Friday, 31 December 2021

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

Twixmas

Twixmas comes from the old fashioned word 'betwixt', meaning between. It describes the days between Christmas and new year. We had the best Christmas, it was different from other years but we embraced the different and it worked.

We have had the nicest of weeks. Becky's girlfriend came to stay for a couple of days on Sunday and it was nice to spend some time with her. She was quite happy to fit into our plans of doing nothing. We watched plenty of TV, played games, stayed in our pj's and ate loads.

We have eaten so much. We made the most of the leftovers from our Christmas dinner and had it a couple of days as roast dinners, sandwiches filled with turkey and pigs in blankets and I am so glad I made a big trifle. hehehe The kids have got into eating cheese and crackers and I think they are now part cheese with the amount they have eaten. The fun food isn't over though, we still have party food to eat tonight.

On Monday both Becky and her girlfriend had phone calls from their managers asking if they would go into work on Tuesday night. They both work in different care homes and both agreed to the extra hours. It was only after Becky agreed to the extra shift she realised she had her booster jab on Wednesday morning. She was going to be tired. There was no point in her going to sleep when she got in from work as she would only have an hour or so at the most. She powered through and I went with her to get her booster. As we were walking through the town, back to the bus I noticed that the walk in booster place didn't have a queue so filled in my form and went and had my booster too. We got off lightly with side effects just feeling hot and cold on the evening we had the jab, we both slept for almost 12 hours and woke up aching from head to foot. We are just about feeling back to normal now apart from our aching arms.

The Christmas decorations are down and it feels so bare in here now. We seem to prepare for Christmas for so long and then it's gone in a blink of an eye. In a few days Stu will be back at work and the kids back to school and college. I would like Christmas to last a bit longer. 

We don't have much planned for tonight apart from eating, drinking and watching TV. Becky is at work so won't be seeing the new year in with us which will be strange but she is fine about working.

I hope you have all had a good week. Wishing you all the best for 2022.

Word of the week linky

Thursday, 30 December 2021

(Ad - Gifted) 12 months of trying things, my favourite 12!

I feel very lucky that I am sent things to try out and review here on my blog. Some things are totally new to me and other things are things that I have seen but either didn't have the money to spend on these things or hadn't even thought about buying.

Over the past year I have tried out some fantastic products, some of which I have continued to go on and buy and some which I don't want to be dramatic about but they've changed my life.

Here are some of my favourite products which I have tried out and written about here on my blog.


Home baked bread

This box was a life changer. I am not going to lie and say I bake bread every day but I do at least a few times a month now because I know how easy it is. This baking box encouraged me to get in the kitchen and bake bread.


Beautiful Affirmation Cards from Natalie Trice

I gave these cards to Ellie when I had taken some photos, well Ellie claimed them and she still has them in her bedroom and she does look at them. She will randomly come downstairs and say something that she she has read on the cards. They are full of positivity and are so pretty too.


Love Corn

LOVE CORN the crunchy savoury snack made from roasted corn kernels has become a firm favourite in our house. The kids snack on them, take them to school and college and even Stu who usually hates things like this has been loving them. We get them to snack on, on a Saturday night now and again along with a couple of drinks.


Working out at home using the The Leg Master!

I started using this and I did great on it but then it got to the point where I felt it wasn't doing much but at the same time it gave the boost, motivation and confidence to get off my backside and exercise more. I am not exercising daily, well I was until Christmas hit, I'm on a break at the moment but will get back to it in January.


A Personalised Confetti Balloon from Bubblegum Balloons!

I reviewed this knowing it was my dad's partners birthday and got it her as a gift and she loved it. It made a great alternative to flowers and lasted way longer too! When reviewing it said it would last at least 5 days if stored correctly and this excelled it's self. It lasted almost a month! Sarah went on to buy one for her sisters birthday and she loved it too.


A self-guided treasure hunt for all ages from Treasure Trails!

We did the Treasure Trail in Scunthorpe and we had a great time discovering the town that we now live in. It was a great way to get my girls away from their electronics and out of the house. Becky and her girlfriend have since used it and they went on the Treasure Trail too with the girlfriend guessing the answers to the clues.


