I was shocked to hear of the death of one of my favourite actors today, Alan Rickman, a truly fantastic actor and in reading today’s obituaries an all round nice guy. He appears in two of my favourite films Truly, Madly, Deeply and Love Actually and was the perfect choice for Snape in Harry Potter. I don’t normally comment on the deaths of famous people and am slightly taken aback by the reactions on social media but I do think this week we have lost two huge talents whom I grew up with and loved their work and wanted to use my blog to record my thanks for their talents.
Author: seasidesparkles
Little Sparkles 2/2016
So it’s the second week in January and although quiet, I’m enjoying the relaxed start to the new year. Its giving me time to focus on the things I want to do this year and rather than buzzing around, on a couple of evenings I’ve sat down and simply read or listened to music and during my days off I’ve been home making. It’s been a peaceful and comforting week.
Sparkle 1
This is one picture which has a variety of meanings this week. After last week’s flower quote I thought it would be nice to see if I could find an appropriate comment each week to display in my light box. As there is a character limit of only 9 letters per line that’s few words to play with. I am missing There’s on this week’s quote but I think the abbreviated quote sums the theme up. Whilst it is a little homage to David Bowie, it also reflects the space theme which is strong in my life. I am teaching a space module at work this half term, it’s one of my favourite topics to teach and this week there is a CBeebies Stargazing special on each evening which Little Man has been fascinated with and we have watched avidly together. I am also really enjoying following Tim Peak the British astronaut in space and look forward to watching his space walk tomorrow. Consequently I think this lyric sums up this week nicely.
Sparkle 2
I was so proud of Little Miss this week as the ballet exam results from November have been published and she did exceptionally well. I was relieved for her as she had worked very hard and I wanted her to get a result which reflected her work and effort. She was so happy and excited when she came out of the exam room so I was hopeful that she had done well and it’s wonderful to have such an excellent outcome. The card is from my parents and I’ve promised her a little gift to celebrate, I need to look on Etsy today for a new ballet bag or possibly a ballerina necklace.
Sparkle 3
I have done week 1 of the 3 week detox and it is going very well, I think I am even enjoying it! I like healthy food and do cook a lot from scratch so its not too different from my normal eating but I’ve been recording the foods on My Fitness Pal app and the nutritional background has been very informative and surprising. I suppose the biggest change has been not eating fruit or dairy and this is ok in the short term but I couldn’t do it for much longer than the three weeks, I like a balanced diet. I am feeling well and probably have more energy than normal for January so all is going well.
Sparkle 4
My resolution for this year has to embrace my wellbeing, whilst it sounds a bit pretentious, recent health scares have made me realise I have to look after myself. One of the simple things I have done this week has been to burn some aromatherapy oils and book an aromatherapy massage to end the detox.
Sparkle 5
I have a new office at work this term as I have quite a unique role and spend a lot of my time supporting within the school. Its right in the middle of the classrooms (as it should be, that’s where I’m needed) and whilst it doesn’t have the magnificent sea views the main building offices do, I do appear to have a little companion. This little squirrel has kept me amused this week, he is so tame and confident and gets up to lots of little tricks, climbing the trees, walking along the fence and climbing over and into the bird box. He’s a lovely little distraction.
Sparkle 6
Not much explanation needed here, there is an advertising campaign by Weetabix where the cereal is made into a little face so Little Man wanted to do the same with his breakfast. It was a fun start to the day. Little Miss is a porridge girl so we did similar with honey and bananas too. It’s the little things which make us smile.
David Bowie R.I.P.
