My Lockdown Faves

Its day 38 of social distancing for me and another 3 weeks of lockdown has been announced.

That being so, I thought I would share a few of my ‘Lockdown’ faves that have been keeping me going and keeping me sane during this crazy time.

I’m not posting these to show off all the lovely things I’ve been doing, trust me there have been plenty of very unproductive days too.

Lets take a look!

 

Books, Books, Books

This is my ultimate, favourite hobby anyway but it is so nice to have the time to finally indulge in it. I do a reading challenge on my blog anyway and my aim is to read two books a month… I read two books last week… and I got so stuck into them I couldn’t put them down.

I know this is such a luxury, especially without having dependents, I have lot more time for me, but I’m taking full advantage because we are unlikely (fingers crossed) to be in a similar situation again.

Plus, I get alot of enjoyment out of immersing myself into stories, its a great way for me to relax, feel happy and less anxious about the current COVID situation.

 

Animal Crossing: New Horizons

I entirelly blame my friend Dan for this new obsession haha!

I was always a Harvest Moon gal, back in the day, and I loved playing that on my DS, so, whenever Animal crossing came out I never got it as they are quite similar games.

We’ve had a Switch for a little while and lockdown was the perfect time to get stuck into a game like Animal Crossing, and I have to say, I am really enjoying it. Its right up my street and its really getting me through the long days.

Plus, there’s a nice little community and me and my friend Dan have been playing together which is really nice when you are so disconnected (physically) from everybody at the moment.

 

TV

I have been re-watching Glee since it came onto Netflix in Oct/Nov time but I am very thankful for its familiarity and awesomeness right now. Its nice to be able to just pop it on and watch and enjoy something without having to think too much about it. The same goes for Friends too. I have also really been enjoying Disney + which we got at the start of lockdown, as well as Jamie’s ‘Keep calm and cook’ on program on channel 4. TV is probably one of the things I have been using the least but its great to have a few firm favourites to pop on if needed.

 

Learning Guitar

As part of my ‘Things I want to learn before I’m 30’ I started to learn to play the guitar just before Christmas. I didn’t really have the time to properly do it then so it was a bit of a non starter, However, since I started social distancing I have been able to focus on it and have made lots of progress so far.

My brother in Law showed me a subscription website that does online guitar lessons (Fender Play) and it is really good. I feel like I’m learning so much and really understanding the basics, creating a good basis to really learn the guitar.

I’m trying to take my time and enjoy the learning  aspect of it as I often get a bit impatient and skip ahead. I’ve got plenty of time anyway!!

I’ve enjoyed learning guitar tab in my last few lessons and have been learning the Harry Potter theme tune (Of course!) as well as nursery rhymes to play for my nephews.

 

Enjoying the little things

Although this situation is less than ideal it is nice that the extra time and the restrictions have given way to a appreciation of the little things. Taking 5 minutes to sit and be calm, sitting in the sunshine and fresh air, journaling, listening to a podcast, having a relaxing bath…

 We are often rushing through our days so being forced to slow down has really made me appreciate and enjoy them and they have become a great source of comfort and wellness in this strange time.

Yeah, we can do all of these things normally but maybe we will remember how they made us feel in lockdown and this will bring extra appreciation and comfort to them once we are back to ‘normal’ life.

I for one have enjoyed the sunshine and fresh air in particular… Being in a flat means we are stuck inside so I am really enjoying having the double doors ,in our lounge, the fresh air rolling in with the sunshine, at midday feels lovely.

Quizzes

At the start of the social distancing time it was my brother in laws birthday so we did a family skype quiz, which I wrote.

Since then we have made it our little Friday night activity, we take it in turns to write the quiz and the winners and/or losers choose a category for the next  weeks quiz.

This has been really fun and its so nice to see all the fam.

Me and my twin sister Sarah have also been doing some online quizzes that people have been posting online and Youtube. We have done a couple of Harry Potter ones, a Disney one and a Gavin & Stacey one.

I’ve always loved a quiz so I’m quite enjoying all of these being available.

 

Video chats

What would we do if this wasn’t an option!! These have been a god send.

Its so nice to still be able to see peoples faces and chat! We are so lucky that there are so many different platforms to do this on too, I mean before this I only ever did the odd Whatsapp video call! Now its all skype, Zoom, Facebook, Houseparty and Whatsapp! Its all going on, but it is definalty  the thing keeping me sane the most.

