Author: Roseanne's Blog

I'm Roseanne :) 33. Married to Tim 💗 I'm a Harry Potter fanatic ⚡ and a Bookworm 📚 I started this blog to document our wedding planning and its grown from there!

Blogmas 2019 Day Two: My reading challenge, the December edition 📚

We’ve made it to the final month of my reading challenge! I’m honestly surprised I managed to keep this up all year but also very pleased.

I will do a little round up in Jan of everything that I have read this year and perhaps introduce a new challenge for 2020.

Firstly, I will share with you what I read in November…

  • A Christmas gift by Sue Moorcroft
  • T’was the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay
  • A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

I thoroughly enjoyed all of these books and they have definitely got me into the festive spirit

So, without further ado, for the last time in 2019, here are my reading picks for this month…

The Christmas Wishlist by Heidi Swain

After being let go from her job in a swanky hotel just weeks before Christmas, Hattie is feeling lost. Even more so when her high-flying boyfriend announces he’s landed his dream job in Abu Dhabi and asks her to move with him. Luckily, Hattie’s long-time friend Dolly is on hand to help and invites Hattie to spend one last holiday in the small, festive town of Wynbridge, determined to give her a Christmas to remember . . .
Upon Hattie’s arrival, holiday preparations are in full swing. But for Hattie, whose Christmas cheer has long since run out, it’ll take more than mince pies and mistletoe to open her heart to the season once more. Relishing the task of reigniting Hattie’s Christmas spirit, Dolly suggests they create a wish list of all the things the season can offer, and with the helpful hands of Wynbridge’s resident handyman, Beamish, Hattie finds her frosty exterior is starting to thaw.
As Wynbridge prepares for its most spectacular Christmas yet, will Hattie leave snowy England behind for life in a sunnier clime, or will she in fact realise that her heart’s desire lies much closer to home?

The Christmas Stocking and Other Stories by Katie Fforde

THE CHRISTMAS STOCKING: Romy is all set to join her boyfriend and his family in France for Christmas, though truth be told she isn’t looking forward to it very much. And then she meets Felix – and her plans for the big day suddenly become a lot more interesting.

CANDLELIGHT AT CHRISTMAS: It was meant to be the perfect Christmas – surrounded by friends and family in their beautiful home in the country. But then the lights go out, and Fenella knows she will have to work very hard to keep everyone happy …

THE CHRISTMAS FAIRY: It’s Christmas Eve in Crinan, and a young man is on his own with only his nephew and niece for company. Then Ella arrives. Dressed as a fairy, she is determined to wave her wand and give them all the best Christmas ever.
And many more!

23 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS 🎄

See you tomorrow for Blogmas Day 3!

Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne 🎅🏻

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Blogmas 2019 is here: My advent calendars 🎄

(Sung to the tune of Whizzard) IT’S BLOGMAS!!!!!!!!

Yep, its that crazy time of year again, but over here on Roseannes blog it’s one of my favourite times!

Why? 1. Because I love Christmas and 2. I love writing festive posts 🎅🏻🎄

What can be better than spreading a but of festive cheer during this magical time of year?!?

Now, I thought I would start Blogmas by showing you my advent calendars for this year, as they too begin today.

So, lets take a look…

Hotel Chocolat Milk Chocolate advent Calendar

24 days of delicious milk chocolate characters. Today was a Father Christmas.

Lego Harry Potter advent calendar

This is so awesome!!

This calendar also has 24 days, each day you get another character or piece to create a Christmassy Hogwarts Lego scene.

Today, behind the first window I got Harry Potter in his Christmas Weasley jumper.

I can’t wait to see the scene build up.

See you again tomorrow

For more Blogmassy fun!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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My reading challenge: November ⛄📚

The penultimate installment of my reading challenge is here!

This year has gone seriously quickly.

I’m quite looking forward to reflecting on all the books I’ve read this year though.

So, without further ado, let’s take a look at what I read last month and what I’ll be reading this month…

What did I read last month:

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

&

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

I enjoyed both of these. The big little festival was a very easy read and I really enjoyed its cosy vibes. The husbands secret took a little bit to get into it and you had to really focus on each character to keep track. When the characters started to link together it was a bit easier to follow and towards the end the chapters were a much more manageable length which I liked, and this made it quite gripping as the story really got going.

This months books:

A Christmas Gift by Sue Moorcroft.

One Christmas can change everything…

‘Georgina loves Christmas. The festive season always brings the little village of Middledip to life. But since her ex-boyfriend walked out, leaving her with crippling debts, Gerorgines struggled to make ends meet.

