 5 miles in total, and got lost.  But we loved the water splash.  This is the first time we've been as last year it was being dug up and renovated (yes, you could be forgiven for thinking I am talking about Clifton Park again) and in the years before........ well I didn't even know it existed.

The watersplash and paddling pool area is lovely, especially in the summer sun.

There are loads of little fountains for the kids to run in  and out of, a yellow bucket and shower to tip water onto heads and some little play tables with water running through them.  All of this on a nice, slip-resistant surface.  At one end is a large paddling pool for splashing fun which I has to fight to get them out of.

The toilets are literally seconds away for easy changing facilities....and the cafe is also on the gate of it (convenient eh!)

The boys had a fantastic time and we can't wait for the sun to come out again so we can head back.

Liberty Belle ... the new magazine to look out for....

Liberty Belle is a student-led magazine aimed at female students of Sheffield.  But don't let that put you off, don't stop reading.  It is equally interesting for 30something mums of 2 or for any men who are curious to know more about a woman's world *cough* birthday, Christmas *cough*.

I was concerned that having put my uni days behind me almost 10 years ago I may be a little old for Liberty Belle but they soon eased those worries, I'm even off to their Launch Party on Friday and cannot wait to feed back to you all.

Liberty Belle are fairly new to the magazine scene.  Beginning with a vision, and a team of 20, in September 2012 to give Sheffield's female students a voice and a place to find more about their city and living life on a budget.  This team of 20 is now a team of 70 who on 1st March released their first e-magazine.  They are now about to launch their first ever 64 page print edition.

#sheffblogmeet

A brain child I had last night, sat at home will all my 'fiends' telling me how they had far to much of a life to go out with me (on the one night I've ever asked them) so I turned to my online friends.
  We got talking about how you can always rely on your virtual friends and that some of them might only live up the road from me but yet we don't know each other.

So here's the plan ........ lets meet up for a #Sheffblogmeet.