December 2018 - Plutonium Sox

Natalie Ray December 31, 2018 Food and Drink

Taking part in Veganuary

As 2018 draws to a close, most of us are craving salad and exercise after over-indulging at Christmas. Veganuary is a popular challenge at this time of year, with people around the world giving up meat and animal products for the month of January. Reasons for taking part vary from concern for animals and the environment, through to the health benefits to the individual. Why I’m taking part in Veganuary I’ve looked at Veganuary for the past few years and wondered whether to take part. But it has always seemed a bit too difficult. I cook for the whole family…

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Natalie Ray December 27, 2018 Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #242

Christmas week. It’s one of the few times of year that things calm down. We remained busy right up until Christmas Eve, but Christmas day brought a change of pace that continued into boxing day. My husband has gone back to work today and at the weekend we’ve got plans to visit both his family and mine. But for just a couple of days, we chilled out. It was bliss. Sudeley Castle Spectacle of Light Last Christmas, we went with some friends to visit the Illuminations in Birmingham. It was lovely to catch up with them and we all had…

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Natalie Ray December 20, 2018 Health and Fitness

Premier League Writing Stars opportunities for children

This is a collaborative post. At primary schools around the country right now, children are frantically writing poetry. It might not be what you’d imagine primary school children to be doing in the run-up to Christmas. However, tomorrow is the deadline for entries to the Premier League Writing Stars competition. So right now, it’s every child for themselves. Premier League Writing Stars visit a local school As part of the Premier League Writing Stars competition, players and other celebrities are getting involved. Some are judges, others have written their own poems. Even more excitingly, some have been visiting children in…

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Natalie Ray December 20, 2018 Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #241

After four ballet shows, swimming lessons and watching the incredible Malvern Theatres pantomime, we’re finally winding down ready for Christmas. It feels like we’re the only ones who didn’t put the tree up until this week. But it’s up now, presents are bought (if not wrapped) and our food shop is being delivered tomorrow. What have I forgotten? Performing on stage As a child, I never did much in the way of theatre or performing arts. I had ballet lessons, took part in primary school plays and did the odd ballet show but that was about it. So the way…

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Natalie Ray December 18, 2018 Reviews

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Malvern Theatres

There’s no such thing as a bad pantomime at Malvern Theatres, but this year’s is a corker. Big name stars, catchy music and a bucketload of fun. In fact, we all agreed that this year’s panto was the best we’ve seen. And we’ve seen each and every one for the past six years. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – the story We meet Snow White briefly as a child, learning the sad tale of her mother and father’s death. She ends up as a slave to her wicked stepmother, the Queen, with only her best friend Muddles to keep…

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Natalie Ray December 13, 2018 Our Thursday Photos

Thursday photo #240

We’re in the depths of our busiest week of the year. Nativity plays and ballet shows all take place this week, as does the school fair along with rehearsals and all their usual activities. It’s always a fun week but I’ll also be delighted when it is over. The nativity Lia’s nativity play was yesterday morning and the previous day, they’d performed it to the school. Lia had been paired off with a little girl who was nervous of saying her line and when it came to performing to the school, neither of them said it. So, it came as no…

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Natalie Ray December 12, 2018 Competitions

Win family tickets for Nozstock 2019

Last Summer was the 20th anniversary of the Nozstock family-friendly festival. Unsurprisingly it was a complete sell-out, and they’re coming back bigger and better in 2019 including improvements to both family camping and the Little Wonderland Kids’ area. Nozstock the Hidden Valley Festival We were incredibly impressed with last year’s Nozstock the Hidden Valley Festival and will definitely be back next year. You can read my full review here. Based in the Herefordshire countryside, Nozstock is the festival with something for everyone. The lineup isn’t confirmed for 2019 yet, but last year there were a variety of different acts across ten…

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