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

This week my Word of the Week is:

We have had a great week with lots of fun, lots of food and lots of family time. It has been the best week that we've had in ages, defiantly the best of the summer and that's it, the summer holidays are officially over, well apart from the rest of the weekend. It's back to school and college for everyone next week.

We have eaten lots of yummy food over the last week, I am just going to try and ignore the meal plan I shared on Monday, it did not go to plan but nice food makes me and my family and we needed a bit of that. My dad gave me lots of apples and pears from his trees and I did some baking over the weekend. Crumbles, pies and cakes. We ended up going out to eat on Monday as the pub were doing 2 portions of fish, chips and mushy peas for £12.95 which I thought was a bargain and then we had lots of yummy food for Ellie's birthday, she of course had her favourite sushi for lunch but not what we had planned for tea as the Chinese takeaway was shut as they're on their summer holiday, we made something at home and then went to the all you can eat place yesterday as an extra treat.

On Tuesday my girls and I went into town for a bit of shopping and we bought lots. It was mainly things for the girls birthday's and a few extra treats. It was such a lovely day. Town usually stresses me out but nobody angered me, Becky seemed to get everyone stopping dead in front of her, getting in her way or being stuck in long queues. Oops. The only place that did slightly annoy me was Sports Direct but I always get annoyed in there. There's never enough staff and it seemed on Tuesday every child in the area was there buying trainers and school shoes. I should have expected it with it being the week before school starting again.

Ellie was of course spoilt rotten on her birthday with lots of presents and cards. She had a great day despite having a doctors appointment in the middle of it. It was a check up after her stay in hospital a couple of months ago and her blood test a couple of weeks ago. All of her results were normal apart from they didn't test her kidneys which was the main point of the test. Ugh! So we have to go back to the hospital for another blood test and there'll be another doctors appointment in a couple of weeks. The doctor we saw on Thursday was lovely, it's the first time we have met her and she was one of those people who just put you at ease as soon as you walk into her room. I have taken note of her name so I can make an appointment with her if I ever need one. I don't use the doctors lots but it's nice to know there is a good one there.

We have got lots done around the house over the past week, just those little jobs we have been putting off. Stu put some shelves up in the kitchen, above the tumble dryer. It was just wasted space and I love them. We had some workmen here the other day doing some work and we have decided to decorate the kitchen. As I am typing this Stu is picking out some paint and we are finally going to paint the kitchen cupboards. We did think about getting the sticky vinyl but it seemed like a lot of work and lots of faff so paint it is.

How has your week been? I hope you've had a good one!

What I have loved this week! Week 35. #FridayFavourites

This whole week has been a big favourite of mine. It's the best weekend that we have had during the whole summer. We have had meals out, a shopping trip, Ellie's 17th birthday, got some big jobs done around the house, Becky has taken some holidays from work and we still have more plans for today and the weekend.

Usually I share things that I have loved during the week on a Friday but I am going to talk about those things more in my Word of the Week blog post tomorrow and today I am sharing some of the fab things that I bought on a shopping trip with my girls. It was the fun type of shopping trip getting some extra treats for Ellie's birthday which was yesterday. I am still of course linking up with Erika and Andrea for their Friday Favourites.

We of course started our day having something to eat in McDonalds. That place usually stresses me out with people everywhere, chaos at the counters with the Just Eat and Uber delivery guys but this time it was pretty quiet which was strange considering it was still the school summer holidays. We even managed to get a table straight away! 

Autumn is coming and so are the clothes. Over the last year I have got into wearing dresses and I have plenty of summer one's but not many for the colder months. I saw this one and it screamed Autumn to me. The colour is just perfect and I can just imagine wearing it with a cardigan, thick tights and my boots.

A few weeks ago I bought a ring for Ellie's birthday and as I spent over £59 at Pandora I got a free silver chain, I have been looking for something to go on it and saw the charms in Pandora but I wasn't too keen on the price of £55 each so I had a look on Amazon and saw the same Nightmare Before Christmas one for £14.99. Bargain and a bonus birthday present for Ellie! 

