Roseanne Byford

Last night I had my work Christmas meal with the people I work with at School. It was Wherstead Parks Bollywood night.

The entrance was into the mansion part of Wherstead park and it was very grand and impressive when you walked in.

We got there at 7 and had a cocktail whilst we waited for everyone to arrive. Once everyone was there we made our way to the main room and found our
tables.

It was lovely in the room where we had the meal. There were lots of colourful drapes in keeping with the bollywood theme as well as lots of twinkly fairy lights.

They also had little things to entertain like a tuck tuck that you could sit in. We did a few selfies in it.

Me, Cherisse & Zoe

Me, Kerry, Cherisse, Zoe & Nat

Me, Cherisse, Zoe, Emma & Kaylene

Here’s one of me driving

There was also a bucking camel, a large scalletrix and Bollywood dancing too.

The food was really yummy, I enjoyed every course.

My starter

Bread with assorted dips. Mango chutney, yoghurt & mint and hummus.

My main

Sea bass on a bed of spinach with tomato salsa, new potatoes and watercress.

My dessert

Chocolate and chilli delice with honeycomb pieces and creme fraiche.

We had lots of fun and it was lovely to spend some time with the ladies I work with out of the stressful classroom environment.

It was nice to get all glammed up too, I wore the dress that I brought for my friends wedding as I love it.
We were given leys as we came in which added a bit of fun to our outfits, here’s mine.

I’m defiantly in the Christmas party spirit now! Can’t wait to see all my friends tonight for Sams birthday to party some more!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

I thought I’d give you a little insight to my Christmas and mine and my families Christmas traditions.

1. Christmas decorations

I love these decorations.  I know most people think they are retro and tacky but I think they make the place look so Christmassy. They remind me of my childhood as we used to have these at home when I was younger!

We have silver ones in the hallway and red ones to go with our green, red and gold theme, in the lounge.

2. Mums wind up advent calender tree

My mum has a wind up, musical advent calender tree and I always found it fascinating as a child. I love all the little decorations you get each day to put on the tree and it plays ‘We wish you a Merry Christmas’.

My mum still has this today and she has got my nephew (her grandson) Noah involved. In each box with the little decoration is a chocolate button for him. He also helps her to put the little decorations on the tree and he loves listening to it play music.

3. Leaving a treat out for Santa & Rudolph

Every year as a child my dad would get a mince pie, carrot and a drink out for Santa and Rudolph. We used to leave it on the phone stand so that he saw it when he came through the front door. Mum used to say that she left the latch off so Santa could come in through the front door since we didn’t have a chimney.

I thought I’d build on this tradition, this year for Noah and make him a Christmas eve plate to leave out for Santa and Rudolph. I found this idea on Pinterest. You use sharpies to draw onto your plate. I just grabbed a plain white plate for £1 from Asda and I already had the sharpies for work.

4. Seeing all the family

This is what Christmas is all about really. It’s a lovely time of year but it wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t have your family and friends to share it with.  I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year as we have lots of plans and Noah is so much more aware of what is going on now which is lovely.

So our plans…

Christmas eve: We go for a drive to see the Christmas lights. This is a tradition I did with mum a few times before I moved out but she came along when me and Tim did it last year. It’s so festive and fun on Christmas eve. Sarah is going to join us this year and bring Noah along too.
We are going back to Sarahs afterwards for Christmas eve treats.

Christmas day: In the morning me and Tim will spend time together exchanging presents and having a yummy breakfast. Then we will pop round to mum and dads to see them as well as Sarah, Dan and Noah. We are having Christmas lunch with Tims dad and brother this year which will be nice, then to my older sister Charlottes in the evening.

Boxing day: We will spend this with Tims mum in the morning/afternoon and my parents and sisters etc in the evening.

5. Christmas food

Now I’m not going to lie, this is one of my favourite things about Christmas!! And I brought my first bit of Christmassy food yesterday, see below.

Shortbread!!

I like LOVE Christmas dinner, it’s my most favourite meal EVER!  and I also love all the snacky bits that go with Christmas too. Pigs in blankets, cheese boards, chocolate, sausage rolls, mince pies… I could go on!

So much yummy-ness  I can’t wait.

What are your Christmas traditions?

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

This Blogmas post is all about arts and crafts.

