This week my Word of the Week is: Disrupted!! #WotW

This week my Word of the Week is:

Last week my Word of the Week was Sunshiny but this week has been the opposite! The sun has shined a little but it has been quite chilly too. It has really messed with me getting the washing out on the line to dry. When it looks like rain and I choose not to hang it out and it stays dry and then when I do put it out, it gets really grey and looks like it will rain.

Our week has been a good one but there have been a few disruptions. Not big ones in the grand scheme of things but enough to put a few spanners in the works. Plans have changed and we have just had to roll with it.

The event we were going to on Sunday was cancelled because of the rain. It was fine. We had already decided we were going out somewhere no matter the weather and we went out for lunch. It has been decided next time we will book so we don't have to rush as much. There will be a next time as the food was so good.

Ellie is working hard at college, she has just over a month left until her school year ends and she leaves college. It doesn't seem that long since she started. Eek! I was expecting her home early one day but changed her plans and decided to stay back and do some extra work. As things stand, she has already passed her course based on the coursework she’s done so far, which is amazing but she’s not stopping there. She’s pushing herself to do even better, which makes me so proud. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing for her at college. There have been challenges along the way but she’s just kept going. She really is a little trooper.

I was sat here minding my own business mid-week and the Sky TV box randomly went off. I pressed the remote to turn it back on and it wasn't working. I don't know how or why but I switched it off and back on at the plug and the Sky TV box came back on but the remote had somehow unlinked itself. I got it working thanks to the help of Google but I have no idea why it did what it did. Hmmf.

There have been disruptions on the roads here. For what seems like months, they've been working on a road nearby. I think putting new gas pipes in and during the week something went wrong as people passing said there was a strong smell of gas. Then came the notice online that the road would be closed for a week and diversions would be in place. It's the main road into town, so everyone is going to be disrupted. Becky had plans during the week and had to change them just to make sure she got into town on time with the bus going another route and I hope the college bus drivers have got the memo about the diversion in place.

Becky's plans were also disrupted yesterday. She was supposed to be going to her Grandad's but the buses weren't running as one had set on fire and they closed the road! Eek! Thankfully, everyone got off the bus and there were no injuries but it did sound scary. You can guarantee if something is going to happen on the roads, it always happens near the Humber Bridge which stops traffic and there is no way to get over the river unless you drive right around and it is quite a long way. The buses would rather just stop than take that trip.

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one! I am of course linking up with Anne who blogs at Raisie Bay to join in with her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 19. #FridayFavourites

Happy Friday! I hope you’ve had a good week. Last week seemed to be all about enjoying the spring weather and this past week has felt more like Autumn. A few bright and warm spells with more chilly time in between. Hmmf. I am not happy about it, I was getting used to the warm weather. As always, I’m linking up with Erika and Andrea to share the things that I have loved over the past week.

Cancelled plans!

On Sunday we had plans to go to a charity event but because of the bad weather it was rained off. We still decided to venture out and went to a pub for Sunday Lunch that we had heard good things about. They fitted us in even though they were busy and the food was amazing! We will be going back. If I had my way, it would be this coming Sunday but Stu has said no, we're not getting into a habit of going out every Sunday for lunch, which I suppose is a good thing but I could happily become one of those people who has a regular table somewhere. hehehe

A cosy day at home!

This sounds strange saying it, to have a cosy day at home but mid-week it was chilly so I got my blanket out, drank probably too many mugs of tea, wore comfy clothes and enjoyed being home. I caught up on writing some blog posts, did a bit of admin that I had been putting off and didn't really move much. It was nice to have a day like that.

This photo of my youngest!

It did make me laugh. I said to Ellie to give me a nice photo when we were waiting for lunch and I got this face. She was in a funny mood and there was no way I was getting a nice, smiley shot. I love photos like that though. They feel more real than the posed ones and it sums her up perfectly in that moment. You never quite know what you’re going to get with her.