We were in HMV and saw the range of Care Bears that they have there was of course the cutesy one's that I remember from being a kid and then they have these more rebellious looking one's. This is the Halloween Spooky Sparkle Bear Care Bears Plush. Ellie picked it, a treat from her sister for her birthday. I also picked this bracelet up from a little crafty shop. I think it looks so cute and Ellie does love this style of bracelet.

I saw this make up bag for Ellie and slipped it in the basket before she even saw it. hehehe Becky said she was quite proud of me realising it was something to do with Taylor Swift. Ellie needed a power bank for going back to college to keep her phone charged and we were just going to get a basic, plain one until we saw the Nightmare Before Christmas one in B&M. She of course had to have it.

I am loving all the Halloween and Autumn things in the shops. I am ignoring the Christmas things, it's far too early for that. I want to enjoy Autumn before I think about the festive season.

Ellie had to have this cute Oogie Boogie shelf ornament, it was only a few pounds from Primark and I got the Autumn gonk too. I seem to be collecting them for every season. I have Christmas, Halloween, Spring and Valentine's day one's so far.

Ellie is back at college next week so it was hair cut and hair dye time for her. She topped up the red that she has and I had to got some of the blonde to lighten my hair to dye it pink!! Just before we got the bus home we stopped off at Starbucks for a Pumpkin Spice latte, crazy that it is only August and it's back on the menu. I do love them though.

It was such a lovely shopping trip. My girls had a great time and so did I. We have another fun shopping trip happening as it's Becky's birthday next and she needs a few treats and extra presents too! 

What have you loved over the past week?

My youngest is 17!

Happy birthday to my youngest, Ellie! My baby is 17 today. How did that happen? It doesn't seem that long since she was born. Time really does fly when you're having fun. What can I say about Ellie over the past year? There is a lot that I can't and won't say but this year has seen her learn a lot of valuable lessons, grow as a person and become more confident.

This time last year I was worrying about her starting college but she well and truly smashed the year and it turns out my biggest worries were indeed nothing to worry about. She managed to get the bus most days without any issues, the only time they became and issue was when the buses didn't turn up at college but Ellie just got on with things and always made it home, eventually. She made plenty of new friends, some I wasn't too keen on but she has learned from her friendship choices and I have been there to guide her through the difficult times. She has learned a lot through being at college: That drinking iced coffee on an empty stomach ends up with vomiting, sitting in the canteen at lunchtime is not relaxing, revision really does pay off and scary teachers are not that scary at all.

At the start of the year she decided that she didn't want her hearing aids. She went 16 years being deaf in one ear so hearing all of the extra noise was just too much for her brain to deal with. I was dreading taking her to the hospital but they were great and were so supportive of her choice. She always has the option of getting them back in the future if she wants to.

Ellie has turned into such a girly girl, she loves her make up, jewellery and clothes. She always has a wish list of things saved just on the off chance that I ask if she needs any new clothes. She is the queen of crop tops which I detest but they are her thing and will wear them in all weathers. What surprised me most about Ellie is that she started to wear a jacket when it was cold out, I suppose it was either that or get hyperthermia with the tiny tops. lol She loves nothing more than doing her nails but now she has to wait until the college holidays because trying to wire things in practical lessons or use tools is just impossible with long nails.

Ellie has had some fun times with her grandad. He was building a couple of sheds, those needed electrics put in and he has had Ellie at his quite a few times helping out. They are so funny together, he will never admit that he is going deaf and Ellie speaks so quietly he struggles to hear her and she is deaf in one ear which he remembers so he ends up shouting. They look so comical together from a distance.

Ellie is great fun to go shopping with. She will spend hours looking around shops and we have had some great trips out over the past year. Our best are always to Hull where we will shop for a bit, get something to eat, shop a bit more, get a drink and sit and just people watch. She has shown me plenty of new shops recently, she has found a fab thrift shop in Hull and a Crystal shop where she always wants to spend all of my money.

What has really made me smile over the last year to do with Ellie is that she got into watching Grey's Anatomy! She has watched it from start to finish and loves it! Bailey is her favourite although she did love Christina, Arizona and Mark Sloan! It has given us plenty to talk about and I did so well not spoiling any of it for her. She is now watching Station 19 and will move onto Private Practice, the one with Addison in after. By then the new season of Grey's Anatomy should have started.