The Tony Hawk SS 540 Wasteland Complete Skateboard!

Ellie is now a skater girl thanks to the skateboard we tried out. She has gone from moving slowly on it to happily using it to go to shop and of course the skate park. I don't want to know what tricks she is doing at the skate park but all of her bones are still intact so I will take that as a win! She loved the skate board and uses it a few times a week, more than her scooter now.


The Four Arm Complete Feeding Station from Henry Bell!

The bird feeder is here to stay in our garden and at the moment with the weather not being great the birds are loving it and I am too. It is nice to look out to see what the birds are getting up to and all the different ones which appear in my garden. It has been up since mid July and has stood the test of all the storms, the only thing that brought it down was Stu leaning a fence panel on it. lol


Children’s snacks and treats from Fruit Bowl!

We love the snacks from Fruit Bowl and it is always a pleasure to feature them on my blog. My family love them and it is a good way to get fruit into them. They are brilliant for packed lunches and snacks.


Reusable sanitary pads from Trade To Aid!

These are another life changing product. I just wish I had more to use for the whole of my period. Having to spend on Christmas is so inconvenient. hehehe They are on my to buy list in January. They are so much more comfortable than plastic sanitary products and I feel like I am doing my bit to save our planet.


Fish

We had a great day out seeing all the fish at The Deep in Hull. As we paid once we can go back sometime over the next year, well 6 months or so as a few months has already passed. Due to us talking about it some friends visited too and said they had a fab time too.


An Acrylic Photo Block from ASDA Photo!

I have reviewed a few things from Asda Photo in the past but I think this is my favourite as I gave it to my dad for Christmas and he loved it so much. It really is something different and such a lovely gift.

I was sent most of these products free of charge in exchange for blog posts. This is just a recap of my favourite things that I have reviewed.

Wednesday, 29 December 2021

Our Christmas 2021.

I wrote a blog post about how Christmas is different with teenagers and it really is. Our Christmas was a good one but it was something new. Becky works in a care home and worked a night shift on Christmas eve so she missed out on most of Christmas Eve and Christmas day but we still managed to make it special and made plenty of memories. 

Turkey crown

On Christmas Eve I prepped most of the veg, cooked the meat and whatever else I could. I would rather get as much as I could done on xmas eve so I didn't have to spend all day in the kitchen. I've done that before and didn't like it. I usually hate spending most of the day in the kitchen but on Christmas eve I love it. I had music playing, I was picking on bits out of the fridge and I felt so productive. At about 2pm I thought I had finished preparing what I could and thought I was doing too well, I was right. I had forgotten about the pigs in blankets and stuffing. lol Stu was pottering about and I sent Ellie to my dad's to drop a present off that I forgot about. I finally got finished at about 4pm and then went for a soak in the bath just as Becky was getting out of bed. We ordered our takeaway and it was enjoyed despite them messing my part of the order up. Hmmf. They were quick to send a replacement though. Presents were put out and we were in bed quite early considering it was Christmas eve.



For the last few years the kids have had a little lie in on Christmas morning but not this year. We got up just before 8am so we could be ready to open presents when Becky got in from work. She wasn't actually that tired, I think the excitement was keeping her going. The girls were so happy with all of their presents. They knew a lot of what they were getting for Christmas but there was a few surprises thrown in too. 

Youngest opening presents
Opening presents
Eldest opening presents

I was spoilt with presents too and got more than I could ever have imagined. Perfume, pj's, the normal bath stuff along with a fit watch, wireless headphones, wine and loads of Harry Potter stuff. Usually it's the girls who get electronics that need setting up but this was my year. hehehe The fit watch thingy is a Samsung one which goes with my phone and I had it set up within 10 minutes. I am fascinated with it. I am obsessed with how many steps that I have done. 

Thanks to all my prepping on Christmas eve I didn't have to do much in the kitchen on Christmas day but it didn't stop me opening the bucks fizz and having a couple of glasses while I was doing the roast parsnips and some of the veg.

Bucks fizz

I missed Becky during the day, while she was sleeping. It was strange her not being part of a big chunk of Christmas day but I suppose it's a sign of things to come when she eventually leaves home. It got to about half past three and I was counting down the minutes until I could wake her up at half past four. 

