I’m in a magazine!
The Season of Good Will…
How did it get to be December already? Where has the time gone? We are now officially in the countdown to Christmas (or whatever winter festival you celebrate). It’s the time of year people try to be a little kinder and more charitable, and perhaps they start thinking of ways they can help others.
I watched a video yesterday that got me thinking. It wasn’t about the festive season, it was about menstruating. I know – that can be a bit of an icky subject, despite it being something that 50% of the world’s population do at some point in their lives – for a very large part of their lives, to be honest.
This is the video – please do watch it, because it’s quite interesting.
It really got me thinking, because although I donate to a local food bank on a semi-regular basis, and although it’s not always food products I donate, there is something I never thought about donating at all, and it’s something I have used every month of my life since before being a teenager. Why did it never occur to me? Well, probably for the same reason it doesn’t occur to other people too – it’s something we’re so used to, that we don’t consider it – it gets pushed to the background.
So, although we’re now half way through December, here’s a thought. How w0ould it be, if everyone who has the means to do so, made up a package to give to their local food bank this Xmas? You can backdate it and made a sort of reverse advent calendar, putting in 24 items to donate, or you can do it from today, whatever is easiest and within your means – just pop stuff in a bag or a box to hand over.
Here are some things you might like to include:
- Food:
Dried goods such as pasta, rice, and lentils are good, as they keep for ages without going off. Also tinned and jarred food of any kind – beans, vegetables, fruit, canned fish and meat, are all staples to consider, along with jams, chutneys and pickles. And don’t forget condiments – salt, pepper, sauces, herbs and spices, and stock cubes – they can zing up a meal and make it much taster and less boring. - Feminine hygiene products:
Next time you’re picking up your tampons or pads for your own use, pop an extra pack in your trolley to donate. - Other hygiene products:
Soap, shower gel, deoderant, toothbrushes and toothpaste – take advantage of three for two offers and pop the third “free” item in your giving box. Or if you get loads of smellies at Xmas, consider donating some of those. You might also consider popping a packet of condoms in there too - Cleaning products:
Cleaning wipes, antibacterial spray, toilet cleaner and bleach, rim blocks and cistern blocks, washing up liquid, washing powder, and fabric conditioner. All essentials that might go by the wayside when people can barely afford to put food on the table. - Baby products:
Nappies, wipes, nappy sacks – again, take advantage of multi-buy offers and pop the extra items in the box.
None of these need to be expensive brand name items – you can donate supermarket own brands, or even the bargain range items if that’s what your budget will stretch to. Even if you can’t donate an item for every day of the month, perhaps it could be a new year’s resolution to save one item every week of the year – imagine what you could accumulate in 52 weeks, at just the cost of a few pennies extra on your weekly shopping bill? Even if you donated like this quarterly with a dozen or so items each time, that can make a huge difference to someone who needs it.
Maybe this way we can ALL have a brighter festive season. And you never know, you might get bumped higher up on Santa’s “Nice” list!
Hello again!
Wowza! It’s been MONTHS since I last posted on here, where has the time gone?
Seriously it’s been pretty crazy. All four of us have had birthdays – Hubby turned 42, Tadpole turned 8, I turned 40, then Choochie turned 3. Tadpole went back to school (he’s in year 3 now, how did that happen?!), and I auditioned for a couple of shows. I sang at a local war re-enactment, Halloween came and went, then bonfire night, and now, here we are in the countdown to Xmas! We’ve also been redecorating our house, bit by bit, as well as laying a drive at the front (I say ~”we”, but I mean Hubby has been doing that while I look after the kids and make the coffee!). And now we’re preparing for Choochie to start nursery after the Xmas holidays too.
Oh, and those shows? Well, I’m playing the lead in two shows in the very near future. I’ll be starring as Candy, the Christmas Fairy in The Magic Toy Box this festive season, and as Puss in Puss In Boots next Easter. I am absolutely in my element to be treading the boards once more and the people I’m working with are just darlings, every one of them – I feel like I’ve adopted a whole new branch into the family!
So, as you can see, I’ve been rather distracted and have barely had time to sit down, let alone get to the computer. But I’m still around, and I’ll be popping in from time to time…
Edinburgh Fringe Festival!
On Thursday this week, I went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival for the very first time. Despite having lived in Kirkcaldy (which is only a couple of train stops away from Edinburgh) for the guts of four years, I’d never made it to the festival… Until now!
