Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Great sky down the seafront recently...
...and dewdrops on moss...
Had a great evening today, Christmas Eve eve. The Nutcracker ballet was on the telly and I got to watch! Steve sat ignoring it with his headphones on, listening to his music, bless him, for two whole hours!
Then I made some Christmas tree shaped fairy cakes, which I'm going to ice tomorrow....watch this space! The house smells LOVELY!
Well, Strictly Come Dancing's all over for another year. I should probably have written my blog sooner after the Final 'cos although less than a week has passed, it seems AGES away.
The Final was at Blackpool Tower Ballroom and was great fun. The pro dancers opened the show with a gladiator routine with the finalists arriving in chariots. Tess's dress was superb, sequinned with net from the thighs, she looked like a mermaid!
I really didn't have a favourite (once Holly got voted off), so was waiting with bated breath to be swept away.
For the first part, "the judges' choice", Harry & Aliona did their quickstep, Jason & Kristina did their Priscilla tango and Chelsee & Pasha did their Shrek jive - Pasha didn't have the full green makeup this time, just the ears, which looked well silly. All high scoring and all superb. The showdances were also excellent, Harry & Aliona doing a rock 'n' roll routine, Chelsee & Pasha doing a disco-type dance with loads of scary lifts but Jason & Kristina were the best by far - doing a more traditional Hollywood type routine with costume changes. Jason is such a great performer, so I voted, just the once, for Jason & Kristina.
Leaderboard
Jason and Kristina - 38 + 40 = 78
Harry and Aliona - 40 + 37 = 77
Chelsee and Pasha - 39 + 36 = 75
Lot of good that phone call did! A couple of hours later, in part two, he & Kristina were eliminated - the couple with the least votes!
So, down to just the two couples...next up was a new dance for each of them...
Harry & Aliona performed an american smooth, just beautiful, the transitions in & out of lifts was flawless. Chelsee & Pasha did a wonderful rumba, the judges scored them both 39 points.
Jessie J. was on next, singing that hit of hers..."b-bling, b-bling, kerching, kerching", wearing a really weird outfit with HUGE sci-fi shoulder pads. She'd brought her own dancers (I use the word loosely). They weren't a patch on the Strictly pros.
Then the couples' last dance, their own favourite. Harry & Aliona did their argentine tango - just brilliant. And Chelsee & Pasha did their quickstep with the airline theme.
Well, I just couldn't decide. First I voted once for Harry, because his american smooth was indeed so smooth. Then, because a VT about Chelsee had tugged at my heartstrings, I voted once for her. Then after the argentine tango, I voted once more for Harry. So fickle!
Leaderboard
Harry and Aliona - 40 + 37 + 39 + 40 = 156
Chelsee and Pasha - 39 + 36 + 39 + 39 = 153
And Harry & Aliona won. His McFly bandmates dashed on stage after the announcement - which annoyed me a bit. It was Harry's moment, he'd worked so hard for so many weeks, how disrespectful of them! Harry managed a few words but no chance for Aliona for have a say. Chelsee & Pasha never had time to speak either - I blame the McFlies.
So all done for another year (unless you count the Christmas special - which I don't).
The Final was at Blackpool Tower Ballroom and was great fun. The pro dancers opened the show with a gladiator routine with the finalists arriving in chariots. Tess's dress was superb, sequinned with net from the thighs, she looked like a mermaid!
I really didn't have a favourite (once Holly got voted off), so was waiting with bated breath to be swept away.
For the first part, "the judges' choice", Harry & Aliona did their quickstep, Jason & Kristina did their Priscilla tango and Chelsee & Pasha did their Shrek jive - Pasha didn't have the full green makeup this time, just the ears, which looked well silly. All high scoring and all superb. The showdances were also excellent, Harry & Aliona doing a rock 'n' roll routine, Chelsee & Pasha doing a disco-type dance with loads of scary lifts but Jason & Kristina were the best by far - doing a more traditional Hollywood type routine with costume changes. Jason is such a great performer, so I voted, just the once, for Jason & Kristina.
Leaderboard
Jason and Kristina - 38 + 40 = 78
Harry and Aliona - 40 + 37 = 77
Chelsee and Pasha - 39 + 36 = 75
Lot of good that phone call did! A couple of hours later, in part two, he & Kristina were eliminated - the couple with the least votes!
So, down to just the two couples...next up was a new dance for each of them...
Harry & Aliona performed an american smooth, just beautiful, the transitions in & out of lifts was flawless. Chelsee & Pasha did a wonderful rumba, the judges scored them both 39 points.