So today is Ellie's birthday and we have no plans at all, well apart from an appointment that she has been waiting for. I am sure later there will be some nice food, of course some cake and soon the driving lessons will start! Eek! How is my baby old enough to drive a car?

Some simple and delicious Blackberry recipes!

You can't deny it, we will be heading into Autumn soon and there's one seasonal gem that’s hard to miss: blackberries! These plump, juicy beauties are popping up all over the hedgerows, and I’ve got a few delicious recipes to help you make the most of this fruity treasure!

Classic Blackberry and Apple Crumble!

Is there anything more comforting than a warm, fruity crumble on a chilly evening? This classic British dessert pairs the tartness of blackberries with the sweetness of apples, creating a dish that’s simply irresistible.

What You'll Need:

300g of blackberries.

2 large Bramley apples, peeled, cored, and sliced.

150g of plain flour.

100g of cold butter, cubed.

80g of demerara sugar.

50g of oats.

1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (optional).

2 tablespoons of caster sugar.

How to Make It:

Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

Prepare the Fruit: Pop the sliced apples into a baking dish, scatter the blackberries over them, and sprinkle with caster sugar.

Make the Crumble Topping: Rub the butter into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix in the oats, demerara sugar, and cinnamon if you’re using it.

Assemble and Bake: Spread the crumble mixture over the fruit and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and the fruit is bubbling away.

Serve: Enjoy warm with custard, cream, or a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. Absolute bliss!

Homemade Blackberry Gin!

Ready to capture a bit of summer in a bottle? This blackberry gin is an easy and impressive way to preserve those delicious berries. Perfect for sipping or as a unique gift!

What you'll need:

500g of blackberries.

200g of caster sugar.

700ml of gin.

How to Make It:

Combine Ingredients: Wash the blackberries and place them in a large, sterilised jar. Add the sugar and gin.

Mix and Infuse: Seal the jar tightly and shake gently to dissolve the sugar. Store in a cool, dark place.

Shake It Up: Give it a shake every few days for the first week, then let it infuse for at least 2 months.

Strain and Enjoy: After the infusion period, strain the gin through a fine sieve into a clean bottle. Enjoy neat, or use it in your favourite cocktails!

Blackberry Jam!

Blackberries have this incredible balance of sweetness and tartness that makes them ideal for jam. Plus they’re packed with antioxidants and vitamins, so you can feel a little bit virtuous as you enjoy your homemade spread.

What You'll Need: 

500g of blackberries

250g of granulated sugar

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

How to Make It:

Prepare the Fruit: Wash the blackberries and place them in a large saucepan.

Cook the Berries: Cook over medium heat until they start to break down, about 10 minutes.

Add Sugar and Lemon: Stir in the sugar and lemon juice. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens (about 15-20 minutes).

Test for Setting: To test if the jam is ready, place a spoonful on a plate and let it cool for a minute. Run your finger through it; if it wrinkles, it’s ready.

Jar the Jam: Pour the hot jam into sterilized jars, seal, and let cool completely.

Do you go blackberry picking? What do you like to make?

Easing the transition from secondary school to college!

The transition from secondary school to college is a significant milestone in your child’s educational journey. It is a big leap that’s more than just a change in scenery. It seems that one minute you’re helping them with their primary school homework and now they’re on the verge of becoming full fledged young adults. It’s a big step for them and for us as parents too! My girls have both done college, my youngest is going into her 2nd year so I’ve had a front row seat to just how different college can be compared to secondary school. 

As a parent, you want to support your child through this change, helping them adjust to their new environment while encouraging independence and growth. Here are some practical tips to help you and your child navigate this exciting but sometimes daunting phase.

Embrace the New Learning Style!

Remember when your child first started secondary school, and everything felt so different from primary school? Well college is another big shift but this time it’s all about gaining independence. Gone are the days of a teacher walking them through everything step by step. Now it’s all about independence and self directed learning.

There's Less Hand-Holding: Gone are the days of constant reminders about homework and deadlines being sent to us parents. College is all about self management. I have only received about 2 emails in the last year about college and both were nothing to do with Ellie, just general one's about open days. For our teenagers it's a bit like being thrown into the deep end and having to swim on their own. Students need to stay on top of their assignments, manage their study time effectively and even seek out help if they’re struggling. That doesn't mean that you can't contact your child's college if you feel the need to. You can help your teen more if you know more about what is going on with their studies.

