Afternoon Tea with my Mum

The 9th of April was the fourteenth anniversary of my dad's death. Lee was asked to go and play a festival in Ipswich, and he wanted me to go with him, but I didn't want to be at a gig on the anniversary. However, I didn't mind if he went, so he went at about 8.30 and I stayed in bed for a while reading, with both cats asleep on me. I had planned to go out with my mum. She had a gift voucher for afternoon tea at Blacker Hall Farm which is near where she lives. It was a retirement present and she very kindly said she would take me. So I had a shower, got ready, and headed off to hers to pick her up.

On the way in we saw a lovely pot with flowers in so we bought it to take to my dad's grave later. The cafe is through the shop and is always full, we were glad we had booked. They do a vegetarian afternoon tea so I ordered that and a latte. My mum wanted some modifications to the sandwiches (eg she didn't want horseradish on the beef sandwich) and staff were quick to do that for her.

It was lovely! I got two cheese and tomato sandwiches and two falafel and beetroot relish sandwiches, both of which were lovely! Then there was a huge scone with lots of clotted cream and strawberry jam. Then there was a piece of fruit cake (with cheese, as is right and correct in Yorkshire), a raspberry meringue, a lemon posset, and for me a salted caramel brownie. My mum's had chocolate torte but we gussed that had gelatine in it so wasn't okay for vegetarians. 

We both ate our scones and the raspberry meringues as we didn't think that would have travelled home very well, but we took home everything else. As we were leaving we spotted the mum and grandma of my friend Stacey, so we stopped to speak to them.

We went to the cemetery and put the pot on. It's not somewhere I go a lot but I was happy to go with my mum. It started hailing so we didn't stay long! We went back to my mum's house and I stayed there til about 11pm! We had a few jobs to do so we did them, and she made me veggie sausage rolls and beans for tea. There was one left over so I added it to my cake box to bring home. I managed to stick the pages for a zine while I was there which was a job well done.

I could have stayed over but I didn't want to leave the cats all night. I got back and fed them and then stayed up way too late reading! It was cold in the house by then so I ended up sleeping under two duvets to be cosy. On Sunday I took it easy; I fed the cats late and was thinking about some lunch when Lee arrived home which was nice. He'd had a great time at the gig which was good. 

I was wearing the Joe Brown's vintage looking tea dress I wore a couple of weeks previously, but didnt' get a photo. I had remember to put contact lenses in for the first time in forever, so I put some make up on too! It was nice to spend the day with my mum and then my stepdad too. 

All ready in the bathroom before I went out

In the cafe with my mum

Lovely afternoon tea, I'd recommend it if you're in the area but do book!

Lunch with Philippa and What I Wore April 6th

I went to Sheffield on the 6th of April to meet my friend Philippa for lunch. On the way I dropped some stuff off at Sarah's and also this cross stitch for Robyn for her first birthday. I didn't make her anything when she was born so this was delayed! Sarah loves foxes so I chose a pattern accordingly. I used threads from my stash and think it looks lovely! It's done on black evenweave as I really like the finish that evenweave gives. I couldn't go in to Sarah's as the whole house has Covid (it currently feels like everyone you know has Covid) so I didn't stay long.

Philippa had chosen for us to go to Dysh, which is on Ecclesall Road in Sheffield near Endcliffe Park. I've not been there before, but I knew that children's book shop Rhyme & Reason is on the way, so I stopped off there next. I was pleased to see one of my friend Vicky's "Feminists for Trans Rights" stickers in the YA section. I had a good look around and bought a game which is a bit like Rock Band Go Fish, and a YA book. I only bought one book! A lot of stuff that appealed to me in the YA section is stuff I've already read. I need some intel on what's forthcoming! 

It was throwing it down in Sheffield and I was stupidly early, but I drove up the road to Dysh and went in. Our table wasn't ready but I was offered a window seat and a drink. The window seats are high bar stools which I usually struggle with but these were okay and comfortable. I got a decaf cappucino and I had packed my book in readiness, so I sat reading. Our table came free so I moved to it, and Pippa arrived not long after.

The menu isn't huge but they have quite a few vegetarian and vegan options, which is good. I also overheard a member of staff telling someone about their allergy advice, which seemed really comprehensive and I was pleased the staff member knew it off the top of his head. The breakfasts looked delicious and I would definitely go back for that, but I went for crispy cauliflower with katsu sauce, served with potato tots. The menu said they come on top of, but I'm not about that life, so I asked for the tots on the side and they very sweetly put them in a whole extra dish for me. Philippa had homemade fish fingers also on tots. We got two sides of buttered greens and wild mushrooms and shared both, which were lovely. 

