Sick Day, Sick Week, Sick Sodding Month!!

As my illness lingers on and on! This month has just been about me being unwell

every day since before Christmas I have been dealing with waking up in some sort of pain

Hopefully next week I will finally get some answers and figure out what happens next

with my twisted bowel.

Until then I am sick with an ear, throat and sinus infection as well as swollen glands!

Aw the joys of it all!! 

I hate seeing my child sick and do everything to try help him, but when it comes to myself

I soldier on until someone puts me to bed to rest! Normally its the hubby but this time

it was my Mother In Law who has kindly took Oisín for a sleep over tonight

so I can rest!

My version of resting is blogging, reading, watching boxsets and vlogs!

I have tried to sleep but my stuffed up sinuses made that impossible, I have tried to close my

eyes to rest but can't stop coughing which then sets of the pain in my bowel!

There are a few things I will do today which will make me feel

some what human again! I will try shove the last of

my Mammy's Irish stew into my sore throat for a late lunch

it always makes me feel a little better! While eating that I will

watch my new favourite Netflix boxset Daredevil. I will then run a hot bath

and use one of my Lush bath melts this one is my favourite at the moment The Comforter

while in the bath I will have a face full of No7-Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask I love this

product my skin is so very dry and grey due to all the medication I am on an this leaves my skin

so soft and looking bright.

After all that I should feel relaxed so I will curl up in bed

with a good book. Hubby will be home from work then and

he can look after the patient with a hot drink and cuddles!

