Category: Life

Blogmas 2024: Day 19 My Christmas Reads so far…

Hi guys 👋🏻

I thought I would give you a little update on the Christmas books that I have read so far, during this festive period! I started reading them in November in order to get through more than I usually do. I have a lot on my shelf and I really wanted to get through more of them this year than I have in the past few years. I will also include which book I am gong to be reading next.

Lets take a look!

The first Christmas book that I read was ‘The Christmas Cottage’ by Sarah Morgan. This is her latest Christmas book and as I really enjoyed hers last year I went for this first. They are a little longer than some of my others too, so starting this one in November seemed the better option.

I would give this book 🌟⭐️🌟 stars out of five.

Things I liked about this book were:

  • Likeable characters
  • Cute romance
  • A lovely dog
  • A twist I didn’t see coming

For our December Book Club book we like to go for a Christmas story. This year we went for ‘Happy Bloody Christmas’ by Jo Middleton.

I would give this book  🌟⭐️🌟stars out of five.

Things I liked about this book were:

  • Funny
  • Easy reader
  • Different to my usual Christmas books
  • Relatable/realistic characters

A Sarah Morgan Christmas book that I have had on my shelf for at least 4 years is ‘The Christmas Sisters’/ I started this book (albeit the first 48 pages anyway haha) 3 years ago and for some reason I never got around to finishing it. I have been determined the last few years to read it and finish it but haven’t succeeded… until this year! I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am really glad I finally found out what happened to the sisters!!

I would give this book  🌟⭐️🌟stars out of five.

Things I liked about this book were:

  • It felt very festive
  • Interesting and different take on a family
  • Interesting characters
  • Relatable in terms of how different sisters can be!

Currently I am reading ‘I wish it could be Christmas everyday’; by Milly Johnson. This is another book that I started one year and ran out of time (I’m not a ‘can read festive books all year round’ kinda gal) so it was abandoned. Again, I have been meaning to pick it up again and finish it as I remember really enjoying the characters and being intrigued by the story. I was a bit further along in this book, at least 150 pages but I decided to start again as I knew you were introduced to quite a few characters at the beginning and you learn a lot about them, all stuff I definitely wouldn’t have remembered so the refresh was needed to fully appreciate and enjoy the story.

Things I like about this book…. (So far)

  • Very intriguing story
  • Interesting and endearing characters
  • Well developed characters
  • Easy reader

So, What is going to be my next read???

Well I have been saving the best until last!! The latest Heidi Swain Christmas book ‘Home for Christmas’

Heidi is one of my all time favourite authors, I have read everything she has written so far and ALWAYS pre order her books (so I have waited very patiently to read this)

I’ve saved it until the end because I want to be able to read it during the Christmas break (from work) in order to fully enjoy the reading experienced. I want to be able to fully immerse myself in her wonderfully festive world of Wynbridge and Wynthorpe Hall. I CAN’T WAIT!! Its like being reacquainted with old friends.

Plus, her books are SUPER festive so they are ideal for reading right before Christmas to add to the festive feels.

I’m also listening to a little Christmas audiobook too. ‘The Christmas Book Hunt’ by Jenny Colgan. I am enjoying this so far, and it’s only a short one of about 3 hrs, so that’s good.

What festive books are you reading?

6 days until Christmas!! 🎄

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: books, Celebrations, christmas, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 18 Our traditional Christmas Rock N Roll Panto trip

Hi guys 👋🏻

Last night we went to our local theatre to see their Christmas ‘Rock n Roll’ Panto. We have been going every year for like the last 12 years!! It has become some what of a Christmas tradition, and one of our favourites at that! It is also a staple Blogmas feature.

This year the panto was ‘Sleeping Beauty’

We wore our festive jumpers for the occasion and, of course, grabbed a hot choccy and a mince pie before it started.

The Panto had a new cast this year, but they were brilliant! The stage looked really glitzy and cool, and they were all really funny cast.

We really enjoyed the songs in the show too.

I liked how it was a slightly different take on the traditional story of ‘Sleeping Beauty’. I also liked the addition of ‘Milo the dragon’

It’s always a lovely and fun night! You know it’s nearly Christmas when it’s Panto time! It’s lovely to have a nice evening out together, too, as it gets so busy leading up to Christmas.

Have you been to a Panto this year?

ONE WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 17 🎄Christmas Pudding Rocky Road 😋

Hi guys 👋🏻

I’m here with another delicious recipe for you, and this one really is worth your attention. If you are looking for something to really wow your guests but is also super easy to make, then look no further – a Rocky Road Christmas Pudding centrepiece is what you need.

Ingredients:

  • Dark chocolate 200g
  • Milk chocolate 100g
  • White chocolate X1 bar (topping)
  • Unsalted butter 125g
  • Small pack of digestives
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Golden syrup
  • Festive sprinkles (topping)
  • [You can add cherries/Raisins etc but I didn’t on this occasion]

I don’t usually use a specific recipe as I have made Rocky Road how we like it, for many years haha and we like lots of dark chocolate and golden syrup and we don’t add Raisins/Cherries etc.

