The Race for Life

Last Sunday Emma, my Mother in Law, Debra and I ran the 5km Race for Life to support Cancer Research UK!

Here we are after we did it- super gross and sweaty!

So far we've raised around £190 pounds in sponsorship!  Isn't that amazing?  But, if you want to contribute and make that even more, please click on the button below and donate now.  This is life saving research, and, for me, it's personal. 

I've lost two grandparents to cancer, and I have a brave aunt who is a survivor.  One of my greatest fears is that one day I'll get that life changing news, so I want to be ready to fight if it ever happens to me.  And the research we're helping to fund is all part of that.

Donate below, or, as we all said we're up for running again next year- join us! Every little does count.

Freya May

 

Charity Shop Challenge Day 13!

Top (Primark/Sue Rider Care)- £2.75, Cardi (Vintage)- £12, Jeans (GStar/Cancer Research UK)- £4

Total- £18.75

Back from Paris and right on up to Manchester to visit Emma!  It's non-stop for me this week.

After a super busy train ride, where someone stole my reserved seat, its been a lovely afternoon of charity shopping and hot chocolate, we're now sitting down to watch 'Dear John' with a bottle of wine- perfect!

Freya May 

Charity Shop Challenge Day 7!

Cardigan (Peacocks/ Senses)- £2.75, Dress (New Look/Oxfam)- £5.50, Belt (Loros)- £1, Shoes (Hand me down)- Free.

Total- £9.25

Hey, so, you'll probably see in that top picture one of our new pets on my shoulder.  That is Jack, one of our  rats.  I'm pretty sure the vast majority of you are a little grossed out by the idea of pet rats, but I'm here to tell you that, honestly, they've  had a lot of bad press and the truth is they are clean, intelligent animals.  I read once that Victorian ladies of leisure used to keep them as pets, and they would live within their crinolines.  

On a side note, we have had a really lovely afternoon!  Our friend Beth is off to Thailand on Monday to start life as a ESL teacher!  We went over to have an indoor barbecue and say good bye and good luck!

I was asked to make a cake for the occasion-

Yummy!  Three layers is totally the way forward!

I'm tired now, and have to be up to head into Leicester for church in the morning, so good night!

Freya May

Running Away for the Weekend

Been away for the weekend with the group from Keele Chapel- an exhausting but seriously awesome time. 

We ate, we drank, we chatted, we walked, we sang and worshiped, we learned and read our bibles, we hung out on the beach, and had a bonfire.  I got chatting to new people and generally felt compleatly at home.

In fact, there was quite some excitment! Congratulations to Gavin and Linda, newly engaged over the weekend!!!  We were all so excited for them, and look forward to the our invitiations to the wedding ;-)

Check out these photo's of the weekend, taken by Lol, the pastoral assistant at the Chapel.



Our makeshift alter for communion.




A well earned rest at the end of our walk.




Bonfire!!!




Congratulations, Gaven and Lynda!




Prayer activites gone mad!




Views from the costal walk- beautiful.








Hanging out at the beach.




Someone let Becca in!!


Freya May

Where are my weekends going?!?!

Source: etsy.com via Freya on Pinterest

Another really busy, wonderful weekend has flown by.

We had a dinner party with friends on friday.

Then I went for coffee with my Mum and then shopping in Leciester with Nao on Saturday.

AND we went to visit to Keele to see as many people as possible on Sunday.

Tired, yes.  But would never wish it any other way.

How was y'all weekends?  Hope you've had a lovely time too!!!

Freya May

Friends are Fabulous

Look at that beautiful girl with me in this photo- this is Fran, who got married in September last year and came to visit me and Hubby yesterday :D

Having not seen her since her birthday, I was so excited to see her face!

We hung out, chatted, and cought up with each others lives.  I cooked us all dinner and we played Monopoly.  We drunk a lot of little wine.  Just like old times.

I miss all my people from University so much, so last night was really awesome.

Love you, Franface!

Freya May

NYE and my first photobooth

Had a little get together for new years, and set up my very fist photobooth.

People got in to the swing of it and we managed to take some good photos!

Freya May

Gastronomique Fantastique V

One of my absolute favourite things about the Christmas holidays is a little party we like to call The Gastronomique Fantastique...

"What on earth is that??" I hear you cry.  Well, let me tell you a little story.

In 2006, Husband and his mate Tom decided that what they wanted to do, more than anything else, to really challenge themselves, was to cook a seven course meal.  And, not just seven courses to push them, but a seven course meal for (roughly) 20 people.

I don't know about you, but until I actually went to this meal, I couldn't guess what the seven courses could be- that is a lot of food!  so here they are, to give you an better idea of what the boys were in for (and what our stomachs had to stretch out for!).

A seven course meal comprises of:

1. Aperitif
2. Starter
3. Soup Course 
4. Fish Course
5. Main Course
6. Dessert
7. Cheese Board

The night was awesome, the food, delicious and the boys, very proud of them selves.  So this became a tradition, happening every Christmas holidays since, all be it a ever so slightly less extravagant affair now.