The Furey Brothers Gigs 2016

As may of you many know I am related

through marriage to the Irish Folk Group The Furey Brothers

Eddie Furey is my Father In Law and Grandfather to our beautiful boy

Here are the list of up and coming gigs for 2016

FEBRUARY 2016

Sat 6th Feb KILLARNEY, Glen Eagle Hotel. The Accoustic Room. 06466 715 000   

Sun 7th Feb           LONGFORD, Backstage Theatre. 04333 47888 

Fri 12th Feb          NEWRY, Canal Court Hotel. 028 3025 1234  

Sat 13th Feb          OMAGH, Strule Arts. 028 82247831   

Fri 19th Feb           LIMAVADDY, Roe Valley Arts Centre. 028 7776 0650

Sat 20th Feb         ARMAGH, Market Place Theatre. 028 3752 1821 

Fri 26th Feb         WESTPORT, Town Hall Theatre. 098 28459

Sat 27th Feb          ENNISKILLEN, Ardhowen Theatre. 028  6632 5440   

MARCH 2016  

UK 

Fri 4th March      RHYL, Pavilion Theatre. 01745 330 000

Sat 5th March      CHESTERFIELD, The Winding Wheel. 01246 345 222 

Sun 6th March    LEEDS, City Varieties Music Hall. 0113 243 0808   

Tue 8th March     SCUNTHORPE, Plowright Theatre. 0844 854 2776

Wed 9th  March   ST HELENS, Theatre Royal. 01744 756 000 

Thur 10th March ULVERSTON, Coronation Hall. 01229 587 140 

Fri 11th March      CHIPPING, The Village Hall. 01995 61364 

Sat 12th March     BRIDLINGTON, Spa Theatre. 01262 678 258

Sun 13th March    ALNWICK, The Playhouse. 01665 510 785

Tue 15th March   PEEBLES, Eastgate Arts Centre. 01721 725 777

Wed 16th March  WHITEHAVEN GOLF CLUB, 0774 947 5655      

Thur 17th March MUSSELBURGH, Brunton Hall. 0131 665 2240  

Fri 18th March     FALKIRK, FTH Falkirk. 01324 506 850

Sat 19th March    GLASGOW, Pavilion Theatre. 0141 332 1846  

Sun 20th March  LANGHOLM, Buccleuch Arts Centre. 01387 381 196 

APRIL

IRELAND

Fri 8th April   DOWNPATRICK, Down Arts Centre. 028 4461 0747  

Sat 9th April   DUBLIN, Vicar St.  0818 719300  

UK 

Wed 13th April MILFORD HAVEN, Torch Theatre. 01646 695 267

Thur 14th April CWMBRAN, Congress Theatre. 01633 868 239

Fri 15th April     NEWBURY, Corn Exchange. 0845 5218 218

Sat 16th April    POTTERS BAR, Wyllyotts Centre. 01707 645 005

Sun 17th April   LOWESTOFT, Marina Theatre. 01502 533 200

Mon 18th April  SOUTHEND, Palace Theatre. 01702 351 135

Tue 19th April   MILTON KEYNES, The Stables. 01908 280 800

Wed 20th April CROMER, Pier Pavilion. 01263 512 495 

Thur 21st April  STOCKPORT, Plaza. 0161 477 7779 

 Fri 22nd April    COLNE, The Muni. 01282 661 234       

Sat 23rd April    SHREWSBURY, Theatre Severn. 01743 281 281 

 Sun 24th April   BLACKPOOL, Grand Theatre. 01253 290 190

MAY 

Sat 7th May        REDDITCH, Palace Theatre. 01527 65203

Sun 8th May      HEREFORD, Courtyard Theatre. 01432 340 555

Mon 9th May     EXETER, Corn Exchange. 01392 665 938

Tue 10th May    TAUNTON, The Brewhouse. 01823 283 244

Wed 11th May    TROWBRIDGE, Civic. 01225 765 072

Thur 12th May  WIMBORNE, Tivoli Theatre. 01202 885 566 

Fri 13th May       ISLE OF WIGHT, Shanklin Theatre. 01983 868 000

Sat 14th May       HORSHAM, Capitol Theatre . 01403 750 220

Sun 15th May     HASTINGS, White Rock Theatre. 01424 462 288

Mon 16th May   BRISTOL, The Lantern, Colston Hall. 0844 887 1500

Tue 17th May     CHELTENHAM, Town Hall . 0844 576 2210

Wed 18th May    HAVERHILL, Arts Centre. 01440 714 140 

Thur 19th May  MAIDSTONE, Hazlitt Theatre. 01622 758 611

Fri 20th May  HIGH WYCOMBE, Town Hall Theatre. 01494 512 000 

Sat 21st May       CORBY, The Core at Corby Cube . 01536 470 470

Sun 22nd May    CROYDON, Fairfield Halls. 0208 688 9201  

Mon 23rd May   DERBY, Guildhall Theatre. 01332 255800               

Tue 24th May     MIDDLESBROUGH, Middlesbrough Theatre. 01642 815 181   

Wed 25th May    CONSETT, Empire Theatre. 01207 218 171

Thur 26th May  WAKEFIELD, Theatre Royal. 01924 211 311

Fri 27th May  SOLIHULL, Solihull Arts Centre. 0121 704 6962

JULY

IRELAND

Fri 15th July        KILLARNEY, Glen Eagle Hotel. 06466 71500 

Thur 11th Aug        KILLARNEY, Glen Eagle Hotel. 06466 71500 

OCTOBER 

IRELAND

Sat 1st Oct             NAAS, Moat Theatre. 045 883030         

Sat 8th Oct           CORK, Opera House. 021 427 0022 

Sun 9th Oct        DUBLIN, Tallaght Civic Theatre. 01 462 7477

Fri 14th Oct        DUBLIN, Blanchardstown, Draiocht. 01 885 2622

Sat 15th Oct       CLAREMORRIS, Town Hall Theatre. 094 931 0999

Fri 21st  Oct        KILKENNY, The Set Theatre  056 772 1728

Sat 22nd Oct     RATOATH, The Venue Theatre  01 6895 600