To keep her mind off her worries, she throws herself into organising the Christmas show at the local school, and when handsome Joe Blackthorn becomes her assistants Georgines grateful for the help. But rheres something about Joe she can’t quite put her finger on. Could there be more to him than meets the eye?

Georgine’s past is going to catch up with her in ways she never expected. But can the help of her friends new and old make this a Christmas to remember after all? ‘

T’was the night shift before Christmas by Adam Kay

‘Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… but 1.4 million NHS staff are heading off to work. In this perfect present for anyone who has ever set foot in a hospital, Adam Kay delves back into his diaries for a hilarious, horrifying and sometimes heartbreaking peek behind the blue curtain.

T’was the nightshift before Christmas is a love letter to all those who spend their festive season on the front line, removing babies and baubles from the various places they get stuck, at the most wonderful time of the year.’

&

A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

‘The White family are gathering for Rosie’s whirlwind Christmas wedding. First to arrive are the brides parents, Maggie and Nick. Their daughters marriage is a milestone are determined to celebrate wholeheartedly, but they are hiding a huge secret about their own, they are on the brink of divorce. The last thing they need is to be trapped together on an irresistibly romantic Winter wonderland.

Rosie’s older sister Katie is worries that impulsive, sweet-hearted Rosie is making a mistake so she is determined to save her sister from herself, if only the irritatingly good looking best man, Jordan, would stop interfering with her plans…

Bride-to-be Rosie loves her Fiance but is having serious second thoughts. Except everyone has arrived – how can she tell tell she’s not sure? As the big day gets closer, and emotions run even higher, this is one family Christmas none of them will ever forget.’

I am so ready for cosy Christmassy, festive, reads 📚📚

This is definatly one of my favourite times of the year to grab a book.

I’m glad I’ve got mine ahead of time as it can get so busy at this time of year and these kinds of books are great for grabbing a few moments of calm in all the Christmas chaos.

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Halloween party fun! 🎃

Today we had a little family Halloween party!

We all got a few bits together, costumes & food and headed to my twin sister Sarah’s house, with her family, my husband Tim, and my sister Charlotte and her family.

The kids (& me) were very excited.

Noah was desperate for a party and this was the perfect time to do it as we were all working on Halloween.

We popped on our costumes and Halloween themed clothes to get into the Spooky spirit.

& first things first, we needed to decorate!

Once everybody had arrived we tucked into some yummy party food whilst watching a bit of Hotel Transylvania.

(If you would like to know how to make these cupcakes head over to my previous post )

For our activities we had Spooky Halloween arts & crafts…

…A bat pinata,

& a game of ‘Pin the eyes on the spider.’

It was lots of fun!

🎃HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYBODY🎃

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Halloween Bat cupcakes 🦇

I hope you enjoyed Halloween on Thursday 🎃

What did you do?

If, like us, you are celebrating Halloween this weekend then this little recipe will be right up your street.

These bat cupcakes are super cute, chocolatey and my ultimate favourite flavour combo, chocolate orange.

They are perfect for the spooky season, a Halloween party, to make with the kids or to just to help you indulge with a cuppa this weekend.

So, enjoy!

What you’ll need…

  • A chocolate cupcake packet mix (12 cupcakes)
  • 1 egg
  • 1.5 tbsp oil
  • Water
  • Chocolate buttercream icing
  • Orange extract
  • Jaffa cakes
  • Jaffa cake nibbles
  • White choc drops (for eyes)
  • Icing tubes (to draw on the fangs)

What you’ll need to do…

  • Make the packet mix as instructed
  • This usually entails adding your egg, oil and water to the packet mix and stirring.
  • Separate into your cupcake cases evenly.
  • Cook in the oven (See individual packets for times/temps.
  • Whilst the cupcakes are cooking, mix some orange extract into your chocolate buttercream.
  • Leave your cakes to cool before decorating.

Decorating…

  • 12 Jaffa cakes
  • A pack of Jaffa nibbles
  • Chocolate orange Buttercream
  • Icing
  • White choc drops

  • Top each cupcake with a generous helping of chocolate orange buttercream.
  • Cut each Jaffa cake in two, to create wing shapes.
  • Pop the wings either side in the icing.
  • Pop two nibbles in between the wings for the eyes.
  • To add detail to the eyes, use a little leftover buttercream to stick a white chocolate drop onto the nibbles.

Eat & enjoy!