This time of year is really magical but it’s even more so when you have a little one to share it with.
I thought it would be nice to do some Christmas craft with my nephew Noah. We used salt dough to create our own Christmas decorations.

I cooked the salt dough beforehand but with older children you could involve them in this bit too!

Here’s the recipe I used:

1 Cup of flour (8oz/225g)
½ Cup of Salt (4oz/112g)
½ Cup of cold water (4floz/100ml

You’ll also need:
Glitter
Paint
Paintbrush
Cookie cutters
Something to make a small hole

I used star, heart and people shaped cutters for ours when I was making the dough.
I cooked it at a low heat for 1hr 30 mins but adjust for your oven and keep checking it to ensure it doesn’t burn.

Whilst it was cooling down and hardening I got out some glitter and paint for us to use.

Once this was all done it was time for the fun, messy part!

Noah enjoyed brushing the paint onto our salt dough creations.

And here’s the finished product:

Don’t forget to pop a nice bit of ribbon through the hole you made before baking, in order for them to be  hung up on the tree or around your home.

We had lots of fun making these and they make a lovely handmade Christmas present for family.

Whilst I was looking up ideas I found a few others that I really liked and hope to do at some point, so I thought I’d share them with you!

1. DIY snow globes

These are such a clever idea and easy to make.

Here’s what you’ll need:
An old jar with lid (needs to have a good lid)
Water
Glycerin
Glitter
Christmas ornament/scene
Super glue

So basically, all you do is turn the lid upside down and super glue your ornament to the inside of the lid and leave it to dry.

Put your water, glycerin and glitter into the jar. Use 1 part glycerin, 2 parts water and  a good amount of glitter.
Tip: glycerin can be found in most bakery aisle with cake decorations, vanilla essence etc.

Once the glue is dry screw the lid back on and put the jar upside down so that the lid is on the table and the ornament inside is now the right way up.

Give it a shake and watch the glitter cascade. These are so clever and super easy to do.

2. Sock snowmen

These are really cute and you don’t need much to make them. You can use any old (but clean) white socks or pick up cheap ones from somewhere like Primark.

This is what you’ll need:
One large white sock
Buttons
Glue
Old material
Elastic bands
Something to fill the sock (rice, cotton wool etc)

As the picture shows you firstly fill the sock.

Then you use the elastic bands,in certain places, to create the body and head.

Use the buttons to create the features and material to decorate!

We are making these during the Christmas holidays with the kids at the after school club so that will be fun!

And lastly…

3. Cut and stick activities

These are great little art and craft projects to keep children occupied, and are still in keeping with the festive theme.

Theres paper plate characters, Christmas mittens and handprint Christmas cards. You’ll need lots of colourful card, paper and bits to decorate as well as plenty of glue 🙂

Children love cutting and sticking so I’m sure these will be a hit!

So, those are my arts & craft ideas for children,  for Christmas. Have fun if you try them out. Let me know how you get on by leaving a comment.

15 sleeps to go!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Day 9:

As you may have guessed by now I love Christmas, so whilst Tim was out with work yesterday and I had the place to myself to took full advantage and got some Christmassy jobs done.

1. Christmas Cards

Me and Tim found some lovely Christmas cards in Tesco last week. They are pretty and glittery, what more could you want?!

Here they are:

Consequently my floor is now rife with glitter and not just in the area where I was writing them oh no, it’s an epidemic that spans the whole of the lounge floor and into the kitchen! Well at least it looks Christmassy.

This is my pile of Christmas cards (here’s hoping I havn’t missed anyone out) they are just waiting for Tim to sign them and I can give them out/send them next week.

2. Wrapping presents

I love wrapping presents, finding matching tags and ribbon!  It’s all part of this fun, festive season! Although trying to find cellotape and scissors is a different matter.

I wrapped up my twin sister Sarahs presents and my nephew (her son) Noahs presents too (well a few of them #spoiltnephew).

I’ve popped them under the tree now and it automatically makes the tree even more festive! I love it when all your wrappings done and the tree is loaded with presents underneath, it’s such a happy sight to behold.

I know Christmas isn’t all about presents but it is a great part of it and I love seeing people react to the gifts I’ve taken time to find and have chosen especially for them.