My formative years for music were the 80s, so of all Bowie’s hits the ‘pop’ songs were those of my era and it was not until later in my teens I discovered his back catalogue via the CD pictured above, Changes. Don’t judge me on the compilation greatest hits album I was a sixth form student so money was tight but I loved this CD. It came with me to Uni, my year in France and in all my adult years. It’s one of those rare CDs I still play in the car, though I have now added a few of his albums to my iTunes account. The soundtrack to my year in France is David Bowie and Lenny Kravitz on a CD Walkman. It was also in France where I met a lovely friend who was a huge Bowie fan and with whom much time was spent listening to his music and swooning over DB. She was the first person I thought of yesterday as the news was announced, she adored him. I do believe Bowie was one of the cultural icons of the 20th century and listening to his music last night was moving, his talent was immeasurable. Thank you David Bowie for the music, style, Labybrinth and all your wit, wisdom and fun.
Little Sparkles 1/2016
Last week I pondered how to continue Little Sparkles this year as I did find some of the categories a little constricting. For example, wore… I am so predictable, leggings and a tunic / short skirt / dress and boots in cooler weather with a few layers as necessary and top and shorts / cropped trousers / floral or patterned skirt and flip flops in warmer weather. It’s not going to make for inspiring reading week in and out. I had a little think and jotted a few ideas down and then came up with the blindingly obvious solution, don’t put my sparkles into categories and just write! So here is my first post in this new format, I hope it works.
Sparkles 1 and 2.
Surprisingly for me, I am starting this new year on a health kick. It’s been a bit of a worrying time health wise and I am awaiting a hospital appointment for further investigation into the number of unexplained falls I’ve had recently. In the meantime I am doing a detox, my first ever! After its finished I am considering clean eating as much as possible without being a martyr to try and make my body as strong as possible. The detox is fine, I do eat healthily generally but it’s the cups of tea I’m missing the most and my odd cappuccino. Herbal tea doesn’t quite hit the spot. My father In law bought me a fantastic Christmas present of a soup maker. He was buying one for his daughter and thought I might like one too. It’s so easy and convenient and has helped me to enjoy the detox more with lots of flavoursome soups.
Sparkle 3
Whilst all the house looks bare without our Christmas decorations, I really miss the LED lit Christmas tree in my kitchen. I loved its sparkle and twinkling lights. This week, I have treated myself to a bunch of my favourite flowers, tulips to put in my Ken Eardley vase and then used my lovely Lightbox to write a little inspirational message to help brighten up my kitchen. It’s definitely helped to add a little sparkle in the kitchen this week.
Sparkle 4
Still in the kitchen, Little Miss commented this week that she feels sad when we sit down for tea and Daddy’s seat is empty as he’s back working away. So this week we’ve had guests for dinner, Colin the Minion joined us for his banana (that’s what Minions eat isn’t it?), Teddy had honey sandwiches and Miss Mouse had some cheese. I’m still trying to work out what Kylo Ren and Finn from Star Wars might eat for tea.
Sparkle 5
It’s a return to routines this week and we have been reading together every evening before going up to bed. This week our book is Charlotte’s Web, I don’t think I have ever read it before although am familiar with the story and am thoroughly enjoying it, Fern is a pretty cool girl. I have been reading ‘The Version of Us’ a ‘what if’ story about choices and consequences, it is brilliant and I have been in bed early every evening to read more.
Sparkle 6
I am not one for the sales and have kept well away from them this Christmas. It is my idea of hell to be walking around the shops on Boxing day. However there was one item I had been following and was waiting to be reduced, a new pair of boots in Fat Face. I sussed that the online sale was likely to start on Christmas Eve as everyone shuts up for Christmas, so late afternoon I refreshed the bookmark I had saved (really I am that organised) and I got the boots reduced to half price. I was delighted and have been wearing them this week, they are so comfy and gorgeous. That’s the best way to shop the sales.
Sparkle 7
My final sparkle is my new Filofax, its not as ostentatious as it may first look. I am quite modest and don’t do a lot of bling but feel quite comfortable with its design. In September I decided to try one of those Mummy academic year diaries with spaces for everyone as the kitchen calendar in a similar design works well. However I hated it, the pages weren’t in the order I like and I could never find what I wanted. I never had the option to add anything. After really trying hard with it for 3 months, I admitted defeat and thanks to a little Christmas gift I chose a new Filofax. I feel so much better organised and prepared with a Filofax, I won’t be seduced by anything different again!
