The X Factor

Things have been pretty crazy for us this year. Ever since we won the competition back in July, doors have been opened for us that we never would have imagine possible. Friday evening, whilst preparing for the first of our 2 charity Christmas concerts a phone call came through asking if we could sing backing for the X Factor on the semi-final on Sunday and the final results in a weeks time in Wembley Arena. Being the president of the choir meant that it was a bit of a nightmare in terms of logistics. To randomly select that many people, get them security cleared and ready for wardrobe whilst still organising the other charity concert meant some very late nights but what an opportunity!

So for those of you who saw the X Factor on Sunday, that was us, bobbing along in the background dressed in black. If not, have a butchers:

It was an amazing day but I was just so surprised at how well we were treated. I expected it to be the kind of show where we were very much bottom of the food chain but instead we were treated like artists, and received the utmost respect and every conceivable amenity throughout the day.  I think it's a memory that so many of our members will treasure forever:

Monopoly

Has there ever been a game of Monopoly that hasn't ended in arguements? The dice ended up being thrown across the table at the alleged cheater. I now remember why we haven't played this for so long . . .

Bed Time

All of a sudden my little baby has become a little boy, running before he can walk, full of smiles and laughs and a personality completely his own. I never realised until I saw him in pyjamas. He just wandered into my room toothbrush in hand, froth around his mouth, dressed in his dinosaur pyjamas and poof the crawling baby in a onesie was gone!

Is this a transition that makes me sad, no. It shocked my yes but having him walk in chatting for 'Arah' (Auntie and Sarah seem to have merged) wanting his bed time cuddle it's completely irresistible!

Lemon Tart

I have always failed at bind baking. I've got the beads, I've got the paper, I've got the books but still I had bumps. That is until now:

Rachel Allen you wonderful woman! Your recipe has changed everything!

Zesty Lemon Tart, works like a charm every time!

On Your Skates!

I absolutely adore roller blading. The krrrr of the wheels on tarmac, the thrill of whizzing down a hill and thinking you're going to fall and die, even the raw ankle bones. I love it all. Alas, until recently, I've had to be a closet blader. There seems to be an unfortunately large amount of stigmatism for carrying on such joys in ones twenties and I'm not brave enough to go on my own, when if I fall over and can't get up? However, now I have an ally and the thrill is back! We spent our nippy November Saturday avoiding the essays by whizzing round Virginia Water. Was great fun, especially with the added sport of avoiding friendly dogs on leads, children on scooters and patches of wet leaves.

Pride

Pride of the baking variety.

Homemade sausage rolls were a great success!

A Beach House Weekend

It was really nice this weekend to escape from the smog and the grey and the M25 and go and stay on the beach with some simple pleasures:

two bonkers dogs,

a very comfortable sofa,

a home cooked meal,

plenty of naps,

and probably the most magical bit for me,

the sound of waves wherever you went

Lying in bed hearing them crash and then the screech of the shingle

is just fantastic.

All in all, I'm defintely up to dog sit again!