Jessie J. was on next, singing that hit of hers..."b-bling, b-bling, kerching, kerching", wearing a really weird outfit with HUGE sci-fi shoulder pads. She'd brought her own dancers (I use the word loosely). They weren't a patch on the Strictly pros.
Then the couples' last dance, their own favourite. Harry & Aliona did their argentine tango - just brilliant. And Chelsee & Pasha did their quickstep with the airline theme.
Well, I just couldn't decide. First I voted once for Harry, because his american smooth was indeed so smooth. Then, because a VT about Chelsee had tugged at my heartstrings, I voted once for her. Then after the argentine tango, I voted once more for Harry. So fickle!
Leaderboard
Harry and Aliona - 40 + 37 + 39 + 40 = 156
Chelsee and Pasha - 39 + 36 + 39 + 39 = 153
And Harry & Aliona won. His McFly bandmates dashed on stage after the announcement - which annoyed me a bit. It was Harry's moment, he'd worked so hard for so many weeks, how disrespectful of them! Harry managed a few words but no chance for Aliona for have a say. Chelsee & Pasha never had time to speak either - I blame the McFlies.
So all done for another year (unless you count the Christmas special - which I don't).
Monday, December 12, 2011
Wow, Strictly Semi-Finals were a-ma-zing! Two dances each this week and a double elimination. Tess was wearing a particularly weird dress, the bottom third of which was black net. Strange.
Harry & Aliona opened the show with a charleston to "Wild About Harry" (had to be really). They were in sailor outfits, looking cute. Great swivel steps, cartwheels, full of energy & content but he looked quite serious, no Jason-type gurning for Harry. (score 39)
Alex & James did a waltz to an Aretha Franklyn number “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”. It was lovely, very romantic & very graceful. Only got a 7 from judge Craig (meanie). (score 34)
Chelsee & Pasha were next with an american smooth to "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. It was just beautiful, she has such lovely arm movements. However, one of the lifts looked a bit awkward and her feet got stuck doing a drag split. (I'm being picky!) Only an 8 from Craig but a 10 from Alesha. (score 36)
Holly & Artem did an argentine tango to a proper Latin number. It was excellent, very intense with lovely precise movements. I loved the use of the stool at the beginning (surprisingly). Great judges comments but only 9s, no 10s. (score 36)
Jason & Kristina did a samba to "Blame it on the Boogie". (Am I the only one getting fed up with those greying vests he wears in training?) It was good but didn't grab me. Lots of content and full of energy but a bit messy (and he was gurning again!). (score 34)
Harry & Aliona's second dance was a viennese waltz to a David Gray number that I LOVE - "This Year's Love". It was a superb performance, he has such great sway and a lovely frame. Great comments from the judges. (score 39)
Alex & James did a salsa to a Gloria Estefan song. It was full of energy, she really attacked it - a bit too much probably, her legs and footwork weren't quite there. (score 31)
Chelsee & Pasha did a paso doble (pasha doble) to a suitably Latin number. It was just superb with lots of flamenco arms & stamping. She was clutching a fan all the way through - not sure it added much. (score 40)
Holly & Artem did a charleston to “We No Speak Americano”. It was great fun, quite modern choreography with a bit of swing & a bit of street. It really suited her (shame the outfit didn't!). (score 34)
Jason & Kristina did an argentine tango - wow! Kristina went for it BIG TIME! Very passionate, great attack (literally). Poor ole Jason looked quite drained & pale when it was finished! He didn't really do much, a few steps & poses while Kristina thrust herself about! (score 40) (really?)
Leaderboard
Harry and Aliona - 39 + 39 = 78
Chelsee and Pasha - 36 + 40 = 76
Jason and Kristina - 34 + 40 = 74
Holly and Artem - 36 + 34 = 70
Alex and James - 34 + 31 = 65
Sunday's results show kicked off with the pro dancers doing a routine to the Stones "Paint It Black" or in this case Paint It Pink!
It also featured a couple of Exhibition dance champions doing a routine more Cirque du Soleil than dance. Stunning though.
And, one of my favourites, Gareth Malone and his Military Wives choir with their "Wherever You Are” hit. Plus Vincent & Flavia doing a lovely routine. Trouble was, the audience kept whooping & clapping every time Vince & Flav did anything remotely clever. It RUINED the choir's singing. Just awful.
The couples through to the final were Chelsee & Pasha, Harry & Aliona, Jason & Kristina with Alex & James and Holly & Artem going home. Holly was robbed! Her argentine tango was much better than Jason's and her charleston was better than his dad-dancing samba. Bitter? Me?