As I am a Learning support assistant in a Primary school (Reception) I have been doing phonics lessons for my nephews via Skype so that has been nice, I feel like I am helping them and I really miss my job so its nice to have that each morning.

 

Baking

I love baking so I am enjoying having a bit more time to just do some random baking if the fancy takes me. Usually its for an occasion so its more time pressured, so its nice to just be able to enjoy it.

Thank goodness there is lots of extra exercise content available otherwise Im sure my waistline wouldnt be enjoying it all haha.

So far I have made Two banana breads, double choc chip cookies, chocolate orange cookies and mini cheese scones! YUM!

Craft

I’ve always enjoyed crafting anway but obviously now that I have a bit of extra time I can do a few projects.

I have started making cards again recently and I am trying to make a big batch so that when I can actually start giving them/posting them again, I have a load ready to go.

I was thinking about co ordinating with mt birthday book to sort out how many I need for each month and then maybe make a few extras too.

I also bought a little scrapbooking project for me and Tim to do, on our wedding anniversary in June, as I pretty sure this will still be going on then!

I’m going to do a post on this so keep your eyes peeled for that. Its a really cute idea and I thought it would be nice to have something to do together. We have loads of random photos and bits and bobs from when we were dating.

We usually go away for our anniversary whether that be on the day or the nearest weekend so I thought it would be nice to still have something special to do, to mark the occasion.

 

Extra content

As I said , I am loving all the quizzes online, but also there is loads of extra content on online platforms too. PE with Joe Wicks, Cooking with Jamie Oliver, Instagram lives, video interviews, workouts, online parties, just loads of fun extra things that you can do whilst staying at home. Its been great!

Podcasts are amazng too. Any fellow Gleeks out there, check out Kevin & Jenna’s Showmance Podcast Glee Recap Edition. They are still putting them out remotely so these have been great to listen to each week.

What are your quarantine faves?

Stay safe and stay home!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

My 2020 Reading Challenge: The First Quarter 📚

Hi Guys!

So, here is the first quarter of my Reading Challenge. Three months down. I have to say I didn’t think I would writing this post in ‘Lockdown’ during a global Pandemic, this is just insane.Maybe I’ll get a few more books read whilst this is going on?! Its such a crazy, scary time so its nice to be able to ‘escape’.I thought this picture was very apt.


January/February/March


So, what have I read…

Last Light: The Lucy Harwin series Book 3 by Helen Phifer

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling (Halfway, but I’ll leave it on the list as its a biggun’)

The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux

Struck by Lightening: The Carson Phillip’s Journals by Chris Colfer

I’ll Take New York by Miranda Dickinson

Stranger Than Fan Fiction by Chris Colfer


I have really enjoyed all of these books, especially ‘I’ll take New York’. Chris Colfer, who you may know from Glee, is a brilliant writer, his books are so well written, so easy to read and hilarious, which is why I’ve read two of them during this period. Well worth checking out.


I have bought a few new books to get me through the Isolation… my next book is called ‘The Silent Patient’ by Alex Michaelides.

I recommended this to a friend and she has already fisihed it. It even made her gasp with suprise (don’t you just love it when a book does that!?) So, Im looking forward to getting stuck into that.

Any recommendations are always welcome!

Until Next Time,

Stay safe everybody and stay at home!

Roseanne 🙂

Staying calm… 🧘🏼‍♀️

During this crazy time it’s so important to do what you can to stay calm, and this is so individual to you. Don’t worry what everybody else is doing.

& what a great opportunity to work on you, give yourself a bit of time. Give your home a bit of time, your kids some extra time… when does life every give us extra time!?

It may he scary but focus on what this time away, this distance could do for us and our families.

And just think how amazing all those little things we take for granted, will be when we can do them again!!

Maybe it will give us some perspective maybe we will enjoy all those mundane things a little bit more.

& remember to be kind to each other, help out where you can and spread some positivity during what is a very scary time, something we havnt (& hopefully never will again) experience in our life time.


🌈 Social Distancing 🌈


☆Keep busy, work if you can ✏

♡Read a book 📚

☆Binge Netflix/Iplayer 🖥

♡Exercise 💪🏻

☆Self care, nails, a nice hand cream, face mask, bath bomb 🧖🏼‍♀️

♡Journal 📕

☆Listen to a Podcast 🎧

♡De-Clutter 🧹

☆Write a letter 📄

♡Board games/Card games 🎲

☆DIY 🔨

♡Mindfulness Colouring 🖍

☆Yoga 🧘🏼‍♀️

♡Snacks! 🍫

☆Face time 📱

♡Blog


Here if you need anything guys 👋🏻


Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

World Book Day 📚

As a child I always loved reading, but steadily, over the years it has grown to be my most favourite of hobbies.