I was part of a team of people from Northumberland scouting some of the shows to possibly bring to our area (if not them, then shows like them), and so we all hopped on a mini bus at silly-o-clock in the morning and headed to Scotland for the day.
We saw four shows in total – all completely different from what we’d expected and totally different from each other, and each of them was wonderful in their own way.
The first show was Anatomy of the Piano (for beginners) by Will Pickvance at the Scottish Storytelling Centre. This show was aimed at a younger audience, but there was plenty to entertain folks of all ages. The music was fabulous, and the story behind his love of the piano, accompanied by quirky animation that was perfectly timed, was absolutely adorable. This is a children’s version of a show he’s done for adult audiences, but it was well worth seeing.
After that, we went for lunch at Circus Bistro, which was just around the corner from the Scottish Storytelling Centre. It was crammed full of people who were in Edinburgh for the festival, but the atmosphere and the food were great. and then we were off again.
Next we saw Pss Pss by Baccala Compagnia at Assembly Roxy. When I saw the write up mention mime, by heart sank, because I don’t like mime and never have (I subscribe to Lord Vetinari’s idea of hanging mimes upside down in a dungeon opposite a sign that reads “Learn the words!”), but this couldn’t have been more different from my preconceptions if it had tried for a hundred years. There is no accurate way to describe this act – it’s like traditional clowning-come-acrobatic act with a storytelling element that is utterly delightful – we understood every single word they didn’t say (the only sound they uttered was a whispered “pss pss”). There was so much going on between the two characters on stage, and within the audience participation sections, that to write it all out here would take forever – what they conveyed with the slightest movement or facial expression was immense. They thoroughly deserved the standing ovation they received at the end.
After the highs of Pss Pss, I feared that the next act would be a little depressing, based on the two-sentence summary I’d read. I have never been happier to be proven wrong!
One Hundred Homes by Yinka Kuitenbrouwer was presented in a large wooden hut at Summerhall, with the seating crammed together, There were blankets on some of the chairs, in case it got chilly, and we were all given cups of hot tea and homemade biscuits shaped like little houses (they were delicious, by the way!). Yinka visited over one hundred people, and talked to them about the idea of home. The resulting show, where she relates their stories and links the together in the most unusual manner, was most uplifting, filled with warmth and hope and the friendship she had developed with the people she interviewed. We were very pleased to be there when it was announced that she was the winner of an award – I think we all got a little emotional along with her, as it was very well deserved!
One Hundred Homes by Yinka Kuitenbrouwer at Summerhall
One Hundred Homes by Yinka Kuitenbrouwer at Summerhall
One Hundred Homes by Yinka Kuitenbrouwer at Summerhall
One Hundred Homes by Yinka Kuitenbrouwer at Summerhall
After being left almost completely speechless by Yinka, we headed to a giant up-turned purple cow at George Square, where we watched Closer by Circa. This was another acrobatic show with elements of dance involved – it was a very lyrical performance showcasing strength and agility, with moves that had the audiences collectively holding their breath as they performed high above us. It was quite indescribable!
Everywhere we went throughout the day, the air was crackling with excitement – the atmosphere was electric! I don’t think any of us wanted to come home at the end of it, despite being completely exhausted. The entire experience was out of this world and I know that although this was my first time at the festival, it most certainly won’t be my last! I look forward to returning for future festivals, and also to taking Tadpole and Choochie along when they’re a little older, because this is something that everyone should experience, at least once, and it will never be forgotten!
At The Scottish Storytelling Centre with Emma and Lewis
The giant upturned pruple cow at St George Square
There were LOTS of purple cows at St George Square
Again with Emma and Lewis – we were totally jazzed the whole day!
Heading in to see Closer by Circa
It felt like we were in Wonderland!
Tired, but happy, after a day filled with theatre!
A busy summer…
Crikey, it’s been just over three weeks since I last posted on this blog – simply because we’ve been so busy! It’s the school holidays, you see, and with both the kids at home, and Hubby having a fortnight off work, we’ve been all over the place on day trips and excursions to local events and attractions, which have included:
- A music festival
- A theatre trip (I went to see Chicago with my sister and niece)
- A family fun day (with bouncy castles and entertainment stuff)
- Rock-pooling on a tidal island with a light house
- Going to the circus
- Blackberry picking with the kids
- A trip to Beamish (huge open-air, fully interactive museum)
- A trip to the Hancock Museum
- Watching a football match
This coming weekend we have a four day festival to celebrate the Tall Ships coming to our town. It’s all rather exciting!