Isn’t it funny that even in what is supposed to be one of the duller weeks of the year there are still plenty of opportunities to illustrate the sparkles of everyday life. There are more I haven’t written of too, discovering an acquaintance’s wonderful achievements through her New Year’s honours citation, she is so modest of her amazing work. I also received two compliments of how kind little Miss has been with some of the younger children at school. Life’s little sparkles should always be appreciated.
Christmas memories 2015
Our Christmas tree is now down and the decorations are all neatly boxed up and ready for next year. Being me they have all been put away tidily and labelled so when we do the tree next year its exciting and fun and not stressful unravelling lights and looking for the right decorations for the trees. Being organised is me, I like being organised it makes life simpler and easier. In reading my latest version of the Simple Life Magazine I came across this word. meraki in an article about translations, I love it and it describes so much of what I do and how I am in everything but especially Christmas
My last job of Christmas is to complete my Christmas book, a way of putting all my notes and plans together. I note down our decorations, menus, gifts and special activities and add copies of recipes, our Christmas card etc.. It’s a nice memory activity and it’s interesting to compare Chrstmases over the past 6 years, it also saves duplicating present! In the book I also jot down my favourite memories of the Christmas and I thought I would share these here today. When I wrote this year’s down it struck me that it’s not a list of expensive presents and activities but the simple things which made Christmas 2015 special.
In no particular order here are our special memories from Christmas 2015.
- Tommy the Elf. I have become more creative in the scenes this year as I love doing Tommy and the fun he brings every morning. His daily letters are fun to write and sum up all the excitement and sparkle of Christmas.
- Advent calendars. Chocolate calendars can be quite stressful with Little Man as he tries to sneak his chocolate out and the calendar ends up being placed up high. This year, Little Miss surprisingly chose a picture calendar which was beautiful and so much nicer than the chocolate version, definitely one to encourage again next year.
- The Christmas Tree festival. This was a new activity for us this year and we loved it, Christmas trees, Christmas crafts, a dress up nativity scene and a café. It was a really special and beautiful event.
- The Nutcracker ballet. Whilst this is still on my bucket list to see at London, I would love to try and see it annually after the success of this year’s theatre trip.
- Homemade Decorations. After inspiration from Pinterest we had a go at the button decorations and it was really rather nice to have our decorations on our tree. I like that our tree reflects us. I do fancy learning crochet so that I can have a go at crochet decorations next year!
- Christmas Jumpers and Hats. I was really pleased with our selection this year, Little Man’s reindeer jumper was gorgeous and he got great wear from it. It was lovely on the last day of school to go into his class and see all of the pupils in their Christmas jumpers, so cute. Little Miss’ class didn’t embrace the idea so enthusiastically, perhaps it’s an age thing!
- Santa Letters. My Mum did an amazing job writing and sending the letters from Santa this year. They were so personal and thoughtful, she is a very special Grandma.
- Christmas cookies. This is always a quiet (ish) activity for December 23rd and the cookies are put on the tree to give a gorgeous smell. It’s one of my favourite things to do and I have photos from the last 6 Christmases showing the children baking and decorating.
- Christmas Eve Cinema. We all went to watch Star Wars on Christmas eve and it was brilliant. The film was epic, but the atmosphere and excitement made it much more than a trip to the cinema.
- Tracking Santa. We have tracked Santa for the past few years on the NORAD website but felt inspired to send an email this year. It was really sweet typing out what the children wanted me to write; that they had left a mince pie for Santa and a carrot for the reindeers, that they loved him very much and to fly safely. It was magical to receive a personalised reply within a few minutes.
- Reindeer Ramble. I have come across some of the reindeers in our local country park on my recent runs but on Boxing day we decided to do the trail. It was a lot of fun and the atrocious muddy conditions just seemed to make it even more exhilarating and memorable.