We ate at about five and we were all so ready for it. I have been looking forward to Christmas dinner all year. It was perfect. I remembered everything and we all left the table with full bellies.

Christmas dinner

For the rest of Christmas day we just relaxed and watched TV. The soaps were brilliant especially Corrie. It was nice to have something that wasn't full of drama and death. 

Boxing day was a lazy day. We slept until after 10am and spent the day not doing much at all. We had a tidy up and then Becky's girlfriend arrived to stay for a couple of days. They hadn't seen each other much over the last month with them both having a cold and they have both been working different shifts. We ate more, watched more tv and got around to playing some board games.

It was a lovely Christmas. I want to do it all again. I hope you all had a great Christmas too?

Tuesday, 28 December 2021

The perfect leftover Christmas sandwich!

I love Christmas dinner. It is probably my favourite meal of the year but what comes a close 2nd and 3rd is the Christmas dinner leftovers plated up and reheated as a second dinner and the Christmas sandwiches that we always have. We're a few days after Christmas now and we're at the point where we're eating the last of the leftovers and we're full of Christmas food but we can't stop eating.

Slices of white bread

When I came up with writing this blog post about the perfect leftover Christmas sandwich all I could think about was Ross' Sandwich, from that Friends episode The One with Ross's Sandwich. “You-you-you... You threw my sandwich away... My sandwich? My sandwich?!!” lol

Technically Ross's sandwich wasn't a Christmas sandwich, it was a Thanksgiving sandwich but it still had turkey, stuffing, gravy and most famously a slice of gravy soaked bread in the middle, also knows as the the Moist Maker. lol


My perfect leftover Christmas sandwich is pretty similar to Ross's.

Usually we have medium sliced bread but for a Christmas sandwich thick slices have to be used. There has to be turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce included, those are just the basics. When we have made our Christmas sandwiches in the past the kids have added pigs in blankets, cheese and sometimes even bacon.

The inners of the sandwich has to be soaked in gravy and I have found it tastes so good if the stuffing and turkey are heated.

When Stu makes his Christmas sandwiches he will add an extra slice of bread in the middle like Ross's moist maker. He will have turkey in one half and then pork and apple sauce in the other side. It's so much to eat but he always manages to eat it. I suppose if you can't stuff yourself at Christmas when can you? lol

Do you have a Christmas leftover sandwich?

Monday, 27 December 2021

Our weekly meal plan! 27th Dec - 2nd Jan. #MealPlanningMonday

Our weekly meal plan

I have cheated and written this blog post at the middle of last week again as I already know what we will be eating, lots of yummy food. The healthy eating can begin again in January. 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I am sure we did but like I said I am writing this in advance.

We have quite a busy week this week, compared to other years and it being the week after Christmas. Becky's girlfriend is here for a few days and on Wednesday we are off to town for Becky to have her booster jab. Eek. Then we have New Years Eve which will be strange as Becky will be on a night shift at work. It will be the first time ever that I haven't seen the new year in with her. I suppose it's a sign of things to come. I am not liking it. Hmmf.

On the menu this week we have:

MondayLeftovers and picking out of the fridge.
TuesdayLeftovers and picking out of the fridge
Wednesday - Fish, chips and mushy peas. 
Thursday - A fry up. Sausages, bacon, eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, black pudding, baked beans and toast.
Friday - Party food!
Saturday - A roast of some sort with all of the trimmings.
Sunday - Chinese takeaway.

What will you be eating this week?

Sunday, 26 December 2021

The good vibe tribe. #MySundaySnapshot

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I am sure we did but I am writing this blog post on Christmas eve so I can take some time of writing blog posts. 

Every Christmas we get matching pj's and this years were probably the best. They're not massively Christmassy but they are pretty, they fit us all so well and they are so comfy.

Us in our matching pjs

My Sunday Snapshot linky

Saturday, 25 December 2021

Week 51 of #Project365. 18th - 24th December. A photo every day for a year!

 I hadn't planned to post this blog post today. I had planned to share our photos from this week and next in a big blog post on New years eve but it turns out I got everything that needed doing yesterday done and had time to write it up while I was watching the soaps. I do love them at this time of year. 

