Winter Struggles!

We have had a cold snap of weather, well we did when I was writing this blog post it might have changed by now as the weather has been a little crazy for the last year or so. There are good things about winter but it really isn't my favourite season! As much as we all love the twinkling fairy lights, cosy jumpers, and endless mugs of hot chocolate let’s be honest winter sucks and brings with it a unique set of struggles that can only be tackled with a good sense of humour. 

Fashion vs Survival!

Winter fashion looks so gorgeous on Instagram. Sleek coats, stylish boots and those oversized scarves that somehow seem effortless to put on but in reality, getting dressed in winter is less about looking like a Vogue cover and more about resembling a well insulated burrito. I pile on so many layers I can’t bend my elbows and suddenly I'm waddling down the street like a Michelin Man impersonator!

The Cold Toilet Seat!

If there’s one thing that can shock you awake faster than coffee, it’s a cold toilet seat. You’re half asleep, hoping for a peaceful moment, and bam! You’re wide awake hating the winter even more!

Slip Sliding!

Walking on icy pavements is a true test of your dignity! You start off confidently, thinking I’ve got this and then your foot betrays you sending you into an unintentional dance routine worthy of a standing ovation. Think Bambi on ice! The worst part is the realisation that you’re going down, giving everyone nearby plenty of time to witness the spectacle.

Hat Hair Disaster!

Hats are essential in winter but they come at a price: your hair! Take your hat off and you’ve either got flat, lifeless locks or the kind of static frizz that defies gravity. Either way you look like you lost a fight with a tumble dryer.

The Great Heating Debate!

If you share your home with others winter brings a new battleground: the heating. There’s always one person bundled in three blankets while someone else insists it’s not that cold. For those of us trying to keep energy bills in check, there’s also the heating compromise: turn it on just enough so you don’t see your breath indoors, but not enough to bankrupt yourself. My most used phrase over the winter is "shut the door". I want to keep the heat in and my family seem to forget that.

Short Days!

Winter days are a joke. I always say I like the dark evenings, getting cosy but by this time of winter I am over them! Some days it doesn't really even get light at all. Ugh!

The Eternal Nose Drip!

Winter turns your nose into a dripping tap that no tissue box can tame. You step outside, and within seconds, your nose decides to run. Worse, if you’re wearing a scarf, it becomes a sponge for the sniffles because nothing says “winter glam” like a damp wool accessory stuck to your face.

Slush!

Fresh snow is magical but give it a day and it turns into grey, slushy misery. Walking through slush is like stepping into a puddle made of cold, wet regret. Worse, it splashes back onto your trousers, leaving you with damp, freezing ankles that remind you how cruel life can be. It’s snow’s way of saying  you loved me yesterday and now you must suffer!

What do you dislike about the winter?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge! #2

Thank you for welcoming me into the Wednesday Hodgepodge community, it was my first time joining in last week and I really enjoyed reading your posts and finding new blogs to read. I am joining in again and got the questions earlier in the week from Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond!

1. What's a winter memory you treasure (can be from any winter in your lifetime)? 

I love the snows days we used to have when my girls were little. School would close and they got to spend the day playing outside throwing snowballs and building snow men. Back in 2010 we had a lot of snow and it lasted a good few days before it got slushy and icy. The girls had great fun, I remember them crying because I took them back inside. I had to, they were freezing. They just didn't want to miss out in playing in the snow.

2. Tell us about the last time or a recent time you were caught up in red tape. Does it send your frustration level off the charts or is it something you've come to expect when dealing with any sort of bureaucracy?

It was during the summer when we had things going on in our life. It was so frustrating, the red tape meant we often felt helpless, had to do everything by the book and just wait things out. We are still caught up in that red tape but over the last few months I have learned that it is a process which takes time, lots of time. If I've head "just hang on in there" once I've head it a hundred times.

3. Do you eat/like fish? Do you cook fish at home? What's your favorite fish dish? Ever been ice fishing? 

I like fish as long as it doesn't smell too fishy! I don't cook too much at home and what I do cook is usually battered for home made fish fingers or breaded fish. I do love to have fish, chips and mushy peas especially for a meal out or at the seaside.