Sun 23rd Oct  ENNISCORTHY, Riverside Park Hotel 053 9237 800

HOLLAND

Wed 2nd Nov  IJMUIDEN, Stadsschouwburg Velsen   0255-515789

Thur 3rd Nov    EDE, Cultura –Ede  0318-672800

Fri 4th Nov      BERGEN OP ZOOM, De Maagd   0164-280555

Sat 5th Nov        SNEEK, Theater Sneek  0515-430580

Sun  6th Nov    PURMEREND, De Purmaryn  0299-432205

Mon 7th Nov   AUSTERLITZ, Het Beauforthuis  0343-491858

Tues 8th Nov  ZEVENHUIZEN, Dorpshuis Swanla

BELGIUM

Wed 9th Nov    VILVOORDE, CC Bolwerk  0032 22554690

Thur 10th Nov BEVEREN,  CC Ter Vesten  0032 37501000

HOLLAND

Fri 11th Nov    HEINKENSZAND, De Stenge    0118-461905

BELGIUM

Sat 12th Nov   MAASEIK, CC Achterolmen   0032 89569956

HOLLAND

Sun 13th Nov   DORDRECHT, Het Kunstmin  078-6397979

UK

Tues 15th Nov  HUNSTANTON, Princess Theatre 01485 532252

IRELAND

Sat 26th Nov ENNIS, Glor 065 6843103

This Month I Have Been Mostly Reading - January

While I am out of work sick with my twisted bowel

and waiting on a date for my operation

I have read some wonderful books! Reading has helped me get through the grey

frosty days of January!

Delilah - Eleanor De Jong
The first book I read was Delilah and I really enjoyed it
Everyone knows the story of Delilah who brought the might Samson to
his knees for a bag of silver but what if there was more to it than that?
In De Jong's novel Delilah is a beautiful young woman who lives with her Mother
and Stepfather. When she first meets Samson she takes an instance dislike to him as he is to marry her stepsister, the wedding doesn't go ahead and an almighty row ensues
but they met a few years later and she finds there is more to the man then meets the eye.
She agrees to seduce him but quickly falls for him and then ensues the tragic events
from the bible but with a slightly different spin on it.
I really enjoyed this novel I have read De Jong other novel Jezebel so I had a feeling I would enjoy this. I didn't expect to care so much about the characters, but De Jong seems to take female villains from the bible and show them as strong, independent women and very likable characters. I really felt the love and pain of the last few chapters and really hope De Jong brings out a new novel soon!!

The House At Riverton- Kate Morton
I actually found this book in our local charity shop
while I was waiting to pick up Oisín from daycare
So glad I did! I loved this book and was sucked in from the first pages
The House Riverton is a huge sprawling manor house where Grace
started service in 1914 we see the house and it's people through
Grace's eyes through World War 1 and into the glittering 20's
This book is like a jig saw of sorts it jumps from Riverton in the 20's
back to Grace in the 90's in her nursing home. As Grace finally tells
secrets that have been kept for almost a hundred years. As the pieces start to
fall into place and the scene is set for the dramatic and tragic ending.
I think this book would make a good movie or drama series
I loved all the character especially Grace as she is such a well rounded character
the book is beautiful written. There are influences from Downton Abbey,
Upstairs Downstairs as well as my favourite novel Rebecca
Kate Morton style of writing is similar to Daphne De Maurier powerful but easy to read
and characters so well written that it sucks the reader in and keeps you turning the pages.

Call The Midwife-Jennifer Worth
I have read this trilogy the wrong way around
started with the last book and made my way backwards through the books!
I really like the TV show so a couple of years ago started to read the books
with season five of the show started back this month. I thought I would finally get around to finishing the trilogy and read the very first book.
This is what the first series of the BBC show is basically set on, with Jennifer (Jenny) coming to poplar and starting her midwife journey. This a beautifully written book with a collection of different memories and stories. Worth doesn't sugar coat the East End of London (maybe in the way the show does) the stories about the workhouses, homeless and prostitutes are deeply sad.
I liked the pictures of actually East End children, mothers and slums. What comes through in this book for me is the friendship the three midwifes had together. I really enjoyed it and it made me miss the original cast of the BBC show so might just go back and watch it again!

