Blogmas 2019 Day Four: ‘The Season’ Musical ❄


Day four of Blogmas is here!

Recently me and my husband Tim made an impromptu visit to the theatre. I saw a local Christmassy show advertised on Facebook and thought, why not!?

Every year we see the Rock N roll Christmas panto at the same theatre so we hoped this would be to the same standard! And it didn’t disappoint.

‘A New Musical by Jim Barne & Kit Buchan

It’s Christmas Eve and Dougal has travelled from Ipswich to New York for his father’s wedding. At JFK Airport he’s greeted by Robyn. Tomorrow her sister becomes his stepmother and Robyn’s dreading it. Dougal can’t wait. But then Dougal loves Christmas and Robyn’s the original Grinch.

Thrown together for a wild weekend in the city that never sleeps, their adventure becomes a musical whirlwind of confession, frustration and maxing-out credit cards in Macy’s. Will these two endearing misfits provide the ultimate test for the theory that opposites always attract? ‘


It had a lovely Christmassy feel to it and it was a very cute story.

The songs and acting were great and it was really funny, a feel good story.

It was set in NYC at Christmas which is famously magical and festive at Christmas so that was really cool.
I always think it’s so amazing how they do such an awesome job of portraying a story with few actors (there were only 2 in this show) and a simple stage layout that they adapt for different scenes. It’s very clever.

We felt so festive afterwards and it was the perfect pre Christmas activity!

I’m really glad we went as we don’t often go to these kinds of shows, favouring the cinema. It was a very welcome change and a lovely evening spent together.


21 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS 🎄


Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne 🎅🏻

Blogmas 2019 Day Three: Christmas jumper guide

Festive fashion that doesn’t have to break the bank!

Here’s my guide to some of the best Christmas jumpers that I have seen this year on the high street ans online ….


Primark


Santa Claus is coming to town’

It sings.

Need I say anymore??

It’s nice, simple, cute & has beautiful red glittery embroidered writing, and did I mention, IT SINGS.

£12

Primark have a brilliant selection of Christmas jumpers and Christmas T-Shirts this year.

They are definatly worth a look.


Matalan


Fab-Yule-Us

Because who doesnt love a Christmas play on words.

This is one of my favourites this year.

£15


Next


‘Pigs in blankets’

So cute.

£30


‘Pink, high neck Ho, Ho, Ho Jumper.’

Such a lovely colour.

£32


Such a pretty reindeer 🦌

£35


George at Asda


How could j not include a Harry Potter Jumper…

£14


‘Merry & Bright’

£16


This is adorable.

Penguins always look cute on a Christmas jumper 🐧

£16


New Look


Longline Slogan Chrsitmas Jumper

£25.99

This looks super cosy and cute.

I like how you could team this with skinny Jean’s or leggings for a super comfy Christmas outfit.


Asos


Asos Christmas Charity jumper

I love the stylish cream colour of this jumper. The detailing of the colourful embroidered trees is really pretty, nice ans simple but effective. I like how they look like the they are made out of tinsel.

£28


Asos have a lovely selection of Fairisle patterned Christmas jumpers. So much so that I couldn’t choose! They ranged in style, size of the pattern and colour. Definatly worth checking out if you dont want anything too gimicky for a Christmas, something with a little festive feel to it.


Misguided


Rudolph, sequins, pom poms, what’s not to love!?!?

£25


I hope you’ve found this Christmas jumper guide helpful. Get those numpers bought and wear them with pride this December.

Christmas really is the most magical time of the year!!!


22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!


Ho Ho Ho

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 🎅🏻

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 🙂

Blogmas Day 25: Christmas eve boxes🎁 that’s a wrap!

🎅 MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE 🎅

Yesterday we had fun enjoying some festive frivolity with my sisters, niece & nephews and then out with friends for lunch.

In the evening, once we had seen the Christmas lights, we cracked open the Christmas eve boxes for the boys.

For the adults we all had new pjs, I had friends ones, Tim had dinosaur ones and Sarah & Dan had Grinch ones.