I have never been ice fishing, frozen lakes are not something that we have here but I love the idea of it, it certainly sounds like and interesting experience.

4. Did you watch any of the US President's Inauguration coverage on Monday, Jan 20? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being not at all and 10 being very very) how interested are you in politics in general? Do you follow/keep up with/ get involved with local politics? 

Yes, I watched most of the coverage of the President's Inaugurations. It was so interesting. In general I am not that interested in politics, yes I keep up with what is going on in the world but keep my opinions to myself until it is time to vote and then I make sure I do my part.

5. What's the coziest thing you own and what makes it so? 

I would have to say my blanket which I am under now. It is part of the living room. It is just a nice thick blanket, of course has a Harry Potter design but it does a great job of keeping me warm in the colder months and means I don't have to put the heating on as much when I am in the house by myself.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

The January Blues are hitting me. I thought I was doing so well keeping myself upbeat but this week so far is testing me. I am sure I will be fine but ugh at life at the moment.

Trying a bit of skincare!

As a teenager the only skincare routine I had was washing my face with soap and water and if I was feeling a bit fancy I might put a bit of moisturiser on. I am in my mid 40's now and up until recently nothing much had changed. I swipe at my face with a makeup wipe or slather on some random moisturiser when my skin felt particularly dry but a proper routine? Nope.

Fine lines have appeared, my complexion has more of a tired look than a natural glow and don’t even get me started on the random dry patches that have popped to taunt me. Clearly it was time to take action and just before Christmas I did just that adding some skincare bits to my Christmas list and this is what I have been using since Christmas day. Now I stand in front of my bathroom mirror with more bottles than a science lab, wondering if I accidentally became a chemist. lol

Cleansing!

I got a the Simple Refreshing Facial Wash that promised to wash away make up, dirt and other impurities without leaving your skin feeling tight or dry. I lathered up, rinsed off and was happy. My skin didn’t feel like silk, but it also didn’t feel like sandpaper so I counted it as a win! I still use the cheapo wipes from Primark for quickly washing off make up before I cleanse.

Moisturising!

This one felt easy. I’ve used moisturiser before how hard could it be? Except now there are moisturisers for day and night, ones with SPF, one's with hyaluronic acid and ones that cost as much as my weekly food shop. I picked a couple of night one's that were on offer in Poundland of all places.

The Biovene Vitamin C Night Boost is Anti-Aging and hydrates skin overnight with Vitamin C and Organic Mango for optimal age support to instantly moisturise skin, assist in recovery and introduce a beautiful glow for the next day.

The Biovene Retinol Night Lift is an tightening overnight moisturising cream with powerful Retinol and Organic Strawberry to help restore firmness and support in minimizing the appearance of fine lines.

I alternate these each night before I go to bed and I can say my face has been feeling smoother and looks better each morning. During the day I have been sticking with the Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream for Face, Hand and Body which I've been using for years and it's a brand that works for me or the Tesco Kind & Pure Fragrance Free SPF30 Moisturiser for a bit of protection from the sun if I am going out.

When I had covered the basics I went down a rabbit hole of reading about serums! Did I even need them? Apparently I do according to my youngest. She seems to know more about skincare than I do. Do I need vitamin C? Retinol? Niacinamide? (Niaci-what?!) I chose a few things.

The Aura Balancing Face Serum is packed with nourishing Jojoba Oil and Vitamin E, helps strengthen your skin's natural barrier for a happy, glowing you. I got this from Home Bargains and from Poundland I got the Body Stories Fresh N Dewy Face Serum which is infused with Vitamin C and Niacinamide to help give a beautiful and glowing complexion. I can't say I have noticed much difference during the day using these but I feel all boujee and good about myself so that's a bonus that I wasn't expecting.

As a bonus I got the Biovene Vitamin C Eye Boost! This is an age correcting eye boost moisturising day and night treatment for skin rejuvenation under the eyes with Vitamin C and organic mango that helps minimize the appearance of dark circles, fine lines and refresh tired looking skin.

It was just what I needed, I always look tired around my eyes and I don't even think it's an age thing, the dark circles have always been there. I think this is something which will take time to work but I am persevering. 