I have had a strange week. I've been stressing over the smallest of things, my dad had a bit of a health scare, he's fine, he just has an ear infection and wasn't having another stroke like he thought. That happened Tuesday and has really set me on edge. I was worrying about the shopping not being delivered, us catching Covid and stupid little things. I am fine now. We have everything we need for today and more.

I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas whatever you are doing.

Now for a photo every day!

Glee and marzipan chocolate
Christmas tree and picky food
Christmas cake
My dads birthday presents and the kids in matching pjs

352/365 - 18th December
I am still rewatching Glee. I might be finished by new year now that I've watched all of the Christmas films. lol

353/365 - 19th December
This is my new favourite chocolate. I have seen it plenty but never thought of buying it. I will be from now on.

354/365 - 20th December
Our Christmas tree. I forgot to take a photo until just before I went to bed and it was the prettiest thing I could think of photographing. 

355/365 - 21st December
Picky lunches. I do love this time of year we eat lots of random things on one plate.

356/365 - 22nd December
The Christmas cakes that I baked were finally finished. My dad is very impressed with his.

357/365 - 23rd December
It was my dad's birthday and he came for his tea and of course presents and cake.

358/365 - 24th December
Matching pj's. We all have the same one's.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Friday, 24 December 2021

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

Christmas

It has to be! This week has all been about Christmas although it has gone in a bit of a blur where every day has felt like a Saturday and I am betting tomorrow day doesn't feel like a Saturday at all.

Becky came home from work with such a smile on her face on Saturday morning. She had been given a £50 Love to Shop gift voucher as a Christmas bonus. She really wasn't expecting anything as she's only worked there a few months but everyone who works over Christmas gets one. She has a night shift tonight, when she finishes work she gets to open her Christmas presents and then when she wakes up Saturday she will be having Christmas dinner for her breakfast. lol

We have watched all of our favourite Christmas films over the past week and have been listening to lots of Christmas music. We had the big Christmas deep clean, I iced the Christmas cakes, we baked mince pies and have had lots of family time. 

It hasn't all been plain sailing. My dad was in town on Tuesday and had a bit of a funny turn, feeling dizzy. My dad isn't one to rush to the doctors or hospital but he did on Tuesday afternoon as he thought he was having another stroke. He got checked over, had his blood pressure taken which was sky high, had a ton of tests and a brain scan and it turns out he had a bad ear infection and was sent home with penicillin. They put his high blood pressure down to him panicking as after his brain scan and before he left the hospital it had gone back to normal. He is fine now and got a telling off for not letting anyone know what was going on until he was back home. 

The food deliveries went quite well. There was of course substitutions but the supermarkets did a good job and sent better than what I ordered for most things. We have everything we need to make Christmas amazing, well apart from the Christmas crackers, I forgot them but I don't think they will be missed.

My dad came for tea yesterday, I did a party tea as it was his birthday. It was nice to spend time with him after the scare he gave us. He really is fine, fit and well. He gave me a telling of for buying him a couple of small presents. He always tells me not to waste my money on him but he's my dad, I want to give him presents.

Today I shall be preparing Christmas dinner, I like to peel and chop all the veg the day before and cook the meat too. We're having a takeaway tonight and I am going to crack my bottle of Baileys open.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Word of the week linky

Thursday, 23 December 2021

What I am looking forward to watching on TV over Christmas.

I love Christmas TV. There is always drama in the soaps, Top of the Pops on Christmas day, random music countdown shows on channel 5 and lots of special episodes of my favourite shows.

Christmas living room

This is what I am looking forward to watching over Christmas.

The Greatest Snowman - Channel 4 - Christmas Eve - 8pm
The Greatest Snowman is a Bake Off style challenge show for celebrities to show off their snowman-building skills and then be judged by experts. Hosted by comedian Sue Perkins, the Channel 4 one-off special heads to an Alpine resort in search of snow so the building can commence! 

Superworm - BBC One - Christmas Day - 2.30pm
Superworm is a new half-hour animated film based on the book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. "Superworm is super-long. Superworm is super-strong. Watch him wiggle! See him squirm! Hip, hip, hooray for SUPERWORM!"