Hubby has been working hard on DIY projects – he’s laid our drive (all lock-blocked beautifully), and has started work on a built-in cupboard and bookcase in our living room, as he’s about to start redecorating in there (it will be followed by the kitchen, all three bedrooms, and finally the bathroom, which will be completely ripped out, a new suite put in, re-tiled, and basically started from scratch!). He’s also decorated my Mum’s spare bedroom and kitchen – what a handy man!
Tadpole has lost not one, but two teeth during the holidays, and we have tackled potty training with Choochie – he’s now something of a pro (thankfully!), and we have no problem going out and about all day with him – he’s very good at “holding it in” till we can find a toilet!
I, on the other hand, have been busy in rehearsals for Sister Act, and have also begun auditioning for other shows, as well as preparing for singing at Blyth Battery again next month. And tomorrow, I’ll be heading off to Edinburgh for the day, to take in a few shows at the Fringe Festival – I can hardly wait!
So, if I’ve been AWOL for a little while, you’ll understand, as we’ve been spending most of our time outdoors and away from all things computerised!
At the circus
At the circus
Rock-pooling at St Mary’s Island
Rock-pooling at St Mary’s Island
Rock-pooling at St Mary’s Island
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At Beamish
At the Hancock Museum
At the Hancock Museum
At the Hancock Museum
At the Hancock Museum
At the Hancock Museum
At the Hancock Museum
At the family fun day
At the family fun day
At the family fun day
Chochie is very proud of being fully potty trained!
Theatre trip – Chicago!
Theatre trip – Chicago!
Theatre trip – Chicago!
Theatre trip – Chicago!
Tadpole lost a tooth!
Watching the Newcastle Utd match
Tadpole lost ANOTHER tooth!
What shall we do next?
I did it! I Braved the Shave for Macmillan Cancer Support!
Today, I did something I’ve never done before – I shaved my head down to a #1 all over!
Why did I do this? For charity, of course! My hair is being sent off to Little Princess Trust to make wigs for kids who have lost their hair through chemo, and all the sponsorship money is going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
You can still sponsor me, if you like – every little helps! You can find my Brave the Shave page HERE.
Last few shots with my hair!
Last few shots with my hair!
Last few shots with my hair!
Abbie, ready to start bunching up my hair to cut off
Putting in the bunches
All bunched up and ready to go
Last chance to play with my hair…
And the first bunch is cut off!
OMGs! My hair is in my hands
Sometimes I feel like pulling my hair out – LOL!
Ready to start shaving!
This is the hair going to Little Princess Trust.
Hair today, gone tomorrow!
It feels like velvet!
Rocking the suede head look!
Hair today, gone tomorrow!
Today is my last day if having long hair!
It’s my 13th wedding anniversary tomorrow, and I’m going out for a meal and theatre trip in the evening, but in the morning, I’ll be getting my hair put into plaits, cut off, bagged up to send off to Little Princess Trust, and then my head will be shaved all over to a #1!
If you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so via my Brave the Shave page, and if you’d like to spread the word too, I’d be very grateful – the more people who know about it, the more money is raised for Macmillan Cancer Support, which is a very worthy cause.
Every little helps! Thanks in advance.
Kell’s Brave the Shave page HERE
Catching up…
Well, it’s been a while! Things have been busy, busy, busy here at Kincavel Korner!
The school year is now well and truly over, and Tadpole is now finished with Key Stage 1 – how did he get so big so fast? He did so well at his school sports day, coming first in not one, not two, but three races, and also gaining a second and a third place in two other events. He also got a glowing school report which told us he’s ahead of where he’s expected to be in almost every area, and he came home with both academic and sporting achievement awards at the end of the year. We are so proud we could burst!
Choochie has finally taken to potty training like a duck to water. He took some persuading, but we finally got him to agree to saying goodbye to nappies, and jumped in at the deep end, tackling both day time and night time at the same time. It’s been a week now, with only a couple of little “accidents” that were barely accidents at all – and that includes at night! Again, we’re so proud we would dance about with glee if we weren’t so tired!