Free time: The learning environment is more flexible and so is the schedule. Ellie is only in college three days a week and those days are not full days as she is one of lucky one's who doesn't have to resit both her Maths and English GCSE's. This means your teen might have gaps between classes or free periods that they need to manage wisely. They can choose to study or hang out with friends. I have had to have words, several times with Ellie about how she spends her spare time. Encouraging her to study more and socialise less. 

Increased Responsibility: Teachers are there to guide and support but they’re not going to chase after students to make sure they’re doing their work. This is a great opportunity for our teens to develop responsibility and self discipline but it can also be a bit overwhelming if they’re not used to it. Help them set up a planner or use an app to keep track of deadlines and commitments. It’s a great way to teach them about organisation and time management without stepping in too much.

Offer Support, Not Solutions: It’s tempting to jump in and fix things when they’re struggling but it’s important to let them try to solve problems on their own. Offer advice and guidance but let them take the lead.

Tackling the Social Side!

The social aspect of college can be quite different from secondary school. The social side of things this can be a big deal for our teens. A new environment, with new people and sometimes a bit of anxiety about fitting in.

New Faces and Places: Your teen might find themselves in a new environment with students from different schools. It’s like starting fresh with a new social circle. This can be both exciting and nerve wracking. They might have to put themselves out there and make new connections which can be a big change from the familiar faces they were used to.

Encourage Social Exploration: Joining clubs or sports teams can help your child meet new people and develop friendships. These activities also provide a break from the extra work that college can bring.

More Freedom: With more freedom comes more opportunities for socialising but also more responsibility. They have to be mindful of the choices that they are making while they are out of your care. Sometimes they can make the wrong choices but don't be too hard on them, peer pressure has a lot to answer for, they will learn from their mistakes and you will too.

Stay Connected to Old Friends: While it’s important for them to branch out, keeping in touch with old friends can provide a sense of stability. Encourage them to make time for their secondary school mates, even if it’s just a quick catch up on social media.

Be Their Emotional Rock: If they’re feeling anxious about making new friends or fitting in, remind them that it’s completely normal. We’ve all been there! Sometimes all they need is to talk it out with you to feel a bit better about things.

Managing the Money Side of Things!

Ah, money one of life’s great lessons! College is often the first time teens have to manage their own finances, even if it’s just for lunch and travel.

Teach Budgeting Basics: Now’s the perfect time to sit down and have the money talk. Help them figure out a simple budget that covers the essentials lunch, bus fare and the occasional coffee. It’s a life skill they’ll thank you for later! Ellie hasn't been great at managing her money but is learning. Sometimes a drink from Starbucks is tempting but that doesn't leave much left over for food.

Discuss Part Time Work: If they’re thinking about getting a part time job talk about how they’ll balance work and study. It’s a great way to earn some extra cash and learn about responsibility but their studies should always come first.

Chat About Spending Wisely: Whether it’s resisting the urge to splurge on the latest gadget or learning to save up for something special now’s the time to instil good spending habits.

Encourage Well Being!

The transition to college can be stressful so supporting your child’s well being is essential.

Promote a Healthy Balance: Encourage your teen to find a balance between study, social activities and downtime. Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and decent sleep are crucial for managing stress and maintaining overall well being.

Watch for Signs of Stress: Keep an eye out for signs of stress or burnout. If you notice changes in their behaviour or mood have a conversation to see if they need additional support. Sometimes, professional help or counselling can be beneficial and colleges have a great support network. You just have to ask!

From personal experience, I can tell you that the college journey isn’t always smooth sailing. There will be challenges with academic pressure, social dynamics or just the strain of change. Be prepared to offer support and guidance and sometimes tear your hair out a little but it will all be worth it in the end!

Our weekly meal plan! 26th August - 1st September! #MealPlanningMonday

I hope you are all enjoying the bank holiday. I didn't realise it was one until Saturday. Stu's usual day off work is a Monday so they don't mean much for us especially at this time of year with Ellie still on her summer holidays and Becky taking some holidays from work. When Stu started his job he got it written into his contract that he doesn't have to work Monday's so he would never have to struggle getting to work on a Bank holiday as the buses here are rubbish and even worse on their Sunday service which run on a Bank Holiday.

