My 2020 Reading Challenge: The First Quarter πŸ“š

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 πŸ™‚

World Book Day πŸ“š

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 πŸ‘πŸ»

& 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.’ βš‘β€πŸ“š


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 ⚑

Blogmas 2019 Day Twenty Two: A Christmas Panto πŸ§žβ€β™‚️

Every year me and my husband Tim go to our local theatres Rock N Roll panto.

It’s one of our Christmas traditions and we always look forward to it. We have been going for a few years now.

This year the panto was Aladdin.

It was an absolutely brilliant show, as always!

The set was my favourite so far. As you can see from the above picture, it was really well done. The panto was set in Shanghai and the set was so colourful with lanterns decorating the rest of the theatre.

The show was hilarious, one of the funniest yet! We were seriously laughing out loud alot during the first half.

We usually go earlier in December but it was really cool to go so close to Chrsitmas as it always makes me feel so festive and it was perfect for getting into a Christmassy mood.

It was a great evening together and one of my favourite traditions that we do together 😊


Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne πŸŽ…πŸ»

Blogmas 2019: Day Nineteen Christmas Eve boxes


Hi guys!


So, of course Christmas day is the big day we all countdown to but I love Christmas eve and boxing day too.

Over the years we’ve added traditions to these days as I think they are just as good a day to celebrate as the 25th.

When my nephews, and now my niece too, came along I started a tradition of doing them a Christmas eve box each.

Its just a few little fun things but it really builds the Christmas excitement, the day before, and I like that it’s my little tradition that I do with them β™₯️

So, what to put in a Christmas eve box?

In loads of supermarkets and shops in town they are now selling either ready made or empty ‘Christmas eve boxes’.

I like to fill mine myself as my nephews and niece are all different ages and I like to pick things that I know they would like.

I picked up the christmas boxes I’m using last year…

Places like Wilko, Card Factory, B&M,The Works, Tesco, Asda all have their own ones on offer.

What do you put in it?

Here’s what I have gone for this year…

(This is the content of my nieces box, she is two and a half years old, but it’s not particularly girly, my nephews have got pretty much the same.) I will add some extra ideas at the end too.

A Christmassy story.

I love books and I think its so important to get children interested in reading. My Niece loves books so I got her this Christmas classic.

Christmas Arts & crafts

I love popping something fun in, and it gives you something arty to do on Christmas eve, to keep the little ones occupied.

I got my niece this little ‘Make your own wreath set’ she has her own little tree this year that she loves so I thought she would like her own Christmas wreath to hang too.

Chocolate coins

A christmas classic item and a nice little treat.

Some cute little Christmas bath puppets (although they don’t have to just be used in the bath!)

My niece loves a bath so I thought she would enjoy these in general, but also on Christmas eve when she is getting all cosy and ready for bed.

Christmas pjs/new pjs

And on the same cosy theme I got her some new festive pjs to pop on after her bath. I went for these super cute festive ones from Asda. I loved the print and they had ones you could get for different ages to match.

I got my nephews the blue versions so they are all going to be matching, super cute!!!!

A Christmas decoration

I saw these cute little decorations when I was shopping in Wilkinsons (Check out more of their collection here.

I picked up a cheeky elf one for my niece. They also had a santa, a snowman and a reindeer.

Cookies for Santa

I thought that these were a lovely way of adding to the age old tradition of leaving Santa a snack on Christmas eve.

This is a really simple cookie making set and then you get a few festive bits to decorate them.

Again, I thought this would be fun and a great way to get them into the festive spirit and keep then occupied on Christmas eve.


I thought I would also include this as they are super cute and great for kids. I have previously bought these for my nephews but as this is the year my niece will really be having a proper Christmas dinner I thought it was time she had one too!

So cute and super fun!


Other ideas:

β€’Christmas activity books

β€’Christmas sticker books

β€’Cosy socks

β€’Hot chocolate

β€’A little Christmas teddy

β€’ A pack of Reindeer food

β€’ A selection box

β€’ A Christmas top or Jumper

β€’A Christmas card game

β€’A Christmas plate for Santa


Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne πŸŽ…πŸ»

Blogmas 2019 Day Four: ‘The Season’ Musical β„


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 πŸŽ„


Ho Ho Ho

Roseanne πŸŽ…πŸ»

My Reading Challenge: September πŸ“š

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 πŸ™‚

You started school today πŸŽ

5 years ago I was working in my first ever reception class, eagerly awaiting your arrival, proud as punch when you finally arrived and I knew from then onwards that my life was going to be brighter, more fun and full of even more love.

Now you are ready to start your own reception journey and Im just as proud today, if not more, of the little boy you’ve become! Go show them what you’re made of Noahy, be the superstar that you are. Auntie Ro Ro cant wait to hear all about it XXXX

First day at School, Tuesday 3rd September 2019

πŸ’™

Windermere πŸžπŸƒβ˜€οΈ

I’m not going to write alot in this post, just simply share with you a beautiful place that me and my husband recently visited for out 3rd Wedding anniversary πŸ’ (3 years since my blog began, in preparation for the wedding!)