I put together a Christmas eve box for my nephews Noah & Casey as well as my niece Evie-Mae.

They seemed to really enjoy it.

They all especially liked the little light up, spinning toys.

So, what did I put into the boxes?

The boxes varied slightly as Noah & Casey are a bit older than Evie.

Noah & Casey

○Chocolate coins

○A Chocolate lolly each

○Reindeer food

○A light up, spinning toy

○A little Christmas book

○A Christmas puzzle

○New, Cosy Pjs

Evie-Mae

○Chocolate coins

○A Little Christmas book

○A light up, spinning toy

○A little Christmas book

○New, Cosy Pjs

Look at them in their matching Harry Potter Pjs 😍

They all seemed to enjoy their boxes and it’s a fun, cute little tradition to add some more magic to Christmas eve.

I love seeing their excited little faves.

I hope you have enjoyed my Blogmas posts this year, I love doing it, it always makes me feel so festive and I love sharing my love of Christmas.

I hope you all have the very best Christmas & a Happy New year.

See you in 2019!!

Roseanne 🙂

Blogmas Day 24: Decorating gingerbread men.

It’s Christmas Eve!!

I can’t believe it, this Blogmas has been the quickest yet.

Only One day to go!!

love doing festive craft and cooking with my nephews and niece.

I found these cute ‘decorate your own gingerbread man’ sets in the Co-op.

You get six mini gingerbread men (perfect for little ones) some icing tubes and sprinkles to decorate.

This is great for little ones as the gingerbread men aren’t too big, a good treat size, and nice and simple for them to.

They were all very excited to get started.

The set came with a little tube of icing and two different types of sprinkles.

It was a nice little bit of festive fun for the kiddies and of course their favourite part was the eating!

Merry Christmas Eve!

If you want to know how we are spending Christmas eve have a look at Blogmas Day Five

Whatever you are doing, I hope it’s a good one 🎄

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Blogmas Day 23: Festive afternoon tea 🍰

Yesterday afternoon I hosted festive afternoon tea, at our flat, for my mum and two sisters. The kiddies came along too.

I thought it would be a fun way to start the Christmas hols and we all love afternoon tea so why not!?!!

What was on the menu?

Sandwiches

Egg mayo

Ham

Cakes

Mums ‘Blasts from the past’

Victoria Sponge

Mr Kipling Candy Cane slices

Jam tarts

Mini Mince Pies

Savoury

Cheese pastry Christmas tree

Pigs in blankets &

Quorn cocktail sausages (Veggie)

Crisps

Drinks

PG tips Tea

Yorkshire Biscuit brew tea

Coffee

Fruit Juice

It was really yummy and fun to think of ways to make normal afternoon tea festive.

A tasty & fun family afternoon.

Happy Christmas Eve eve!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Blogmas Day 22: My cheese pastry Christmas tree 🎄

Since I have done a few sweet recipes posts this Blogmas I thought I would share a super quick, and very easy savoury recipe with you.

It’s got a lovely festive twist in its appearance and is perfect for a Christmas buffet table.

This cheese pastry Christmas tree looks great on a party table, very festive and super tasty.

You don’t need much to make this recipe either!


Ingredients


•One or Two (Depending on the size you want to make) ready rolled puff pastry sheets. I used one for mine but for a buffet I would make a larger one using two sheets.

•Grated cheddar cheese

•Cracked black pepper

•An egg to brush over the top

Optional festive extras: Caramalised Onion Chutney or Cranberry Sauce.


Recipe


Lay the puff pastry out flat and cut into strips that are 2cm wide. I made 11 out of one sheet.

Take a strip and push some grated cheese into the pastry. If you are having the chutney spread this onto the strips first then add the cheese.

Crack some black pepper over the top.

Roll the pastry up from one end to the other to create a pinwheel effect.

Put to one side and repeat with the other strips.

Once you have made them all arrange them as you see above, to create the Christmas tree.