I crushed up my biscuits, leaving some dust, mostly medium-sized pieces. I then melted my butter and chocolates (dark and milk) and mixed this all together. I then added my golden syrup (measure with your heart) and marshmallows.

I used one of my bowls as my mould, lined with baking parchment that I scrunched up so that it is easy to use.

I packed it in, making sure the bottom was flat, and then I popped it into the fridge to cool.

Whilst it cooled I melted my white chocolate.

Once it was cooled, I carefully spooned the white chocolate on top, allowing it to cascade down the sides to create the icing effect. I then added my sprinkles as the holly (you could use a fake or real sprig if you have one)

Leave this to harden up again in the fridge and voila! You have a very delicious, choc-tastic, and very impressive looking treat for any Christmas table.

It looks so effective when you slice it with all the bits of biscuits and marshallow, adding to the ‘Christmas pudding’ effect.

I took this one to my husbands work Christmas Wreath Making workshop, and it was a hit!

This recipe actually previously won us his works ‘Great British Bake Off’ comp, so why not try our winning bake! Haha.

Let me know if you give this a go and what you think!

8 days until Christmas!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: baking, Celebrations, christmas, food, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 16 Christmas Market & craft fun ✨️

Hi guys 👋🏻

We are in to single figures for our Christmas countdown now!! Whoop whoop.                                    One excellent way to get you into the festive spirit is a Christmas market! A few weeks ago, I went to one with my sisters, nephews, and niece.

We started off with some much needed sustenance in the form of hot chocolates and mince pies, both of which were delicious.

We then had a little wander around the Christmas market.

Very festive!

I picked myself and my older sister up a pair of these earrings each.  I love them! They are handmade and super colourful.

I had booked my nephews and niece onto their craft afternoon as we went to their Halloween craft event, and it was brilliant. Such great value and only £5 each (per child)

They had a great time, and once again, there were loads for them to do. They could decorate their own little bag to put their creations in, make Christmas cards with a variety of festive resources, Christmas Colouring, DIY fridge magnets and badges, make your own jewellery and garlands as well as design your own wooden tree decorations. It was fab!

We all had a really fun time dressed up in our festive jumpers, and we stayed for the whole 2 hours. The kids were engrossed!

All in all, it was a fun, festive way to spend a Saturday!

Have you been to a Christmas market yet?

9 days to go!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, craft, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 15 My Work Christmas Meal (no 2)

Hi guys 👋🏻

We are on to the 15th of December, which means there are only 10 days until Christmas!!!! Whattttt. December is flying by.

Last night, I had my second work Christmas meal. We went to Ask Italian (our usual spot) for a yummy dinner together.

I really enjoyed my food – for the main course I went for the Festive Carbonara (which I enjoyed last year)

Fresh egg frilly tagliatelle with smoked pancetta & Brussels
sprouts in a velvety mascarpone & cheese sauce, topped with
crispy prosciutto

Me & my mum shared a couple of sides with our mains.

Bitesize lasagne pieces coated in crispy breadcrumbs, with a spicy tomato dip.

Sweet mustard roasted Brussels sprouts, green beans & pancetta.

For dessert, I had a really yummy sticky toffee coffee pudding.

Toffee sponge with a coffee infused sticky toffee sauce,
with a scoop of salted caramel gelato.

Annoyingly, I forgot to take a photo 🤦🏼‍♀️

And I always like to try one of their nice cocktails 🍸  they do have some yummy sounding ones every time I go!

Buttery toffee sauce shaken with spiced Caribbean rum & milk, with toffee popcorn on the side.

All in all it was a fun evening and I really enjoyed my food.

Have you had your work Christmas do yet? What did you get up to?

10 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, food, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 14 Christmas Eve boxes

Hi guys 👋🏻

With 10 days until Christmas Eve (WHATTT), I thought I would share with you what I am putting in my nephews and nieces Christmas Eve boxes this year. These things aren’t really expensive and are super easy to get hold of, so if you need some last-minute ideas, look no further.

Let’s get into it…

Personally, I feel like chocolate coins are a must!!

I picked up these big ones from Flying Tiger. The little ones are from Tesco.

I also popped in these yummy marshmallow pops and chocolate pops, too.

I did a theme for the 3 boxes I was doing so that I could keep track of what I had got for who.

All the Santa bits are for one nephew, the Reindeer is for my other nephew, and the snowman stuff is for my niece.

I like to pop something cosy in, so this year, I went for some cosy and cute little Christmas socks.

These were £1.50 from Asda.

I also like to put some fun things in, something they can do. I had to think a little this year as they are all getting a bit older now. I went for a Christmas suprise squishy because they seem to be all the rage. I also went for a little Lego Christmas figure that they can build.

On the theme of ‘something they can do’ I shared out a pack of wooden DIY decorations so they have a few of them to do each. I’ve also included a couple of little ‘Crack the Christmas Code Sheets’ that I printed off because I used to love doing those as a kid so I thought they’d be a bit of fun for them to so.

I always, always have to include a book! No explanation is needed. I picked up this children’s copy of ‘A Christmas Carol’ based on the Charles Dickens novel to pop in there. My niece and youngest nephew still enjoy picture books, so I had to get that in there. I’m sure my oldest nephew will still listen to the story with his brother.

