Wednesday 29 February 2012

Day 60; The awkward looks....

I love this poster.....
I couldn't agree more. You may or may not have noticed people wear shoes that don't look like shoes but have separate slots for your toes. Like gloves for your toes. They aren't the latest fashion statement but instead something that allows those who prefer barefoot training a comfortable way to do it whilst supporting your foot. I often get people ask me, "is it not bad for you", "are they not uncomfortable" to which I often reply, "Your feet are like your hands with separate muscles and bones, and you don't cage your hands in all day everyday, do you?" I love my tatty red ones and would love another pair.....

A musical journey; February

After recently reading a blog post by musodad which you can read here, I was inspired to do something similar. Music is a big part of my life, I often go to gigs and festivals with my friends and subsequently have many memories linked to music.
I always listen to music before or after work it helps me focus and helps me de-stress. So after moving 30 minutes away from work I find myself listening a lot more to my CD's and occasionally the Radio. ( I know one day I'll upgrade my car stereo so I can play my I-Pod)

So each month I will be writing about the 3 artists I've been listening to the most, the albums that I have listen to and do forth. Maybe not the most compelling of writing but I'll try. So this month here goes;

1: Van Halen
A great Glam band. I've been listening recently to there new album, a different kind of truth. Truth be told its not that great, not when you compare it to there old songs. In all honesty I'm not the kind of fan that has all their old albums and can make clever intrigue comments on song on song. I purely have their greatest hits; best of both worlds which is a fantastic collection of their songs. After a few listens of their new album I reverted back to listening to the greatest hits collection. I'm sure if you're a die hard fan you'll love to new album and love that David Lee Roth ( their original singer) is back with them. But if you're looking for the songs like jump and can't stop loving you you'll not find them hear. I hope you don't think I'm not a Van Halen fan, I am, just I'll admit I;m not a hardcore fan and like the old songs you could sing a-long to, the power ballads etc. Still if they come to the UK this year to your ill don my leather jacket for a good rock out, might even put some spandex on and a mullet!



2: REM
I was given for a birthday present REM's recent greatest hits. And due to not being in the mind frame have I really sat down and listened to it. Again REM isn't a band I have liked enough previously to go out and buy their albums, so having their greatest hits is enough for me. My favourite song of there's has to be end of the world (as we know it). I think it s a brilliant song, very fast paced and when in your car trying to sing along it shows the gulf in difference from your voice to Michael stipes. Obviously there are other songs of theirs that I like such as everybody hurts, pop song 2000 etc, but I suppose it's end of the world that always gets me singing a-long kind of bouncing in my car.



3: Gaslight Anthem
Ahhhh now this is one of my favourite ever bands. If you've never heard of them I'd strongly suggest doing so. They hail from New Jersey and if, like me you are a big Bruce Springsteen fan then you'll love them. They have the sound and essence of the Boss himself and, very much so like the Boss, have a story to tell in their songs. Of their 3 albums I can not say I have a distinct favourite song, although 59 sound (which is probably their most recognisable song) is a song that always gets me smiling. Red Sky at Night from their first album Sink or Swim is another song I'd recommend that makes me think of my time travelling around America as it resembles southern USA music. Listening to this song makes me want to learn the Harmonica, I love the sound it makes on the track and the Gaslight Anthem, as does Bruce Springsteen makes me want to pick up my Guitar that I've got and learn how to use properly.


The Gaslight Anthem I've been lucky to see twice, both in Leeds, Once at the festival and once at the 02 academy and I have to admit they are fantastic live. I love seeing bands who talk to the crowd and try explain things about their songs and connect with their fans. They are currently writing their 4th album and I'll be seeing them hen they next head over hear and I am desperately hoping they are supporting Bruce Springsteen when he tours this summer.

Anyway, thank you for reading my first Musical post, I will try working on it and get better. next month promises to be good as I am already aware of what artists I will be listening to due to some great releases from some of my favourite bands.

Thank you to Musodad who inspired this post, please visit his post it's a lot better, again check out his blog here.

Tuesday 28 February 2012

Day 59; feet up, work done

Ahhhh the end of a 12 hour shift. Time to put my feet up and rest them....