A Week In Winter - Maeve Binchy
When I want cheering up and want some comfort reading
I go back to Maeve Binchy!
Some of Binchy's books can be a bit hit or miss for me
but I really enjoyed this one.
This book has lots of different characters who are all
connected as they all work in one way or other in Stone House
Stone House is a big house on the coast of Ireland where
back in the glory days all the local people worked there
Now Chicky wanted to return it to its former glory and restore it
as a hotel. I finished this book in a couple of days but that is
what Maeve Binchy's books are like to me, my version
of a cuppa, blanket, hot water bottle and hug all wrapped
up in a book!

What Oisín has been reading this month

Before You Sleep - Benji Bennett
We have a few of the Adam's Cloud books
this are written by Benji when his son passed away he
started a series of books his aim? To ask parents to read
and hug there children what a beauiful thought
We love these books and this one is Oisín favourite at the moment
as he thinks that's him on the cover!
It's a sweet book as it compares your love for your child to different things
"I love you much more than the burning bright sun, I love it so much when we play and have fun"
Find out more about Adam's Cloud here......

On This Day.......

Two years ago....

Oisín (or hubby) wasn't very happy I put him in my team colours!!

On The Box This Week

Since I have been unwell

I seem to be watching so much TV!

Warning-TV Spoilers Ahead!

We are still watching this show but have took to Sky Plus-ing it
because the BBC seems not to want to show it much love in the scheduling department
(it has been dropped because of football, starting times have changed
 and it's now changed to a different day)
It would fit a 7.30/8pm Saturday and Sunday evening slot but it gets lost
in its mid week slot which is a shame as the plot is really coming together
What an evil man Compeyson is and it's really the making of Miss Havisham back story from Great Expectations, I am really enjoying this storyline as Expectations is my favourite Dickens book. Pauline Collins is really standing out as the gin drinking Mrs Gamp, and I am enjoying seeing the Bill and Nancy relationship develop. As for who killed Marley I still haven't a clue!

Another drama that I seem to be forgetting about due to scheduling
I am used to watching the past three seasons on a Sunday
Friday nights I forget this is on thank goodness for Sky Plus!
Harry is resting after his fall but doesn't seem to want to pass some of
his duties to his son (really wish he would when you know what's coming!)
Lady Mae agrees to stay and help with ladies fashion but Harry thinks he knows best
has has the Dolly sisters help out! 

One of my favourite shows is back Call The Midwife
Although I have to admit I am missing some of the
original cast Jessica Raine and Miranda Hart especially
This episode was mostly about change, work is slowing down at the
docks which was once bustling with people, baby formula is starting
to become all the rage and at the end of the episode Sister Evangelina leaves
Nonnatus House maybe for good?
Barbara the newest midwife is set her biggest case as she
tries to deliver a baby early so that the baby's dying Father can see
him once before he passes away.
This episode had me reaching for the tissues and
when the baby's Father sees his son and says "I want to stay" before he
dies was heartbreaking.
I love this show and although all is changing in the world of
Call The Midwife long may it continue on our screens.

We tuned into episode 4 of Rebellion
Dublin city is in ruins and the rebels are forced to surrender
The scene where Thomas Clarke was stripped naked by army troops
was quite hard to watch, Yet again Brian Gleeson performance was amazing
as he is told by fellow rebel Micheal Collins to keep his eyes down and
give the impression he is nothing but a worthless rebel.
I love how well written this show is and the acting is first class.
We will tune in Sunday for the last episode.
Would love if RTE followed up this series next year following the characters into
The War of Independent 

Slimming World Meal Plan Monday

Although I still unwell with a twisted bowel

I am sticking with my Slimming World Meal Plan

and was down 1lb last week I feel better when I know I am

eating right

Monday: Breakfast for Dinner/Mixed Grill!

Bacon Rashers, Beans, Poached Eggs, Mushrooms, Tomatoes & Sausages for the Boys!