I love this little tradition, and hopefully, I’ve still got a few more years to do it with my nephews and niece. They love it, and it does add a little extra magic to Christmas Eve.

I hope this gave you a bit of inspiration if you needed it!

What would you include in yours?

11 days until Christmas!!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 13 A festive film night

Hi guys 👋🏻

This time of year is perfect for a cosy film night, and there are plenty to choose from, who doesn’t love a Christmas film!

Now, one of my favourite Christmas films of all time is ‘It’s a wonderful life’. Now I know this is a bit of a rogue choice for come people but I think it is a brilliant Christmas film. It’s a classic and if you’ve never seen it watch it, give it a chance because it’s lovely and it had a lovely message. I was always very sceptical, but I am so glad I gave it a chance. I honestly think it’s one of the best films I’ve ever seen.

I introduced my twin sister to it last year, and she also loved it, so we thought we would watch it together one evening last week.

Once we’d had dinner, we settled down with our snacks to enjoy the film!

It’s definitely worth a go! Let me know if you watch it and what you think.

12 days to go!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, cinema, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 9 New Christmas decs

Hi guys 👋🏻

I hope this finds you well. I have bought us (me) a few extra little decorations this year, so I thought I’d share them with you!

Lets take a look!

These are some cute little string lights, battery-operated, that I found in Aldi.

They are little red and white  Santa’s.

I’ve popped these in our lounge.

I picked up these three from a little Christmas market/shop with my husband and friend. It was quite a fancy place but they did have some quite reasonably priced little decorations. These little ones were only £1.75 each. A great gift or stocking filler.

I went for a big glitter Santa (See below) and two of the little ones, I like their shiny retro vibes. One is a Nutcracker and one is a little red van transporting a Christmas tree.

This Santa is so retro and nostalgic. As children we had a little version of this Santa that used to hang on our family Christmas tree and I LOVED him in all his glittery, festive glory. He eventually became a decoration on mine and my twin sisters little tree that was in our bedroom,. His glitter all came off eventually, he was well loved. This one will help keep his nostalgic, glittery awesomeness alive on our Christmas tree.

He fits our theme of red, gold and green so well too!

I also picked up this little penguin from Aldi, he was too cute and dare I say a little tacky (I love tacky!!), to leave behind!! He has pride of place in the lounge too.

I had to add a bit of extra festiveness to my book corner! I used to have these lights but unfortunately they broke. I love the retro lights and especially the pink ones, they are my favourite. They just look so lovely and nostalgic to me. Colourful Christmases for the win.

I reckon these will end up staying here all year to be honest, I just love fairy fights- especially in my book corner.

Have you bought any new decorations? If so what did you get?

16 days until Christmas!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, home decor, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 5 My Harry Potter Christmas Tree 🎄

Hi guys! 👋🏻

This is always one of my favourite posts to do for Blogmas! Anyone who knows me or has followed me on here will know that me and my twin sister are big Harry Potter fans, so this is of course one of my favourite parts of decorating…

The Harry Potter Christmas tree.

I have collected quite a few different Harry Potter tree decs over the years, and in more recent years they have become much easier to come by with shops such as Primark selling quite a vast range each year.

I have also bought a few from our various trips to the Warner Bros tour in Watford. We went for the ‘Hogwarts in the snow’ event and it was truly magical , as was the Christmas merch in the shop.

The Harry Potter tree has a brand new location in the flat this year. We have had a lot of redecorating done and with added furniture etc it couldn’t really fit nicely in the master bedroom, so it has taken up residence in our spare room, which is basically an office (So my husband will feel very festive when he works from home, whether he likes it or not haha)

Lets take a look!

I love it!

I was so chuffed a few years ago when I found Christmas lights that were the Hogwarts house colours. I also love the way that Gryffindor house ribbons look instead of tinsel.

I do have a Harry Potter tree topper but I was unable to locate it this year so I went back to my original tree topper of my Sorting hat (which tbf looks pretty awesome)

Do you have a themed tree? If so, what is it?

20 days to go!!

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, harry potter, home decor, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment

Blogmas 2024: Day 3 Decorating the Christmas Tree 🎄

Hi guys! 👋🏻

Here we are with day three of Blogmas 2024, and this one is a very festive one… putting up the Christmas tree.

This is a staple Blogmas post and I love snapping pictures of our lovely tree (Biased I know!) Plus there is nothing quite like a Christmas tree twinkling in your lounge to get you into the festive spirit.

Our Christmas tree colours are red, gold and green – very traditional. We also have some more personal ornaments, creations from my nephews and niece, sentimental ones from different years, and holidays etc.

I love getting all our decorations out each year and enjoying them and reminiscing whilst you hang them up. Me and my husband always decorate our main tree together.

Lets take a look!

The flat is feeling so festive and cosy now – I love it! Walking into the lounge just makes me smile (although it does take an age to turn all the different plugs on haha.)

Have you put your tree up yet? When do you traditionally do yours?

22 days to go.

Until Next Time,

Roseanne 🙂

by Categories: Celebrations, christmas, home decor, Life, UncategorizedTags: Leave a comment