The cafe has a lovely enticing display of cakes at the front, mostly muffins and cookies and with a cheesecake etc too. I went for a raspberry and white chocolate muffin, and a dark chocolate hot chocolate. Both were lovely! We sat for ages after we'd eaten - I would have felt bad but there was someone else in too so we weren't stopping them from closing. It was past 5pm once I got home! 

I pulled out this black Simply Be dress that I've only worn a couple of times since I bought it last autumn. I don't like the floofiness of the sleeves, so I pull them up to my elbow and think they look nice there. There's elastic in the cuffs which keeps them in place. I put the dress on and then went over to my back of Snag tights, intending to pull out either my footless or footed pair of black tights. But then I realised that the blue footless tights - the colour is called Beach Bum - matched the blue hearts in the dress perfectly! So I put those on for the first time. Now I will say that they seem to run slightly smaller than my other Snags. My friend Chloe said this can happen because of the different colour dyes, so I wasn't too surprised. They do still fit fine, but are just maybe a smidge tighter. 

My shoes are from Schuh, I saw an advert for them and had to make them mine. I love the cracked patent look to them. They're slightly too tight, but I'm hoping they'll loosen up the more I wear them!

The gorgeous cross stitch I did for Robyn! There are tons of mistakes in it so don't look too close

The YA section and pro trans sticker in Rhyme & Reason

The game I bought, I'll have to play it with Lee

Cauliflower katsu, on top was pickled carrots and thin fried leeks, I think

Tots! I could have eatewn a bucketful of these

Wild mushrooms, I do love a mushroom

Simply Be dress, Snag tights, Shuch shoes

A close up on the footless tights and shoes - isn't the colour of the tights just glorious?

Films of the Month - March

I only watched seven films in March, which is very small number and I'd really like to do better in April! Here's what I did see: 

I've never seen Once Upon A Time in Hollywood and have wanted to, so I watched it. I really liked it, it's complex and funny if a bit long

The Italian Job is one of my favourite films of all time; I watched it one Thursday afternoon when I was by myself. I just love it, I could probably say all the words

Lee and I watched Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey one Friday evening. I prefer it to the first one because I just love Death so much. It's so funny, if very stupid

Netflix recommend 17 Again to me, so I watched it one Monday afternoon. It was okay, I like Matthew Perry so his bits were good

My friend Leanne recommended I watch The Power of the Dog so I did. It's really good, I would recommend it to you if you haven't seen it

I don't know why I was thinking about In the Name of the Father, but I was, so I watched it. I've seen it before. It's about the Guildford Four, who were wrongly convicted as IRA terrorists. It's good, Daniel Day Lewis and Pete Postlethwaite are both excellent

Finally I was reading about Jerry Lee Lewis and didn't realise they had made a film of his life starring Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder as Jerry's thirteen year old wife (who was also his cousin). I liked it, even if I find Jerry Lee's life icky in parts (thanks to the aforementioned thirteen year old wife, for a start). It's good!

Out with Lee and Bettie and Jen and What I Wore April 2nd

On the 2nd of April Lee and I went to Sheffield to meet Bettie and Jen for food. We haven't seen them for ages so it was really nice to. We decided to go to Saigon 68, which is an excellent Vietnames cafe on London Road. It's always full of people and the staff are lovely. It feels like authentic food. Lee and I haven't been since before the pandemic so when Bettie suggested it we readily agreed.

We had had a quiet day in prior to that. Lee had had to go to the gym for a bath because the bathroom sealant was still drying, haha. I had been making Easter cards, also pictured below. I got dressed and we set off to Sheffield. 

I put on my Grace Petrie t-shirt, my Scarlett & Jo netted skirt, and my purple and black striped Snag tights. Bettie always wears black so I thought I'd go a bit goth like her for the occasion. I put my Dr Marten shoes on - I wear these most of the time because I can slip them on and off without unbuckling which makes them fast for me. I polished them the other day but noticed they were looking a bit scuffed again.

Quite often at Saigon 68 I have noodles - when I ate meat I used to have the three roast meat ones, and since I went veggie I've had it with fake chicken - but I fancied something different this time so I went for fake chicken red curry with egg fried rice. Lee said it would be spicy but he was wrong - it had a bit of a kick but wasn't too much for me. It was delicious! Lots of veggies as well as the fake chicken. Lee and I also shared some salt and pepper tofu which is always good, and Bettie and Jen did too. That dish alone is a reason to visit! 

Everyone else had noodles I think. We all enjoyed the food. They have plenty of veggie and vegan options so it's ideal. After we'd eaten we went to the pub next door for a couple of drinks which was nice. Then we went back to Bettie and Jen's for a bit before coming home around 10pm. Then straight to bed! It was a nice evening though

I bought a card making kit in TK Maxx a few weeks ago and made these ten cards with it

Fake chicken red curry - other food not pictured, sorry!