Starting a skincare routine after years of winging it is hard. For the first few days I felt like a self care goddess. I was cleansing, moisturising and putting serum on then life got in the way. One late night turned into me staring at my face wash thinking do I really need to wash my face or can I just skip it this one time? Spoiler: I skipped it. My new skincare routine hasn't really changed my life but it has changed how I think about taking care of myself. There’s something satisfying about taking five minutes to focus on me even if I’m fumbling my way through it. My routine isn’t perfect, but it’s mine. 

Do you have a skincare routine, what products would you recommend?

Our weekly meal plan! 20th - 26th January! #MealPlanningMonday

These Mondays seem to be coming around quickly! Last weeks meal plan went brilliantly! We loved the mushroom pie and the tomato soup was such a treat. It was nice mid-week to have a break from cooking a proper meal and just open a tin of soup and makes some sandwiches to go with it.

This week is going to be confusing, Stu is working today instead of having his usual day off but does have a day off later in the week. It's going to make me think today is a Tuesday and his day off will feel like a Sunday or a Monday! I feel like I have just got back on track with what day it is and now I am going to be confused again.

Last week the weather did warm up a little, at least the temperature said it was higher but it didn't feel it. I couldn't bring myself to go and sort the garden out. There didn't feel much difference in temperature between 3°C and 10°C, I blame that the sun wasn't shining. Hmmf. It's set to be grey, gloomy and misty this week. It's not going to ruin my mood, I am staying positive! The January Blues are not going to get me!

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Gousto meal - Curried Winter Veg Soup With Parsnip Crisps & Yoghurt. A new recipe for us and it sounds like a great one to start our week.

Tuesday - Gousto meal - Saucy Onion Gravy Beef Meatballs & Crushed Potatoes.

Wednesday - Gousto meal - Oven Baked Pork Belly & Winter Veg Pot Roast. I will cook this in the slow cooker instead of the oven.

Thursday - A help yourself type of tea meaning we will all have something different that we fancy. It's a good way to use random bits up out of the freezer.

Friday - Pizza.

Saturday - I am not sure yet, Stu is off work so I don't know what we have planned. We have to do something, he rarely gets a Saturday off work.

Sunday - Toad in the hole, mashed potato and veg.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 12th - 18th January. Week 3 of #Project365

I have found the best way to get through January, keep that busy that you don't know if you're coming or going and you soon forget about it being the longest feeling month. lol I don't seem to be getting through my to do list each day because I keep adding more things to it or just doing random jobs not even on my list. I have been full of motivation this past week, I'm worn out and I'm looking forward to a lazy today today doing nothing much at all. My to do list today is have a shower, change my pj's and play The Sims 4!

Stu has had an interesting week at work, they had the big bosses in looking around and they decided to change things and move people from one department to another. Stu was in digital sales and is now working in retentions which means when people phone up to cancel their account he convinces them to stay by offering deals. He has just been giving everyone what they want. Yeah, have 3 months with 50% off your bill or here you go you can have faster broadband free for a month to see how you get on. He's loving it. lol

Now for a photo every day!

12/365 - 12th January

We had football on the TV for most of the day, I actually enjoyed it. It was FA Cup matches so there was a real point to it, they had to win or it went to extra time and penalties and the losing team was out of the cup!

13/365 - 13th January

A new Gousto meal to us. Umami Portobello & Chestnut Mushroom Pie, it looked nothing like the picture on the recipe card and I added mashed potato but it tasted good!

14/365 - 14th January

I sorted out the shelves in the dining room, I really should have taken a before picture! Yes we do need all of the sprays and deodorants, it's where we keep them for the whole family.

15/365 - 15th January

Ellie urgently needed a text book for college so I rushed to order it, paying extra for next day delivery only for her to say she didn't need it until next week! Kids!! 

16/365 - 16th January

I did a facemask, I am making time to pamper myself a bit more this year. Yes I had the facemask on while I was sorting the washing but who cares my face felt better for it. I am an expert at multitasking. hehehe

17/365 - 17th January

Just me! I've just noticed I need to wash my coat, it has make up around the collar. Oops.

