A year of Instagrams

These are just a selection of Instagrams I've posted this year, when I put them all together it looks like a fairly colourful and event filled year.  I won't be sad to see the back of 2013 however I am grateful for all the experiences I have had this year, good and bad.

Here is to 2014, may it be sunny, bright, healthy and happy!

New Year Love

Sadly I won't be hosting a fabulous and sophisticated New Year's Eve party this year, if I did it would probably look a little like this...

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Future Cinema does Ghostbusters

The weekend before Christmas MozzyMr and I went up to London to visit my brother.  Surprise, surprise we went to see The Drowned Man again (best visit so far!) but my brother had also booked us tickets to see a Future Cinema presentation of Ghostbusters.  Future Cinema has the strapline 'WE ARE LIVE CINEMA.  Cinematic experiences like no other'.  I'd say so.  It took place at The Troxy, I doubt there is a better venue for it, the building is amazing. We plonked ourselves right at the front, loaded up on hot dogs and drinks and watched the action taking place around us.

Whilst queuing to get in the Ghostbusters car circled the Troxy.

Mini sets to explore at the back of the enormous venue.

Could this building be anymore perfect for a screening of this film??

Alternative advent calendar #24

Ahhh Christmas, it's finally here!  So this will be the last Alternative Advent Calendar post for 2013, I really hope you've enjoyed the journey?  To round things off I thought I would share with you a collection of Bill Murray inspired festive messages and images.

A very Murray Christmas everyone, I hope you have a relaxing, restful, happy time with those you love!

Anna xxx

Alternative advent calendar #23

2013 has seen me posting on this little blog more than any other year, I can't say that all of the posts have been quality but I've enjoyed writing them (I hope you've enjoyed reading them).  Here is a small collection of some of my favourite posts of 2013...

16/02/13 "Cloud Collection" Granted this isn't the most exciting post in all the world but I do love a good cloud photo and this post had a lot of them!

06/04/13 "Allotment Geekery" I'm including this post because it was so exciting to see my lovely seeds doing well and to be back in the growing season on the allotment, this year has been a good allotment year for us, may we have many more to come!

14/06/13 "France: all the greens" I spent a gorgeous week in France with my family in June.  The weather was hot, we had bbqs, sat out in the sun sipping French cider and just totally relaxed.

03/07/13 "London: The South Bank" OK so the photography in this post isn't amazing, but the day was.  I had travelled up to London for a conference and decided to spend the weekend visiting my brother.  We went into London and had a touristy day visiting the London Eye and the London Aquarium.  I loved it!

04/08/13 "Garden Geekery" I made more effort with my Garden this year and thoroughly enjoyed the process of planning and planting.  I think the glorious weather in the summer helped and that tons of foxgloves have decided to seed in our garden.

26/08/13 "Paris: Disneyland" Being witness to my nieces first trip to Disneyland was one of the highlights of my year.  Missy Big in particular was about to pop with all the Disney Princess joy!

29/09/13 "Shrooms!" Autumn around these parts was an absolute corker, MozzyMr and I took full advantage of the forests so near to us and stomped through fallen leaves and photographed lots of mushrooms!

27/10/13 "The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable" Am I still going on about this?  Yes I bloody am, don't judge me!  This play has been such an eye opener and has encouraged me to engage more with cultural experiences.

10/11/13 "Getting to grips with art" Listening to this years Reith Lectures was a real joy and has switched me on to more of what Radio 4 has to offer. (Yes that was the sound of me crossing the line into middle age.)

Alternative advent calendar #22

So Helene in Between wrote an excellent post called 10 Things That 2013 Taught Me, I sat nodding my head in agreement with almost every point listed so thought I would list my own 10 things that 2013 taught me in homage to Helene's excellent blog!

1. 2013 taught me that I cannot get enough awkward cat photos, I post so many to Facebook it's a miracle more people haven't blocked me...

This fella ate a bee, his face is a picture of regret.

2. Breaking Bad stole my life in 2013, but then I think it stole everyone's life didn't it? 2013 taught me that opening a Netflix account might have been a bad idea.

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3. 2013 has been a painful wait, waiting, waiting, waiting for Sherlock series 3 to air.  As it happens it's going to be shown on 1st January 2014 but whatever.  It's here!  It's here!  Therefore 2013 has taught me that patience is a virtue.

4. 2013 taught me to embrace my inner old lady and so I turned all out-doorsy, lots of walking in the woods, walking on the beach, digging on the allotment and visiting National Trust properties where I enjoyed a cup of tea and a cake.  Oooooh lovely bit of cake.

Introducing the 60-year old girl meme

5. Coffee made me it's slave.  I've always been partial to the odd cup of coffee but this year I don't seem to function without it.  Help me.  2013 taught me that I need to get more sleep.

6. Millenials.  2013 taught me the best ways to get the best out of my millenials.  It's not easy folks.

19 facts we learned about millenials

7. 2013 taught me that sometimes you just have to stand up and be counted.  It's scary and isolating (yep I've lost friends over my decision to strike) but if you believe things are wrong then you have to show those that make the decisions that you won't stand for it.

8. 2013 has taught me that I scan Buzzfeed far too much, but that means I find gems like this computer game in the making, so that's ok then.

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9. 2013 has taught me that I'm not scared of flying after all, duh.  I'm guessing 2014 will teach me not to spend all my money on holidays.

10. and finally.... 2013 taught me I can have my mind blown away by The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable.  Have I mentioned it before?  I not sure I have.  Accidentally purchased another ticket for February.

So what has 2013 taught you?  I would love to know!

Alternative advent calendar #21

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This post should probably be subtitled 'Things I Would Craft for my Perfect Homemade Christmas if I Had the Damn Time!'.

It's all well and good having Kirstie Allsopp wibbling on about how perfect your Christmas can be with a tissue paper pom pom or pine tree syrup (!) but everyone I know works ridiculous hours and collapse in a heap of exhaustion when they do finally get home.  

Bah humbug.