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special - BBC One -Christmas Day - 5.10pm
Christmas means a Strictly Special and six new celebrities joining forces with a pro partner, and entertaining us all on Christmas Day. Celebrity contestants confirmed for the festive dance-off are:

First Dates‘ Fred Sirieix with Dianne Buswell
Jay Blades from The Repair Shop with Luba Mushtuk.
Former Bake Off presenter Mel Giedroyc with Neil Jones.
Broadcasting legend Moira Stuart with with Aljaž Škorjanec.
Singer Anne-Marie with Graziano Di Prima.
Writer and broadcaster Adrian Chiles with Jowita Przystal.

The Masked Singalong - ITV - Christmas Day - 6pm
Joel Dommett hosts this special Christmas episode of the masked singing competition. Former masked singers including Badger and Queen Bee return to perform songs for everyone at home to sing along with.

Call the Midwife - BBC One - Christmas Day - 8pm.
Series 11 begins with a Christmas special set in December 1966. Christmas promises to be a memorable one at Nonnatus House as Lucille (Leonie Elliott) and Cyril (Zephryn Taitte) prepare for their upcoming winter wedding. The Nonnatus team are faced with their busiest Christmas Day ever as the Maternity Home is filled with expectant mums-to-be, each with their own challenging case. Luckily Mother Mildred (Miriam Margolyes) is on hand to support the team.

The Great Christmas Bake Off - Channel 4 - Christmas Day - 8pm
Four of the cast of the acclaimed drama It's a Sin get their aprons on to compete for the title of Great British Christmas Baker. Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith are the tasters once more, while Matt Lucas and Noel Fielding appear just at that vital moment when a baker's creation looks like it is about to collapse.

Big Fat Quiz Of The Year - Channel 4 - Boxing Day - 9pm
The comic quiz of the year is back, with Jimmy Carr trying to keep chaos at bay as Sarah Millican, James Acaster, Judi Love, Jonathan Ross and Guz Khan answer questions about 2021.

Worzel Gummidge – BBC One - 28th December - 7.15pm
Everyone’s favourite scarecrow Worzel Gummidge is back and is always a family favourite, especially after the last few episodes over past festive periods.

What are you looking forward to watching over Christmas?

Wednesday, 22 December 2021

How Christmas has changed with teenagers.

 I love Christmas and as a family we always have a fantastic time but over the last 5 years or so things have changed. My girls are not kids anymore. They're my kids but are not kids. Becky is 19 and Ellie is 14 years old and some of the magic has gone but we are learning to do things differently over Christmas so it is special.

My girls haven't believed in Santa for years. I wrote about it way back in 2013 how Becky didn't believe anymore and soon after Ellie realised the truth. Becky didn't let slip, we kept the belief going for as long as we could and it was nice while it lasted but now it certainly makes Christmas easier. They used to love elf on the shelf and I was quite glad when they didn't believe but now I miss letting the elf get up to a little mischief.

The elf

There is no asking for Santa to bring ridiculous presents now that the girls know where the presents come from. They sometimes do ask for some overpriced tat but they know our limits. The girls ask for what they want and there is no having to sneak a look at letters written to Santa. I don't have to keep all the boxes and packages out of sight. I do still hide all of the presents but now if they see a big box being delivered they know not to ask questions. I have found it harder to buy my girls presents the older they have got. Now that they don't play with toys it does get a little tougher especially since they have all the electronics that they need. Thank goodness for Ellie being into Anime and Becky into Friends. hehehe

Christmas Eve is a lot easier now. There is no rushing the girls bed so that Stu and I can sort out the presents. I really love not having to sneak around. There are still plenty of surprises and presents that the girls don't know about so the excitement for them is still there and the bonus is now that Becky is working she has bought us all Christmas presents too and she's said they are good one's. I am very excited.

Christmas 2019

One of the things which hasn't changed about Christmas is all of the Christmas films that we are watching. You're never too old for Home Alone, Elf and The Polar Express and now Becky is old enough to appreciate Love Actually which was a real treat watching that with her.