18/365 - 18th January

Does anyone else have loads of leftover chocolate from Christmas? We are still working our way through it. We have loads of crisps and treats too. It feels like we're saving money by me not having to buy any with the weekly shop!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

What is happening to January? It's flying over, well for me it is. I have been keeping myself busy and for once I have so much motivation that I feel like I am running out of hours in the day to get everything done that I want to. I don't know if it's a new year thing, fresh starts and all that or the fact that I have been sleeping better so have been waking up feeling energised or eating better but whatever it is I am taking it and running with it.

My family keep coming into the house asking where things are as I am still on a decluttering mission and if things are dumped in places where they shouldn't be I am finding a new home for them. Not the bin yet but if I find one more set of fake eyelashes or nails in the living room I will be binning them, a certain little lady has been warned. hehehe I am sat here looking at a set of drawers in the living room and thinking about sorting them out but I have other things on my to do list which need to be done first including writing this blog post.

I had a phone call from college early in the week and I could have just took it and then talked things over with Ellie and that would have been it but no, I decided when it comes to college I am not letting things just happen. Learning from the mistakes of last year gave me the motivation to go to college and speak to the staff that I wanted to, had Ellie speak to the staff members and even though it was nothing serious it is now all talked over and we are all on the same page.

As I am writing this the sun is shining and that always gets me motivated. I've just unpacked the food shop and ended up having to take my jumper off as I was so warm and I am sat in a t-shirt. It's hard work dragging the bags from the front door to the kitchen. It feels so strange having bare arms, it feels so long since I sat here without a long sleeved top on. Our house isn't cold, I just like to be cosy. It felt like a reminder that warmer days are coming and I can't wait for the spring. My family and I have also thought further ahead and are making plans for the summer and even Autumn. Those plans have given me the motivation to be even more careful with money and start adding to our savings pot again after spending up before Christmas.

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 for her Word of the Week linky!

What I have loved this week! Week 3. #FridayFavourites

Every year January always seems like such a long month but I think this year it is flying over. I think it's because I have been keeping myself busy and not dwelling on the rubbish weather we have been having, we've had no more snow just grey, gloomy skies. Although as I am writing this yesterday the sun is shining and it's an instant mood booster! It's Friday so I am of course linking up with Erika and Andrea to share some of my favourites from the week.

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth!

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is a TV series about the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 and the search for justice for the victims. In December 1988, Pan Am Flight 103, a transatlantic flight from London to New York City, was destroyed by a bomb 38 minutes after take off while flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Parts of the aircraft crashed into a residential area killing an additional 11 people. The series follows Dr Jim Swire (Colin Firth) and his wife Jane as they work to uncover the truth and bring the perpetrators to trial.

I watched this drama over a couple of days and found it so sad and shocking but also so interesting. I was only about 9 years old when it happened so I remember it but didn't really know much about it until now.

Seeing my dad! 

I have seen my dad nearly every day this week and it has been lovely. I only usually see him once or twice a week but this week I've seen him five days out of seven and still spoken on the phone to him most evenings. He is 76 years old and still hasn't fully retired but he is starting to slow down with working a little bit which means there is more time for me to see him. 

Daffodils!

It's the season for daffodils! I got some with my grocery shop last week and by the middle of the week they were blooming. They are such a cheery flower! 

A call from college.

I got a phone call from a teaching assistant from college about a little thing to do with my youngest Ellie (it wasn't anything serious) and ended up having a good chat. I know my girl works hard but it's always nice to be told by someone else that she is such a lovely girl, has amazing potential and will go far in life.

Playing Nice!

An ITV drama. Set against a sweeping Cornish landscape, two couples discover their toddlers were switched at birth in a hospital mix up and face a horrifying dilemma: do they keep the sons they have raised and loved, or reclaim their biological children? My dad recommended this to me, he usually watches things as they are shown on the TV and not watch ahead on streaming services but even he couldn't resist with this show. When I started watching this I did not expect it to take the twists and turns that it did. I don't think I could have watched the first 2 episodes and waited a week for the next two.

Watching football. 