Little Sparkles – Christmas 2015
And finally it’s the last Little Sparkles of 2015. As it’s been Christmas week, it’s been a real family week. Mr S has needed to work at home today but has been doing family things for the rest of the week, lots of walks and lots and lots of games, some Wii U but mainly board games such as Mouse Trap, Uno and Operation. It has been really special just being the four of us and I’ll try and summarise the week but I’m sure I’ll miss something, it’s the sparkliest week of the year…
Apologies for the lack of photos in one of the most photographed weeks of the year, our photos all feature us so I’ve had to edit the photos carefully.
READ
My dad recommended and lent me Rick Stein’s autobiography which I am reading. However I am not so crazy about the author, he was born into an affluent family and there is a hint of poor little me about it all, loads of anxiety and angst about being your typical white, middle class male. I’m not warming to him yet but there is still more to read.
I have also been reading lots of annuals, Star Wars and the Beano and discovering the new books which the children received for Christmas.
LISTENED
I have never listened so intently as I did on Christmas Eve, it was so stressful, as every sound seemed to be magnified as I tried to put the presents out. Little Man went to bed late and then Little Miss woke up about 10.30 to ask if Santa had been so I was on edge and jumpy as I tried to make everything as magical as possible without making a sound.
To counter these nerves I got to hear the excited squeals of the children on Christmas morning discovering that Santa had been, nothing can match the joy of children on Christmas morning.
WATCHED
I don’t know if it just me but I thought the Christmas television was poor this year. I suppose the rose tinted memories of childhood and the big films don’t take into account the accessibility we all have to hundreds of tv channels these days where there are plenty of opportunities to watch the big films. My favourite watch of Christmas week was Julia Donaldson’s Stickman and we did all cuddle up and giggle as we watched it. Apart from Stickman and Strictly we have watched very little television preferring to play with toys.
We have been to the cinema again today (twice in a week!) as Mr S needed some quiet time to work at home so the children and I went to see the Snoopy and Peanuts movie. Our options are limited in this wet and windy weather. Any film coming after Star Wars is going to have a very tough act to follow and I’m afraid my review isn’t great for Snoopy. I don’t think it worked as a film, there were some great scenes but I think it would have worked better as a series of episodes. However there was a nice feel to the film and cute animations. Whilst Little Miss loved it, Little Man and I both said we would have preferred to have seen Star Wars again! One week later and I’m still thinking about Star Wars.
MADE
I have so much for this category this week, where to start? I have done lots of cooking and really enjoyed making Christmas Dinner, the Festive Jalousie was delicious but I was really pleased with my sides too, the honey roasted carrots and parsnips were amazing as was the spiced red cabbage and apple. All recipes came from BBC Good Food Christmas vegetarian magazine, an excellent read.
As well as all our festive fare, I’ve been making up toys. Mr S made the Mousetrap game and a Pirate Ship whilst I took responsibility for the Star Wars Lego. I was impressed by my skills at reading and following the pictures.
Little Miss and I have been working on a fabric doll Grandma sent her. I normally use a sewing machine but this is a hand stitched doll so I’ve been revising my sewing stitches and helping Little Miss to make the doll, it’s still a work in progress but we aim to finish it by the return to school.
We have also been making perfume from a set, our perfumes have included our special creation, Five Alive. It has been a really nice activity and the perfume set was definelty a favourite present.
WORE
I couldn’t find anything sparkly or wow to buy for my Christmas day outfit this year, so it was my trusted favourites, a sleeveless cream chiffon top and silky mini skirt. Mr S bought me a beautiful pair of dangly gold and silver earrings so I enjoyed wearing these too. I like to make an effort on Christmas day and even managed to find the time to put on a full face of make up with all the extras and to straighten my hair. Needless to say it was a very relaxed Christmas morning to find the time to do all this!
Apart from Christmas day, it’s been a wellies and woollies type of week as the storms have hit the country. We are very fortunate to have got away very lightly with the flooding and damage, but my thoughts are with those whom have had a very difficult Christmas.
