Mrs Birks Blogs

As soon as the school holiday arrived, we jetted off for sunny Spain - just as the UK was experiencing a heat wave!  Nevermind, we had an air conditioned apartment and a pool at hand, so it made the heat very enjoyable rather than a little bit torturous if we'd still been a home. Unfortunately, we forgot to ask anyone to water our garden, but that is another story... Whilst on holiday, I love to read.  I love reading at anytime but with two children, there never seems enough hours in the day and I'm always too shattered by bed time to even contemplate opening a book.  I used to read loads of books on holiday, in fact my husband and I would always try and out-do each other with who could read the most books the quickest (I've always been the slower reader but I maintain that this is because I get so engrossed in the plot).  This year I managed to read three books, although one I had started months ago so perhaps doesn't count.  Anyway, I'm goin...

Further to my previous post about Scandi-Drama (read it here ) I have had a chance to catch up with The Killing 2 over the last couple of weeks (again box set borrowed from the in-laws - thank you very much).  I'm not going to say much about it here but how good was it to see Birgitte's dishy husband from Borgen in a rather more sinister role?  Fantastic!  However, moody crime drama with subtitles was as high culture as it got this summer and for me, it was all about kids films at the cinema which is what this post is about. I appreciate we had some great weather and that you wouldn't want to spend too much time at the flicks when it's blazing outside - which is why we haven't seen all the blockbusters - but sometimes you want something different to do and being able to take advantage of Cineworld's Movies for Juniors has meant that we've had a few trips out that haven't been completely extortionate.  Now if they can just subsidise the Magnum Classic...

It's been a while since I blogged and the reason for that is because I've been on my summer holidays.  I know I should rave on about the vocational joys of being a teacher and inspiring young minds and all that but one of the best things about being a teacher is the holidays.  This last holiday has been the best.  I have love, love, loved it and I'm going to tell you all about it! But not in this post. Someone told me recently that they don't read blog posts that are too long, so I'm going to break it up into several blogs on different themes - I'm thinking something crafty, something book related and something film based.  So watch this space for a proper update soon x

So the time of year is upon us when exams are just about over and the wait for results begins.  Alongside that, is the wait for the inevitable slating of exam results and comments about Media Studies being a Mickey Mouse subject.  We all know it's coming...and most of us know it's pretty unfair.  After years of studying and revision, then weeks of exams, A Level students won't be congratulated on their results but told that exams are getting easier and that subject content is being dumbed down.  You'd think as a nation we'd be pleased when our children do well... I know many of the people reading this blog will be students who have either studied Media at A Level or are currently at University studying a related subject (hello to you!).  These students know it is not easy to get an A grade in any A Level regardless of the subject.   Media Studies is no exception.  If it were easy, everyone would be...

I am now on Bloglovin!  I haven't quite worked out how to use it yet though...Watch this space! Any suggestions for blogs to follow are gratefully received x Follow my blog with Bloglovin

You might have guessed by now that I love to bake.  I enjoy all sorts of baking and often try to challenge myself with something new (I have been in training for the Bake Off for about a million years - I hope they pick me one day!).  Joining the WI recently has given me more reasons to bake and more people to eat my baked goods - there's only so much a family of four can get through, especially when one of the four is only 10 months old! I have to confess that I have never been very good as biscuits.  I am getting better but apologies to anyone who has had to eat one of my not-so-great attempts over the years.  I have discovered that the secret of a good biscuit is all in the rolling out.  Usually the thinner the better, depending on the type of biscuit you are making. Oh and getting them out of the oven before they get too brown - usually only a little colour is perfect, even if you think they might be undercooked.  Anyway, years ago, o...

Last week, thanks to the generous babysitting of Nanny, Mr Birks and I went to the cinema. The last time we went was to see Skyfall, which I loved and started writing a big blog post about straight away.  Unfortunately, I never quite finished it and now it seems a bit dated.  But nevermind, I will tell you about Star Trek instead! Now, I wasn't entirely sure what was on at the flicks when we arrived, it seemed to be mostly action films and in the end we decided on action of the sci-fi variety.  It seems unusual to me that two big action films (the other being Iron Man 3) have been released at around the same time but judging by the number of people watching Star Trek, the gap between the release dates has been significant enough. Those who know me, know how much I love to get a bargain. Which is probably why I find parting with nearly £10 to go and sit in a darkened room a bit of a rip off,especially as I'm not convinced you really get what you pay...