And there is most definitly one book that I can attribute alot of that joy to…

As J.K Rowling so eloquently put it; ‘I do believe something very magical can happen when you read a good book.’

Never has a story, characters, A LOCATION (because we all wanna be at Hogwarts, let’s be real) captured my imagine like the ones in Harry Potter.

…It’s the comfort of something you know so well… a constant, magical source of enjoyment, imagination, comfort and belonging that sometimes you can only get from immersing yourself in a wonderful story.

So, thanks J.K 👍🏻

& just remember; ‘The stories we love best do live in us forever, so whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.’ ⚡❤📚


So, if you havn’t recently, pick up a good book, go to your local library, start that one you’ve been meaning to for a while, read that childrens book they’ve asked you to read 100 times because you never know, it might just change your/their life… and if it doesnt you’ll still have a lovely time in the process.

Until next time,

Roseanne ⚡

My reading challenge 2019: The final chapter 🎉📚


Hi guys 👋🏻


As you can see by the title, the final chapter of my 2019 reading challenge is here.

I cant believe its done! I am SO glad I managed to keep it up for the year and it has defonalty encouraged me to keep reading and making time for one of my favourite hobbies.

Here is my December read:

• The Christmas WishList by Heidi Swain

(It was a busy month!!)


And let’s take a look at all the books I’ve read this year for my challenge:


•Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian

•The face behind the mask: The Annie Graham series by Helen Phifer

The Good Sisters by Helen Phifer

•Eve of Man by Giovanna & Tom Fletcher

•Dark House: The DCI Harwin series Book One) by Helen Phifer.

•The face behind the mask: The Annie Graham series (Book 6) by Helen Phifer.

•Dying breath: The DCI Harwin series (Book Two) by Helen Phifer.

•The couple next door by Shari Laperna.

•Summer at the Little Duck Pond cafe By Rosie Green

•Tell me I’m wrong By Adam Croft

•Spring at the little duck pond cafe (Book one) by Rosie Green

•Friend Request by Laura Marshall

•Poppy’s recipe for life by Heidi Swain

•The house across the street By Lesley Pearse

All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

•The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

•Give me the child by Mel McGrath

•The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown

•Every breath by Nicholas Sparks

•The guilty party by Mel McGrath

•The beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson

•Full house by Maeve Binchy

•Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

•Harry Potter and the Philosphers Stone (Audio book)

•The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

•The Husbands secret by Liane Moriarty

•A Christmas gift by Sue Moorcroft

•T’was the Nightshift before Christmas by Adam Kay

•A wedding in December by Sarah Morgan

•The Christmas Wishlist by Heidi Swain

[I’ve popped some of my faves in bold.]


So, what’s next years challenge??


I am going to continue making sure I enjoy, what is my favourite hobby, reading but I’m going to change the challenge up a bit.

Next year the challenge will be quarterly, I will read as many books as I can in each quarter, updating you every three months with what I’ve read and any I am planning on reading in the next quarter.


Here are some of the books I have collected/seen that I would like to start the year reading…

• The family upstairs by Lisa Jewell

• The Secret Seaside E0scape by Heidi Swain

• Last Christmas by Greg Wise

• The Christmas Sisters by Sarah Morgan

• The girl in the grave: The Beth Adam series Book 1 by Helen Phifer

• The girls in the lake: The Beth Adam’s series Book 2 by Helen Phifer

• The garden of lost and found by Harriet Evans

• The Little village Christmas by Sue Moorcroft

• Dying breath: The Lucy Harwin series Book 2 by Helen Phifer

• Last Light: The Lucy Harwin series Book 3 by Helen Phifer

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling

•Ps I Love You by Cecilia Ahern

• Postscript by Cecilia Ahern

• The Secret Santa by Trish Harnetiaux


Any recommendations are welcome!


Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

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 🎅🏻

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 🙂

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 🙂

My Reading Challenge: September 📚

I’m a bit late with my update this month, we can blame ‘back to school’ fever. It’s a busy time when you work in a school!!