Monday 27 February 2012

Day 58; Piano lady

The other day we went to grandpas and the OH started playing the piano. I've never heard her play, I knew she use to and she'd love it if we had our own. She was very good and it was quite soothing, but I was waiting for her to break out a bit of spice girls....

Sunday 26 February 2012

Day 57; Wembley....

We have spent most of today waiting, watching, being tense and celebrating the football. You see today was the league cup final. Often this competition is ridiculed and made to seem like the trophy no-one wants or cares about. I myself will admit from time to time in the middle of disappointment of defeat of said such things but in the end it comes down to one thing everyone should remember. This is a trophy and undoubtedly a football team, a football player is always, always judged on success and how many medals they have.

Sure finishing 4th in the league carries significant financial rewards, but there is no trophy for finishing 4th, there is nothing to put in your clubs museum to showcase, just zeros on your chairman's bank balance.

So today has been spent counting down and waiting.....
Getting ready with our tops and Getting out choice of drink....

Watching tensely the spectacle itself....

Then celebrating at the end if it all....
It never goes to plan but, as long ad the outcome is what you desire it is worth it in the end. We can proudly hold our heads up, shake the other teams hand and say well done you were unlucky and the celebrate through the night that win which will now go down in history as the first at the new Wembley.

Alas there are always those who can't stand the pace and much go to bed early....

But well done to the men in red, you've made us proud once again, YNWA.

Saturday 25 February 2012

How to make a Kit Kat Chunky Peanut butter

Are you enjoying the recent new additions to the kit Kat chunky range? Well there's only one winner really isn't there because of course the Peanut butter one is superb. It tastes delicious and is different. Orange is too common as is white chocolate, there's plenty of chocolate bars out there that are orange or white or even double chocolate, but few offer smooth peanut butter, (sorry if I've offended your choice of chocolate there)

Sadly whilst this is the clear winner, there are thousands of losers. Us the general public as no shops seem to have the bars in anymore. So in the Comfort In Sound kitchen we have resorted to making our own and have a step by step photo guide for you to make sure you can too.

Just follow these simple steps to peanut butter heaven...

1/ First get a regular kit kat chunky and unwrap....

2/ Get some Peanut butter in a jar and take off the lid.....

3/ Get a knife.....
4/ Dip the Knife into the peanut butter jar and get plenty of peanut butter on there...
5/ Spread the peanut butter over the Kit Kat chunky as normal as even as possible....
6/ Enjoy.....

Day 56; trip down memories lane....

Today we took eldest to stay at great grandpas house. This is my girlfriends grandads house which is very nice and traditional. ER loves coming here as she gets all the attention and me and mummy get sometime off from looking after 2 girls.

However whilst at grandpas's it would be rude not to look at the photos of years gone by that are proudly on display, I still can't believe my OH has the same dress sense and serious look on her face these days....

Thursday 23 February 2012

Day 55; An early start...

Yesterday's picture was what time I got home from well today's picture is what time I got up to go to work, great planning and foresight from myself!

Day 54: home time....

Work done now it's home time.....

Wednesday 22 February 2012

A Visit to the Farm....

This weekend saw ER's 4th birthday. In previous posts you might have seen that she at one pointed requested a baby brother for her birthday, despite the fact that her baby sister is only 3 months old. Well as a world exclusive, on Comfort In Sound I can announce that her birthday wish won't be coming true. Sorry to break that you and to ER but at this moment in time we do not wish to add another little one to our family but perhaps in the future.

Anyway back to the main event, in previous posts ER had mentioned how she would like to spend her birthday on a farm, so this wish was granted. We visited a farm in Bedale called Big Sheep Little Cow and she had quite the entourage for her birthday. The previous day had been spent in Malton and she had a rainbow party, just like in the book Zebras rainbow party. Unfortunately I couldn't be there for this is due to work, but I was there for the farm visit.

The day started like unlike any other day, usually we get woken up by ER in the morning to the dound of her playing on her keyboard or playing in TV's room, that she has been told time and again that she must stay out of. However this day saw me having to wake her up. I had put her to bed the night previously fully dressed as she was quite tired and didn't go to bed late. As I woke her and took her photo suprinsingly to her she resembled her mother after a heavy night out emerging to the world dazed and confused.....