I only usually watch the football (soccer) when there are international tournaments happening but on Sunday there were some cup matches on and I ended up putting the TV on and had it on when I was busy doing something and by the time I got comfy in my armchair on my laptop I had watched most of the first half and was committed to seeing who won. By the time that match had finished there was another starting and it was my fella's favourite team so we watched that too.

What have you loved this week?

Things I did as a teenager that I wouldn't let my teenagers do now in 2025!

When I look back at my teenage years, I can't help but chuckle (and cringe a little). The 90s were a wild time but as a parent in 2025, there are some things I absolutely won't let my girls do!

Disappearing for hours!

I could leave the house after breakfast and not return until tea time without my parents having a clue where I'd been. I'd go to friends houses, hang out in the park and go to town. It was the ultimate freedom.

I need to know where my girls are at all times. Even my eldest who's 22 I still like to know where she is. I am not a crazy, control freak I just know of the dangers that are out there!

Going out without a phone!

Back in the day, I would leave the house with just enough change for to use a phone box to call home (sometimes). Now the idea of my kids being out without their phones feels like a heart attack waiting to happen.

In 2025, phones aren’t just a luxury they're a safety net. Location tracking apps let me know they're safe (or at least where they’re supposed to be). Plus, they have no excuse for ignoring my texts! hehehe

Meeting random people from chat rooms!

Oh, MSN Messenger and Yahoo! Chat were a mysterious gateway to random friendships. I remember setting up meet ups with people I met online with zero fear. My friends and I would casually mention that we’re meeting “someone from a chat room” as if it was the most normal thing in the world and my parents didn't bat an eyelid.

The internet has evolved, and so have the dangers. With today’s apps like TikTok and Snapchat, online interactions are so much different. Online safety is a must, and I’ve drilled the importance of not trusting random online strangers into my girls heads.

Skipping school for a day off!

Skipping school to hang out in the park or at a friend's house was a rite of passage. There was no digital register back then, so it was easy to disappear for a day without anyone noticing.

With today’s technology the schools/colleges send out automated calls, texts and emails within minutes of them not showing up. Even if they tried to skip, I’d know before they even left the school gates. I remember a good few years ago Becky went missing from school or I thought she did as I got a message from them saying she wasn't there when I thought she was. Turns out it was an error with the electronic register and a supply teacher.

Hitchhiking!

Back in the day hitchhiking was another rite of passage. If you needed to get somewhere, you'd stick your thumb out and hope for a lift. It seemed totally normal to hop into a stranger's car. The dangers did not cross my mind. I would only do it if I was with friends and to be fair we lived out in the countryside so chances are the person we flagged down was probably someone my parents knew.

There is no way my girls would get into a car with someone they didn't know really well! I've seen all the true crime documentaries and news stories so the idea of my girls getting into a stranger’s car is absolutely terrifying. Public transport is so much better than it used to be now, thankfully!

Riding in cars without seatbelts!

I still remember hopping into the back seat of a car, sometimes even the boot with no seatbelt in sight. No one gave it a second thought. It was like playing a game of who could slide across the back seat the fastest when the car turned.

Today seatbelts are non negotiable and for good reason. With everything we know about road safety, I’d never let my kids in a car without one. It’s not just law, it’s common sense!

Playing out until after dark!

There was no internet so we spent most of our free time outside, playing until the streetlights came on our universal signal to head home!. No phones, no way to contact us, and somehow it all felt perfectly fine.

In today’s world letting our kids wander around until it gets dark doesn’t sit well with me. Sure I want them to have fun but with so much awareness of potential dangers, I’m all about planned activities and knowing where they are at all times.

Living without sunscreen!

Sunscreen? In the 90s? I’m pretty sure it was an optional extra. We were out in the sun all day, baking under those UV rays with little more than coconut oil slathered on for that perfect tan. I remember getting sun burned so bad each summer and one year my friend had to go to the doctors as her sunburn blistered and it had become infected! Eek!

In 2025 sunscreen is an everyday essential. In the summer practically chase my girls around with a bottle of sun cream. The idea of going outside without it makes me cringe, especially knowing how much we have learned about keeping safe in the sun, skin cancer and sun damage since then.

