January done!

So January is done. Not my favourite month....lots of grey miserable days, it has been very humid too, very unseasonable.

I managed to drag myself to Pilate's and aqua fit in the evenings where the local geese like to congregate near the Fitness Centre.

 We visited the Industrial Museum in Bradford one bright Sunday

 I love looking at the Back to Backs decorated in the different eras.

There is plenty to see, such a lovely museum.

I went to pick up some yarn from The Viaduct Theatre in Halifax.....I am making some granny squares for an upcoming production!

One thing that was very exciting in January was an afternoon tea party to celebrate my mum's 80th birthday.
Her birthday is in December, too close to Christmas to be able to arrange a small family get together but we thought it would give her, and us, something to look forward to.
Her favourite cake is Black Forest so I made one....

 The cake topper was made by a the sister of my friend I follow in Instagram @lovejack

  We hired a small room in a local hotel not far from my mum's house, the provided the room, food, afternoon tea and plenty of help then Hubby and I spent a couple of hours before everyone arrived making the room look a bit more personal....
from this.....

to this....

with plenty of photos of mum through the years...

little photo books, bunting, strings of fairy lights, fairy lights bottles, flowers, lace, information cards about 1939 (the year she was born) 

 Then the guests arrived and we all had such a lovely afternoon and into the evening, mum was so happy chatting to family she had not seen for a while and reminiscing over old times and past adventures. 

 The following Monday I received a lovely surprise of flowers and chocolates as a thank you from my brother and his family for organising the party!