The girls are at an age now where it is not cool to do things with your parents. When we went and saw the Christmas lights being switched on in town Becky stayed home as she was on a night shift that night and Ellie walked down with us and let us buy her a burger and hot chocolate and then went off with her friends. We were there a little too early so Stu and I nipped to the pub for a quick drink, a wee and to warm up a little. It was nice to have half an hour of freedom.

We will still be doing some baking this week. The girls have both said that they don't want to miss out on that. I think they prefer the eating rather than the baking but it's tradition we have kept up with. A couple of months ago I asked the girls if they wanted a gingerbread house to decorate and they said no so I bought myself one and thought stuff them but they are now regretting their decisions now. Of course they want to decorate one now but I am prepared and bought them one each to do. hehehe As much as they want to grow up they are still hanging on to those things they loved from years ago.

Decorating gingerbread houses 2020

When it's come to doing the food shopping for Christmas I thought Becky would have asked for some fruity cider or would even want to drink wine with dinner but she has said no. She wants the Glitterberry J20 like she has had every year for years. She said Christmas wouldn't be the same without it and both of the girls have demanded chocolate coins for their stockings. 

As I am writing this on Monday the girls are out. Ellie is at her friends house and Becky has gone to the cinema. This time a few years ago we would have been filling our time with Christmas crafts but I am not missing it, the mess part of it anyway. There is no glitter everywhere and no spilt glue or paint. I am sat watching a Christmas film and I am enjoying the quiet. It's nice. 

Some of the magic might have gone from Christmas but it's still fun, admittedly the build up isn't quite as exciting but it is a nice time and I am sure there will be lots of excitement on Christmas morning.

Tuesday, 21 December 2021

The best things about winter.

Happy first day of winter although it has felt like it for a couple of months. I always complain about the weather, being cold, about being grumpy when there is no sun, the dark nights and having to wear coats but as much as I complain there are a lot of things to love about this season.

Cosy winter

When I get up on a morning and make myself a coffee I always open the back door to see how cold it really is and as much as I hate the cold I do like the crisp fresh air in the morning and looking out across the fields when it is a frosty morning. It really is beautiful. This time of year there is the excitement that snow could fall. We've already had some over the last month or so but not any that lasted longer than an hour or so. I want fluffy, deep snow that we can build snowmen with and the kids want the snow to come in January so they can have a day off school and college for a snow day!

Winter fashion is the best. Boots, thick jumpers, fluffy socks, woolly hats and scarves are they best types of clothes. At home instead of wearing leggings and t-shirts I wear fleecy pj's. I would love to wear them for bed but I get too warm during the night so they are my daywear especially if the weather outside is bad.

The best thing about winter is that Christmas happens! As much as I moan about having to organise everything I do love it even wrapping all of the Christmas presents. Going for a walk on an evening and seeing all the twinkly lights feels so magical and coming back home when we have the heating on feels so good. There's gingerbread houses, candy canes, selection boxes, Christmas movies and songs and my favourite meal of the year, Christmas dinner!!

There is something nice about shutting the curtains at about 4pm because it's dark outside. I do love the dark nights and getting the house all cosy. The kids hate my winter scented candles but I do love burning them, the Christmassy the better. I love having hot bubble baths, snuggling under my blanket with a hot water bottle. I am one of those people who won't put the heating on if I am the only one at home.

Winter is the best time for comfort food. My slow cooker gets used a lot making casseroles and stews. The kids love coming in from school and college and having a hearty, warming meals. We always love to have warm puddings too. Cake, apple pie, something and custard. I must go through about 6 tins a week and when our tea has settled we do love to have a hot chocolate to drink. Wintry hot drinks are the best hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows and I am very fond of gingerbread lattes.

What do you love about winter?

Monday, 20 December 2021

Our weekly meal plan! 20th - 26th December. #MealPlanningMonday

Our weekly meal plan

Last weeks meal plan went well, we ate everything. I am so looking forward to this week. The kids are off school and college and I get to spend time with my family. I didn't get any shopping delivered over the weekend as we're having the big Christmas food shop delivered later this week. We're running low on things at the moment but we will make do.