Next week's final is at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Not sure who I want to win now Holly's gone. Have to see who wows me on the night.
Harry & Aliona opened the show with a charleston to "Wild About Harry" (had to be really). They were in sailor outfits, looking cute. Great swivel steps, cartwheels, full of energy & content but he looked quite serious, no Jason-type gurning for Harry. (score 39)
Alex & James did a waltz to an Aretha Franklyn number “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”. It was lovely, very romantic & very graceful. Only got a 7 from judge Craig (meanie). (score 34)
Chelsee & Pasha were next with an american smooth to "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. It was just beautiful, she has such lovely arm movements. However, one of the lifts looked a bit awkward and her feet got stuck doing a drag split. (I'm being picky!) Only an 8 from Craig but a 10 from Alesha. (score 36)
Holly & Artem did an argentine tango to a proper Latin number. It was excellent, very intense with lovely precise movements. I loved the use of the stool at the beginning (surprisingly). Great judges comments but only 9s, no 10s. (score 36)
Jason & Kristina did a samba to "Blame it on the Boogie". (Am I the only one getting fed up with those greying vests he wears in training?) It was good but didn't grab me. Lots of content and full of energy but a bit messy (and he was gurning again!). (score 34)
Harry & Aliona's second dance was a viennese waltz to a David Gray number that I LOVE - "This Year's Love". It was a superb performance, he has such great sway and a lovely frame. Great comments from the judges. (score 39)
Alex & James did a salsa to a Gloria Estefan song. It was full of energy, she really attacked it - a bit too much probably, her legs and footwork weren't quite there. (score 31)
Chelsee & Pasha did a paso doble (pasha doble) to a suitably Latin number. It was just superb with lots of flamenco arms & stamping. She was clutching a fan all the way through - not sure it added much. (score 40)
Holly & Artem did a charleston to “We No Speak Americano”. It was great fun, quite modern choreography with a bit of swing & a bit of street. It really suited her (shame the outfit didn't!). (score 34)
Jason & Kristina did an argentine tango - wow! Kristina went for it BIG TIME! Very passionate, great attack (literally). Poor ole Jason looked quite drained & pale when it was finished! He didn't really do much, a few steps & poses while Kristina thrust herself about! (score 40) (really?)
Leaderboard
Harry and Aliona - 39 + 39 = 78
Chelsee and Pasha - 36 + 40 = 76
Jason and Kristina - 34 + 40 = 74
Holly and Artem - 36 + 34 = 70
Alex and James - 34 + 31 = 65
Sunday's results show kicked off with the pro dancers doing a routine to the Stones "Paint It Black" or in this case Paint It Pink!
It also featured a couple of Exhibition dance champions doing a routine more Cirque du Soleil than dance. Stunning though.
And, one of my favourites, Gareth Malone and his Military Wives choir with their "Wherever You Are” hit. Plus Vincent & Flavia doing a lovely routine. Trouble was, the audience kept whooping & clapping every time Vince & Flav did anything remotely clever. It RUINED the choir's singing. Just awful.
The couples through to the final were Chelsee & Pasha, Harry & Aliona, Jason & Kristina with Alex & James and Holly & Artem going home. Holly was robbed! Her argentine tango was much better than Jason's and her charleston was better than his dad-dancing samba. Bitter? Me?
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| Holly & Artem's argentine tango |
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| Holly & Artem, Alex & James go home... |
Next week's final is at the Tower Ballroom, Blackpool. Not sure who I want to win now Holly's gone. Have to see who wows me on the night.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Had (probably) the last trip of the year to RHS Hyde Hall at the weekend. They were holding a craft fair and a Women's Institute exhibition - Christmas trees decorated with recycled stuff.
Lots of lovely autumn colours....
Lots of flowers still blooming...
Plants all wrapped up for winter...
And buds on the rhododendrons! They don't normally bloom until May and here it is December! They're going to get a shock when we get a cold snap...
Strictly Quarter Finals week - a special Movie-themed week. I can't believe there's only two programmes left!
Tess was wearing a black trouser suit and looked very glamorous. The pro dancers opened the show with a great Saturday Night At The Movies routine.