And finally …
So that’s it for this year’s Little Sparkles. I may have a little change in categories next year to better share all the sparkles in our lives but the theme will continue as I like being able to celebrate the little sparkles which make life special.
Christmas Eve Sparkles
This may be an odd time to write a blog post, but it is the quiet time on Christmas Eve just waiting for everyone to be sound asleep before we can start the magic. Everything is ready and there really isn’t anything else to do but sit and relax, I love these moments. It’s been a really busy week with lots of sparkles in it, some won’t make the set categories so here are some extra sparkles that made the run up to Christmas special.
Sparkle 1: My lovely friend who offered to look after the children so I could go to ‘big town’ to do the big Christmas food shop. Not only did she look after them she made them gingerbread houses to decorate with her and took them for a long, fresh walk along the beach to burn off the sugar rush from the said activity. She is amazing and has inspired me to pass the kindness on.
Sparkle 2: On Christmas Eve, we emailed Santa at NORAD (which is itself a heart-warming story) and got a personal response, the children were made up by their email and went to bed very happy. We also loved and got very excited tracking Santa on the NORAD website.
READ
I read one of the Christmas books I discovered through social media, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. It is an American book so possibly why it is not so well known over here, however it certainly deserved its excellent reviews. The book is a story with a very strong Christmas message and whilst it’s a children’s book there were deeper themes running through it too. It’s a book which I will definitely recommend to friends next year, a classic to be reread every year. I read it one sitting and shed a little tear.
WATCHED
After much worrying and research over whether it was appropriate to take the children to see Star Wars (certificate 12a) at the cinema we made the decision for them to see the film this afternoon, Christmas Eve. It was brilliant and they loved the film. It was such a perfect trip, it will be a truly wonderful memory for us all, a full cinema and cheering and clapping throughout the film. Everything just felt so right. The film itself is wonderful, so true to the original trilogy and it all neatly fits together. I got goose bumps as the music started, I thought it was a nice touch to start with silence and a black screen for a few seconds and then the iconic music and logo appeared, I cheered when I saw Han Solo and Chewwie, cried a little tear at the sad part (no spoilers here) and clapped at the end. It was also so refreshing to see a strong female lead and a heroine to aspire to. It was so good in so many ways, an epic film.
I also treated myself to watching Love Actually this week. It had been a few years since I saw the film and I had forgotten just how good it was, some of the performances are heartbreaking, Emma Thompson is often cited for her role but I thought Laura Linney was superb in her sad role too.
LISTENED
As I’m still waiting for the children to be sound asleep (its now 10.45pm) I’m tuned in to radio 4 for their festive short stories by Rachel Joyce, in the book at bedtime slot. I’ve managed to hear a few this week and its been nice to listen to some original stories with a Christmassy feel.
MADE
Its simple makes this week as I’m gearing up to cook my festive menu over the next few days. I love cooking so this is not a chore and I’m looking forward to some new recipes. One of our family traditions is to make gingerbread tree decorations so this was done on Wednesday, the recipe from BBC Good Food is excellent and the decorating is always fun if not a bit messy. The decorations are hanging on the kitchen tree for present but I have seen Little Man trying to sneak a little nibble!
WORE
This week it’s any excuse and I’ll don a festive hat, I have a new Rudolph one for outdoor activities and a Santa hat for inside. I’ve only got a few more days wear until they’ll be packed away for next Christmas.
That’s all for Christmas Eve, as I sit here still waiting for little people to be fast asleep, I feel the contentment and excitement that cannot be matched at any other time of the year. I’ve just opened the back door to look at the full moon and heard the church bells ringing ( its now 11pm ) life is pretty perfect.
Tommy’s last few visits of 2015
So here are the final few days of Tommy’s mission to our house this year. I always feel rather sad when it’s time to say good bye for the year, he is a special tradition which really makes the run up to Christmas special.
December 21st : Wishing us a Merry Little Christmas
December 22nd 2015 : Movie afternoon with Tommy.