Last weeks meal plan went great, we ate everything but I did swap a couple of days around. The biggest hit of the week was the Pepperoni Pizza Mac 'N' Cheese and it was so simple to make. My family has already asked for it again, it was one of those meals that they will think about again and again.

I was going to say we don't have much on this week but then I have thought about things and we are out for a day, there's Ellie's birthday and I still have to wrap her presents, she has a doctors appointment too, we have workmen coming and doing some things in the house and Ellie and I are having our hair cut and dyed. I am looking forward to being busy.

We have a Gousto box and 4 meals from that for this week. As we have a lot going on I am not even going to try and guess when we will be eating what. It will all depend on how we feel and what we fancy.

On the menu this week we have:

A takeaway for Ellie's birthday and of course cake for dessert.

Gousto meal - Smoky BBQ Chicken Pizza.

Gousto meal - The DIY Classic Cheeseburger.

Gousto meal - German-Style Curried Sausage Tray Bake.

Gousto meal - One Tray Korean-Style Pork Belly With Gamja Jorim.

Fish, chips and mushy peas.

A Sunday lunch of some sort.

What are you eating this week?

Week 34 of #Project365 18th - 24th August. A photo every day for a year!

Happy Sunday! What do you have planned for today? We have no plans at all apart from being a bit lazy, catching up on the washing and I am going to do a bit of baking.

We have had a good week. We've not really done much apart from pottering around the house and just enjoying the last of the summer holidays although it hasn't much felt like summer, it's like we skipped that part and jumped straight to Autumn. We had quite the storm during the week, the garden took a battering, my poor plants were blown all over but at least the fences stayed up. Phew! It has felt chillier too, I have had to wear a jumper and socks. Eesh. It's supposed to warm up again next week, hooray!

Now for a photo every day!

231/365 - 18th August

We went to my dad's for Sunday lunch. It was a nice walk out and good to have a catch up with him and his partner. The food was good too. It's nice when we eat out at the pub but sometimes a home cooked Sunday lunch feels like a treat.

232/365 - 19th August

I finally have a sunflower growing in my garden. Just the one, it miraculously survived the storm and is still standing tall.

233/365 - 20th August

The fireplace is a dumping ground for my family, they put things on it and it seems to collect clutter despite my nagging. I cleared it all the other day and so far it's still clear. This might be a record!

234/365 - 21st August

I made the pepperoni pizza mac n cheese meal from Gousto and it was a hit with all of my family! They want it again already! It was so easy to make too, the tomato crumb was just breadcrumbs, tomato puree and a little drizzle of oil.

235/365 - 22nd August

Our friend brought us gifts back from a break away in Scotland. Before she came back she has said she had got Stu a hat and this was just what I imagined. hehehe 

236/365 - 23rd August

Just me realising that I desperately need my hair dying, my roots are so bad. It's on my to do list for next week as well as doing Ellie's hair. She needs hers trimming and dying too.

237/365 - 24th August

My dad gave me a bag of apples and pears off his trees. I am going to spend today doing some baking. Pies and crumbles.

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

The word Demure has been stuck in my head all week thanks to a TikTok video and the newest trend online. "Your demure is what it means to you. It's being mindful and considerate of the people around you but also of yourself and how you present to the world according to TikTok creator Jools Lebron. I have been walking around the house doing every day things like hoovering thinking very mindful, very demure! Very considerate, very demure! hehehe

Stu had a great birthday, we went out for a meal and of course the girls needed new outfits. Becky bought some smart black trousers a few months ago from Primark and she loves them, she calls them her fancy pants. She had planned on buying another pair but they had none in every time she looked but last week they had them again so she bought two more pairs as well as a new shirt. Ellie got herself a new dress, Stu got a new outfit and there was only me who couldn't find anything new to wear. Very cutesy, very demure!