I hope you like this little recipe idea, they taste heavenly or should I say devilishly good 👹

🎃🎃 Happy Halloween 🎃🎃

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My half term diary!

October Half term 2019

… because it’s been a busy but fun one!

#stillgotloadsofchorestodo

#whocareswehadfun

Saturday

Me & my mum went out for afternoon tea to start off the half term! We both work in schools so we thought it would be a nice treat at the beginning of the holidays.

We went to a little cafe along the waterfront, in our hometown and it was lovely.

The interior of the cafe was really cool and quirky and the view (with sunshine!!) was amazing.

There were three tiers to the afternoon tea. On the bottom tier were finger sandwiches: Smoked salmon & cream cheese, Ham & mustard, Cheese & red onion chutney and cucumber.

The second tier was cakes, we had a piece of Victoria sponge to share, a piece of coffe cake to share syns a lemon curd that each.

The final, top tier was the fruit scones with clotted cream and jam.

You also got a pot of tea or coffee to accompany your food.

Sunday

I spent Sunday relaxing at a local day spa with my friend.

It was a great way to wind down after a busy first half term.

Relaxing in the jacuzzi, sizzling in the sauna & having a spot of lunch too.

We both decided to treat ourselves to a treatment on this occasion. I went for a back, neck and shoulder massage (Which was amazing) & my friend went for a facial.

A perfect Sunday 🧖🏼‍♀️💧

Monday

Before heading to work in the afternoon I caught up with my friend Livy and her little bundle of joy (SO CUTE!!) Finley.

We met at a local cafe, that I love! & is just around the corner, for what is possibly one of my favourite meals, Brunch!

So good!

But not as good as the catch up and Finley cuddles/giggles ❤

Wednesday

Another day, another brunch!

& this time with my lovely work friends from school.

It can be really tricky organising getting us altogether so it was lovely to be able to finally coordinate our calendars during a school holiday! We see each other every day but it’s good to just be able to chat properly.

Brunch is one of my favourite meals! Breakfast food is the best food for sure.

Thursday

On thursday evening I had both of my nephews and my niece over for a sleepover! (Call me crazy, but it was really fun)

I’ve never had them all at once seeing as they are 5, 3 & 2 but it was triple the fun.

We did lots of fun colouring together as I bought them a little colouring pad and pencil set each for the occasion.

We had tomato and cheesey pasta followed by a bit of Peppa Pig and a story.

And to make things even better they all went straight off to sleep 😴

Friday

On Friday morning I took the boys to the cinema before they headed home.

It was Casey’s pick this time and we watched Shaun the Sheep Farmaggedon.

With lots of snacks of course!

In the afternoon I headed to the station as me and my Auntie had a weekend in London planned together and I was meeting her on the train.

Once we had got to the hotel we headed out for a spot of dinner at a local Bella Italia. It was delicious!

We both had Calamari to start followed by a ‘Create your own’ pizza for me and creamy pasta for my Auntie.

I’ve never known a chain Italian restaurant to have a create your own option so this was great. I went for mozzerella, garlic mushrooms & salami.

Once we had eaten we headed back to the hotel to change then made our way to the theatre.

The show was amazing and such a cool and modern way to tell history.

If you dont know, Six is a musical concert telling the story of Henty the 8ths Six wives. They perform songs as if they are in a girl band and each take it in turns to tell their story.

The songs were really good and the singing was incredible.

Saturday

We started off the day as any day that proceeds a night stay away should… with an unlimited breakfast buffet, YES.

After that we packed up our things and headed to our first stop of the day, our London Bus tour.

I know that its so touristy but I’ve always wanted to do one so that’s something to tick off the bucket list.

We really enjoyed seeing all the different London sights.

We were definatly ready for some lunch, after our two hour trip, so we headed to a nearby restaurant/bakery for what turned out to be an incredibly delicious meal.

This avocado on toast was to die for and the chocolate bomb cake that I had afterwards was pure indulgence!

All that was left to do after this was make our way back to Covent Garden and grab our bags.

We stopped off for a cheeky soft drink at the hotel before making our way to London Liverpool street, homeward bound.

It was such a fun weekend 😁

I had a great time xx

Sunday

Today was the last day of half term 😭

But, it still counts so we made the most of it by spending the day together, having fun!

We started off by gaming, ‘caus we’re cool 😏

& we took sed gaming to that lovely local cafe I mentioned in Mondays entry, (because as I said, its awesome)

So we spent the late morning/early afternoon playing in there and having some yummy lunch together.

The perfect end to half term with my favourite 💗

How was your half term??

