Life Update

I have been super busy recently and all good plans to start regular blogging again has fallen by the wayside, but I'm hoping now that things are settling down again, I can get back into it.

This post is really just an update on what I've been getting up to recently, firstly I made the decision to look for a new job - for lots of reasons but I needed a fresh start and a new challenge. I have been in my new job for 4 weeks now and have moved from a small privately owned company to a large corporate one. This has meant getting to grips with a whole new ball game, learning all about the company and it's ethos and learning all about my individual setting. I have a huge challenge ahead of me, as I have been tasked with making big improvements and raising standards but I am looking forward to the coming months and hopefully making a positive change to the business.

I also have mentioned in other posts that I am due to be a Bridesmaid for my sister soon.... well the time has finally arrived! Linda gets married on Friday - I am so excited but also quite nervous as she has asked me to do a reading. I'm not one for public speaking and even though I'll know the majority of people there I may need a glass or two of bubbly before I do the deed. The only thing getting me through the thought of doing it, is thinking of my Dad (who is a very similar character to myself) having to do a speech too! 

I have also had to keep tearing myself away from baby shops after finding out that my sister is pregnant. I will become an Aunt for the first time at the end of July. I am so excited about this, I'm already planning things to do with the baby and making sure I fulfill my auntie role to the maximum.

After months of hospital visits, physio appointments, x-rays and an MRI scan, I have been booked in to have further knee surgery in May. Hopefully this will solve the problems with bending my knee, caused following my ACL Reconstruction in December 2012. 

So lots going on this year already...but looking forward to what the year has to offer.

A Taste Of The Champagne Life

A couple of weeks ago, my boyfriend and I went to a local restaurant called Seasons in Leamington Spa, for a Champagne Night they were hosting. 

For a set price of £25.00 per person, we were able to try five different glasses of Champagne, along with a specially designed five course menu to complement each glass.

 Afterwards to celebrate the restaurant owners birthday, we all had a top up of Champagne and a slice of birthday cake.

The food was absolutely delicious and the Champagne's were all really enjoyable. I could certainly get used to this life! 

My favourite Champagne was the Laurent Perrier Brut N.V, I was almost tempted to pick up a bottle for myself.

Each table was laid out with bowls of popcorn and a bread basket. Apparently Champagne and Popcorn is the latest trend! We were given a brief written description of each Champagne and an order form, if we wished to purchase any bottles.

The Menu

I tried an oyster! It tasted alright, but one was enough for me.

I completely forgot to take a photograph of the Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Salad, I was too busy eating it, but I luckily remembered to capture the other courses!

Ham and Salami with Sun dried Tomato and Mascarpone - delicious!

A fantastic array of Meat, Fish and Vegetable Canapes

My Canapes included Smoked Mackerel with a Lemon Dressing, Scallops, Chorizo, Parma Ham and Fig, Duck Breast, Goats Cheese and New Potatoes.

 

More Champagne!

Smoked Salmon with Beetroot, Avocado and Tomato Concasse

Strawberries and Cream - yummy!

I would certainly recommend a Champagne Night as a fun, informative and enjoyable evening.....just remember to arrange transport so that you can fully take part!

A day in the Cotswolds

I had a lovely day yesterday in the Cotswolds, we decided to stop at the Evesham Garden Centre for a little wander and a coffee before heading off to Broadway for the day. Evesham Garden Centre has some fantastic items for the home - lots of candles, vases, shabby chic style garden furniture and of course lots of plants and flowers. Here are a few photos

These photos were taken at Broadway. Broadway is a very traditional English town and is popular with tourists, for a mid-week visit I couldn't believe how many people were looking around.

There are so many pretty houses and cottages, I would quite happily move into any one of them!

Have you got any holidays or day trips planned this summer?

One Moment, One Morning

One of my favourite pastimes is to read. I love the feeling when I become hooked on a story and every time I read, I disappear into the life of the main character, almost as though I was a bystander in the storyline, watching everything happen. I hear the characters accents, I can see their homes and lives as though I was living it myself (please tell me I'm not the only one who does this?!)

The book I read recently that really struck a chord with me was One Moment, One Morning written by Sarah Rayner.

The story is about a man called Simon, who has a heart attack and dies on a busy, packed train to London one Monday morning (don't worry I'm not breaking the storyline, it does tell you this on the reverse of the book!) the story follows three characters; two of which were passengers on the train. The first is Simon's wife Karen, who is wracked with guilt that she did not do enough for him. The second character is Lou, who happened to be people watching the couple as the event unfolded. The third character is Anna (who is Karen's best friend) she happens, coincidentally, to share a taxi with Lou shortly after the train stops to allow the ambulance to collect Simon and Karen. Lou overhears the phone call that Anna receives from Karen, informing her of the death of Simon, and realising that they are all affected by the outcome of that morning, a friendship is formed between the three women. As the story develops we learn about their lives and how they're coping and dealing with issues in their life such as loss, grief, alcohol abuse, sexuality and relationships.

I found this book hard to put down, I liked the characters and couldn't wait to find out more about them and their backgrounds.
I liked the way the friendships developed and how support from friends proves to be a big factor in how we deal with life. The story comes across as moving and heart-warming and although I have not read anything previously from Sarah Rayner, I will definitely be looking to purchase one of her books again. A definite must read !

I would love to hear any recommendations if you have discovered any new books recently.