It's my dad's birthday later this week and he has already had one of his surprises. He has needed a new computer for years but keeps making do with his old one. Over the last year Stu built him a new computer using leftover bits from his and Ellie's computer when they have upgraded. All it's cost is £40 for a new hard drive, I think that's what Stu said he had bought. We delivered it and set it up on Friday and he was very surprised and overjoyed with it. The only thing he has to complain about is that it's too fast. On Thursday, his birthday he is coming over to let his partner have a soak in our bath (they only have a shower at theirs) and I am doing a party tea for his birthday and there will of course be cake.

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - A curry of some sort with rice & naan bread.
Tuesday - I will make extra curry and we will have it with chips. 
Wednesday - Omelettes to use up leftovers in the fridge as I have the Christmas food shop coming. 
Thursday - Party food for my dad's birthday.
Friday - Takeaway pizza.
Saturday - Christmas dinner!! Turkey, pork and maybe beef if I can get a cheap joint. Roast potatoes, mash, roast parsnips, carrots, peas, stuffing, pigs in blankets and lashings of gravy!
Sunday - Leftovers and picking out of the fridge.

Merry Christmas! What will you be eating on Christmas day?

Sunday, 19 December 2021

The wrapping is done. #MySundaySnapshot

All of the presents are wrapped now. The girls have even finished wrapping theirs which they of course they made into such a drama.

Becky seems to have been wrapping her presents for weeks but finally got them finished this week. She did make me laugh. She now gets how hard it is buying everyone presents, waiting for them to be delivered and then wrapping them and then realising that you've forgotten someone and have to go through the whole process again. She asked if she has to do this every year? Yep. lol

Ellie wrapped 3 presents for her friends and it took her about an hour and a half. lol She said when she grows up she will pay someone to do her Christmas wrapping.

Eldest wrapping presents
Youngest wrapping presents

My Sunday Snapshot linky

Saturday, 18 December 2021

Week 50 of #Project365. 11th - 17th December. A photo every day for a year!

Just one week until Christmas and I can't wait. We're all ready apart from waiting for the food to be delivered. The kids are finished school and college for the year and I am looking forward to spending lots of time together as a family. We have gingerbread houses to make, mince pies to bake and lots of Christmas films to watch.

We have had a good week with a few surprises along the way. Christmas gifts being delivered, a competition win and after having Ellie's hearing test it has been agreed that she will be trying out hearing aids in the new year.

Now for a photo every day!

Cooking Fever and Love Actually
Booking a booster and Christmas cards
Tony's chocolates
Marzipan on a Christmas cake
Lots of different chocolate

345/365 - 11th December
I discovered that one of my favourite games to play on my mobile is available to play on the PC and was free through the Microsoft store.

346/365 - 12th December
My eldest and I watched Love Actually, her for the first time. She wasn't keen on even watching it but smiled and laughed all of the way through.

347/365 - 13th December
I queued online to book my booster. It was quite the faff. Queuing for ages and then being sent around in circles entering my details over and over. I finally got booked in at the beginning of January but have read online a walk in booster place opens next week and I am tempted to try the walk in place when Becky has her booster just after Christmas.

348/365 - 14th December
I wrote out the Christmas cards that I had to post. I remember when my girls were little I wrote out about 30 in about half an hour. It took me about 45 minutes to write about 8 on Tuesday, Finding peoples addresses and names. I realised that despite knowing my dads cousin for 42 years I didn't know her surname. I've always known her as Little Jean, that's how I addressed the card, it will give her a chuckle. lol

349/365 - 15th December
I had a lovely delivery from Jayne who blogs at Sticky Mud & Belly Laughs. I have been wanting to try that Tony's chocolate for ages and now I can.

350/365 - 16th December
I finally got around to putting marzipan on the Christmas cakes. The icing will be put on next week just in time for Christmas.

351/365 - 17th December
An amazing box of chocolate arrived from Galina who blogs at Chez Maximka. I was so lucky to win her 12 Days of Chocolate giveaway! There is so much of the chocolate which I haven't tried before. So far I've hidden it from my family and I am tempted to keep it from them. hehehe

There will be no Project 365 post from me next week with it being Christmas so the week after will be a double with the last 2 weeks of the year.

Merry Christmas! I hope you all have a wonderful time.

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