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Good Times: May Bank Holiday Weekend

By Creativity, Friends & Family, Happiness & JoyNo Comments

Last weekend was the May Bank Holiday weekend. I didn’t have any plans; but good times came from spontaneity. The sun illuminated the days and brought with it a warmth that holds a promise of a good summer; either that or it was being a terrible tease. Still I decided that as well as doing some writing, I would use it as an opportunity to spend time with friends.

On Saturday Steve came round and we went out on a random adventure out for tea. We ended up in The White Crow. It looked like a local pub, for local people on the outside; but was a bustling family-run restaurant pub on the inside. The food was fresh and we devoured it as we caught up with one another.

The White Crow Napkin Steve Face Masks

Afterwards we headed to a local supermarket to pick up some treats for TV time. While shopping we spotted some face masks and decided to pamper ourselves. I bought a thermal face mask and a peeling one.

On Sunday I did some writing in the morning and finished off an article for The Gay UK. Steve and I went to my mum’s for Sunday dinner, which was delicious as always.

In the early evening, Steve, mum and I stood in the back garden catching the last rays of the sun when a stray cat climbed over the fence and into the garden. He strutted over to us and began meowing. I wanted to stroke and feed him but mum said that he might have fleas; so I decided against it. As I talked and tried to ignore the meows, the cat lifted up it’s front two paws onto my leg. Very cute. I freed my leg, looked at him and explained but I don’t think he got it.

On the Bank Holiday Monday afternoon Sye, some of his friends and I headed to one of our favourite pubs to enjoy the beer garden. We had something to eat then my literal animal magnetism kicked in again and I attracted a little bird. I honestly felt like Snow White in that scene where she talks to the birds.

Sye Watts Beer Garden Antony Simpson Beer Garden

Beer Garden Bird

Monday evening came, Sye and I caught up while I applied the peel-off face mask. I felt it get tighter and tighter on my face until I could barely speak. When it came to the peel-off it mostly came off in one piece, but I will still finding odd bits of it in odd places on Tuesday.


Antony Simpson Face Mask

Antony Simpson Face Mask Antony Simpson Face Mask

I had a brilliant May Bank Holiday weekend and I hope you had a great one too. It was fantastic to catch up with friends and family.

Take care,

Antony

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February Photo Challenge

By Books & Authors, Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, Life, PetsNo Comments

I’ve set myself a challenge each month aimed at giving me new experiences. February’s challenge was to take a photo everyday. Here’s the photos I snapped:

All of these photos were taken with my iPhone 5. I did miss four days, however other days I took more than one photo because of the day’s events.

I really enjoyed this month’s challenge. It helped me to notice the positives in a otherwise dark and gloomy month. I like that the photos also serve as a sort of visual diary. Something I’ll definitely be doing again in the future.

Blog soon,

Antony

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Thinking of You Often…

By Friends & Family, Gay, Life, Music & Radio, ThinkingNo Comments

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Thinking of You Often…Alex. This beautiful song makes me think about Alex (see My Darling Baby Brother & Grief); but it is also about equality. The video below tells the story of a gay couple and what happened when one of them died in the US:

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Both are close to my heart.

Write soon,

Antony

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Christmas Tree, Cookies, Yule & Cats

By Friends & Family, Happiness & Joy, Life, Pets, TV, Online Streaming & FilmsNo Comments

The festive period was a busy one, but a good one this year. It started with the preparation I bought The Vicar of Dibley – The Ultimate Collection [DVD], Miracle on 34th Street [DVD] & The Grinch [DVD] to get me in the festive mood and watched them while I wrapped presents and dressed Norbert the Norwegian (not really a Norwegian but it sounds better):

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Norbert waiting to be taken home. Norbert fully dressed.

Then Sye dressed me up as an African Woman against my Will (honestly!) and we made cinnamon & whole nut cookies:

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Me as an African Woman. Cookies Up Close.
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The completed cookie batches.

The idea Sye & I came up with was to make these cookies to give as homemade gifts to family & friends for Christmas. I don’t know about Sye’s family & friends but all mine that received them said they were delicious.

Yule kicked off the festive period with a relaxed gathering at Chrys’, with tasty food, wonderful company and making of festive wreaths. Unfortunately I wasn’t feeling well as I’d caught a bug before finishing work for the festive period, so by the time it came to making wreaths in the evening I was shattered. In true Yuletide spirit the group banded together and made me a wreath which was so kind of them to do.

Christmas day soon came around and I cooked Christmas dinner for Steve. I was so impressed with myself, but only thought after dinner that I should have took a photo. Dylan & Russell my cats enjoyed the day. I bought them a Crinkle Bag. They love the sound of it along with the cat nip bag sown on a string inside:

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Oh a crinkle bag! OMG there’s catnip inside!

They discovered some wrapping I’d left out and decided to put it on their head and walk around bumping into the walls. After a while they sussed out that if they put their paw in front on them to feel for walls they wouldn’t bang their head. They spent the rest of the evening taking it in turns to play “blind cat;” so should have got a video but at least I got a few photos:

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I will not put my head in the wrapping…. Ah I can’t see!

I also got a number of wonderful presents including various DVD’s, smellies, gift vouchers and a beautiful Yankee Candle.

Boxing day concluded my festive celebrations with a visit to mum & Ian’s with Steve. Albeit brief it was good to see everyone and know that they had a good festive period to.

Blog soon,

Antony

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