After a spot of breakfast it was time to open the hastily wrapped presents tht had been wrapped around 30 minutes prior as me and mummy are rubbish at organising such simple tasks....


Of course ER especially liked her gift by her little sister TV....




We were undoubtly running late as we had arranged for ER's entourage to meet us at the farm at 11am, so as we got everyone dressed and ready we drove to Bedale to the farm. Upon our drive the entourage consisting of my nephew CJ, my sister (his mummy) and nana (my mum) yes more adults than children
going to a childs birthday party, informed us they had missed the exit and where now going down the motorway in the opposit direction. This would therefore find us arriving first. As we arrived at the farm we only had to wait 5 minutes for the entourage to be complete and then nana shocked us by showing the boot of her car full of presents....


Both ER and CJ were being cute as always together and showing how much they are getting use to one another and becoming good friends by holding hands as well as ER ensuring rabbit is clutched firmly within her grasp for extra comfort...



Of course any trip to the farm would mean everyone needed there wellies so the whole family had there wellies on, even ER's faithful friend rabbit put his wellies on for the occassion....



After getting the kids out of the car we made our way into the farm. Our tour was at 2:30pm so we had a good 2 hours to kill first, luckily the farm has a cafe and a giant soft play area for the kids. Needless to say the kids (except TV) loved this. ER was a bit of a wuss at first as she didn't want to go down the slide whereas CJ was an absolute maniac running around like a headless chicken, so much so he forgot he needed the toilet, whoops!

Inbetween all the madness of the soft play area we had some lunch, but most importantly was the unveiling of the cake that me and mummy made. In keeping with the farm theme we made a farm cake with sheep, pigs, cows and ducks with candles. We sang happy birthday to ER and let her blow out the candles of the cake, then ate the cake, which I am proud of but it had to happen, but at least it was delicious....






As you can see the cake was very tasty and enjoyed by all.
At 2:30 started the farm tour, this started eventfully as the farm goose was walking around freely, whe CJ approached the goose the goose decided to try bite him then his mums feet, I couldn't help but laugh as the goose started chasing CJ around the courtyard....




We then went on the tour where we got to meet and pet all sorts from the very little like mice, who were called choc and chip after the farmer tricked us into seeing them offering us cookies as they were hidden in the cookie jar....



To the very slow like this tortoise.....



To the very prickly like this cute hedgehog....

To the long eared like this rabbit....

 To the soft like the chinchilla.....

To the big and hairy like the pigs....

To the bearded hungry ones like this goat....

To the short like this pony.....

And to the cute like this baby lamb....

After the tour we went back to the soft play area for a bit more fun, this time me and mummy played down the slide which was great fun. Once we had decided it was time to go it was time to say goodbye to ERs entourage and loaded up our car with all her presents.

On our way home ER was asked which was her faveourite animal which she replied pigs, but she wouldn't elaborate why. As we got home we unloaded the car and ER immediately started opening everything and wanted to play with everything, which she managed unsuccessfully.

After bath time there was one more suprise left for ER, her big present. It was all set up for her in her room a wooden kitchen. Unfortunately as she got to bed she was a little too tired to realise what was there and so came to an end ERs 4th birthday.

Happy birthday ER x

Day 53; Fun, fun, fun

Sometimes this device can really be the Bain of my life.....

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Day 52: pancake day

Today as everyone is probably aware is pancake day, cue pictures of flipping pancakes and a plate of yummy pancakes. The big question I want people to answer though is what do you have on yours? For me it has to be golden syrup, yum yum....

Monday 20 February 2012

Day 51: Look whose in the wash basket....

This picture just shows how cute children can be. TV was placed in our wash basket and when she heard cheese gave off this cute little look....

Sunday 19 February 2012

Day 50: The birthday, the cake

Today is eldests birthday, we of course had lots of presents, lots of fun no tears and a long day. We visited a farm so me and mummy decided her cake should incorporate that theme. This weeks blog post will be up later about the farm visit.

So today's picture is the cake, after the teaser picture here I can now officially show you the finished article. I'm quite proud of it, now let's it eat it!!!!

Day 49: the continued adventures of Rabbit

I think this guy is trying to tell me something.....