Ladz in pub

My outfit, I look a bit shambolic here, I'm sorry 

Close up on my tights and shoes, and yes we do have a Kwik e Mart doormat!

Out with Friends and What I Wore April 1st

I had plans to see my friend Katie on the 1st of April, and then I also invited my friend Stacey to come too. They don't know each other, but they have friends in common and I thought they'd get on. And they did! It was nice. 

Our bathroom got refurbished during the day. We had bought new fixtures and fittings, but were keeping the same bath, toilet, and sink. We bought taps, a new shower, a new shower screen and bath panel, and some other bits. The bath and sink needed resealing as they'd been leaking. Lee had managed to secure the underneath but we hired a plumber to do everything else. He arrived early meaning I couldn't have a shower beforehand, and we weren't allowed to use the bath or shower for a while, so I headed to my mum's for a bath. She was on holiday in France, so I let myself in. As I knew I was having a bath I had taken one of the bath bombs that my cousin bought me for Christmas. It was lovely! Pink and yellow and glittery, and it smelt lovely. I wallowed for a bit then washed my hair in the shower and got dressed and ready. 

We had booked a table at Smokehouse in Wakefield city centre. I was surprised by how many vegetarian choices they had even though they're a meat smokehouse, so I was happy to go. Stacey arrived not long after me and Katie wasn't long after that. We ordered food, which did come quickly. I had nachos with cheese, guacamole, and salsa, and then the pulled jackfruit barbecue burger. I wouldnt' make jackfruit myself at home, so I was happy to have it in a restaurant. It was yummy. 

However, the service was really slow which annoyed me. They could have easily sold us puddings or another round of drinks (I actually only had water as I wasn't asked if I wanted another drink) but didn't bother to bring over the menus. It felt like the staff didn't really care if we were there or not, which did really annoy me. But, we had fun sitting and chatting, which was the main thing. 

I got home just before 10pm. I was wearing a new mustard dress from Simply Be which was in the wardrobe still with its tags on, so I thought it would be ideal. I love it, it's floaty and cool so will be perfect in the summer. As it was cold, I put my Simply Be denim jacket on too - I love this for just chucking on over an outfit for some warmth. It fits me so well. I was also wearing my black footless Snag Tights, which is something I've been doing a lot recently. And my patent dolly shoes from Schuh which I bought with some Christmas money. I love the outfit as a whole!

Gorgeous nachos, I could eat them again right now!

Pulled jackfruit sandwich

And my outfit!

SIX In Leeds and Vietnamese Food

At the end of March I went to see SIX in Leeds with Sam and Jodie. I've seen it once before, in January 2020, and loved it, so I was looking forward to seeing it again. I listen to the soundtrack a lot too. 

First of all though I had a trustee meeting for the charity for which I'm a trustee, which was also in Leeds. It's only my second in person meeting so it was really nice to be able to go. We had lunch first, which was really good - they hire a company who are really good at veggie and vegan options, which I like. I also had to have my photo taken for the website! It was slightly surreal I have to say. 

I left at 4 and drove into Leeds itself to park. I walked up through the Grand Arcade to the Grand Theatre and met Sam and Jodie. We had seats riiiiight in the top balcony which was slightly terrifying but there was a post for me to cling on to which helped! 

If you haven't seen the show it's really fun and I would recommend it. It's about the six wives of Henry VIII and basically they're all trying to convince you that they had the worst time with him. The lyrics are so funny, the actors are all so talented, the choreography and the costumes are just so good. It's a lot of fun and I'm glad I got to see it again. It lasts just over an hour, so by 6.30 we were out of the theatre. 

Sam had booked a table at Nam Song Cafe just across the road for us, so we headed over there. I love Vietnamese food but hadn't yet been here, so I was keen to try it. The food was excellent but the service was slow - they said they were having staffing problems. I went for summer rolls and a vegetable curry, both of which were delicious and filling. I would go back, it was good food!

I got home just after 8pm and Facetimed my mum who was in France visiting my godparents, so it was nice to speak to them all. Then I went and got into bed cos I was knackered!

This beautiful ceiling was in the building the charity I work with is based in

Sam took this of all of us, at this point I was sitting on the steps 

The stage just as people started piling in 

Look how high up we were! Slightly terrifying!

For the very end song you're encouraged to take video and photos, so I did! 

