January 17th and 18th

On the 17th of January I headed to Wakefield to go to a lace making class. When I went to Pudsey Lace Fair last October I met the Bridge Lacemakers who meet in Wakefield every month, and this was the first time I could make it. As a reminder, I used to make lace as a kid, did a little bit about thirteen years ago, and then got everything back out again in February 2025 when someone at craft club wanted to learn. While I remember all the basic stitches, I don't always know how to start things off and finish them. I had spoken to one of the organisers who said she's a tutor and would help me, so I packed all my things and set off. 

It was held in Wakefield city centre, somewhere I've never been before but knew vaguely where it was. I parked and went in with some others - we were the first there though. In all I think there were about fourteen of us. The day is held from 10 until 3pm, and you take your own lunch, although there is tea and coffee available too. I could visit three times before having to join, but I've already decided I will join when I go again in April as I think it's good to put my money towards a dying art like lacemaking. I couldn't make the dates in February and March which I did warn the group about - I didn't want them to think they'd put me off!

Susan helped me get started on this piece straight away as I already had bobbins wound and ready to go. I made this mat a zillion years ago when I was little, and didn't fully understand how to start it. Susan helped me and I learnt a lot from her! I managed to complete a quarter and a little bit during the day, which was good going. However it's now nearly a month after this and I haven't yet picked my lace up again! Maybe soon! 

When the day had finished I drove back home, popping into Tesco on the way home to get cake. It was nearly my birthday so I wanted a cake for home and one to take to craft club, and I needed vegan stuff because our vegan friends Paul and Lianne were coming. They arrived at the station about 4.30 I think, so Lee and I went to pick them up. 

We showed them the house and Lee made vegan chilli for us all, and then we just chilled out for the rest of the night. Paul kep choosing vinyl for Lee to play and we were just chatting. They had been in Sheffield for an art thing, and were staying for lunch with us on the Sunday too. The table wasn't booked until late as my mum and stepdad were at church, so Paul suggested that we went to Elsecar Heritage Centre as they had enjoyed it there previously.

So around ten on the Sunday morning we set off there. We went round all the antiques bits and I even ventured upstairs. I'm so glad I did because I found this vintage sewing machine which had to come home with me! I've been wanting one for ages to just have as an ornament, and this one is so pretty. I think it actually would work - when I turn the handle the needle goes up and down - so I might give it a go one time. 

We went into the nicer cafe for a hot chocolate each and a sit down. We didn't go in many more of the shops as we'd spent a long time in the antiques centre! So then we set off to the Dunkirk pub. It's not that far from our new house and I've heard rave reviews so I wanted to go it. Lee's mam and stepdad came down too, and my mum and stepdad, so there were eight of us in total. We got there a bit earlier than I had booked, but could sit down anyway. 

My mum and stepdad arrived eventually and I opened presents. I got some lovely things including a wine cooler from my mum, champagne from Lee's mam, and chocolate and stationery from Paul and Lianne. We ordered food, I don't think service was particularly fast but we didn't mind as we were chatting. I had Yorkshire puddings and grayv to start with, and then a chestnut roast with all the trimmings and vegetables, and cauliflower cheese. It was so good, I've rarely had a nut roast like it. For pudding my mum and I shared some puddings, but neither were really that good.

Lee's mam and stepdad took Paul and Lianne home which was brilliant. Lee and I got home and watched two films for the rest of the evening. I had been wearing my star print Simply Be dress that I hadn't pulled out at Christmas so I thought it would be nice for my birthday. I also wore my newish Dr Marten boots. They're black and pink and I love them, but I did get a bit of a blister on one ankle. Next time I needed thicker socks I think! I'm determined to break these in. 

Starting off my new lace piece - the threads were left over from my previous project and I had rewound them 

Chocolate cake for craft club

And a Bluey cake for me. I have to say though that it wasn't very tasty

My nails were a dark red polish from Zoya

Sunday morning - my sparkly tights and pink and black boots

A better picture of the polish showing off the sparkle in it

Hot chocolate

My nut roast and another Yorkshire pudding, before I added vegetables

Chocolate malt cake - which was nice - with a weird ice cream, which wasn't

In my star print sparkly dress when we got back, before we got in our pyjamas to relax for the evening

And here's the lovely vintage sewing machine I got! 

Singin' In the Rain Manchester

On the tenth of January I headed across to Manchester to see Singin' in the Rain with Jac, Sam, and Jodie. We had booked the tickets absolutely forever ago and it was the first event I had planned in 2026. I love the film of Singin' in the Rain but have never seen the stage show so I was looking forward to it. 

I set off about 11am I think. The sun was out but there was still a lot of snow on the hills. The roads were fine, though, so it was a pretty drive across Woodhead Pass. I got to Manchester about twelve, as planned, and eventually found the car park I wanted and parked. I walked through to Pho where I had arranged to meet the others, who were already there. 