This is only a small part of the wrapping I will be doing over the next few weeks but it’s a good start and I’m feeling even more Christmas-tastic!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Day 8:

Christmas is a magical time of year anyway but it’s even more so when your work with children.
Working in a reception class and at an after school club there are lots of fun ways to enjoy this festive season.

Me and the children at the after school club decorated the tree and room together this time last week. They loved it and it was really lovely to do this with them.

The Christmas tree.

The room.
Continue reading →

Blogmas day 7 is all about the cinema, Christmas style! 

Yesterday me, Tim, my sister Sarah and my friends Rachel, Sam and Livy went to the cinema to see a Christmas film. It was my first Christmas film of the season.

We went to go see ‘The night before.’ It’s a comedy starring Seth Rogan, Joseph Gordan-levitt and Anthony Mackie.

Here’s the synopsis:

Three lifelong friends embark on the Christmas party to end them all in this debauched festive comedy. 

Ethan, Chris, and Isaac have been best buds since childhood. When Ethan lost his parents14 years ago, they made a pact to spend every Christmas together. But times change and lives move on. Chris is becoming mega-famous and Isaac is about to have a baby with his wife Betsy. So the guys decide to call a halt to their festive tradition, but not before a final outrageous Christmas blowout in New York. Clad in hideous Christmas jumpers, they set off on an epic quest in search of the Holy Grail of Yuletide parties-The ‘Nutcracka’ ball. The 50/50 team of director Jonathan Levine and stars Joseph Gordan-Levitt and Seth Rogan reunite for the ultimate festive party movie. Watch out for the cameo by Miley Cyrus.

I’d give the film ☆☆☆ 3 stars as I did enjoy it and it was very funny in bits but wasn’t quite as good as some of Seth Rogans other films such as ‘This is the end’. But worth a watch for sure!

I love the cinema and my unlimited card, and you can’t beat a Christmas film at this time of year, to get you into the Christmas spirit! There are a couple of other Christmas films that are out at the moment that I would like to see too.

1. Krampus.

Now this is far from your traditional Christmas film as it’s a horror one but I love horror films so I want to see this (even if the title makes me laugh)

Here’s the synopsis:

It’s looking more like a red Christmas than a white one in this festive horror-comedy.

When Max is forced to spend a Christmas with his warring family, his antipathy towards the festive season unintentionally unleashes a monster named Krampus. A demonic force of ancient evil intent on punishing non-believers, the creature invades the family’s house as all hell breaks loose and Christmas takes on a bloody new meaning…
Inspired by the German legend of Krampus, a half-goat, half-demon beast who punishes non-believers, this imaginative horror-comedy comes from writer/director Micheal Doherty, who made a strong impression with his cult 2007 horror, Trick ‘r Treat. Says Doherty: “He’s not the unstoppable monster that kicks down your door and rampages and grabs you. There’s something darkly playful about him. He’s having a good time doing what he does and he enjoys the cat-and-mouse aspect of it.”

2. Christmas with the Coopers.

This is a more traditional Christmas film about family and the festivities of Christmas.

Here’s the synopsis: 

A retired couple invite their entire family to theirs for Christmas, little knowing what they’ve let themselves in for…

Sam and Charlotte Cooper have a large family, made up of lots of children and grandchildren. But when all of them descend on the couples home for Christmas, it soon becomes apparent that it won’t be the joyful, chilled out time they were planning…
This toasty-hearted comedy boasts an all-star cast, including The Hangovers Ed Helms, Tron: Legacy’s Olivia Wilde, Captain America: The winter solider’s Antony Mackie, Little Miss Sunshine’s Alan Arkin and – as the narrator – the great Steve Martin. The movie marks the directorial debut from Danny Collins writer Jessie Nelson and is written by Kate & Leopold scribe Steven Rogers. 

So hopefully I will get to see these ones at some point over the festive period.

What films do you like to watch at Christmas? And what films are you excited about that are out soon? Drop me comment 🙂

18 sleeps to go!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂  

Blogmas day 6 is here and I thought I’d  share an update of how my colouring advent calender is coming along!

Here it is:

It’s going well so far, after 6 days!

The Christmas scene is really coming to life now.

It’s been quite fun colouring this is each evening as I always eat my chocolate in the morning so it’s nice to still have something to open and do when I get home.

My Cadbury chocolate calender has nice little messages and jokes in it each day. Here’s one that made me chuckle!