Going to random house parties!

Remember when we'd hear about a house party, grab a few friends and just show up? No real idea of who was hosting or how many people would be there but it didn’t matter it was a party!

House parties are a big no for my girls unless I know exactly where they are and who's going to be there. Unsupervised parties with random's in 2025 is too risky!

The world has changed a lot since I was a teenager and while some of the things I did back then feel innocent or at least mildly reckless in hindsight they just don’t fit in 2025. My girls may roll their eyes at my rules and restrictions, but as a parent, my job is to keep them safe, even if it means banning a few of the fun things I once did. 

What did you do as a teenager that you won't let your teenagers do?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge!

For the last year or even more I have seen the weekly linky the Wednesday Hodgepodge from Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond and never got around to taking part but now that she is posting the questions on a Sunday it gives me more chance to get a post put together so I thought I'm going to join in. Each week Joyce asks 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. It's been said January is 'the month of opportunity, inspiration, and change." Which of the three do you need most right now? Elaborate. 

This is a tough one, depending on the time of day I think I need a little of all three but as of writing this I think I would chose inspiration. Inspiration helps us carry through with opportunities and embrace change. It could help me see the world differently and give me some motivation to start some new projects.

2. Do you consider opportunity as something that comes to you or something you create for yourself?

I think it's a bit of both. There are moments when it feels like the stars align and a chance just lands in my lap but other opportunities I feel like I have worked hard for. Sometimes it's about putting yourself out there and saying yes to things you wouldn't normally. Like joining in with this linky, I might join in and then find new blogs to read who are also linking up. That is a great opportunity. 

3. The British Museum opened on this date (January 15th) back in 1759. Do you like visiting museums? Do you have a favorite?

I haven't visited any museums for years, not since my girls were younger. We used to love visiting museums and there were some great one's when we used to live near Newcastle, up in the North East. I think our favourite was the Hancock museum. It was such a great day out, there was so much to see and lots of hands on activities for little ones.

4. It's National Oatmeal Month (yes, apparently it gets a whole month as opposed to a single day)...do you like oatmeal? How often do you eat a bowl of oatmeal? How do you like yours? What about an oatmeal cookie? Is that a sweet treat you enjoy? 

I had to Google oatmeal as I knew it sounded familiar but wasn't sure if it was just another name for porridge. I ate porridge three mornings last week. It certainly has been the weather for it. I don't make it from scratch, I get the sachets where you just add milk and pop in the microwave for a couple of minutes. My favourite one's are the one's with golden syrup in and I will always add some fruit.

5. What's something useful you learned in high school? 

Friendships can be temporary and that’s OK. In my first year at high school it felt like the friends I made would be my besties forever. By Year 11 my friendship group looked completely different and that’s just life. People grow, change, and take different paths and I learned that it’s okay to let go. The friends who truly matter will stay with you and sometimes letting others drift away is the best thing you can do.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am ready for spring and some warmer weather! I am sick of the cold weather and the darkness. As I am writing this on Sunday it is just grey and gloomy. Someone send some sunshine!! On the other hand January doesn't seem to be dragging, it always feels like such a long month but I think it's flying over so far!

How to save time on the chores around your home!

Wow! Time flies! This will be my third year linking up with a fantastic bunch of ladies sharing some of my life with the Share Our Lives linky! At the end of December I saw the list of prompts for each month and I am excited for them! This month we're starting off with Saving time on our chores! 

Doing the housework and chores around the house is no fun, well I don't find it fun at all. I don't wake up and think what a glorious day to scrub the toilet but unless you want to live in a dirt filled house some cleaning is required! There are ways to save time on the chores around your home and I am sharing them.

Declutter first, clean later!

The less stuff you have, the less you have to clean, it’s that simple!! Take a good look around your home and ask yourself if you really need all those knick knacks, old magazines or random gadgets gathering dust. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and ask, “Does this bring me joy?” If the answer is no, it’s time to say goodbye. I have always found that when there is less clutter it looks tidier and it certainly makes it easier to clean.

Do a good enough clean!