Tuesday: Homemade Chicken Curry with Onions & Peppers

Served with Boiled Rice

Wednesday: Homemade Irish Stew

This has Carrots, Potatoes, Onions, Barley, Parsnip, Herbs, & Beef in it

Thursday: Stew Leftovers & Mash Potatoes

Friday: Prawn Stir Fry

Severed with Dried Wok Noddles

Saturday: Steak, SW Chips, Mushrooms, Onions & Homemade Pepper Sauce

Sunday: Sunday Roast Chicken Lunch

Over The Weekend #15

As I am not well with this on-going twisted bowel

our weekends have been slow throughout January

I am hoping this will change in Feb when I see my surgeon

and get a date for my operation  

The past weekends have been spent relaxing,

watching movies, and letting Daddy take over

while I rest and this weekend wasn't much different

I spent most of Friday evening

curled up on the sofa finishing this 

amazing beautiful book

review will be in this months 

what I read!

Saturday morning I felt well enough

for a little stroll in the park with

my two main men! They both got hair cuts

and by lunch time I was shattered and in pain

so curled up with a boxset, cuppa and candle!

Sunday morning I felt well enough to get

up early with Oisín and give hubby much needed

weekend lie in. He has been getting up early every

weekend with Oisín while I have been sick

so he really need a lie on! It was

so dull and grey Sunday morning that I 

think I lit every candle in the house to

cheer myself up!

 I was craving comfort food all day

Sunday so hubby done some yummy garlic and apple

bangers with onion and mushroom mash yum!

More comfort food melt in the middle chocolate pud

cream, and a small glass of wine

while we watched Call The Midwife

on Sunday night!

Slimming World Meal Plan Monday

So we did a big shop last week and I went back to our

Slimming World recipe books to get some

inspiration for this week meals!

Monday: Homemade Chicken, Leek & Mushroom Pie
served with Peas & Mash Potatoes

Tuesday: Meatballs, Homemade Pasta Sauce with Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions & Garlic

served with Spaghetti

Wednesday: Diet Coke Chicken served with Boiled Rice

Thursday: Steak, Mushroom Onions & SW Chips

Friday: Aldi Beef Burgers with Jalapeno and Cheese Melt with Salad and SW Chips

Saturday: Slimming World Shepard's Pie

Sunday: Roast Chicken Sunday Lunch 

Dear Friday.......

Dear Friday........I'm so glad your here its been a long, long week!

Dear Weather......I know it's not Spring yet but please warm up soon!

Dear Body......Give me a break I'm a little feed up of been sore and in pain!

Dear Ziggy Stardust.....I'm going to miss you! Your music has brought me so much happiness and fun times. I know your the Star Man waiting in the sky

Dear Hubby......thank you for looking for after me when I'm sick and I love you

Dear Beautiful Boy.....You bring me so much joy and make me smile when I am in the worst of pain
You are the sun shine of my life 

On The Box This Week

Seems like this time of the year for us is filled

with diet shows and period dramas!!

Here what we watched this week!

Warning-TV Spoilers Ahead!

Operation Transformation was back on RTE last week
we met the five new leaders
Was told there stories as to why they are the weight they
are and some of there lifestyle choices
Paul and I like watching this show every year
and this year I have more interest in it as
I am determent with Slimming World's help to lose
a stone this year! It will be interesting to see how the leaders
do in the following weeks of their lifestyle change!

I asked Paul to sit down and watched this with me
he wasn't too keen but I am a huge Jessica Raine (Call The Midwife) fan
and the hunky Hans Matheson (The Tudors) made this show seem like a good watch
Set in the makeshift town of Jericho Yorkshire penniless window Annie (Raine) tries to
make a new life with her two children. While Johnny (Matheson) goes where the work
takes him and he soon finds himself as Annie's lodger
Jericho isn't sure what it is western or industrial costume drama! I spent the two hours
of the first episode trying to figure this out myself! Is this Catherine Cookson or is John Wayne going to turn up soon?! There was alot going on and I thinkit tried a little too hard.
One hour for the first episode would of been long enough
but with three deaths, a massive explosion and trying to get to know all these characters
I kind of lost interested. Hubby said he will not watch it again as he finds the
similarities of the America railway show Hell on Wheels too much
I will give it another few episodes before I make my mind up!