I had summer rolls with peanut sauce and tofu curry, as I always do. And it was good! We walked through to the Royal Exchange Theatre which I've been to once before, it's cute as a theatre. We were on Row B which was in the "splash zone". I was right on the edge, too. 

The show was absolutely brilliant. Really faithful to the film and the actors were all really good. I really did get splashed during Singin' in the Rain which happened just before the interval. During the interval the staff had to come and dry the stage, it took a while! We had ice creams in the interval. 

The second half was just as good and we all enjoyed it. It was dark and cold by the time it had finished - it was the matinee showing - but I got back in good time back over the moors. 

I stopped on the way before Woodhead Pass to take this gorgeous photo of the snow and the sky

Summer rolls

And tofu curry

The stage before the show started

And with my flyer

Here we all are! 

And the staff mopping water off the stage in the interval!

Shopping with My Mum

I went shopping with my mum on the 9th of January, but before I write about that I'll mention just a couple of days before that. On the 5th of January Philippa came to Penistone for lunch with me and to see my new house. We met at Holme Coffee House - of course, because I love it - and I had poached egg and avocado on toast, which was really good, and then millionaire's shortbread, I think! Philippa then came to the house to look around and we chatted for a bit before she went.

On the Wednesday I went to see Georgina's new house. She is the blogger you may know as She May Be Loved, Georgina Grogan. She and her family moved back in November and I wanted to go nosy. My satnav took me some weird and wonderful ways across to near Mexborough where they are now. Their house is lovely and they have a lot of work planned to make it even better for the family. It was nice to see Georgina and Alfie and meet her mum, Marie, who I've heard a lot about but have never met before! 

After that I went to Cortonwood retail park because Lee and I had been discussing for ages that we needed a ton of new bedding like fitted sheets and pillowcases, so I decided to go to Asda. My budget was around £100. I went into the Asda cafe for lunch but it was absolutely crap, they didn't have half of the things on the menu and I ended up just having a cheese pasty and a drink. Never mind, it didn't really matter. I'm sure there used to be a Caffe Nero at Cortonwood though, I would have gone in there. 

I got a bunch of bedding including cute strawberry duvet sets for our bed and the spare bed. I got a new bath mat and some towels, too. The book was payment for me going and braving the entirety of the Asda Living. I do love Lisa Jewell so I will have to read this soon! I also bought some tongs because ours got lost in the move. 

I put everything in the car and then I went into Boots and Next. I had Christmas money to spend so I bought myself some treats - a candle, some nail polish, and a ton of sale perfume. I really like the little bottles from both Yardley and Ted Baker - they are interesting scents and the little bottles last long enough for me. I also tried a small bottle of a Next scent I haven't had before. I really like it and may buy a bigger bottle at some point! 

Then, Friday! It snowed the day before - it snows a lot up in Penistone - so I wasn't that sure we would even get to Meadowhall but it looked quite clear so my mum and I set off separately and decided where we would meet. I even went the back way to the M1 and it was fine - I think the snow plough might have been through because it wasn't that bad. I had painted my nails with one of my new polishes from Next. It's exactly the type of baby pink I wanted. I think all our mothers had this colour when we were little! It lasted and lasted so I was impressed.

My mother and I met at Costa and had a drink and then went shopping. She wanted to get me a birthday present and ended up getting me a silver coloured and diamante wishbone ring from Pandora. I have a rose gold one the same and really like them. They're very easy to wear but look cute. I also wanted a new handbag. Last year I switched to a small backpack which is way better on my shoulders and much less painful for me. It was getting a bit tatty though so I ended up getting a new one with some Christmas money. 

I also had a gift voucher for Waterstones from Jac for Christmas so I went in there to spend that and got all these gorgeous books (I did pay £10 myself). I am looking forward to reading them! My mum and I then went into Yo Sushi for lunch. It would be my choice and she agreed. I had pumpkin katsu and some other bits. We did some more shopping and then we went to Hotel Chocolat for pudding. That was my mum's suggestion. I had a mint milkshake and a brownie chocolate thing. It was nice but I was very full! At the end you can see my new bag. I love the reddish purple colour. And I had to get these Scream earrings from Lovisa (or is it Louisa?). They were in the sale, too! 

Delicious food in Holme Coffee House as usual

And my pudding

Everything I got in the sale - oh I got a Miffy bath bomb too, I will have to use that too. This wasn't a bad haul for about £40!

All the bedding and towels and stuff I got, including very cute napkins (I am turning into my mother)

Friday, my nail polish

The books I got with my voucher

Pumpkin katsu for lunch

Deliciousness for pudding

My new bag - it's smaller than my old one so even better to carry, but I can fit less rubbish in it

And finally my very cute acrylic Scream earrings which as you can see were a whole four quid! 

New Year's Day 2026

We slept in laaaate on New Year's Day, and Peter slept in even later than that! We must have all needed it. We got up and had lunch, and then Peter and I did some resin crafts which I'd been meaning to do again for ages. Not everything worked out great but I think I learnt some lessons about resin, which is good! 

