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. 

Slimming World Meal Plan Monday

Well after being off plan since I went into hospital in December

and a 2.5lb gain I am well and truly ready to get back

on the Slimming World train!

I started this morning with an on plan breakfast with

lots of speed fruit

Here is our meal plan this week

Monday: My favourite Slimming World Nacho Fries

Tuesday: Slimming World Over Baked Meat Balls with Pasta & Salad

Wednesday: Slimming World Chicken Curry with Chickpeas and Wholegrain Rice

Thursday: Breakfast for dinner! Eggs, Beans, Bacon Rashers, Tomatoes & SW Chips

Friday: Chicken Stir Fry with Stir Fry Veg & Dried Wok Noddles

Saturday: Bit of a cheat day. Steak and Onion Pies, Fried Eggs & SW Chips

Sunday: Roast Chicken Sunday Lunch, 

Mash & Roast Potatoes, Peas, Carrots, Yorkshire Puds & Gravy

Over The Weekend #13

My Christmas blogging didn't go to plan at all

After I got out of hospital I was too busy trying to get better

and finish all my Christmas jobs that I didn't have time to blog

Then over the Christmas break I was still in pain

and I am still unwell now waiting on a date for an op

to get this twisted bowel sorted!

So this weekend was a slow and easy one

We took down most of our Christmas decorations

Just left the tree up till 12th night which is a tradition in my family

since I was a child

 Afterwards we went for a last festive coffee of the season

 Oisín really enjoyed his milk and cake!

We enjoyed lovely onion, apple roast pork on Sunday

And then settled down with the last of

 the Christmas goodies, red wine, chicken liver pate and crackers

and watched a night of good telly!