Robbie & Ola did a quick step to music from Reservoir Dogs, dressed in matching skinny black suits. Excellent footwork, they were motoring around the dancefloor, I loved it. Mixed comments from the judges. (score 30)
Harry & Aliona did a rumba to Everything I Do by Bryan Adams from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves movie. Brilliant! Best male celebrity rumba ever! Very natural and he was leading her properly. (score 36)
Alex & James did an american smooth to Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman from the film of the same name. It was gorgeous, very elegant with some great lifts. But poor Alex caught her heel in her hem AGAIN! Made no difference though, she did really well. (score 34)
Holly & Artem did a paso doble to music from Zorro - proper paso music! It was superb, lots of flamenco and skirt swirling. Holly's arms & hands were just excellent and Artem did some great knee spins. She really kicked it up a notch, first time I've leapt up from the sofa and punched the air! lol I was worried that there wasn't much in hold but the judges loved it too. (score 38)
Jason & Kristina also did an American smooth to Singing In The Rain. It was very good, full of charm with some excellent lifts. (score 37)
Chelsee & Pasha did a jive to The Monkees I'm a Believer from the Shrek movie. Pasha looked quite gruesome, covered in green makeup with sticky out ears. Chelsee, however, looked a proper princess. Very clean, sharp kicks 'n' flicks, she was singing along, thoroughly enjoying herself. It was great. (score 39)
Leaderboard
Chelsee and Pasha – 39
Holly and Artem – 38
Jason and Kristina – 37
Harry and Aliona – 36
Alex and James – 34
Robbie and Ola – 30
Bottom two this week were Robbie & Ola (expected) and Jason & Kristina (bit of a shock). Robbie & Ola were the ones to go.
Semi-finals next week, two dances each AND two couples to be eliminated! Can't wait!
Tess was wearing a black trouser suit and looked very glamorous. The pro dancers opened the show with a great Saturday Night At The Movies routine.
Robbie & Ola did a quick step to music from Reservoir Dogs, dressed in matching skinny black suits. Excellent footwork, they were motoring around the dancefloor, I loved it. Mixed comments from the judges. (score 30)
Harry & Aliona did a rumba to Everything I Do by Bryan Adams from the Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves movie. Brilliant! Best male celebrity rumba ever! Very natural and he was leading her properly. (score 36)
Alex & James did an american smooth to Roy Orbison's Pretty Woman from the film of the same name. It was gorgeous, very elegant with some great lifts. But poor Alex caught her heel in her hem AGAIN! Made no difference though, she did really well. (score 34)
Holly & Artem did a paso doble to music from Zorro - proper paso music! It was superb, lots of flamenco and skirt swirling. Holly's arms & hands were just excellent and Artem did some great knee spins. She really kicked it up a notch, first time I've leapt up from the sofa and punched the air! lol I was worried that there wasn't much in hold but the judges loved it too. (score 38)
Jason & Kristina also did an American smooth to Singing In The Rain. It was very good, full of charm with some excellent lifts. (score 37)
Chelsee & Pasha did a jive to The Monkees I'm a Believer from the Shrek movie. Pasha looked quite gruesome, covered in green makeup with sticky out ears. Chelsee, however, looked a proper princess. Very clean, sharp kicks 'n' flicks, she was singing along, thoroughly enjoying herself. It was great. (score 39)
Leaderboard
Chelsee and Pasha – 39
Holly and Artem – 38
Jason and Kristina – 37
Harry and Aliona – 36
Alex and James – 34
Robbie and Ola – 30
Bottom two this week were Robbie & Ola (expected) and Jason & Kristina (bit of a shock). Robbie & Ola were the ones to go.
Semi-finals next week, two dances each AND two couples to be eliminated! Can't wait!
Friday, December 2, 2011
New boots! I searched for some last year to no avail...this year, found these in the first shop I went in! Evans. Burgundy leather, nice lacing detail but with a side zip, so no faffing around. £120 reduced to £50!
(drumroll)
A replacement for these old favourites...
I remember the day I bought them, at the junction of Kingsway & High Holborn. I think it was a Kays shoe shop or a Clarks. Anyhoo, I'd gone looking for a pair of sensible winter-wear black lace-ups for work and came out with these little beauties! Tan suede moccasin boots with fringes. I'm salivating at the thought. Awwww, how can I throw them away? They've been old faithful friends for years& years and are SO comfy but looking rather tatty now. Sadly.
...a Missoni-like headband, £2 from Matalan! Bargain!
(drumroll)
♫♫♫ tra-la! ♫♫♫
A replacement for these old favourites...
I remember the day I bought them, at the junction of Kingsway & High Holborn. I think it was a Kays shoe shop or a Clarks. Anyhoo, I'd gone looking for a pair of sensible winter-wear black lace-ups for work and came out with these little beauties! Tan suede moccasin boots with fringes. I'm salivating at the thought. Awwww, how can I throw them away? They've been old faithful friends for years& years and are SO comfy but looking rather tatty now. Sadly.