The A Word!

I remember watching this on TV a good few years ago. The Hughes, like any other family, is a happy and close-knit one. However, everything changes when their youngest son Joe is diagnosed with autism. It came up on Netflix and thought I would rewatch. It's such a heart-warming show which portrays Autism really well and the challenges parents and the community face. Maurice, the grandfather played by Christopher Eccleston is priceless. He reminds me of my dad a lot, not always being politically correct, saying things he shouldn't and being a bit clumsy about how he handles some situations.

A Bank Holiday!

Bank Holidays don't usually mean much in my house as it's Stu's usual day off work anyway and they are usually during school holidays, so Ellie doesn't feel the benefit but this past one on Monday felt like a real Bank Holiday! After being out on Sunday it felt like we needed another day for us all to be home and we got it with Ellie having a bonus day off from college too. We have another at the end of the month but that is one which doesn't count as it's at the beginning of the half-term break from college.

Eating together!

We don't eat together as a family as much as we did. With a 23 and 18 year old who have their own lives, the meals where we are all together are few and far between, so when we get the chance I cherish it. We had a home cooked meal during the week, all sat together and ate! I always enjoy cooking more when I know everyone is going to be there, it feels worth the effort. I am dreading it when my girls leave home and it's just Stu and me! Eek!

What have you loved over the past week?

My 10 most controversial food opinions!

Food is one of those things everyone has very strong opinions about and people are not shy about sharing them. I have seen myself having full-on debates about what is right and wrong when it comes to food with my family. I can be sat there minding my own business, happily eating your tea and suddenly a whole drama is caused just by me saying I like pineapple on pizza. I thought I’d share some of my most controversial food opinions, the ones that tend to get a reaction and raise a few eyebrows. I stand by every single one and I’m not sorry.

1. Pineapple belongs on pizza!

Let’s just get this one out of the way because it always causes the biggest reaction. You’d think I’d confessed to dipping chips in custard with the way some folks react but the thing is pineapple on pizza just works. It goes so well with ham and mushrooms, obviously I wouldn't put it on all pizzas. I am not a savage. lol

2. Crisps belong in sandwiches.

If you’ve never put crisps in a sandwich, I don’t know what to tell you because you are missing out on a very simple joy in life. The crunch against the soft bread is something special and turns a basic sandwich into something exciting. It’s an experience we should all enjoy. Any flavour works too. My favourite is mixing prawn cocktail and roast chicken flavours.

3. Tinned fruit is underrated!

Tinned fruit does not get the appreciation it deserves. People act like it’s some kind of last resort but it's brilliant and requires no effort with peeling and chopping. Simply open a tin! Tinned peaches are my favourite. That syrup, if I could bottle it and drink it I would.

4. Ketchup belongs on more things than people admit!

People love to act like ketchup should only go on certain foods but I think it’s way more versatile than it gets credit for. Chips, obviously but also sandwiches, bits of a fry-up, random picky tea items, it just works.

5. Cold pizza is the best!

Fresh, hot pizza is great but cold pizza the next day is better. It's not just takeaway pizza either, the same goes for home-made. It’s like all the flavours somehow become even better overnight. There’s also something quite nice about standing in your pyjamas, fridge door open, just grabbing a slice and getting on with your day.

6. Jam first on scones is the right method!

This one is risky but jam should always go first on scones, before the cream. It just makes sense to spread the jam, then the cream sits on top like a little cloud. It looks better, tastes better and feels right.

7. Cereal tastes better late at night!

Breakfast cereal at breakfast time is OK. I am not a big breakfast eater, so I would never choose cereal but cereal at 10pm is different. There is no explanation for this, none at all. It’s like cereal becomes a whole different food after dark and I can enjoy it.

8. Salted caramel is overrated!

Salted caramel has been treated like something special for years now and I am so over it. It’s everywhere and yes, it tastes nice but people treat it like it’s the best thing ever invented and I just don’t get the hype. It’s too sweet and a bit much.

