Three Things

I'm trying to stay as happy and positive as is even remotely possible in this kind of situation. I'm still sad beyond belief, and had a particularly bad night a couple of nights ago where I just couldn't stop sobbing and I woke up the next morning looking particularly horrendous. But I'm trying to find the joy in the little things, so I just wanted to write about three happy things from this week:

I joined Slimming World. I know, I know - I've been here before. But I really want to try hard and commit to it for the long haul now. I want a baby, and I know that I need to lose weight to make it happen. Both Adam and I can't wait to start a family, I'm ready for my little girl Ivy Louise or my little boy Austin Peter.

Sammy and I went out for the day to Ripley Castle. We did this today, and it was actually really lovely. Ripley is beautiful, it's just my cup of tea, old quaint town with cute little shops. I loved it. We even paid to go into the Castle itself, and did a guided tour of the house as the family that own it still live in it. There was an absolutely stunning staircase and Sammy wants to get married there. It's been around since the 1500's or something, and there are painted portraits of the Ingilby family's ancestors. There are things like recipe books, diaries, letters... I'd love to have such a record of my family's past. Makes me even more determined to start being better at documenting our life.

Adam and I booked a two night trip to London for New Years Eve! I'm so excited. I love London, and we're stopping in what looks to be a lovely hotel, I absolutely cannot wait. I checked with Mum if she minded if we went. I feel like Christmas is going to be really hard this year, but so is New Years Eve. We always went to my Mum and Dad's for New Years Eve. I don't know what we'll do now without my Dad. So I'm glad to have something to look forward to, and to take my mind off of things and hopefully cheer me up after a sad Christmas.

Happy Halloween 2012!

Engagement Ring

When Adam and I first got engaged (over a year ago now!), I went outside to take a couple of photos of my engagement ring. I couldn't decide which one I liked best, so I'm posting all three photos:







On an unrelated note: I'm absolutely loving having an online diary, so many mini photo sessions that I want to post!

Beth's Birthday Rocky Road

Okay so it seems kind of silly to share a recipe for Rocky Road, as it's probably the most simple thing in the world to make. You don't even have to bake anything! Just melt the chocolate and stir in whatever you fancy.

That being said, I made Beth some Rocky Road for her 18th birthday (don't worry, I bought her a proper present too!) and documented it, so I thought it would be fun just to share. For the record, she said this was the best Rocky Road she had ever had! I think she knows flattery will get her everywhere with me...



My sisters extra special birthday Rocky Road included:

Shortbread biscuits

Bourbon biscuits

Mini oreos

Marhsmallows

White chocolate buttons

Twix

Maltesers

Please note: Normally she wouldn't get anything quite as fancy, but it was her 18th so I decided to spoil her!



Chopped bourbon biscuits. I chopped the bigger biscuits (twix, bourbons, shortbread) and the marshmallows and I bashed the maltesers up a bit but I left the mini oreos whole.



Melting chocolate



Waiting to be stirred. My mouth is watering so much looking at this photo. I could just dive in!



Cooling



The finished product



All packaged up in a cute tin with birthday card and ready to go!



The birthday girl and her gifts!

My first homemade blanket

I'd been wanting to learn how to crochet for ages, and in particular I'd been wanting to make my own blanket for ages. I'm so pleased that I managed to learn how to do it! I'd been trying to teach myself for ages but never quite grasped it, then last year I worked with a girl called Sarah who crocheted and she kindly taught me.



It's not massive, just a lap blanket and it was done up until a few days ago, when I decided to add a couple more rounds to it to make it slightly bigger. But I love it and I'm excited to snugglee up under it this winter.



I've already crocheted a couple more things too - a tiny bobble hat for an egg and one baby shoe!

It's best by bus

My Dad's funeral took place on the 23rd October at 3pm. It was actually the most beautiful service I've ever been to, and so many people turned up. Not sure of the exact number, but we guessed it to be about 145 as all but five of the order of services were handed out. It actually helped to see so many people that cared about my Dad.

Uncle Gary told me that one man who came from Coca Cola said that he didn't even work with Dad, he came because he used to get changed next to him.

I know nothing will bring my Dad back, and I'm absolutely devastated and heartbroken at the fact that he's no longer here. But it really helped me to see that my Dad was so loved, and that so many people knew how wonderful he was.


We got a vintage bus to take us to the crematorium instead of going in funeral cars. It was perfect; I loved the sign on the side which read "it's best by bus" - Dad would have loved it.

Dad's friend Gary read a poem out about Dad, and I might post it here because it was really lovely. Dad wore his suit that he wore to my wedding in his coffin.

I can't believe that I no longer have my Dad. I don't know what we're supposed to do now. It was very rare that I would do something with just Mum, or Dad, or one of my sisters - it was always all of us.

Dad I love you and miss you so much but I know I'll see you again xx

Dad

On Friday 12th October 2012, between 12:30-12:35pm, my wonderful and much loved father died tragically. Our entire family is absolutely devastated and heartbroken and still very much in a state of complete shock. Dad, I already miss you and I love you so so much.