This year we had 18 people come for a beautiful 4 course meal (they gained some sense, those boys did).  Including a wonderful, very rare beef wellington and my very own chocolate roulade.

This is a tradition that I love so much because, especially while people were at university up and down the nation, it was the opportunity to meet up with them all and catch up.  now that we've all graduated from undergrad, some people have stayed in the Leicester area, but it is still a fabulous occasion, and I look forward to it happening every year, from here to forever.

Freya May

Another Busy Weekend

We have had an amazing, if exhausting, weekend, driving all over the country to visit friends and celebrate with them. 

Monday is our friend Fran's 23rd birthday, so we went up to spend Friday night with her and stayed for dinner. 

If we had been able to spend the weekend we would have (finally) gotten to visit the Lincoln Christmas market.  It is supposed to be the best and fanciest market around but out last attempt to go was called off on account of MAJOR snow- perhaps next year we'll manage it.

So, Happy Birthday Fran-Face!  Hope you have an amazing day!

So, Saturday was the Wedding of the beautiful Naomi Joy and her handsome Husband, Shadrack. 

Congratulations, Guys!

We had an amazing day; great celebrations, great food, great people, great party.

We love you both so much and wish you great happiness and all of God's blessings on your future together.

And, last, but not in anyway least, Baby Amos's dedication.

We travelled for almost three hours to celebrate with Rob, Pam (the parents) their families and friends in Surry.  The church service was then followed by a bring a share lunch.

Thank you so much for inviting us to join you on your special day, we were honoured to be involved, and I love seeing how Amos has grown each time we see you.

I've not included a photo off Amos because I haven't asked Pam if it's OK to, if she says yes I can show you all the incredible cuteness that he is!

So, a mega weekend, exhausted at the end but was so much fun!!!

Freya May

Just Two Weeks

Until Naomi and Shadrack get themselves MARRIED!

I'm so excited for these crazy kids!  They are one of the loveliest couples I know, God-focused, loving, generous, and awesome. 

I was at Naomi's hen do this weekend.  We had a girly sleepover, movies, cakes, a trip to a spa, wine and giggles.  I met some of her friends from her gap year to Uganda, and her housemates from university.  All of whom were wonderful.

Another weekend gone all too quickly,

Freya May

*Photo taken by my Mummy :-)

Oh, Keele, I've missed you too!

A beautiful weekend, up at the old place, here is the story

It started with a lot of baking!!!

First, I made a batch of cupcakes for Helen, who was putting us up for the weekend.  She doesn't drink alcohol, so the usual bottle of wine was out of the question.  I had a go at fresh vanilla and white chocolate cupcakes.  I used the seeds from a vanilla pod, as an experiment, and piped white chocolate ganash on top- yummy!

Then, I made baked cheesecake for my mum.  She had family visiting for the weekend and I will take any excuse to practice my baking skills.  Obviously, I didn't get to try it, but I heard everyone enjoyed it, so I count it as a success!

Anyway, much baking, then Tom picked me up! We headed up, Keelewards, in the morning while Hubby was still at work.  But, DRAMA!  Tom's car broke down on the way :-( Lucky for us though, the AA were called and came and fixed us up nice and quick.

Tom checking the AA man was doing a good job

On Friday I had lunch with the lovely Mim, hung out in the chapel and met some of the new students, and went to the Chapel Quiz Night that evening.  We didn't win :-(  

Hanging out in the office, just like old times

Team Awesome at the quiz!

Actually, we had yet more DRAMA! The quiz ended with two teams with identical scores, leading to a tense tiebreaker- of some insanely difficult question!  Cut to the end, Shuker's team won, BUT, as he is handed the box of chocolates, another team stands up and says 'Wait! Our score was added up wrongly- We win!'  The chocolates are taken from Shu, and handed over.  Shame.

The tiebraker round

'Still in a Meeting' were not happy they'd lost!

The rest of the weekend was pretty much drama free.  I had coffee with some people, visited the local towns charity shops, went of for dinner and drinks with people on Saturday eve, went to church, bring and share lunch, went to the cinema for a lazy afternoon.

And that evening, wonderful hubby was preaching at The Late Service, on 'It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)'.  It was a great talk, about being ready for when Jesus returns.  Everyone said he was fab, he is a great speaker, and is getting more and more confident all the time.

Hanging out in Lindsay bar

After drinks at the local student pub, we headed home and I crashed into bed, as I started work on Monday!!!

Love you, Keele, and all those who make Keele what it is.  It was good to be back, but it was really odd, even though I miss being there soooo much, I don't want to return to Keele as a student anymore, it has changed, with a new dynamic because of the new students.  The trip helped me feel like I had properly left my time at Keele behind properly, finally!

Freya May

Friends, Sun and a nice walk

Here is Chris, Emma, Hubby and me, on a walk around Calke Abbey's grounds.  We were blessed with such wonderful weather, it was truly a beautiful day.  We walked for about a hour and a half, ate a delish lunch from the National Trust cafe, and pondered on whether or not we are old enough to be considering joining the National Trust, or is it something only people with children and the retired do.