9. Pasta shapes taste different and fusilli is the best one!

Food scientists can argue with me all they like but pasta shapes do taste different. Fusilli is the champion because it holds onto sauce like its life depends on it. Every little spiral grabs flavour and refuses to let go.

10. Orange juice with pulp should be illegal!

I know some people love pulp and feel all fresh and natural drinking it but for me, no! I do not want to chew my drink. If I wanted bits, I’d eat an actual orange. Drinks should not have texture, it’s unsettling!

Do you agree or disagree with any of my opinions?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #54

I hope you are all having a good week. It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. What's something you may do this month?

I’ve already written my list of goals and plans for the month and I hope to get all of those things done but to add to that list, I may keep on top of the weeding in the garden. It sounds easy, just go outside and pull them up but when I do 5 more appear, it is a never-ending job. At the moment it is hard to know what are weeds or what are flowers as they are just starting to grow. My plant identifier app is getting a lot of use. hehehe

2. Hola! Hodgepodge Day lands just after Cinco de Mayo... how do you feel about Mexican food? What's your favorite dish? Do you make it at home or is it a strictly dine out option?

I’m not a big fan of Mexican food. It’s never really been a big part of my life and it’s not something I grew up eating so I rarely choose to eat it now. I do make fajitas at home now and again and they’re always a hit. Everyone can build their own, choose what they want, pile on the toppings and there’s very little complaining. It has been ages since we last had them. I think I need to add them to our meal plan soon. We don’t really go to Mexican restaurants. There aren’t many local to me and it’s just not something we think to do.

3. When the children of today grow up what do you think they'll say about this time period? What do you most hope they remember?

I think they’ll say that everything was online. Their lives are so documented compared to what mine was when I was a teenager. I think I have about 10 photos of myself between the ages of 14 and 20 years old. Now there are photos, videos, messages and posts all online. Kids today have grown up with group chats constantly pinging, TikTok trends and being able to track friends and family online. I imagine they’ll look back and laugh at some of the trends, cringe at some of the things they posted and wonder how they kept up with it all. I do hope they remember the normal days, the ones that didn’t get photographed or shared. Those normal moments: eating as a family, sitting in the kitchen chatting about nothing, laughing over something daft and those random moments where everyone’s in a good mood.

4. What advice would you give a new mother?

Try not to compare. It is easier said than done, especially when it feels like everyone else has got it all sorted with perfect routines, calm babies, tidy homes and matching outfits but that’s not real life. What works for one baby won’t work for another. What works for one mum won’t work for you and that is fine! Some days will feel like you are winning at life other days will feel like chaos. You don’t need to do things the same way as anyone else. Trust yourself and go with your gut feeling. You know more than you think you do!

5. What's a phrase your mother often said to you? If you're a mom do you say it to your own children?

"Because I said so" I used to roll my eyes every single time I heard it from my mum. It felt like the most unfair, lazy, annoying answer in the world but as a mother now I get it! I always said I’d never say it when I had kids of my own but I say it at least a few times a week. It usually happens when I've explained something in three different ways, answered all the questions and the girls are still pushing back, asking and asking!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

On Sunday we went out for lunch! It has been ages since we had a Sunday dinner out. We used to go eat out most Sundays as it worked out cheaper and easier than cooking but then our local pub closed down and we didn't bother travelling further afield until this past weekend. We hadn't booked, it was quite busy but they fitted us in and it was one of the best roast dinners that I have had in such a long time! I cleared my plate and I am still thinking about the meal now.

I had roast ham, Becky had roast chicken, Stu had beef stew and dumplings and Ellie had mushroom stroganoff. There were plates of veggies to share and the Yorkshire Puddings were perfect! For dessert, I had sticky toffee pudding, Becky and Stu had rhubarb crumble and custard and Ellie had chocolate fudge cake and cream! We will make sure to book next time. I've already said we will be going back!