You probably haven't even noticed but I am being very mindful, very demure when it comes to blogging. I am sharing just about as much as I have before our dramas last month but I am being more mindful about when I post it, only after we have been places or have done things. For example, a couple of meal plans ago I said we were having "a nice meal for Stu's birthday. We haven't decided yet.". We had decided but I didn't want to say we were eating out until we had got back home. I used to take photos and post them online of us ready to go out places but not anymore, I now wait until we are home again. Our dramas weren't caused or escalated by anything I had shared online but I am being more careful now and it has made me really think about things.

I have been very considerate, very demure of our neighbours lately. It's no secret myself and my neighbour are not the best of friends. There has been disagreements over the last few years and one of them was about how our gate needed to be took down because she was replacing "her" wall and our gate was attached. I knew it wasn't but I just let her carry on. This wall coming down has caused me so much unneeded stress over the last month but the wall came down and our gate stayed up. I knew the gate wasn't attached to the "shared" wall, there was a separate wooden pillar holding our gate up. The new wall has gone up and all is good. I have really had to hold my tongue over the past few weeks. It's childish and petty to feel so happy that our neighbour was wrong and I was right but she started it. Oops. I don't think that is very demure is it? hehehe

How has your week been? I hope you have had a good one!

What I have loved this week! Week 34. #FridayFavourites

You can tell we're heading towards September and the return to college for my youngest as these weeks are flying over. We only have a couple more weeks of the summer holidays left. Becky my eldest has some more time off work so we have some fun things planned.

I always start writing these blog posts thinking I don't have much to write about and then as I am writing think of more and more things to add. hehehe I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea for their Friday Favourites.

Station 19!

The series follows a group of firefighters of the Seattle Fire Department at Station 19 from the captain down the ranks to the newest recruit in their personal and professional lives.

It's the Grey's Anatomy spin off. I am only a few episodes in and I am loving it. My youngest is on season 5 and says it just gets better and better. There's familiar faces and I already have my favourite characters but I better not get too attached as I have already seen how things end up for them on Grey's Anatomy. Eek!

New curtains!

A couple of years ago my dad's partner got some gorgeous curtains and said if she ever changed the colour scheme in her living room I could have them as they go perfectly with the red in my living room. That time has came and she gave me them. They look gorgeous (I will get a photo eventually). They are more of a blackout curtain and as they are lighter are much easier to open and close! She also gave us another set which she had found in the back of a cupboard, they match Becky's wallpaper perfectly so she is having them in her bedroom.

Sunflowers growing in my garden!

Tidying the garage!

My fella spent Saturday emptying, having a change around and tidying the garage. I hate it in there, it's creepy with spiders and creepy crawlies. My fella loves it an will often spend time in there pottering about. It was in chaos as we have just been dumping things in there for the last few months. I'd like to say everything has a place now but not yet, it is getting there though. We just need some rubbish weather day so we can have a bonfire and burn all the cardboard boxes. There will be a before and after photos when it's finished.

The soaps!

All the big storylines on the soaps seem to be coming to a head this week and I have found myself shouting at the TV lots! On Monday evening I was so stressed watching them. Joel getting found out on Coronation Street, what an sneaky, evil man he is! Belle trying to stand up for herself against her abusive husband on Emmerdale, Frankie telling her dad about her brothers abuse on Hollyoaks and I still have Neighbours to catch up on where someone is supposed to die. Please don't let it be Toadie! Eek! I have also been catching up on Eastenders. I have 6 weeks worth to watch. Eesh!

Werther's Original Caramel Popcorn!

I love the Werther's Original caramel/butter sweets and Stu saw this popcorn in town and picked a bag up. He should have bought more, we ate the full bag between us in one sitting.

GCSE results!

This time last year Ellie got her GCSE results and it's a rule if you don't pass your maths or English you have to resit them in college and she has been doing that over the last year. I have totally forgotten about the results until I spoke to someone from college the other day. We got her results on Thursday and they were the same as last year, a 3 which is an old D and not a pass. She will be resitting them again. I am still so proud of her. She doesn't need the English GCSE to continue her studies or even become a qualified electrician which is what she's planning to be. It's more for the government numbers and to say "look, we are doing great as a country educating our kids".

Stu's birthday!

My fella had a great birthday on Friday, it wasn't the one I had originally planned for him but I think it worked out better. There was of course presents, lots of family time and some delicious food!

What have you loved over the last week?

Better than the birthday I had planned.