One of our favourites Mr Selfridge was back this week but
moved to Friday nights for some reason!
It's 1928 the hey day of the 20's but if you know your history
you will know what's coming in 1929!! Harry is living it up
partying and gambling back to his old ways. He seems to have a rift with his
one time close son who has been removed from the big store and sent to
work in the small stores around London. The store seems to be doing well
but Harry seems more interested in partying than stock taking!
The cool and elegant Lady Mae is back to sell her shares after the break down
of her second marriage. The real life Dolly sisters arrive in London
for some fun with Harry! Harry unveils a beautiful clock but has
a little mishap doing so! The acting was great and the costumes where stunning
Looking forward to this last series of Mr Selfridge

I tuned in to the second episode of War and Peace

Hubby half watched from behind his phone he wasn't too keen last week!

I was hoping this episode might pick up after the quite dull first episode

This episode was slightly better than the first but again this series doesn't really feel Russian

this could be happening in the English countryside. There is a huge war going on and yet the makers would rather show us parts of the book that could be glossed over. 

However the actors and the acting is the saving grace the casting is spot on

and the I really like Jim Broadbent and Stephen Rea

The second episode of this epic RTE show was amazing

The casting, costumes and sets are brilliant

This was the episode where Dublin is thrown into chaos

It's Easter Monday and the rebellion is back on. I loved how the shows makers really

wanted us to see how it really was, with Dubliners not knowing what was happening

and Citizen Army shooting people in the street.

What I really love about this show is that is shows everyone from the Free State fanatics, to the beautiful May Lacey who is not sure what side she is on, to the young Belfast lady who arrives in the middle of it all, to the tenements of Dublin to the beautiful house in Bachelors walk.

Looking forward to Sunday night's next episode

Slimming World Meal Plan Monday

Not much in the cupboards till we go food shopping later in the week

so using up last bits and bobs till then!

Monday: Slimming World Doner Kebab, Salad & SW Chips

Tuesday: Cajun Chicken Thighs, Corn on Cob, SW Coleslaw & Spicy Homemade Potato Wedges

Wednesday: Over-baked Meatballs, Mash, Onions, Mushrooms & Peas

Thursday: Cheat Night Salt & Chill Chicken Take Out

Friday: Steak, SW Chips & Salad

Saturday: Homemade Beef Burgers, SW Coleslaw, Salad & Chips

Sunday: Slow Roast Pork, Oxo Potoatoes, Peas, Carrots & Cauliflower

Need to work on some different Slimming World recipes for next week
seem to be stuck in a Slimming World rut! 

Over The Weekend #14

We didn't do much this weekend

Paul was working which always means its

a quite weekend 

 Friday evening was a cold one

Oisín was bathed, I showered put warm pyjamas on

lit candles and had a cheeky glass of wine

while Paul watched the football!

Saturday morning was bright and fresh here in Dublin

I was feeling well enough for a small walk

So Sheriff Woody, Oisín and I went out

for a stroll and some fresh air

Sunday wasn't a great day I was feeling 

in a bit of pain from my twisted bowel

and Oisín has the sniffles 

So we played inside, we drew pictures, sang songs,

played chiefs, painted, and watched Disney

and it was lovely!

After Sunday Lunch I cosed up on

the sofa, lit some Yankee Candles

caught up on Mr Selfridge with a small glass of red

and had an early night. I was asleep by 9.30pm!!