🍁

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Autumn 🍁🍂🎃

Autumn, or fall as some as you may know it, is one of my favourite seasons!

& heres why…

A chance to cosy up with a good book.

U unlimited crunchy, colourful leaves.

T ime to warm up with a hot choc/Coffee or two.

U umbrellas & cosy coats.

M assive jumpers.

N ights in!

I love this breezy, crisp lead up to Christmas. Cosy, contented & colourful.

🐿🦔🦡🍂🍃🍁☕🎃🌾🍂🍃🍁

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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Autumn OOTD 🍁🍂

I love clothes & shopping, its definatly one of my favourite past times.

I also absolutely love the Autumn. The crisp mornings, crunchy leaves and cosy evenings.

Its my favourite fashion season too, I’m so into comfy jumpers, jeans, cardigans, woolly hats & cosy coats!

I havn’t done an outfit of the day blog post in ages and I loved this autumnal outfit so, I thought I’d share it.

🍂 Autumnal OOTD 🍁

Cream Pom Pom jumper, Asda £12.50

Black high waisted skinny jeans Primark £10

Leopard print Comverse style trainers, Primark £8

I love a pom pom knitted jumper, skinny Jean’s & converse

Literally my go to outfit 😊

Any Autumn faves?

🍁🍂☕

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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My reading challenge: October 🎃🍁🍂

We are fully into Autumn now and this is definatly the perfect season for snuggling up, all cosy, with a good book.

What did I read in September…

If you have followed my blog previously, you will know that my reading challenge consists of reading at least two books each month.

Unfortunately, due to an Eye Op in September I wasn’t able to read as much as I would have liked.

However, I did listen to an Audio book instead, in order to complete my two book quota!

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

&

Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone (Audio book)

I enjoyed this Jodi Picoult book, I havnt read one of hers in a while, although I would say it isnt one of my faves compared to some of her others.

I wasnt 100% sure how it was going to end unil I read it which was good for keeping you going and it was a subject matter that made you think.

Harry potter of course was a winner in my eyes and is an absolute classic. That was my first time listening to the audio book in full and it really helped curb the boredom when I was recovering from my op.

This month I will be reading…

The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

(See previous post for synopsis – September reading challenge) this is the other book that I was supposed to read last month.

The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

‘Mother of three and wife of John-Paul, Cecilia discovers an old envelope in the attic. Written in her husband’s hand, it says: to be opened only in the event of my death.

Curious, she opens it – and time stops.

John-Paul’s letter confesses to a terrible mistake which, if revealed, would wreck their family as well as the lives of others.

Cecilia wants to do the right thing, but right for who?

If she protects her family by staying silent, the truth will worm through her heart. But if she reveals her husband’s secret, she will hurt those she loves most . . .’

As always recommendations are welcome!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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I did a half marathon 😳🏅

Well, once upon a time I never thought I’d say….

I’ve done a half marathon 🏃🏼‍♀️

For the last two years I have watched this half marathon, in my hometown. We’ve stood at the sidelines and cheered everyone on.

Just as a bit of background, I’ve always done some running (mainly sprints and the odd 400m & 800m) in primary/high school, then I didn’t do it for a few years before I joined Harriers and then my current running club Jaffa.

I’ve always enjoyed running but definatly the shorter distances!

Watching all those people running around my hometown, with a great crowd atmosphere, and having just signed up to Jaffa running club, persuaded me, my husband, my twin sister & her husband to sign up for the 2019 Great East Run 🏃🏼‍♀️

The Great East Run

•Location: Ipswich

•Distance: 13.1 miles

•Date: 22nd Sept ’19

•Finish time: 2.35.51

It was SO tough, even tougher than I could have ever imagined.

And I had alot going against me with my recent eye op disrupting my training, a lower back issue, as well as a sinus infection/cough.

Even with those issues I know that I gave it all I had, I couldn’t have pushed my body any more than I did and I madeit over that finish line with a time that I’m really happy with.

At times I thought that I was going to cry, that I was going to stop, that the finish line would never appear.

Boy am I glad I kept going.

The water stops & towns folk handing out sweets and supporting really helped.

& the fam came out to watch us too.

It was a great experience, running with my sister & brother in law, putting that medal round my neck, becoming a half marathon finisher.

🏃🏼‍♀️🏅🥵🏅🏃🏼‍♀️

&

Btw, if you’ve ever wondered what a Half Marathon feels like this is pretty accurate…

Well done to all the 2019 finishers 🙌🏻

We smashed it 💪🏻👊🏻

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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