I had a great plan for Stu's birthday but there's a saying that I can't think of, about the best laid plans they always go awry. I had planned that just me and him were going to have a night away but things don't always work out but he ended up having a great day anyway.

The reason I was going to take Stu away for his birthday is that he is so hard to buy for so when the plans were changed I had a mad panic trying to find some presents for him. I did think about getting him a new Newcastle united football shirt for his birthday but £80 seemed a lot and it looked exactly the same as the Newcastle top from last year so I ended up getting him one of the 1995 Home Football Shirt from Sports Direct, it was only just over £20 and he loved it.

We had a busy day planned. We decided to go out for breakfast. Ellie had a blood test later on and needed something to eat so it was practical and a bit of a treat. The girls and I had the American breakfast and Stu the full English.

I especially love going to eat in Wetherspoons when Becky is with us as we always order off the app and get everything delivered to our table without having to go to the bar. It also means we always get everything that we ask for without any confusion. After we had eaten we went to the hospital for Ellie's blood test. It's stupid they couldn't do it at the doctors but it was a nice walk out.

After the hospital we headed into town. The girls and I needed a few things and Stu was going to treat himself to some new clothes. We said we were not going to get much but of course ended with 2 bag full from Primark. To be fair there was quite a bit for the girls birthday's and Stu's clothes.

We headed home, had half an hours sit down and Stu finally got to open his cards and presents. He did laugh with the 36 pairs of socks that Becky bought him, well he always complains that she pinches his socks. He won't have that problem again. hehehe Stu was happy with his presents and very grateful.

We of course had planned to go to the pub to eat. It's our favourite place and the food is always amazing in fact each time we go it seems to get better and better. We decided we would be having the 3 courses each.

Stu of course went with the garlic mushrooms, his favourite. Ellie and I had the prawn cocktail tartlet and Becky went with the soup of the day. She wasn't sure how she felt about mushroom soup but after trying it she loves it! Well this one anyway. It was delicious! 

For the mains Becky and I had the scampi and chips, Stu had the chicken Kiev and Ellie had the 1/2 cheeseburger, fries and onion rings. They really need to start doing a 1/4 pound burger as it is always too much for Ellie but she does enjoy it. It is girl V food. lol

Next up was dessert and what a treat that was. Stu went with the chocolate gateaux, me the black forest, Ellie her usual chocolate brownie and ice cream and Becky had to be different. She didn't want much of dessert and fancied the Eton Mess but isn't a fan of cream so she asked for meringue and some strawberries but without the cream. The kitchen staff made such an effort and made something so simple look so pretty.

With our bellies full we were home by about 9pm feeling ready for bed. The birthday cake had to wait until the next day. Oops.

It wasn't the birthday that I had planned for Stu but he said he had such a lovely day. There was family, lots of treats and good food. What more could you ask for?

Refreshing lemonade recipes to brighten your day!

I love lemonade and there's nothing better than sipping on a glass of homemade lemonade. Whether you're lounging in the garden, hosting a summer picnic or just needing a zesty pick me up it's one of those things which is so simple to make and really does taste better when you make it yourself. Here are some simple recipes which will quench your thirst.

Classic Lemonade!

First up, we have the good old Classic Lemonade. This one never goes out of style and is a hit with both kids and adults alike.

Ingredients:

6 large lemons

1 cup (200g) granulated sugar

6 cups (1.4L) cold water

Ice cubes

Fresh mint leaves (optional)

Instructions:

Prep those Lemons: Start by rolling your lemons on the countertop to get those juices flowing. Cut them in half and juice away until you've got about 1 cup (240ml) of fresh lemon juice. Nothing beats the taste of fresh lemons!

In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 cup (240ml) of water. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally until the sugar is fully dissolved. Let this simple syrup cool to room temperature.

In a large pitcher, combine your lemon juice, simple syrup, and 5 cups (1.2L) of cold water. Stir well to blend all the flavours.

Serve and Enjoy! Pour your lemonade over ice cubes in glasses. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint if you're feeling fancy. 

Sparkling Lemonade!

For those who love a bit of sparkle in their drinks, this Sparkling Lemonade is just the ticket. It's bubbly, refreshing, and oh-so-satisfying. Simply use 4 cups (960ml) cold sparkling water instead of normal water.