Lanterns on the ceiling in the cafe

Tofu and vegetable curry, with rice and cracker type stuff

Tofu summer rolls with chilli sauce - just gorgeous

What I Wore 27th March

27th March was Mother's Day, but my own mother was in France so I had said we would go out with my aunt and grandma. We booked a table at the Sovereign pub in Shepley, which is a pub I like. It's part of a chain but I like the atmosphere inside it. They had a set menu for Mother's Day but it had veggie options so it was fine. Caroline managed to get lost on the way there but she got there eventually, and fortunately staff weren't angry at us. I had mushrooms to start with and then the veggie roast which I've had before, it's nice enough and comes with plenty of vegetables and gravy. I didn't have a pudding, but I did have a nice gin cocktail with raspberry and ginger beer

I opened the wardrobe to find a dress to wear, and lit upon this one, which is new. It still had the tags on, so I definitely haven't worn it. I can't remember how long it's been there, oops. It's a Joe Brown's dress and it's supposed to look quite vintage, which it does. I love the colour and the polka dots! Lee really liked it too (I don't base what I wear on what he likes, but it's nice to get the compliment!). I wore it with my black footless tights and white Converse as previously as the weather was just so nice!

I'd drink this again

Joe Brown's fake wrap dress in a gorgeous greeny blue colour

Day Out in March

My aunt came to stay with us at the end of March. She stayed with us as my mum and stepdad were away, and she wanted to see my grandma for Mother's Day. She arrived on the Friday evening and we cooked veggie lasagne and did quizzes in the evening. On Saturday morning Lee and I had to go to Wakefield to buy taps (we're having the bathroom tarted up a bit) so we dropped Caroline off at the home where my grandma lives now before heading off. 

We got what we needed and food for Saturday night, then went back to pick Caroline up. She had asked if we could go to Elsecar Heritage Centre, a place I always like going, so we headed down the motorway. It was quite busy but we got parked and went in. It was blazing sunshine which was lovely - I feel like I often visit Elsecar in the rain. We had read that there was a street food market on. It took a bit of finding but once we did it was really good! Outside the old train shed were several street food vans, all with delicious sounding vegetarian options. 

I decided on halloumi tacos from the taco van. Lee and Caroline both got jerk type of bowls from a Caribbean van I think. We sat inside to eat. My tacos were absolutely gorgeous, really spicy and delicious! After that we went round the different shops in the centre. We each bought a few things. Lee and I spent a while in the record shop where he bought a few records and I bought a Kate and Anna McGarrigle one. I don't know much by them but I'm a big fan of Martha and Rufus Wainwright (Kate's children) so I was happy to spend £13 on it. I looked round the antiques centre hoping to find some sapphire earrings to go with the ring my mum bought me for Christmas, but there wasn't a lot of jewellery there at all. That's the thing though, things come and go. I'll find some earrings eventually!

We headed home mid afternoon, but it was a nice trip out. We listened to my new album, which turned out to be way better than I was expecting. Lee and I cooked curry - paneer, cauliflower and chickpea for me (all things he doesn't like) and chicken korma for him. That meant Caroline could have some of each, which she did. Mine was delicious. 

After tea we played Trivial Pursuit, obviously aided by kittens, who wanted to play with the pieces. We played a 1980s specific edition, so Caroline won to no surprise! It was a nice day though. I forgot to get a picture of my outfit, though! 

Halloumi tacos, so good!

Elsecar was looking gorgeous in the sunshine

Lee and I outside the craft shop

The vinyl I bought

I also bought a delicious smelling candle

Curry and pilau rice

And finally the cats trying to help...

Tea Out at Las Iguanas and What I Wore 24th March

It was my stepcousin's birthday towards the end of March, and her parents were away in Sri Lanka and my mum and stepdad were about to go to France to see my godparents, so Niri was going to be by herself until I suggested we went out for tea. She chose to go to Las Iguanas at Meadowhall. She actually went shopping in the afternoon and had her hair done, and Lee and I met her at 6pm. I like Las Iguanas - the food is always delicious and they have plenty of vegetarian options. 

Lee got a whole roast jerk chicken which he really enjoyed, and Nirosha and I both had tapas. I had nachos, beach cheese with sweet chilli jam, and a fiesta salad. They were all so nice, I love nachos but hadn't had them in ages. I also had a watermelon margherita which was nice. Niri had some raspberry mocktails which she liked. I'd put together a goodie box of presents for her with chocolate, nail polish, and some toiletry bits. She liked them!

We took her home afterwards before coming home. It was a nice evening and nice to see her. I wore this peach spotted dress from Simply Be which I wore on my birthday meal out too. It's easy to wear and I knew it would be warm enough inside Meadowhall, but it does make my hair real staticky! I wore it with my black footless tights from Snag, and my new white slip on Converse. Lee bought me them for my birthday but I've been saving them until the spring so this was only the second time I'd worn them! They're just as comfortable as the black ones so you can expect to see them a lot this summer!