The Year That Was 2015

Another year over and since becoming a parent

the time just seems to be going so fast

I have to admit going into this new year I feel a bit

anxious I have never felt like that before

but I am a little nervous as to what 2016 will hold for us

I have a feeling it will be a time of change

as we are not sure if will be renewing our house for another year

and I am still sick with my twisted bowel so am hoping

that this will not drag on long into the new year

As a new year looks like a page unwritten

let look back on the full year of 2015

January- This not my favourite month of the year, bleak dark January days
Trying to shed the Christmas weight with empty bank balances! That said the past two years
January has been a nice month. Looking back Oisín looks so little and was going through a sock phase where he carried around a different sock for comfort. This month was spent eating comfort food, Sunday lunches with family, curling up lighting candles watching my favourite Sunday night shows.  

February- I think we went a little stir crazy in Feb, the weather was freezing and
we where still getting our finances back on track after Christmas.
My friends and I went to see 50 shades of cringe this month and had a nice
girlie night with cocktails. It was also hubby's birthday this month
we enjoyed a lovely night out and a huge birthday dinner in my parents
It was also the month that Oisín finally got up and started walking!

March- This month was full of family time
We has lots of lovely family dinners, we had snow which Oisín was in awe off!
We had St Patrick's Day which was lots of fun and also Mother's Day in this month
Spring came in late March with the promise of brighter days

April- We had lots of lovely chocolate eggs for Easter
and my diet went out the window!
My friend got married this month and we had
a lovely time at the wedding

May- This was a nice month with a few nights out
at the theater with my parents and friends
We enjoyed an early bit of Summer with walks in the park,
swimming and playing in our garden

June- What a crazy busy month! My best friends
hen do was this month. Along with my Dad's birthday
Father's day and then at the end of the month
we flew out to Croatia to see our friends
get married and enjoy our first family holiday!

July- This was another crazy month
we finished our lovely holiday in Croatia
I started a detox to get bridesmaid ready for
my best friends wedding. I took a break from blogging
as I had so much going on! My favourite day of the year
was my best friends Wedding day when I was Bridesmaid
and Oisín was pageboy

August- Was a quite month after the madness of the past
few month. I went crazy and got the tattoo I wanted on my foot
Tir Na Nóg for my Oisín

September- One of my favourite months of the year
We celebrated our fourth wedding anniversary
I enjoyed a few shopping spree's after losing some weight
in Slimming World and we had a lovely time for my Mam's Birthday

October- Not my favourite month as it was my brother's 9th anniversary

but Oisin helped me get through it and he loved Halloween

After weeks of worrying if he wouldn't enjoy it

he had a great time dressing up and getting sweets

Our cute little pumpkin!

November- I tried to get Christmas ready in November

It was the month to enjoy Autumn going on long walks

making homemade soup, drinking hot chocolate and getting cosy!

December- I really enjoyed the start of this month. 

Seeing Oisín's eyes light up when he saw our Christmas tree

to bringing him on the Rathwood Santa Tree and our day

out to see the Christmas lights. I also really enjoyed my SW Christmas party

getting cosy while watching Christmas movies

but it was also the month my bowel twisted and I ended up in hospital

I was in pain over the Christmas time but it didn't stop me enjoying

seeing our little boy's face on Christmas morning

It was a month filled with birthdays too, mine, my father in law's and Oisín

we all had a little celebration in my parent in laws on the 26th which was fun

2015 you have been one of our busiest and fun years 

2016 please be good to us and lets see what you have in store!

This Month I Have Been Mostly Reading - December

I have read an awful lot of festive chic lit this month! Normally I am not a huge chick lit fan I read an odd one here and there but at Christmas it's different I want happy ending that I can see coming from the first pages! I love reading the cute endings with twists and turns. I can feel the snow, taste the Christmas goodies so here are the festive treats I read this month