Elderflower Lemonade!

Add a touch of elegance with Elderflower Lemonade. The elderflower cordial gives it a delightful floral note that's simply irresistible. Simply add 1/4 cup (60ml) elderflower cordial when you add the water.

Strawberry Lemonade!

Who doesn’t love strawberries? They’re sweet, juicy, and add the perfect burst of flavour to our classic lemonade. Make the lemonade as usual but in a blender, puree 2 cups (300g) of fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced until smooth. If you prefer a smoother texture, strain the puree through a fine mesh sieve to remove the seeds then add them with the water and stir well!

Raspberry Rum Lemonade!

Last but not least let’s mix things up with a Raspberry Rum Lemonade. This one’s got a tropical twist that’ll transport you to a beach far away.

Make the lemonade as usual and make the raspberry puree by blending 2 cups (300g) of fresh raspberries until smooth and add that and 1 cup of (240ml) vodka when you add the water.

There you have it. These lemonade recipes are perfect for any occasion. Whether you stick with the classic, add some sparkle or go for a fruity twist, you're in for a treat. So, grab your pitcher, some fresh lemons, and let's make this summer the most refreshing one yet.

How do you like your lemonade? Have you ever tried making it yourself?

My most memorable summers!

I saw someone writing about their favourite summer memories a while ago. I don't remember who it was but thought that is a blog post that I would like to write too! Summer is the best part of the year, the long 6 weeks summer break from school, when the sun is shining everyone is happier and we always seem to get out and about more, well most years we do. This year has been a total write off for days out so far.

The summer of 1996.

This was the year that I left school and after finishing my GCSE's my best friend and I had a long summer ahead of us. We would spend our days hanging out at the park talking to boys, sleepovers at each other's houses and where we lived there was a big summer festival which I wrote about a few years ago. We got free tickets to the circus, met a famous band at the time, even though my friend and I had no idea who they were. They were called Dodgy and we only knew one of their songs, Good Enough. It was one of those summers that I will always remember!

Birthday's!

My family has 3 birthdays in the the space of three and a half weeks. Stu's first in the middle of August, Ellie's at the end of August and Becky's at the start of September! Ellie has never had to go to school on her birthday but it does mean she was always the youngest in her year at school and her birthday often fell on the August bank holiday. She will always say her best birthday was in 2016 when she had a beach party in our back yard. A paddling pool, sand, decorations, a BBQ and of course a pinata which wouldn't break. lol

Becky will always say her best birthday was her 21st when we whisked her away on a surprise night away in Hull, staying in a hotel. She had no idea I had planned it. I took her shopping in Hull and Stu and Ellie followed on the next bus with the suitcases. hehehe She was gobsmacked!

2002 and 2007!

I was pregnant with my girls over 2 different summers. 2002 and 2007 and of course they were red hot one's but I didn't see much of the summer as I had sciatica with Becky and spent most of my day's laid in bed and with Ellie I had a 5 year old to run after and tons of hospital appointments which were no fun at all but at least the hospital had air conditioning.

2009!

The summer that it rained a lot! It didn't bother me though as I was in hospital again with both of my girls while they underwent open heart surgery to fix holes in their hearts. It was a hell of an August but we got through it and they are both absolutely fine now! 

2014!

I have just looked back on the summers that I blogged about and 2014 was one of the best! We seemed to do so much! 

We blew bubbles, hula hooped, played hopscotch, went on a boat ride, had water fights, went to the fair and beach, visited the library, made playdough, fed some ducks, had quite a few barbacues, made our own ice lollies, picnics at the park, baked cakes, went to soft play and watched movies. It was just proper childhood fun!

2019!

As soon as Becky had finished her GCSE's in the summer of 2019 we moved house, all the way from Northumberland down to Scunthorpe. The main reason we moved was to be closer to my dad and it was like a whole new world. We love living where we do and have never regretted moving house. We are all much happier here.

2023! 

We went away on our first family holiday in years. We only went back to a city near where we used to live up in the North East but it was so fun being tourists in Newcastle! 

We also got to visit our favourite ever place in the world, Amble a small seaside town in Northumberland when we went to a family wedding.

What have been your most memorable summers?