Perfection is overrated. Do you really need to polish the kettle until you can see your reflection? If the sink is shiny and the kitchen sides are crumb free, you’re winning! Think of it as the difference between Pinterest clean where you just clean what is necessary and Mother in law clean where everything inside and out of everywhere is spotless. 

Multitask!

If you're waiting for the kettle to boil wipe down the kitchen sides while you’re at it or if you’re binging your latest TV obsession fold laundry at the same time.

Go for All in One cleaning products!

Why juggle five different bottles when one multi purpose cleaner can do the job? Look for products that can tackle multiple surfaces, like glass, counters and tiles. You’ll save time switching between products and make your cleaning caddy much lighter.

Delegate like a boss!

Why do all the work yourself when you can enlist help! Got kids, perfect they're unpaid workers but shorter. Turn chores into a game: who can pick up the most toys in two minutes or who can match socks the fastest. Convince your partner that vacuuming is a “fun couple’s activity” or that taking out the bins is a workout. Bribery works, too. A cup of tea or a cheeky biscuit can be a great motivator!

Invest in time saving gadgets!

Technology is your friend. Robot vacuums are basically pets that clean up after you and don’t get me started on cordless vacuums, no more wrestling with a plug that doesn’t quite reach the corner. If a gadget can shave minutes off your chore time, it’s worth it. Treat yourself!

The 10 minute dash!

Set a timer for 10 minutes and see how much you can get done. You’ll be amazed at how motivating it is to race the clock. It’s like being on a game show, except the grand prize is a clean living room and the satisfaction of being an adult who has their life sort of together.

Have a cleaning playlist!

 I remember when my girls were at school the teachers would play the Mission Impossible theme to motivate them to tidy the classroom. Make a list of songs which motivate you, one's you can sing and dance along to help! You can also use the playlist as a timer!

Lower your standards!

Sometimes, the best way to save time on chores is to not do them. Nobody ever died from skipping a week of mopping. Dim the lights, light a candle, and suddenly your slightly dusty home looks cosy instead of chaotic. Remember: dust is just a protective coating for your furniture!

Reward yourself!

Every chore session deserves a reward. Cleaned the bathroom? That’s a brownie worthy achievement. Tackled the pile of dishes? A cup of tea and a sit down are in order. Positive reinforcement isn’t just for training pets it works on humans too!

At the end of the day chores are just chores! They’re not meant to take over your life. Remember, a house doesn’t have to be perfect to feel like home!

I am linking up with:

Adrienne from Mom Life with Adrienne.

Dara from Not In Jersey.

Jen from Show me & Sweet tea.

Joanne from Slices of Life.

Sarah from Toronto Sam.

Our weekly meal plan! 13th - 19th January! #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! Last weeks meal plan went really well, we ate everything apart from the pizza on Friday night. We just all helped ourselves to different things. We loved all of the Gousto meals that we had, our favourite was the pork belly. The roast potatoes covered in the umami soy and sesame sauce was something different and made a nice change from gravy! We had another Gousto box delivered over the weekend and have already eaten one of the meals, on Saturday we had the Henderson’s relish beef burger. I cheated and used the microwave fries to go instead of making chips.

I am looking forward to the meals this week, a couple of our favourites and the pie is a new one for us. Now that Ellie loves mushrooms it has given us more options of meals from Gousto. I don't have much on this week, the weather is supposed to warm up a little so I might try and get out in the garden and tidy that up a bit. It will be soon time to think about planting things. 

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Gousto meal - Umami Portobello & Chestnut Mushroom Pie, I am going to make some mashed potato to go with it. Pie needs mash!

Tuesday - Gousto meal - Sesame Pork & Mushroom Udon Noodle Stir-Fry. This is in our top 5 Gousto meals. It's the one that made Ellie love mushrooms.

Wednesday - Tomato soup with cheese toasties to dip in. Just out of a tin but an easy midweek meal.

Thursday - Gousto meal - Hearty Sausage & Baked Bean Hotpot With Minty Peas.

Friday - Fish, chips and mushy peas.

Saturday - Gousto meal - BBQ Chicken Burger With Fries And Pickled Cucumber.

Sunday - Sausage sandwiches.