How do Snowmen get about?

They ride an icicle.

Only 19 days to go!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Its Blogmas day 5! ☃️

Now I’m a fan of getting into my pj’s and comfy clothes as soon as I am home in the evening at any time of the year but, at Christmas as the winter draws in I love it even more. Here are my favorites for the festive month of December.

I got this two piece set a year or so ago from Sainsburys. They are super cosy and warm. I love the cute ears ^^

This is my reindeer onesie! Now I love a onesie, they are so comfortable and snug. This one was brought a couple of Christmases ago, from Primark, to wear as a festive costume for a night out. It swiftly became a staple to wear during the festive season for me and I even wore it for a couple of Christmas dinners with family!

and last but not least… The Christmas jumper!

I firmly believe that everyone should own a Christmas jumper. This is my Christmas jumper that I purchased from Primark last year ready for Christmas jumper day at work. We are doing this again on the 8th of December so that will be fun and festive!

I loved this one as soon as I saw it as it has lots going on.

It even has bells on it that actually jingle! So you can hear me coming when I’m wearing it. Such fun!

I also really like the Christmas lights in sequins, along the collar.

oh and don’t forget your Christmas hat/headgear!

So remember, don’t be afraid to be cosy at Christmas. Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable and gets you into the festive spirit!

Thanks for reading.

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Today, on day 4 of Blogmas I thought I’d share my top 5 favourite Christmas songs.

At this time of year there’s nothing better than a Christmas song to spread festive cheer and they are great to listen to when you are doing Christmassy things such as putting up decorations, baking festive treats or doing your Christmas shopping.

So here goes:

1. Last Christmas by Wham!

I know this is a cheesy one but it’s always been my favourite, it’s so good to sing along to and it’s probably because I like a few boy bands that I enjoy this so much (even if Wham were a bit before my time!)

2. Merry Christmas everybody by Slade

As soon as you hear this one you know it’s Christmas. It’s so upbeat and festive and I love singing along to Noddy Holders ‘IT’S CHRISTMASSSSSSSS’ at the end!

3. Merry Christmas everyone by Shakin Stevens

Such a good sing a long Christmas song! This is always one of the first ones I listen to when Christmas rolls around each year.

4. I wish it could be Christmas everyday by Wizzard and Roy Wood.

This one always makes me think back to my childhood.  I used to hear this song, sing along and think I really wish it could be Christmas everyday!! As a child that sounds like the most amazing thing ever. As an adult I’ve realised that Christmas would quickly lose its appeal if it was everyday but I still love belting this one out all the same.

5. Step into Christmas by Elton John.

This is a really upbeat one and always makes me want to dance and sing along which is why it’s in my top 5. If your ever not feeling festive listen to this one and you’ll soon want to ‘step’ right into Christmas yourself.

So those are my top 5 Christmas songs!

And if there are any Heart radio listeners out there they’ll know that every morning they do ‘sleeps till santa’ which is a musical festive countdown to the big day and me and my sister like to listen to it on our way to work. They put a Christmas song on afterwards too, it puts you in a lovely festive mood early in the morning!

21 sleeps to go!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

I thought I’d just do a quick blog post about something that has made me happy and really motivated at what is quite a difficult time of year for someone trying to get to target.

As you may know from a previous post of mine I am currently doing Slimming World and it was going really well, Id lost 2 stone!! but ever since the summer holidays and our holiday to Italy I have struggled to get back on it and see the loses that I had previously been getting.

This was quite upsetting and I have at times been very unmotivated to continue but I feel like I have really made progress over the last few weeks. After going up and down and up and down (in terms of my weight) since these holidays I have now finally managed to get down to what I weighed before they began, HORRAY!

I lost 1 lb last week and this week I lost 2 lb. It probably doesn’t sound alot but I am so chuffed and because I have really stayed on plan, weighed out my healthy extras I can see that it does still have the results that make it so worthwhile and this will keep me motivated for the coming week.

I’m hoping for a 2 lb loss again next week and I’ll be back to having lost 1 1/2 stone again. I really hope I can do it 🙂

It’s so tricky at this time of year with all the yummy food surrounding us but I will enjoying Christmas eve, Christmas day and Boxing  day so much more if I have worked hard up to it.

So, it’s looking up! I’m getting there and I’m enjoying it alot more recently too.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