December 23rd : Christmas cookie baking day.
December 24th : Bye bye and the Christmas Eve tea treat.
Christmas Songs
I am a list person and in listening to my Christmas songs this month, I’ve been trying to create my top Christmas songs. I get the frisson of excitement when I start playing my Christmas songs and have a genuine love for these songs as they bring back happy memories and help to create a festive ambiance. To choose one as my all time favourite is impossible, but it would probably come from one of these four songs.
Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas?
This was the first single I ever bought at the age of 11 and I remember the purchase vividly. I bought it in Boots on Broad Street in Reading, upstairs in the little record department. I’m quite proud that this was my first single, Band Aid did make me realise about the inequalities in the world and I was quite a political teenager, perhaps this was the trigger. As well as the charity aspect, I love this song, I can name the pop stars singing the lines and happily sing along to it. It’s one of those songs you sing in pubs and clubs swinging on your friends and all singing into an imaginary microphone.
Kirsty McCall and the Pogues – Fairy Tale of New York.
I loved Kirsty McCall, she was an inspiration when I was growing up in the 1980s, her look, attitude and music were perfect for angst ridden me. I remember my sadness on learning of her tragic early death and this song seems even more poignant now. In contrast, I also like the madness of the Pogues so for me this song was a match made in heaven, coupled with my obsession for New York, what could I not like? The lyrics are brilliant and perfect for singing your insults loud and pride. But this song is more than a few insults and rude words, it’s a tale of anticipation and a fairy tale which sours. It sounds depressing but is beautiful
Slade – Merry Christmas Everybody.
This isn’t just a Christmas song it’s an anthem which everyone knows the words to. My little ones love it with its simple lyrics of Christmas traditions and not only can I sing along I also know all the Makaton signs to it too as it’s a firm favourite at my school too. It’s the most ridiculously happy song which puts me in a cheerful mood whenever I hear it. It’s also the same age as me as both made our debuts in 1973.
Mariah Carey – All I Want for Christmas is You .
This is the most modern song of my selection and so sparkly and poppy. I was 21 when it came out and it became the soundtrack of happy, Christmas nights out. My favourite night out of the year was never New Year but Christmas Eve and this was always played in the pubs and clubs. Its a song that I just have to dance to as soon as I hear the bells in the intro, another feel good song.
In addition to my top songs above, I also created another ‘award’ so I could include Wham’s Last Christmas as Best Christmas Video. The snowy mountains, log cabin, roaring log fire, this song of heartbreak is brilliant. I also love the song for trivia as it’s the bestselling number 2 single ever, being held off the no 1 by Band Aid.
As you can see I love the cheesy Christmas songs, they add to the Christmas atmosphere and quite simply make me happy and sparkly about the excitement of the season. These songs and many more will always be on my Christmas playlist.
Tommy Week 3
I have set myself the challenge of hiding Tommy in new places and scenarios everyday. However as this is the third year of Tommy this is becoming a very creative activity, by the end of this year he’ll have had 72 tableaux, I’m not sure for how many years I can continue this challenge but it’ll be fun trying. I have an app this year which has been helpful for inspiration. Here are the past week’s Tommy pictures.
December 14th : Bringing the Christmas Jumpers for the week’s parties. It took the children ages to find him, who else but me looks in a clean laundry basket?
December 15th : After an evening wrapping presents, Tommy was found wrapped up in my Christmas box. Another tricky one!
December 16th : Dressed up as the wise man bringing gold to baby Jesus.
December 17th :There are times when you just need to stop and smell the flowers …
December 18th : Friday night is Wii U night in our household so Tommy was getting some early practice. l
December 19th : Tommy the red nosed reindelf. One of my favourites.
December 20th : Peekaboo Tommy. I love this vintage tree from my cousin, the lower baubles do have the children’s names on I just turned them around for the photo. The top cutout was a perfect fit for Tommy .
Seaside Sparkles 