So, enjoy!


Windermere, The Lake District



Orrest Head (Walk) Winderemere



Claife Heights (Walk) Winderemere



Cautley Spout, Windermere



Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

My May half term diary β˜€οΈ

I love doing a diary for each school holiday, it’s a great way of remembering what Ive got up to, a 21st century diary πŸ‘πŸ»

Friday 24th May 2019

Me & Tim got some good use out of our Unlimited Cinema cards tonight by watching two films!

We watched ‘Detective Pikachu’ followed by ‘Rocketman’.

Both were really good. We had already seen Detective Pikachu and we just wanted to see it again, great for any Pokemon fans ✌🏻

Rocketman was also really good but not my fave of the recent biopic films.


Saturday 25th May 2019

Today I met up with my friend and her boys at the park. I took Noah & Casey with my to play with her boys.

They loved the bus ride.

We had a great time at the park, enjoying the sunshine and playing with all of the boys πŸ’™

Me & Tim took the boys to see ‘Secret Life of Pets 2’. This was Casey’s pick as he loves cats 🐈 & he really enjoyed himself.

In the eve, once I’d dropped the boys off, me and my friends met up again and had a Chinese together at a local buffet restaurant. So good.

& a great opportunity for a catch up!


Sunday 26th May 2019

A busy weekend rounded off with a family day trip to Cambridge for some retail therapy.

Me & Tim drove down with my twin sister Sarah, Noah & Casey, whilst my older sister Charlotte drive down with her husband & Evie.

It was a lovely day and we enjoyed shopping (First stop, Primark of course!) Followed by some yummy lunch from our favourite Italian which we introduced to everyone, Aromi πŸ‘ŒπŸ» Their veggie pesto lasagne is the one.

The kids loved the play area too.


Monday 27th May 2019

Cult Cafe for Tea, Cake & Games.

This has become our bank holiday Monday tradition and it’s great.

We usually chill on the bank holiday ans as the weekend was busy this is what we did. In the afternoon we decided to get out for a bit, Cabin fever was setting in!

This was really lovely β™‘


Wednesday 29th May 2019

Today, with work, we visited a local farm.

It was a lovely day, really chilled It was fun being outside and visiting a farm I hadn’t been to before either.


Friday 31st May 2019

Today we met my friends little boy, Finley β™‘

We hadn’t met him before and it was lovely to have cuddles he is adorable.

& it was a great excuse to get the girls together and have a bit of tea & cake.

Our friend was home for the weekend too which was great timing.

We went to my other friends in the evening for dinner which was great too.


Sunday 2nd June 2019

To round off the half term we decided to again take advantage of the lovely warm weather by taking a trip to Felixstowe.

‘Oh, I do like to he beside the seaside… πŸ–’

We enjoyed a lovely meal of fish & chips, Mr Whippy & doughnuts on the beach. We had a lovely stroll along the prom before heading into the pier for some amusements. The perfect afternoon.

I even had a little paddle πŸŒŠβ˜€οΈ The weather was great.


I hope you enjoyed or are enjoying your half term!


Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚

Half term diaries part 2

Part two of February Half term!

Here’s what I’ve been up to.


Wednesday 20th February/Thursday 21st February 2019


During both of these days I was at work allday 7.30-6.

Working with kids is good fun though and we did lots of fun activities.

I really enjoy planning fun activities to do during the holidays.


Friday 23rd February 2019


In the morning I met up with my twin sister and my nephews for some bowling fun.

Both of the boys really enjoyed themselves as Noah only had a go at bowling when he was very little and Casey has never been before.

The boys had a great time and they were really good at bowling, it’s safe to say Auntie Ro Ro lost 🎳

Afterwards we had some lunch and some treats (of course!) DOUGHNUTS!!

In the afternoon we headed to Norwich to stay with my Auntie and cousin for a long weekend.

We popped into the Norwich Primark en-route, in order to see if they had the onesie of my dreams…

…they didn’t disappoint!! & it was the only one left πŸ™ŒπŸ»

Once at my Aunties, we settled down for a delicious Mexican taco feast.


Saturday 23rd February 2019


Today me & Tim started off the day with a Parkrun in a nearby village.

Once we got back we spent the rest of the morning/afternoon chilling out, having lunch and playing games.

The Pointless Mini game was a particular fave.

In the late afternoon we went and saw my cousin, his wife and kiddies for a catchup up and a cuppa, which was nice!

We rounded off the evening with a delicous meal out together at Zizzi’s.

We played a few more games when we got back too. Love a board game!


Sunday 24th February 2019


Today we went out l to enjoy the lovely sunshiny weather, you’ve got to make the most of it when you get it here in the UK!!

We stopped off for a yummy snacky lunch at a lovely pub in Ranworth.

We shared some stuffed peppers, Cheesey chips, homemade houmous, falafel & flatbread and some onion rings, yummy!

After that we went for a little walk along the river. It was so pretty and just lovely in the early Spring sunshine.

A great weekend rounded off with a scrummy roast beef dinner and baked Apple dessert, when we got home.


It’s been a great half term!!

Until next time,

Roseanne πŸ™‚