What are you eating this week?

A photo every day for a year! 5th - 11th January. Week 2 of #Project365

Hello and happy Sunday! I am writing this yesterday and the sun is shining, the sky is blue but it's ruddy freezing! That has been the theme for this week and it shows in my photos! I hope you have been keeping warm, we've overused the heating but I will worry about that when the bill comes in. I refuse to be cold and miserable. I turn into such a grump if I am cold.

I am having a productive day. Housework is done, the Gousto box has been delivered and put away, mine and Stu's bed has been changed, my dad has been round and it's not even midday! Usually I have a little lie in on a Saturday but I woke just after 8am so I feel like I've done loads! 

Now for a photo every day!

5/365 - 5th January

We had a little bit of snow, this was it! It washed away after a couple of hours with the rain. I was very disappointed as some parts of the UK had loads more, enough for snowmen and sledding. 

6/365 - 6th January

I was off out with my dad, this little monkey makes me smile. My great aunt gave it to him when Becky was a baby, she's 22 now all because he joked and said you never bring me presents now. hehehe

7/365 - 7th January

A clear dining room table means that I had a productive day. I got through a mountain of washing and got it all sorted and put away too.

8/365 - 8th January

The windows on our little shed were frozen on the inside. I had some cans of pop in there and they were frozen too. It's crazy how years ago we just had single pane windows and would have had to deal with them freezing. Thank goodness for double glazed windows.

9/365 - 9th January

The frost on the grass was so pretty.

10/365 - 10th January

We had a chilly walk to my dad's. We did think about getting the bus but we had just missed one so thought it was better to walk than wait for the next one. Just as we got to my dad's the bus went past so we made the right choice, at least we were warm.

11/365 - 11th January

I had to look twice when I looked out of the window first thing, I thought it had snowed. No, it was just a thick layer of frost. It did start to melt by lunchtime. I wasn't bothered, I didn't have to go out.

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

This week my Word of the Week is:

I hope all of you who wished for colder weather in the summer are happy now. hehehe It has been ruddy cold, freezing in fact! I can't believe after years of doing my Word of the Week posts this is the first time I've used the word Freezing!

On Sunday we had our first snowfall of the year. I know some places in the UK got enough to build snowman and go sledding but not here, there was a dusting of snow and then it rained and it all turned to slush, not the fun type of snow at all! We saw on the local Facebook groups cars were being left at the top and bottom of hills locally, I am so glad I don't drive and have to worry about that sort of thing.

It has been cold all week. On Monday it felt even colder than Sunday and my dad needed my help with a few things so he came to pick me up so I didn't have to walk to his in the cold. He started off by giving me lunch, his little home was so warm and cosy but then we had to go into his office over the lane and it was freezing! He had a heater on but it didn't really have any effect. I was glad to get what I had to done and come home but my family were wrapped up well and hadn't thought of putting the heating on. Eesh! I have a rule that if I am home alone I will wrap up, have a blanket on me and put the heating on at a last resort, that doesn't apply when we're all home. There's me saying my family never listen to me but it turns out they do but a little too much sometimes. hehehe

It didn't feel as cold on Tuesday but then Wednesday arrived and there was a thick layer of frost on the ground which didn't disappear at all, it was just too cold. My poor delivery guy who brought my food shop nearly ended up on his backside as it was icy, that type of ice that you can't see. I felt so bad for him but thankfully I was his last delivery of the day and he was planning to go home for a hot bath.

I rarely have baths since we had the shower put in a couple of years ago but I've had 2 this week. There is something nice about getting in a hot bath when you have been out in the cold. I have been doing all the cosy things to make me think that I am warm. Burning candles, drinking hot drinks and wearing oversized, snuggly jumpers.

Stu and Ellie have been suffering this week because of the buses being late. They don't mind it as much on a morning but at home time after being in a warm college or office they really feel it.

As I am writing this it is minus 2 degrees Celsius but on the weather app says if feels like minus 7! There is hope though, next week the temperatures are set to go up again! Phew! On Tuesday it's supposed to be 10 degrees Celsius! That's practically summer weather. hehehe

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 for her Word of the Week linky!