And look what else I bought today...
...a Missoni-like headband, £2 from Matalan! Bargain!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Hooray! The bathroom is finally finished. The builders reckoned they'd cleaned up after themselves. Now, I'm no Mrs Mop but their idea of clean and mine are quite different! Smeary grout all over the tiles, dust and polyfilla on the floor, and the airing cupboard....! Full of brick dust and lumps of plaster! Would your wife want to put her clean towels on those shelves? I don't think so.
Anyhoo, spent the next two days cleaning like a mad thing. Bathroom, landing, stairs, hall. Looks good though!
Chelsee and Pasha – 35 + 6 = 41
Jason and Kristina – 36 + 4 = 40
Holly and Artem – 34 + 3 = 37
Alex and James – 29 + 5 = 34
Anita and Brendan – 30 + 2 = 32
Robbie and Ola – 25 + 1 = 26
Bottom two were Anita & Brendan and Holly & Artem (second time for both of them). I feel guilty! We were out Saturday evening, had a family meal round the local pub, so I recorded the programme and wasn't home to vote for my favourites.
Anita & Brendan were the couple to leave this week. Aww, I'll miss Anita, she's been one of my favourites from the start. She's such a pro and seems a lovely person.
Anyhoo, spent the next two days cleaning like a mad thing. Bathroom, landing, stairs, hall. Looks good though!
Strictly update!
Back to the studio after last week's Wembley special (phew!). Tess was wearing a navy skirt and a cerise pink bandage top - a bit Fifth Element - with loooong dangly earrings.
Anita & Brendan (rent-a-pro stepping in for Robin, who had an injury) did a cha-cha to Uptown Girl. I enjoyed it, lots of content, loved her dress, very swishy. Her technique's not as precise as it could be, but she sells the routine every time, one can't help but enjoy it as much as she obviously does. (score 30)
Holly & Artem did a very funky foxtrot, to a Jessie J number, and very sexy it was too. I wasn't sure about the music when it started (being a bit of a traditionalist) but it suited Holly much better than a frothy romantic foxtrot. (score 34)
Alex & James did a charleston, very cheeky & goofy, I liked the swimming action bit. Judge Craig didn't like it at all, called it "med-i-ocre" and said she'd taken a step backwards. Who rattled his cage! (score 29)
Robbie & Ola did a samba to Hot Chocolate's You Sexy Thing with a trouser strip/rip at the end just like the Full Monty. I thought he had a good bounce action but too much gyration. (score 25)
Chelsee & Pasha did an Argentine Tango to a Gotan Project number (love Gotan Project!). Wow, really good! Superbly intricate footwork. The judges thought it lacked passion, Judge Bruno thought she could have been "badder". In the pre-dance VT, Chelsee complained that it was difficult to summon passion whilst tangoing with Pasha....hmm....the lady doth protest too much methinks. (score 35)
Jason & Kristina also did a charleston, full of energy, great fun, lots of good facial expressions on Jason's part (I was going to say "gurning" but seems a little cruel!). He went wrong in the side-by-side kicks again - a la Jive!! No more side-by-sides Kristina! (score 36)
Harry & Aliona did a quickstep - so quick, almost manic! But great frame held throughout and wonderful sway. AND no mucking about with props and what not. Superb! They got 3 10s! (score 39)
Then they had something called a Swingathon (car keys in the bowl, lads). All the couples were on the floor at the same time, lindyhopping, and were eliminated one by one. First to go scored one point (Robbie & Ola), last couple standing scored (Harry & Aliona) seven points.
Leaderboard (out of 47)
Harry and Aliona – 39 + 7 = 46Chelsee and Pasha – 35 + 6 = 41
Jason and Kristina – 36 + 4 = 40
Holly and Artem – 34 + 3 = 37
Alex and James – 29 + 5 = 34
Anita and Brendan – 30 + 2 = 32
Robbie and Ola – 25 + 1 = 26
Bottom two were Anita & Brendan and Holly & Artem (second time for both of them). I feel guilty! We were out Saturday evening, had a family meal round the local pub, so I recorded the programme and wasn't home to vote for my favourites.
Anita & Brendan were the couple to leave this week. Aww, I'll miss Anita, she's been one of my favourites from the start. She's such a pro and seems a lovely person.
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| Uptown Girl Anita - photo from BBC's Strictly webpage |
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| Anita on her way out - photo from BBC's Strictly webpage |
Check out Pasha's dreamy gaze...now do you think that's aimed at Anita or Chelsee?
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