Out of sorts, and some lovely pick-me-ups

About ten days ago I had a flu jab at my GP's surgery. I never ever get flu but as it was offered to me I decided to take it up. Best to be safe than sorry I thought. I asked the nurse if it would have any adverse effects on me and was told "no, it won't give you flu". Well, less than 8 hours afterwards I started to get a fever - hot/cold and aching all over and after dosing myself up spent the next day sleeping. All week it's been in the background and I've just not felt myself. Yesterday I had another shivery day with more aches and again dosed myself up. I phoned the GP's surgery for advice and was told that you definitely cannot get flu from the jab but that I "was probably about to come down with a virus anyway" - (on the very day I had the jab? I think not) for someone who never gets flu, and probably wouldn't have caught it this year either - I've ended up feeling worse than when I'd started.

On a lighter note, I had a lovely surprise last week when I received a parcel containing the Halloween giveaway that I'd won from my friend Tammy's Carry it Forward Giveaway which included:

24 Bat large baking cases for cupcakes and 100 witch hat mini baking cases, 

 two flat fabric quarters and one rolled Jack O Lantern fabric quarter

a bat cookie cutter, and a pack of edible candy eyeballs for making spooky desserts.

and a box of cute wooden characters for colouring in

Grandson Leo is already helping me with some Autumnal and Halloween decorations

and is going to LOVE helping me bake the cakes (as well as eating them of course) So thank you very much Tammy at My Journey for this lovely giveaway which I plan to carry forward at the beginning of December for the Christmas season.

Talking of cakes, I must just show you my favourite Chocolate spice cake that I made recently for a family gathering. It came from my very dog-eared Be-ro Cook book which I've had for nearly 40 years and simply couldn't be without. It really is gorgeous.

Enjoy!

Have a great weekend and I'll be back again very soon

5 in 5

I've joined Sandie at Itchifingers for October's "5 in 5" photo challenge.  Five photos taken in five minutes posted on the 5th of the month (day late as I didn't have my laptop with me on our weekend away).

These were taken at a recent visit to the Essex Wildlife Conservation centre at Langdon Hills in Essex after a lovely spot of lunch at the Bell at Horndon on the Hill.

I can't believe this gorgeous butterfly let me hone in on him without flying off in terror

 This stunning nature reserve is set in 461 acres of woodland, meadows, lakes and former plotland gardens where many species of butterflies, fungi, lichen and mosses are to be found as well as an abundance of wild flowers and colourful hedgerows.

The plot lands were originated back in the early 1900s when families were encouraged to move from London out into the countryside of Essex to work the land and build their own small homes. Many advertising campaigns offered free train tickets and free champagne to lure people towards a "healthy life in the countryside with breathtaking views overlooking the Estuary" and where plots could be purchased at a cost of about £6. Most plot-landers grew their own fruit and vegetables as well as keeping livestock such as chickens, goats and pigs. A museum of plot land life is housed within this Conservation centre and gives an insight into the living conditions of the families who settled here. More information here

Thanks to Sandie for this fun challenge.

See you soon

Celebrations afoot.....

Firstly many thanks to all you lovely people who left comments on my last post about the celebrations for my Graduation. I am so grateful for your lovely messages which meant the world to me.

My baby girl turned 40 last  Sunday - I just cant believe where all those years have gone.

 A surprise party organised by her partner on Saturday meant I needed to get her out of the house for most of the day. We visited a new (to us) antiques centre near Chelmsford and before  having coffee, managed to buy myself a lovely set of bone handled knives and forks which I'd wanted for ages and a bargain I thought at £12.

We then did a bit more girlie shopping in Chelmsford and then later on to Leigh on Sea for Afternoon tea in the 1930s style Parlour Tearoom at one of my favourite shops called Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

Our birthday girl - Emma

It was stunning and very quintessentially English -  where we enjoyed dainty finger sandwiches, scones, home made cake and lots of frivolous fancies - a wonderful afternoon.

The surprise party went down well and we all had a fantastic time - so much so that I hardly took any pictures.

We were very lucky with the weather - fortunate really as some of the 

70 guests were able to spill out into the garden later

The following day was actually her birthday and what better way to celebrate than with a spot of bubbly while opening her presents

which went down very well indeed for those of us watching!

All in all a fabulous weekend celebrated with all of our family and friends.

The Celebrations are not completely over though - John and I celebrate our 43rd Wedding Anniversary today and spending the weekend with some very good friends down in Sussex. More about that another time.

Bye for now - have a wonderful weekend.