At 3pm I declared that we should go out for a walk. I needed some fresh air and to stretch my muscles again. We went back to Cannon Hall, where we had been on Tuesday, but we went up to the top by the house and parked there. We walked around the house and through some of the gardens, which were stunning. The sun was setting and I got some really lovely photos around the little lake. 

About 4pm we went into the cafe and had a huge hot chocolate each, which was lovely. There were a few people about, but not loads. We went through the farm shop and I bought some mince pies which were delicious. We went back home and chilled out. I got this t shirt off Vinted - I love the tattoo print of it and it was only a few quid. 

In the evening we ate basically everything that was leftovers from the week. We just put it all on the table and everyone had what they wanted. It was nice! We watched more films - we were educating Peter on some of our favourites, although I think some were more of a success than others. He liked both Wayne's World films!

In the morning Lee had to work at 9.30 as it was the 2nd, so Peter was up early and put the bed away and left around 9am. He got home in good time, all the way back to Southampton! It was nice to spend such a long time with him though. 

The rest of the phots are just a round up of Christmas things. Lee got this Nuka Cola rug for his office room, which he likes. I got several bottles of wine and a bottle of pineau as gifts. Pineau is a sweet wine from the Charentes region of France. I had some when I was there in 2024 and really liked it. You can buy it here, but it's rare. Anyway, my aunt and uncle bought me this bottle in France while on holiday and brought it back, which was very sweet of them. Then there's my resin when they were all set. I still need to do things with them! And finally, there's all the books I was given for Christmas, I can't wait to get to them! 

Pouring resin with Peter

His was the glittery blue stuff

From the terrace at the front of Cannon Hall main house, looking left

And right, towards the setting sun

Here we are! As you can see, I was wearing my new coat

A mermaid in the gardens

And a folly lake with some ducks

And a seahorse

And some chapel ruins, which aren't original at all apparently, but were moved there 

I loved this one with the sky behind it

And this

Huge and delicious hot chocolate!

Peter and his 

And Lee

Here's my outfit when we got home, I love how bright this t shirt is

Lee's new rug. He's working hard on getting his office how he wants it to be

Three bottles of prosecco, the pineau, and a bottle of champagne - not a bad haul!

My resin when it was cured, which took a while, I'm not sure why. My coasters aren't level and I'm not sure why that happened, either, because they set on the kitchen island, which presumably is level?

And finally here's the books I got as presents!

New Year's Eve 2025

New Year's Eve! As you know, we had Peter staying with us, but didn't have much planned. A quiet one! 

We all didn't get up until quite late but when we were finally ready we headed to the hospital so that I could pick up my tamoxifen. It didn't take too long actually so we then went to Elsecar Heritage Centre. Our plans were to wander around there, have a quick bite to eat, and then head to Meadowhall to do some shopping and eat a full meal there later before heading home for the evening. We started off by looking round the antiques centre and then went into the heritage centre. They've refurbished that recently, so that was good to see, and it now includes a bunch of stuff about the Miners Strike and so on. It's very cool! 

We went in a few of the shops and then into both cafes, but neither of them had something small to eat. We were beginning to get hangry by this point, so we decided to just head off to Meadowhall. We got there about 2pm I guess and went to Las Iguanas to eat. They had run out of a bunch of their stuff, but it was fine. We had food. I had a weird cheese curry that I wouldn't eat again, and Lee and I shared the nachos. 

We went into a few shops and I got a new winter coat. My old one was rubbish and I had been meaning to go to Meadowhall to Yours to buy another, but hadn't got round to it before Christmas. So I went in and found one. It was in the sale so was only £49 instead of £65. I don't love the khaki green colour, but I also don't really care that much about a coat. It's warm and cosy and that's the main thing. 

It then turned out that Meadowhall was closing at 4pm as it was New Year's Eve. We needed a new microwave so Lee went off to get that and Peter went off to get doughnuts, and the whole place just felt like chaos. They were ushering us to the door! I have no problem with people getting the evening off to celebrate, of course, we just hadn't realised before we got there that it was closing so early!

A bit later in the evening I had a bath with a bath bomb and we watched a film or two. Gillian had bought me a s'mores kit for Christmas so Peter and I had some fun with that (Lee doesn't like marshmallow). When the clock struck midnight we were watching the fireworks on the BBC, nothing else. We have a Juliet balcony in our first floor living room so we shut all the cats out so we could open the doors and see if we could see any fireworks. Not sure I could though! My mum called us from Somerset to say Happy New Year, and I took the final photo of all three of us just before bed!

This Women Against Pit Closures poster in the heritage centre and it's really cool!

And we all quite liked the festive duck 

Nachos, which were nice

And my weird curry - it was nice but the rice and bread weren't great

Tamoxifen. I didn't know they used it as a cancer preventative, and they have some side effects like hot flushes and so on, but I'm happy to be on them

Modelling my new coat on the landing

Having a bath with a lovely green bath bomb

Time for s'mores! 

They did melt and go really squidgy

And here we are, happy new year!