I’m now deep in rehearsals for a production of Sister Act, which will be performed in October. It’s only a very small non-speaking part, but as it’s my first show in fifteen years, it’s serving as a nice reintroduction to theatre I’ll be auditioning for a part in Annie later in the year (I’m hoping to get a slightly larger role in that!), and I have applied to possibly audition for a professional Christmas show – we’ll see if I even get an audition at all, but it will be nice to try!
The best bunch of strong, independent women you have ever seen all went out to have a meal together to celebrate my Mum’s freedom (the divorce isn’t quite final yet, but it will be very soon!), and had a fantastic meal at Pronto, a local Greek/Italian restaurant. A fantastic night was had by all, and I got chatted up by a gorgeous younger man when we went out for drinks afterwards, which was a major ego boost!
I went out for afternoon tea with my Mum and step sister, at The Running Fox at Felton, and it was such a delicious feast! Honestly, I could barely manage everything, but I forced myself (oh, so reluctantly – not!) to finish every delicious morsel. Seriously, if you’re into the idea of High Tea, and you’re in Northumberland, go along to The Running Fox, and they’ll treat you like royalty!
We also went for a family day out at Woodhorn Museum during Invasion 7, when all manner of sci-fi characters came out to play. It was a total blast! We took a little ride on the narrow guage railway, had a picnic, and played spot the character. I was so pleased to see a the Firefly crew represented by Kaylee and Wash (no Captain Tight Pants though, much to my sorrow!), as well as a plethora of characters from the Star Wars franchise, and various other sci fi favourites.
And finally, this will be the last weekend I have hair! I will be doing Brave the Shave in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support on Monday 1st August. I will be sending my hair off to Little Princess Trust to make wigs for children who have lost their hair during chemotherapy, and then shaving down to a #1 all over! I’m actually rather looking forward to it. To top it off, 1st August is also my 13th wedding anniversary, and I’ll be going out for dinner and a trip to the theatre (to see Chicago) that evening too.
If you’d like to sponsor me, you can do so via my Brave the Shave page HERE. Every little helps – thanks in advance!
And now we’re into the summer holidays, and although we have no plans to go away anywhere this year, we are planning several nice day trips and also attending several local events, which will no doubt be a lot of fun. So, on that note, I’ll disappear again, although I’m sure I’ll get back to check in every now and then!
Have a fantastic summer!
I win!
A little while back, I entered a Pocket Letter competition. The remit was that everything used had to be recycled, as the idea was to prove that you don’t need to buy loads of fancy schmancy expensive stuff to do pocket letters and similar crafts.
The winners were announced today, and I got first place! I’m absolutely chuffed to ribbons!
I had such fun putting this pocket letter together, and everything used was recycled in some manner – I didn’t spend a single penny on any of it. I re-used greetings and post cards, packaging from various items, magazine pages, leftover string, thread and craft shapes, buttons, old raffle tickets, a word search puzzle, toothpicks, gems I prized off old cards, and some washi tape from samples I’d been sent. It just goes to show, even when you only use things you have to hand, you can come up with something pretty cool!
Front of Recycled Theme pocket letter
Back of Recycled Theme pocket letter
Front
1. Backing taken from front page of an old diary. Feathers made with washi tape (received in swaps) and toothpicks. I would have used real feathers, but I didn’t find any, so i made my own!
2. Backing card from an old greetings card and covered in tissue paper I got in a package recently. Strips of bicycle washi tape (from a swap), a hand-made “Be Green” square (on more card from the greetings card), and gems reclaimed from a greetings card.
3. Floral backing taken from inside an organizer. White card rectangle (which has braille on it) from medicine box, washi tape flower (made from string and swapped washi), with reclaimed gem, and strips of card “ribbon” cut from a greetings card.
4. A word search with a park theme, and flowers cut from a decorative page in an organiser, edged with swapped washi tape.
5. Backing card from a notebook cover, topped with a section from an old diary. Globe made from spiraled blue thread and a piece of sparkly green foam cut into shapes. A few star stickers pinched from my kids’ craft box.
6. Backing card from a box of tea, some raffle tickets and some arrows cut from card to make the recycling sign.
7. Backing card and butterfly from an old greetings card, and a couple of floral buttons I’ve collected.
8. Backing card from a notebook cover, tree leaves cut from magazines, owls cut from a postcard, stamped words on paper from a magazine.
9. Backing card from a greetings card, black rectangle cut from an old diary, buttons all cut from old garments which were dumped in my button box.
Back:
A page from a colouring book, with just hints of colour throughout.
Kincavel Korner 