What did I read in August:

All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

The Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

Give me the child by Mel McGrath

&

Two short reads…

The beach wedding by Dorothy Koomson

Full house by Maeve Binchy


I loved Carrie’s book, I wasnt sure to begin with, I dont know why but it took m a while to pick this up off my shelf, one I had though, I couldnt put it down!

It was a very interesting concept and a very different story to one I’ve read befoe. It really made you think about you own emotions and how much control you have over them and they hav over you. I loved the making element to the story, it was very easy reading.

The Unwanted Guest was brilliant, it had a real Agatha Christie feel to it and I was gripped, trying to work out who it could be, what would happen next, how it was all linked. Very good, very well written and definatly a great book for murder mystery fans.

I enjoyed ‘Give me the Child’ and it you wanted to find out what was going to happen, however I do think that it went on for a little bit, then right near the end it all of a sudden got very dramatic and then it just ended. It was a bit too much right at the end when it had dragged on a lot before that.

I really enjoyed the short reads, especially the one by Dorothy Koomson, it may have been shorter but it was just as good as her others and it had great twists and turns.


This months books are…

Lone Wolf by Jodi Picoult

A compelling emotional drama of love and guilt that grips from the very first moments.’

Luke Warren would sleep in the dirt if it meant he could be under the stars.

He lived by the laws of nature. And would surely want to die that way.

But Luke is in a coma and his family mus make an unbearable decision

As tensions and secrets rise to the surface, the tragic accident which brougt them back together against the odds could well tear Luke’s family apart forever.

They know Luke would not want to live like this . But how can they choose to let him die?’


The big little festival by Kellie Hailes

‘Love happens when you least expect it…

Jody is panicking. Its only weeks until her little village in Devon hosts its first ever festival and everything is falling apart.

Desperate to avoid disaster, she brings in notorious party planner Christian to save the day. Although she wasn’t prepared for just how gorgeous he would be!

Men are off the cards for Jody and surely Christian is the last man she would wlever date? But with tensions risng- along with the bunting and homemade scones- shes about to find out… ‘


Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

My reading challenge: August 📚


August edition


So, what did I read in July…

As I was on holiday and I’ve started my volunteering for the library Summer reading challenge, I actually ended up reading three books in July.

& for August I am going to try and read more too as I also have some time off, lots of reading time!!

In July I read:

The Prison Doctor by Dr Amanda Brown

Every breath by Nicholas Sparks

&

The guilty party by Mel McGrath


The prison doctor was a really interesting read, and tbf as horrendous as you’d imagine.

I have to say that I didmt enjoy this as much as ‘This is going to hurt’ by Adam Lay, which is a similar format but from the perspective of a Junior Doctor.

As always the Nicholas Sparkes book was one that I couldnt put down, a heart warming story, definitely one for all you Sparks fans.

The guilty party was a really interesting read, not only was it a gripping story but it was also quite thought provoking too. Do you really know how you would react in a certain situation? Can we ever know until we are in that position? And how profound are the decisions we make on our own lives and on the lives of others?!?


This months books are…

Give me the child by Mel McGrath

Imagine your doorbell rings in the middle of the night.

You open the door to the police

With them is your husbands eleven-year-old love child. A daughter you never knew he had.

Her mother has been found dead in their South London flat.

She has nowhere else to go.

Would you take her in?


An Unwanted Guest by Shari Lapena

As the guests arrive at beautiful, remote Mitchells Inn, they’re all looking forward to a relaxing weekend deep in the forest, miles from anywhere. They watch their fellow guests with interest, from a polite distance.

With a violent storm raging, the group finds itself completely cut off from thr outside world. Nobody can get in – or out.

And then the first body is found…

And and horrifying truth comes to light. There is a killer among them – and nowhere to run.


All that she can see by Carrie Hope Fletcher

Cherry has a hidden talent. She can see things other people cant, and she decided a long time ago to use this skill to help others.

As far as the rest of the town is concerned, she’s simply the kind-hearted young women who runs thr local bakery, but in private she uses her gift to add something special to her cakes so that after just one mouthful the townspeople start to feel better about their lives. They dont know why they’re drawn to Cherrys bakery – they just know that they’re safe there and that’s how Cherry likes it.

She can help them in secret and no one will ever need to know the truth behind the gift.

And then Chase turns up and threatens to undo all the good Cherry has done. Because it turns out she’s not the only one who can see what she sees…


I can’t wait to get stuck into these 🙌🏻

As always, any recommendations are welcome 😁📚


Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