Use some left over bits to create the pot and star on top.

Brush the pastry with a beaten egg and place it carefully into the oven until it is lovely and golden.

Serve & enjoy.


If you don’t add the chutney into the recipe you could serve it on the side for dipping.


Let me know if you had a go at this.

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Blogmas Day 21: Our Festive Snack table 🎄😁🍴

As I have said previously, the festive food goodies are one of my favourite bits of Christmas.

It’s great to enjoy some yummy treats, surrounded by friends and family.

There are a few treats that we get every year and this year we (mainly me haha) have taken that a bit further and have been creating a ‘Festive snack table’.

Everytime we’ve gone to a supermarket or seen a tasty, tempting snack we’ve picked it up for the table and it’s starting to look rather good.

This is great for cosy evenings and if any guests come over during the festive period.

Here’s what we have included on our snack table…

Chocolates

Festive chocs are a must! Especially for a chocoholic like me!!

A Christmas classic is the matchmaker style chocolates. I picked these up in Aldi in both the chocolate orange and mint flavours.

I also got a selection of truffles.

We have the new Malteaser truffles that are amazing and, my husband’s favourite, the Lindt Lindor truffles. I picked those up in the original milk chocolate flavour and the new Mint flavour, they look so festive 🎄

You have to have a tub of chocolates at Christmas time, it’s a must. Whether your favourite is Heroes, Celebrations or Quality Street these just feel so Christmassy.

My favourites are Heroes (Cadburys ftw!) Where as my husband’s is Celebrations.

Biscuits

Shortbread is my absolute favourite biscuit and a Christmas must have. I love those festive tins too. I have my favourites, the Tesco tin, and I’m also trying out the Aldi shortbread too.

Mince Pies

I’ve really been enjoying mince pies this year and I’ve been testing as many different ones as I can (It’s a tough job but someones gotta do it!!)

Co-op have come out on top so far but I’ve also been trying the Tesco, Aldi and M&S ones, just to be sure! Haha.

Specialty items

I discovered my love of Panattone last year when I was gifted one, so this year I purchased one of Aldi’s Pandoro, I can’t wait to try it.

Savoury Snacks

Our savoury snack choices this year were of course Pringles and Aldi’s version, stackers as well as Twiglets and Mini cheddars.

Other

These cute Robin treats were part of Aldi’s Christmas range and we couldn’t resist. On the right is a hollow chocolate robin character and on the left is a chocolate orange celebration cake.

I hope I can bring myself to cut into them, they are pretty cute!!

So, that’s our snack table! What’s your favourite festive snack?

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂

Blogmas Day 20: Christmas Hampers.

I love getting a bit creative at Christmas and adding that personal touch to my gifts.

Hampers are a great way of doing that.

You can select things that are super festive as well as things that you know someone will love, thereby adding your personal touch.

My festive faves to add to a hamper are:

•Mince Pies •Chocolate •Savoury bits

•Stollen •Nuts •Biscuits •Sweets

To add a personal touch I like to add:

•Their favourite chocolate •Vouchers

•Bath bombs •Shower gel •Books

If you are making a family hamper I like to add:

•Chocolate Santa’s •Chocolate coins

•Mini games •Card games •Puzzles

•Their fave toy •Craft packs •Sweets

Food is one of the best parts of Christmas and making someone something they can enjoy and share is great if they are harder to buy for or if it is a shared, family present.

This is also a great present for older relatives such as grandparents, aunties & uncles etc.

You can pick up hampers from loads of shops:

•The Range •B&M •Home bargains •The Works •TK Maxx

They come with the shredded paper in the bottom, cellophane and a ribbon which adds that finishing touch to your hamper.

I always put my hamper into the cellophane diagonally, in the centre and then gather up the edges of the cellophane above the basket and tie with the ribbon. You can then neaten it out and rearrange the cellophane as necessary.

Getting the cellophane part right can take a few goes, YouTube videos are great if you havn’t done it before.

Happy Hampering!

Until next time,

Roseanne 🙂