The Man in the Big Red Suit

The big day is fast approaching, the streets are lit by millions of fairy lights, the supermarket shelves are stacked up high as women stock up for the Apocalypse, and Slade is playing on the radio. So there's no better time to chill out and have Breakfast With Santa at the Beefeater, Kingswinford.

 

Whilst the grown ups helped themselves to a feast of traditional breakfast fayre these little moneys happily settled for Coco-pops and a chance to mingle with the man in the big red suit.

Leaving behind the remains of their mini feast the little ones were treated to arts and crafts, dancing and games with Santa himself. Unfortunately my little rockstar Noah couldn't quite get the concept of musical statues and continued to bop like crazy even after the music stopped. To end it all Santa handed out pretty fabulous Christmas presents to his flock of excited kiddies, remote control cars, pirate ships, Little Tikes trucks and Barbie dolls to name a few...............not a tacky cuddly toy in sight (well done Beefeater).

 

 

Noah's little girlfriend Ellie 

 

 Rocking those Christmas woollies

 Getting crafty 

 Watching his big brother stick his fingers together 

 Check out this handsome young man 

 Merry Christmas Everyone! 

All thanks to Monique

We all have them, craft projects that we never get around to completing, and I'm no exception. There are bags of unfinished layouts, mini books etc scattered around my craft room but today I'm feeling good. I've finally stuck down the last butterfly on this gorgeous project designed by Monique Jacobs.

So 17 months after I started it, here's a book of Me! Containing photographs of yours truly from a baby to a contented 50 year old Grandma. My seal of approval came this morning when I gave my mum first sight of the finished article and I made her cry.

 Apologies now for the lack of pictures from 20-40, most of the ones I managed to find had my hand in front of my face trying to avoid the camera.

Follow Your Arrow

She got me hooked with her performances as a supporting artist for Lady Antebellum, I've almost worn out Same Trailer Different Park in the cd player and finally she's blown me away with an outstanding performance at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire. The world is now ready for Kacey Musgraves the super talented singer songwriter from Golden, Texas.

 

 

As support for Lady Antebellum Kacey gave us a 30 minute insight into her world, a taster of what was to come. Last Sunday she took the stage to deliver a set containing tracks from Same Trailer whilst adding one or two covers to keep the crowd buzzing.

 

 

 

The age of the audience ranged from teenagers (one or two dragging dad along for company) to those of us just about in the Saga club. No matter how old we were everyone sang along as if these were regular tunes on the radio. Whoever said Country wouldn't make it in the UK?

 

From the start it was almost like listening to the album, unlike some of today's younger artists the girl can sing live!! Her talent for song writing is clear in the lyrics of  I Miss You, It Is What It Is, Blowin Smoke, Merry Go Round, Keep It To Yourself and Follow Your Arrow.

 I love, love, love this girl and can't wait for her to come back across the pond for another visit.





Under the Stars on Brighton Beach

I've had that song in my head for weeks, from the latest Rod Stewart album, and it couldn't have been more apt this weekend as we finally got the chance to visit Stephanie in sunny Brighton and boy did she walk my little legs off.

Within minutes of checking into our hotel we were off down to the seafront, passing one or two good looking retail outlets on the way, At this point it hadn't registered that we were heading downhill and I would have to get back up!!!!

 So we took in the sights, raced the dolphins along the pier, took the Victorian Railway past the nudist beach, dined at the marina, played (or at least attempted to play) table tennis before heading back into town to check out Choccywoccydoodah's.

 So much to choose from

The cat that got the cream.........

.............or dipping pots, coconut cake and a banana milkshake xx

The infamous Choccywoccydoodah Cafe

 

Just had to share our Girls Night Out picture, check out our very own cinema ;)

 

It may have taken me long enough to get there but it won't be anywhere near as long before I go back x

Where would I be without my Kindle

I have to be honest......... when I received a Kindle as a Christmas gift from hubby I was more than a little disappointed. I've never considered myself to be much of a reader, 3 books per year just doesn't cut it, so why on earth would he buy me a Kindle. Try and look grateful Annie, it's the thought that counts. So I loaded in a couple of free books from Amazon and away I went

Well, who would have known that I would fall head over heels in love with this pocket size companion? It's my one and only gadget that I could not live without, you could take away my iPhone, iPad, iPod, or laptop but don't even think about coming near my Kindle!!

The very ease of having a pint sized piece of equipment to carry around with me, in my handbag, pocket etc. has meant that I can use every opportunity to read........and read and read. That 3 books per year I mentioned is now 3 books per month!

Disaster struck when my 1st Kindle decided enough was enough and sadly gave up the will to charge itself however that was soon remedied with a trip to Tesco to pick up a replacement, this time in the form of a Kindle Paperwhite. Who would have thought that life could get any easier, with the Paperwhite's back light now I can read in the dark!

 

Before I leave I must tell you about the next best thing to my Kindle, the fantastic EReader UK EBook Club which offers a yearly (minimal) subscription for which you can have 1, 2 or 4 books per month depending on the package you choose. The wonderful gentleman who runs the club, Gordon Haining provides an excellent service, prompting me with an email to make my monthly choices then delivering the books directly to my Kindle within 24 hours.

 

I've been a member for almost a year and a half and have recommended the club to several friends who are all now enjoying the benefits of being a member. The club and my Kindle just fit perfectly together.

 

Go on, give it a try........I promise you won't be disappointed :)

Looking for Treasure

The threat of a torrential rain didn't stop us taking a trip to Blists Hill Victorian Town in Ironbridge for their Treasure Island Weekend. Fortunately the rain gods were looking down on us and we only had one small shower to contend with.

There were activities all around this recreated town to keep the boys entertained, an old fashioned fun fair, searching for treasure on a pirate map, candle dipping, singing sea shanties, traditional fish and chips, chasing pirates and a performance of a scene from Treasure Island. A fabulous day out for all the family.