Twelve Days of Christmas - Trisha Ashley

Last month I read a book by Ashely that I didn't enjoy that much but I have read other books of her that I liked...this one I LOVED!! It's on my favourite Christmas book list now and one I will go back to each Christmas.
It tells the story of Holly Brown due to her being widowed and raised by her strict religious Grandmother she has stopped celebrating Christmas. She prefers to be alone and takes a house sitting job in a remote pare of Lancashire, of course things don't go to plan at all. Instead of being alone she finds herself with a house full of guests and a tall dark brooding home owner!
The cover is so festive and from the first pages it really got me in the Christmas mood!
I also really liked how it didn't end at Christmas Day the story when on all over the festive period into the New Year. This book made me drooling for some of the amazing recipes that Holly made!! It really did transport me into the amazing big old house beside a roaring fire, looking out at the snow, eating mince pies with a glass of fizz!! I really liked each of the characters once I started I found the book hard to put down. I could see how the how it was going to end but I really enjoyed getting there!

 How To Stuff Up Christmas-Rose Blake
I started this book at the start of December but it took me a couple of weeks to finish, as I put it down a few times
It's about Eve who has found out her fiance is cheating on her she can't bare to be around
the joys of Christmas so she decides to spend it alone on a boat house, where she meets handsome Greg.
I did find this book funny and was smiling at some of Eve's thoughts and conversations but I struggled to get into this book and Blake's style of writing. The love story felt a little rushed and I thought Eve and Greg over thought everything. I didn't feel that the characters had much chemistry together. In total it's an okay book but I wouldn't be reading it again soon!

Meet Me Under The Mistletoe - Abbey Clements
My last book on Christmas and of 2015! I read this while I was stuck in
hospital the week before Christmas and I did enjoy it, I actually read it in two days!
It's about two childhood friends Laurie and Rachel who have two very different lives
Laurie lives in London and is very much a career woman, Rachel lives in her little chocolate box cottage in Yorkshire. Each woman is having problems in there lives, Rachel's mother gets very ill plus her marriage looks like it's going to break down. Laurie is trying to forget the man who has broken her heart. When Rachel's mother needs treatment in London a house swap seems like a good idea to the two women.
I really enjoyed this book, I found both characters very likable and I got into this book from the first page. I enjoyed the ending I always love when chic lit ends differently to what I expect. I did have a lump in my throat at some of the chapters. This book got me through my hospital stay and I will be reading more of Abbey Clements this year!

Outlander Colouring Book
I have been enjoying colouring this book since Christmas day
Hubby surprised me with this book as he knows how much of a huge fan
I am of the Outlander series and of adult colouring books!

What Oisín has been reading this month

Santa Claus Is Coming To Dublin -Steve Smallman
Oisín really enjoyed reading this book over the festive period
He loved the pictures of Santa Clause flying over Dublin's landmarks
Glad we bought this for him as it's a book we will be taking out
and enjoying every Christmas

What did you read over the month of December?

On The Box This Week

We have been enjoying alot of period drama this week on TV
Here is what we watched!

BBC drama Dickensian has been a hit in our house over the Christmas time
With a who done it murder mystery of Jacob Marley
I am enjoying seeing the different Dickens characters intertwined and the acting has been amazing
but the scheduling for me has been a problem while it's lovely to see the snow covered streets
of Dickens's London at Christmas time I'm not sure it will have the same appeal in the long weeks of January. We are only on episode six of twenty! It started with a bang I hope it doesn't end with a whimper!

We tuned into the new big BBC drama War and Peace on Sunday

I have read the mammoth book and had high hopes for this drama

but for me it fell a little flat. The first episode of course sets the scenes for much of the drama to come but for me this episode dragged. Hubby asked was this meant to be Russia as it all seemed a little Jane Austen England! I will keep watching as I'm a big fan of Stephen Rea and Lily James hopefully it will pick up the pace next week

Another period drama we watched on Sunday night was RTE drama Rebellion
The first of programmes marking the 1916 centenary
It tells of three female friends the involvement in the 1916 rising and how it
effects their family and friends. I was really impressed by this homegrown drama
the acting and actors where very good, especially Charlie Murphy, Brian Glesson and Sarah Greene
Really looking forward to the next episode.