 I had so much fun!  It was great to catch up with Emma and Chris, and I really do love going for walks, and relished the rare opertunity.

Freya May

Loughborough Vintage Fair

Naomi, Susie and I wandered down to Loughborough town hall for Loughborough Vintage Fair :-) 

 

Look at the beautiful town hall where it was held- super stunning inside too!  The ball room was jam packed with a ton of different stalls selling everything you could imagine.  There were genuine vintage clothes, remodeled second hand clothes and home made dresses, then shoes, bags, belts, scarfs, jewellery, kitchenware, bunting...

Here is Susie and I with our shopping, she was lucky and found the perfect boots, and I found a great new (old) cardigan:-)

It was sooo much fun, so will totally be visiting the Leicester Vintage Fair when it comes to town at the end of the month.

Freya May

*pics

Zumba!

Had my first Zumba lesson this eve, with the wonderful Ruth and her Mum.

*pic

It was so much fun, I've always loved dancing and I did feel like I was getting a good work out!

I had to take it kinda easy, as I haven't done any kind of exercise in aaagggeeeeess! Unless you count walking round shops- which does burn the calories, but isnt really hard core:-)

Totally going again next week, it was brill!!

I Love a Beautiful Wedding

Congratulations to the shiny new Mr Andy and Mrs Francesca Shaw, who got married this weekend in a beautiful ceromony and wicked party!

We wish them the best of luck, all the blessings in the world and life time of happiness.

Love you, Franberry!

Freya May

Greenbelt Baby!

Another year has gone by and Greenbelt, again, as always, was awesome!  I love the festival, it's usually the most relaxing weekend of the year, because there are no pressures, not required activities, just interesting and fun things to do.  This was my 6th year, which I can hardly believe, and every year I come away, wishing that I could do it over again.  Well, wishing I could have a shower and sleep in my own bed for a night before doing it all over again.

Dave and I had managed to convince a few of our university friends to join us and I do believe that they, too, had a fabulous time! :-)  I think a couple of them thought they'd got rid of us forever, but we've since made plans to sleep on their floor next time we're up at Keele, so no luck of that- Sorry!

So, favourite Greenbelt memories from this year include 'discovering' Edwina Hayes, a singer/songwriter from the UK with a stunning voice that I can't get enough of.  She is the one who sings 'Feels like home' at the end of the film 'Lovely Bones', and, if you know that song, I hope you'll agree that it's just purely beautiful.

In addition to her music, I also really enjoyed the affirming talk that Rob Bell gave from  main stage.  His message - Be you, if you've only got a little to give, give it all, because it is everything.  I happened to go to a few talks that have given me some inspiration of how I can make my mark on the world for God.  I always aim high, in the hopes that one day I'll make it, so watch this space:-)

Thank you Greenbelt for the memories, and see you again next year, perhaps after persuading more and more people to join us!

Has anyone else been to a festival this year?

Which one? and What were your best bits?

Freya May

p.s. my back ground image is one Dave took at Greenbelt a few years ago, it's of balloons we all let off at the communion service to send our prayers heavenward.

Such a Lovely Weekend

Busy weekend, lots of fun, friends and family.

Dave was back from his training course- only one week left, yippee!- and on Friday night we went to the cinema to see the Cpt. America film, which I enjoyed, controversial!

Then we had a lazy Saturday morning in, went to see my mum to pick up yet more boxes from her garage, had a bbq with David's parents for tea and then to a party at our friend Tom's, where we got to see and hang out with friends:-)  Emma, from uni came too, and stayed over, being the second person to ever sleep in our new home. 

Sunday was another lazy morning, we missed church, so went for a walk and home for pot-roast Sunday dinner, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, and a group, afternoon nap.

Dave and Em had to leave to return to Warwick University ready for the last week of training and I watched the West Wing.

I love hanging out with people I love, it always ends in loads of fun.

Freya May

Engagement's All Round!

I have just had news of two of my friend getting engaged!  Which makes 4 couples in the last two months!

I am crazy excited for them all, each couple is amazing, and unique and so strong.  I wish them all the best in the future, and I LOVE weddings, so look forward to my invites ;-)

So, congratualtions guys!  All the best for everything, Love you lots.

Freya May

Graduation!

This week was a little mental, we've been back up to Keele this week, for graduation cerimonies on Tuesday and the grad ball on Thursday night! Last chance to see everyone in one place and be on campus, in all it's glory.

Throwing our fancy hats in the air,  and dodging as they hurtle back to us, pointy sides down!

Looking fancy in our gowns after our cerimony :-) 

 Husband and I at the grad ball!

 Me and my girls (minus Kirstin, who was on holiday)

My course mates, three years later and we've all survived!!!

It's been a mad three years, with its ups and its downs, but this week was a fab way to end it all.  Thank you Keele. 

Freya May